Is the 2016 Buick REGAL reliable?

The 2016 Buick REGAL has 61 complaints filed with NHTSA (1.2x the segment average). Our reliability verdict: average. Most common issue: STEERING problems.

What are common problems with the 2016 Buick REGAL?

Top problems: STEERING (10 complaints, avg repair $500); SPEED CONTROL (7 complaints, avg repair $500); ELECTRICAL (6 complaints, avg repair $500). Issues typically appear around 50K miles.

Are there any recalls on the 2016 Buick REGAL?

Yes, there are 1 recall(s): STEERING:ELECTRIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM. Contact any Buick dealer to verify if recalls have been completed on your specific vehicle.

How much does it cost to fuel a 2016 Buick REGAL?

The 2016 Buick REGAL gets 24 MPG combined. At current US average gas prices, driving 12,000 miles per year costs roughly $2000. See the interactive fuel cost calculator on this page for state-specific pricing.

How much does it cost to insure a 2016 Buick REGAL?

Estimated US average full-coverage insurance for the 2016 Buick REGAL is approximately $1,390/year (sedan-midsize 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.

2016 Buick REGAL

Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report

Average

Quick Summary

The 2016 Buick REGAL has 61 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 1.2x the segment average of 51. The most common issue is steering problems (16% of all complaints), specifically: power steering randomly fails while driving. this happened while turning into a parking space, on residential street and the expressway. the car has been at the dealership 4 times since june 3 for the same issue. the first time the following repairs were performed: replaced complete rack & pinion ge. There is 1 recall issued for this model year.

Total Complaints

Recalls Issued

5/5

Safety Stars

1.2x

vs Segment Avg

Known Problems(top 5 of 8)

STEERING

10 complaints

16%

• POWER STEERING RANDOMLY FAILS WHILE DRIVING. THIS HAPPENED WHILE TURNING INTO A PARKING SPACE, ON RESIDENTIAL STREET AND THE EXPRESSWAY. THE CAR HAS BEEN AT THE DEALERSHIP 4 TIMES SINCE JUNE 3 FOR THE SAME ISSUE. THE FIRST TIME THE FOLLOWING REPAIRS WERE PERFORMED: REPLACED COMPLETE RACK & PINION GE
• Drive with care service power 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 rec

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500

“POWER STEERING RANDOMLY FAILS WHILE DRIVING. THIS HAPPENED WHILE TURNING INTO A PARKING SPACE, ON RESIDENTIAL STREET AND THE EXPRESSWAY. THE CAR HAS BEEN AT THE DEALERSHIP 4 TIMES SINCE JUNE 3 FOR THE SAME ISSUE. THE FIRST TIME THE FOLLOWING REPAIRS WERE PERFORMED: REPLACED COMPLETE RACK & PINION GE”

— NHTSA complaint filing

When Problems Appear on the 2016 Buick REGAL

Based on 32 owner complaints that included an odometer reading. Median mileage at time of complaint: 25K miles. Most complaints cluster in the 0-30K miles range.

Overall complaint distribution by mileage

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 (1)

STEERING:ELECTRIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM24/02/2016

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2016 Buick Regal Vehicles manufactured August 30, 2015, to February 12, 2016. The affected vehicles have a power-steering assist system that may fail.

Risk: A loss of power steering assist may increase the risk of a crash.

Fix: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the electric belt drive rack and pinion steering gear assembly, free of charge. The recall began on March 21, 2016. Owners may contact Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300. GM's number for this recall is 21510.

Fuel Cost Calculator for 2016 Buick REGAL

Live EIA prices

Annual miles driven: 12,000

Your state (affects local gasoline price)

Per year

$2,001

Per month

$167

Per mile

16.7¢

MPG

City driving (worst-case MPG)

$2,527/yr

Highway driving (best-case MPG)

$1,600/yr

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.

5-Year Gas Price History

EIA weekly retail data · 2021 → today

Show:

Current

$4.00

5-year low

$2.78

5-year high

$5.01

Since 2021

+27%

Source: US Energy Information Administration weekly retail gasoline prices.

Estimated Insurance Cost for 2016 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

$1,390

Full coverage / month

$116

Liability only / year

$574

vs US avg

-17%

How this estimate is calculated

US base full-coverage premium$1674

× state (US)1.00x

× vehicle class (sedan-midsize)0.96x

× theft risk1.00x

× safety rating0.94x

× vehicle age0.92x

= Full coverage estimate$1390

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 2016 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.

Estimated Repair Costs

STEERING(~50K mi)

$500

SPEED CONTROL(~50K mi)

$500

ELECTRICAL(~50K mi)

$500

LIGHTING(~50K mi)

$500

ENGINE(~50K mi)

$500

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

🔍 Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist

Based on 61 owner complaints for this specific year, here's what to check or ask about:

☐
STEERING: POWER STEERING RANDOMLY FAILS WHILE DRIVING. THIS HAPPENED WHILE TURNING INTO A PARKING SPACE, ON RESIDENTIAL STREET AND THE EXPRESSWAY. THE CAR HAS BEEN AT THE DEALERSHIP 4 TIMES SINCE JUNE 3 FOR THE SAME ISSUE. THE FIRST TIME THE FOLLOWING REPAIRS WERE PERFORMED: REPLACED COMPLETE RACK & PINION GE
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
SPEED CONTROL: CAR APPLIED BRAKES SUDDENLY AND FULLY 4-5 TIMES DURING 200 MILE TRIP ON I-5 FOR NO APPARENT REASON WHILE ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL WAS ON AT FREEWAY SPEEDS (65-70MPH). IT OCCURRED RANDOMLY, WHILE FOLLOWING OTHER VEHICLES, INCLUDING SEMI-TRUCKS, WHICH ARE NOT IN SAME LANE AND/OR ARE SIGNIFICANT DISTANC
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
ELECTRICAL: SUDDENLY AFTER LEAVING COSTCO GAS STATION AND DRIVING "NO" DISPLAY OF MILLAGE. SPEED GAUGES AND ALL CRITICAL INFORMATION WENT BLANK/BLACK ON DRIVERS DASH BOARD WITH CRITICAL LIGHTS DISPLAY SHOWING TROUBLE WITH VEHICLE BY DISPLAYING YELLOW; AND RED EXCLAMATIONS; SKID TIRE AND NO GAUGE READINGS FO
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
LIGHTING: SUDDENLY AFTER LEAVING COSTCO GAS STATION AND DRIVING "NO" DISPLAY OF MILLAGE. SPEED GAUGES AND ALL CRITICAL INFORMATION WENT BLANK/BLACK ON DRIVERS DASH BOARD WITH CRITICAL LIGHTS DISPLAY SHOWING TROUBLE WITH VEHICLE BY DISPLAYING YELLOW; AND RED EXCLAMATIONS; SKID TIRE AND NO GAUGE READINGS FO
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
RECALLS: Verify all 1 recall have been completed — free at any Buick dealer
☐
General: Get a pre-purchase inspection from an independent mechanic ($100-$200)