2017 Buick Regal Problems
Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component
Data refreshed
What this page shows
Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 2017 Buick Regal, grouped by the component NHTSA recorded on the report. These are not confirmed defects, and they are not recalls. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a category with more reports in it is not evidence that a part is defective.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
Reports by component
Ranked by how many owner reports name each component category
- Brakes1254.5%
- Electrical313.6%
- Driver assistance29.1%
- Exterior lighting29.1%
- Powertrain (other)29.1%
- Steering14.5%
Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.
Each component in detail
What the reports in each category say, in the owners' own words
Brakes
Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake.
From owner reports, verbatim
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.
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.
Electrical
Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.
From owner reports, verbatim
When i turn the car off the key will not allow me to remove it from ignition to the proper position to remove the key. This is a safety hazzard. I have to mess with the brakes, steering wheel and parking console and keep starting and turning off the car to get key removed. The dealer said they could not locate the problem however several of your other GM vehicles are having this issue. Please assist. I am being stranded in the dark in the cold with a car i cannot leave the key in or someone could steal the car, the doors will not lock with key in ignition.
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.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Driver assistance
Reports naming forward-collision avoidance, lane keeping, back-over prevention, cruise control and related electronic driver-assistance systems.
From owner reports, verbatim
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.
The contact owns a 2017 Buick Regal. The contact stated that the rearview camera would fail to activate while reversing. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the human interface module failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and advised the contact that they could not assist as there were no open recalls associated with the VIN. The failure mileage was approximately 50,000.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Exterior lighting
Reports naming headlights, tail lights, turn signals and other exterior lighting.
From owner reports, verbatim
HID HEADLIGHTS MOISTURE ACCUMULATION INSIDE HOUSING MANUFACTURING DEFECT CAUSE IS EITHER A CRACK IN HEADLIGHT HOUSING OR SEAL COULD CAUSE DAMAGE TO BULBS AND/OR BALLAST/WIRING
I PURCHASED A CPO 2017 BUICK REGAL SPORTS TOURING EDITION ON 11/13/2020. ON 12/12/2020 I TOOK IT TO GET WASHED AT A HAND CARWASH AS I DO WITH ALL MY VEHICLES. I HAD TO WAIT FOR MY REAL LICENSE PLATE TO ARRIVE AS THE PAPER/TEMP ONE WOULD HAVE BEEN RUINED. AFTER THE CAR WAS FINISHED, I NOTICED THAT THERE WAS A SUBSTANTIAL AMOUNT OF CONDENSATION WITH IN MY PASSENGER SIDE HEADLAMP. AFTER ARRIVING HOME, I RESEARCHED AND FOUND THIS IS A KNOWN ISSUE THAT HAS BEEN GOING ON FOR APPROX. 10 YEARS WITH THESE SPECIFIC VEHICLES. I WENT AND LOOK AT THE CAR AGAIN AND FOUND THERE TO BE A CRACK IN THE HOUSING WHICH APPEARS TO ME TO BE A MANUFACTURING DEFECT. THIS IS MOST DEFINITELY A SAFETY HAZARD AS MY RESEARCH SHOWS THAT IT HAS BEEN BLOWING PEOPLES BALLAST AND BULB CAUSING A DANGEROUS SITUATION FOR BOTH DRIVER, PASSENGER AND OTHERS AROUND INCLUDING PEDESTRIANS. IT ALSO SHOWS THAT WIRES WITH THESE HEAD ASSEMBLIES HAVE BEEN MELTING MAKE IT MORE LIKELY AS A POTENTIAL FIRE HAZARD. I CHECK THE DRIVER SIDE AS WELL AND IT APPEARS TO BE ON THE VERGE OF CRACKING AS WELL AS THE PICTURES SHOW.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Powertrain (other)
Powertrain reports that are not specifically the engine or transmission — driveshafts, axles, transfer cases and differentials.
From owner reports, verbatim
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.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 BUICK REGAL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE SHUDDERED WHILE SHIFTING GEARS. SERPENTINI CHEVROLET BUICK OF ORVILLE (1107 N MAIN ST, ORRVILLE, OH 44667) WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED THREE TIMES WITH AN OIL CHANGE WHILE TWO UNKNOWN TRANSMISSION PARTS WERE REPLACED. THE MECHANIC WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A TRANSMISSION SPECIALIST WHO DUPLICATED THE TRANSMISSION FAILURE. THE INDEPENDENT MECHANIC CONTACTED THE DEALER AND INFORMED THEM OF THE RESULT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER CONTACTED THE DEALER AND WAS INFORMED THAT THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG WITH THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 19,500.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Steering
Reports naming the steering system — racks, columns, power-steering assist and steering linkage.
From owner reports, verbatim
When i turn the car off the key will not allow me to remove it from ignition to the proper position to remove the key. This is a safety hazzard. I have to mess with the brakes, steering wheel and parking console and keep starting and turning off the car to get key removed. The dealer said they could not locate the problem however several of your other GM vehicles are having this issue. Please assist. I am being stranded in the dark in the cold with a car i cannot leave the key in or someone could steal the car, the doors will not lock with key in ignition.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
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
- NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation — owner-reported complaints and the components recorded on them
Data on this page last refreshed .