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2017 Buick Regal Brakes Problems

Owner-reported complaints naming the brake system, filed with NHTSA

Data refreshed

Brakes reportsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
12
Latest Mar 25, 2025
Share of all reportsThis category as a share of every owner report on file for this model year. One report can name more than one component, so the categories overlap.
60%
of 20 total
Crash or fire reportedReports in this category whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. The reporter's own answer on the NHTSA form, not a verified finding.
2
Injuries or deaths reportedTotals the submitters entered on their own reports in this category. Not verified by NHTSA and not a casualty statistic.
1

What this page shows

Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake. Every record below is an owner-reported complaint about the 2017 Buick Regal submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 12 reports on file name it.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

Owner reports naming brake

Shown in the owner’s own words, exactly as filed

Brakes
Filed Mar 25, 2025

Noticed a recall regarding Buick Regal concerning break issues causing the valve to not operate correctly. Possibly the electronic break module not working properly and an update needed along with some parts. Recently the break valve was replaced because the break assist failed. Now, after running the vehicle for more than an hour or sometimes two, the same thing happens. My thoughts are that this affecting more vehicles than just the ones that were recalled.

NHTSA ID
11650657
Incident
Mar 25, 2025
Brakes
Filed Nov 7, 2024

The contact owns a 2017 Buick Regal. The contact stated while driving approximately 15 MPH, the braking system suddenly malfunctioned and the brake pedal was firm while depressed, causing the braking distance to be extended. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer who diagnosed that the brake vacuum pump had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The contact stated that the failure had previously occurred, and the vacuum pump was replaced by the dealer; however, the failure reoccurred. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was offered. The failure mileage was approximately 100,000.

NHTSA ID
11624072
Incident
Oct 21, 2024
Mileage
100,000 mi
Brakes
Filed Apr 22, 2024

The contact owns a 2017 Buick Regal. The contact stated while driving 80-85 MPH downhill and depressing the brake pedal, the brake pedal was rigid, failed to lower as needed, and the vehicle failed to respond. The Brake Assist warning light was illuminated. The contact stated that upon depressing the brake pedal harder, the brake pedal slightly travelled down and bounced back. Additionally, the steering wheel shuddered, and the vehicle failed to respond. The contact allowed the vehicle to gradually decelerate independently. The contact was able to drive to her destination at slower speeds. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V465000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic) however, the VIN was not included. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where a fee was charged for diagnostic testing. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 165,000.

NHTSA ID
11584466
Incident
Apr 21, 2024
Mileage
165,000 mi
BrakesDriver assistance
Filed Oct 12, 2023

I was driving on the interstate going up the mountain and my 2017 Regal started to choke going up the incline. I was pressing my gas to the floor and nothing when this happened I quickly pulled off to the side when I tapped my brakes they felt as if I was pressing on a concrete block. I was able to stop but it was pretty scary. I had no cell phone reception going up this mountain in the dark late at night, I had to slowly drive the car home which was a good 20 minutes to go. Turns out according to my dad my brake vacuum pump busted apart so he replaced the part, he bought a GM certified part. This happened again just this past week it’s been a month and a half since the first incident. I had to spend $600 on the same part and I took it to the dealership this time. The mechanic said the part I had gotten must’ve been a faulty part he couldn’t see what the issue was and why it again for the 2nd time going up the same mountain pretty much at the same spot it happened the first time. The only difference was this time I had no other issues happening I was using cruise control hardly used my brakes the entire trip when I pulled off the exit I tapped my brakes and again it was like I was pressing on concrete. Seems odd that this happened so close together. I’ve had a lot of issues with this car once it hit 100k in miles. Electrical issues, just weird random things happen briefly and then it’s fine.

NHTSA ID
11549599
Incident
Oct 1, 2023
Brakes
Filed May 19, 2023

The contact owns a 2017 Buick Regal. The contact stated while driving 35 MPH and approaching a traffic light, the contact depressed the brake pedal, but the vehicle failed to stop as needed. The contact stated he used the parking brake to stop the vehicle. The contact stated that the brake assist warning light was illuminated after the failure had occurred. The contact continued driving the vehicle at 5 MPH to a nearby gas station and continued to use the parking brake to stop the vehicle. The vehicle was not drivable. The contact towed the vehicle to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed with needing the brake vacuum pump to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was 51,528.

NHTSA ID
11522903
Incident
May 18, 2023
Mileage
51,528 mi
Brakes
Filed Apr 17, 2023
Crash reported

The contact owns a 2017 Buick Regal. The contact stated that while driving at 70 MPH, the brake pedal was depressed and traveled to the floorboard as the vehicle rear-ended another vehicle. It was unknown if any warning lights illuminated. The contact stated that no injuries were sustained. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to a collision repair facility. The contact stated he was unaware of the cause of the brake failure as well as what was repaired. The contact stated that the failure reoccurred in August of 2022 while driving at 70 MPH, the brake pedal was depressed and traveled to the floorboard as the vehicle rolled to a stop. The contact was once again unaware of any warning lights. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic where the vacuum brake booster and sensor were replaced. The contact stated that the failure reoccurred for a third time in April of 2023 while driving at 70 MPH, the brake pedal was depressed once again and traveled to the floor as the failed message " Vacuum Pump Brake Booster" was displayed. The vehicle was able to be driven to the contact's residence as he was awaiting a tow to the dealer for diagnosis and repairs. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that the vehicle was not included in a recall and opened a case. The contact was relating the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V465000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic) however, the vehicle year, make, and model was not included. The failure mileage was 70,509.

NHTSA ID
11517415
Incident
Nov 17, 2021
Mileage
70,509 mi
Brakes
Filed Sep 20, 2022

Brakes failed. This happened twice in 14 months. Vacuum Pump had to be replaced both times. The first time it happened it was sitting in a parking lot and we just started to pull out. The second time we were on a 4 lane highway in the fast lane and had to pull the car over through the lanes to the berm of the highway. No warning lights came on and no problems beforehand. The car has been well maintained and kept up to date with all maintenance.

NHTSA ID
11485472
Incident
Sep 17, 2022
Mileage
97,000 mi
Brakes
Filed Sep 19, 2022

The contact owns a 2017 Buick Regal. The contact stated while her son was exiting a parking spot at 5 MPH and depressing the brake pedal, the vehicle failed to stop the vehicle. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The contact stated that the vehicle rolled to a stop. The driver took the vehicle to an independent mechanic and was informed that the vacuum pump needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired but experienced the failure a second time on 9/17/2022. The contact took the vehicle to another independent mechanic and was informed that the vacuum pump needed to be replaced a second time. The vehicle was repaired. The contact stated that the local dealer was notified of the first failure but not the second failure. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 76,000.

NHTSA ID
11485307
Incident
Jul 30, 2021
Mileage
76,000 mi
Brakes
Filed Jul 25, 2022

The contact owns a 2017 Buick Regal. The contact stated while driving 80 MPH, the brake pedal seized while depressed, preventing the vehicle from immediately stopping. The brake assist warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where it was diagnosed with a brake vacuum pump failure. The dealer informed the contact that the exhaust camshaft needed to be replaced and the computer needed to be reset. The vehicle was not repaired and remained at the dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 65,000.

NHTSA ID
11475674
Incident
Jul 1, 2022
Mileage
65,000 mi
BrakesElectricalPowertrain (other)
Filed Jul 16, 2022
Fire reported1 injury reported

Vacuum Pump blew up forcing cam shaft sensor to blew out of engine and caused my brakes to fail. This happened at a stop sign. I proceed through the stop in front of a semi-tractor. Fortunately it was in front of the police station in(30mph) town zone and he was able to brake before killing me. My vehicle stopped before going through the front door of an auto shop, My Timing Cam is damaged and Shepherds is quoting $2600 to replace, plus an additional $800 already spent in replacing the vacuum pump. I’ve driven the car an additional 6 months with the cam sensor detached but the vehicle stalls when I slow or stop. This has caused additional hazardous situations. Person(s) will die if this defect is not addressed, it’s probably already happened. I have over 25 years in Automotive safety systems design and manufacture, this needs addressed immediately.

NHTSA ID
11474224
Incident
Jan 20, 2022
Mileage
118,140 mi
Brakes
Filed Jun 7, 2022

Three years in a row starting in 2020, the vacuum pump has gone out causing the brakes to malfunction (NO BRAKES). In 2020, I was coming off the freeway when the brakes went out. In 2021, the brakes went out on my daughter. June 2022, brakes out while grandson was driving. No accidents or injuries occurred. Just frazzled nerves.

NHTSA ID
11467933
Incident
Jun 4, 2022
Mileage
82,000 mi
Brakes
Filed Mar 3, 2022

The contact owns a 2017 Buick Regal. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the brake assists unexpectedly failed, and the brake pedal was firm while depressed. The contact was able to pull over and was awaiting a tow. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The vehicle had previously been serviced by an independent mechanic for a vacuum pump replacement. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 139,790.

NHTSA ID
11454993
Incident
Mar 3, 2022
Mileage
139,790 mi

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.

Elsewhere on this vehicle

Data sources

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