Problems · NHTSA complaints

2016 Buick Regal problems

Owners filed 41 complaints about the 2016 Buick Regal with NHTSA between Apr 2016 and Jun 2025. The most-cited component is steering (10).

Complaints
41
Filed with NHTSA
Crashes
0
Reported by owners
Fires
0
Reported by owners
Injuries
1
People reported injured
Deaths
0
Reported to NHTSA
01 —By component

Complaints by component

One complaint can cite several components
  1. Steering10
  2. Exterior lighting6
  3. Electrical system6
  4. Vehicle speed control5
  5. Engine5
  6. Power train5
  7. Service brakes3
  8. Structure3
  9. Visibility/wiper3
  10. Wheels2
  11. Forward collision avoidance2
  12. Tires1
  13. Engine and engine cooling1
  14. Service brakes, hydraulic1

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 10, 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
20162
20176
20183
20191
20202
20219
20229
20233
20244
20252

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

Steering

10 reports1 related recall
“My steering failed and started pulling left into traffic. It was hard to keep it in my lane. Had to have it towed by AAA. Took to my mechanic and he said it was the electric belt drive rack &pinion steering. He told me there was a recall on it. When I checked I was told that my vin # was not included. I think it should have been because its the same problem.it is not safe to drive.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Feb 12, 2025SteeringODI 11642262

Exterior lighting

6 reports
“I purchased the 2016 Buick Regal used in 2021 with 40,000 miles., it now has close to 70,000 miles. It’s still in well cared for mint condition, except for the driver side headlight. Condensation appeared and has been getting worse, dealership says the only option is buying another complete headlight assembly for $1200.00. The LED part of that headlight has stopped working., it’s inevitable that the bulbs themselves with fail also. This is a safety issue. It’s absurdly cost prohibitive for me and most everybody else to spend that kind of money to fix a headlight.., and $1200.00 is the cost of the part alone, we’d be adding labor to that. This is a manufacturer defect that so many people are suffering with. They say we’re getting no relief from this because not enough people have filed complaints to the NHTSA. GM should be compelled to provide this part to us at a much more reasonable price. I’m just a poor widower dad with a daughter in college. Thank you.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled May 19, 2024Exterior lightingODI 11589503

Electrical system

6 reports
“When using adaptive cruise control, this vehicle will allow you to get close to the vehicle in front of you and aggressively apply brakes which throws you forward. The dealer has looked at this vehicle several times for this issue, changed several sensors but the problem still still exists. Because of this issue I cannot use my Adaptive Cruise Control.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jan 31, 2022Electrical system, Forward collision avoidanceODI 11449512

Vehicle speed control

5 reports
“My Buick stops when driving unknown when it’s a surprise lights and dash go off almost got hit took to mechanics it’s the 2016-17 “throw away motor” ad they call it does not last and gets”metal pieces” to ruin motor and turbo as I have noticed speed issues and dying unexpectedly it’s the regal turbo 2.0 v-6 motor a should be recall I’ve seen online since at mechanic and a large issue why no recall and I’m reporting this ty”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jun 18, 2025Vehicle speed control, Wheels, EngineODI 11667836

Engine

5 reports
“We purchased this vehicle in May 2016 and from the beginning had strange issues with the engine. It was in and out of the dealer with them trying to figure out the exact problem. They could not, so they contacted GM for approval for an engine replacement. We were concerned about going this route but were assured it would be taken care of for the life of the car. After the replacement in July 2016, the car seemed to be better but other weird issues arose. The engine always made a squealing noise that we were told was fine. We have done all required maintenance, recalls, and regular service. For the past 2 months, the car has had strange shifting issues. It was taken in to be looked at and nothing was found. The transmission received its' routine maintenance on schedule. It still was a problem and we were told to drive it until a code appeared. The car got progressively worse and had great difficulty shifting, which had us involved in a few close calls. Took it to a different dealer that also didn't find a problem. They said since there was no code, but seemed transmission related, they would drain it and replace the fluid. This also didn't work. We continued to…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Aug 25, 2021Power train, Electrical system, EngineODI 11430409

Power train

5 reports
“SHIFT TO PARK IS DISPLAYED ON THE DASHBOARD EVEN WHEN THE CAR IS IN PARK. DASH LIGHTS AND ACCESSORIES REMAIN ON UNTIL YOU "JIGGLE" THE SHIFTER IN AND OUT OF PARK SEVERAL TIMES.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jan 27, 2020Power trainODI 11302298
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 10, 2026

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