2011 Buick Regal: sudden loss of power

Filed Jul 1, 2022 · Acceleration · FL

MIL Lamp is illuminated and cannot be turned off or reset. The code displayed on the scanner is for P2138 "Throttle/Pedal Position Sensor/Switch D/E Voltage Correlation." There is also a "Reduced Engine Power" message on the dashboard. Available for inspection upon request. My safety was put at risk before the vehicle was serviced because the car shut down in the middle of the street with cars behind me. I called a certified mechanic to successfully service the vehicle and he cleared the code. My safety was put at risk again after the car was serviced because the code came back on as I was driving on the highway. Car lost power and speed and as I tried to get the car pulled over with emergency lights on, I was almost hit from behind by 2 other drivers. Problem can be reproduced within 10 minutes. Per the mechanic's request, I am taking my car to a Buick Century GMC dealership on 7/16 @ 12 PM to be serviced. Warning symptoms before code came on happened especially during times of rainfall. Car hesitated to pick up speed. Overconsumption of gas resulting in decreased mileage.

Filed Jul 20, 2021 · Electrical, Engine · ID · fire

While the vehicle was driving, there was a loss of power, at that moment sparks was seen emanating from under the hood, then the vehicle completely stopped running. Once pulled over smoke was bellowing out from the hood and subsequently ignited into flames. Fire department was dispatched and fire was extinguished. The vehicle was towed away and is still at the tow yard. The tow operator, based on visual inspection stated the fire did start in the engine compartment and spread to the fire wall, totaling the vehicle.

Filed Mar 26, 2020 · Driver assistance, Steering · 156,013 miles · OK

I was driving down the city road and my car just shut off and lost all power to everything. I almost got hit. I then turned my car back on and the service stability trac light came on and the check engine light was flashing. I could nearly get it to go at all and my car was shaking and sputtering. It was the scariest thing I have ever dealt with. I had it put in the shop on 10/26/2018 and now it just happened to me again and its 03/26/2020.

Filed Jan 15, 2020 · Engine · 113,000 miles · KY

113,000 miles, the car said reduced engine power, service stabillitrack and then died. Wouldn't start. Took to repair shop and they pulled the solenoid from the engine and said it was covered with metal shavings. Car was within oil change range but no oil present. Now have to replace the engine and this is an issue with all these 2.4 engines.

Filed Jul 8, 2019 · Electrical, Engine · 60,000 miles · VA

2011 buick regal purchased from show room floor in 2011. Presentative maintenance up to date. No warning lights. Something terribly wrong with transmission, engine. While driving on city street approaching interstate at 25 MPH, car starting stalling, puttering, losing power. Pulled over, put in park. Then car would not go into gear. Would accelerate but would not go into gear or move. Had to be towed. First thing dealer service center suggest is $3000 transmission. Car only has 60,000 miles, one owner. No way! No prior symptoms or warning lights, in fact onstar diagnostics currently showing no issues found with engine/transmission system. This car is unsafe and should be recalled!!! 2011 buick regal diagnostics report from your 2011 buick regal as of 07/08/2019 no issues found

Filed Dec 4, 2018 · Electrical, Engine · 141,000 miles · OH

While driving on the highway at 70 miles per hour, car completely shut off. Loss of engine power and car would not restart. Prior to that, entine car shook violently right before the shut down. I was driving on an interstate with light traffic. Car is extremely unsafe.

Filed Oct 29, 2018 · Engine, Steering · 69,000 miles · NV

Check engine light on. Code p0011 present. Indicating over-advanced camshaft position sensor. While performing a u-turn, the vehicle died/lost engine power and steering locked in place in the middle of the road. The vehicle was spread across three lanes, as I was in the middle of my u-turn, with oncoming traffic approaching. Luckily, I was able to start the car back up and regain control just as traffic neared my position. Almost deadly situation. Also noticing engine hesitation as well as shaking of the vehicle while idling.

Filed Dec 15, 2017 · Engine · 156,000 miles · MI

I previously reported an issue in 2016 with engine failure due to timing chain failure where I was driving down the highway in heavy traffic and immediately there was engine failure, loss of power and was put in a very unsafe position. After I coasted my car, with 4 ways on, to the side of the road I called a tow truck which towed me to the nearest gm dealer which was victory chevy in milan michigan. After some diagnosis they informed me of the complete timing chain failure and internal engine damage. At the time I had 111k miles on the odometer. I was informed the car needed a complete rebuild and I voiced my displeasure about the failure so soon after the expiration of the 100k warranty. What gm did agree to was to split the repair 60-40 where I was responsible for approx. $2700 of the rebuild. At that time I complained about the rebuild versus a new motor and was told that was all they would offer me. I again complained that if it's rebuilt I will be back in with the same issue in the future so here I am less than 18 months after a rebuilt motor I take the car to the dealer for a loud noise on startup and smell of an oil leak. The dealer now tells me the timing chain needs replaced again along with a top end rebuild costing approx. $4500 although there is no drivability issue with the car. So I called gm customer center and spoke with the supposed "head service advisor" and was told by him that since the car is out of the 12 month warranty they would offer no assistance. I informed him I have been a gm customer since 2003 and this is the absolute worst vehicle I have ever owned. The timing chain is a known issue in these cars for failure and not just with higher mileage engines. Why is gm not issuing a campaign for these vehicles and their motors? I have replaced so many things on this car I am going to file a complaint with the bbb and pursue lemon law.

Filed Nov 6, 2017 · Airbags · 23,000 miles · PA

Tl* the contact owns a 2011 buick regal. The contact stated that the vehicle experienced a complete loss of power. The vehicle was pushed to the side of the road and restarted. The vehicle was taken to an independnent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the ECM, crank sensor, and mass air flow sensor were defective and needed to be replaced. The dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer was notified and offered no assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 23,000.

Filed Sep 6, 2017 · Acceleration, Transmission · 77,710 miles · IN

I'm writing about a concern I have regarding the transmission design for the 2011 buick regal. I purchased my car from a reputable dealer with a clean car fax in 2014. The car had roughly 45,000 miles on it, and every bit of maintenance has been performed at the appropriate intervals since I purchased it 3.5 years ago. During the time that I've owned my car, I have put an additional 30,000 miles on it total. I haven't driven it on the highway since july of 2015, and my trips are shorter than 4 miles one way. On my way to work a couple of weeks ago, my transmission completely failed without warning. I was almost broadsided twice, turning left around a roundabout. I was driving roughly 30mph, and without warning it lost power. The "check engine" light flashed, and the car stalled trying to switch gears as I accelerated. When I went to put it in park, it will slide into reverse but doesn't move in any direction. I was forced to push it uphill in a parking garage, so my tow truck driver could come and tow it to my mechanic. I had it towed to my mechanic, who informed me that this design has a fatal design flaw causing the transmission to fail. The enclave has been recalled as well for exact same failure. I then got a second opinion from his transmission expert, who was dumbfounded I was needing to replace a transmission in a car that has accumulated 30,000 miles total in 4 years time. Both my mechanic and my transmission expert informed me that the enclave had been recalled for the exact same failure, and they personally knew of buick regal owners who had their transmissions fail without warning. If I had been going faster than 30mph, or been on the highway, it could have been fatal! I spoke with my attorney, who advised me to file complaints with buick, the ftc, and the federal safety agency.

Filed Aug 10, 2017 · Brakes, Engine · 39,562 miles · NJ

Vehicle was being driven off of main highway into a shopping center parking lot when the engine shut off causing the vehicle to lose power steering and brakes. Vehicle would not restart and needed to be towed to lester glenn buick that night. The next day after sitting in the dealership parking lot, the vehicle was able to start and the dealership stated they were"unable to duplicate the problem" and found nothing wrong with the vehicle. I presently own two(2) 2011 buick regal and both have experienced this same problem with loss of steering and braking. I have contacted g m numerous times and have received no calls back from their "senior " adviser. Have also read about similar complaints on the internet with these vehicles. Hopefully g m will address this serious safety issue before someone gets seriously hurt

Filed Aug 9, 2017 · Brakes, Engine · 69,579 miles · NJ

Vehicle has 69,579 miles. While turning onto side street off of main road, engine shut off causing loss of power steering and brakes. Vehicle was able to be restarted after a minute and driven home. Vehicle was taken to lester glenn buick dealership for this problem . The dealership was "unable to duplicate the problem" and there were no codes showing a problem. I was told that the issue was that the vehicle was 100 miles overdue for and oil change and was a little low on oil. When I questioned this I was told it is a "safety feature" to protect the engine from damage because of low oil. I asked if it was a "safety feature" than why was my son able to restart the vehicle within a minute. Still have not received an answer. I have made numerous calls to g m about this issue but all I have gotten were two calls to my house phone when I was not home when I specifically left my cell phone number to be called. I have called an additional three times and left a message for a senior adjuster to call me back and still have not received a response. As luck would have it, I own two 2011 buick regals and my daughters car is experiencing the same issues, but that will be listed as another complaint . Appears to be multiple issues on the internet with this same concern, but nothing seems to get done