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Buick Regal oil consumption problems

31 of the 2,973 owner complaints about the Buick Regal describe excessive oil consumption, most of them for the 2011 model year.

owner complaints
31
worst model year
2011
typical mileage
82,500
Is there a fix? There are 4 recalls for this area of the car. See below

By model year

  • 2015
    1
  • 2014
    1
  • 2013
    1
  • 2012
    4
  • 2011
    17
  • 2000
    1
  • 1999
    1
  • 1998
    2
  • 1997
    1
  • 1996
    1
  • 1995
    1

What owners say

Filed May 23, 2024 · Engine · IL

Excessive oil consumption on the 2.4L engine. GM has known about the oil consumption on these engines for a long time and if oil is not consistently checked and topped off it will seize the motor while driving

Filed Apr 19, 2023 · Engine · OH

Engine used oil with no smoke or leaks. Had to change oil every 2300 miles. Motor went bad do to no oil even after oil change.

Filed May 7, 2021 · Engine, Fuel system · GA

The oil consumption in the car is horrible, I have to atleat add oil in my car about 5 time in between oil changes, and my oil changes are done regularly, ive also have the issue of my oil and gas mixing, I did take it to the shop once and they fixed a recall that was involved with high pressure fuel pump, but im guessing they didnt fix the issue once that repair was done like they said it would.

Filed Apr 12, 2021 · Engine · OH

Burning oil on a 2.4l equinox engine

Filed Feb 18, 2021 · FL

Excessive engine oil consumption

Filed Nov 3, 2020 · Driver assistance, Engine · 163,247 miles · SC

The 2012 buick regal consumes a quart or more of oil in less than 2 weeks or 300 miles. I am putting a quart in it just to get it to read on the dip stick and more if needed. As it consumes oil, the engine gains a noticable ticking noise with a rough start. All of this is noticed while driving on a highway or rural road. The back right tire and or tire area makes a thumping noise at all speeds. The tire is not the issue. The stabilitrak warning light comes on often . I am the 3rd owner to the car with with 164,333 current miles. The car has had routine oil changes etc by all owners.

Filed Oct 25, 2020 · Engine · 94,000 miles · PA

Engine timing failure due to faulty chain tensioner at 81000 miles (2/15/2020) engine consumes excessive amounts of oil between changes

Filed Sep 16, 2020 · Engine · 79,000 miles · IL · 1 injury

Vehicle has serious oil consumption issues. Will burn as much as 3 or more quarts in 1000 miles or less. Was notified by chevrolet mechanic that some oil consumption was normal, but that if the consumption was excessive that I would have to pay up to $3500 or more to fix the car. There isn't a recall out on this make and model, but all cars equipped with this 2.4l ecotech engine had the same issues from the research I conducted. The mechanic I talked to said that this was a known issue due to a defect in the piston rings allowing oil to reach the combustion chamber. Sometimes even the fumes come into the car and they are pretty harsh to breathe in.

Filed Jul 2, 2020 · Electrical, Engine · 97,000 miles · TN

Called local dealership for a few recalls,they said they had to order the parts for recalls so when they got the parts they called and set me a time to get them fixed well when I got there they said that it only had 1 recall and they had to order the part that was already supposed to have been ordered to began with and they would call when they get the part in "still waiting on that call" the vehicle has 97000 miles and is also burning oil fast and smoking out the exhaust,they said it was out of warranty and there is no recall on the engine oil consumption on this vehicle because its VIN specific so the bill would be on me to have the engine tore down to see what is causing it to burn oil but I no it's because of premature wear of the piston rings after the research I have done on these engines so far but what ever the case they have yet to call me back and it's been almost 2 months now not sure what to do at this point.

Filed Jan 31, 2020 · Engine · 159,000 miles · MN

My 2011 buick regal with the 2.4l 4cyl has been excessively consuming oil. The timing chain was replaced around 60k miles, and shortly after the complete engine was replaced (see carfax image attached, confirmed with dealer). Those repairs have happened before I owned this vehicle. My concern is that there is going to be a failure within my engine and the repairs would be costly to me. I believe this issue needs to be looked into as it's been a common issue with these engines. The vehicle is now at 159k miles and I've been adding a quart or more of oil between changes.

Related recalls

Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: manifold/header/muffler/tail pipeReported October 26, 2015 · 1,003,556 vehicles affected
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 engine’s 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: engineReported April 6, 2015 · 330,742 vehicles affected
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 coolingReported April 8, 2009 · 1,497,516 vehicles affected
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 engine’s front valve cover and front-valve-cover gasket with new parts of an improved design and remove the engine’s 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 coolingReported March 12, 2008 · 207,542 vehicles affected
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 engine’s front valve cover and front-valve-cover gasket with new parts of an improved design and remove the engine’s 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 oil consumption

Which Buick Regal years have excessive oil consumption problems?

The model years with the most reports are 2011 (17 complaints), 2012 (4 complaints) and 1998 (2 complaints).

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