2018-2020 Buick Regal Reliability Score: 7.4 out of 10

57 NHTSA Complaints

4 Recalls

0 Fire Reports

5 Crash Reports

Data covers 2 NHTSA model names

REGALREGAL TOURX

Reliability Score

7.4 / 10

Reliability score

About as many owner complaints as similar midsize sedans

The class average is 7.0. Based on complaints owners filed with NHTSA about the engine, transmission or drivetrain.

Owners filed 20 powertrain complaints. A typical midsize sedan fleet of this size and age would have drawn about 22.

Scores this low have often eased: the three years after looked about 0.8 points better in the typical case.

Breakdown

Complaints overall20 complaints against about 22 for similar vehicles

7.4

Last three years

n/aNot enough data

Engine, transmission or drive unit failed or replaced

n/aNot enough data

Oil consumption, fuel in the oil or overheating

n/aNot enough data

Each line scores one view of the same complaints the same way, so the lines overlap. The mark on each bar is the class average. A line needs 20 expected complaints to show a number.

By model year

20187.7
20196.9
2020n/a

Similar vehicles are others in the same class, compared at the same age and in the same years. The score counts complaints owners filed with NHTSA, per vehicle built, which is different from the share of vehicles that fail. How the score is worked out

On the record

No serious powertrain recall covering 5% or more of this generation and no escalated investigation in NHTSA's files. Warranty extensions and settlements have not been researched.

Complaints by Engine Code

LTG - Spark ignited Direct Injection, Variable Valve Timing, E85 MAX

2.0L 4-cyl Turbo

52 complaints 17.3 per year Gasoline

View details

Complaint Breakdown

brakes

electrical

engine

transmission

interior

Show 2 additional engine variants with limited data

These engines appear in fewer than 10 owner complaints. A low count can mean a clean record, and it can also be a VIN-decode anomaly in NHTSA's data.

Buick Regal Unidentified Engine

3 complaints 1.5 per year

View details

Complaint Breakdown

wheels tires

safety systems

LGX - Direct Injection, Variable Valve Timing, ALUM, GEN2

3.6L 6-cyl

2 complaints 1.0 per year Gasoline

View details

Complaint Breakdown

transmission

wheels tires

Owner Complaints by System

Complaints owners filed with NHTSA about the Buick Regal, counted across every engine. A complaint can name more than one system.

Brakes: 14 owner complaints

Electrical System: 14 owner complaints

Engine: 12 owner complaints

Transmission: 10 owner complaints

Wheels & Tires: 5 owner complaints

What to check on a used 2018-2020 Buick Regal

On a used 2018-2020 Buick Regal, the systems with the most NHTSA owner complaints are the brakes (14), the electrical system (14) and the engine (12). Each one has an inspection step below, with counts as of 2026-10-12. A complaint is an owner report, not a confirmed defect, and counts rise with sales.

On an empty road, brake firmly from 40 mph with a light grip on the wheel.Safety. NHTSA has 14 owner complaints on the 2018-2020 Buick Regal about the brakes.
Switch on every electrical item in turn: lights, windows, locks, wipers, climate fan, screen and power outlets.Costly repair. NHTSA has 14 owner complaints on the 2018-2020 Buick Regal about the electrical system.
Start the engine cold and listen for the first 30 seconds, then again at idle once it is warm.Costly repair. NHTSA has 12 owner complaints on the 2018-2020 Buick Regal about the engine.
Accelerate gently through every gear, then once at full throttle. Shift into Reverse and back to Drive.Costly repair. NHTSA has 10 owner complaints on the 2018-2020 Buick Regal about the transmission and drivetrain.
Measure the tread on all four tires, read the date codes and look at each wheel.Safety. NHTSA has 5 owner complaints on the 2018-2020 Buick Regal about the wheels and tires.

Open the full inspection checklist for the 2018-2020 Buick Regal

Recalls (4)

22V465000Jun 30, 2022serious

Service Brakes

General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2018-2020 Buick Regal vehicles. In the event of a vacuum-power brake assist failure, a software error in the electronic brake control module (EBCM) may result in a loss of power brake assist. As such, these vehicles fail to conform to Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 135, "Light vehicle brake systems."

19V762000Oct 24, 2019serious

Seats

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2019-2020 Buick Regal vehicles. The driver or passenger front seat frames may have a lower crossbar that was improperly welded.

18V576000Aug 30, 2018serious

Service Brakes

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.

18V230000Apr 12, 2018serious

Seat Belts

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2018 Buick Regal vehicles. During the manufacturing process, the rear seat belts may have been improperly routed around the bolster bracket on the rear outboard seats, which can cause inadequate restraint of the passengers.

All Generations

20002000 20012001 20022002 20032003 20042004 5th2011-2017 TourX2018-2020

Alternatives in Midsize Sedan

Lexus

2013-2018

9.8/10

3 engines / 209 complaints

4 engines / 35 complaints

3 engines / 178 complaints

Lexus

2019-2025

9.6/10

4 engines / 135 complaints

Lexus

2012-2020

9.6/10

5 engines / 99 complaints

2 engines / 134 complaints

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the most common 2018-2020 Buick Regal complaints?

Owners have filed 57 complaints with NHTSA about the 2018-2020 Buick Regal. The systems they name most often are the brakes, the electrical system and the engine.

Is the 2018-2020 Buick Regal a good used car?

That depends on the model year, the mileage and the maintenance history of the car in front of you. Owners have filed 57 complaints with NHTSA about the 2018-2020 Buick Regal. Check which systems they name most often and whether a recall is still open on that car.

How many NHTSA complaints does the 2018-2020 Buick Regal have?

NHTSA has 57 owner complaints on file for the 2018-2020 Buick Regal as of the latest data pull. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect, and counts rise with sales.

What recalls affect the 2018-2020 Buick Regal?

NHTSA lists 4 recalls covering some 2018-2020 Buick Regal vehicles. Which ones apply depends on the VIN: enter it at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see the open campaigns on a specific car.

What should I check before buying a used Buick Regal?

Run the VIN through NHTSA's recall lookup and confirm every open recall has been done. Look hardest at the brakes, the electrical system and the engine, the systems owners complain about most. Ask for maintenance records, have an independent mechanic inspect the car and run a vehicle history report for prior accidents and title issues.

Does the Regal have NHTSA crash test ratings?

NHTSA has not published crash test ratings for the 2018-2020 Buick Regal. Not all vehicles are tested each year. For the latest NHTSA safety information, visit nhtsa.gov/ratings.

Data from NHTSA federal complaints database. 57 complaints analyzed. Data confidence: moderate. Last updated: 2026-10-12.