NHTSA — Power Train Problems

2011 Buick Regal (Page 2 of 2)

10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
2 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
54,286 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2011 Buick Regal drivetrain problems

drivetrain problem

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2011 Buick Regal Owner Comments (Page 2 of 2)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #16

Jul 032017

Regal

  • 120,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

While merging onto a busy highway, the transmission would not shift into 3rd gear. It lost power and almost caused an accident. There was no previous warning of a transmission problem. The traffic was heavy because of the holiday weekend. With little room to merge, I attempted to speed up with traffic when it failed. I was forced to pull over and limp along the side of the road in second gear until the next exit with cars flying by at 70-80 mph. This was caused by the "wave plate" in the transmission coming apart according to the transmission shop. They also said this is a very common problem with these transmissions. Buick knows about this problem as listed in 2007-2009 recalls but does not do anything for 2011 models. There is also a pia bulletin pi0780A for this exact same problem and model year. GM refused to take responsibility for it. There are several forums with the same problem. It it going to get someone killed.

- Middleville, MI, USA

problem #15

Jul 062017

Regal

  • 67,000 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).

- Hammond, IN, USA

problem #14

May 192017

Regal

  • 60,800 miles
Takata recall - my Regal is 2011. I have not had any problems prior to this. My service stabilitrak ligh began coming on along with ABS light. I also explained the check engine light would come on after filling the tank and it reduced to 3/4 of tank. Last week all lights came in on car as I was parking. Took the car into to be serviced. The dealer completed a diagnosis advising I had a leak from my fuel pump. Needed new fuel pump, fuel injectors. For the ABS problem needed new bearings and sensors. I drove away for second opinion. The next day while driving slowed for a traffic light and pressed gas to take off the car would not accelerate. The engine was running. I had to turn car on and back off to get to move to the center of the road during rush hour. I sat there for a min. Was able crack and get to a safe place off the major road. I got a second opinion having the car towed to Firestone. They also saw a fuel pump code and mentioned the timing chain. I had car towed to the dealer. They replaced the fuel pump on my way home on the interstate. I slowed for the exit and hit the gas. The car stalled again. I was afraid at that point. The dealer cannot tell me what the exact issue is with the car. It is still there for diagnostic now. They had to escalate and still no answer. They are using trial and error to resolve the issue which is a dangerous and expensive joke.

- Marietta, GA, USA

problem #13

Feb 052017

Regal

  • 89,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

My vehicle issue is that the exhaust valves were bent due to a valve cover bolt that released and damaged head valves and head on motor. This is a factory issue due to the bolt releasing. I am being held responsible for vehicle and only owned vehicle for less then 2 years. For replacement head cost and or replacing the motor itself is a costly situation. My vehicle was parked in city limits and when attempting to start, would try to turn over but just keep spinning without full crank. I shouldn't be replacing the motor on vehicle that is still well under 100,000 miles and no major issue prior.

- Little River, SC, USA

problem #12

Dec 202016

Regal

  • 82,000 miles
Check engine light illuminated at 82000 miles. Using the scan tool from a local auto parts store, I observed that the obd-II codes were P0016 and P0017. Around the time that the check engine light came on, I noticed that the shifting done by the automatic transmission seemed jerky, and that the engine was noisier than usual even when idling. Generally the miles on this car accumulate from equal time spent on both city and highway conditions. The engine rough idle and choppy gear shifting were apparent during both types of conditions. The check engine light remained lit for five days before I took it to the dealership for diagnosis. Dealership diagnosis said "jumped timing chain front guide came apart P0011 P0014 P0016 P0017 set in system." The dealership replaced the timing chain using a time chain kit, replaced the intake and exhaust actuators, and replaced the oil and filter. Three days have passed since the repair was made, and the engine seems to be operating normally.

- Madison Hts, MI, USA

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problem #11

Oct 092016

Regal

  • 105,000 miles
The contact owns a 2011 Buick Regal. While driving 10 mph, the vehicle stalled without warning. The contact was not able to restart the vehicle. The vehicle was towed to the dealer to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the transmission module needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 105,000.

- Locust Grove, GA, USA

problem #10

Sep 292016

Regal

  • 30,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The contact owns a 2011 Buick Regal. While the vehicle was idling at a red light, it failed to accelerate without warning. The contact had to push the vehicle off the road. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the transmission control module failed and needed replacement. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 30,000.

- Cleveland, OH, USA

problem #9

Aug 192016

Regal

  • 44,820 miles
Transmission failure after 44,820 miles. Required reconditioned transmission and torque converter with total cost of repair of $3,976.63. In motion on city streets and highway- delays reverse. Hard shifting. Slow response driving.

- Selden, NY, USA

problem #8

May 312016

Regal 4-cyl

  • 37,000 miles
The contact owns a 2011 Buick Regal. The contact stated that the gear lever was shifted into the reverse and drive positions, but the vehicle failed to respond. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where the transmission was rebuilt. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 37,000. Updated 08/30/16

- Senton, MI, USA

problem #7

Jan 082016

Regal

  • 53,000 miles
53000 miles. When car is in motion. Car goes to low power more and check stabili-track message comes on. Car shakes bad at idle, idles too high, (almost to a point where brakes won't hold at a stop). Shut down and restart car goes back to normal conditions for short puerile of time. Check engine light comes on and code for throttle body malfunction is detected. Called Buick service number and was told it would be under warranty. Made appointment with dealership checked code and determined same code issue and it was not covered under warranty. Did. Not have them fix it yet. Cost is excessive and was told under warranty by manufacturer. Waiting on customer service call back. Car is unsafe to drive. Have seen many similar complaints but have seen nothing done by Buick or ntsb.

- Rockford, IL, USA

problem #6

Jan 312015

Regal 4-cyl

  • 18,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The vehicle lost most of its power, the engine light came on and it would not even accelerate to 40 mph. This is a very dangerous situation on the highway where the minimum speed is 45 mph. Apparently, this is not uncommon with that engine. I am now paying $611 to replace the throttle body that apparently is the source of the problem on this essentially new car.

- West Bloomfield, MI, USA

problem #5

Jul 082014

Regal

  • 24,997 miles
Timing chain and water pump chain and all the other good things that go along with this needed to be replace on my 2011 Buick Regal 2.4L engine just under 25000 milesthis should not have happened at this mileage. What if this decided to go while I was on the highway..this seems like a problem that needs to be investigated.

- Nescopeck, PA, USA

problem #4

Dec 072011

Regal

  • 18,000 miles
TL * the contact owns a 2011 Buick Regal. The contact stated that while driving 20 mph, the vehicle stalled without warning. Additionally, the contact mentioned that the key failed to release from the ignition switch and shift out of drive. The vehicle was towed to the dealer. The technician diagnosed that the transmission needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The VIN was not available. The failure mileage was 18,000 and the current mileage was 60,000.

- Fayetteville, NC, USA

problem #3

Nov 212012

Regal

  • 4,000 miles
The contact owns a 2011 Buick Regal. The contact was driving approximately 60 mph when the vehicle became resistant to acceleration attempts. The contact also stated that the vehicle would downshift independently despite the brake pedal not being depressed. The failure was recurring. In addition, the electrical system would intermittently fail. The vehicle was taken to the dealer but was neither diagnosed nor repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 4000.

- Bowling Green , OH, USA

problem #2

Jul 082011

Regal

  • miles
The contact owns a 2011 Buick Regal. The contact stated that while driving at low speeds, the vehicle would jerk violently. The manufacturer was contacted but referred the contact to the dealer. The dealer diagnosed no failure with the vehicle. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was unavailable and the current mileage was 2,121.

- Lancaster, NY, USA

problem #1

Feb 282011

Regal 4-cyl

  • 9,500 miles
2011 Buick Regal has unintended acceleration as the foot is transferred from accelerator to brake when approaching stop light. GM could not fix problem. Had to trade vehicle in for new car.

- Farmington Hills, MI, USA

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