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
01 —By component

Complaints by component

One complaint can cite several components
  1. Engine108
  2. Electrical system75
  3. Power train39
  4. Exterior lighting38
  5. Service brakes32
  6. Seats29
  7. Electronic stability control (esc)19
  8. Steering17
  9. Fuel/propulsion system14
  10. Vehicle speed control13
  11. Air bags8
  12. Suspension7
  13. Structure4
  14. 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
02 —Trend

When complaints were filed

Does it get worse with age? Complaints per calendar year filed
View as table
Model yearComplaints filed per calendar year
20101
201113
20125
20135
201418
201523
201642
201747
201828
201935
202023
202118
20229
20238
20242
20251
20262

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.

03 —Owner reports

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.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled May 13, 2026Power train, Electrical system, EngineODI 11737701

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.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jun 11, 2023Electrical system, Air bags, Service brakesODI 11526448

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.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 28, 2023Power train, Engine, Fuel/propulsion systemCrash reportedODI 11552406

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”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Dec 28, 2023Exterior lightingODI 11562312

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.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Mar 30, 2022Service brakesODI 11459007

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.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Sep 27, 2019Electrical system, Seat belts, SeatsODI 11258633
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.