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2018 Buick Regal: problems, recalls and reliability

3 recalls and 19 owner complaints on record; most reports concern service brakes.

Data updated weekly · latest recall Jun 2022

3
recalls
19
owner complaints
0
fire reports
-
typical failure mileage, mi

All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.

Among the quietest Regal years (#22 of 23 by complaints, age-adjusted)No fire reports

Common problems

Computed from 19 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.

Limited data: only 19 complaints on record for this model year - too few for percentage statistics. Bars show raw report counts; read them as individual owner reports, not reliability rates. For a fuller picture, check nearby model years.
Service Brakes (brakes)7 complaints
Engine (engine mechanics)2 complaints
Power Train (transmission, axles, driveline)2 complaints
Seats1 complaint
Vehicle Speed Control (unintended acceleration, cruise control)1 complaint
Air Bags (airbags and crash sensors)1 complaint
My car was part of recall number 22V465, which was supposed to fix a problem with the electronic brake assist system. The recall repair was done in 2023, but after my battery recently died, the same problem has come back - my brakes are very firm, and I have to press hard to stop. The car is showing trouble codes C028F:04, C1586:04, and V0420:71, all related to the electronic brake control module.Owner report · Service Brakes · Oct 2025
This issue is related to the gear shifter on the vehicle. When stopping the car and putting it into park the dashboard shows the message "Shift to Park." this vehicle has only 50,000 miles on it and this issue cause safety issues as the battery on the vehicle will drain as the car can't be turned off with this message. This issue has been reported for this vehicle in NHTSA Bulletin #10252775. However, the manufacturer is stating that it doesn't link to the cars VIN #. With 10 years + of vehicles in the GM family showing this issue and the issue being all over the internet, the issue must be reported for this vehicle.Owner report · Unknown Or Other · Mar 2025
Was driving home from work and my brakes suddenly stopped working, if I press all the way down on the brakes they somewhat work. Checked brake fluid and brake lines and everything seems fine. Could this be from vacuum power brake assist fail?Owner report · Service Brakes · Oct 2024
Show 7 more owner reports
The contact owns a 2018 Buick Regal equipped with General Tires, Tire Line: Unknown, Tire Size: 245/45R18, and DOT Number: Unknown. The contact stated that after traveling over 3,000 miles and driving at an undisclosed speed, upon reaching his destination, he became aware that an abnormal buddle had developed on the side wall of the front passenger side tire. The tire was taken to the dealer, who determined that the bubble was the result of the vehicle having been driven over a pothole. All four tires were replaced. The tires were not original to the vehicle. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 29,500.Owner report · Tires · Nov 2023
Increased stopping distance during certain brake vacuum loss events. My check engine light goes on and off periodically. When I'm at a red light my whole car shuts off and goes into a neutral mode then once I press the brake it starts back up.Owner report · Service Brakes · Nov 2023
The contact owns a 2018 Buick Regal. The contact stated that the front driver's side seat failed to move forward or backward. The contact took the vehicle to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed with needing the front driver's seat metal frame to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 85,164.Owner report · Seats · Nov 2022
The contact owns a 2018 Buick Regal. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V465000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic) however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact stated while attempting to depress the brake pedal excessive amount of pressure was needed to depress the brake pedal to bring the vehicle to a stop. The failure was more evident while reversing the vehicle. The failure was intermittent. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 28,000. VIN tool confirms parts not available.Owner report · Service Brakes, Hydraulic · Feb 2022
The check engine light is always on and has not been diagnosed (as of yet) by Circle Buick - Highland, IN. There is an auto-engine-shutoff feature when the vehicle stops at traffic lights, and when you resume driving there can be a lengthy delay and/or an engine & transmission jolt after the brake pedal is released. The vehicle must be retested every two years for emissions compliance for IN, but cannot do so because of the check engine light never going off. This is a safety issue not to get hit from behind in local traffic. [XXX] INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).Owner report · Engine · Feb 2021
Steering wheel jerks back on auto start after auto stop. Extremely dangerous the issues happened while driving and at random. Reported the issue early february 2020 again in early may 2020 after failure to duplicate the issue by the service department.reported the issue again early october after the issue was worse. According to gm field specialist the steering rack was the issue, it was replaced but the issue was still persistent and they continued to have the vehicle for about a month. Vehicle was returned back to me with a sharpening noise and a steering wheel going left. Have not heard back for repairs.Owner report · Power Train · Feb 2020
While on the highway I came to a stop due to an accident. Once I got through the accident I tried to speed up and the vehicle was hesitant to speed up. This is very dangerous because acceleration is necessary to merge with traffic.Owner report · Vehicle Speed Control · Sep 2019

When filing, owners marked a crash in 5 of these complaints and injuries in 4 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.

Recalls - 3 campaigns

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:POWER ASSIST:ELECTRIC:CONTROL MODULE:SOFTWARE22V465000 · Jun 2022

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."

Remedy: Dealers will update the EBCM software, free of charge. Interim owner notification letters advising owners of the safety risk were mailed on August 19, 2022. Owner notification letters were mailed September 16, 2022. Owners may contact Buick's customer service at 1-800-521-7300.

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:CALIPER18V576000 · Aug 2018

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.

Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will bleed the vehicle's brake system, free of charge. The recall began October 11, 2018. Owners may contact Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300, Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006, Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, or GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is 18279.

SEAT BELTS:REAR/OTHER18V230000 · Apr 2018

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.

Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the rear outboard seat belts, correcting the routing of the seat belts as necessary, free of charge. The recall began May 14, 2018. Owners may contact Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300. GM's number for this recall is 18117.

How other years compare

Check your exact Regal by VIN

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Frequently asked questions

Is the 2018 Buick Regal reliable?

NHTSA has 19 owner complaints and 3 recall campaigns on record for the 2018 Buick Regal. The most complained-about area is service brakes.

Does the 2018 Buick Regal have open recalls?

3 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning service brakes, hydraulic:power assist:electric:control module:software. Check your specific vehicle by VIN - recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.