BestCarRank
Buick

2018 Buick REGAL

Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report

Above Average

Quick Summary

The 2018 Buick REGAL has 33 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 0.6x the segment average of 51. The most common issue is brakes problems (24% of all complaints), specifically: tl* the contact owns a 2018 buick regal. while driving through a drive'thru, the brake pedal was depressed, but the vehicle inadvertently accelerated and crashed into a pole. the contact exited the vehicle, inspected the damage, and concluded that the vehicle was able to be driven. the dealer (grein. There are 3 recalls issued for this model year.

7 crash reports 6 injuries

33

Total Complaints

3

Recalls Issued

—/5

Safety Stars

0.6x

vs Segment Avg

Known Problems(top 5 of 8)

BRAKES

8 complaints
24%
  • • TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 BUICK REGAL. WHILE DRIVING THROUGH A DRIVE'THRU, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED, BUT THE VEHICLE INADVERTENTLY ACCELERATED AND CRASHED INTO A POLE. THE CONTACT EXITED THE VEHICLE, INSPECTED THE DAMAGE, AND CONCLUDED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO BE DRIVEN. THE DEALER (GREIN
  • • TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 BUICK REGAL. THE CONTACT PURCHASED THE VEHICLE IN FEBRUARY OF 2018, BUT DID NOT OBTAIN IT UNTIL JUNE 15, 2018. WHILE IN A DRIVE-THRU LINE, THE CONTACT REMOVED HIS FOOT FROM THE BRAKE PEDAL AND THE VEHICLE LURCHED FORWARD AND CRASHED INTO A POLE. THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE FEND
  • • The contact owns a 2018 Buick Regal. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V465000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic) however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair.
Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500💥 4 crashes

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 BUICK REGAL. WHILE DRIVING THROUGH A DRIVE'THRU, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED, BUT THE VEHICLE INADVERTENTLY ACCELERATED AND CRASHED INTO A POLE. THE CONTACT EXITED THE VEHICLE, INSPECTED THE DAMAGE, AND CONCLUDED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO BE DRIVEN. THE DEALER (GREIN”

— NHTSA complaint filing

When Problems Appear on the 2018 Buick REGAL

Based on 18 owner complaints that included an odometer reading. Median mileage at time of complaint: 22K miles. Most complaints cluster in the 0-30K miles range.

Overall complaint distribution by mileage
0-30K
17
30-60K
0
60-100K
1
100-150K
0
150-200K
0
200K+
0

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 (3)

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:CALIPER30/08/2018

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Chevrolet Equinox, Impala, Cruze, Volt and Bolt EV vehicles, GMC Terrain vehicles, Buick Lacrosse and Regal vehicles, Cadillac XTS and XTS Professional vehicles and 2018 Chevrolet Malibu vehicles. The rear brake caliper pistons may have an insufficient coating causing gas pockets to form, potentially reducing rear brake performance.

Risk: A reduction of braking performance can increase the risk of a crash.

Fix: GM will notify owners, and dealers will bleed the vehicle's brake system, free of charge. The recall began October 11, 2018. Owners may contact Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300, Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006, Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, or GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is 18279.

Fuel Cost Calculator for 2018 Buick REGAL

Live EIA prices
Per year
$1,847
Per month
$154
Per mile
15.4¢
MPG
26
City driving (worst-case MPG)
$2,182/yr
Highway driving (best-case MPG)
$1,500/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
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 2018 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.
Full coverage / year
$1,607
Full coverage / month
$134
Liability only / year
$611
vs US avg
-4%
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 rating1.00x
× vehicle age1.00x
= Full coverage estimate$1607

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 2018 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

BRAKES(~50K mi)
$500
ENGINE(~50K mi)
$500
OTHER(~50K mi)
$500
ELECTRICAL(~50K mi)
$500
SPEED CONTROL(~50K mi)
$500

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

🔍 Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist

Based on 33 owner complaints for this specific year, here's what to check or ask about:

  • ☐
    BRAKES: TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 BUICK REGAL. WHILE DRIVING THROUGH A DRIVE'THRU, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED, BUT THE VEHICLE INADVERTENTLY ACCELERATED AND CRASHED INTO A POLE. THE CONTACT EXITED THE VEHICLE, INSPECTED THE DAMAGE, AND CONCLUDED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO BE DRIVEN. THE DEALER (GREIN

    Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500

  • ☐
    ENGINE: TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 BUICK REGAL. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS STOPPED AT A RED LIGHT, THE ENGINE WAS DESIGNED TO SHUT DOWN TO PRESERVE FUEL. INSTEAD, THE ENGINE RPMS WOULD REV AND INCREASE TO 3,000 AND THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED. THE DRIVER IMMEDIATELY SHIFTED INTO NEUTRAL TO PREVENT THE VEHICLE FROM D

    Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500

  • ☐
    OTHER: REVERSING CAMERA CAMERA IS INSTALLED AND EQUIPPED WITH GUIDE LINES SHOWING DIRECTION OF TRAVEL AND WHEEL POSITION. THESE GUIDELINES INTERMITENTLY DISAPPEAR FOR NO APPARENT REASON. IF THE CAR IS PUT INTO NEUTRAL AND THEN BACK INTO REVERSE LINES REAPPEAR. SINCE THE LINES ARE A FEATURE OF THE VEHI

    Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500

  • ☐
    ELECTRICAL: The check engine light is always on and has not been diagnosed (as of yet) by Circle Buick - Highland, IN. There is an auto-engine-shutoff feature when the vehicle stops at traffic lights, and when you resume driving there can be a lengthy delay and/or an engine & transmission jolt after the brake

    Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500

  • ☐
    RECALLS: Verify all 3 recalls have been completed — free at any Buick dealer
  • ☐
    General: Get a pre-purchase inspection from an independent mechanic ($100-$200)

Buick REGAL — Year Comparison

How does 2018 compare to other years? Fewer complaints = more reliable.

2019
29Excellent Reliability
2018
33Above Average
2017
26Excellent Reliability
2016
61Average
2015
50Above Average
2014
51Average
2013
137Below Average
2012
137Below Average
2011
441Avoid This Year
Full years-to-avoid analysis →

NHTSA Safety Rating

No NHTSA safety rating available

At a Glance

Complaints
33
Recalls
3
Fire reports
0
Crash reports
7
Injury reports
6
Segment avg
51

Check a Specific VIN

See recalls for YOUR 2018 Buick REGAL

Compare With

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