Reliable Auto DB

2016 Buick Regal reliability

Is it reliable?

Owners have filed 41 complaints with NHTSA about the 2016 Buick Regal over 11 years — 4 per year. That is more complaints per year than most Regal years here — over the median of the other years, which is 3. NHTSA has 1 recall on file, including Electric power steering.

2012 Buick Regal
Photo by Zoerides, resized from the original. Wikimedia Commons CC BY-SA 4.0
Complaints

41

Per year

4

Recalls

1

Years on the road

11

What owners report

The complaints owners file most often name Steering (10 of 41), then Electrical system (6) and Exterior lighting (6). Those filings include 1 that reports an injury.

Next to 2015 and 2017

The 2015 Regal has 33 complaints, 3 per year, and the 2017 has 20 complaints, 0 per year. The 2016 has more complaints per year than the 2015. The 2016 has more complaints per year than the 2017.

The complaint rate is complaints filed in this year’s first 3 years on the road, divided by however many of those years have passed. Recalls are a separate count. The numbers are for the US-market 2016 Buick Regal. How we count. Data as of .

Recalls (1)

Recall Electric power steering 2016-02-24 · NHTSA campaign 16V108000
Summary General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2016 Buick Regal Vehicles manufactured August 30, 2015, to February 12, 2016. The affected vehicles have a power-steering assist system that may fail.
Remedy GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the electric belt drive rack and pinion steering gear assembly, free of charge. The recall began on March 21, 2016. Owners may contact Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300. GM's number for this recall is 21510.

Complaints by component (41 total)

Steering
10
Electrical system
6
Exterior lighting
6
Engine
5
Powertrain
5
Speed control
5
Service brakes
3
Structure
3
Visibility and wipers
3
Forward collision avoidance
2
Wheels
2
Electronic stability control (ESC)
1
Engine and engine cooling
1
Fuel and propulsion system
1
Hydraulic brakes
1
Suspension
1
Tires
1
Show 9 more Show less
Crash-flagged

0

Fire-flagged

0

Injury reports

1

Death reports

0

Complaints filed per year

22016620173201812019220209202192022320234202422025
Excerpts from recent NHTSA complaint filings
  • "My Buick stops when driving unknown when it’s a surprise lights and dash go off almost got hit took to mechanics it’s the 2016-17 “throw away motor” ad they call it does not last and gets”metal pieces” to ruin motor and…"
    Speed control, Wheels, Engine · filed 2025-06-18
  • "My steering failed and started pulling left into traffic. It was hard to keep it in my lane. Had to have it towed by AAA. Took to my mechanic and he said it was the electric belt drive rack &pinion steering. He told me…"
    Steering · filed 2025-02-12
  • "My tires were Black when I bought them at Wittlins in Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin in 2020. They have been continualy turning brown on the outside of tire. Now they are a beige color on the outside of tire. It seems the…"
    Tires · filed 2024-09-25
  • "I purchased the 2016 Buick Regal used in 2021 with 40,000 miles., it now has close to 70,000 miles. It’s still in well cared for mint condition, except for the driver side headlight. Condensation appeared and has been…"
    Exterior lighting · filed 2024-05-19
  • "The contact owns a 2016 Buick Regal. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle lost power steering functionality and the vehicle became difficult to steer. The contact stated that the…"
    Steering · filed 2024-05-16

NHTSA crash ratings

Version Overall Front Side Rollover
2016 Buick Regal 4 DR AWD 5 stars 4 stars 5 stars 4 stars
2016 Buick Regal 4 DR FWD 5 stars 4 stars 5 stars 4 stars
2016 Buick Regal eAssist 4 DR FWD 5 stars 4 stars 5 stars 4 stars

Stars are how this vehicle did in NHTSA crash tests. They are a safety result, separate from the complaint record. Not rated means that test was not run for this version.

Fuel economy

Trim Engine Transmission Drive City Hwy Combined Annual fuel cost
Regal 2L, 4-cyl Manual 6-speed Front-wheel drive 20 30 24 MPG $2700
Regal 2L, 4-cyl Automatic (6-speed) Front-wheel drive 21 29 24 MPG $2700
Regal 2.4L, 4-cyl Automatic (6-speed) Front-wheel drive 19 30 23 MPG $2800
Regal all-wheel drive 2L, 4-cyl Automatic (6-speed) All-wheel drive 19 27 22 MPG $2950
Regal eAssist 2.4L, 4-cyl Automatic (6-speed) Front-wheel drive 24 35 28 MPG $2300

Specs and fitment

Fourth generation, 2012–2017
Body styles Sedan
Oil 5W-30 (all temps); 0W-30 below −29 °C , 5 qt capacity
Tire size 235/50R18 (base/Premium), 245/40R19 (GS)

Known issues for this generation

Recall 20V764000 covers certain 2012-2013 Buick Regal vehicles (with 2013 Malibu and 2010-2013 LaCrosse) sold or ever registered in salt-belt states whose rear toe links may have received excessive electrocoating that can lead to corrosion; dealers replace the rear suspension toe links and adjuster fasteners. Recall 26V113000 covers certain 2012-2013 Regal Turbo and GS vehicles in the same salt-belt states for improper corrosion protection on the rear suspension toe links, with the same replacement remedy. Recall 12V484000 covers certain 2012-2013 Regal vehicles (with 2013 Malibu) whose body control module software may not detect a burned-out front turn-signal bulb when only one of two bulbs fails; dealers update BCM software. Recall 13V173000 covers certain 2012-2013 Regal vehicles equipped with eAssist (with LaCrosse and Malibu Eco) whose Generator Control Module may not function properly, which can gradually lose battery charge; dealers test and replace the GCM as needed.

Compare

Previous year 2015 Buick Regal Next year 2017 Buick Regal See every Buick Regal model year →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2016 Buick Regal reliable?

Owners have filed 41 complaints with NHTSA about the 2016 Buick Regal over 11 years — 4 per year. That is more complaints per year than most Regal years here — over the median of the other years, which is 3. NHTSA has 1 recall on file, including Electric power steering.

What are common problems with a 2016 Buick Regal?

The complaints owners file most often name Steering (10 of 41), then Electrical system (6) and Exterior lighting (6). Those filings include 1 that reports an injury.

Is the 2016 Buick Regal more reliable than the years next to it?

The 2015 Regal has 33 complaints, 3 per year, and the 2017 has 20 complaints, 0 per year. The 2016 has more complaints per year than the 2015. The 2016 has more complaints per year than the 2017.

Has the 2016 Buick Regal been recalled?

The 2016 Buick Regal has 1 recall on file with NHTSA. See the recalls table on this page for dates, components, and remedies.

How many complaints have owners filed about the 2016 Buick Regal?

Owners have filed 41 complaints about the 2016 Buick Regal with NHTSA.

What mpg does a 2016 Buick Regal get?

EPA-rated combined fuel economy for the 2016 Buick Regal is 24.2 MPG. See the fuel economy table on this page for city and highway figures by engine and transmission.

What oil does a fifth-generation Buick Regal take?

0W-30 for the 2.0L turbo; capacity about 6 qt—confirm in the owner’s manual.

Is there a rear suspension recall on 2012-2013 Regals?

Recalls 20V764000 and 26V113000 cover certain 2012-2013 Regals in salt-belt states for rear toe links with inadequate corrosion protection; dealers replace the toe links.