2016 Buick REGAL problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
41 owner complaints analyzed
1 distinct recall campaigns
27,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2016 model year. Data snapshot: . 21 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Steering is the most frequently named component, appearing in 10 of 41 complaints (24.4%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Steering behavior | 11 | 26.8% |
| Braking behavior | 8 | 19.5% |
| Transmission and shifting | 4 | 9.8% |
| Engine operation | 2 | 4.9% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 2 | 4.9% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Steering | 10 |
| Electrical System | 6 |
| Engine | 5 |
| Power Train | 5 |
| Unknown Or Other | 5 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 5 |
| Exterior Lighting | 4 |
| Service Brakes | 3 |
Steering: 10; Electrical System: 6; Engine: 5; Power Train: 5; Unknown Or Other: 5; Vehicle Speed Control: 5; Exterior Lighting: 4; Service Brakes: 3
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 9 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 6 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 1 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 2 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 3 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 9; 25,000 to 49,999: 6; 50,000 to 74,999: 1; 75,000 to 99,999: 2; 100,000 to 149,999: 3; 150,000 and above: 0
Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (9). 20 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2016 | 2 |
| 2017 | 6 |
| 2018 | 3 |
| 2019 | 1 |
| 2020 | 2 |
| 2021 | 9 |
| 2022 | 9 |
| 2023 | 3 |
| 2024 | 4 |
| 2025 | 2 |
2016: 2; 2017: 6; 2018: 3; 2019: 1; 2020: 2; 2021: 9; 2022: 9; 2023: 3; 2024: 4; 2025: 2
Pattern summary
Steering leads the component reports. Steering behavior appears in 11 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 8 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 4 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 11010894 · 2017-07-27 (July 27, 2017)
DRIVER INFOTAINMENT CENTER HAS MANY ISSUES, REMAINS BLANK WHILE RADIO IS PLAYING AND CAN BE CONTROLLED BY STEERING WHEEL CONTROLS AND HVAC VIA EXTERNAL BUTTONS. ALSO BACKUP CAMERA INTERMITTENTLY JUMPS THE VIDEO FROM CAMERA BUT NOT THE CGI LINES. THIS MAKES YOU STOP DUE TO REFLEXES THINKING SOMETHING RAN OUT IN THE WAY OF BACKING UP. ON OCCASION THE DISPLAY HAS SHOWN SYSTEM ERROR AND ALSO HVAC CONTROL NOT OPERABLE. ALSO HAVE SEEN THE CGI DIRECTIONAL LINES NOT SHOW UP UNTIL PLACED IN FORWARD GEAR JUST BEFORE THE DISPLAY TURNS OFF THE CAMERA. DEAL…
Owner-reported narrative. 12,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11010894 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11266895 · 2019-10-07 (October 7, 2019)
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 GEAR WITH POWER STEERING CONTROL MODULE REINSTALLED, DOWNLOAD FOR POWER STEERING MODULE. DID NOT FIX THE PROBLEM. SECOND TIME THE FOLLOWING REPAIRS WERE PERFORMED: DOWNLOADED POWER STEERING CONTROL MODULE BEFORE REPLACING MODULE. REPLACED RACK & PINION…
Owner-reported narrative. 40,570 miles reported. Look up ODI 11266895 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10993854 · 2017-06-07 (June 7, 2017)
CAR COMPUTER IS SUCEPTIBLE TO HACKING AND REPROGRAMMING WHILE DRIVING SUSPENSION IS LOWERED OR RAISED ENGINE LOOSES POWER WHOLE CAR COMPONENTS RATTLE OR RADIO BASS LOUD WHILE DRIVING TRANSMISSION DOESNT SHIFT TO CORRECT GEAR STUCK ON SECOND OR THIRD AND GEAR SHIFT KNOB POPS UP WHILE DRIVING DEALER SAYS IS NORMAL BRAKES LOOSE PRESSURE TAKING LONG TO COMPLETE STOP ENGINE SHAKES WHILE IN MOTION OR IDLE RADIO AND OTHER COMPONENTS APPS TRACTION ABS DISABLED HACKED OR CONTROLLED WIRELESS/BT
Owner-reported narrative. 18,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10993854 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11015791 · 2017-08-16 (August 16, 2017)
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 DISTANCE AWAY. DID SO WITHOUT ANY DRIVER INPUT OR APPLICATION OF BRAKES. DECREASED SPEED WAS SO SUDDEN, IT CAUSED DRIVER'S SEAT BELT TO TENSE UP. FORTUNATELY, THERE WERE NO VEHICLES DIRECTLY BEHIND MINE OR MY CAR WOULD HAVE BEEN REAR-ENDED AT FREEWAY SPEE…
Owner-reported narrative. 13,600 miles reported. Look up ODI 11015791 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11122934 · 2018-08-28 (August 28, 2018)
I WAS ENTERING A CITY STREET FROM A SHOPPING MALL. AS I FOUND A SMALL BREAK IN THE TRAFFIC I PULLED OUT AND ATTEMPTED TO ACCELERATE. MY CAR DID NOT CHANGE GEARS. I WAS FORCED TO PULL OFF THE ROAD QUICKLY TO PREVENT MY CAR FROM GETTING HIT FROM THE REAR. I HAD BEEN DRIVING AROUND ALL DAY ON THE INTERSTATE AND VARIOUS SHOPPING CENTERS WITHOUT ANY INDICATION SOMETHING WAS WRONG WITH MY CAR. I HAD IT TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP. THIS IS THE 2ND TRANSMISSION PROBLEM WITH THIS CAR IN 4 MONTHS WITH NOW WITH ONLY 27K MILES. IT HAS BEEN IN THE SHOP FO…
Owner-reported narrative. 27,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11122934 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11430409 · 2021-08-25 (August 25, 2021)
We purchased this vehicle in May 2016 and from the beginning had strange issues with the engine. It was in and out of the dealer with them trying to figure out the exact problem. They could not, so they contacted GM for approval for an engine replacement. We were concerned about going this route but were assured it would be taken care of for the life of the car. After the replacement in July 2016, the car seemed to be better but other weird issues arose. The engine always made a squealing noise that we were told was fine. We have done all…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11430409 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11488300 · 2022-10-07 (October 7, 2022)
Driving on the highway and abs, stabltrack and steering lights came on. This is the third time in 2 years that a wheel bearing failed on this vehicle. A magnet ring in the wheel bearing that sensors wheel speed failed and fractured causing a loss of power steering, abs, and traction control.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11488300 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11442752 · 2021-12-05 (December 5, 2021)
Water leaking into both front headlights results in dimming of headlights making it hard to see during nighttime driving and a real concern that the HID ballast wiring will short out causing complete loss of headlight operational function. There are many reports online of customers complaining that their HID headlights blew out due to water leakage and they were unable to see properly during nighttime driving. This is huge safety issue. Dealer Confirmed fault with both front headlight assemblies and verified significant water leakage into headl…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11442752 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11464140 · 2022-05-11 (May 11, 2022)
My car continues to run on battery. I’ve had the battery and alternator replaced
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11464140 at NHTSA ↗