The Buick Regal Years To Avoid
Buick Regal by AJM STUDIOS - CC-BY-SA-4.0
The Buick Regal is a mid-sized automobile that Buick first introduced in the early 1970s. While it’s not exactly selling like hotcakes, the Regal features a long history of performance, comfort, and style. Over the years, it has undergone numerous transformations, evolving from a classic muscle car into a refined, modern sedan.
This midsize offers a range of engine options, from efficient four-cylinders to more powerful V6s, and has been available in various body styles, including coupes, sedans, and even station wagons. Also, the Regal’s interior is typically praised for its upscale feel and generous standard features.
When it comes to reliability, the Buick Regal has generally received positive reviews. However, like any vehicle, it has had its share of issues. While the Buick Regal has had some good years, certain model years are unreliable.
So for today’s post, we highlight some of the worst Buick Regal years to avoid and offer insights into why they’re not worth your time and money. Let’s get to it.
THE MOST RELIABLE YEAR FOR THE BUICK REGAL
These days, you can get Buick Regals made with modern design sensibilities and looks. If you’re looking for a decent and reliable commuter car, you might wonder what is the most reliable Buick Regal year?
Which Buick Regal Years To Avoid?
According to RepairPal, the Buick brand has a reliability rating of 3.5 out of 5.0. This places Buick at 13th place out of 32 car brands. In its long history, below are some of the Buick Regal years to avoid due to reliability issues and consumer complaints.
- 2000 Buick Regal
- 2001 Buick Regal
- 2011 Buick Regal
- 2012 Buick Regal
2000 Buick Regal
While you can probably buy a used 2000 Buick Regal for less than $5,000, it’s really not worth it due to its numerous reliability issues and customer complaints. According to CarComplaints.com, the 2000 Regal has collected over 300 complaints and ten recalls. Its main problem is with its transmission system, which may cost more in repairs than what you’ll pay for a used Regal.
Meanwhile, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) documented 197 complaints for the 2000 Buick Regal. Its top three major trouble spots are electrical systems, engine, and engine cooling.
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According to one owner who experienced such electrical issues, the car abruptly lost acceleration and power after ten minutes of driving at around 60 mph and stranded them on the interstate. The power steering seized, and the dashboard flickered, and within five minutes, even the flashers and lights died out.
With the combination of severe issues and the number of complaints, the 2000 Buick Regal is an easy pass for us.
2001 Buick Regal
While it’s somewhat better than the 2000, the 2001 Buick Regal should still be avoided at all costs. CarComplaints listed 235 complaints and eight recalls for the 2001 Regal. Although it doesn’t seem a big deal, the severity of this sedan’s issues will make you think twice.
Perhaps one of the most concerning issues of this car is that the engine may catch fire. There are only two reports of this incident, but most people would agree that it is two too many. One owner reported that their car wouldn’t start for 2-3 days, which they initially attributed to cold weather. However, when the weather warmed up, and they tried to start the car, there was a loud boom, followed by smoke and fire from under the hood.
Over at the NHTSA, the 2001 Buick Regal received 194 complaints, and about 50 grievances were about the engine. According to one report, flames unexpectedly erupted from under the hood while the vehicle was idling. Fortunately, no injuries were reported concerning this incident. The cause of the fire, however, remained undetermined.
Considering it’s over two decades old, buying a 2001 Buick Regal might be too much of a gamble for used car buyers.
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2011 Buick Regal
Just when you thought things couldn’t get worse, enter the 2011 Buick Regal. Due to the sheer number of complaints, the 2011 model is one of the worst Buick Regal years to avoid. While it’s a newer model compared to the previous years on this list, it has a lot of issues that most buyers would want to avoid.
CarComplaints has collected over 500 complaints and four recalls for the 2011 Regal. The main issue of this model year lies with its faulty timing chain. The timing chain issue warranted nine written complaints from owners. One person claimed that the timing chain failed within two months after spending $2,000 to get the transmission changed. The owner had to disassemble the engine to fix it completely. Another owner reported that the timing chain was loose. The owner suspected it was due to the oil level, as the oil was bone dry, and the oil change was almost 3,000 miles overdue when they checked it.
Heading over to the NHTSA, the website collected 270 complaints for the 2011 Regal. A staggering 102 complaints were about the engine, which gets an instant pass for us. Some reports claimed that the engine caught fire (again). According to another owner, they experienced an unexpected power loss in the vehicle. This was accompanied by visible sparks from under the hood, causing the car to stop completely. After pulling over, smoke was seen from under the hood, which quickly escalated into a fire.
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2012 Buick Regal
According to CarComplaints, the 2012 Buick Regal is the worst model year of the midsize sedan. Although it received fewer complaints than the 2011 version, the severity of its issues is significant, including the dreaded engine failure. Plus, the faulty timing chain issue also came back, which frustrated many owners.
Meanwhile, the NTHSA listed 83 complaints and three recalls for the 2012 Regal. According to the website, the top two most common problems are the engine and exterior lighting. A frustrated owner reported at approximately 80,000 miles, the timing chain broke. Mechanics informed them that this is a common issue with this particular model. Despite the vehicle having less than 100,000 miles, the mechanics recommended an engine replacement, typically costing thousands of dollars.
With the issues mentioned above and high number of customer complaints, used car buyers should stay far away from the 2012 Buick Regal.
Common Buick Regal Problems
- Sudden loss of power while driving: Imagine cruising down the highway when your Buick Regal suddenly loses power, causing the vehicle to slow down or become unresponsive to the accelerator.
- Timing chain troubles: The timing chain, the heart of your engine’s synchronization, can develop issues that lead to various performance problems. You might hear strange noises from under the hood or notice a decrease in your engine’s efficiency.
- Cold start engine knocking: Picture a chilly morning when you turn the key, expecting your Buick Regal to purr to life, but instead, you’re greeted by a disconcerting knocking sound from the engine. This noise, often a sign of insufficient lubrication or premature wear, can leave you questioning the health of your Regal.
- Stubborn ignition key: Few things are more frustrating than a key that refuses to turn in the ignition, rendering your car useless. Whether the culprit is a faulty ignition lock cylinder or a more extensive electrical problem, being stranded by an uncooperative key is a headache no driver wants to face.
- Uncooperative power windows: Imagine trying to open your window for fresh air or close it during a sudden downpour, only to find that your power windows have gone on strike. This failure is often caused by worn-out window motors, faulty regulators, or electrical gremlins in the door’s wiring.
Addressing these issues promptly with the help of a professional can extend the life of your Buick Regal and enhance your driving experience
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