The Lemon IndexBuick Regal reliability.
Is it reliable? Yes. About two-thirds as many complaints as the average car.
Better than average · 2011–2014
20146th generation
Engines & versions
What owners say on YouTube: we haven't studied Buick Regal videos yet. When that study runs, the most-watched owner reviews and buyer guides for each generation, and what owners praise and complain about, show up here.
Fewest complaints
2012.
Only 3 Buick Regal years have enough complaints and sales to score, too few for best and worst lists. 2012 drew a bit under half as many complaints as the average car.
Every year. Lower is better. Tap a year for its full report.
Newest year first. Red = worse than average, gray = about average or too few complaints to score.
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<iframe src="https://lemonindex.com/embed/cars/buick-regal/" title="Buick Regal reliability by model year (The Lemon Index)" width="100%" height="284" style="border:0;max-width:720px" loading="lazy"></iframe><p style="font-size:13px;margin:4px 0 0">Data: <a href="https://lemonindex.com/cars/buick-regal/">Lemon Index</a> (Buick Regal reliability by year)</p>Compare the Buick Regal.
Opens the compare tool with both cars, every year side by side. Compare with any car →
Quick answers.
Is the Buick Regal reliable?
Yes. It draws about two-thirds as many complaints as the average car. Fewest complaints: 2012.
Is the Buick Regal a good car?
Yes, it draws fewer complaints than the average car, by owner complaints to the government per car sold (2011-2014: Lemon Index 64; 100 is average). Some years are much better than others: 2012 drew the fewest complaints and 2011 the most.
What are the best Buick Regal years to buy?
Only 3 Buick Regal years have enough data to score, so we don't list best years. 2012 drew the fewest complaints (a bit under half as many complaints as the average car).
What Buick Regal years should you stay away from?
Only 3 Buick Regal years have enough data to score, too few to single out years to avoid.
How many recalls does the Buick Regal have?
28 safety recalls across the 10 model years we track. Most: 2012 (7), 2013 (6), 2011 (4). Each year's page lists them, and every Buick Regal recall is in one list here.
What are the most common Buick Regal problems?
Across every year, owners' complaints to the government name electrical, engine and transmission & drivetrain most. Some years are much worse than others: see the chart above.
Every year in one table
| Year | Index | Compared with average | Complaints | Top complaint | Recalls | Crash test | MPG |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2011 | 67 | about two-thirds as many complaints as the average car | 42 | electrical (26%) | 4 | — | 21–24 |
| 2012 | 43 | a bit under half as many complaints as the average car | 17 | transmission & drivetrain (24%) | 7 | ★★★★★ | 22–28 |
| 2013 | – | complaints only, too few sold to score | 16 | electrical (31%) | 6 | ★★★★★ | 22–29 |
| 2014 | 60 | a bit over half as many complaints as the average car | 15 | wipers & visibility (20%) | 2 | ★★★★★ | 22–28 |
| 2015 | – | complaints only, too few sold to score | 12 | wipers & visibility (17%) | 0 | ★★★★★ | 22–28 |
| 2016 | – | complaints only, too few sold to score | 12 | wipers & visibility (25%) | 1 | ★★★★★ | 22–28 |
| 2017 | – | complaints only, too few sold to score | 2 | electrical (50%) | 0 | ★★★★★ | 22–24 |
| 2018 | – | complaints only, too few sold to score | 14 | engine (21%) | 3 | — | 22–26 |
| 2019 | – | complaints only, too few sold to score | 8 | brakes (25%) | 3 | — | 22–26 |
| 2020 | – | complaints only, too few sold to score | 3 | electrical (67%) | 2 | — | 22–26 |
The Lemon Index counts owner complaints filed with the U.S. government (NHTSA) in a car's first 3 years, per car sold, against the average car of the same model years (100 = average, lower is better). It measures complaints, not crash safety. U.S. sales source: en.wikipedia.org. How it works
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Updated · Free to use with credit: Source: The Lemon Index (lemonindex.com)
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