Complaints by model year
Each bar is one model year. Highlighted: 1998. The most recent years are still collecting complaints.
NHTSA ODI complaints (public domain) · updated 23 Oct 2026
New York safety inspections
Share of first inspections failed on safety, by model year. Older cars fail more as miles build up, so compare each year with the average car of the same year. Best against its own year: 1986.
NY DMV Vehicle Inspections, initial inspections since Aug 2021 · how we count
Year by year
| Model year | Complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 2 | 2 |
| 2019 Regal | 20 | 3 |
| 2018 Regal | 19 | 3 |
| 2017 Regal | 20 | 0 |
| 2016 Regal | 41 | 1 |
| 2015 Regal | 33 | 0 |
| 2014 Regal | 38 | 2 |
| 2013 Regal | 91 | 6 |
| 2012 Regal | 92 | 7 |
| 2011 RegalMost complaints | 280 | 4 |
| 2010 | 1 | 0 |
| 2009 | 1 | 0 |
| 2008 | 1 | 0 |
| 2005 | 4 | 0 |
| 2004 Regal | 66 | 2 |
| 2003 Regal | 101 | 3 |
| 2002 Regal | 117 | 3 |
| 2001 Regal | 187 | 6 |
| 2000 Regal | 184 | 8 |
| 1999 Regal | 246 | 6 |
| 1998 RegalMost complaints | 302 | 6 |
| 1997 Regal | 136 | 7 |
| 1996 Regal | 204 | 3 |
| 1995 Regal | 173 | 8 |
| 1994 Regal | 110 | 3 |
| 1993 Regal | 85 | 2 |
| 1992 Regal | 144 | 2 |
| 1991 Regal | 200 | 6 |
| 1990 Regal | 77 | 8 |
| 1989 Regal | 106 | 7 |
| 1988 Regal | 123 | 10 |
| 1987 Regal | 25 | 2 |
| 1986 Regal | 12 | 4 |
| 1985 Regal | 9 | 8 |
| 1984 Regal | 6 | 4 |
| 1983 | 4 | 1 |
| 1982 | 1 | 2 |
| 1981 | 0 | 3 |
A model year gets its own page when it has enough data for at least three sections
Most common problems
- Service brakes, hydraulic593
- Electrical system562
- Engine423
- Engine and engine cooling370
- Steering314
- Exterior lighting231
- Power train208
- Visibility146
NHTSA ODI complaints, all model years
Fatal crashes in the US
From 2020 to 2023, 229 Regal vehicles were involved in crashes on US public roads in which someone died, and 149 people died inside them. These are counts, not crash rates: a model with more cars on the road shows up more often, and people killed outside the vehicle are not counted here.
| Model year | Vehicles in fatal crashes | Deaths in the vehicle |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | 1 | 1 |
| 2018 | 4 | 3 |
| 2017 | 14 | 7 |
| 2016 | 20 | 8 |
| 2015 | 11 | 10 |
| 2014 | 17 | 10 |
| 2013 | 15 | 6 |
| 2012 | 19 | 9 |
| 2011 | 27 | 18 |
| 2004 | 12 | 10 |
| 2003 | 13 | 9 |
| 2002 | 14 | 14 |
| 2001 | 12 | 11 |
| 2000 | 10 | 6 |
| 1999 | 8 | 7 |
| 1998 | 6 | 4 |
| 1997 | 2 | 1 |
| 1996 | 11 | 3 |
| 1995 | 2 | 2 |
| 1994 | 2 | 3 |
| 1993 | 2 | 1 |
| 1992 | 2 | 2 |
| 1991 | 1 | 1 |
| 1989 | 1 | 1 |
| 1987 | 2 | 1 |
| 1986 | 1 | 1 |
NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), crash years 2020–2023 (public domain) · how we count
Crash-test ratings by year
NHTSA 5-star results for 10 model-year variants; 6 of 6 rated variants score five stars overall. Rollover risk is the estimated chance of rolling over in a single-vehicle crash.
| Year | Variant | Overall | Rollover risk |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 2020 Buick Regal 5 HB FWD | — | 0.0 % |
| 2019 | 2019 Buick Regal 5 HB FWD | — | 0.0 % |
| 2018 | 2018 Buick Regal 5 HB FWD | — | 0.0 % |
| 2017 | 2017 Buick Regal 4 DR AWD | ★★★★★ | 10.9 % |
| 2016 | 2016 Buick Regal 4 DR AWD | ★★★★★ | 10.9 % |
| 2015 | 2015 Buick Regal 4 DR AWD | ★★★★★ | 10.9 % |
| 2014 | 2014 Buick Regal 4 DR AWD | ★★★★★ | 10.9 % |
| 2013 | 2013 Buick Regal 4 DR FWD | ★★★★★ | 10.9 % |
| 2012 | 2012 Buick Regal 4 DR AWD | ★★★★★ | 10.9 % |
| 2011 | 2011 Buick Regal 4 DR AWD | — | 0.0 % |
NHTSA New Car Assessment Program (5-Star Safety Ratings), api.nhtsa.gov · US federal work, public domain
Fuel consumption by year
Official Canadian test results for 20 model years, best variant per year. Combined consumption ranges from 8.2–12.1 L/100 km.
| Year | Variant | City | Highway | Combined |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | Regal · Mid-size · Premium gasoline | 10.3 | 7.4 | 9.0 |
| 2019 | Regal · Mid-size · Premium gasoline | 10.6 | 7.4 | 9.1 |
| 2018 | Regal · Full-size · Premium gasoline | 10.7 | 7.4 | 9.2 |
| 2017 | Regal · Mid-size · Premium gasoline | 11.5 | 8.0 | 9.9 |
| 2016 | Regal eAssist · Mid-size · Regular gasoline | 9.6 | 6.5 | 8.2 |
| 2015 | Regal eAssist · Mid-size · Regular gasoline | 9.6 | 6.5 | 8.2 |
| 2014 | Regal eAssist · Mid-size · Regular gasoline | 9.6 | 6.5 | 8.2 |
| 2013 | Regal eAssist · Mid-size · Regular gasoline | 9.6 | 6.5 | 8.2 |
| 2012 | Regal eAssist · Mid-size · Regular gasoline | 9.6 | 6.5 | 8.2 |
| 2011 | Regal · Mid-size · Premium gasoline | 11.9 | 7.4 | 9.9 |
| 2004 | Regal · Mid-size · Regular gasoline | 13.3 | 8.5 | 11.1 |
| 2003 | Regal · Mid-size · Regular gasoline | 13.7 | 8.8 | 11.5 |
| 2002 | Regal · Mid-size · Regular gasoline | 14.2 | 9.4 | 12.0 |
| 2001 | Regal · Mid-size · Regular gasoline | 14.3 | 8.8 | 11.8 |
| 2000 | Regal · Mid-size · Regular gasoline | 13.5 | 8.8 | 11.4 |
| 1999 | Regal · Mid-size · Regular gasoline | 13.8 | 9.0 | 11.7 |
| 1998 | Regal · Mid-size · Regular gasoline | 13.9 | 8.9 | 11.7 |
| 1997 | Regal · Mid-size · Regular gasoline | 13.4 | 8.9 | 11.4 |
| 1996 | Regal · Mid-size · Regular gasoline | 13.6 | 8.7 | 11.4 |
| 1995 | Regal · Mid-size · Regular gasoline | 14.5 | 9.3 | 12.1 |
Litres per 100 km. Natural Resources Canada, Fuel consumption ratings (open.canada.ca) · Open Government Licence – Canada
In New Zealand
20 Regal cars are on the New Zealand register; 60% arrived as used imports.
| Model year | Registered | Sold new in NZ | Used imports |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1994 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| 1987 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| 1986 | 2 | 0 | 2 |
| 1984 | 4 | 0 | 4 |
| 1982 | 3 | 0 | 2 |
| 1981 | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| 1980 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| 1979 | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| 1978 | 2 | 2 | 0 |
| 1977 | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| 1976 | 2 | 1 | 1 |
| 1973 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi, Motor Vehicle Register (March 2026) · CC BY 4.0
New registrations in Europe
12 new Buick Regal cars registered in the EU, Norway and Iceland between 2010 and 2019, from the European Environment Agency's CO₂ monitoring of every new car. In 2019 the largest markets were Germany (11).
| Year | New cars | CO₂ g/km |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | 11 | 181 (NEDC) |
| 2010 | 1 | — |
Averages are weighted by registrations; CO₂ is the type-approval value (NEDC until the WLTP switch). European Environment Agency, CO₂ emissions from new passenger cars · re-use permitted with acknowledgement
Recalls
80 campaigns cover the Regal; the latest 12 are below.
General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2012–2013 Buick Regal Turbo and GS trim-level vehicles that were sold or ever registered, in Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, or Wisconsin. The rear suspension toe links may have received improper corrosion protection, which can result in rear toe link fracture.
General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2018-2020 Buick Regal vehicles. In the event of a vacuum-power brake assist failure, a software error in the electronic brake control module (EBCM) may result in a loss of power brake assist. As such, these vehicles fail to conform to Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 135, "Light vehicle brake systems."
General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2010-2013 Buick Lacrosse, 2012-2013 Buick Regal, and 2013 Chevrolet Malibu vehicles sold or ever registered in Connecticut, Delaware, the District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, or Wisconsin. These vehicles may have rear toe links that received an improper amount of electrocoating (e-coat) corrosion protection, which could cause the e-coat to become brittle and break away when contacted by road debris. Over time, the e-coat may chip away, exposing the metal toe link and making it more susceptible to corrosion. Corrosion may eventually cause the toe link to thin and ultimately fracture.
General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2013 Buick Regal, Chevrolet Malibu, and Buick Lacrosse vehicles sold or ever registered in Connecticut, Delaware, the District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, or Wisconsin. These vehicles may have rear toe links that received excessive electrocoating (e-coat) corrosion protection, which could cause the e-coat to become brittle and break away when contacted by road debris. Over time, the e-coat may chip away, exposing the metal toe link and making it more susceptible to corrosion. Corrosion may eventually cause the toe link to thin and ultimately fracture.
General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2012-2013 Buick Regal, 2013 Chevrolet Malibu, and 2010-2013 Buick Lacrosse vehicles sold or ever registered in Connecticut, Delaware, the District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, or Wisconsin. These vehicles may have rear toe links that received excessive electrocoating (e-coat) corrosion protection, which could cause the e-coat to become brittle and break away when contacted by road debris. Over time, the e-coat may chip away, exposing the metal toe link and making it more susceptible to corrosion. Corrosion may eventually cause the toe link to thin and ultimately to fracture.
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2019-2020 Buick Regal vehicles. The driver or passenger front seat frames may have a lower crossbar that was improperly welded.
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Chevrolet Equinox, Impala, Cruze, Volt and Bolt EV vehicles, GMC Terrain vehicles, Buick Lacrosse and Regal vehicles, Cadillac XTS and XTS Professional vehicles and 2018 Chevrolet Malibu vehicles. The rear brake caliper pistons may have an insufficient coating causing gas pockets to form, potentially reducing rear brake performance.
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2018 Buick Regal vehicles. During the manufacturing process, the rear seat belts may have been improperly routed around the bolster bracket on the rear outboard seats, which can cause inadequate restraint of the passengers.
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2011 Buick Regal vehicles manufactured November 3, 2009, to March 25, 2011, equipped with 8-way power adjustable front seats. The power seat wiring harness may contact the seat frame, causing the wires to chafe.
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2016-2017 Buick Verano and 2016 Chevrolet Malibu as the electronic park lock lever may allow the ignition key to be removed without the transmission being in PARK. 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. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 114, "Theft Protection and Rollaway Prevention."
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.
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.
NHTSA recalls