Is the 2011 Buick REGAL reliable?

The 2011 Buick REGAL has 441 complaints filed with NHTSA (8.6x the segment average). Our reliability verdict: avoid. Most common issue: ENGINE problems.

What are common problems with the 2011 Buick REGAL?

Top problems: ENGINE (112 complaints, avg repair $500); ELECTRICAL (76 complaints, avg repair $500); TRANSMISSION (39 complaints, avg repair $500). Issues typically appear around 50K miles.

Are there any recalls on the 2011 Buick REGAL?

Yes, there are 4 recall(s): ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING, SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:POWER ADJUST, EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TURN SIGNAL. Contact any Buick dealer to verify if recalls have been completed on your specific vehicle.

How much does it cost to charge a 2011 Buick REGAL?

The 2011 Buick REGAL has an EPA rating of 23 MPGe. At the current US average residential electricity rate, driving 12,000 miles per year costs roughly $3341. State rates vary significantly — see the interactive calculator on this page.

How much does it cost to insure a 2011 Buick REGAL?

Estimated US average full-coverage insurance for the 2011 Buick REGAL is approximately $1,679/year (ev-mainstream class). Actual quotes vary heavily by state, driver age, driving record, and credit — see the interactive insurance estimator on this page for state-specific pricing.

Does the 2011 Buick REGAL qualify for tax credits?

The federal EV tax credit (Section 30D) expired for vehicles acquired after September 30, 2025. If purchased before that date, the 2011 Buick REGAL may still qualify on the 2025 tax return. State-level incentives remain active in 13+ states — see the incentives section on this page for details.

2011 Buick REGAL

Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report

Avoid This Year

Quick Summary

The 2011 Buick REGAL has 441 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 8.6x the segment average of 51. The most common issue is engine problems (25% of all complaints), specifically: 2011 buick regal. consumer states on five separate occasions the engine stalled *tgw the consumer stated when the vehicle stalled, it was difficult to restart. the last two instances, the vehicle had to be towed. the dealer reprogrammed the ecm and replaced the fuel pump on july 22, 2011. however. There are 4 recalls issued for this model year. ⚠️ 13 fire reports filed.

13 fire reports 6 crash reports 8 injuries

441

Total Complaints

Recalls Issued

—/5

Safety Stars

8.6x

vs Segment Avg

Known Problems(top 5 of 8)

ENGINE

112 complaints

25%

• 2011 BUICK REGAL. CONSUMER STATES ON FIVE SEPARATE OCCASIONS THE ENGINE STALLED *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED WHEN THE VEHICLE STALLED, IT WAS DIFFICULT TO RESTART. THE LAST TWO INSTANCES, THE VEHICLE HAD TO BE TOWED. THE DEALER REPROGRAMMED THE ECM AND REPLACED THE FUEL PUMP ON JULY 22, 2011. HOWEVER
• WHILE TRAVELING 55 MILES PER HOUR ON THE HIGH WAY THE CAR SHUT OFF CAUSING ME TO FORCE THE WHEEL ON THE ROAD. I REPORTED THIS AND WAS GIVEN RENTAL CARS FOR THE NOISES AND BELTS TO BE EXAMINED. THE NOISE SUBSIDED A FEW WEEKS ONLY TO RETURN WHEN DRIVING ABOUT 45 MILES PER HOUR AND THE CAR CUT OFF AGA
• I EXPERIENCE INTERMITTENT NOISE FROM THE RIGHT/PASSENGER SIDE OF THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. I DROVE VEHICLE TO SUBURBAN BUICK GMC AND WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE NOISE AND NO ACTION WAS TAKEN. ON WHILE IN EL PASO, TX THE NOISE RETURN AND WOULD NOT STOP. DROVE VEHICLE TO SHAMALEY BUICK GMC ON JUNE 28,

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500🔥 1 fire reports💥 2 crashes

“2011 BUICK REGAL. CONSUMER STATES ON FIVE SEPARATE OCCASIONS THE ENGINE STALLED *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED WHEN THE VEHICLE STALLED, IT WAS DIFFICULT TO RESTART. THE LAST TWO INSTANCES, THE VEHICLE HAD TO BE TOWED. THE DEALER REPROGRAMMED THE ECM AND REPLACED THE FUEL PUMP ON JULY 22, 2011. HOWEVER”

— NHTSA complaint filing

When Problems Appear on the 2011 Buick REGAL

Based on 317 owner complaints that included an odometer reading. Median mileage at time of complaint: 69K miles. Most complaints cluster in the 60-100K miles range.

Overall complaint distribution by mileage

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

118

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

SPEED CONTROL

Earlier than typicalmedian 32K mi · 11 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

AIR BAGS

Earlier than typicalmedian 46K mi · 5 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

ENGINE

In line with typicalmedian 70K mi · 97 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

ELECTRICAL

In line with typicalmedian 71K mi · 46 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

TRANSMISSION

In line with typicalmedian 62K mi · 30 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

LIGHTING

In line with typicalmedian 80K mi · 26 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

Mileage figures are self-reported by owners in NHTSA complaint filings. Peak bucket = the mileage range with the most complaints for that component; it reflects when owners noticed and reported problems, not necessarily when the fault first occurred.

Recalls (4)

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION05/07/2016

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."

Risk: If the key is removed without the transmission in PARK, the vehicle may rollaway as occupants are exiting, increasing the risk of injury.

Fix: GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and if necessary replace the key cylinder lock housing, free of charge. The recall began on October 14, 2016. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, Buick 1-800-521-7300, and GMC 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is 50490 and 50491.

Charging Cost Calculator for 2011 Buick REGAL

Live EIA prices

Annual miles driven: 12,000

Your state (affects local electricity price)

Per year

$3,311

Per month

$276

Per mile

27.6¢

kWh/mi

1.47

Based on EPA fuel-economy ratings and EIA weekly retail prices (2026-07-20). Real-world cost varies with driving style, trim/engine, terrain, and traffic.

Estimated Insurance Cost for 2011 Buick REGAL

Estimate only, not a quote. Modeled from NAIC + HLDI averages for a hypothetical 35-year-old driver with clean record + full coverage. Your actual quote depends heavily on your age, driving history, credit, ZIP code, and insurer.

Your state (affects local premium average)

Full coverage / year

$1,679

Full coverage / month

$140

Liability only / year

$679

vs US avg

How this estimate is calculated

US base full-coverage premium$1674

× state (US)1.00x

× vehicle class (ev-mainstream)1.18x

× theft risk1.00x

× safety rating1.00x

× vehicle age0.85x

= Full coverage estimate$1679

Coverage assumed: 100/300/100 liability + comprehensive/collision, $500 deductibles. Data sources: NAIC 2024 + HLDI loss studies.

Maintenance & Warranty

Buick New-Vehicle Warranty Coverage

Bumper-to-bumper (basic)

4 yr / 50K mi

Powertrain

6 yr / 70K mi

Hybrid/EV battery

8 yr / 100K mi

Corrosion (rust perforation)

6 yr / 100K mi

Roadside assistance

6 yr / 70K mi

These are the terms for a new Buick. If you're buying a used 2011 REGAL, remaining coverage is usually pro-rated from the vehicle's original in-service date. Not all coverage transfers between owners — check with a Buick dealer for VIN-specific remaining warranty.

EV Incentives for 2011 Buick REGAL

Updated 2026-07

Federal Tax Credit (Section 30D) — Expired 2025-09-30

Section 30D new clean vehicle credit ($7,500 max) expired for vehicles acquired after Sept 30, 2025 per Public Law (One Big Beautiful Bill Act). Vehicles acquired on or before that date remain eligible on the buyer's 2025 return. No federal purchase credit exists for post-9/30/2025 acquisitions.

State-Level Incentives (Still Active in 14 States)

CaliforniaUp to $12,000

Clean Cars 4 All

ColoradoUp to $5,000

Innovative Motor Vehicle Credit

ConnecticutUp to $4,250

CHEAPR (Connecticut Hydrogen and Electric Automobile Purchase Rebate)

DelawareUp to $2,500

Clean Vehicle Rebate

IllinoisUp to $4,000

Illinois EV Rebate Program

MarylandUp to $3,000

Excise Tax Credit for Plug-in Electric Vehicles

MassachusettsUp to $3,500

MOR-EV

New JerseyUp to $4,000

Charge Up New Jersey

New YorkUp to $2,000

Drive Clean Rebate

OregonUp to $7,500

Oregon Clean Vehicle Rebate

PennsylvaniaUp to $3,000

Alternative Fuel Vehicle (AFV) Rebate Program

Rhode IslandUp to $2,500

DRIVEEV

TexasUp to $2,500

Light-Duty Motor Vehicle Purchase or Lease Incentive

VermontUp to $5,000

Incentive Program for New Electric Vehicles

See full state-by-state EV incentive details

Source: US Department of Energy Alternative Fuels Data Center + state DOR / DEQ program pages. Program details and eligibility limits change frequently — always verify with the linked source before purchase.

Estimated Repair Costs

ENGINE(~50K mi)

$500

ELECTRICAL(~50K mi)

$500

TRANSMISSION(~50K mi)

$500

LIGHTING(~50K mi)

$500

BRAKES(~50K mi)

$500

Estimates based on average reported repair costs. Actual costs vary by location, shop, and severity.

🔍 Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist

Based on 441 owner complaints for this specific year, here's what to check or ask about:

☐
ENGINE: 2011 BUICK REGAL. CONSUMER STATES ON FIVE SEPARATE OCCASIONS THE ENGINE STALLED *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED WHEN THE VEHICLE STALLED, IT WAS DIFFICULT TO RESTART. THE LAST TWO INSTANCES, THE VEHICLE HAD TO BE TOWED. THE DEALER REPROGRAMMED THE ECM AND REPLACED THE FUEL PUMP ON JULY 22, 2011. HOWEVER
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
ELECTRICAL: WE HAVE EXPERIENCED STARTER MISHAPS OFF AND ON SINCE WE BOUGHT THIS VEHICLE EG: WHEN WE TURNED THE ENGINE OFF, IT WOULD CONTINUE TO RUN UNTIL KEY WAS REMOVED. ON 01/17/11, MY BUICK REGAL 2011 ENGINE WARNING LIGHT WAS ON. I TOOK IT TO DEALER SERVICE WHERE I BOUGHT IT (LAKE GMC/BUICK OF LAKE ELSINORE
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
TRANSMISSION: 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. *TR
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
LIGHTING: THE HEADLAMPS BLOW OUT AND UPON EXAMINING THE BULB HOUSING THE WIRING AND THE CASING THAT THE REPLACEMENT BULBS IS SUPPOSE TO BE INSERTED IN IS BURNED OFF. THE WIRING AND THE CASING IS GONE. THE RECALL IS 12V484 IS NOT ADDRESSING THE CONCERN THAT I HAVE OF THE HEADLAMPS CLEARLY FAILING TO CONFORM T
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
RECALLS: Verify all 4 recalls have been completed — free at any Buick dealer
☐
General: Get a pre-purchase inspection from an independent mechanic ($100-$200)