CarBrief

NHTSA has 280 owner complaints on file for the 2011 Buick Regal, and engine reports are the biggest group[1][2]. Four recalls are listed below, and each one has a free dealer remedy[3][4][5][6].

280owner complaints[1]
4recalls[7]
21–24MPG combined (EPA)[8]

Most reported problems

Owners filed 280 complaints with NHTSA for this model year[1]. Seven mention a crash, seven a fire and seven injuries. No deaths are reported[1]. These are unverified owner reports, and they are not adjusted for how many cars were sold.

Here are the largest component groups:

Component group Complaints Fires Median miles at failure
Engine 111 1 69,926
Electrical system 75 7 70,500
Power train 39 0 62,400
Exterior lighting 38 3 79,500
Brakes 34 0 65,400

The counts come from[2],[9],[10],[11] and[12]. One complaint can name several groups.

Engine. In a sample of 12 engine complaints we read, 6 describe the engine stalling or shutting off while driving, in some cases more than once[2]. A few say the dealer could not find the cause. Two describe a timing chain problem, one of them a replacement before 25,000 miles[2].

Electrical system. In a sample of 12 electrical complaints, 6 describe on-and-off glitches such as warning lights, the radio, hard starts or sudden power loss[9]. Three say the instrument cluster is hard to read in bright sunlight[9].

Power train. In a sample of 12 power train complaints, 5 describe transmission trouble, such as slow or no response when shifting, unexpected downshifts, or a repair or replacement[10]. Two describe a throttle body failure with power loss[10].

Exterior lighting. In a sample of 12 lighting complaints, 6 describe melted or burned headlamp bulbs, sockets or wiring[11]. Two say a light failed after the turn signal recall repair[11].

The seats group has 29 complaints, 2 of them with fires[13]. Electronic stability control has 19[14] and steering has 17[15].

Recalls

Newest first. Each recall has a free dealer remedy listed.

Put the Power seat wiring (16V517) bullet before the Park lock lever (16V502) bullet. In July 2016 GM said the electronic park lock lever may let the key come out when the car is not in Park. The Regal is named because it may have been serviced with a defective replacement lever. The risk is that the car rolls away as people get out. Dealers inspect the key cylinder lock housing and replace it if needed[4]. - Power seat wiring (16V517). In July 2016 GM said the wiring harness of the 8-way power front seats may touch the seat frame and chafe[3]. A short circuit could raise the risk of a fire. Dealers inspect and secure the harness and repair chafed wires[3]. - Seat height adjuster (14V447). In July 2014 GM said a bolt in the power seat height adjuster may fall out. The seat could suddenly drop to its lowest position, which could affect control of the car. Dealers replace the bolts[5]. - Front turn signal (12V484). In October 2012 GM said the car gives no warning if one of the two bulbs in a front turn signal burns out. Other drivers may not see that the car is turning. Dealers update the body control module software[6].

Delete this sentence, or write: NHTSA lists 4 recalls for this model year, and all four are above[7].

Fuel economy

EPA lists three versions:

Engine and transmission City / Highway / Combined MPG Annual fuel cost
2.4L 4-cyl, Automatic (S6), regular gas[16] 19 / 30 / 23 $2,900
2.0L 4-cyl turbo, Automatic (S6), gasoline or E85[17] 18 / 28 / 21 $3,200
2.0L 4-cyl turbo, Manual 6-spd, gasoline or E85[8] 20 / 31 / 24 $2,800

All three are front-wheel drive. The annual cost uses EPA's current fuel price assumptions, not prices when the car was new.

Safety ratings

NHTSA lists the 4-door AWD as not rated[18]. The 4-door FWD is also not rated[19]. There is no NHTSA 5-Star score to compare[18][19].

Engine and size

EPA lists the 2.0L 4-cylinder at 220 hp[20]. Our facts give no horsepower for the 2.4L[16].

Size for the 4-door sedan CXL and CXL Turbo, from Canadian-market specifications, so US cars can differ slightly[21]:

Measure Value
Length 191 in
Width 73 in
Height 58 in
Wheelbase 108 in
Curb weight 3,600 lb

How 2011 compares with other years

1995: 173 complaints, 8 recalls19951996: 204 complaints, 3 recalls1998: 302 complaints, 6 recalls19981999: 246 complaints, 6 recalls2000: 184 complaints, 8 recalls20002001: 187 complaints, 6 recalls2002: 117 complaints, 3 recalls20022003: 101 complaints, 3 recalls2004: 66 complaints, 2 recalls20042011: 280 complaints, 4 recalls28020112012: 92 complaints, 7 recalls20122013: 91 complaints, 6 recalls2014: 38 complaints, 2 recalls20142015: 33 complaints, 0 recalls2016: 41 complaints, 1 recalls20162017: 20 complaints, 0 recalls2018: 33 complaints, 3 recalls20182019: 19 complaints, 3 recalls2020: 6 complaints, 2 recalls2020
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA for each Regal model year. The 2011 is highlighted[7].
Show the numbers
Model yearComplaintsRecalls
19951738
19962043
19983026
19992466
20001848
20011876
20021173
20031013
2004662
20112804
2012927
2013916
2014382
2015330
2016411
2017200
2018333
2019193
202062

NHTSA lists complaints and recalls for 19 Regal model years[7]. The 2011 model has 280 complaints[7]. Only 1998 has more, with 302[7].

Among later years, the gap is large. 2012 has 92 complaints and 2013 has 91[7]. 2014 through 2020 each have 41 or fewer[7].

Recalls look different. Among 2011 and later years, 2012 has the most recalls on file with 7[7]. 2013 has 6 and 2011 has 4[7]. 2015 and 2017 have none[7].

These counts are for the same model, so the comparison is fair, but they are unverified owner reports.

Should you buy a used 2011 Regal?

The 2011 Regal has a high complaint count compared with the later years in our data, with the largest groups being the engine, electrical system and power train[1][2][9][10][7]. The sample we read describes stalling and electrical glitches, so test drive it for those. Ask for proof that the four recalls above were done[3][4][5][6]. Fuel economy runs 21 to 24 MPG combined depending on version[16][17][8]. NHTSA has not rated its crash safety[18][19].

Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 2011 Buick Regal?
Engine is the biggest group with 111 of 280 NHTSA complaints, then electrical system with 75[1][2][9]. In the sample we read, owners describe stalling and electrical glitches[2][9].
Does the 2011 Buick Regal have recalls?
Yes. We list recalls 16V502, 16V517, 14V447 and 12V484, each with a free dealer remedy[3][4][5][6].
How many miles per gallon does a 2011 Buick Regal get?
EPA combined ratings are 23 MPG for the 2.4L, 21 for the 2.0L turbo automatic and 24 for the 2.0L turbo manual[16][17][8].
How does the 2011 Regal compare with other Regal years?
It has 280 complaints, far more than 2012 at 92 and 2013 at 91[7].
How much horsepower does the 2011 Buick Regal have?
EPA lists 220 hp for the 2.0L 4-cylinder[20].

Facts and sources

  1. NHTSA has 280 owner complaints on file for the 2011 Buick Regal (7 mention a crash, 7 a fire, 7 injuries, 0 deaths reported). NHTSA vehicle records
  2. 111 complaints name the engine component group (2 crashes, 1 fires, 3 injuries, median mileage at failure 69,926). NHTSA vehicle records
  3. Recall 16V517, filed July 7, 2016: Seats › Front Assembly › Power Adjust. NHTSA recall database
  4. Recall 16V502, filed July 5, 2016: Electrical System › Ignition. NHTSA recall database
  5. Recall 14V447, filed July 23, 2014: Seats › Front Assembly › Power Adjust. NHTSA recall database
  6. Recall 12V484, filed October 4, 2012: Exterior Lighting › Turn Signal. NHTSA recall database
  7. Owner complaints and recalls for every Buick Regal model year (chart above). NHTSA recall database
  8. EPA rating for Regal, 2.0L 4-cyl turbo, Manual 6-spd, Gasoline or E85, Front-Wheel Drive: 20 city / 31 highway / 24 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $2,800. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  9. 75 complaints name the electrical system component group (1 crashes, 7 fires, 3 injuries, median mileage at failure 70,500). NHTSA vehicle records
  10. 39 complaints name the power train component group (3 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 62,400). NHTSA vehicle records
  11. 38 complaints name the exterior lighting component group (0 crashes, 3 fires, 2 injuries, median mileage at failure 79,500). NHTSA vehicle records
  12. 34 complaints name the brakes component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 65,400). NHTSA vehicle records
  13. 29 complaints name the seats component group (0 crashes, 2 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 93,200). NHTSA vehicle records
  14. 19 complaints name the electronic stability control (esc) component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 55,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  15. 17 complaints name the steering component group (1 crashes, 0 fires, 2 injuries, median mileage at failure 69,579). NHTSA vehicle records
  16. EPA rating for Regal, 2.4L 4-cyl, Automatic (S6), Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 19 city / 30 highway / 23 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $2,900. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  17. EPA rating for Regal, 2.0L 4-cyl turbo, Automatic (S6), Gasoline or E85, Front-Wheel Drive: 18 city / 28 highway / 21 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,200. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  18. NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, 4 DR AWD: not rated. NHTSA vehicle records
  19. NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, 4 DR FWD: not rated. NHTSA vehicle records
  20. EPA Test Car List, 2011 Buick Regal with 2.0L 4-cylinder: rated 220 hp. www.epa.gov
  21. Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, REGAL 4DR SEDAN CXL/CXL TURBO: length 191 in, width 73 in, height 58 in, wheelbase 108 in, curb weight 3,600 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov

Complaints submitted to NHTSA by owners; unverified reports, one complaint can name several components. Complaint counts are not normalized by sales; compare years of the same model, not different models. EPA annual fuel cost uses EPA's current fuel price assumptions, not the price when the car was new. Horsepower is the rating listed for EPA test vehicles. Dimensions are Canadian-market specifications and can differ slightly from US models.