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Research · Midsize Cars

2013 Buick RegalRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 6 safety recalls and 91 owner complaints for the 2013 Buick Regal. Most complaints involve exterior lighting (37) and electrical system (36). The EPA rates it 22–24 mpg combined, and NHTSA gives it 5 stars overall.

Check a VINAdd to my garage
Combined MPG
22–24mpg
EPA · 7 versions
NHTSA overall
5of 5 stars
NCAP crash tests
Safety recalls
6campaigns
Latest Feb 2026
Owner complaints
91
Top: exterior lighting
Fuel cost / yr
$2,600est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

6 NHTSA campaigns · applies to some vehicles, check your VIN

Suspension: rear

Free remedy

General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2012–2013 Buick Regal Turbo and GS trim-level vehicles that were sold or ever registered, in Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, or Wisconsin. The rear suspension toe links may have received improper corrosion protection, which can result in rear toe link fracture.

SuspensionReported Feb 26, 2026NHTSA 26V113000

Suspension: rear

Free remedy

General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2010-2013 Buick Lacrosse, 2012-2013 Buick Regal, and 2013 Chevrolet Malibu vehicles sold or ever registered in Connecticut, Delaware, the District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, or Wisconsin. These vehicles may have rear toe links that received an improper amount of electrocoating (e-coat) corrosion protection, which could cause the e-coat to become brittle and break away when contacted by road debris. Over time, the e-coat may chip away, exposing the metal toe link and making it more susceptible to corrosion. Corrosion may eventually cause the toe link to thin and ultimately fracture.

SuspensionReported Dec 22, 2021NHTSA 21V00F000

Suspension: rear

Remedy pending

General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2013 Buick Regal, Chevrolet Malibu, and Buick Lacrosse vehicles sold or ever registered in Connecticut, Delaware, the District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, or Wisconsin. These vehicles may have rear toe links that received excessive electrocoating (e-coat) corrosion protection, which could cause the e-coat to become brittle and break away when contacted by road debris. Over time, the e-coat may chip away, exposing the metal toe link and making it more susceptible to corrosion. Corrosion may eventually cause the toe link to thin and ultimately fracture.

SuspensionReported Aug 12, 2021NHTSA 21V633000
See all 6 recalls with remedies
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 10, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

91 complaints filed with NHTSA · Jan 2014 – May 2026
  1. Exterior lighting37
  2. Electrical system36
  3. Power train9
  4. Engine9
  5. Vehicle speed control7
  6. Structure6
  7. Service brakes6
  8. Steering4
  9. Fuel/propulsion system4

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.

By model year

Complaints for each Regal model year we’ve synced.

View as table
Model yearNHTSA complaints
1996207
1998312
1999252
2000196
2001194
2002129
2003104
200466
2011280
201292
201391
201438
201533
201641
201720
201819
201920
20202
Crashes reported
6
Fires reported
2
Injuries reported
5
Deaths reported
0
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 10, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Exterior lighting

37 reports1 crash1 fire
“The contact owns a 2013 Buick Regal. The contact stated that the front driver's side headlight was replaced by the dealer six years ago. The contact stated that the front passenger's side front headlight was inoperable and replaced three years ago; however, the contact stated that the front driver's and passenger's side headlights have since become inoperable due to heavy condensation. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where the vehicle was diagnosed with failed front driver's and passenger's headlights due to condensation. The contact was informed that the driver's and passenger's side headlights needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 42,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jan 5, 2024Exterior lightingODI 11563741

Electrical system

36 reports1 crash
“The contact owns a 2013 Buick Regal. The contact stated that while stopped at a stop light and depressing the brake pedal, the hybrid battery would power off as intended; however, when the brake pedal was released, the vehicle would lose automotive power before suddenly independently powering on before jolting. The check engine light illuminated. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. In addition, the contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign: 13V173000 (Electrical System); however, the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 130,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled May 8, 2026Electrical systemODI 11736608

Power train

9 reports1 crash1 fire
“I have a continuous problem where the vehicle goes into limp mode/reduce power mode it studders and stalls out. The check engine and stabilitrak light comes on. It is extreamly dangerous at it happens on the road and in traffic. I have thousands of dollars, a new thortle body sensor, a new crank positioner, new timing chain, new ECM, new gaskets and so much more.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Mar 13, 2025Power train, Electrical system, EngineODI 11648213
All 2013 Regal problemsSend a problem to a mechanic on findmechanic.ai
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 10, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

7 versions rated by the EPA
EPA class
Midsize Cars
Engines
2.0L 4-cyl turbo · 2.4L 4-cyl
Transmissions
Manual 6-spd · Automatic (S6)
Drive
Front-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Regular Gasoline

Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.

Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 10, 2026EPA listing
05 —Fuel economy

EPA fuel economy by version

City / highway / combined, annual fuel cost and CO₂
EPA
VersionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
Regal
Man 6-spd, 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo, SIDI; FFV · Front-Wheel Drive
203124$2,600376
Regal
Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 2.4 L, SIDI; FFV · Front-Wheel Drive
193023$2,700381
Regal
Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 2.4 L, SIDI · Front-Wheel Drive
193023$2,700381
Regal
Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo, SIDI; FFV; Sport Transmission · Front-Wheel Drive
182822$2,850409
Regal
Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo, SIDI; FFV · Front-Wheel Drive
182822$2,850409
Regal
Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo, SIDI · Front-Wheel Drive
192622$2,850409
Regal
Man 6-spd, 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo, SIDI · Front-Wheel Drive
192722$2,850407
  • Regal
    Man 6-spd, 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo, SIDI; FFV
    20 city · 31 hwy · $2,600/yr
    24
    mpg comb.
  • Regal
    Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 2.4 L, SIDI; FFV
    19 city · 30 hwy · $2,700/yr
    23
    mpg comb.
  • Regal
    Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 2.4 L, SIDI
    19 city · 30 hwy · $2,700/yr
    23
    mpg comb.
  • Regal
    Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo, SIDI; FFV; Sport Transmission
    18 city · 28 hwy · $2,850/yr
    22
    mpg comb.
  • Regal
    Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo, SIDI; FFV
    18 city · 28 hwy · $2,850/yr
    22
    mpg comb.
  • Regal
    Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo, SIDI
    19 city · 26 hwy · $2,850/yr
    22
    mpg comb.
  • Regal
    Man 6-spd, 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo, SIDI
    19 city · 27 hwy · $2,850/yr
    22
    mpg comb.
Estimate your fuel costCost of ownership
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 10, 2026 · Fuel cost is EPA’s annual estimate (15,000 mi, 55% city)
06 —Safety

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings

1 tested variant
Overall rating
5/ 5
5 of 5
Buick Regal 4 DR FWD
Frontal crash
4 of 5
Side crash
5 of 5
Side pole
5 of 5
Rollover
4 of 5
Rollover risk
10.9%
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Nov 10, 2026Vehicle 7352
07 —Maintenance

Maintenance basics

General guidance, not the OEM schedule. Check your owner’s manual.
General guidance
ItemMilesTimeNote
Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi6–12 monthsFollow the oil-life monitor if fitted
Tire rotation5,000–7,500 miEvery oil changeCheck pressure monthly
Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi1–2 yearsSooner in dusty areas
Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi1–2 years
Brake fluid—2–3 yearsAbsorbs moisture over time
Coolant60,000–100,000 mi5–10 yearsLong-life coolants last longer
Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi—Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end
12V battery—3–5 yearsHeat shortens battery life
  • Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi
    6–12 months
  • Tire rotation5,000–7,500 mi
    Every oil change
  • Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Brake fluid—
    2–3 years
  • Coolant60,000–100,000 mi
    5–10 years
  • Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi
    —
  • 12V battery—
    3–5 years
Typical intervals for modern cars. Severe service (towing, short trips, extreme heat or cold) shortens them.
09 —FAQ

2013 Regal questions

How many recalls does the 2013 Buick Regal have?

6 safety recalls as of Nov 10, 2026, according to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at a dealer. Check your VIN to see whether your car is included and whether the repair was done.

What are the most common 2013 Buick Regal problems?

Owners filed 91 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are exterior lighting (37), electrical system (36), power train (9). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2013 Buick Regal get?

The EPA rates the 2013 Buick Regal at 22–24 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (7 versions rated).

How safe is the 2013 Buick Regal?

NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program gives the 2013 Buick Regal 5 out of 5 stars overall.

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Nov 10, 2026