Problems · NHTSA complaints
2018 Buick Regal problems
Owners filed 19 complaints about the 2018 Buick Regal with NHTSA between Jun 2018 and Oct 2025. The most-cited component is service brakes (7).
Complaints
19
Filed with NHTSA
Crashes
5
Reported by owners
Fires
0
Reported by owners
Injuries
4
People reported injured
Deaths
0
Reported to NHTSA
Complaints by component
One complaint can cite several components
- Service brakes7
- Engine5
- Electrical system3
- Air bags2
- Power train2
- Visibility/wiper2
- Vehicle speed control2
- Tires1
- Seat belts1
- Seats1
- Service brakes, hydraulic1
- Steering1
- Fuel/propulsion system1
- Other / unknown4
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
When complaints were filed
Does it get worse with age? Complaints per calendar year filed
3
3
3
0
4
3
1
2
View as table
| Model year | Complaints filed per calendar year |
|---|---|
| 2018 | 3 |
| 2019 | 3 |
| 2020 | 3 |
| 2021 | 0 |
| 2022 | 4 |
| 2023 | 3 |
| 2024 | 1 |
| 2025 | 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
Service brakes
7 reports4 crashes
“My car was part of recall number 22V465, which was supposed to fix a problem with the electronic brake assist system. The recall repair was done in 2023, but after my battery recently died, the same problem has come back — my brakes are very firm, and I have to press hard to stop. The car is showing trouble codes C028F:04, C1586:04, and V0420:71, all related to the electronic brake control module.”
Engine
5 reports
“This issue is related to the gear shifter on the vehicle. When stopping the car and putting it into park the dashboard shows the message "Shift to Park." this vehicle has only 50,000 miles on it and this issue cause safety issues as the battery on the vehicle will drain as the car can't be turned off with this message. This issue has been reported for this vehicle in NHTSA Bulletin #10252775. However, the manufacturer is stating that it doesn't link to the cars VIN #. With 10 years + of vehicles in the GM family showing this issue and the issue being all over the internet, the issue must be reported for this vehicle.”
Electrical system
3 reports
“Increased stopping distance during certain brake vacuum loss events. My check engine light goes on and off periodically. When I’m at a red light my whole car shuts off and goes into a neutral mode then once I press the brake it starts back up.”
Air bags
2 reports2 crashes
“On Monday, August 14th, at approximately 5 pm, my wife and I were traveling in our 2018 Buick Regal towards a red streetlight. I began applying my brakes to come to a stop. I was several car lengths behind a vehicle that was up ahead. My car's engine then revved up and our vehicle kept on going and jerking front and back although I was applying the brakes. Our car failed to stop so I struck the stationary vehicle. I kept on applying the brakes, but the car kept on going and jerking until I struck the car in front a second time. Our vehicles engine continued to revve up and the brakes continued to fail and I struck the rear end of the car in front of me again. The other driver crossed the intersection with us traveling right behind with no control over our vehicle. When we crossed the intersection there was an incline, so this slowed down our car since our brakes did not work, I pulled the steering wheel to the right towards the cement curb, then I put the transmission into Park, then the car's engine revved up once again and made a loud noise. Both vehicles sustained damage. I then was able to turn the engine off. This action was the only maneuver which stopped…”
Power train
2 reports
“STEERING WHEEL JERKS BACK ON AUTO START AFTER AUTO STOP. EXTREMELY DANGEROUS THE ISSUES HAPPENED WHILE DRIVING AND AT RANDOM. REPORTED THE ISSUE EARLY FEBRUARY 2020 AGAIN IN EARLY MAY 2020 AFTER FAILURE TO DUPLICATE THE ISSUE BY THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT.REPORTED THE ISSUE AGAIN EARLY OCTOBER AFTER THE ISSUE WAS WORSE. ACCORDING TO GM FIELD SPECIALIST THE STEERING RACK WAS THE ISSUE, IT WAS REPLACED BUT THE ISSUE WAS STILL PERSISTENT AND THEY CONTINUED TO HAVE THE VEHICLE FOR ABOUT A MONTH. VEHICLE WAS RETURNED BACK TO ME WITH A SHARPENING NOISE AND A STEERING WHEEL GOING LEFT. HAVE NOT HEARD BACK FOR REPAIRS.”
Visibility/wiper
2 reports
“DURING THE COLD WEATHER WHILE BEING DRIVEN THE AC UNIT OR HEATER THROWS MOISTURE INTO THE CABIN RESULTING IN COMPLETE VISION IMPAIRMENT. THIS HAPPENED FIRST WHILE GOING UP A MOUNTAIN ROAD AND THE CAR HAD TO BE COMPLETELY STOPPED HOPING NOT TO GET HIT. THE DEFROST WAS MAXED AND THE IMPAIRMENT WAS STILL POSSIBLE, NO MATTER HOW HOT IT GOT IN THE CABIN THE MOISTURE WAS TO MUCH, TAKING MY AND WIPING THE MOISTURE OF THE WINDSHIELD WATER DRIPPED DOWN. IT CONTINUES TO OCCUR NOW WITH THE AC TURNING ON BY ITSELF WHILE DRIVING. FIRST REPORTED THE ISSUE EARLY FEBRUARY 2020 AGAIN IN MAY 2020 AND AGAIN IN OCTOBER 2020 WITH COMPLAINTS OF SMELL COMING FROM THE AC. SERVICE DEPARTMENT HAS FAILED TO DUPLICATE OR RESOLVE THE ISSUE. I'VE BEEN TOLD THAT IS HOW THE UNIT IS SUPPOSED TO OPERATE!?...”
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.