CarBrief

The 2016 Buick Regal has 41 owner complaints on file with NHTSA[1], and steering is the biggest group[2]. It also has one recall for a power-steering failure[3].

41owner complaints[1]
1recalls[4]
22–28MPG combined (EPA)[5]
5★NHTSA overall rating[6]

Reported problems

Owners filed 41 complaints with NHTSA[1]. One mentions injuries, and none mention a crash, a fire or a death[1]. These are unverified reports, and one complaint can name more than one component.

Component group Complaints
Steering[2] 10
Electrical system[7] 6
Exterior lighting[8] 6
Engine[9] 6
Unknown or other[10] 5
Power train[11] 5
Speed control[12] 5
Visibility/wiper[13] 3

Steering. In the sample of steering complaints we read, owners describe power steering assist cutting out, or the wheel locking up or turning hard while driving. Some say it came and went[2]. Some also say they were told the steering recall did not cover their car[2].

Exterior lighting. In the sample we read, owners describe moisture or condensation inside the headlight assemblies. They say the light dims and that the repair cost was a problem[8].

Engine. The engine complaints we read describe stalling, sputtering or engine failure. Some also mention shifting trouble[9].

Electrical system. The sample includes display, infotainment and backup camera glitches. It also includes a battery issue and a cruise control issue[7].

These are small samples. They show what some owners wrote and do not show how common a problem is.

Recalls

Some complaint writers say their car was not included in this recall even though they had the same symptoms[2]. The recall covers cars built in the dates above[3].

Fuel economy

EPA ratings depend on the engine and drive type. All use regular fuel.

Version City / Hwy / Combined MPG Annual fuel cost
2.0L turbo, Automatic (S6), AWD[14] 19 / 27 / 22 $3,050
2.0L turbo, Automatic (S6), FWD[15] 21 / 29 / 24 $2,800
2.0L turbo, Manual 6-spd, FWD[16] 20 / 30 / 24 $2,800
eAssist 2.4L, Automatic (S6), FWD[5] 24 / 35 / 28 $2,400
2.4L, Automatic (S6), FWD[17] 19 / 30 / 23 $2,900

EPA bases annual cost on its current fuel price assumptions, not the price when the car was new[14].

Safety ratings

NHTSA gives the 4-door AWD and FWD versions the same results: 5 stars overall, 4 stars frontal, 5 stars side and 4 stars rollover[6][18]. Rollover risk is 10.9% for both[6][18].

Engine and size

EPA lists 260 hp for the 2.0L 4-cylinder[19] and 182 hp for the 2.4L 4-cylinder[20].

Dimensions below are Canadian-market specifications and can differ slightly from US models.

Variant Length Width Height Wheelbase Curb weight
4DR sedan eAssist[21] 191 in 73 in 58 in 108 in 3,642 lb
4DR sedan Turbo/GS[22] 191 in 73 in 58 in 108 in 3,693 lb

How 2016 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 recalls2012: 92 complaints, 7 recalls20122013: 91 complaints, 6 recalls2014: 38 complaints, 2 recalls20142015: 33 complaints, 0 recalls2016: 41 complaints, 1 recalls4120162017: 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 2016 is highlighted[4].
Show the numbers
Model yearComplaintsRecalls
19951738
19962043
19983026
19992466
20001848
20011876
20021173
20031013
2004662
20112804
2012927
2013916
2014382
2015330
2016411
2017200
2018333
2019193
202062

The 2016 Regal has 41 complaints and 1 recall[4]. Among the years listed from 2014 to 2020, that is the highest complaint count. 2014 has 38, 2015 has 33, 2017 has 20, 2018 has 33, 2019 has 19 and 2020 has 6[4]. Among all years listed, 2011 (280), 2012 (92) and 2013 (91) are the higher ones from 2011 onward, and several years from 1995 to 2004 are higher too[4].

For recalls, 2015 and 2017 have none, 2014 and 2020 have 2 each, and 2018 and 2019 have 3 each[4]. Complaint counts are not adjusted for sales.

Should you buy a used 2016 Regal?

The page lists 41 complaints, with no crashes, fires or deaths reported[1]. The clearest item is the steering recall. Ask the seller whether the car was in it and whether the work was done[3]. Steering has the most complaints[2], and owners in the sample we read raised headlight moisture[8], so check both on a test drive. Our data does not cover reliability scores or repair costs.

Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 2016 Buick Regal?
Steering has the most NHTSA complaints at 10, followed by electrical, exterior lighting and engine at 6 each[2][7][8][9].
Does the 2016 Buick Regal have any recalls?
Yes, one. Recall 16V108 covers a power-steering assist failure with 74 potentially affected cars, and dealers replace the steering gear free[3].
What is the gas mileage of a 2016 Buick Regal?
EPA combined ratings range from 22 MPG for the 2.0L turbo AWD to 28 MPG for the eAssist[14][5].
How safe is the 2016 Buick Regal?
NHTSA rates the 4-door AWD and FWD 5 stars overall, with 4 stars for frontal and rollover[6][18].
Is 2016 a good year for the Buick Regal?
Among the 2011 to 2020 years listed, it has more complaints than 2014, 2015 and 2017 to 2020, and fewer than 2011 to 2013[4].

Facts and sources

  1. NHTSA has 41 owner complaints on file for the 2016 Buick Regal (0 mention a crash, 0 a fire, 1 injuries, 0 deaths reported). NHTSA vehicle records
  2. 10 complaints name the steering component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
  3. Recall 16V108, filed February 24, 2016: Steering › Electric Power Assist System. NHTSA recall database
  4. Owner complaints and recalls for every Buick Regal model year (chart above). NHTSA recall database
  5. EPA rating for Regal eAssist, 2.4L 4-cyl, Automatic (S6), Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 24 city / 35 highway / 28 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $2,400. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  6. NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, 4 DR AWD: overall 5 stars, frontal 4 stars, side 5 stars, rollover 4 stars; rollover risk 10.9%. NHTSA vehicle records
  7. 6 complaints name the electrical system component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
  8. 6 complaints name the exterior lighting component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
  9. 6 complaints name the engine component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
  10. 5 complaints name the unknown or other component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
  11. 5 complaints name the power train component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
  12. 5 complaints name the speed control component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
  13. 3 complaints name the visibility/wiper component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
  14. EPA rating for Regal AWD, 2.0L 4-cyl turbo, Automatic (S6), Regular, All-Wheel Drive: 19 city / 27 highway / 22 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,050. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  15. EPA rating for Regal, 2.0L 4-cyl turbo, Automatic (S6), Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 21 city / 29 highway / 24 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $2,800. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  16. EPA rating for Regal, 2.0L 4-cyl turbo, Manual 6-spd, Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 20 city / 30 highway / 24 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $2,800. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  17. 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
  18. 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
  19. EPA Test Car List, 2016 Buick Regal with 2.0L 4-cylinder: rated 260 hp. www.epa.gov
  20. EPA Test Car List, 2016 Buick Regal with 2.4L 4-cylinder: rated 182 hp. www.epa.gov
  21. Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, REGAL 4DR SEDAN eAssist: length 191 in, width 73 in, height 58 in, wheelbase 108 in, curb weight 3,642 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov
  22. 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 3,693 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.