Makes›Buick›Regal›2011

2011 Buick Regal

Trims, performance, features, fuel economy, safety and known problems — with the pros and cons against similar 2011 models.

Buick Regal
Pictured: 2020 Buick Regal Sportback (United States) front view (cropped). Photo: AJM STUDIOS, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Class
Midsize Cars
Body styles
4dr Sedan Cxl/Cxl Turbo
Engines
2.0L 4-cyl turbo, 2.4L 4-cyl
Drivetrain
Front-Wheel Drive
Fuel
FFV, Regular Gasoline
MPG (best)
24 combined · 20 city / 31 hwy
Length
190.6 in
Curb weight
3,600 lb
NHTSA rating
Not rated
Recalls
4 campaigns

Overview

The 2011 Buick Regal is a midsize car offered with 2 engines (2.0L 4-cyl turbo and 2.4L 4-cyl) and front-wheel drive.

It measures about 191 inches long and 73 inches wide on a 108-inch wheelbase, with a curb weight of roughly 3,600 lb.

EPA rates its most efficient version at 24 MPG combined (20 city / 31 highway), 3% better than the 2011 midsize car average of 23.2 MPG, for an estimated $2,800 a year in fuel.

NHTSA has not published a 5-Star overall rating for this model year.

It has 4 recall campaigns on file and owners have filed 238 complaints with NHTSA since 2015, most often about the engine.

Dimensions & weight

BodyLengthWidthHeightWheelbaseTrack F / RCurb weightWeight F/R
4dr Sedan Cxl/Cxl Turbo190.6 in73.2 in58.3 in107.9 in62.6 / 62.6 in3,600 lb58/42

Transport Canada CVS (Open Government Licence – Canada), Canadian-market figures.

Will it fit your garage? Check with your measurements →

Engines, MPG & running costs

VersionEngineTransmissionDriveCity / Hwy / Combvs. classFuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
Regal FFV2.0L 4-cyl turboManual 6-spdFront-Wheel Drive20 / 31 / 24+3%$2,800370
Regal2.4L 4-cylAutomatic (S6)Front-Wheel Drive19 / 30 / 23-1%$2,900386
Regal FFV2.0L 4-cyl turboAutomatic (S6)Front-Wheel Drive18 / 28 / 21-9%$3,200423
Spend $2,000Fuel over 5 years vs. average new car
23.2 MPG2011 Midsize Cars average

EPA estimates; "vs. class" is combined MPG against the 2011 EPA class average. How we calculate this →

Safety ratings & technology

NHTSA has not published 5-Star ratings for the 2011 Buick Regal.

Similar 2011 midsize cars

ModelBest MPG / rangeNHTSA overallRecalls
2011 Buick Regal (this car)24 MPGNot rated4
2011 Honda Accord26 MPGNot rated9
2011 Chevrolet Impala23 MPGNot rated2
2011 Toyota Camry33 MPGNot rated5
2011 Nissan GT-R17 MPGNot rated0
2011 Chevrolet Malibu26 MPGNot rated3
2011 Nissan Leaf73 miNot rated0

Recalls (4)

Seats › Front Assembly › Power Adjust · Jul 7, 2016

NHTSA campaign 16V517000 · 42,984 vehicles

Problem
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2011 Buick Regal vehicles manufactured November 3, 2009, to March 25, 2011, equipped with 8-way power adjustable front seats. The power seat wiring harness may contact the seat frame, causing the wires to chafe.
Risk
Chafed harness wires may cause a short circuit, increasing the risk of a fire.
Fix
GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and secure the wiring harness, and repair any chafed wires as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on March 13, 2017. Owners may contact Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300. GM's number for this recall is 30710.
Electrical System › Ignition · Jul 5, 2016

NHTSA campaign 16V502000 · 8,367 vehicles

Problem
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2016-2017 Buick Verano and 2016 Chevrolet Malibu as the electronic park lock lever may allow the ignition key to be removed without the transmission being in PARK. Also, certain 2013 Buick Encore, 2011 Buick Regal, 2013-2014 Buick Verano, 2011-2016 Chevrolet Cruze, 2010-2013 Chevrolet Equinox 2013-2015 Chevrolet Malibu, and 2011-2013 GMC Terrain vehicles may have been serviced with similar defective replacement electronic park lock levers. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 114, "Theft Protection and Rollaway Prevention."
Risk
If the key is removed without the transmission in PARK, the vehicle may rollaway as occupants are exiting, increasing the risk of injury.
Fix
GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and if necessary replace the key cylinder lock housing, free of charge. The recall began on October 14, 2016. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, Buick 1-800-521-7300, and GMC 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is 50490 and 50491.
Seats › Front Assembly › Power Adjust · Jul 23, 2014

NHTSA campaign 14V447000 · 414,333 vehicles

Problem
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2011-2012 Buick LaCrosse, Regal and Chevrolet Camaro, as well as certain 2010-2012 Cadillac SRX, Chevrolet Equinox and GMC Terrain vehicles, equipped with power height adjustable driver and passenger seats. In the affected vehicles, the bolt that secures the driver's and passenger's power front seat height adjuster may fall out causing the seat to drop suddenly to the lowest vertical position.
Risk
If the driver's seat unexpectedly drops, the distraction and altered seat position may affect the drivers' control of the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix
GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the height adjuster shoulder bolts, free of charge. The manufacturer distributed interim letters to owners on September 11, 2014. The recall began on December 26, 2014. Owners may contact GM customer service at 1-800-521-7300 (Buick), 1-800-458-8006 (Cadillac), 1-800-222-1020 (Chevrolet), or 1-800-462-8782 (GMC). GM's number for this recall is 14271.
Exterior Lighting › Turn Signal · Oct 4, 2012

NHTSA campaign 12V484000 · 120,426 vehicles

Problem
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2011-2013 Buick Regal and model year 2013 Chevrolet Malibu vehicles. These vehicles are equipped with two turn signal bulbs in each front turn signal. If one of the two front turn signal bulbs burn out in either front turn signal lamp, there is no indication to the driver. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment."
Risk
If the driver is not aware that a turn signal is not functioning properly, the driver may continue to drive the vehicle. If half of a front turn signal is not illuminating, other driver's may not be aware that the affected vehicle is turning, thereby increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix
GM will notify owners, dealers will update the body control module software, free of charge. The recall began in September 2014. Owners may contact Buick at 1-800-521-7300 or Chevrolet at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is 12212.
Check your VIN for open recalls at NHTSA ↗

Not every 2011 Buick Regal is affected — only a VIN check confirms your car.

Owner-reported problems

238Complaints to NHTSA since 2015
4Involved a crash
7Involved a fire
5Injuries reported
73,500 miTypical mileage at failure
Engine101
Electrical System63
Exterior Lighting34
Power Train32
Service Brakes28
Seats23
Electronic Stability Control (Esc)18
Steering15
Complaints received per month (last 24 months with reports)
21/04: 121/05: 321/06: 121/07: 621/08: 221/09: 321/11: 122/01: 122/03: 122/05: 122/07: 322/08: 122/09: 122/12: 123/02: 123/03: 123/06: 123/10: 423/12: 124/02: 124/04: 125/10: 126/05: 126/09: 121/0421/0721/1122/0522/0923/0323/1225/10max 6

Unverified owner reports; best-sellers collect more.

Used 2011 Buick Regal buyer's checklist

  1. Run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. 4 recalls this year — ask for proof of repairs.
  2. Engine — 101 owner reports. Cold-start the engine, listen for knocking, and watch for warning lights or hesitation on acceleration.
  3. Electrical System — 63 owner reports. Test every window, lock, light, screen and USB port; check the battery age.
  4. Exterior Lighting — 34 owner reports. Check all exterior lights, wipers and the windshield for cracks.
  5. Mileage to watch. Owners typically reported problems around 73,500 miles; ask what was repaired near that point.
  6. Before you pay: service records, a history report and an independent inspection.

Generated by DecodedCars from NHTSA recalls and owner complaints for the 2011 Buick Regal. Not a substitute for a professional inspection.

Other Regal years

Compare all years →
YearMPG (best)LengthOverallRecallsComplaints
2020 Regal26192.9 inNot rated26
2019 Regal26192.9 inNot rated320
2018 Regal26192.9 inNot rated333
2017 Regal24190.6 inNot rated020
2016 Regal28190.6 inNot rated141
2015 Regal28190.6 inNot rated033
2014 Regal28190.6 inNot rated238
2013 Regal29190.6 inNot rated686
2012 Regal28190.6 inNot rated779

Sources: EPA, NHTSA, Transport Canada, Wikimedia Commons. Not affiliated with NHTSA, the EPA or Buick. How we calculate this →