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Buick Regal jerking problems

39 of the 2,973 owner complaints about the Buick Regal describe jerking or lurching, most of them for the 2011 model year.

owner complaints
39
worst model year
2011
typical mileage
73,000
Is there a fix? There are 2 recalls for this area of the car. See below

By model year

  • 2018
    3
  • 2016
    1
  • 2015
    1
  • 2014
    1
  • 2013
    2
  • 2012
    3
  • 2011
    7
  • 2004
    1
  • 2001
    3
  • 2000
    1
  • 1999
    3
  • 1998
    4
  • 1997
    2
  • 1996
    1
  • 1995
    1
  • 1994
    2
  • 1993
    1
  • 1991
    1
  • 1990
    1

Often reported together

Transmission failure 4Harsh shifting 4Fire or smoke 3Check engine light 3Grinding brakes 3Misfire 2Headlights 2Brake failure 2

Trouble codes mentioned

P0017 2P0016 2P0014 2P0304 1P0171 1P0131 1P0011 1C1225 1

What owners say

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 Aug 17, 2023 · Airbags, Brakes · NM · crash · 2 injuries

On Monday, August 14th, at approximately 5 pm, my wife and I were traveling in our 2018 Buick Regal towards a red streetlight. I began applying my brakes to come to a stop. I was several car lengths behind a vehicle that was up ahead. My car's engine then revved up and our vehicle kept on going and jerking front and back although I was applying the brakes. Our car failed to stop so I struck the stationary vehicle. I kept on applying the brakes, but the car kept on going and jerking until I struck the car in front a second time. Our vehicles engine continued to revve up and the brakes continued to fail and I struck the rear end of the car in front of me again. The other driver crossed the intersection with us traveling right behind with no control over our vehicle. When we crossed the intersection there was an incline, so this slowed down our car since our brakes did not work, I pulled the steering wheel to the right towards the cement curb, then I put the transmission into Park, then the car's engine revved up once again and made a loud noise. Both vehicles sustained damage. I then was able to turn the engine off. This action was the only maneuver which stopped our car. Both my wife and I had injuries which we were checked at a hospital emergency room. We have our vehicle parked at our home's driveway and it it available for inspection. The fact that our vehicle's brakes failed to function placed me and my passenger and others at risk. My wife called our dealership the following day, and a manager stated we needed to report this incident. Our vehicle has not been inspected at this point. There were no symptoms of the problem that appeared other than the engine making a sound like increasing in speed and the brakes failing. At the hospital I was diagnosed with a concussion. My wife was diagnosed with neck pain since her head kept snapping back and forth and hitting the dashboard area and the headrest. The seatbelts plus the airbags also failed to properly function.

Filed Jul 5, 2023 · Electrical, Transmission · 160,000 miles · TX

The contact owns a 2012 Buick Regal. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the instrument panel went blank, and the turn signals failed to operate as needed. The contact stated that vehicle briefly lost motive power but independently restarted while making turning in either direction. There was no warning light illuminated. Additionally, the vehicle jerked while at a complete stop with the brake pedal firmly depressed. The contact stated that an unknown dealer was notified of the failure. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 160,000.

Filed Sep 25, 2022 · Electrical, Lights · MA

After heavy rain in mid-September 2022, both headlights just stopped working. The dashboard will usually display a warning or pop up symbol that something is not working, but I had no warning and got pulled over driving at dusk with no headlights. There has been been other issues with this vehicle too! The other issues include: Bluetooth connection not working at all, the transmission has “jerking” issues while changing gears and the engine revving too high while only going 30mph while driving in suburban Massachusetts. The car has less than 70k miles, these issues should not be happening. The main issue is the headlights, considering they cost around $200/ea and just stopped working with no notice.

Filed Aug 25, 2021 · Electrical, Engine · OH

We purchased this vehicle in May 2016 and from the beginning had strange issues with the engine. It was in and out of the dealer with them trying to figure out the exact problem. They could not, so they contacted GM for approval for an engine replacement. We were concerned about going this route but were assured it would be taken care of for the life of the car. After the replacement in July 2016, the car seemed to be better but other weird issues arose. The engine always made a squealing noise that we were told was fine. We have done all required maintenance, recalls, and regular service. For the past 2 months, the car has had strange shifting issues. It was taken in to be looked at and nothing was found. The transmission received its' routine maintenance on schedule. It still was a problem and we were told to drive it until a code appeared. The car got progressively worse and had great difficulty shifting, which had us involved in a few close calls. Took it to a different dealer that also didn't find a problem. They said since there was no code, but seemed transmission related, they would drain it and replace the fluid. This also didn't work. We continued to drive the car and almost ended up stranded in the middle of the night while driving the freeway. The car became almost uncontrollable. We made it home. But, the following day while driving it to work, the car was jerking, stalled, and then lost the capability of reverse and neutral. We had to have it towed and a new transmission put in. We were told by the dealer that there was an explosion in the transmission, and we were lucky we were somewhere safe when the car died. It's very frustrating paying for a vehicle that didn't seem right from the beginning. We have put well over $6,500 in trying to repair a car that seems like it was never right in the first place. We have been fortunate that neither of us, or any of our children, have been hurt considering the major issues with our car.

Filed Aug 14, 2021 · Electrical, Transmission · IN

When I shift the car from park to drive it does a VERY HARD jerk. And vehicle has no codes on dash or anything

Filed Dec 18, 2020 · Steering, Transmission · 22,000 miles · TX

Steering wheel jerks back on auto start after auto stop. Extremely dangerous the issues happened while driving and at random. Reported the issue early february 2020 again in early may 2020 after failure to duplicate the issue by the service department.reported the issue again early october after the issue was worse. According to gm field specialist the steering rack was the issue, it was replaced but the issue was still persistent and they continued to have the vehicle for about a month. Vehicle was returned back to me with a sharpening noise and a steering wheel going left. Have not heard back for repairs.

Filed Sep 14, 2020 · Engine, Steering · 81,290 miles · IN · fire

Tl* the contact owns a 2013 buick regal. The contact stated that while driving 70 MPH, the vehicle loss acceleration, steering wheel became difficult to turn. In another when turn off the engine, the vehicle failed to start. A warning light illuminated roll driver side window up, the trunk open and the windshield wiper independently start to function. The vehicle was towed to ed martin buick gmc, 9896 n michigan rd, carmel, in 46032, and was diagnosed that the timing chain detached. The vehicle was not repair due to the repair fees. Five code also came up, p0131, p0016, p0017, p0014 and p0171. And leaving the dealer, the vehicle failed to start and was towed to an independent mechanic where the timing chain, balance chaff, chain kit, timing cover gasket set, cam cover gasket set and two camshaft sensors, were replaced. The while leaving the independent mechanic, the vehicle loss acceleration, heat blowing at the flow board an unknown odor entered the vehicle cabin coming from the engine. The vehicle was taken back to the independent mechanic and was informed to take the vehicle to a buick dealer. While on the way to the dealer, the park to drive gear was clunking and jerking from 3rd to 2nd and 4th to 3rd. The vehicle was taken seven times to the same dealer. The contact mentioned that she taken the vehicle to a transmission shop but was unable to determine a failure. On another occasion, the vehicle loss acceleration and jerking in gears, heat entering the vehicle cabin and squealing. No check engine light illuminated and the battery cover was melted on one side. No indication on the overheat that level the temperature gage. The failure mileage was approximately 81,290.

Filed Sep 1, 2019 · Engine · 69,381 miles · IN

I was driving about 35 MPH on city street and my car starting jerking I looked at the dash the gear had shifted it said 'md' when I looked at what gear my car was in . The car was jerking more and there was a lot of smoke coming from my car the engine light also came on . I panicked this has never happened . I turned on a side street and instantly pulled over and turned the car off. Got out the car and opened the hood , let it coo off and started it back up the engine light wasn't on . Drove the car to my destination had no problems . I use this car as my daily driver to work I have to travel 15 miles to and from work . I lease this car from a local dealership in my city I owe about 12 thousand and I make monthly payments . Please help. I believe there is still a warranty on my car I will have to find out more about it . My son was in the car with me with this happened I was terrified didn't know what to do . The car has 69,3772 miles on it .

Filed Apr 9, 2019 · Electrical · 98,774 miles · MI

Tl* the contact owns a 2011 buick regal. The contact took the vehicle to suburban chevrolet of clinton (1070 w us-12, clinton, mi 49236) where they replaced the contact's key. Afterwards, the service indicator illuminated and the contact experienced difficulty starting the vehicle with the key. Also, when the brake pedal was depressed, the vehicle started to jerk. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer, but they were unable to diagnose or repair the failures. The manufacturer was not contacted. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 98,774.

Related recalls

Power train: automatic transmissionReported February 21, 2014 · 355 vehicles affected
What is wrong
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2014 Buick Regal, LaCrosse, Verano, and Enclave, and Chevrolet Impala, Malibu, Cruze, and Traverse, and GMC Acadia vehicles equipped with automatic transmissions. In the affected vehicles, the transmission shift cable adjuster may disengage from the transmission shift lever. As such, these vehicles do not conform to Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 102, "Transmission Shift Lever Sequence, Starter Interlock, and Transmission Braking Effect." They also fail to conform to FMVSS number 114, "Theft Protection and Rollaway Prevention."
Risk
If a vehicle's shift cable disengages from the transmission shift lever, a driver may be unable to shift gear positions and the indicated shift position may not represent the gear position the vehicle is in. Should a disengagement occur while the vehicle is being driven, when the driver goes to stop and park the vehicle, the driver may be able to shift the lever to the "PARK" position, but the vehicle transmission may not be in the "PARK" gear position. If the vehicle is not in the "PARK" position there is a risk the vehicle will roll away as the driver and other occupants exit the vehicle or anytime thereafter. A vehicle rollaway increases the risk of injury to exiting occupants and bystanders.
Remedy
General Motors will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and replace any affected transmission shift cable adjusters, free of charge. The recall began on April 10, 2014. Chevrolet owners may contact General Motors at 1‑800‑222‑1020, Buick owners at 1‑800‑521‑7300, and GMC owners at 1‑800‑462‑8782. General Motors' number associated with this recall is 14048.

Recall number 14V092000 · Recall details

Power train: automatic transmissionReported December 6, 1991 · 10,141 vehicles affected
What is wrong
The reverse servo apply pin may bind in the case which could cause reverse band distress (loss or slipping of reverse), reverse band drag in drive range (poor performance -- poor power), or the transmission to remain in reverse while the shift indicator shows neutral gear position.
Risk
If the transmission remains in reverse while the shiftindicator shows neutral, the vehicle may unexpectedly move rearward and resultin a vehicle accident.
Remedy
Replace the transaxle where required.

Recall number 91V214000 · Recall details

Questions about the Buick Regal jerking

Which Buick Regal years have jerking or lurching problems?

The model years with the most reports are 2011 (7 complaints), 1998 (4 complaints) and 1999 (3 complaints).

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