Problems · NHTSA complaints
2011 Buick Regal problems
Owners filed 280 complaints about the 2011 Buick Regal with NHTSA between Jul 2010 and Sep 2026. The most-cited component is engine (108).
Complaints
280
Filed with NHTSA
Crashes
7
Reported by owners
Fires
7
Reported by owners
Injuries
7
People reported injured
Deaths
0
Reported to NHTSA
Complaints by component
One complaint can cite several components
- Engine108
- Electrical system75
- Power train39
- Exterior lighting38
- Service brakes32
- Seats29
- Electronic stability control (esc)19
- Steering17
- Fuel/propulsion system14
- Vehicle speed control13
- Air bags8
- Suspension7
- Structure4
- Engine and engine cooling4
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 9, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
When complaints were filed
Does it get worse with age? Complaints per calendar year filed
1
13
5
5
18
23
42
47
28
35
23
18
9
8
2
1
2
View as table
| Model year | Complaints filed per calendar year |
|---|---|
| 2010 | 1 |
| 2011 | 13 |
| 2012 | 5 |
| 2013 | 5 |
| 2014 | 18 |
| 2015 | 23 |
| 2016 | 42 |
| 2017 | 47 |
| 2018 | 28 |
| 2019 | 35 |
| 2020 | 23 |
| 2021 | 18 |
| 2022 | 9 |
| 2023 | 8 |
| 2024 | 2 |
| 2025 | 1 |
| 2026 | 2 |
Mileage at failure isn’t a structured field in NHTSA complaint data, so we don’t chart it. Some owners mention it in their reports below.
Top problems in owners’ words
Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first
Engine
108 reports2 crashes1 fire
“While driving on the highway at 60 mph, warning on dash came on saying “engine power reduced” and drop down speed to around 25 mph and I could not accelerate more than 25 mph on the highway which could have caused an accident because of the traffic flow behind me. I put a code scanner under the dash and it read code P2138, Throttle pedal position sensor switch.”
Electrical system
75 reports1 crash7 fires2 related recalls
“The two systems that failed are the airbag release on the front passenger side and the stabilitrak system. Both systems show error lights on the dash. The front seat passenger does not have airbag protection. The stabilitrak system error light appears intermittently and when the traction system goes off the car brakes almost stop the car while driving. We go to Royal Buick in Tucson, Arizona. We worked with Germaine Kendrick. I've attached the dealer service invoice dated April 14, 2023. The invoice summarized the problem and stated that 1) a new seatbelt assesmbly is needed and 2) the service technician states that they can not replicate or repair the traction problems. Today is June 11, 2023. We are still waiting for the seatbelt assembly to "arrive". There is no solution for the traction system. We have phoned and texted 4 times. The most recent conversation on June 5th with "Chris" was interesting; Chris stated that the seatbelt part was NEVER ORDERED and furthermore, is not needed to repair the airbag warning light problem.”
Power train
39 reports3 crashes
“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. i instantly braked but there was not enough space to avoid collision.”
Exterior lighting
38 reports3 fires1 related recall
“Driver side headlamp draws moisture, keeps blowing bulbs at 104.99 a pop. Water gets in the headlight assembly and shorts out the ballast. This happens even when driving down the road at random. It could be pitch black and suddenly you have no headlights and are forced to drive with only fog lamps”
Service brakes
32 reports
“2011 Buick Regal 2.0 CXL. The brake pedal is sticking, causing the rotors to heat up and wear out. There are numerous complaints from others online detailing the dangerous situations this has caused. And numerous complaints about getting the brake system replaced and the same problem still existing. There should have been a recall. Unknown to me, until I received the new title in my name, this particular car was branded a "Lemon" in 2014.”
Seats
29 reports2 fires1 related recall
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 BUICK REGAL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT DID NOT MOVE AND MADE AN ABNORMAL NOISE. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE SEAT BELT BUCKLE WOULD UNLATCH WHILE DRIVING. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V517000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, SEATS). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 134,000.”
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 9, 2026
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.