2011 Buick Regal recalls and problems

The 2011 Buick Regal has 4 safety recalls and 280 owner complaints filed with NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at any Buick dealer.

Recalls
4
Complaints
280
Crashes / fires
7 / 7
Injuries / deaths
7 / 0

Recalls may cover only some 2011 Buick Regal vehicles. Check your VIN at NHTSA ↗ to see open recalls for your exact car.

2011 Buick Regal recalls

Recall 16V-517: Seats, Electrical System

Reported Jul 7, 2016 · 42,984 vehicles affected · General Motors LLC

Problem: 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.

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.

Recall 16V-502: Electrical System, Power Train

Reported Jul 5, 2016 · 8,367 vehicles affected · General Motors LLC

Problem: 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."

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.

Recall 14V-447: Seats

Reported Jul 23, 2014 · 414,333 vehicles affected · General Motors LLC

Problem: 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.

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.

Recall 12V-484: Exterior Lighting

Reported Oct 4, 2012 · 120,426 vehicles affected · General Motors LLC

Problem: 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."

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.

2011 Buick Regal problems reported by owners

Problem areaReports
Engine108
Electrical System76
Power Train39
Exterior Lighting38
Service Brakes32
Seats29
Electronic Stability Control (ESC)19
Steering17
Unknown or Other16
Fuel/Propulsion System14
Vehicle Speed Control13
Air Bags8

Most reported parts

  • Seats › Front Assembly › Seat Heater/Cooler — 4
  • Fuel System, Gasoline › Delivery › Fuel Pump — 3
  • Electrical System › Instrument Cluster/Panel — 3
  • Structure › Body — 3
  • Electrical System › Wiring — 2
  • Electrical System › Starter Assembly — 1
  • Air Bags › Side/Window — 1
  • Equipment › Electrical — 1

Typical mileage at the time of the problem: 66,900 miles (median of owner reports).

Problems that are not covered by a recall are paid repairs; labor rates follow local mechanic pay — see what auto mechanics earn in each state.

Recent 2011 Buick Regal complaints

Owner reports filed with NHTSA, as written (personal details removed). Complaints are not verified by NHTSA.

Power Train · reported May 13, 2026
While driving on the highway at 60 mph, warning on dash came on saying “engine power reduced” and drop down speed to around 25 mph and I could not accelerate more than 25 mph on the highway which could have caused an accident because of the traffic flow behind me. I put a code scanner under the dash and it read code P2138, Throttle pedal position sensor switch.
Engine · at 140,000 miles · reported Oct 8, 2025
The contact owns a 2011 Buick Regal. The contact stated that while driving at 30 MPH, the vehicle stalled with the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was able to be restarted. The dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 140,000.
Engine · reported Apr 16, 2024
The cars mileage was altered due to car being wrecked prior and the other car that was used to replace wrecked parts was hidden and vin number was altered. Copart Inc and ICT Sharp Rides are party's involved, I bought car on 12/28/2023 mileage was listed as 132525
Air Bags · reported Feb 2, 2024
I hit a deer going 60 mph and the airbag didn’t deploy, the service airbag light came on after I hit it. I’d assume that means the airbag tried to deploy but ran into an issue
Exterior Lighting · reported Dec 28, 2023
Driver side headlamp draws moisture, keeps blowing bulbs at 104.99 a pop. Water gets in the headlight assembly and shorts out the ballast. This happens even when driving down the road at random. It could be pitch black and suddenly you have no headlights and are forced to drive with only fog lamps

Other Buick Regal years

Compare all Buick Regal years · All Buick models

Frequently asked questions

Does the 2011 Buick Regal have any recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 4 recalls for the 2011 Buick Regal: 16V-517 (seats, electrical system), 16V-502 (electrical system, power train), 14V-447 (seats), 12V-484 (exterior lighting). Not every vehicle is affected, so check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What is the most common problem with the 2011 Buick Regal?

Owners report engine problems most often (108 reports), followed by electrical system (76). The typical mileage when problems were reported is about 66,900 miles.

Are Buick recall repairs free?

Yes. Safety recall repairs are free at authorized Buick dealers, whether you are the first owner or bought the car used.