Research · Midsize Cars

2020 Buick RegalRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 2 safety recalls and 2 owner complaints for the 2020 Buick Regal. Most complaints involve electrical system (1) and tires (1). The EPA rates it 22–26 mpg combined.

Combined MPG
22–26mpg
EPA · 3 versions
NHTSA overall
—
Not rated by NCAP
Safety recalls
2campaigns
Latest Jun 2022
Owner complaints
2
Top: electrical system
Fuel cost / yr
$2,850est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

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

Service brakes

Remedy pending

General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2018-2020 Buick Regal vehicles. In the event of a vacuum-power brake assist failure, a software error in the electronic brake control module (EBCM) may result in a loss of power brake assist. As such, these vehicles fail to conform to Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 135, "Light vehicle brake systems."

Service brakes, hydraulicReported Jun 30, 2022NHTSA 22V465000

Safety recall

Remedy pending

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2019-2020 Buick Regal vehicles. The driver or passenger front seat frames may have a lower crossbar that was improperly welded.

ComponentReported Oct 24, 2019NHTSA 19V762000
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 9, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

2 complaints filed with NHTSA · Jan 2022 – May 2023
  1. Electrical system1
  2. Tires1

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
0
Fires reported
0
Injuries reported
0
Deaths reported
0
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 9, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Electrical system

1 report
“Proximity door unlock system rarely works goes in and out even with key fob in pocket and within Proximity. I've reported the problem to buick/Chevrolet many times, changed fob batteries and etc with no fix”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled May 15, 2023Electrical systemODI 11522145

Tires

1 report
“The contact owns a 2020 Buick Regal GS equipped with Continental ProContact TX Tires, Tire Size: 245/40/R19, DOT Number: 6Y66WBR71819. The contact stated while driving approximately 70 MPH, the TPMS warning light indicated that the rear driver’s side tire air pressure was low. The tire lost air pressure and became flat. Also, later the front passenger’s side tire developed bubbles and had to be replaced. Within the first 200 miles of driving the vehicle, a dealer employee experienced a blowout of the front passenger’s side tire. The contact stated that the vehicle was equipped with the tires when it was purchased new. The contact stated that three of the four tires had experienced a failure. The contact was informed that the tire size was not included in the NHTSA Campaign Number: 21T001000 (Tires). The failure mileage was 200.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jan 13, 2022TiresODI 11447368
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 9, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

3 versions rated by the EPA
EPA class
Midsize Cars
Engines
2.0L 4-cyl turbo · 3.6L 6-cyl
Transmissions
Automatic (S9) · Automatic (S8)
Drive
Front-Wheel Drive · All-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Premium Gasoline · 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 9, 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
Auto (S9), 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo · Front-Wheel Drive
223226$3,000343
Regal AWD
Auto (S8), 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo · All-Wheel Drive
212924$3,200365
Regal AWD
Auto (S9), 6 cyl, 3.6 L · All-Wheel Drive
192722$2,850411
  • Regal
    Auto (S9), 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo
    22 city · 32 hwy · $3,000/yr
    26
    mpg comb.
  • Regal AWD
    Auto (S8), 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo
    21 city · 29 hwy · $3,200/yr
    24
    mpg comb.
  • Regal AWD
    Auto (S9), 6 cyl, 3.6 L
    19 city · 27 hwy · $2,850/yr
    22
    mpg comb.
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 9, 2026 · Fuel cost is EPA’s annual estimate (15,000 mi, 55% city)
06 —Safety

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings

1 tested variant
NHTSA has not published 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2020 Buick Regal as of Nov 9, 2026.
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Nov 9, 2026Vehicle 14311
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

2020 Regal questions

How many recalls does the 2020 Buick Regal have?

2 safety recalls as of Nov 9, 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 2020 Buick Regal problems?

Owners filed 2 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are electrical system (1), tires (1). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2020 Buick Regal get?

The EPA rates the 2020 Buick Regal at 22–26 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (3 versions rated).

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Nov 9, 2026