Second time, the car has basically shut down. Brake assist, ABS and traction control lights on. Stabilitrak Service light. Had to slow down to 25 miles an hour because it was shaking so bad and limped it home. Last time they said it was a bearing in one of the tires. Also states said it has multiple misfires. Having it towed tomorrow to see what it is now.
Buick Regal misfire problems
18 of the 2,973 owner complaints about the Buick Regal describe misfire or rough idle, most of them for the 2011 model year.
- owner complaints
- 18
- worst model year
- 2011
- typical mileage
- 70,000
Is there a fix? There are 4 recalls for this area of the car. See below
By model year
- 20161
- 20152
- 20143
- 20131
- 20118
- 20021
- 20001
- 19981
Often reported together
Stalling 6Loss of power 4Check engine light 4Jerking 2Hesitation 2Transmission failure 1Won't shift 1
Trouble codes mentioned
P0304 1P0017 1P0016 1P0014 1P0011 1
What owners say
2014 Buick Regal GS AWD sedan, second owner. Car was purchased as a certified used from Buick dealer in 2018 with 40,xxx miles. Car now has 137,xxx miles, no longer under extended warranty. Have had all regular maintenance done and have records. Aside from normal wear and tear, no prior issues with car. Car engine suddenly started to run rough, Check Engine light came on while driving 65 mph, sudden loss of engine power and car died on the highway causing congestion and vehicles to swerve on highway, loss of steering control, pulled over. Car was able to be restarted but running rough, engine light on, severe reduction in power. Talked with nearest dealer, they said to not drive car. Had local GM mechanic do inspection, computer codes indicated loss of compression on cylinder 3, misfire. Compression check and bore inspection indicated loss of compression on cylinder 3, valve failure/damage, oil in the turbo, requiring complete rebuild or replacement engine and turbo. Review of TSB from GM indicated this is a known issue, engine to be replaced.
Purchased in jan 2021 with 94k miles and as of mar 2021 96k miles a catastrophic engine failure of the #4 cylinder. Crack in the piston ring grooves and now has zero compression. While driving the highway at 74 MPH. Loss of engine power and check engine light is on and will stall at idle even in neutral while sitting at a stop light or stop sign. Engine oil found under the car as well but not sure specific location at this time. Heavy blue smoke from exhaust and very rough idle with lack of response from the turbo along with the traction control light on as well.
I started experiencing excessive oil burn at around. Since then, I have checked my oil biweekly to top off and keep at proper levels along with consistent oil changes as the oil gets dirty quickly. Dealerships before have told me that its "normal" for these engines. I discovered a bad oil leak. Vacuum pump issues. Multiple camshaft seals worn away, that were hard as rock from excessive heat including piston seals that had been affected. Thought this possibly had fixed the excessive oil burn. A few weeks later I received the oil level low notification on the car computer. I check and its very low. The oil burn is continuing with no clear signs of an oil leak with dirty oil. There is possibly more problems within the engine that aren't seen. I have checked previous complaints. I notice that this engine has many of the same problems with the turbo package on gm vehicles. It has a rough idle and engine hesitation. These characteristics seem to include inconsistent engine performance sound and are felt through the pedals, the driver's seat and steering wheel, there is a putter and hesitates while accelerating.
My buick purchased november 2019 has the misfortune of having the 2.0 ltg 4cyl turbo. Through research I have learned that catastrophic failure with the pistons is a common occurrence across the gm platform with same engines. This is likely caused by a misfire or preignition in the cylinder which which feeds on itself as it gets worse. Also the pcv system designed for a naturally aspirated engine not a turbo engine. This system functions only when there is no boost from the turbo. This cause gunk to build up eventually back flowing into #1. Since liquid will not compress it creates pressure in the cylinder damaging the rings. I purchased my car used with no warranty and exactly 100k. Even on the test drive I felt a misfire but was told it's nothing. Maybe my foot slipped. Five days later the preignition happened again. Change the plugs and wires and the problem went away for awhile. Three weeks later when I cold start the engine in the morning to warm up. It was exhibiting the same misfiring along with a fluctuating idle and excessive fuel being blown out the exhaust. Pulled the codes all it said was misfire in #2. Brought it in to service shop. They pulled the codes with nothing reporting. I was told it was a normal situation in the buicks. Being naive and unfamiliar with the motor I believed them. I did find a gm service bulletin that did support what they said. Claimed it was double igniting to heat the catalytic convertor up faster. The engine continued to exhibit the same issues all along im being told nothing is wrong. Fast forward to last week the problem exponentially increased. Brought it into the dealer. They couldn't "find" anything though they agreed wasn't running right. March 7 another dealership. Yep something is wrong but the car is not saying anything. The tech went for a test drive and the motor failed. A bore scope revealed severe piston damage.
I was driving down the highway in texas, and was in the process of changing lanes to the left and accelerating when all of a sudden my vehicle completely lost power and would not go into gear. My transmission light immediately came on. The psl was 70 and thankfully I was able to move back into the right lane and navigate to the shoulder without getting hit. I eventually coasted off the hwy and had aaa tow my car to the dealership where it was determined my transmission needing rebuilding. This occurred around 30k miles. Periodically after that my car would not accelerate like I had a misfire and I'd feel a shudder or sometimes it felt my tires were spinning faster than my transmission was going. I took my car in for an oil change (no lights were on). I explained this to the dealership and my car was throwing a code turns out the torque converter needing replacing. This was under 50k miles. I am currently at 52k miles and when I go up a high I feel the same thing and have told the dealership this. They won't give me a loaner car and I can't be without my car so I have not currently brought it back in. There are no lights on but it feels like the same issue is starting back when the torque converter went out. I have always had my car serviced at the dealership so I have all the records.
On 10/10/2018 at 6:45 am, 63 degrees fahrenheit, certified/current lpt warranty/15' regal prem 2/ 60,600 od 2.0l/turbo/automatic trans, conditions-speed-10 MPH-steering straight, brake at 100%, engine performance issues manifested during the end portion of the trip while in drive, at idle, dropping off friend at his workplace parking lot. Trip characteristics-total trip 35 min at 20 total miles-first part of the trip at 45 MPH for 15 min/the middle part of the trip at 70 MPH for 12 min/end portion of the trip at 15-25 MPH for 6 min/idle at 2 min-engine performance-sudden onset of high, rough idle or engine hesitation? Characteristics seemed to include inconsistent engine performance sound and feel felt through the pedals, the driver's seat and steering wheel, brake pedal depressed at 100%, immediately after moving the automatic transmission knob from park to drive, engine temp within normal parameters, gas level 35 miles till e. In drive, accelerator at 15-20%, drove 35 MPH for 5 miles to a shell gas pump, shifted to park, brake depressed at 100%, depressed on/off engine button, engaged the electronic parking system, max fueled vehicle with high-grade unleaded fuel. Vehicle sat, unstarted, for 15 min after fueling. Drove to the autozone across the street, 1 mile/20 mp, experienced a mil coming on solid in the ip while parking the vehicle. Obtained mil printout read: "cylinder 4 misfire detected"/"ase certified master technicians have seen this issue on your type of vehicle and the most likely solution is: perform engine de-carbon procedure"/code p0304. At present: on start-solid mil, rough, high idle at 1500 rpms, after 1-2 min-mil,tcs solid, rough idle at 1000 rpms. Drivability at all speeds affected but less so at higher speeds, *significant lurch at 15-35 MPH feels like hard shift/intermittent. I changed oil/air filters, driven 2 miles since parking at residence.
Tamara recall; my buick regeal is 2011 with 84000 mileage. A frustrating rotting/granding noise comes out from the engine from the car ignition turn on to accelerating fr0-25mph, before the annoying noise stop. Engine also misfire and car dies when it likes; stability control indicate on the screen. When check online, lots of people have complained about the same problem and how difficult for it to be resolve as many things brocken can cause the problems.
Tl* the contact owns a 1998 buick regal. The contact stated that the engine warning indicator continued to randomly flash. Also, once the vehicle was started, the engine would misfire and the vehicle would overheat. The vehicle was not diagnosed by a dealer. The vehicle was included in the federal safety agency campaign numbers: 09v116000 (engine and engine cooling) and 99v356000 (exterior lighting), but the contact was uncertain if the failures were related to the recalls. The manufacturer was notified of the failures. The failure mileage was not available.
Unexplained engine stalling; rough idle and noise on start. Vehicle sputters
Related recalls
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: manifold/header/muffler/tail pipe
- What is wrong
- General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 1998-1999 Chevrolet Lumina and Oldsmobile Intrigue, 1997-2004 Buick Regal and Pontiac Grand Prix, 2000-2004 Chevrolet Impala, and 1998-2004 Chevrolet Monte Carlo vehicles. The affected vehicles were previously repaired under recalls 08V‑118, 09V‑116, and 15V‑201 to address the possibility that engine oil may drip onto the hot exhaust manifold.
- Risk
- Engine oil that drips onto the hot surface of the exhaust manifold may result in a fire.
- Remedy
- The remedy applied under recalls 08V‑118, 09V‑116, and 15V‑201 did not adequately remove the safety risk. Under the improved remedy, dealers will replace the engines front valve cover and gasket. Vehicles that are covered by recalls 08V‑118, 09V‑116, or 15V‑201 that have not yet received the original remedy will instead receive the improved remedy under the original recall number. The recall began on February 19, 2016. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1‑800‑222‑1020, Buick customer service at 1‑800‑521‑7300, Oldsmobile customer service at 1‑800‑442‑6537 and Pontiac customer service at 1‑800‑458‑8006. GM's number for this recall is 15757. Note: Until the improved remedy has been applied, owners are advised to park their vehicle outside since the fire risk exists even when the vehicle is unattended.
Recall number 15V701000 · Recall details
Engine and engine cooling: engine
- What is wrong
- General Motors LLC (GM) notified the agency on April 2, 2015, that they are is recalling certain model year 2004 Buick Regal vehicles manufactured April 9, 2003, to June 1, 2003, 2004 Chevrolet Impala vehicles manufactured April 8, 2003, to June 23, 2003, and 2004 Chevrolet Monte Carlo vehicles manufactured April 7, 2003, to June 23, 2003. On May 18, 2015, GM expanded the recall to cover an additional 49,751 2004 Pontiac Grand Prix vehicles manufactured January 6, 2003, to June 25, 2004. In the affected vehicles, the valve cover gasket may leak.
- Risk
- The leaking engine oil can drip onto the hot surface of the exhaust manifold, increasing the risk of a fire.
- Remedy
- GM will notify owners, and dealers will remove the plastic cover and plastic oil fill tube extension and replace the front valve cover and gasket. These repairs will be done free of charge. The recall began on April 24, 2015. Owners may contact Buick customer service at 1‑800‑521‑7300, Pontiac customer service at 1‑800‑762‑2737 or Chevrolet customer service at 1‑800‑222‑1020. GM's number for this recall is 14574.
Recall number 15V201000 · Recall details
Engine and engine cooling
- What is wrong
- General motors is recalling 1,497,516 my 1997-2003 buick regal, my 1998-2003 chevrolet lumina, monte carlo and impala, my 1998-1999 oldsmobile intrigue, my 1997-2003 pontiac grand prix vehicles equipped with a 3.8l v6 naturally aspirated engine. Some of these vehicles have a condition in which drops of engine oil may be deposited on the exhaust manifold through hard braking.
- Risk
- If the manifold is hot enough and the oil runs below the heat shield, it may ignite into a small flame and may spread to the plastic spark plug wire channel and beyond increasing the risk of an engine compartment fire.
- Remedy
- Dealers will replace the engines front valve cover and front-valve-cover gasket with new parts of an improved design and remove the engines plastic cover and plastic oil-fill-tube extension, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin during may 2016. Owners may contact chevrolet at 1‑800‑630‑2438, oldsmobile at 1‑800‑630‑6537, and pontiac at 1‑800‑620‑7668 or http://www.pontiac.com or http:www.gmownercenter.com.
Recall number 09V116000 · Recall details
Engine and engine cooling
- What is wrong
- Gm is recalling 207,542 my 1997-2003 buick regal and pontiac grand prix vehicles equipped with a 3.8l supercharged v-6 engine. These vehicles have higher front rocker cover gasket temperatures, creating the potential for earlier degradation of the front rocker cover gasket and eventual oil seepage.
- Risk
- Certain underhood fires may be caused by drops of engine oil, from seepage or spillage, being deposited on the exhaust manifold through hard braking. If the manifold is hot enough and the oil runs below the heat shield, it may ignite into a small flame and, in some instances, the fire may spread to the plastic spark plug wire channel and beyond.
- Remedy
- Dealers will replace the engines front valve cover and front-valve-cover gasket with new parts of an improved design and remove the engines plastic cover and plastic oil-fill-tube extension, along with the 1-3-5 spark plug wire retainers, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin during may 2016. , free of charge. The recall is expected to begin during may 2016. Until the remedy is completed, gm strongly recommends that owners observe the following important precautions (1) that owners do not park their vehicle in a garage, car port, or other structure; (2) if owners notice a burning odor, they should have their dealer inspect the vehicle. The dealer will inspect the vehicle without charge; (3) use premium fuel (91 octane or higher) in the vehicle as recommended in the vehicle's owner manual. Owners may contact buick at 1‑866‑608‑8080 or pontiac at 1‑800‑620‑7668, or through their website at http://www.gmownercenter.com .
Recall number 08V118000 · Recall details
Questions about the Buick Regal misfire
Which Buick Regal years have misfire or rough idle problems?
The model years with the most reports are 2011 (8 complaints), 2014 (3 complaints) and 2015 (2 complaints).
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