KnownCarProblems2011 Buick Regal Problems and Recalls
Owners filed 280 complaints with NHTSA about the 2011 Buick Regal, most often about the engine (40% of complaints, typically around 70,000 miles). It is the most complained-about Regal model year since 2000 and has 4 recalls.
Most common 2011 Buick Regal problems
Engine
111 complaints · 40%Half of these problems showed up before 70,000 miles. Parts named most often: exhaust system.
I have owned my Regal since 2011. As I accelerate the car would shudder and shake, then I would get a service stabilli trac message followed by a message stating that the engine power has been reduced. After I have the issue it will reset itself after restarting and then will run fine for a while. I called on star on…
The contact owns a 2011 Buick Regal. The contact stated that the timing chain was stretched, which caused a knocking and ticking noise from the engine. The contact was informed that there was a service bulletin associated with the issue. The manufacturer was notified of the issue. The contact was advised to file a…
Electrical
75 complaints · 27%Half of these problems showed up before 70,500 miles. Parts named most often: instrument cluster/panel, wiring, starter assembly.
The passenger side light bulb melted. Bulb can not be replaced because housing is damaged. Contact the dealer and I was told this is not covered by any recalls. I would be responsible for any parts. This is definitely a factory defect and car is not safe to drive. I have ordered part and I'm still waiting for…
The throttle body has a defect which shuts off all power to vehicle with no notice. The engine and transmission lock up you lose all steering control and no brakes. Also no lights so when it happens at night it is pitch black. Gm does know about the problem and when I questioned them about the loss of life like what…
Transmission
39 complaints · 14%Half of these problems showed up before 62,500 miles. Parts named most often: automatic transmission.
Takata recall - my Regal is 2011. I have not had any problems prior to this. My service stabilitrak ligh began coming on along with ABS light. I also explained the check engine light would come on after filling the tank and it reduced to 3/4 of tank. Last week all lights came in on car as I was parking. Took the car…
The contact owns a 2011 Buick Regal. While driving at an undisclosed speed, the check engine warning indicator illuminated and an abnormal noise was heard coming from the front of the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to liberty Buick gmc (9028 e independence blvd, matthews, nc 28105, ([phone]) where it was diagnosed…
Lights
38 complaints · 14%Half of these problems showed up before 79,500 miles. Parts named most often: tail lights, headlights.
My cruise control and brake lights stopped working after having a recall fixed on my 2011 Buick Regal. The recalls that were fixed were an oil life monitor control module and a turn signal control module. After having this fixed, my cruise control and brake lights no longer are working. I was pulled over by a…
The passenger headlight keeps melting the harness the light bulb goes into. I've replaced it 2 and this will be the 3rd time.noticed when I was pulled over for a fix it ticket. Second time I noticed the lights were uneven and the 3rd time it was pointed out by a toll booth attendant
Brakes
34 complaints · 12%Half of these problems showed up before 65,500 miles.
When driving the vehicle, the brakes become so hot that the rotors will glow red. This would normally be a hung up calliper but it seems to move to different sides of the car and different wheels. Upon letting the vehicle sit for long periods of time, the rotor will cool off. The only problem is that you never know…
Brake pedal stay down and does not release causing heating and reduce acceleration. It is a safety issue during fast moving and can't predict the car movement. Brake and accelerator pedal assembly not design to work in a wide range of temperatures. It is serious danger in the highway driving.
Seats
29 complaints · 10%Half of these problems showed up before 93,000 miles. Parts named most often: front assembly.
The contact owns a 2011 Buick Regal. While driving 35 MPH, the front driver's seat adjusted independently. The contact stated that there was an abnormal smoke odor coming from the front driver's seat. The vehicle was towed to the dealer to be diagnosed and repaired. The vehicle was included in NHTSA campaign number…
I have the recall on the power seat wiring and my heated seats heat to a level then shut off continuously. I have a friend had the same issue in a camaro and had chafed wires to the heated seat. I refuse to pay for this repair and now in michigan it is very cold and I bought this car to have heated seats for a reason.…
Stability control
19 complaints · 7%Half of these problems showed up before 55,000 miles.
The contact owns a 2011 Buick Regal. The contact stated that there was an abnormally strong odor in the cabin of the vehicle. The contact called john hiester chevrolet located at 3100 n main st, fuquay-varina, nc 27526, ([phone], to notify the dealer of the failure. The vehicle was also taken to an independent…
53000 miles. When car is in motion. Car goes to low power more and check stabili-track message comes on. Car shakes bad at idle, idles too high,(almost to a point where brakes won't hold at a stop). Shut down and restart car goes back to normal conditions for short puerile of time. Check engine light comes on and code…
Fuel system
17 complaints · 6%Half of these problems showed up before 70,000 miles. Parts named most often: delivery.
I have owned my Regal since 2011. As I accelerate the car would shudder and shake, then I would get a service stabilli trac message followed by a message stating that the engine power has been reduced. After I have the issue it will reset itself after restarting and then will run fine for a while. I called on star on…
Takata recall - my Regal is 2011. I have not had any problems prior to this. My service stabilitrak ligh began coming on along with ABS light. I also explained the check engine light would come on after filling the tank and it reduced to 3/4 of tank. Last week all lights came in on car as I was parking. Took the car…
Complaints are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.
2011 Buick Regal recalls
Seats: power adjust
Risk: Chafed harness wires may cause a short circuit, increasing the risk of a fire.
Fix: Gm will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and secure the wiring harness, and repair any chafed wires as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on march 13, 2017. Owners may contact buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300. Gm's number for this recall is 30710.
Full defect summary
General motors llc (gm) is recalling certain model year 2011 buick regal vehicles manufactured november 3, 2009, to march 25, 2011, equipped with 8-way power adjustable front seats. The power seat wiring harness may contact the seat frame, causing the wires to chafe.
Electrical: ignition
Risk: If the key is removed without the transmission in park, the vehicle may rollaway as occupants are exiting, increasing the risk of injury.
Fix: Gm will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and if necessary replace the key cylinder lock housing, free of charge. The recall began on october 14, 2016. Owners may contact chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, buick 1-800-521-7300, and gmc 1-800-462-8782. Gm's number for this recall is 50490 and 50491.
Full defect summary
General motors llc (gm) is recalling certain model year 2016-2017 buick verano and 2016 chevrolet malibu as the electronic park lock lever may allow the ignition key to be removed without the transmission being in park. Also, certain 2013 buick encore, 2011 buick regal, 2013-2014 buick verano, 2011-2016 chevrolet cruze, 2010-2013 chevrolet equinox 2013-2015 chevrolet malibu, and 2011-2013 gmc terrain vehicles may have been serviced with similar defective replacement electronic park lock levers. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard (fmvss) number 114, "theft protection and rollaway prevention."
Seats: power adjust
Risk: If the driver's seat unexpectedly drops, the distraction and altered seat position may affect the drivers' control of the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Gm will notify owners, and dealers will replace the height adjuster shoulder bolts, free of charge. The manufacturer distributed interim letters to owners on september 11, 2014. The recall began on december 26, 2014. Owners may contact gm customer service at 1-800-521-7300 (buick), 1-800-458-8006 (cadillac), 1-800-222-1020 (chevrolet), or 1-800-462-8782 (gmc). Gm's number for this recall is 14271.
Full defect summary
General motors llc (gm) is recalling certain model year 2011-2012 buick lacrosse, regal and chevrolet camaro, as well as certain 2010-2012 cadillac srx, chevrolet equinox and gmc terrain vehicles, equipped with power height adjustable driver and passenger seats. In the affected vehicles, the bolt that secures the driver's and passenger's power front seat height adjuster may fall out causing the seat to drop suddenly to the lowest vertical position.
Lights: turn signal
Risk: If the driver is not aware that a turn signal is not functioning properly, the driver may continue to drive the vehicle. If half of a front turn signal is not illuminating, other driver's may not be aware that the affected vehicle is turning, thereby increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Gm will notify owners, dealers will update the body control module software, free of charge. The recall began in september 2014. Owners may contact buick at 1-800-521-7300 or chevrolet at 1-800-222-1020. Gm's number for this recall is 12212.
Full defect summary
General motors llc (gm) is recalling certain model year 2011-2013 buick regal and model year 2013 chevrolet malibu vehicles. These vehicles are equipped with two turn signal bulbs in each front turn signal. If one of the two front turn signal bulbs burn out in either front turn signal lamp, there is no indication to the driver. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 108, "lamps, reflective devices, and associated equipment."
Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which recalls are still open on your car.
Questions about the 2011 Buick Regal
- What are the most common problems with the 2011 Buick Regal?
- By NHTSA owner complaints: engine (111 complaints, typically around 70,000 miles); electrical (75 complaints, typically around 70,500 miles); transmission (39 complaints, typically around 62,500 miles).
- How many recalls does the 2011 Buick Regal have?
- 4 recalls listed by NHTSA, the latest from July 7, 2016 (seats). Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which ones are still open on your car.
- Is the 2011 a bad year for the Buick Regal?
- It is the most complained-about Regal model year since 2000, with 280 complaints. Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so popular years collect more of them, and the newest years have had less time to.