Buick Regal Electrical System Problems
Owners have filed 487 complaints with NHTSA about electrical system problems on the Buick Regal across 22 model years. The 2011 model year has the most (75). The words owners use most often: “ignition switch” (20% of reports).
- 487electrical system complaints
- —median miles at failure
- 7mention a crash
- 7mention an injury
- 3related recalls
- $670typical repair cost reported by owners
- 35%of reports with a speed happened at 50+ mph
What owners describe
Phrases that appear unusually often in these complaints compared with complaints about other cars.
- Ignition switch: mentioned in 95 of 487 complaints (20%)
- Turn signal: mentioned in 39 of 487 complaints (8%)
How much does it cost to fix?
Owners who wrote down what they paid or were quoted put the typical electrical system repair on the Buick Regal at $670, and half of them between $600 and $1,050.
Based on 11 NHTSA complaints about this problem alone that state a repair bill or quote (2003–2018), converted to 2026 dollars with the U.S. consumer price index. These are owners' own figures, not a quote: they include dealer quotes, and owners who file complaints often faced larger repairs, so they can run higher than typical shop prices. Prices vary by shop, region and warranty coverage. How we calculate this.
At what mileage do electrical system problems happen?
Based on 317 complaints that reported the odometer reading.
How serious are the reports?
Of 487 complaints, 7 mention a crash, 41 a fire, 7 an injury.
Buick Regal electrical system complaints by model year
| Model year | Electrical System complaints | Share of that year | Median miles |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 Regal | 1 | 50% | — |
| 2019 Regal | 7 | 37% | 30,000 |
| 2018 Regal | 3 | 16% | — |
| 2017 Regal | 3 | 15% | 69,570 |
| 2016 Regal | 6 | 15% | 14,000 |
| 2015 Regal | 5 | 15% | 25,000 |
| 2014 Regal | 6 | 16% | 24,000 |
| 2013 Regal | 36 | 40% | 61,500 |
| 2012 Regal | 18 | 20% | 63,000 |
| 2011 Regal | 75 | 27% | 70,500 |
| 2008 Regal | 1 | 100% | 58,000 |
| 2005 Regal | 1 | 25% | 45 |
| 2004 Regal | 35 | 53% | 93,000 |
| 2003 Regal | 35 | 35% | 97,987 |
| 2002 Regal | 36 | 31% | 86,200 |
| 2001 Regal | 32 | 17% | 93,000 |
| 2000 Regal | 42 | 23% | 106,247 |
| 1999 Regal | 42 | 17% | 88,080 |
| 1998 Regal | 51 | 17% | 93,050 |
| 1997 Regal | 18 | 13% | 105,000 |
| 1996 Regal | 24 | 12% | 38,000 |
| 1995 Regal | 10 | 6% | 82,830 |
When owners reported it
Related recalls (3)
Seats:front assembly:power adjust; electrical system:wiring
Model years: 2011
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.
Electrical system:ignition; power train:automatic transmission:control module (tcm/pcm/tecm)
Model years: 2011
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.
Electrical system
Model years: 2012, 2013
Problem: General Motors (GM) is recalling certain model year 2012 and 2013 Buick LaCrosse and Regal, and model year 2013 Chevrolet Malibu Eco vehicles equipped with eAssist. These vehicles may have a condition in which the Generator Control Module (GCM) may not function properly. This could cause a gradual loss of battery charge and the illumination of the malfunction indicator light.
Risk: If the vehicle is continued to be driven, the engine may stall and/or the vehicle may not start. In addition, there may be a burning or melting odor, smoke, and possibly a fire in the trunk.
Fix: GM will notify owners and dealers will test the GCM and replace it, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on June 11, 2013. Owners may contact GM at 1-800-521-7300. GM's recall campaign number is 13136.
What owners report
Short excerpts of recent complaints, with personal details removed. Full reports are on NHTSA.gov.
The contact owns a 2019 Buick Regal. The contact stated that while driving 20 MPH, the accelerator pedal was depressed; however, the vehicle failed to accelerate as intended. The traction and check engine warning lights were illuminated. The failure had occurred while the grandchildren were inside…
While driving on the highway at 60 mph, warning on dash came on saying âengine power reducedâ 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…
The contact owns a 2013 Buick Regal. The contact stated that while stopped at a stop light and depressing the brake pedal, the hybrid battery would power off as intended; however, when the brake pedal was released, the vehicle would lose automotive power before suddenly independently powering on…
, while driving, doing a steady 25-30 mph my vehicle completed transformed behavior, literally, I could only guess the problem(s)
#18369: Special Coverage - Camshaft Oil Control Valve (Nov 29, 2018) Document ID # 5182385 (Reference # N182189940) Release Date: November 2018
Frequently asked questions
Do all Buick Regals have electrical system problems?
No. NHTSA has 487 owner complaints about electrical system for the Buick Regal. Complaint data shows that the problem is reported, not how many of all cars sold are affected.
Was there a recall on the Buick Regal electrical system?
Yes: 3 safety recalls list electrical system. Check your VIN on NHTSA.gov to see whether the fix was done on your car.
How much does it cost to fix electrical system problems on the Buick Regal?
Owners report a typical cost of $670 (half paid between $600 and $1,050), from 11 complaints that state a repair bill or quote, in 2026 dollars.
What do owners say about electrical system problems on the Buick Regal?
The most frequent phrase is “ignition switch”, in 95 of 487 complaints, followed by “turn signal” (39).
Other Buick Regal problems
- Engine problems (421)
- Engine and Engine Cooling problems (293)
- Steering problems (279)
- Exterior Lighting problems (196)
- Service Brakes, Hydraulic problems (177)
- Power Train problems (157)
- Air Bags problems (134)
- Visibility problems (108)
See all Buick Regal problems.