FaultScore

Buick Regal steering problems

325 of the 4,456 complaints filed about the Buick Regal are about the steering — 7% of everything owners reported. The worst model year for it is 1998.

325

Complaints

7%

Share of all complaints

14

Crashes

2

Fires

Steering complaints by model year

1985 Regal 1 0.3%
1987 Regal 1 0.3%
1988 Regal 2 0.6%
1989 Regal 4 1.2%
1990 Regal 2 0.6%
1991 Regal 12 3.7%

Median failure at 118,654 miles

1992 Regal 9 2.8%
1993 Regal 2 0.6%
1994 Regal 3 0.9%

Median failure at 74,000 miles

1995 Regal 14 4.3%

Median failure at 110,000 miles

1996 Regal 21 6.5%

Median failure at 59,087 miles

1997 Regal 40 12.3%

Median failure at 88,935 miles

1998 Regal 78 24.0%

Median failure at 79,750 miles

1999 Regal 31 9.5%

Median failure at 85,000 miles

2000 Regal 32 9.8%

Median failure at 58,000 miles

2001 Regal 14 4.3%

Median failure at 66,000 miles

2002 Regal 4 1.2%

Median failure at 57,946 miles

2003 Regal 10 3.1%

Median failure at 32,000 miles

2004 Regal 6 1.8%

Median failure at 96,000 miles

2005 Regal 1 0.3%

Median failure at 45 miles

2011 Regal 17 5.2%

Median failure at 69,579 miles

2012 Regal 1 0.3%

Median failure at 10,000 miles

2013 Regal 4 1.2%

Median failure at 70,645 miles

2014 Regal 3 0.9%

Median failure at 55,500 miles

2015 Regal 1 0.3%

Median failure at 51,000 miles

2016 Regal 10 3.1%

Median failure at 80,000 miles

2017 Regal 1 0.3%
2018 Regal 1 0.3%

Median failure at 22,000 miles

What owners said

2013 Buick Regal Chicago, IL Crash 1 injured

STEERING

While in motion at about 25-30 miles per hours, slightly stepping on the brake to slow down, the car just… wouldn’t, I was forced to swerve, preventing damage to cars ahead, I went over a curb

NHTSA complaint #11735927 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2016 Buick Regal Blair, SC

STEERING

My steering failed and started pulling left into traffic. It was hard to keep it in my lane. Had to have it towed by AAA. Took to my mechanic and he said it was the electric belt drive rack &pinion steering. He told me there was a recall on it. When I checked I was told that my vin # was not included. I think it should have been because its the same problem.it is not safe to drive.

NHTSA complaint #11642262 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2017 Buick Regal Godfrey, IL

STEERING

When i turn the car off the key will not allow me to remove it from ignition to the proper position to remove the key. This is a safety hazzard. I have to mess with the brakes, steering wheel and parking console and keep starting and turning off the car to get key removed. The dealer said they could not locate the problem however several of your other GM vehicles are having this issue. Please assist. I am being stranded in the dark in the cold with a car i cannot leave the key in or someone could steal the car, the doors will not lock with key in ignition.

NHTSA complaint #11639097 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2016 Buick Regal at 43,000 miles Rockville Center, NY

STEERING

The contact owns a 2016 Buick Regal. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle lost power steering functionality and the vehicle became difficult to steer. The contact stated that the failure occurred intermittently. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or the dealer. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but provided no assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 43,000.

NHTSA complaint #11589081 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2016 Buick Regal at 127,000 miles Saint Louis, MO

STEERING

The contact owns a 2016 Buick Regal. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed during rainy weather, and making a left or right turn, the steering wheel intermittently made a grinding and clicking sound. No warning lights were illuminated. The dealer was notified of the failure and the contact was made aware of NHTSA Campaign Number: 16V108000 (Steering). The vehicle was then taken to another dealer however, the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact was advised to call the manufacturer. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and the contact was advised to call the NHTSA Hotline. The failure mileage was approximately 127,000.

NHTSA complaint #11525979 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2014 Buick Regal Roneo, MI

STEERING

My vehicle has an electrical problem due to the recall. I took it into the Buick dealer. They could not find an electrical problem. But there is an electrical problem. And has been since I bought it at Jim Riles in Washington Township Michigan.

NHTSA complaint #11522063 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2016 Buick Regal Keytesville, MO

STEERING

While driving down the highway at 60 mph with myself my husband and my 7 year old son my steering wheel locked up and then jolted very hard to the left. Got the car pulled to side of the road the power assist warning started flashing this all happened Saturday October 22, 2022. It had never happened before turned the car off and checked fluids they were filled to where they needed to be started the car it was just fine. This morning on October 24 2022 my husband headed to work driving 55 and again the steering wheel locked and power steering assist appeared. I have not gotten this checked but very scared to drive with my son in the car as this could cause a very bad accident and no other problems with the car. I called Buick October 25, 2022 they said this model did have a recall but my VIN number was not one included in the power steering assist recall.

NHTSA complaint #11490603 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2016 Buick Regal Hellertown, PA

STEERING

Driving on the highway and abs, stabltrack and steering lights came on. This is the third time in 2 years that a wheel bearing failed on this vehicle. A magnet ring in the wheel bearing that sensors wheel speed failed and fractured causing a loss of power steering, abs, and traction control.

NHTSA complaint #11488300 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2016 Buick Regal at 117,000 miles Corpus Christi, TX

STEERING

The contact owns a 2016 Buick Regal. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the steering wheel seized while turning the vehicle. Additionally, the vehicle experienced a loss of motive power. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but informed the contact that there was no recall associated with the VIN and advised the contact to file a complaint with the NHTSA. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 16V108000 (Steering) however, the VIN was not included in the recall. The failure mileage was approximately 117,000.

NHTSA complaint #11460383 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2016 Buick Regal Belleville, MI

STEERING

The steering wheel locks up during turning making it difficult to control the vehicle during turn-this presented a major safety risk. The vehicle was taken to a Buick dealer service on two occasions. The dealer was not able to duplicate the issue. On the first occasion an error code of B101E was noted during diagnosis system check. (Service write-up attached) The same issue represented and is currently being serviced, though technical noted he was unable to reproduce the problem. Mileage when problem first noted was 59,418

NHTSA complaint #11450421 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2016 Buick Regal South Easton, MA

STEERING

I was driving and all of a sudden my power steering light came on telling me to drive with care. The wheel tightened up within seconds my abs lights on, no all wheel drive, stabilize for tracation went off. All safety equipment went hairwired. We looked up the part and found out that there was a recall on the steering power prior however everyone is telling us not for our car. I only had it for less than 3 years. The car was manufactured in Sept of 2015 which was part of the recall but they said it wasn't the style car. I had to have it towed back home. This seems like a serious problem for this vehicle and GM should fix this problem before someone gets hurt or worse.

NHTSA complaint #11424096 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2011 Buick Regal Mount Vernon, WA

STEERING

ISSUE: BRAKE PEDAL WILL STIFFEN AND SLOW THE CAR DOWN. THE STEERING WHEEL COLUMN WILL VIOLENTLY SHAKE, AS IF THE CALIPERS ARE STUCK. ONCE PARKED, WHEELS ARE HOT AND OMITS A BURNING SMELL. NARRATIVE: After the car is sitting in the sun, while driving in slow traffic the car is running rough, steering wheel starts shaking back and forth, the brakes start making noise when you stop. When accelerated there is grinding noise and dash light comes on. I pulled to the side of the road and turned off the car for five minutes, I start the car and it runs as normal. This was happening for a few weeks. I had the brakes replaced on 05/19/21 (I paid $737.66 for the brake job). I drove the car for a couple of weeks and brakes seized. I had to have the car towed back to shop (costing me $135.63) and the shop quoted brake pedal replacement. At that point I took the car to the Everett, WA, Clyde Revord Buick Dealership and they replaced the modular for the brake (part # 22997391) and it was expenive because it required removing the dash board and a lot of labor time (costing me another $1347.31). I feel this is a safety hazaard as my brakes could have seized or a fire could have broke out while I was driving on the freeway. Fortunately, the brakes seized in a parking lot. I did some research on this topic and see that it is a common flaw for this make and model and should be covered by the manufacturer as a recall before someone gets killed.

NHTSA complaint #11423038 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2011 Buick Regal Palmdale, CA

STEERING

The car doesn’t stay on park still will move forward or backwards The gear shift locks and does not move When I turn it makes a huge clack sound

NHTSA complaint #11422078 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2016 Buick Regal Owosso, MI

STEERING

Drive with care service power steering

NHTSA complaint #11420126 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2011 Buick Regal at 128,880 miles Titusville, FL

STEERING

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 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

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

STEERING

STEERING WHEEL JERKS BACK ON AUTO START AFTER AUTO STOP. EXTREMELY DANGEROUS THE ISSUES HAPPENED WHILE DRIVING AND AT RANDOM. REPORTED THE ISSUE EARLY FEBRUARY 2020 AGAIN IN EARLY MAY 2020 AFTER FAILURE TO DUPLICATE THE ISSUE BY THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT.REPORTED THE ISSUE AGAIN EARLY OCTOBER AFTER THE ISSUE WAS WORSE. ACCORDING TO GM FIELD SPECIALIST THE STEERING RACK WAS THE ISSUE, IT WAS REPLACED BUT THE ISSUE WAS STILL PERSISTENT AND THEY CONTINUED TO HAVE THE VEHICLE FOR ABOUT A MONTH. VEHICLE WAS RETURNED BACK TO ME WITH A SHARPENING NOISE AND A STEERING WHEEL GOING LEFT. HAVE NOT HEARD BACK FOR REPAIRS.

NHTSA complaint #11384103 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2015 Buick Regal at 51,000 miles Crozet, VA

STEERING

WHILE EXITING AN INTERSTATE ON A SHARP CURVE FAILED TO RESPOND. NO WARNING LIGHTS APPEARED. WHEN APPLYING BRAKE STEERING BEGAN TO RESPOND. CONTACTED DEALER SERVICE DEPARTMENT CHARLIE OBAUGH STAUNTON VIRGINIA. VEHICLE IS NOT ON RECALL LIST. PROBLEM APPEARS TO BE SIMILAR TO 2016 STEERING RECALL. DEALERSHIP DID NOT OFFER REMEDY FOR PROBLEM. THIS IS DEFINITELY A SAFETY ISSUE LOSING STEERING WHILE IN MOTION. WHAT OPTIONS DO WE HAVE

NHTSA complaint #11372813 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2013 Buick Regal at 81,290 miles Greenfield, IN Fire

STEERING

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 BUICK REGAL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH, THE VEHICLE LOSS ACCELERATION, STEERING WHEEL BECAME DIFFICULT TO TURN. IN ANOTHER WHEN TURN OFF THE ENGINE, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START. A WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED ROLL DRIVER SIDE WINDOW UP, THE TRUNK OPEN AND THE WINDSHIELD WIPER INDEPENDENTLY START TO FUNCTION. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO ED MARTIN BUICK GMC, 9896 N MICHIGAN RD, CARMEL, IN 46032, AND WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE TIMING CHAIN DETACHED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIR DUE TO THE REPAIR FEES. FIVE CODE ALSO CAME UP, P0131, P0016, P0017, P0014 AND P0171. AND LEAVING THE DEALER, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START AND WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THE TIMING CHAIN, BALANCE CHAFF, CHAIN KIT, TIMING COVER GASKET SET, CAM COVER GASKET SET AND TWO CAMSHAFT SENSORS, WERE REPLACED. THE WHILE LEAVING THE INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, THE VEHICLE LOSS ACCELERATION, HEAT BLOWING AT THE FLOW BOARD AN UNKNOWN ODOR ENTERED THE VEHICLE CABIN COMING FROM THE ENGINE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND WAS INFORMED TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO A BUICK DEALER. WHILE ON THE WAY TO THE DEALER, THE PARK TO DRIVE GEAR WAS CLUNKING AND JERKING FROM 3RD TO 2ND AND 4TH TO 3RD. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN SEVEN TIMES TO THE SAME DEALER. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT SHE TAKEN THE VEHICLE TO A TRANSMISSION SHOP BUT WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE A FAILURE. ON ANOTHER OCCASION, THE VEHICLE LOSS ACCELERATION AND JERKING IN GEARS, HEAT ENTERING THE VEHICLE CABIN AND SQUEALING. NO CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THE BATTERY COVER WAS MELTED ON ONE SIDE. NO INDICATION ON THE OVERHEAT THAT LEVEL THE TEMPERATURE GAGE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 81,290.

NHTSA complaint #11354914 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2011 Buick Regal at 156,013 miles Tulsa, OK

STEERING

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 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2001 Buick Regal at 235,000 miles Gastonia, NC

STEERING

I WAS DRIVING DOING ALMOST 50 WHEN IT SHUT OFF WITH NO WARNING THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED UP THE BRAKES WERE NOT WORKING. THE FIRST TIME THIS HAPPENED I JUST LET THE CAR COAST TO A STOP, THE SECOND TIME WAS EXACTLY THE SAME EXCEPT I PUT THE CAR IN NEUTRAL WHILE I STILL HAD A GOOD BIT OF SPEED AND CRUNK IT BACK UP. THE CAR ALWAYS CRANK RIGHT BACK UP WITH NO PROBLEM AND DRIVES FINE. I'VE CHANGE MY FUSES AND CERTAIN LIGHTS (LOW TIRE, LOW COOLANT, CHECK ENGINE)ON THE DASHBOARD WON'T GO OFF AND I JUST RECENTLY HAD MY CAR INSPECTED IN WHICH IT PASSED

NHTSA complaint #11288811 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Other Buick Regal problems