2016 Buick Regal Problems
Compared with other Buick Regal years
Fewer complaints than typical for this model
24/100 0.6× a typical year · 50 = typical
- Complaint rate is 0.6× that of a typical Buick Regal year, weighted for crashes, fires, injuries, recalls and mileage, and allowing for the era and for how long each year has had to collect complaints.
- 11 of its 41 complaints were filed by the end of 2018.
- Most reported part: Steering (10 complaints, median 80,000 mi).
- 1 recall campaign on record. A VIN search at nhtsa.gov/recalls shows open recalls for a specific vehicle.
Based only on NHTSA complaints, recalls and investigations. Not adjusted for how many vehicles were sold, and not a reliability rating. How this is calculated
- Complaints
- 41filed with NHTSA
- Median mileage
- 27,000miles, 21 complaints with mileage
- Recalls
- 1campaigns on record
- Trend
- FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
- NHTSA crash rating
- 5 / 5stars overall, 3 rated versions
- EPA fuel economy
- 24 mpgcombined, 2.0L 4-cyl FWD · 21 city / 29 hwy
Sources: NHTSA records for the 2016 Buick Regal (complaints, recalls, investigations), NHTSA crash tests, EPA fuel economy. Report an error
NHTSA recorded 41 consumer complaints for the 2016 Buick Regal. The part named most often is steering, with 10 complaints (24% of the total), followed by electrical system (6) and exterior lighting (6). 21 of the complaints include a mileage, and 71% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 27,000 miles. Of all complaints, 1 an injury, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign and 1,213 technical service bulletins for this model year. Steering complaints overlap with 1 recall campaign and 27 technical service bulletins filed under the same part. Electrical system complaints overlap with 261 technical service bulletins filed under the same part. Compared with the other 5 Buick Regal model years that have at least 25 complaints and are old enough to compare, this one scores 24 out of 100, where 50 is a typical year for the model (fewer complaints than typical for this model). The comparison allows for the era and for how long each year has had to collect complaints, but not for how many vehicles were sold.
Which parts are reported most
Complaints can name more than one part, so the counts add up to more than the total. Select a part to see its complaints, recalls and bulletins.
- Steering10 24%
- Electrical system6 15%
- Exterior lighting6 15%
- Engine5 12%
- Other or unknown5 12%
- Brakes3 7.3%
- Body and structure3 7.3%
Also reported: Forward collision avoidance (2), Wheels (2), Electronic stability control (1), Engine cooling (1), Fuel system (1), Suspension (1), Tires (1).
Example complaints
Steering: “Power steering randomly fails while driving. This happened while turning into a parking space, on residential street and the expressway. The car has been at the dealership 4 times since june 3 for the same issue. The first time the following repairs were performed: replaced complete rack & pinion gear with power steering control module reinstalled, download for power steering module. Did not fix the problem. Second time the following repairs were performed: downloaded power steering control module before replacing module. Replaced rack & pinion, re-download power steering control module. …”
NHTSA complaint #11266895, filed 2019-10, 40,570 milesElectrical system: “Driver infotainment center has many issues, remains blank while radio is playing and can be controlled by steering wheel controls and HVAC via external buttons. Also backup camera intermittently jumps the video from camera but not the cgi lines. This makes you stop due to reflexes thinking something ran out in the way of backing up. On occasion the display has shown system error and also HVAC control not operable. Also have seen the cgi directional lines not show up until placed in forward gear just before the display turns off the camera. …”
NHTSA complaint #11010894, filed 2017-07, 12,000 milesExterior lighting: “Suddenly after leaving costco gas station and driving no display of millage. Speed gauges and all critical information went blank/black on drivers dash board with critical lights display showing trouble with vehicle by displaying yellow; and red exclamations; skid tire and no gauge readings for engine temkp; or nothing!. On star gave negative results for emergency help. Dealer stated car was reprogramed last week. Previous radio and blue tooth trouble reported to GM. They seem to ignore me. Troubled radio and navigation purposively fixed last week”
NHTSA complaint #10860271, filed 2016-04, 16,000 milesEngine: “Engine has a defect that causes a piece of the engine to break off and end up in the oil lines, ends up in oil pan. This defect causes the engine to freeze and owner must replace the engine. My vehicle only had 50k miles and I am unable to drive it. I now need a brand new engine and Buick knows about defect but won't issue recall or fix the defect. I was driving on highway when engine shut down”
NHTSA complaint #11414614, filed 2021-04, 50,000 milesMileage when problems were reported
71% of the 21 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 16,000 and 50,000 miles.
Complaints by year filed
Trend: falling. Complaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
Crash test ratings
NHTSA's 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2016 Buick Regal. Frontal results are shown driver / passenger; rollover shows the star rating and NHTSA's estimated risk of rolling over in a single-vehicle crash.
| Version | Overall | Frontal | Side | Side pole | Rollover |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Regal · sedan AWD | ★★★★★ | 5 / 4 | 5 | 5 | 4 · 10.9% risk |
| Regal · sedan FWD | ★★★★★ | 5 / 4 | 5 | 5 | 4 · 10.9% risk |
| Regal Eassist · sedan FWD | ★★★★★ | 5 / 4 | 5 | 5 | 4 · 10.9% risk |
Driver aids listed by NHTSA for the 2016 model year: forward collision warning optional, lane departure warning optional, automatic emergency braking not available.
Neighbouring years: 2015: same overall rating; 2017: same overall rating. A redesign between years can change both the car and the test.
Source: NHTSA New Car Assessment Program (5-Star Safety Ratings), nhtsa.gov/ratings.
Fuel economy and running cost
EPA ratings for each 2016 Buick Regal version. Annual fuel cost is the EPA's estimate at its current fuel prices for 15,000 miles a year (55% city driving).
| Version | Engine | Transmission | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel / yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Regal FWD | 2.0L 4-cyl | 6-speed automatic | 21 | 29 | 24 | $2,800 |
| Regal FWD | 2.0L 4-cyl | 6-speed manual | 20 | 30 | 24 | $2,800 |
| Regal FWD | 2.4L 4-cyl | 6-speed automatic | 19 | 30 | 23 | $2,900 |
| Regal AWD | 2.0L 4-cyl | 6-speed automatic | 19 | 27 | 22 | $3,050 |
| Regal eAssist FWD | 2.4L 4-cyl · hybrid | 6-speed automatic | 24 | 35 | 28 | $2,400 |
Source: U.S. EPA and Department of Energy, fueleconomy.gov. Ratings are for comparing vehicles; real-world mileage varies with driving and conditions.
Recalls and investigations
- 16V108000Feb 24, 2016Steering › Electric power assist systemCovers: Buick Regal 2016
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2016 Buick Regal Vehicles manufactured August 30, 2015, to February 12, 2016. The affected vehicles have a power-steering assist system that may fail.
Recall details for the 2016 Buick Regal → · Check a VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls
Technical service bulletins
TSBs are manufacturer notes to dealers about known repair procedures. They are not recalls and do not by themselves mean a vehicle has a fault. 1,213 on record; the latest 10 are shown.
- 11037555Sep 26, 2026Other or unknown. This PI provides Diagnostics tips on how the LIN bus works and how to diagnosis it.
- 11037253Sep 4, 2026Other or unknown. This preliminary information advises a dealer on how to email GDS2 session logs into Technical Assistance.
- 11035340Jul 21, 2026Other or unknown. PI to help diagnose A/C concern
- 11032947May 19, 2026Other or unknown. This document provides the technician with a diagnostic tip if the vehicle stalls and set diagnostic trouble code P0191 and may also set P0172. The diagnostic tip has the technician inspect the high…
- 11030974Apr 1, 2026Other or unknown. This preliminary information communicates information about how to determine if a wheel and tires size change is available.
- 11030092Mar 9, 2026Other or unknown. This Preliminary information communicates the steps on how to save a GDS2 Session Log and upload to a Technical Assistance Case in CX Connect.
- 11030091Mar 9, 2026Other or unknown. This preliminary information advises a dealer on how to email GDS2 session logs into Technical Assistance.
- 11027601Jan 8, 2026Other or unknown. This preliminary information advises a dealer on how to email GDS2 session logs into Technical Assistance.
- 11025755Nov 20, 2025Other or unknown. This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that have had multiple repair attempts that are being performed on customer’s vehicles that exhibit…
- 11023091Sep 9, 2025Other or unknown. New Vehicle Monitoring Programs Section in IVH
Other model years of the Buick Regal
| Year | Complaints | Median mi | Recalls | Crash ★ | MPG | Score (50 = typical) | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | 20 | 30,000 | 3 | — | 26 | — | Rising |
| 2018 | 19 | 22,000 | 3 | — | 26 | — | Stable |
| 2017 | 20 | 73,254 | 0 | 5 | 24 | — | Falling |
| 2016 | 41 | 27,000 | 1 | 5 | 24 | 24 · Fewer | Falling |
| 2015 | 33 | 29,750 | 0 | 5 | 24 | 6 · Fewer | Falling |
| 2014 | 38 | 48,864 | 2 | 5 | 24 | 21 · Fewer | Stable |
| 2013 | 91 | 58,000 | 6 | 5 | 23 | 66 · More | Falling |
| 2012 | 92 | 59,527 | 7 | 5 | 22 | 76 · More | Falling |
| 2011 | 280 | 66,900 | 4 | — | 23 | 100 · More | Falling |
| 2004 | 66 | 90,963 | 2 | — | 21 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 2003 | 101 | 96,258 | 3 | — | 20 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 2002 | 117 | 85,000 | 3 | — | 20 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 2001 | 187 | 91,500 | 6 | — | 21 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 2000 | 184 | 95,804 | 8 | — | 21 | Not compared (before 2008) | Rising |
| 1999 | 246 | 89,000 | 6 | — | 21 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 1998 | 302 | 92,000 | 6 | — | 21 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 1997 | 136 | 105,771 | 7 | — | 20 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1996 | 204 | 87,500 | 3 | — | 21 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1995 | 173 | 89,659 | 8 | — | 20 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1994 | 110 | 96,472 | 3 | — | 20 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1993 | 85 | 75,000 | 2 | — | 20 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1992 | 144 | 109,500 | 2 | — | 20 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1991 | 200 | 94,210 | 6 | — | 20 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1990 | 77 | 125,538 | 8 | — | 20 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1989 | 106 | 80,000 | 7 | — | 21 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1988 | 123 | 86,000 | 10 | — | 21 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1987 | 25 | 60,000 | 2 | — | 18 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1986 | 12 | — | 4 | — | 18 | — | Not enough data |
| 1985 | 9 | — | 8 | — | 18 | — | Not enough data |
| 1984 | 6 | — | 4 | — | 17 | — | Not enough data |
All Buick Regal model years · Best and worst years by complaints
Frequently asked questions
How many NHTSA complaints does the 2016 Buick Regal have?
NHTSA recorded 41 consumer complaints for the 2016 Buick Regal as of Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
What part of the 2016 Buick Regal is reported most often?
Steering is named most often, in 10 complaints (24% of the total), followed by electrical system with 6.
Has the 2016 Buick Regal been recalled?
NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
How did the 2016 Buick Regal do in NHTSA crash tests?
NHTSA's 5-Star Safety Ratings give the 2016 Buick Regal 5 out of 5 stars overall, across 3 rated versions (body style and drive). Ratings from different model years are only comparable when the vehicle was not redesigned in between.
What gas mileage does the 2016 Buick Regal get?
The EPA rates the 2016 Buick Regal (Regal, 2.0L 4-cyl) at 24 mpg combined, 21 city and 29 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $2,800 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.
At what mileage are problems with the 2016 Buick Regal reported?
Among the 21 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 27,000 miles and the middle half falls between 16,000 and 50,000 miles; 71% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate. Crash ratings are from NHTSA’s New Car Assessment Program. Fuel economy is from the EPA and DOE (fueleconomy.gov).
Complaint counts come from NHTSA’s public complaint database; we count each complaint once. The source records for this vehicle are on nhtsa.gov. Scores and trends are our own summaries of that data, described in the methodology. This page is not legal, safety or repair advice: for a specific vehicle, check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and ask a qualified mechanic. See an error? Tell us.