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2011 Buick Regal problems

The most common problem on the 2011 Buick Regal is engine and cooling, typically around 69,926 miles. It has 7.4 times the complaints of a typical Regal model year.

Year to avoid7.4x the typical complaints
Year score
5/100
Owner complaints
280
Recalls
4
Service bulletins
1,527
Worst area
Engine
Fuel economy
21-24mpg
Typical repair
$1,300

The worst 2011 Buick Regal problems

Ranked by number of owner complaints. Mileage and cost come from what owners wrote.

Problems by type

Tap a problem to see which part fails, at what mileage and in which other years.

Specific symptoms reported on the 2011 Buick Regal

Stalling 46Headlights 32Check engine light 25Loss of power 20Oil consumption 17Engine failure 16Power steering loss 9Fuel pump 8Misfire 8Jerking 7Fire or smoke 6Hesitation 6Won't shift 5Transmission failure 5

Trouble codes owners of the 2011 Buick Regal mention

P0011 2P2138 2

Recalls 4

Seats: front assembly: power adjustReported July 7, 2016 · 42,984 vehicles affected
What is wrong
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2011 Buick Regal vehicles manufactured November 3, 2009, to March 25, 2011, equipped with 8-way power adjustable front seats. The power seat wiring harness may contact the seat frame, causing the wires to chafe.
Risk
Chafed harness wires may cause a short circuit, increasing the risk of a fire.
Remedy
GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and secure the wiring harness, and repair any chafed wires as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on March 13, 2017. Owners may contact Buick customer service at 1‑800‑521‑7300. GM's number for this recall is 30710.

Recall number 16V517000 · Recall details

Electrical system: ignitionReported July 5, 2016 · 8,367 vehicles affected
What is wrong
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.
Remedy
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.

Recall number 16V502000 · Recall details

Seats: front assembly: power adjustReported July 23, 2014 · 414,333 vehicles affected
What is wrong
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2011-2012 Buick LaCrosse, Regal and Chevrolet Camaro, as well as certain 2010-2012 Cadillac SRX, Chevrolet Equinox and GMC Terrain vehicles, equipped with power height adjustable driver and passenger seats. 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.
Risk
If the driver's seat unexpectedly drops, the distraction and altered seat position may affect the drivers' control of the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy
GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the height adjuster shoulder bolts, free of charge. The manufacturer distributed interim letters to owners on September 11, 2014. The recall began on December 26, 2014. Owners may contact GM customer service at 1‑800‑521‑7300 (Buick), 1‑800‑458‑8006 (Cadillac), 1‑800‑222‑1020 (Chevrolet), or 1‑800‑462‑8782 (GMC). GM's number for this recall is 14271.

Recall number 14V447000 · Recall details

Exterior lighting: turn signalReported October 4, 2012 · 120,426 vehicles affected
What is wrong
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2011-2013 Buick Regal and model year 2013 Chevrolet Malibu vehicles. These vehicles are equipped with two turn signal bulbs in each front turn signal. If one of the two front turn signal bulbs burn out in either front turn signal lamp, there is no indication to the driver. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment."
Risk
If the driver is not aware that a turn signal is not functioning properly, the driver may continue to drive the vehicle. If half of a front turn signal is not illuminating, other driver's may not be aware that the affected vehicle is turning, thereby increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy
GM will notify owners, dealers will update the body control module software, free of charge. The recall began in September 2014. Owners may contact Buick at 1‑800‑521‑7300 or Chevrolet at 1‑800‑222‑1020. GM's number for this recall is 12212.

Recall number 12V484000 · Recall details

See all 4 recalls for the 2011 Buick Regal

Technical service bulletins for the 2011 Buick Regal 1,527

Bulletins tell dealers how to fix known problems. A warranty extension means the manufacturer pays for that repair for longer.

See all 1,527 bulletins for the 2011 Buick Regal

2011 Buick Regal fuel economy

Official EPA estimates in miles per gallon (MPGe for electric). Ranges cover trims that share the same engine.

EngineDriveCityHighwayCombined
2.0L 4‑cylFWD18-2028-3121-24
2.4L 4‑cylFWD193023

What 2011 Buick Regal owners say

Most recent owner complaints, unedited.

Filed Sep 28, 2026 · Suspension · 125,000 miles · NY

The contact owns a 2011 Buick Regal. While the contact's daughter was driving 55 MPH, the vehicle jerked and was uncontrollable. The vehicle was driven to the shoulder of the road. The contact stated that upon inspecting the vehicle, the contact became aware that the rear driver's side toe link was fractured. The contact stated that the rear driver's side toe link was fractured in half and the rear driver's side wheel was leaning. The vehicle was towed to the residence. The contact's uncle, who was a retired independent mechanic, diagnosed the vehicle with a fractured rear driver’s side toe ring and a rear passenger's side fractured toe link. The contact was informed that the rear driver's and passenger's toe links needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The contact referenced an unknown recall; however, the VIN was not associated with a recall related to the failure. The manufacturer was contacted by phone and made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 125,000.

Filed May 13, 2026 · Electrical, Engine · TX

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.

Filed Oct 8, 2025 · Engine · 140,000 miles · CA

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.

Filed Apr 16, 2024 · Body, Driver assistance · KS

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

Filed Feb 2, 2024 · Airbags · OH · crash

I hit a deer going 60 mph and the airbag didn’t deploy, the service airbag light came on after I hit it. I’d assume that means the airbag tried to deploy but ran into an issue

Filed Dec 28, 2023 · Lights · IL

Driver side headlamp draws moisture, keeps blowing bulbs at 104.99 a pop. Water gets in the headlight assembly and shorts out the ballast. This happens even when driving down the road at random. It could be pitch black and suddenly you have no headlights and are forced to drive with only fog lamps

Filed Oct 28, 2023 · Engine, Fuel system · MA · crash

Preparing to park into a parking space in an off street parking lot the vehicle forcefully and rapidly accelerated on its' own and crashed into a fence. I was not accelerating. I attempted to stop the car using the brakes but they did not engage quickly enough to stop the rapid, forceful, and without warning acceleration. Buick has been contacted about the defect. Buick ran extensive diagnostics on the car and denies there is a defect. Police came to the scene and advised that given the 2 other incidents that I have experienced, the car is unsafe to drive given potential damage to others. A police report was filed.

Filed Oct 28, 2023 · Engine, Fuel system · MA

When pulling into parking space the car rapidly accelerated on its' own and crashed into the car in the next parking space. I did not have my foot on the gas, the car was simply idling. The acceleration was so rapid that applying the brake was useless.

Filed Oct 28, 2023 · Engine, Fuel system · MA · crash

I was parking in marked space. I had turned into space, my foot was off the gas pedal. The car was 3/4 into the space when it malfunctioned and rapidly accelerated into a hardened snow bank. i instantly braked but there was not enough space to avoid collision.

Filed Oct 24, 2023 · Suspension · IN

The subframe rotted into rusted into

Used buying checklistWhat to check on a 2011 Buick Regal before you buy

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Questions about the 2011 Buick Regal

Is the 2011 Buick Regal reliable?

Owners have filed 280 complaints about the 2011 Buick Regal, 7.4 times a typical Regal model year. It is one of the years we flag to avoid.

What is the 2011 Buick Regal year score?

The 2011 Buick Regal scores 5 out of 100 (poor). The score compares it with the other model years of the Buick Regal: 75 is a typical year, 50 means twice the usual complaints, and serious complaints and recalls lower it.

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

Engine and cooling, with 111 complaints, typically around 69,926 miles. Next is electrical (75).

How many recalls does the 2011 Buick Regal have?

4 recalls, covering seats, electrical system and exterior lighting.

What gas mileage does the 2011 Buick Regal get?

Official estimates for the 2011 Buick Regal range from 21 to 24 mpg combined. The most efficient version (2.0L 4-cyl, FWD) gets 18-20 city and 28-31 highway.

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