Buick Regal Service Brakes, Hydraulic Problems
Owners have filed 177 complaints with NHTSA about service brakes, hydraulic problems on the Buick Regal across 16 model years. The 1995 model year has the most (39). The words owners use most often: “brake rotors” (10% of reports).
- 177service brakes, hydraulic complaints
- —median miles at failure
- 13mention a crash
- 4mention an injury
- 7related recalls
- 37%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.
- Brake rotors: mentioned in 17 of 177 complaints (10%)
- Anti lock: mentioned in 12 of 177 complaints (7%)
- Applying brakes: mentioned in 11 of 177 complaints (6%)
- Pedal went: mentioned in 11 of 177 complaints (6%)
At what mileage do service brakes, hydraulic problems happen?
Based on 50 complaints that reported the odometer reading.
How serious are the reports?
Of 177 complaints, 13 mention a crash, 2 a fire, 4 an injury.
Buick Regal service brakes, hydraulic complaints by model year
| Model year | Service Brakes, Hydraulic complaints | Share of that year | Median miles |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 Regal | 1 | 5% | — |
| 2018 Regal | 1 | 5% | 28,000 |
| 2017 Regal | 7 | 35% | 76,000 |
| 2016 Regal | 1 | 2% | 107,860 |
| 2012 Regal | 1 | 1% | — |
| 2005 Regal | 1 | 25% | — |
| 2004 Regal | 3 | 5% | 23,000 |
| 2003 Regal | 4 | 4% | 63,850 |
| 2002 Regal | 4 | 3% | 20,675 |
| 2001 Regal | 9 | 5% | 44,000 |
| 2000 Regal | 12 | 7% | 58,500 |
| 1999 Regal | 23 | 9% | 72,000 |
| 1998 Regal | 24 | 8% | 27,750 |
| 1997 Regal | 8 | 6% | 32,869 |
| 1996 Regal | 39 | 19% | 14,950 |
| 1995 Regal | 39 | 23% | 45,700 |
When owners reported it
Related recalls (7)
Service brakes, hydraulic:power assist:electric:control module:software; service brakes, hydraulic:power assist:vacuum
Model years: 2018, 2019, 2020
Problem: General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2018-2020 Buick Regal vehicles. In the event of a vacuum-power brake assist failure, a software error in the electronic brake control module (EBCM) may result in a loss of power brake assist. As such, these vehicles fail to conform to Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 135, "Light vehicle brake systems."
Risk: A loss of power brake assist can extend the distance required to stop the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will update the EBCM software, free of charge. Interim owner notification letters advising owners of the safety risk were mailed on August 19, 2022. Owner notification letters were mailed September 16, 2022. Owners may contact Buick's customer service at 1-800-521-7300.
Service brakes, hydraulic:foundation components:disc:caliper
Model years: 2018, 2019
Problem: General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Chevrolet Equinox, Impala, Cruze, Volt and Bolt EV vehicles, GMC Terrain vehicles, Buick Lacrosse and Regal vehicles, Cadillac XTS and XTS Professional vehicles and 2018 Chevrolet Malibu vehicles. The rear brake caliper pistons may have an insufficient coating causing gas pockets to form, potentially reducing rear brake performance.
Risk: A reduction of braking performance can increase the risk of a crash.
Fix: GM will notify owners, and dealers will bleed the vehicle's brake system, free of charge. The recall began October 11, 2018. Owners may contact Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300, Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006, Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, or GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is 18279.
Service brakes, hydraulic:foundation components:drum
Model years: 2000
Problem: Vehicle description: passenger vehicles equipped with rear drum brakes. The bolt head(s) on the rear spindle rod can separate.
Risk: The rear wheel can shift, causing rear steering of the vehicle. The driver could lose control and a crash could occur.
Fix: Dealers will replace the rear spindle bolts.
Service brakes, hydraulic:antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip
Model years: 1999
Problem: Some of these vehicles with the key in the "on" position, exhibit a condition in which the antilock brake system (abs) motor shorts to its case and grounds through a flexible brake fluid pipe.
Risk: This short can cause extreme heating of the flexible brake pipe where it can melt a nearby flexible plastic fuel hose, which could result in an underhood fire.
Fix: Dealers will install a ground cable from the electronic brake control module (ebcm) to the engine compartment body rail.
Service brakes, hydraulic:foundation components:hoses, lines/piping, and fittings
Model years: 1997
Problem: Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. The right front brake pipe can contact the piower steering assembly causing the brake line to wear through.
Risk: This condition can result in the loss of brake fluid and eventual loss of half of the vehicle brake system.
Fix: Dealers will inspect for proper clearance between the brake line and power steering assembly. Assemblies found to be out of position will be repositioned and all assemblies secured to maintain proper clearances. Additionally, those brake lines found to have been damaged will be replaced and properly routed.
Service brakes, hydraulic:foundation components:hoses, lines/piping, and fittings
Model years: 1996
Problem: The left front brake line can contact the transaxle mounting bracket or attachment bolt.
Risk: This condition can cause the brake line to wear through, resulting in loss of brake fluid and eventual loss of one-half of the vehicle's brake system, increasing the potential for a vehicle accident.
Fix: Dealers will inspect the vehicle for proper brake line clearance and reposition those brake lines found to have less than minimal clearance. Additionally, those brake lines found to have an indentation caused by the contact will be replaced and properly routed.
Service brakes, hydraulic:foundation components:hoses, lines/piping, and fittings
Model years: 1995
Problem: The rear wheel brake hose(s) can contact the rear suspension components causing the brake hose(s) to wear through.
Risk: This condition can cause loss of brake fluid and eventual loss of the vehicle braking system increasing the potential for a vehicle accident.
Fix: Dealers will inspect for proper brake hose position and replace those hoses in an incorrect position with new hoses and correctly routed.
What owners report
Short excerpts of recent complaints, with personal details removed. Full reports are on NHTSA.gov.
The contact owns a 2017 Buick Regal. The contact stated while driving approximately 15 MPH, the braking system suddenly malfunctioned and the brake pedal was firm while depressed, causing the braking distance to be extended. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer who diagnosed that the brake…
The contact owns a 2017 Buick Regal. The contact stated while driving 80-85 MPH downhill and depressing the brake pedal, the brake pedal was rigid, failed to lower as needed, and the vehicle failed to respond. The Brake Assist warning light was illuminated. The contact stated that upon depressing…
The contact owns a 2017 Buick Regal. The contact stated while driving 35 MPH and approaching a traffic light, the contact depressed the brake pedal, but the vehicle failed to stop as needed. The contact stated he used the parking brake to stop the vehicle. The contact stated that the brake assist…
The contact owns a 2019 Buick Regal. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V465000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall…
The contact owns a 2018 Buick Regal. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V465000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic) however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair…
Frequently asked questions
Do all Buick Regals have service brakes, hydraulic problems?
No. NHTSA has 177 owner complaints about service brakes, hydraulic 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 service brakes, hydraulic?
Yes: 7 safety recalls list service brakes, hydraulic. Check your VIN on NHTSA.gov to see whether the fix was done on your car.
What do owners say about service brakes, hydraulic problems on the Buick Regal?
The most frequent phrase is “brake rotors”, in 17 of 177 complaints, followed by “anti lock” (12).
Other Buick Regal problems
- Electrical System problems (487)
- Engine problems (421)
- Engine and Engine Cooling problems (293)
- Steering problems (279)
- Exterior Lighting problems (196)
- Power Train problems (157)
- Air Bags problems (134)
- Visibility problems (108)
See all Buick Regal problems.