The Lemon Index
20126th generation
Better than average · most complaints: electrical
42 owner complaints, first 3 years 21–24 mpg combined, EPA
Similar cars, same year
2011 Toyota Camry 612011 Honda Accord 302011 Nissan Altima 17
Lemon Index: 100 = the average car, lower is better.
Engines & versions
What breaks most on the 2011 Buick Regal
- Engine stalling49 complaintsmostly at 40,000–96,000 miles (65,000–155,000 km)
- Timing chain29 complaintsmostly at 61,000–96,000 miles (98,000–155,000 km)
- Headlights26 complaintsmostly at 59,000–127,000 miles (95,000–204,000 km)
Specific parts named in the 280 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2011 Buick Regal (all dates). Miles = the odometer owners typed in (middle half); cost = the repair bills owners wrote in those same complaints, in U.S. dollars. Owners' reports, not confirmed defects.
When problems show up
Most problems on this year showed up between 7,000 and 35,000 miles (11,000–56,000 km) (the middle half of the 34 complaints, of all 42 filed so far, that listed a mileage).
- At 60K, 100K and 150K miles (97K, 161K and 241K km) Past the range where most problems showed up: it has likely had them or dodged them, so repair records matter most.
This is when owners who had a problem reported it, not the odds that one car will have it.
Questions to ask the seller
- Were recalls 16V517000 (electrical), 16V502000 (electrical) and 14V447000 (seats) done? It has 4 recalls in all. Ask for the dealer printout, or check the VIN.
- Do all the lights, screens and power features work? Has the battery, alternator or any wiring been replaced?
- Any oil burning, leaks or check-engine lights? Ask for oil-change records.
- Any slipping, hard or late shifts, or a transmission warning light? Ask for transmission fluid service records.
- Buick sent dealers 1527 repair notes for this car. Was this one done: “The malfunction indicator light is on and the transmission may slip due to debris entering the…”?
From this year's own recalls, top problems, top repair bills and Buick's repair notes. Recall repairs are free at any dealer.
How serious. Out of all 42 owner complaints filed so far (every year since it was sold, not just the first 3), owners reported:
“Average car” = what the same number of complaints would include at the rate across every model year we track. Owners report these themselves; NHTSA doesn't confirm the cause.
What owners complain about most. From owner complaints to the government.
Share of this year's owner complaints filed with NHTSA, not the share of cars that break. One complaint can name more than one area.
Check engine light on? Look up any code →
When owners reported problems. From owner complaints to the government.
Most owners who filed a complaint with NHTSA had 7K to 35K miles (11K to 56K km) on the car (34 of all 42 complaints filed so far listed the miles). This shows when people who had a problem reported it, not the odds that your car will have it.
In owners' words
During the day the speedometer and gas gauge are not readable during the day. Difficult to view instrument panel cluster (ipc) display when driving toward bright sunshine.
2011 Buick Regal owner · NHTSA complaint 10436393
More owner reports
My instrument panel cluster is so dim during the day I can't tell how fast I'm going... My previous 2009 Buick lucerne had a bulletin for instrument panel back light replacement.
NHTSA complaint 10434386
Problems Buick told dealers about
Buick sent dealers 1527 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- The malfunction indicator light is on and the transmission may slip due to debris entering the…
- There may be noise coming from the cylinder head, because of low oil pressure which is caused…
- There may be a short rattle noise from the front of the engine when it is started
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Recalls 4
- Electrical · recall issued 2016
The power seat wiring harness may contact the seat frame, causing the wires to chafe.
- Electrical · recall issued 2016
As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Sta.
- Seats · recall issued 2014
In the affected vehicles, the bolt that secures the driver's and passenger's power front seat height adjuster may fall out causing the seat to drop suddenly to the lowest vertical position.
Show all 4 recalls
- Lights · recall issued 2012
These vehicles are equipped with two turn signal bulbs in each front turn signal.
Recall repairs are free at any dealer. A recall only matters if it's still open on that exact car, so check its VIN.
Canada? See recalls at Transport Canada
Safety
Crash test details
| Version | Overall | Front | Side | Rollover |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Buick Regal 4 DR AWD | not rated | not rated | not rated | not rated |
| Buick Regal 4 DR FWD | not rated | not rated | not rated | not rated |
Fuel cost and engines
About $2,500–$2,850 (USD) a year in fuel (EPA estimate at U.S. prices, 15,000 miles or 24,000 km a year). Engines: 2.0L 4-cyl, 2.4L 4-cyl.
Every Buick Regal year. 2011 is highlighted. Lower is better.
Newest year first. Red = worse than average, gray = about average or too few complaints to score.
Embed this chart
Put this chart on your site, blog or forum. Free, with the credit line built in; the 2011 bar is highlighted.
<iframe src="https://lemonindex.com/embed/cars/buick-regal/?y=2011" 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/2011/">Lemon Index</a> (2011 Buick Regal reliability)</p>Quick answers
Is the 2011 Buick Regal reliable?
Yes, better than average by government complaints. It drew about two-thirds as many complaints as the average car filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 67; 100 is average, lower is better). The Buick Regal year with the fewest complaints per car sold is 2012.
What are the most common 2011 Buick Regal problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are electrical (26%), engine (17%) and transmission & drivetrain (14%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2011 Buick Regal have?
4 safety recalls (latest: electrical). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2011 Buick Regal get?
21 to 24 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
At what mileage do 2011 Buick Regal problems show up?
Most problems on this year showed up between 7,000 and 35,000 miles (11,000–56,000 km) (the middle half of the 34 complaints, of all 42 filed so far, that listed a mileage). At 60K, 100K and 150K miles, a 2011 is past the range where most problems showed up: it has likely had them or dodged them, so repair records matter most. This is when owners who had a problem reported it, not a prediction for one car.
Does the 2011 Buick Regal have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues make up 14% of its owner complaints.
How much does the 2011 Buick Regal cost in fuel a year?
About $2,500 to $2,850 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2011 Buick Regal have?
2.0L 4-cyl, 2.4L 4-cyl.
What Buick Regal year is better than the 2011?
Nearby, the 2012 drew fewer owner complaints per car sold (a bit under half as many complaints as the average car).
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. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect. How it works