Buick Regal transmission failure problems

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 May 10, 2021 · Transmission · 19,500 miles · OH

Tl* the contact owns a 2017 buick regal. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle shuddered while shifting gears. Serpentini chevrolet buick of orville (1107 n main st, orrville, oh 44667) was made aware of the failure. The vehicle was repaired three times with an oil change while two unknown transmission parts were replaced. The mechanic was unable to duplicate the failure. The failure recurred. The vehicle was taken to a transmission specialist who duplicated the transmission failure. The independent mechanic contacted the dealer and informed them of the result. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The manufacturer contacted the dealer and was informed that there was nothing wrong with the vehicle. The failure mileage was 19,500.

Filed Nov 30, 2020 · Transmission · 59,000 miles · PA

When driving to the grocery store one day the car wasn't accelerating properly. When o leave the store the car won't move when in reverse, the engine will rev but no movement. Got the diagnostic done and with less then 59000 miles my transmission failed.

Filed Oct 17, 2019 · Transmission · 133,000 miles · NC

Tl* the contact owns a 2011 buick regal. While driving approximately 35 MPH, the vehicle stalled. There were no warning indicators illuminated. The contact started the vehicle normally after a few minutes. According to the contact, the carfax report indicated that the transmission was replaced prior to him purchasing the vehicle. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer or an independent mechanic for diagnostic testing. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 133,000.

Filed Jul 23, 2018 · Electrical, Engine · 165,000 miles · MI

Gm dealership misdiagnosed the transmission as needing replacement, and quote a $4500 repair price. After getting 3 alternative expert opinions, the problem was the throttle body; repaired for $420. Now the formerly recalled generator alternator has failed. Car will not restart when stopped, while driving. Gm has told me they will not replace the formerly recalled part under warranty, or but not if for misdiagnosing the transmission and the part failing when garnering 2nd opinions. Gm also told me that it is not the dealership's job to alert a customer of a recall. If that is their process for recalls, I am afraid for the lives of others. I am also afraid that they possibly don't even understand how to diagnose a vehicle problem in the first place. They confirmed the part now in question was functioning properly at their dealership, but recommended a new transmission due to high miles on the vehicle. This is a genuine gm dealership. I'd like the gm/alternator, control module, and other associate parts investigated for voltage failures related to throttle body failure. It is my understanding that if gm is replacing transmissions, when not needed, and the other parts eventually fully fail, consumers are at extreme risk. My 19 year old daughter was stuck at a complete stop, for nearly 30 seconds several times, on a 70 MPH freeway, when traffic came to a halt, then restarted; reaching full speed and having to veer and slam on brakes to avoid her car; in the center lane. Please investigate. [xxx]. I will also be filing a complaint with the secretary of state of michigan for vehicle repair shop regulation. Dealerships who are reading codes, and not verifying the codes, should be shut down for good. [xxx] information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6). *pm

Filed Jan 11, 2018 · Transmission · 102,000 miles · WI

Bought my car from a reputable dealer. The car was a fun toy for me to drive. My 2011 regal apparently had has a transmission problem. The shop says needs a new transmission because everything is sealed and can't be serviced. Anyway multiple times I'm on the road and in town and the car drives okay, but as soon as merge onto the high way the car stalls. Heres what happens as soon as I merge onto the high way the RPM's go way up. The trassmission is stalled.the car won't accelerate. Multiple times I've almost had an accident. The instrument cluster has "d" flashing and engine light is off. I pull over the side of the road turn the car off, and then restart the car and then it works again. This sucks. It honestly a 50 50 chance the car transmission will stall when I merge onto the highway. I feel this is a recall issue. Manny people have complained about this recently around the same millage of mine. Around 100,000 miles. Only problem is buick takes blame on the same problem with the enclave,but not the regal. What a shame.

Filed Sep 29, 2016 · Transmission · 44,820 miles · NY

Transmission failure after 44,820 miles. Required reconditioned transmission and torque converter with total cost of repair of $3,976.63. In motion on city streets and highway- delays reverse. Hard shifting. Slow response driving.

Filed Jun 17, 2016 · Electrical, Engine · 68,300 miles · CA

I have 2002 buick regal,had fixed for low coolant light sign problem several time by dealer, last repair was done 1-26-2016 by dealer and do not show any more low coolant sign of light, 20 days later my car stopped in the middle of road, I towed it to same dealer, dealer told me that transmission need to be replaced by verbal, I towed it to transmission shop and repaired and I complainted to state of ca, in feb. 2016, I had recall notice from gm, I had recall service done by another gm dealer in march 2016, investigator from the state looked through my car in may 20 2016, investigator found the sign of low coolant light was not displayed when he turned engine on, every other signs of engine light displayed except low coolant sign of light, I paid $131.00 to dealer where I had recall service donein may 27, 2016, I explained them all the service light displays but the low coolant light whe engine turned on, they told me that my car need new cluster and it will cost $1009.00. My car drives smoothly and I have to buy coolant and pour it to radiator myself , check fluid level every day to be safe, this is very stressful and make me nervous to go out and enjoy my life,my car is only 14 years old and 68300 miles driven, I need mere investigation why dealer want me to change the whole cluster instead of little problem of mechanical wire connection ? Or bulb ? I had problem with odor meter between 2013-2015 and dealer told me that it would cost $ 1000,00 but odor meter owner fixed with little charge, I need help! Please. The other dealer sent me the check $ 409.23 because investigator told them. I noticed the case number was different in the check, I told investigator about it and he told me it is ok to deposit the check so I did and cashed out.

Filed Mar 21, 2015 · Transmission · 3,800 miles · MI

Difficult to shift manual transmission in cold weather, along with gear noise. Took vehicle to dealer on jan 16, 2015 and all they did was give us a copy of gm's corporate bulletin 03-07-29-004i: manual transmission operating characteristics (dec 19, 2014). This document told us to shift slowly in cold weather, but then we cannot shift it at all. Took vehicle to another dealer on feb 20, 2015. The service manager test drove it and agreed there was a shifting issue. They replaced the transmission, which is much easier to shift. Unfortunately, we now have a vibration in 2nd gear.

Filed May 24, 2012 · Electrical, Steering · 10,000 miles · NJ · crash

Tl* the contact owns a 2011 buick regal. The contact stated that the vehicle would loose power sporadically. The contact stated the check transmission light or stability control light would illuminate on the instrument panel when the failure occurred. The vehicle never stalled, but the contact would loose power steering when the failure occurred. The dealer replaced the computer twice and was also looking at a possible transmission failure, but the vehicle was not repaired. The vehicle was left with the dealer for more extensive inspection. The failure mileage was 10,000 and the current mileage was 17,000. Updated 7/12/12 *cn the consumer stated while driving, all of a sudden the vehicle started to slow down. He lost all power to the steering and brakes. The transmission control valve arm was replaced. In may 2012, he was making a turn and the power steering went out, which left him with no steering, brakes or transmission. The consumer hit a fence post dragging the front bumper. The transmission was replaced. Updated 07/18/12