MYRModel Year Report

2011 Buick Regal

■ Significantly worse — known issue year
2011 Buick Regal
BUILT 2026-10-10

This year had more than double the complaints of this model's typical year.

This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.

How is this computed?

Complaints
280
Recalls
4

Campaigns on file for 2011

Investigations
0

None on file

Top problem
Engine

39% of complaints

Complaints per year

1982: 1 complaint 1982 1983: 4 complaints 1984: 6 complaints 1985: 9 complaints 1986: 12 complaints 1987: 25 complaints 1987 1988: 125 complaints 1989: 107 complaints 1990: 77 complaints 1991: 201 complaints 1992: 145 complaints 1992 1993: 86 complaints 1994: 119 complaints 1995: 174 complaints 1996: 204 complaints 1997: 136 complaints 1997 1998: 302 complaints 1999: 246 complaints 2000: 184 complaints 2001: 187 complaints 2002: 117 complaints 2002 2003: 101 complaints 2004: 66 complaints 2005: 4 complaints 2008: 1 complaint 2009: 1 complaint 2010: 1 complaint 2011: 280 complaints 2011 280 2012: 92 complaints 2013: 91 complaints 2014: 38 complaints 2015: 33 complaints 2016: 41 complaints 2017: 20 complaints 2018: 19 complaints 2019: 19 complaints 2019 2020: 2 complaints
1982: 1 complaint 1982 1983: 4 complaints 1984: 6 complaints 1985: 9 complaints 1985 1986: 12 complaints 1987: 25 complaints 1988: 125 complaints 1988 1989: 107 complaints 1990: 77 complaints 1991: 201 complaints 1991 1992: 145 complaints 1993: 86 complaints 1994: 119 complaints 1994 1995: 174 complaints 1996: 204 complaints 1997: 136 complaints 1997 1998: 302 complaints 1999: 246 complaints 2000: 184 complaints 2000 2001: 187 complaints 2002: 117 complaints 2003: 101 complaints 2003 2004: 66 complaints 2005: 4 complaints 2008: 1 complaint 2008 2009: 1 complaint 2010: 1 complaint 2011: 280 complaints 2011 280 2012: 92 complaints 2013: 91 complaints 2014: 38 complaints 2014 2015: 33 complaints 2016: 41 complaints 2017: 20 complaints 2017 2018: 19 complaints 2019: 19 complaints 2020: 2 complaints 2020
1982: 1 complaint 1982 1983: 4 complaints 1984: 6 complaints 1984 1985: 9 complaints 1986: 12 complaints 1986 1987: 25 complaints 1988: 125 complaints 1988 1989: 107 complaints 1990: 77 complaints 1990 1991: 201 complaints 1992: 145 complaints 1992 1993: 86 complaints 1994: 119 complaints 1994 1995: 174 complaints 1996: 204 complaints 1996 1997: 136 complaints 1998: 302 complaints 1998 1999: 246 complaints 2000: 184 complaints 2000 2001: 187 complaints 2002: 117 complaints 2002 2003: 101 complaints 2004: 66 complaints 2004 2005: 4 complaints 2008: 1 complaint 2008 2009: 1 complaint 2010: 1 complaint 2011: 280 complaints 2011 280 2012: 92 complaints 2013: 91 complaints 2014: 38 complaints 2014 2015: 33 complaints 2016: 41 complaints 2016 2017: 20 complaints 2018: 19 complaints 2018 2019: 19 complaints 2020: 2 complaints 2020

2011: 280 complaints

View as data table
YearComplaints
19800
19810
19821
19834
19846
19859
198612
198725
1988125
1989107
199077
1991201
1992145
199386
1994119
1995174
1996204
1997136
1998302
1999246
2000184
2001187
2002117
2003101
200466
20054
20081
20091
20101
2011280
201292
201391
201438
201533
201641
201720
201819
201919
20202

Known problem areas

Percentages can add to more than 100% — a complaint can name more than one system.

Engine

39% · 108 reports
CRASHFIREINJURY
Show complaint excerpts

I was parking in marked space. I had turned into space, my foot was off the gas pedal. The car was 3/4 into the space when it malfunctioned and rapidly accelerated into a hardened snow bank.

NHTSA ODI report, 2023-10-28

Also filed under Power train and fuel/propulsion system

Electrical system

27% · 76 reports

Most commonly citing instrument cluster/panel and wiring.

CRASHFIREINJURY
Show complaint excerpts

Tl* the contact owns a 2011 Buick Regal. The contact stated that the driver side head lamp failed to illuminate. The contact removed the assembly and found that the plug that connects to light bulb was melted.

NHTSA ODI report, 2018-03-27

Also filed under Exterior lighting

This vehicle has a recall for electrical system in seats. Parts were unavailable. It died and then caught fire on the side of the road. And was totalled. GM denies all liability and refuses to offer any compensation.

NHTSA ODI report, 2017-11-22

Tl* the contact owns a 2011 Buick Regal. The contact stated that the vehicle would loose power sporadically.

NHTSA ODI report, 2012-05-24

Also filed under Power train and steering

Power train

14% · 39 reports

Most commonly citing cooling unit and lines and automatic transmission.

CRASH

Exterior lighting

14% · 38 reports

Most commonly citing tail lights and headlights.

FIREINJURY

Service brakes

11% · 32 reports

Safety timeline

4 recalls · 0 investigations · oldest first

To check one car, enter its VIN on the NHTSA recall page. Check a VIN →

  1. ▮
    2011Complaint volume 280 complaints filed for this model year.
  2. R
    2014-09-08Exterior lighting12V484000 General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2011-2013 Buick Regal and model year 2013 Chevrolet Malibu vehicles. These vehicles are equipped with two turn signal bulbs in each front…

    Remedy: GM will notify owners, dealers will update the body control module software, free of charge. The recall began in September 2014. Owners may contact Buick at 1-800-521-7300 or Chevrolet at…

    Check if this car was fixed →

  3. R
    2014-12-26Seats14V447000 General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2011-2012 Buick LaCrosse, Regal and Chevrolet Camaro, as well as certain 2010-2012 Cadillac SRX, Chevrolet Equinox and GMC Terrain vehicles, equipped with power height adjustable driver and...

    Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the height adjuster shoulder bolts, free of charge. The manufacturer distributed interim letters to owners on September 11, 2014. The recall began on December 26, 2014.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  4. R
    2016-10-14Electrical system, power train16V502000 General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2016-2017 Buick Verano and 2016 Chevrolet Malibu as the electronic park lock lever may allow the ignition key to be removed without the transmission being in PARK.

    Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and if necessary replace the key cylinder lock housing, free of charge. The recall began on October 14, 2016.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  5. R
    2017-03-13Electrical system, seats16V517000 General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2011 Buick Regal vehicles manufactured November 3, 2009, to March 25, 2011, equipped with 8-way power adjustable front seats.

    Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and secure the wiring harness, and repair any chafed wires as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on March 13, 2017. Owners may contact Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300.

    Check if this car was fixed →

Buy-smart checklist

2011 Buick Regal — pre-purchase inspection

Inspect

  • Engine: 108 reports on file for this year.
  • Electrical system: 76 reports on file for this year.
  • Power train: 39 reports on file for this year.

Verify these recalls were completed

  • Recall 12V484000 · Exterior lighting
  • Recall 14V447000 · Seats
  • Recall 16V502000 · Electrical system, power train
  • Recall 16V517000 · Electrical system, seats
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

Other years of this model

See all years ranked →

Best years3 years

Worst years3 years

FAQ

Is the 2011 Buick Regal reliable?
Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2011 Buick Regal is rated "significantly worse".
What are the most common problems with the 2011 Buick Regal?
The most-reported component is engine, accounting for 39% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 2011 Buick Regal have?
4 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-10-09 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.