2011 Buick Regal Problems

What owners report

Owners of this model year most often describe engine problems, particularly excessive oil consumption and, in some cases, sudden stalling while driving. Complaints also cover premature transmission failures and moisture getting into the HID headlight assemblies. Many reports arrive between roughly 60,000 and 100,000 miles, though some appear much earlier.

1. 1
   Engine

   Excessive oil consumption (2.4L engine)

   • 29 complaints (10%)
   • median 82,500 mi at 8.1 yrs old (27 state mileage)
   • 1 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2014–2021

   Owners describe having to add oil frequently between changes, sometimes a quart or more per 1,000 miles, with smoke from the exhaust and a check engine light. Several complaints say the vehicle ran low on oil even though an oil change was not yet due, and some report that the engine had to be replaced. Dealers and independent shops told some owners the consumption was known for this engine, while others were quoted costly repairs or told the vehicle was out of warranty. Mostly reported between about 50,000 and 160,000 miles, and in several cases within the first couple thousand miles after a used purchase.

   2 related service bulletins

   What to check: Check the oil level and look for a fuel or burnt smell, and ask for oil change records showing how much oil was added between services. A compression or leak-down check can help show whether the engine is already burning oil.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Vehicle dies in the middle of driving at all speeds and can't steer or brake only pray. Also, I turned vehicle off and won't restart tower to service center they said I need new engine!!!! I was just driving it no smoke no smell just won't start he said no oil in engine even though not scheduled for a oil change yet. Radio won't keep date or time or radio stations!”

   NHTSA complaint #11350116, filed 2020-08, 100,000 miles

   “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. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11355327, filed 2020-09, 79,000 miles
2. 2
   Engine

   Engine stalls or shuts off while driving

   • 87 complaints (31%)
   • median 69,000 mi at 6.3 yrs old (78 state mileage)
   • 5 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • owner-quoted repair $1,600 (median of 8 quotes)
   • filed 2011–2025

   Complaints describe the engine cutting out without warning at various speeds, with loss of power steering and power brakes, and sometimes a check engine or stability control light. Some owners were told a camshaft, throttle body, timing chain or timing component had failed; others report that no cause could be found and the problem returned. Several say the vehicle restarted after being shut off and restarted, and some had the engine or transmission replaced. Reported from as little as a few thousand miles up to about 160,000 miles, with many reports in the 60,000 to 140,000 mile range.

   Recall 16V5020003 related service bulletins

   What to check: Ask whether the throttle body, camshaft or timing components have been serviced, and have a scan tool check for stored codes. Note whether the stalling happens at low speed, at highway speed, or after refueling.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Timing chain loosened due to tensioner breaking due to the bolt holding it in place widening the hole it was in over time causing the car to jump time and possibly bending all the valves in the motor. Car was being driven on the highway when it stalled and shut off. We had just made a turn so luckily we were not going fast when this happened. No warning lights came on. No codes came up on the computer either when checked.”

   NHTSA complaint #11318937, filed 2020-03, 116,000 miles

   “I was driving down the city road and my car just shut off and lost all power to everything. I almost got hit. I then turned my car back on and the service stability trac light came on and the check engine light was flashing. I could nearly get it to go at all and my car was shaking and sputtering. It was the scariest thing I have ever dealt with. I had it put in the shop on 10/26/2018 and now it just happened to me again and its 03/26/2020.”

   NHTSA complaint #11319405, filed 2020-03, 156,013 miles
3. 3
   Exterior lighting

   HID headlight moisture and ballast failure

   • 27 complaints (10%)
   • median 85,000 mi at 8.0 yrs old (19 state mileage)
   • 3 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • owner-quoted repair $1,232 (median of 6 quotes)
   • filed 2014–2023

   Owners report water getting into the headlight housings during rain or car washes, which shorts the ballast and leaves one or both headlights dark. Some found melted or burnt bulb connectors and wiring, and a few describe the light going out intermittently while driving at night. Several say the dealer could only sell a complete assembly, and some note the assemblies were no longer available new. Reported from very low mileage up to about 150,000 miles, often after heavy rain or a wash, and repeated failures on the same side were common.

   Recall 12V484000

   What to check: Inspect both headlight housings for fogging, condensation or water marks, and check the bulb connectors and wiring for discoloration or melting. Confirm both low beams work and ask about prior ballast or assembly replacements.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Takata recall - there is an issue with the ballast in the hid headlamp assembly for the cxl turbo model. The seal may be faulty due to the headlamp shorting out except for the daytime running lights. They shorted out right after a heavy downpour and I was stopped by a police officer and told that they (the headlights) were out. I got out of the vehicle and looked at the the lights only to realize that they had malfunctioned and there was moisture in the assembly itself.”

   NHTSA complaint #11231437, filed 2019-07, 126,000 miles

   “Police stopped me due to missing passenger headlamp. As I was replacing said headlight, upon closer inspection, I noticed that the bulb wire harness were burnt black. The smell of burning was detected.”

   NHTSA complaint #10959613, filed 2017-03, 70,000 miles
4. 4
   Transmission and drivetrain

   Transmission failure and harsh shifting

   • 34 complaints (12%)
   • median 60,000 mi at 6.8 yrs old (29 state mileage)
   • 3 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2011–2022

   Complaints describe bucking, delayed or harsh shifts, failure to engage reverse, and the vehicle refusing to move despite engine revs. Several owners were told the transmission needed to be rebuilt or replaced, sometimes under 60,000 miles. Others report a delay in throttle response that a service bulletin describes as a normal characteristic. Mostly reported between about 45,000 and 90,000 miles, though some vehicles had transmissions replaced earlier.

   3 related service bulletins

   What to check: Test drive from cold and check for delayed engagement into drive and reverse, clunking, or shuddering under light acceleration. Ask for service records showing transmission fluid changes and any prior repairs or replacements.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “I'm writing about a concern I have regarding the transmission design for the 2011 Buick Regal. I purchased my car from a reputable dealer with a clean car fax in 2014. The car had roughly 45,000 miles on it, and every bit of maintenance has been performed at the appropriate intervals since I purchased it 3.5 years ago. During the time that I've owned my car, I have put an additional 30,000 miles on it total. I haven't driven it on the highway since july of 2015, and my trips are shorter than 4 miles one way. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11021713, filed 2017-09, 77,710 miles

   “Buick Regal 2011 is currently at 67k, the vehicle had transmission replaced at 63k. The automobile continues to stall as there seems to be concerns related to the acceleration/power of the car at times, vehicle doesn't display the power it should be driving with. In addition automobile is making a squeaking noise from the water pump or belt when vehicle air conditioning is ran (either in motion or stationary).”

   NHTSA complaint #11003423, filed 2017-07, 67,000 miles
5. 5
   Brakes

   Brake pedal sticks and brakes drag in hot weather

   • 35 complaints (13%)
   • median 54,000 mi at 5.8 yrs old (28 state mileage)
   • 2 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2011–2023

   Owners describe the brake pedal staying partly down after braking, so the brakes do not fully release and the car feels held back or slows on its own. Complaints link this to hot weather and the vehicle sitting in the sun, and some report a burning smell, hot wheels, or steering wheel shake. Several say the pedal had to be lifted manually, and some had calipers, pads, rotors or hoses replaced without resolving it. Reported between roughly 40,000 and 160,000 miles, and typically in high heat after the car was parked in the sun.

   1 related service bulletin

   What to check: After a test drive, feel each wheel for excess heat and check for a burning smell. Ask whether the brake pedal returns fully, and whether calipers, hoses or the master cylinder have been replaced.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “I am having a braking problem with my 2011 Regal clx turbo. My brakes do not seem to be releasing when the car has been sitting outside and the temperature is high. Steering wheel shakes when applying the brakes and even when the brakes are released. The brake pedal and or parking brake does not disengaging on the Buick Regal 2011.”

   NHTSA complaint #11415354, filed 2021-05, 128,880 miles

   “Six months after purchasing this used vehicle (with 29,000 miles on it) it completely stalled on the interstate while driving about 65 MPH. It started braking by itself making it difficult to get to an emergency pull off area. This could have caused a serious accident considering it was rush hour. I took it to the dealership where they told me that the throttle body needed to be replaced. After getting it repaired the car drove fine until this year. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10604966, filed 2014-06, 40,000 miles

Buying note. The engine is the area to scrutinize most: check oil level and consumption records, and have any stored codes read before buying. Also confirm the open recalls for the seat wiring, ignition park lock and front turn signals were completed, and check the headlights for moisture and the brakes for dragging.

Summary written with AI from a sample of 60 NHTSA complaints for this model year (picked at random, with complaints that state a mileage and recent ones taken first), then checked automatically against the source records. Where a problem shows a complaint count, every complaint for this model year was matched with fixed keyword rules (written with AI and tested against the sample), and the mileage, age and repair figures are calculated from those complaints; owners' figures are as stated, not verified. Other counts refer to the sample. The excerpts come from NHTSA's public complaint records and are unverified; capitalisation is normalised, NHTSA staff notes are removed, and shortened text ends with “…”. Something wrong? Request a correction.