NHTSA (USA)High Risk
This page covers 6 recalls, 19 owner complaints and EPA fuel economy for the 2018 Buick Regal.
22–26 mpg combined
9–10.7 L/100km
Large Cars
Fuel economy data from fueleconomy.gov (EPA / U.S. Dept. of Energy). Annual cost based on 15,000 mi/yr at 55% city driving and current fuel prices. MPG is U.S. gallons; L/100km converted. Ranges reflect the 3 tested variants for this model year.
Brake system complaints are the most consistent thread running through 2018 Buick Regal owner reports. Several owners describe a sudden, significant loss of braking power, with the pedal requiring full travel before the brakes engage meaningfully. A related pattern involves the brake control module generating fault codes that appear to affect brake system performance. A handful of owners also report an intermittent "Shift to Park" message appearing even after the vehicle is placed in park, which prevents the car from fully shutting off and can drain the battery over time. The electrical system draws a couple of complaints as well, including reports of the engine shutting off unexpectedly at stops before restarting when the brake pedal is pressed. The overall complaint volume for this model year is relatively low at 19 reports total.
19
Total Complaints
5
Crash-Related
3
With Injuries
By System
The 2018 Buick Regal has 6 recalls, the most serious involving two brake-related defects: rear brake calipers that can lose stopping power, and a software error in the brake control module that can extend stopping distance if the vacuum brake assist fails.
The brake concerns cover two distinct problems. On the caliper side, gas pockets can form inside the rear brake caliper pistons, reducing the force the brakes can apply at the rear wheels. On the electronic side, a software error in the brake control module means that if vacuum-assisted braking is lost, the electronic brake booster may not compensate as designed, leaving the driver with noticeably longer stopping distances and more pedal effort than expected. Prior repair attempts did not fully resolve this issue, as a separate filing addresses the same underlying electronic brake boost problem.
There are also two recalls affecting the rear seat belts on the outboard seating positions. During assembly, the seatbelt webbing on those seats may have been routed incorrectly around the bolster bracket. A belt routed this way can slip or shift in a crash instead of locking the occupant in place, reducing the protection the belt was designed to provide. These two filings describe the same manufacturing problem.
Rounding out the list is a label recall that carries no safety consequence. Certain vehicles are missing the French translation of "NONE" on the tire and loading information label in the spare tire field, which does not affect how the vehicle drives or performs.
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Complaints are owner-reported and reflect individual experiences, not confirmed defects. They are distinct from recalls. Data sourced from the national vehicle safety complaint database. See trending complaints →
At a glance
What can fail
A software error in the brake control module can cause loss of power brake assist if the vacuum-power brake system fails, reducing braking ability.
What the fix does
Dealers will update the brake control module software at no cost to restore proper brake assist function.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The electronic brake boost system may fail to work correctly if the vacuum-brake assist is partially or fully lost, which could prevent the vehicle from stopping within required distances.
What the fix does
GM will mail you instructions to visit a dealership, where technicians will update the electronic brake control module software.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The tire and loading information label does not display the spare tire information in both English and French as required by Canadian regulations. It shows only "NONE" instead of "NONE / AUCUN".
What the fix does
General Motors has corrected the tire and loading information label on all new vehicles to display the spare tire information in both languages.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
Rear brake caliper pistons may have inadequate coating, allowing gas pockets to form and reducing rear brake performance.
What the fix does
Dealers will bleed the brake system to remove gas pockets and restore brake performance at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
Rear outboard seat belts may be routed incorrectly around the seat bolster bracket, preventing them from providing proper restraint in a crash.
What the fix does
Dealers will check that rear outboard seat belts are routed correctly and reroute them if needed.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The rear seat belts on outboard seats may have been routed incorrectly around the bolster bracket during manufacturing, preventing the belts from properly restraining passengers.
What the fix does
Dealers will inspect the rear outboard seat belts and correct their routing as needed at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
