Is the 2011 Buick Regal a bad year?
280 owner complaints to NHTSA. Engine complaints: 111, 11× a quiet Regal year.
Consider selling
Half of all engine complaints about the 2011 Buick Regal were filed between 48k and 97k miles. You're at 70,000 miles.
The verdict moves with mileage: the same car reads differently at 30,000 and at 150,000 miles.
What 2011 Regal owners report, by mileage
Each system owners named in five or more complaints, with the mileage range where the middle half of those complaints were filed. Read at 70,000 miles.
| SYSTEM | COMPLAINTS | MIDDLE HALF FILED AT | TYPICAL US REPAIR BILLS |
|---|---|---|---|
| EngineSTANDS OUT | 111 (40%) | 48k–97k miles · around this mileage | Valve cover gasket replacement $110–$500 · Timing chain replacement $1,000–$4,000 |
| Electrical systemSTANDS OUT | 75 (27%) | 44k–100k miles · around this mileage | 12-volt battery replacement $100–$400 · Starter motor replacement $350–$1,200 |
| Transmission and drivetrain | 39 (14%) | 39k–88k miles · around this mileage | CV axle / CV joint replacement (one side) $300–$1,500 · Automatic transmission replacement $2,500–$7,000 |
| Exterior lighting | 38 (14%) | 50k–118k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Brakes | 32 (11%) | 40k–96k miles · around this mileage | Brake pad replacement (one axle) $115–$390 · Brake pads and rotors replacement (one axle) $200–$1,084 |
| Stability control | 19 (7%) | 30k–78k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Seats | 29 (10%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Fuel system | 17 (6%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Steering | 17 (6%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Speed control | 13 (5%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Air bags | 8 (3%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Suspension | 7 (3%) | too few with a mileage | — |
Bills are typical US ranges from the sources named in the tool (J.D. Power, Kelley Blue Book, CarParts.com and others), printed only for systems that stand out or sit at or ahead of 70,000 miles. Not a quote.
What owners reported alongside their complaints
Of 280 complaints: 7 mention a crash · 7 mention a fire · 6 report an injury · 12 say the car was towed.
2 complaints were filed in the last 12 months, the newest in Sep 2026.
Counts of what owners wrote in their complaints, not verified by anyone.
In owners' own words
I have owned my regal since 2011. As I accelerate the car would shudder and shake, then I would get a service stabilli trac message followed by a message stating that the engine power has been reduced.
On saturday, 4/18/15, I was in the intersection waiting to make a left hand turn; the vehicle was not moving.
My brake pedal is sticking causing my car to stall and my cruise control not to work, I have to manually pull my break pedal back up after I use my brakes while driving.
Unedited excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA, chosen by mileage (nearest 70,000 miles), not by content. Unverified.
Recalls for the 2011 Buick Regal: 4
The power seat wiring harness may contact the seat frame, causing the wires to chafe. Chafed harness wires may cause a short circuit, increasing the risk of a fire.
Also, certain 2013 Buick Encore, 2011 Buick Regal, 2013-2014 Buick Verano, 2011-2016 Chevrolet Cruze, 2010-2013 Chevrolet Equinox 2013-2015 Chevrolet Malibu, and 2011-2013 GMC Terrain vehicles may have been serviced with similar defective replacement electronic park lock levers. If the key is removed without the transmission in PARK, the vehicle may rollaway as occupants are exiting, increasing the risk of injury.
In the affected vehicles, the bolt that secures the driver's and passenger's power front seat height adjuster may fall out causing the seat to drop suddenly to the lowest vertical position. If the driver's seat unexpectedly drops, the distraction and altered seat position may affect the drivers' control of the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
These vehicles are equipped with two turn signal bulbs in each front turn signal. If one of the two front turn signal bulbs burn out in either front turn signal lamp, there is no indication to the driver. If the driver is not aware that a turn signal is not functioning properly, the driver may continue to drive the vehicle.
A recall may cover only some cars of a model year; the campaign size counts every model and year it lists. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls: dealers fix open recalls free.
Service bulletins from Buick: 452
Repair instructions Buick sent its dealers for symptoms seen in the shop on the 2011 Buick Regal. Ask a dealer or mechanic for a bulletin by its number.
If the vehicle stalls and set diagnostic trouble code P0191 and may also set P0172
Normal transmission shift condition and the delay in throttle response when the throttle plate is opened rapidly and advises the customer that it is normal…
Guidelines to replace Oil Cooler, Oil Cooler Lines and Oil Tank if the engine was replaced where large amounts of debris has flowed throughout the oiling system
Internal Engine Noise or Damage After Oil Filter Replacement
Neighbouring years
2012 Regal: 92 complaints, keep it.
Every Buick Regal year
2000 · 2001 · 2002 · 2003 · 2004 · 2005 · 2008 · 2009 · 2010 · 2011 · 2012 · 2013 · 2014 · 2015 · 2016 · 2017 · 2018 · 2019 · 2020 · All Regal years side by side
Other Buick models: Buick Century · Buick Enclave · Buick Encore · Buick Encore GX · Buick Envision · Buick LaCrosse · Buick LeSabre · Buick Lucerne · Buick Park Avenue · Buick Rainier · Buick Rendezvous · Buick Terraza · Buick Verano. All makes and models.
Questions
Is the 2011 Buick Regal a bad year?
280 owner complaints to NHTSA. Engine complaints: 111, 11× a quiet Regal year. At 70,000 miles the tool says: Consider selling. Half of all engine complaints about the 2011 Buick Regal were filed between 48k and 97k miles. You're at 70,000 miles.
What are the most common problems with the 2011 Buick Regal?
By owner complaints to NHTSA: engine (111), electrical system (75), transmission and drivetrain (39), exterior lighting (38), brakes (32). Half of the engine complaints were filed between 48k–97k miles.
How many recalls does the 2011 Buick Regal have?
4 recall campaigns list this model year: Seats (NHTSA 16V-517), Transmission and drivetrain (NHTSA 16V-502), Seats (NHTSA 14V-447), Exterior lighting (NHTSA 12V-484). A recall may cover only some cars; check by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Method: counts of unverified owner complaints filed with NHTSA, compared only with other years of the same model (sales volumes are unknown, so no failure rate is computed). A system stands out at 40+ complaints and at least twice the model's quiet (lower-quartile) year, or twice the share across every vehicle of that model year. The mileage range is the 25th to 75th percentile of the mileages owners reported. Data received by NHTSA through November 5, 2026. Repair prices are typical US ranges from named sources, not quotes. Not a diagnosis and not financial advice. PulsCar is not affiliated with NHTSA. Check this car at your own mileage.