FaultScore

Buick Regal fuel system problems

125 of the 4,456 complaints filed about the Buick Regal are about the fuel system — 3% of everything owners reported. The worst model year for it is 1996.

125

Complaints

3%

Share of all complaints

5

Crashes

16

Fires

Fuel & Propulsion complaints by model year

1988 Regal 7 5.6%

Median failure at 155,925 miles

1989 Regal 3 2.4%
1990 Regal 3 2.4%
1991 Regal 7 5.6%

Median failure at 53,000 miles

1992 Regal 2 1.6%
1993 Regal 6 4.8%
1994 Regal 2 1.6%
1995 Regal 3 2.4%

Median failure at 74,976 miles

1996 Regal 22 17.6%

Median failure at 113,000 miles

1997 Regal 5 4.0%

Median failure at 80,000 miles

1998 Regal 4 3.2%

Median failure at 48,419 miles

1999 Regal 6 4.8%

Median failure at 82,800 miles

2000 Regal 7 5.6%

Median failure at 137,000 miles

2001 Regal 7 5.6%

Median failure at 74,882 miles

2002 Regal 5 4.0%

Median failure at 44,333 miles

2003 Regal 3 2.4%

Median failure at 138,993 miles

2004 Regal 1 0.8%
2011 Regal 17 13.6%

Median failure at 70,000 miles

2012 Regal 2 1.6%

Median failure at 38,082 miles

2013 Regal 4 3.2%

Median failure at 33,150 miles

2014 Regal 2 1.6%

Median failure at 51,949 miles

2015 Regal 4 3.2%

Median failure at 12,000 miles

2016 Regal 1 0.8%

Median failure at 18,000 miles

2018 Regal 1 0.8%

Median failure at 22,000 miles

2019 Regal 1 0.8%

What owners said

2019 Buick Regal Rocky River, OH

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

Hello, I am the original owner of my 2019 Buick Regal Sportback which shows a "shift to park message when I attempt to shut off the car and the car shifter is in the park position. I am unable to turn off lights, radio, or accessories. This condition runs down the battery and prevents me from starting the car as the shifter stays locked in position unless the car is running. This should be covered under the GM drivetrain warranty. Please help.

NHTSA complaint #11582852 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2011 Buick Regal Natick, MA Crash

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

I was parking in marked space. I had turned into space, my foot was off the gas pedal. The car was 3/4 into the space when it malfunctioned and rapidly accelerated into a hardened snow bank. i instantly braked but there was not enough space to avoid collision.

NHTSA complaint #11552406 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2011 Buick Regal Natick, MA

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

When pulling into parking space the car rapidly accelerated on its' own and crashed into the car in the next parking space. I did not have my foot on the gas, the car was simply idling. The acceleration was so rapid that applying the brake was useless.

NHTSA complaint #11552410 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2011 Buick Regal Natick, MA Crash

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

Preparing to park into a parking space in an off street parking lot the vehicle forcefully and rapidly accelerated on its' own and crashed into a fence. I was not accelerating. I attempted to stop the car using the brakes but they did not engage quickly enough to stop the rapid, forceful, and without warning acceleration. Buick has been contacted about the defect. Buick ran extensive diagnostics on the car and denies there is a defect. Police came to the scene and advised that given the 2 other incidents that I have experienced, the car is unsafe to drive given potential damage to others. A police report was filed.

NHTSA complaint #11552417 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2003 Buick Regal Jacksonville, IL Fire

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

I BACKED THE CAR IN DRIVE AND THE GUAGES WERE NORMAL. WHEN I GOT OUT I SAW A SMALL AMOUNT OF SMOKE COMING FROM UNDER CAR BUT WITHIN A MINUTE THERE WERE FLAMES COMING FROM UNDER THE CAR AND WITHIN A FEW MINUTES THE FLAMES WERE ABOVE THE CAR. I CALLED 911 WHEN I SAW FLAMES AND KNEW I WASN'T GOING TO BE ABLE TO PUT THE FIRE OUT MYSELF. THE FIRE DEPT ARRIVED, IT TOOK THEM AT LEAST 30 MINUTES TO PUT THE FIRE OUT. A COUNTY DEPUTY ARRIVED AND THERE IS A POLICE REPORT (I TRIED TO UPLOAD IT AND IT FAILED EACH TIME). THE DAMAGE HAS BEEN INSPECTED BY AN INSURANCE REPRESENTATIVE FROM THE OWNER OF THE HOUSE (UPLOAD FAILED.

NHTSA complaint #11536533 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2015 Buick Regal Tuscaloosa, AL

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

Airbag Red Light indicator on for 2+ weeks, ambient temperature sensor malfunction and vehicle seems to have less pressure when accelerating

NHTSA complaint #11534658 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2001 Buick Regal Fort Worth, TX Fire

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

My car lit on fire under the hood

NHTSA complaint #11440472 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2011 Buick Regal Gooding, ID Fire

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

While the vehicle was driving, there was a loss of power, at that moment sparks was seen emanating from under the hood, then the vehicle completely stopped running. Once pulled over smoke was bellowing out from the hood and subsequently ignited into flames. Fire department was dispatched and fire was extinguished. The vehicle was towed away and is still at the tow yard. The tow operator, based on visual inspection stated the fire did start in the engine compartment and spread to the fire wall, totaling the vehicle.

NHTSA complaint #11425696 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2011 Buick Regal Athens, GA

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

THE OIL CONSUMPTION IN THE CAR IS HORRIBLE, I HAVE TO ATLEAT ADD OIL IN MY CAR ABOUT 5 TIME IN BETWEEN OIL CHANGES, AND MY OIL CHANGES ARE DONE REGULARLY, IVE ALSO HAVE THE ISSUE OF MY OIL AND GAS MIXING, I DID TAKE IT TO THE SHOP ONCE AND THEY FIXED A RECALL THAT WAS INVOLVED WITH HIGH PRESSURE FUEL PUMP, BUT IM GUESSING THEY DIDNT FIX THE ISSUE ONCE THAT REPAIR WAS DONE LIKE THEY SAID IT WOULD.

NHTSA complaint #11415583 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2015 Buick Regal at 12,000 miles Wendell/Gooding, ID

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

I STARTED EXPERIENCING EXCESSIVE OIL BURN AT AROUND. SINCE THEN, I HAVE CHECKED MY OIL BIWEEKLY TO TOP OFF AND KEEP AT PROPER LEVELS ALONG WITH CONSISTENT OIL CHANGES AS THE OIL GETS DIRTY QUICKLY. DEALERSHIPS BEFORE HAVE TOLD ME THAT ITS "NORMAL" FOR THESE ENGINES. I DISCOVERED A BAD OIL LEAK. VACUUM PUMP ISSUES. MULTIPLE CAMSHAFT SEALS WORN AWAY, THAT WERE HARD AS ROCK FROM EXCESSIVE HEAT INCLUDING PISTON SEALS THAT HAD BEEN AFFECTED. THOUGHT THIS POSSIBLY HAD FIXED THE EXCESSIVE OIL BURN. A FEW WEEKS LATER I RECEIVED THE OIL LEVEL LOW NOTIFICATION ON THE CAR COMPUTER. I CHECK AND ITS VERY LOW. THE OIL BURN IS CONTINUING WITH NO CLEAR SIGNS OF AN OIL LEAK WITH DIRTY OIL. THERE IS POSSIBLY MORE PROBLEMS WITHIN THE ENGINE THAT AREN'T SEEN. I HAVE CHECKED PREVIOUS COMPLAINTS. I NOTICE THAT THIS ENGINE HAS MANY OF THE SAME PROBLEMS WITH THE TURBO PACKAGE ON GM VEHICLES. IT HAS A ROUGH IDLE AND ENGINE HESITATION. THESE CHARACTERISTICS SEEM TO INCLUDE INCONSISTENT ENGINE PERFORMANCE SOUND AND ARE FELT THROUGH THE PEDALS, THE DRIVER'S SEAT AND STEERING WHEEL, THERE IS A PUTTER AND HESITATES WHILE ACCELERATING.

NHTSA complaint #11400008 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2011 Buick Regal at 77,000 miles Villa Park, IL

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

ENGINES STARTED TO PUTTER. THEN ENGINE POWER REDUCED CAME ON. CAR DIED THEN THE SERVICE STABILITRAK CAME ON

NHTSA complaint #11386220 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2018 Buick Regal at 22,000 miles Round Rock, TX

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

WHILE BEING DRIVEN THE VEHICLES TRANSMISSION FAILS TO SHIFT GEARS WHILE RPMS ARE REGISTERED THE TRANSMISSION FAILS TO RESPOND AND LACKS POWER. I WAS FORCED TO SHIFT MANUALLY TO TRY AND GET THE GEARS TO SHIFT WITH NO LUCK AFTER QUICKLY MAKING THE SWITCH BETWEEN AUTOMATIC TO MANUAL TWICE THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION RESPONDED WITH A LOUD CLANK AS IF THE SEMI BEHIND ME HAD HIT ME AND THE RESPONDED WITH ACCELERATION. THE ISSUE WAS REPORTED FIRST EARLY FEBRUARY 2020 AGAIN IN EARLY MAY 2020 AND RECENTLY EARLY OCTOBER 2020 SERVICE DEPARTMENT FAILS TO DUPLICATE ISSUE. MY DASHCAM CAPTURED VIDEO WHILE BEING DRIVEN BY THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT EXPRESSING THE STRANGE FEELING THE TRANSMISSION WOULD GIVE THEM WITH TORQUE AND SHIFTS.

NHTSA complaint #11384104 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2011 Buick Regal at 100,000 miles Saucier, MS

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

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 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2011 Buick Regal at 48,535 miles Colorado Springs, CO

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

I NOTICED THAT THE CAR WAS RESISTING ACCELERATION A LITTLE BIT, HAVE 48,545 MILES ON IT AND TOOK IT FOR OIL CHANGE WITH FUEL INJECTION CLEANER AND FULL TANK OF GOOD GAS. GOT ON HIGHWAY AND THE ACCELERATION DIED COMPLETELY AND NO GAS WAS GETTING THROUGH, LIKE FLOORING IT IN NEUTRAL. PULLED OFF THE SIDE AND IT RESTARTED BUT CONTINUED DYING ALONG THE WAY IF I TRY TO ACCELERATE.

NHTSA complaint #11341223 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2011 Buick Regal Schofield, WI

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP

2011 BUICK REGAL. CONSUMER WRITES SEEKING REIMBURSEMENT FOR VEHICLE REPAIRS. *LD THE CONSUMER STATED NOISES COULD BE HEARD COMING FORM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURE PERSISTED. IT WAS LATER DETERMINED INITIALLY, THE FUEL PUMP NEEDED TO BE REPLACED, BUT WAS NOT. VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED.

NHTSA complaint #11311256 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2012 Buick Regal at 164 miles Lake Charles, LA

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

I GOT A 2012 BUICK REGAL I BROUGHT IT JULY 2018 MY CAR WAS DIED OUT OF NOWHERE ABOUT 5 MONTHS PRIOR LIST AND THEN AFTER I CHANGED MY OIL MY CAR DIDN'T GO ANYMORE IT SOUNDED LIKE A CHAIN THE FIRST NIGHT AFTER THEY CHANGE THE OIL AND THEN THE NEXT DAY I DROVE IT FOR 2 HOURS I DON'T KNOW IF THE TIMING IS OFF OR WHAT

NHTSA complaint #11288951 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2011 Buick Regal at 73,000 miles Charter Township OF Clinton, MI

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

REFERENCE THE BELOW BACKGROUND INFORMATION ON GM'S L4 - 2.4L 4 CYLINDER ENGINES: PLEASE REFERENCE DOCUMENT ID: 4821148 #12313D: SPECIAL COVERAGE - ENGINE BALANCE CHAIN AND FUEL PUMP - (JUNE 6, 2017) THIS SPECIAL COVERAGE BULLETIN WAS PROVIDED BY MY MECHANIC AT MIDAS FROM THE HTTP://ALLDATAPRO.COM WEBSITE. SPECIAL EXTENDED WARRANTY REPAIRS ARE SUPPOSED TO BE COVERED VIA THIS BULLETIN FOR 120,000 MILES OR 10 YEARS FOR GM VEHICLES THAT HAVE THE L4 ENGINE INCLUDING THE 2011 BUICK REGAL. MY 2011 BUICK REGAL IS DEFINITELY EXHIBITING ALL SYMPTOMS / PROBLEMS THAT ARE WELL KNOWN WITH THE GENERAL MOTORS L4 - 2.4 L FOUR CYLINDER ENGINE. SEE INFORMATION BELOW ABOUT OIL CONSUMPTION AND ENGINE PERFORMANCE SYMPTOMS: HTTPS://WWW.MSN.COM/EN-US/AUTOS/RESEARCH/SEVEN-ENGINES-TO-AVOID-LIKE-THE-PLAGUE/AR-AAVZ7VM#PAGE=3 I AM A FORMER GM POWERTRAIN DIVISION ENGINEERING / SALARIED EMPLOYEE WHERE I HAD A 20 YEAR CAREER BACKGROUND WITH ENGINES AND TRANSMISSIONS. THE L4-2.4L ENGINE IS A KNOWN SAFETY HAZARD AS THE ENGINE CAN FAIL WHILE UNDER NORMAL OPERATION ON A HIGHWAY OR CITY STREET WITH POTENTIAL CATASTROPHIC RESULTS. EVEN WITH THE MECHANIC OE BULLETIN REFERENCED ABOVE, GM REFUSES TO COVER EXPENSES FOR PERMANENT REPAIRS FOR THE 2011 BUICK REGAL. INSTEAD DEALERSHIP CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVES ARE INSTRUCTING VEHICLE OWNERS TO JUST ADD OIL FREQUENTLY. (NOTE: THE LOW OIL INDICATOR IS ALSO DEFECTIVE.) PLEASE ALSO REFERENCE THE CLASS ACTION LAW SUIT BELOW: HTTPS://WWW.CLASSACTION.ORG/MEDIA/BERMAN-ET-AL-V-GENERAL-MOTORS-LLC-JOINT-NOTICE-OF-SETTLEMENT.PDF GM CORPORATION CUSTOMER SERVICE, PROFESSIONAL MECHANICS, AND GM'S DEALERSHIP NETWORK (BUICK AND CADILLAC) ALL ARE FULLY AWARE OF THE CATASTROPHIC SAFETY CONSEQUENCES THAT THIS ENGINE POSES TO THE GENERAL PUBLIC; YET, A COMPREHENSIVE RECALL AND APPROPRIATE EXTENDED WARRANTY COVERAGE IS BEING DENIED.

NHTSA complaint #11257089 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2012 Buick Regal at 76,000 miles Evanston, IL

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

SINCE I PURCHASED AND DROVE OFF FROM THE DEALERSHIP, WITHIN THE FIRST FEW DAYS THE CAR SHUT DOWN ON ME WHEN I WAS IN A DRIVE THRU, AND IT HAPPENED TIMES AGAIN WHILE PULLING OUT A PARKING SPACE AND DROVE A FEW FEET AWAY THE CAR WOULD SHUT OFF AND BEGAN SMELLING OF GAS AS WELL OVERTIME I DROVE IT. THE DEALERSHIP WAS NOT VERY HELPFUL BUT FINALLY KEPT MY CAR A FEW DAYS AND SAID IT WAS ONLY THE HOSES WHICH WERE LOOSE. NOW 4/24 MY CAR AGAIN IS MAKING WEIRD NOISES SINCE LAST WEEK AND ACTUALLY WILL NOT START THIS EVENING AFTER BEING OUT AND PARKING IN A LOT.

NHTSA complaint #11203614 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2011 Buick Regal at 55,000 miles Rockville, MD

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

NYB CAR HAS LESS THAN 69K MILES AND IS BURNING THROUGH OIL. I BOUGHT IT USED AND THE DEALER LIKED WARRANTY ENDED BEFORE PROBLEMS STARTED. MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON WITHIN THE FIRST 2000 MILES OF ME DRIVING AND THE DEALER WANTED TO CHARGE ME ANOTHER $200 FOR A DIAGNOSTIC. SO I WENT TO A MECHANIC AND HE SAID THE ENGINE WAS BURNING THROUGH OIL FASTER THAN IT SHOULD. AT THIS POINT THE CAR HAD TURNED OFF WHILE UNDER 10MPH TWICE WHICH IS DANGEROUS AS THE BRAKES LOCK UP ALONG WITH STEERING BECOMING VERY STIFF. A MECHANIC DID WORK ON THE CAR REPLACING PLUGS AND OTHER PARTS THAT HAD BEEN DAMAGED FUE TO THE OIL BEING GONE, BUT THE SAME ENGINE IS STILL IN THE CAR. NOW LESS THAN A YEAR LATER ALONG WITH REGULAR OIL CHANGES THE CAR STILL BURNS THROUGH OIL. THE ENGINE CAUSES THE CAR TO ROCK WHEN AT IDLE AND WHEN MOVING UNDER 5MPH. MY FEAR IS THAT IVE CAR WILL SHUT OFF AGAIN. THIS IS A FAULT OF BUICK FOR DESIGNING AN ENGINE THAT CAN'T HOLD OIL.

NHTSA complaint #11195575 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2014 Buick Regal at 79,899 miles Manor, TX

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

FULE TOP LINE BUST GAS STARTED TO LEAK SPRAYING GAS EVERY WHERE CAR CONTINUED RUNNING CHECK ENGINE LIGHT NEVER CAME ON CAR WOULDNT TURN OFF EVEN TOOK KEY OUT CAR CONTINUED TO REV UP HAD TO CALL FIRE DEPT TO HAVE THEM TURN OFF THE CAR BY UNPLUG THE BATTERY THERE SHOULD BE A SAFTEY FEATURE WHERE CAR WILL TURN OFF IF THERE IS A GAS LEAK I AM SO LUCKY TO BE ALIVE THE CAR COULD OF BLEW UP ON ME AND I WOULD BE DIED RIGHT NOW.

NHTSA complaint #11155407 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Other Buick Regal problems