2019 Buick Regal reliability

Is it reliable?

Owners have filed 19 complaints with NHTSA about the 2019 Buick Regal over 8 years — 2 per year. That is fewer complaints per year than most Regal years here — under the median of the other years, which is 3. NHTSA has 3 recalls on file, including Vacuum, Seats, and Caliper.

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

Complaints

Per year

Recalls

Years on the road

What owners report

The complaints owners file most often name Electrical system (7 of 19), then Powertrain (6) and Engine (3).

Next to 2018 and 2020

The 2018 Regal has 19 complaints, 3 per year, and the 2020 has 2 complaints, 0 per year. The 2019 has fewer complaints per year than the 2018. The 2019 has more complaints per year than the 2020.

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 2019 Buick Regal. How we count. Data as of 2026-10-16.

Recalls (3)

Recall hydraulic brakes, power assist, vacuum 2022-06-30 · NHTSA campaign 22V465000

Summary 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.

Recall Seats 2019-10-24 · NHTSA campaign 19V762000

Summary General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2019-2020 Buick Regal vehicles. The driver or passenger front seat frames may have a lower crossbar that was improperly welded.

Remedy GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the crossbar welds on the front seats. If the crossbar is improperly welded, the seat back frame will be replaced, free of charge. Interim notices informing owners of the safety risk were mailed November 26, 2019. Owners received a second notice and the recall began February 20, 2020. Owners may contact Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300. GM's number for this recall is N192278300.

Recall hydraulic brakes, foundation components, disc, caliper 2018-08-30 · NHTSA campaign 18V576000

Summary 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.

Complaints by component (19 total)

Electrical system

Powertrain

Engine

Seats

Service brakes

Suspension

Equipment

Fuel and propulsion system

Hydraulic brakes

Structure

Tires

Visibility

Wheels

Show 5 more Show less

Crash-flagged

Fire-flagged

Injury reports

Death reports

Complaints filed per year

Excerpts from recent NHTSA complaint filings

"The contact owns a 2019 Buick Regal. The contact stated that while driving 20 MPH, the accelerator pedal was depressed; however, the vehicle failed to accelerate as intended. The traction and check engine warning lights…"
Electrical system, Visibility · filed 2026-09-10
"Dear NHTSA, I am submitting a formal complaint regarding a 2019 Buick Regal, which I purchased as a used vehicle in 2023 with approximately 19,000 miles. Since owning the car, I have added only 14,000 miles, yet I have…"
Suspension, Powertrain, Electrical system · filed 2025-06-09
"My car has had suspension issues for 2 years and I have repeatedly taken the car to the dealership."
Suspension, Powertrain, Electrical system · filed 2025-06-06
"Intermittent Shift to Park Message Displayed While Vehicle in Park. See #19-NA-206 (through DTC B000A may not be set!). Caused by poor design of shift position switches! This is a KNOWN issue for many GM vehicles…"
Powertrain · filed 2025-04-22
"PCV system failed causing excess pressure to blow out the rear main seal and crankcase seal resulting in an oil leak. No lights and no codes were on the dashboard. The only symptom was a high pitched squealing sound…"
Powertrain, Engine · filed 2025-02-13

NHTSA crash ratings

Version	Overall	Front	Side	Rollover
2019 Buick Regal 5 HB FWD	Not rated	Not rated	Not rated	Not rated

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	Automatic (9-speed)	Front-wheel drive	22	32	26 MPG	$3050
Regal all-wheel drive	2L, 4-cyl	Automatic (8-speed)	All-wheel drive	21	29	24 MPG	$3300
Regal all-wheel drive	3.6L, 6-cyl	Automatic (9-speed)	All-wheel drive	19	27	22 MPG	$2950
Regal TourX all-wheel drive	2L, 4-cyl	Automatic (8-speed)	All-wheel drive	21	29	24 MPG	$3300

Specs and fitment

Fifth generation (Opel Insignia based), 2018–2020

Body styles Sedan, Wagon

Oil 0W-30 (2.0L turbo) , 6 qt capacity

Tire size 245/45R18 (common)

Known issues for this generation

Recall 22V465000 covers certain 2018-2020 Buick Regal vehicles where, if vacuum power brake assist fails, an electronic brake control module (EBCM) software error may also lose power brake assist (FMVSS 135); dealers update EBCM software. Recall 18V576000 covers certain 2018-2019 Regal vehicles (with Equinox, Impala, Cruze, Volt, Bolt EV, Terrain, LaCrosse, XTS, and Malibu) whose rear brake caliper pistons may have insufficient coating that can form gas pockets and reduce rear brake performance; dealers bleed the brake system. Recall 19V762000 covers certain 2019-2020 Regal vehicles whose driver or passenger front seat frames may have a lower crossbar that was improperly welded; dealers inspect the welds and replace the seat back frame as needed.

Compare

Previous year 2018 Buick Regal See every Buick Regal model year →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2019 Buick Regal reliable?

What are common problems with a 2019 Buick Regal?

The complaints owners file most often name Electrical system (7 of 19), then Powertrain (6) and Engine (3).

Is the 2019 Buick Regal more reliable than the years next to it?

The 2018 Regal has 19 complaints, 3 per year, and the 2020 has 2 complaints, 0 per year. The 2019 has fewer complaints per year than the 2018. The 2019 has more complaints per year than the 2020.

Has the 2019 Buick Regal been recalled?

The 2019 Buick Regal has 3 recalls on file with NHTSA. See the recalls table on this page for dates, components, and remedies.

How many complaints have owners filed about the 2019 Buick Regal?

Owners have filed 19 complaints about the 2019 Buick Regal with NHTSA.

What mpg does a 2019 Buick Regal get?

EPA-rated combined fuel economy for the 2019 Buick Regal is 24 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.