Buick Regal Power Train Problems
Owners have filed 157 complaints with NHTSA about power train problems on the Buick Regal across 19 model years. The 2011 model year has the most (39).
- 157power train complaints
- —median miles at failure
- 10mention a crash
- 4mention an injury
- 2related recalls
- 30%of reports with a speed happened at 50+ mph
At what mileage do power train problems happen?
Based on 87 complaints that reported the odometer reading.
How serious are the reports?
Of 157 complaints, 10 mention a crash, 4 a fire, 4 an injury.
Buick Regal power train complaints by model year
| Model year | Power Train complaints | Share of that year | Median miles |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 Regal | 6 | 32% | 39,500 |
| 2018 Regal | 2 | 11% | 22,000 |
| 2017 Regal | 2 | 10% | 68,820 |
| 2016 Regal | 5 | 12% | 29,900 |
| 2015 Regal | 1 | 3% | 2,000 |
| 2014 Regal | 6 | 16% | 55,364 |
| 2013 Regal | 9 | 10% | 53,225 |
| 2012 Regal | 7 | 8% | 23,075 |
| 2011 Regal | 39 | 14% | 62,400 |
| 2004 Regal | 3 | 5% | 73,000 |
| 2003 Regal | 7 | 7% | 35,000 |
| 2002 Regal | 3 | 3% | 65,500 |
| 2001 Regal | 11 | 6% | 69,638 |
| 2000 Regal | 4 | 2% | — |
| 1999 Regal | 10 | 4% | 84,739 |
| 1998 Regal | 12 | 4% | 73,000 |
| 1997 Regal | 7 | 5% | 167,735 |
| 1996 Regal | 9 | 4% | 61,090 |
| 1995 Regal | 14 | 8% | — |
When owners reported it
Related recalls (2)
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.
Power train:automatic transmission
Model years: 2014
Problem: General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2014 Buick Regal, LaCrosse, Verano, and Enclave, and Chevrolet Impala, Malibu, Cruze, and Traverse, and GMC Acadia vehicles equipped with automatic transmissions. In the affected vehicles, the transmission shift cable adjuster may disengage from the transmission shift lever. As such, these vehicles do not conform to Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 102, "Transmission Shift Lever Sequence, Starter Interlock, and Transmission Braking Effect." They also fail to conform to FMVSS number 114, "Theft Protection and Rollaway Prevention."
Risk: If a vehicle's shift cable disengages from the transmission shift lever, a driver may be unable to shift gear positions and the indicated shift position may not represent the gear position the vehicle is in. Should a disengagement occur while the vehicle is being driven, when the driver goes to stop and park the vehicle, the driver may be able to shift the lever to the "PARK" position, but the vehicle transmission may not be in the "PARK" gear position. If the vehicle is not in the "PARK" position there is a risk the vehicle will roll away as the driver and other occupants exit the vehicle or anytime thereafter. A vehicle rollaway increases the risk of injury to exiting occupants and bystanders.
Fix: General Motors will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and replace any affected transmission shift cable adjusters, free of charge. The recall began on April 10, 2014. Chevrolet owners may contact General Motors at 1-800-222-1020, Buick owners at 1-800-521-7300, and GMC owners at 1-800-462-8782. General Motors' number associated with this recall is 14048.
What owners report
Short excerpts of recent complaints, with personal details removed. Full reports are on NHTSA.gov.
The contact owns a 2014 Buick Regal. The contact stated that while his wife was reversing, the vehicle failed to shift out of gear. The gear shifter was in drive(D); however, the vehicle failed to move as intended. After several attempts to shift into gear, the transmission was engaged shifted into…
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…
Dear NHTSA, I am submitting a formal complaint regarding a 2019 Buick Regal, which I purchased as a used vehicle in 2023 with approximately 19,000 miles. Since owning the car, I have added only 14,000 miles, yet I have experienced multiple significant and ongoing issues that raise serious concerns…
My car has had suspension issues for 2 years and I have repeatedly taken the car to the dealership.
Intermittent Shift to Park Message Displayed While Vehicle in Park. See #19-NA-206 (through DTC B000A may not be set!). Caused by poor design of shift position switches! This is a KNOWN issue for many GM vehicles including my 2019 Buick Sportback, for nearly 20 years. GM should be made to fix this…
Frequently asked questions
Do all Buick Regals have power train problems?
No. NHTSA has 157 owner complaints about power train 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 power train?
Yes: 2 safety recalls list power train. Check your VIN on NHTSA.gov to see whether the fix was done on your car.
Other Buick Regal problems
- Electrical System problems (487)
- Engine problems (421)
- Engine and Engine Cooling problems (293)
- Steering problems (279)
- Exterior Lighting problems (196)
- Service Brakes, Hydraulic problems (177)
- Air Bags problems (134)
- Visibility problems (108)
See all Buick Regal problems.