What are the most common problems with the 2013 Buick Regal?

Exterior lighting and the electrical system have the most complaints on file. The engine group follows.

Are there recalls on the 2013 Buick Regal?

Yes, recalls exist for this model year. See the Recalls section on this page for the list and the count.

Is the 2013 Buick Regal reliable?

Owner reports point to lights and electrical trouble more than other areas. Check the complaint groups above and the recalls section before you decide.

What is the best year for the Buick Regal?

See the by-year comparison on this page. It is built from the same complaint and recall data.

2013 Buick Regal Problems, Recalls and MPG

Q: How many complaints has the 2013 Buick Regal had?

NHTSA has 91 owner complaints on file.

NHTSA has 91 owner complaints on file for the 2013 Buick Regal^[1]. Exterior lighting and the electrical system lead the list^[2]^[3].

91owner complaints^[1]

6recalls^[4]

22–29MPG combined (EPA)^[5]

5★NHTSA overall rating^[6]

Problems
Recalls
Fuel economy
Safety
Engine and size
By year
Verdict
FAQ

Most reported problems

Here are the complaint groups in the owner reports, biggest first.

Exterior Lighting. 37 complaints^[2]. Owners describe headlight assemblies that take on moisture and then stop working, sometimes on both sides, and bulbs that burn out fast.
Electrical System. 36 complaints^[3]. In the stories we read, owners describe warning lights that come on for no clear reason, batteries that drain, a car that will not start, and a start button that shuts the car off by accident.
Engine. 10 complaints^[7]. Owners describe stumbling at start up, reduced power, and a car that stops while driving and then restarts.
Unknown Or Other. 9 complaints^[8].
Power Train. 9 complaints^[9]. Owners describe the car losing power or lurching forward after a stop, and a gear that sticks.
Speed Control. 7 complaints^[10].
Structure. 6 complaints^[11].
Brakes. 6 complaints^[12].

Recalls

Newest first. Each recall covers only certain vehicles, so not every 2013 Regal is necessarily included.

Suspension › Rear (26V113), February 2026. About 17,050 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: a crash. Dealers do the repair free of charge.^[13]
Suspension › Rear (21V00F), December 2021. About 4,271 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: a crash. Dealers do the repair free of charge.^[14]
Suspension › Rear (21V633), August 2021. About 32,894 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: a crash. Dealers do the repair free of charge.^[15]
Suspension › Rear (20V764), December 2020. About 220,006 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: a crash. Dealers do the repair free of charge.^[16]
Electrical System (13V173), May 2013. About 42,904 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: fire, burns, stalling. Dealers do the repair free of charge.^[17]
Exterior Lighting › Turn Signal (12V484), October 2012. About 120,426 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: a crash. Dealers do the repair free of charge.^[18]

Fuel economy

EPA ratings depend on the engine and drive. Annual fuel cost uses EPA's current fuel price assumptions, not prices when the car was new.

Version	City / highway / combined MPG	Annual fuel cost
Regal eAssist, 2.4L 4-cyl, Automatic (S6), Regular, Front-Wheel Drive^[5]	25 / 36 / 29	$2,300
Regal, 2.0L 4-cyl turbo, Automatic (S6), Gasoline or E85, Front-Wheel Drive^[19]	18 / 28 / 22	$3,050
Regal, 2.0L 4-cyl turbo, Manual 6-spd, Gasoline or E85, Front-Wheel Drive^[20]	20 / 31 / 24	$2,800
Regal, 2.0L 4-cyl turbo, Automatic (S6), Gasoline or E85, Front-Wheel Drive^[21]	18 / 28 / 22	$3,050
Regal, 2.0L 4-cyl turbo, Manual 6-spd, Regular, Front-Wheel Drive^[22]	19 / 27 / 22	$3,050
Regal, 2.4L 4-cyl, Automatic (S6), Gasoline or E85, Front-Wheel Drive^[23]	19 / 30 / 23	$2,900
Regal, 2.4L 4-cyl, Automatic (S6), Regular, Front-Wheel Drive^[24]	19 / 30 / 23	$2,900
Regal, 2.0L 4-cyl turbo, Automatic (S6), Regular, Front-Wheel Drive^[25]	19 / 26 / 22	$3,050

Safety ratings

Version	Overall	Frontal	Side	Rollover	Rollover risk
4 DR FWD^[6]	5	4	5	4	10.9%

Engine and size

Horsepower is the rating listed for EPA test vehicles.

Engine	Horsepower
2013 Buick Regal with 2.0L 4-cylinder^[26]	220 to 260 hp
2013 Buick Regal with 2.4L 4-cylinder^[27]	182 hp

These are Canadian-market specifications from Transport Canada, so US models can differ slightly.

Version	Length	Width	Height	Wheelbase	Curb weight
REGAL 4DR SEDAN BASE/eAssist^[28]	191 in	73 in	58 in	108 in	3,618 lb
REGAL 4DR SEDAN TURBO/GS^[29]	191 in	73 in	58 in	108 in	3,688 lb

How 2013 compares with other years

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA for each Regal model year. The 2013 is highlighted^[4].

Show the numbers

Model year	Complaints	Recalls
1995	173	8
1996	204	3
1998	302	6
1999	246	6
2000	184	8
2001	187	6
2002	117	3
2003	101	3
2004	66	2
2011	280	4
2012	92	7
2013	91	6
2014	38	2
2015	33	0
2016	41	1
2017	20	0
2018	33	3
2019	19	3
2020	6	2

NHTSA's counts for the Regal show 91 complaints and 6 recalls for 2013^[4]. Among the 19 model years listed, 8 have fewer complaints than 2013 and 10 have more^[4]. The fewest complaints are for 2020 (6) and the most are for 1998 (302)^[4]. These counts are not adjusted for sales, so treat them as a rough guide. The chart above shows every year.

Should you buy a used 2013 Regal?

The 2013 Buick Regal has a record of owner complaints that centers on lights and electrical trouble^[2]^[3]. Those two groups cover the biggest share of the reports on file^[1]. Some complaints mention a crash, a fire or an injury, so read the details before you buy^[1]. These are unverified reports sent to NHTSA, and they are not adjusted for sales. The recalls section and the year comparison above show more detail^[4].

Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 2013 Buick Regal?: Exterior lighting and the electrical system have the most complaints on file^[2]^[3]. The engine group follows^[7].
Are there recalls on the 2013 Buick Regal?: Yes, recalls exist for this model year. See the Recalls section on this page for the list and the count^[4].
How many complaints has the 2013 Buick Regal had?: NHTSA has 91 owner complaints on file^[1].
Is the 2013 Buick Regal reliable?: Owner reports point to lights and electrical trouble more than other areas^[2]^[3]. Check the complaint groups above and the recalls section before you decide.
What is the best year for the Buick Regal?: See the by-year comparison on this page. It is built from the same complaint and recall data^[4].

Keep exploring

Other model years of the Buick Regal

2011 280 complaints, 4 recalls
2012 92 complaints, 7 recalls
2013 this page
2014 38 complaints, 2 recalls
2015 33 complaints, 0 recalls
2016 41 complaints, 1 recall
2017 20 complaints, 0 recalls

Compare all model years of the Buick Regal

Other Buick models from 2013

2013 Buick Enclave 70 complaints, 4 recalls

All Buick models

Similar cars from 2013: midsize cars

2013 Honda Accord 1,437 complaints, 6 recalls
2013 Hyundai Elantra 1,345 complaints, 4 recalls
2013 Kia Optima 1,441 complaints, 10 recalls
2013 Lexus ES 70 complaints, 1 recall
2013 Lexus GS 48 complaints, 3 recalls
2013 Lincoln MKZ 122 complaints, 12 recalls

All midsize cars we cover

Facts and sources

NHTSA has 91 owner complaints on file for the 2013 Buick Regal (6 mention a crash, 2 a fire, 5 injuries, 0 deaths reported). NHTSA vehicle records
37 complaints name the exterior lighting component group (1 crashes, 1 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 63,000). NHTSA vehicle records
36 complaints name the electrical system component group (1 crashes, 0 fires, 1 injuries, median mileage at failure 61,500). NHTSA vehicle records
Owner complaints and recalls for every Buick Regal model year (chart above). NHTSA recall database
EPA rating for Regal eAssist, 2.4L 4-cyl, Automatic (S6), Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 25 city / 36 highway / 29 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $2,300. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, 4 DR FWD: overall 5 stars, frontal 4 stars, side 5 stars, rollover 4 stars; rollover risk 10.9%. NHTSA vehicle records
10 complaints name the engine component group (0 crashes, 1 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 81,290). NHTSA vehicle records
9 complaints name the unknown or other component group (1 crashes, 0 fires, 1 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
9 complaints name the power train component group (1 crashes, 1 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 53,225). NHTSA vehicle records
7 complaints name the speed control component group (2 crashes, 0 fires, 3 injuries, median mileage at failure 40,000). NHTSA vehicle records
6 complaints name the structure component group (3 crashes, 0 fires, 2 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
6 complaints name the brakes component group (1 crashes, 0 fires, 2 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
Recall 26V113, filed February 26, 2026: Suspension › Rear. NHTSA recall database
Recall 21V00F, filed December 22, 2021: Suspension › Rear. NHTSA recall database
Recall 21V633, filed August 12, 2021: Suspension › Rear. NHTSA recall database
Recall 20V764, filed December 21, 2020: Suspension › Rear. NHTSA recall database
Recall 13V173, filed May 6, 2013: Electrical System. NHTSA recall database
Recall 12V484, filed October 4, 2012: Exterior Lighting › Turn Signal. NHTSA recall database
EPA rating for Regal, 2.0L 4-cyl turbo, Automatic (S6), Gasoline or E85, Front-Wheel Drive: 18 city / 28 highway / 22 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,050. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
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
EPA rating for Regal, 2.0L 4-cyl turbo, Automatic (S6), Gasoline or E85, Front-Wheel Drive: 18 city / 28 highway / 22 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,050. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
EPA rating for Regal, 2.0L 4-cyl turbo, Manual 6-spd, Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 19 city / 27 highway / 22 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,050. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
EPA rating for Regal, 2.4L 4-cyl, Automatic (S6), Gasoline or E85, Front-Wheel Drive: 19 city / 30 highway / 23 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $2,900. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
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
EPA rating for Regal, 2.0L 4-cyl turbo, Automatic (S6), Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 19 city / 26 highway / 22 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,050. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
EPA Test Car List, 2013 Buick Regal with 2.0L 4-cylinder: rated 220 to 260 hp depending on version. www.epa.gov
EPA Test Car List, 2013 Buick Regal with 2.4L 4-cylinder: rated 182 hp. www.epa.gov
Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, REGAL 4DR SEDAN BASE/eAssist: length 191 in, width 73 in, height 58 in, wheelbase 108 in, curb weight 3,618 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov
Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, REGAL 4DR SEDAN TURBO/GS: length 191 in, width 73 in, height 58 in, wheelbase 108 in, curb weight 3,688 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.

2013 Buick Regal: problems, recalls and fuel economy