Is the 2013 Buick REGAL reliable?

The 2013 Buick REGAL has 137 complaints filed with NHTSA (2.7x the segment average). Our reliability verdict: below-average. Most common issue: LIGHTING problems.

What are common problems with the 2013 Buick REGAL?

Top problems: LIGHTING (37 complaints, avg repair $500); ELECTRICAL (36 complaints, avg repair $500); ENGINE (10 complaints, avg repair $500). Issues typically appear around 50K miles.

Are there any recalls on the 2013 Buick REGAL?

Yes, there are 6 recall(s): EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TURN SIGNAL, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, SUSPENSION:REAR, SUSPENSION:REAR, SUSPENSION:REAR, SUSPENSION:REAR. Contact any Buick dealer to verify if recalls have been completed on your specific vehicle.

How much does it cost to charge a 2013 Buick REGAL?

The 2013 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 2013 Buick REGAL?

Estimated US average full-coverage insurance for the 2013 Buick REGAL is approximately $1,708/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 2013 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 2013 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.

2013 Buick REGAL

Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report

Below Average

Quick Summary

The 2013 Buick REGAL has 137 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 2.7x the segment average of 51. The most common issue is lighting problems (27% of all complaints), specifically: tl* the contact owns a 2013 buick regal. the contact stated that the driver's side head light failed while driving. the vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the wiring had melted and the connector was replaced. the vehicle was repaired but the failure persisted and the same fail. There are 6 recalls issued for this model year. ⚠️ 3 fire reports filed.

3 fire reports 10 crash reports 9 injuries

137

Total Complaints

Recalls Issued

5/5

Safety Stars

2.7x

vs Segment Avg

Known Problems(top 5 of 8)

LIGHTING

37 complaints

27%

• TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 BUICK REGAL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER'S SIDE HEAD LIGHT FAILED WHILE DRIVING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE WIRING HAD MELTED AND THE CONNECTOR WAS REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BUT THE FAILURE PERSISTED AND THE SAME FAIL
• CONSOLE WONT TURN ON IN THE HEAT. IT DISCONNECTS. PARKING LIGHT SAYS NOT IN PARK WHEN PARKED AND WONT TURN OFF. LIGHTS BURN OUT VERY FAST. HAS HAPPENED SINCE I BOUGHT THIS VEHICLE , NEW! IT IS VERY SLUGGISH WHEN TAKING OFF FROM STOP.
• THE CAR WAS DRIVEN TO A COMMITMENT (NO RAIN) WHICH STARTED BEFORE SUNDOWN AND ENDED AT NIGHT, RAINING. UPON LEAVING THE DRIVERS HEADLIGHT DID NOT ILLUMINATE, WHEN CHECKED IT LOOKED TO BE SHORTED OUT DUE TO WATER ENTERING THE LENS ASSEMBLY. CONSIDERING THE CAR WAS NOT DRIVEN HOW DID THIS HAPPEN? THE

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

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 BUICK REGAL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER'S SIDE HEAD LIGHT FAILED WHILE DRIVING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE WIRING HAD MELTED AND THE CONNECTOR WAS REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BUT THE FAILURE PERSISTED AND THE SAME FAIL”

— NHTSA complaint filing

When Problems Appear on the 2013 Buick REGAL

Based on 93 owner complaints that included an odometer reading. Median mileage at time of complaint: 60K miles. Most complaints cluster in the 60-100K miles range.

Overall complaint distribution by mileage

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

ELECTRICAL

Earlier than typicalmedian 62K mi · 24 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

TRANSMISSION

Earlier than typicalmedian 53K mi · 6 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

SPEED CONTROL

Reported earliermedian 40K mi · 5 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

LIGHTING

In line with typicalmedian 63K mi · 27 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

ENGINE

In line with typicalmedian 81K mi · 7 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 (6)

EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TURN SIGNAL04/10/2012

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2011-2013 Buick Regal and model year 2013 Chevrolet Malibu vehicles. These vehicles are equipped with two turn signal bulbs in each front turn signal. If one of the two front turn signal bulbs burn out in either front turn signal lamp, there is no indication to the driver. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment."

Risk: If the driver is not aware that a turn signal is not functioning properly, the driver may continue to drive the vehicle. If half of a front turn signal is not illuminating, other driver's may not be aware that the affected vehicle is turning, thereby increasing the risk of a crash.

Fix: GM will notify owners, dealers will update the body control module software, free of charge. The recall began in September 2014. Owners may contact Buick at 1-800-521-7300 or Chevrolet at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is 12212.

Charging Cost Calculator for 2013 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 2013 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

$1,708

Full coverage / month

$142

Liability only / year

$638

vs US avg

+2%

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 rating0.94x

× vehicle age0.92x

= Full coverage estimate$1708

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 2013 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 2013 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

LIGHTING(~50K mi)

$500

ELECTRICAL(~50K mi)

$500

ENGINE(~50K mi)

$500

OTHER(~50K mi)

$500

TRANSMISSION(~50K mi)

$500

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

🔍 Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist

Based on 137 owner complaints for this specific year, here's what to check or ask about:

☐
LIGHTING: TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 BUICK REGAL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER'S SIDE HEAD LIGHT FAILED WHILE DRIVING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE WIRING HAD MELTED AND THE CONNECTOR WAS REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BUT THE FAILURE PERSISTED AND THE SAME FAIL
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
ELECTRICAL: I PURCHASED A NEW 2013 BUICK REGAL E-ASSIST VEHICLE FROM THE GM DEALERSHIP IN ST. CATHARINES. WHEN I ATTEMPTED TO START MY NEW CAR AND DRIVE IT FOR THE FIRST TIME, TO MY SURPRISE AND DISMAY, THE EMERGENCY LIGHTS WENT OFF, WINDSHIELD WIPERS STARTED WIPING, AUDIBLE WARNING SOUNDS WENT OFF, AND THE CAR
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
ENGINE: CODES PRESENT IN COMPUTER ARE P1101 AIR INTAKE PERFORMANCE, P0101 MASS AIR FLOW CIRCUIT A FAILURE. THE CAR HAS REDUCED POWER AND SURGING DURING ACCELERATION. STUMBLING AT START UP. THE VEHICLE'S TURBO WASTEGATE FAILS TO CLOSE BEFORE 3,500 RPM THEREFORE CAUSING A SEVERE SPOOL TIME ON TURBOCHARGER
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
OTHER: THE FRONT SEAT HEAD RESTRAINTS ARE HEAD "CONSTRAINTS." BOTH THE ANGLE OF THE BRACES SUPPORTING THE HEAD RESTRAINTS AND THE THICKNESS OF THE PADDING OF THE HEAD RESTRAINTS ARE EXCESSIVE. WHEN THE SEAT IS UPRIGHT, A POSITION OF GOOD POSTURE, THE HEAD RESTRAINT FORCES THE HEAD DOWN TO LOOK AT THE LAP.
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
RECALLS: Verify all 6 recalls have been completed — free at any Buick dealer
☐
General: Get a pre-purchase inspection from an independent mechanic ($100-$200)