Buick Regal Years to Avoid — Worst & Best Years to Buy
Every Buick Regal model year (1992–2017) ranked by recall count, complaint volume, deaths, and injuries. Data sourced directly from NHTSA.
Buick Regal Years to Avoid
3 recalls · 214 complaints
8 reported injuries
Top issue: ENGINE
Problem score: 239
3 recalls · 201 complaints
Top issue: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Problem score: 210
3 recalls · 163 complaints
6 reported injuries
1 reported death
Top issue: ENGINE
Problem score: 189
Best Buick Regal Years to Buy
0 recalls · 2 complaints
Main area: ENGINE
Problem score: 2
0 recalls · 8 complaints
Main area: SUSPENSION:FRONT:HUB
Problem score: 10
0 recalls · 13 complaints
Main area: SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
Problem score: 13
Found the right year? Verify that specific Regal with a free VIN report.
Buick Regal — Year-by-Year Problem Report
| Year | Recalls | Complaints | Injuries | Deaths | Problem Score | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2017 | 0 | 13 | — | — | 13 | Excellent |
| 2016 | 0 | 38 | 1 | — | 40 | Good |
| 2015 | 0 | 25 | — | — | 25 | Good |
| 2014 | 2 | 32 | 1 | — | 40 | Good |
| 2013 | 4 | 60 | 7 | — | 86 | Caution |
| 2012 | 5 | 71 | — | — | 86 | Caution |
| 2011 | 3 | 214 | 8 | — | 239 | Avoid |
| 2010 | 0 | 2 | — | — | 2 | Excellent |
| 2009 | 0 | 0 | — | — | 0 | Excellent |
| 2008 | 0 | 0 | — | — | 0 | Excellent |
| 2007 | 0 | 0 | — | — | 0 | Excellent |
| 2006 | 0 | 0 | — | — | 0 | Excellent |
| 2005 | 0 | 8 | 1 | — | 10 | Excellent |
| 2004 | 1 | 47 | — | — | 50 | Good |
| 2003 | 2 | 80 | 4 | — | 94 | Caution |
| 2002 | 2 | 99 | 1 | — | 107 | Caution |
| 2001 | 3 | 107 | 3 | — | 122 | Caution |
| 2000 | 3 | 124 | 11 | — | 155 | Caution |
| 1999 | 3 | 163 | 6 | 1 | 189 | Avoid |
| 1998 | 3 | 201 | — | — | 210 | Avoid |
| 1997 | 4 | 88 | 2 | — | 104 | Caution |
| 1996 | 2 | 134 | 11 | — | 162 | Avoid |
| 1995 | 6 | 118 | 4 | — | 144 | Caution |
| 1994 | 3 | 91 | 4 | — | 108 | Caution |
| 1993 | 1 | 72 | 3 | 2 | 91 | Caution |
| 1992 | 2 | 129 | 6 | 1 | 152 | Caution |
All 26 model years shown. Deaths and injuries from NHTSA complaint filings. Higher problem scores indicate more reported safety issues.
Buick Regal Shopping Guide by Era
2013–2017
Best: 2017Mid-decade Regal units are entering high-mileage territory. Inspect carefully for powertrain wear and verify recall completion status. The 2017 shows the lowest problem count for this era.
Pre-2013
Proceed with CautionOlder Regal models have more accumulated wear and a larger recall history. These are higher-risk purchases without documented maintenance records and a clean VIN history report.
Frequently Asked Questions
What year Regal should I avoid?+
Avoid the 2011 Buick Regal if possible. It has 3 recalls, 214 owner complaints. The overall problem score is 239 — the highest in our dataset.
What is the best year Regal to buy?+
The 2010 Buick Regal is the lowest-risk year in our analysis, with a problem score of 2. It has only 0 recalls and 2 complaints on record with NHTSA.
Which Regal has the fewest problems?+
The 2010, 2005, 2017 model years have the fewest documented problems. Even for low-problem years, verifying a specific vehicle's history via its VIN is always recommended before purchase.
More Buick Regal Research
Check a Specific Buick Regal VIN
Model-year rankings show statistical risk. A VIN-specific report reveals the individual vehicle's full history — accidents, odometer rollbacks, auction records, and open recall status.
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