EN
ENPTESFRDEHE

2011 Buick Regal: True Cost, Problems & Verdict

279 NHTSA owner complaints · 4 recalls · data-computed verdict. No opinions — public data only.

Reviewed by the MotorJury data desk · 2 sources · Last updated 2026-08-20
Buick Regal
Photo: Wikimedia Commons · open the model page
advertisement

Owner complaints: 279 filed with NHTSA

Complaints per year on the road: 18.6

Engine108Electrical System75Power Train39Exterior Lighting38Service Brakes32Seats29

What owners say

Verbatim reports filed with the United States safety regulator (NHTSA) by owners of this exact model year. Public record.

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.
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.
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

Recalls: 4 campaigns (2 severe)

201220142016
CampaignComponentSummary
12V484000Exterior Lighting:Turn SignalGeneral Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2011-2013 Buick Regal and model year 2013 Chevrolet Malibu vehicles. These vehicles…
16V502000Electrical System:IgnitionGeneral Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2016-2017 Buick Verano and 2016 Chevrolet Malibu as the electronic park lock lever m…
16V517000Electrical System:WiringGeneral Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2011 Buick Regal vehicles manufactured November 3, 2009, to March 25, 2011, equipped…
14V447000Seats:Front Assembly:Power AdjustGeneral Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2011-2012 Buick LaCrosse, Regal and Chevrolet Camaro, as well as certain 2010-2012 C…

True cost of ownership

EPA combined 23 MPG · estimated annual fuel cost $2,650

Fuel (your region) $2,650
Maintenance band (your region) $0$1,128
Estimated running cost this year (age 15) $3,778

Re-priced automatically from your country's retail fuel, electricity and parts indices — change country in the bar at the top. Estimates; see methodology.

02468101214$3,778vehicle age (years)
fuel/energy + maintenance band (annual, USD, estimate)

Run your own numbers in the true-cost calculator →

FAQ

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

The most-reported issue in NHTSA complaint data is Engine (108 complaints in our indexed sample).

Is the 2011 Buick Regal a good used car to buy?

Our data verdict is CAUTION with a reliability score of 55/100, computed from 279 NHTSA complaints and 4 recall campaigns. See the verdict card for the top reasons.

Does the 2011 Buick Regal have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 4 recall campaign(s) for the 2011 Buick Regal, 2 of them touching fire, crash or stall risk, the most recent recorded 04/10/2012. Check this car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls before you buy.

What will a 2011 Buick Regal really cost YOU per year?

Fuel, maintenance band and depreciation — computed from public data in 10 seconds.

Open the true-cost calculator

Data sources

Complaints & recalls: NHTSA · Fuel economy: EPA fueleconomy.gov · Scoring: our published methodology.
Maintenance bands are industry-average estimates (AAA Your Driving Costs, CarMD index) — labeled estimates, not measurements. Last updated: 2026-08-20.

55RELIABILITY / 100
CAUTION
  • 279 NHTSA complaints on record (18.6/yr of exposure)
  • 4 recall campaigns, 2 touching safety-critical systems

How this score is computed →

advertisement