Buick Regal Years to Avoid — Worst & Best Years to Buy

Q: What year Regal should I avoid?

Based on NHTSA recall and complaint data, the 2011 Buick Regal has the most documented problems with a problem score of 242 — driven by 4 recalls, 214 complaints.

Q: What is the best year Regal to buy?

The 2010 Buick Regal is the best-scoring year in our analysis with a problem score of only 2, meaning 0 recalls and 2 complaints on record.

Q: Which Regal has the fewest problems?

The 2010, 2005, 2017 model years have the fewest reported problems in the NHTSA database. Always verify a specific vehicle's history with a VIN report before purchasing.

Every Buick Regal model year (1992–2017) ranked by recall count, complaint volume, deaths, and injuries. Data sourced directly from NHTSA.

Years Tracked

Total Recalls

1914

Total Complaints

Reported Injuries

Reported Deaths

Buick Regal Years to Avoid

#1 WORST

2011

4 recalls · 214 complaints

8 reported injuries

Top issue: ENGINE

Problem score: 242

#2 WORST

1998

3 recalls · 201 complaints

Top issue: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

Problem score: 210

#3 WORST

1999

4 recalls · 163 complaints

6 reported injuries

1 reported death

Top issue: ENGINE

Problem score: 192

Best Buick Regal Years to Buy

#1 BEST

2010

0 recalls · 2 complaints

Main area: ENGINE

Problem score: 2

#2 BEST

2005

0 recalls · 8 complaints

Main area: SUSPENSION:FRONT:HUB

Problem score: 10

#3 BEST

2017

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	1	38	1	—	43	Good
2015	0	25	—	—	25	Good
2014	1	31	1	—	36	Good
2013	5	60	7	—	89	Caution
2012	6	70	—	—	88	Caution
2011	4	214	8	—	242	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	2	47	—	—	53	Good
2003	4	80	4	—	100	Caution
2002	4	99	1	—	113	Caution
2001	6	107	3	—	131	Caution
2000	8	124	11	—	170	Avoid
1999	4	163	6	1	192	Avoid
1998	3	201	—	—	210	Avoid
1997	3	88	2	—	101	Caution
1996	1	134	11	—	159	Avoid
1995	2	118	4	—	132	Caution
1994	2	91	4	—	105	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: 2017

Mid-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 Caution

Older 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 4 recalls, 214 owner complaints. The overall problem score is 242 — 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

Reliability Score

Overall reliability rating and score breakdown for the Buick Regal.

Common Problems

Full breakdown of every reported defect for the Buick Regal.

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.

Run a Free VIN Report →