Total Complaints
61 filings
BUICK REGAL · model year
61 NHTSA complaints, and 1 active recall for this specific cohort.
NHTSA overall rating
5 / 5 ★
New Car Assessment Program
The 2016BUICKREGAL carries 61 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 0 crashes, 0 fires, 1 injury, and 0 fatalities. For crash performance, NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program gave this cohort an overall 5/5 rating, with 4/5 front crash, 5/5 side crash, and 4/5 rollover scores derived from standardized barrier and dynamic tests.
Component-level analysis is where model-year complaints become actionable: the top complaint category for the 2016 REGAL is steering with 10 filings, followed by electrical system (6) and unknown or other (5). Concentration in one or two component groups is the classic signature of a systemic defect; a flat distribution usually reflects normal aging, warranty complaints, or isolated build-plant variability. This model year has 1 active recall campaign, which means the manufacturer is obligated to remedy the covered defect at no charge for the life of the vehicle — the full NHTSA campaign numbers are listed below.
NHTSA currently has 1 investigation file overlapping the 2016 REGAL. Owners comparing this cohort against neighboring years should pair the counters above with the complaint-by-year trend on the parent model page — a spike in a single year often tracks to a platform refresh, a new transmission supplier, or an updated ECU calibration. Use the related-complaint feed below to read raw owner narratives before deciding whether any pattern here affects your specific use case.
Total Complaints
61 filings
Crashes Reported
0 reports
Source
NHTSA ODI
Federal complaints database
At or below the fleet median complaint volume.
| Component | Count |
|---|---|
| STEERING | 10 |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | 6 |
| UNKNOWN OR OTHER | 5 |
| POWER TRAIN | 5 |
| VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL | 5 |
| ENGINE | 5 |
| EXTERIOR LIGHTING | 4 |
| VISIBILITY/WIPER | 3 |
| SERVICE BRAKES | 3 |
| FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL | 2 |
| EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS | 2 |
| STRUCTURE:BODY | 2 |
| WHEELS | 2 |
| FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM | 1 |
| SUSPENSION | 1 |
STEERING:ELECTRIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM
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.
My Buick stops when driving unknown when itâs a surprise lights and dash go off almost got hit took to mechanics itâs the 2016-17 âthrow away motorâ ad they call it does not last and getsâmetal piecesâ to ruin motor and turbo as I have noticed speed issues and dying unexpectedly itâs the regal turbo 2.0 v-6 motor a should be recall Iâve seen online since at mechanic and a large issue why no recall and Iâm reporting this ty
My Buick stops when driving unknown when itâs a surprise lights and dash go off almost got hit took to mechanics itâs the 2016-17 âthrow away motorâ ad they call it does not last and getsâmetal piecesâ to ruin motor and turbo as I have noticed speed issues and dying unexpectedly itâs the regal turbo 2.0 v-6 motor a should be recall Iâve seen online since at mechanic and a large issue why no recall and Iâm reporting this ty
My Buick stops when driving unknown when itâs a surprise lights and dash go off almost got hit took to mechanics itâs the 2016-17 âthrow away motorâ ad they call it does not last and getsâmetal piecesâ to ruin motor and turbo as I have noticed speed issues and dying unexpectedly itâs the regal turbo 2.0 v-6 motor a should be recall Iâve seen online since at mechanic and a large issue why no recall and Iâm reporting this ty
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 there was a recall on it. When I checked I was told that my vin # was not included. I think it should have been because its the same problem.it is not safe to drive.
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 are aging terribly. I complained to Wittlins a few times about tires discoloration and the manager keeps telling me the tires are wearing fine and said discoloration is normal. Maybe a little discoloration but not like this and I do not even live in a warm climate. 235/50R18/SL (Tires)
I purchased the 2016 Buick Regal used in 2021 with 40,000 miles., it now has close to 70,000 miles. Itâs still in well cared for mint condition, except for the driver side headlight. Condensation appeared and has been getting worse, dealership says the only option is buying another complete headlight assembly for $1200.00. The LED part of that headlight has stopped working., itâs inevitable that the bulbs themselves with fail also. This is a safety issue. Itâs absurdly cost prohibitive for me and most everybody else to spend that kind of money to fix a headlight.., and $1200.00 is the cost of the part alone, weâd be adding labor to that. This is a manufacturer defect that so many people are suffering with. They say weâre getting no relief from this because not enough people have filed complaints to the NHTSA. GM should be compelled to provide this part to us at a much more reasonable price. Iâm just a poor widower dad with a daughter in college. Thank you.
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 failure occurred intermittently. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or the dealer. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but provided no assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 43,000.
Mileage: 43,000
The contact owns a 2016 Buick Regal. The contact stated while driving 35-40 MPH, the check engine warning light illuminated, and the vehicle started sputtering. The contact veered to the side of the road and turned off the vehicle for 5-10 minutes. The contact stated that upon restarting the vehicle, the failure was no longer present. The contact drove to the residence. The contact stated that the failure recurred while driving. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that the cylinder #1 coil pack and spark plug needed to be replaced. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where all the coil packs and sparks plugs were replaced; however, the failure recurred several days later. The vehicle was taken back to the independent mechanic, where it was determined that the failure was related to TSB Number: 16-NA-383 (Engine and Engine Cooling). The dealer was contacted and informed the contact that the TSB was VIN specific, and the vehicle was not covered. The
Mileage: 85,900
My head lamps have water in them, and is making my lights too dim to
The contact owns a 2016 Buick Regal. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed during rainy weather, and making a left or right turn, the steering wheel intermittently made a grinding and clicking sound. No warning lights were illuminated. The dealer was notified of the failure and the contact was made aware of NHTSA Campaign Number: 16V108000 (Steering). The vehicle was then taken to another dealer however, the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact was advised to call the manufacturer. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and the contact was advised to call the NHTSA Hotline. The failure mileage was approximately 127,000.
Mileage: 127,000
The contact owns a 2016 Buick Regal. The contact stated that condensation and moisture was present inside the front headlight assemblies, which caused the headlight illumination to be diminished and created a visibility hazard while driving at night. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer who diagnosed that the front headlight assemblies were faulty and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 90,000.
Mileage: 90,000
Condensation on passenger headlight. (80%) Just noticed condensation on driver side (15%)
While driving down the highway at 60 mph with myself my husband and my 7 year old son my steering wheel locked up and then jolted very hard to the left. Got the car pulled to side of the road the power assist warning started flashing this all happened Saturday October 22, 2022. It had never happened before turned the car off and checked fluids they were filled to where they needed to be started the car it was just fine. This morning on October 24 2022 my husband headed to work driving 55 and again the steering wheel locked and power steering assist appeared. I have not gotten this checked but very scared to drive with my son in the car as this could cause a very bad accident and no other problems with the car. I called Buick October 25, 2022 they said this model did have a recall but my VIN number was not one included in the power steering assist recall.
Driving on the highway and abs, stabltrack and steering lights came on. This is the third time in 2 years that a wheel bearing failed on this vehicle. A magnet ring in the wheel bearing that sensors wheel speed failed and fractured causing a loss of power steering, abs, and traction control.
Driving on the highway and abs, stabltrack and steering lights came on. This is the third time in 2 years that a wheel bearing failed on this vehicle. A magnet ring in the wheel bearing that sensors wheel speed failed and fractured causing a loss of power steering, abs, and traction control.
Driving on the highway and abs, stabltrack and steering lights came on. This is the third time in 2 years that a wheel bearing failed on this vehicle. A magnet ring in the wheel bearing that sensors wheel speed failed and fractured causing a loss of power steering, abs, and traction control.
I was driving down the highway at 75 mph with my kids in the car and the vacuum pump for the brakes went out which caused my brake pedal to seize up and car brakes would not work while in traffic. I was barely able to get off the highway and get the car to stop. This issue with the pump failing also put debris into the motor and caused motor failure. There was no warning lights on the dash and car was running normal and then all the sudden no brakes out of nowhere. Car is now in a mechanic garage to be fixed. This issue put not only my life and my childrens lives in GREAT danger but also the drivers around me. GM currently has a massive recall for this same issue on other models but my Buick regal is not on the list.
Mileage: 107,860
I was driving down the highway at 75 mph with my kids in the car and the vacuum pump for the brakes went out which caused my brake pedal to seize up and car brakes would not work while in traffic. I was barely able to get off the highway and get the car to stop. This issue with the pump failing also put debris into the motor and caused motor failure. There was no warning lights on the dash and car was running normal and then all the sudden no brakes out of nowhere. Car is now in a mechanic garage to be fixed. This issue put not only my life and my childrens lives in GREAT danger but also the drivers around me. GM currently has a massive recall for this same issue on other models but my Buick regal is not on the list.
Mileage: 107,860
My car continues to run on battery. Iâve had the battery and alternator replaced
The contact owns a 2016 Buick Regal. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the steering wheel seized while turning the vehicle. Additionally, the vehicle experienced a loss of motive power. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but informed the contact that there was no recall associated with the VIN and advised the contact to file a complaint with the NHTSA. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 16V108000 (Steering) however, the VIN was not included in the recall. The failure mileage was approximately 117,000.
Mileage: 117,000
Data as of 2025. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) complaints database, NHTSA recall campaign API, NHTSA NCAP crash-test ratings, and NHTSA FARS for fatality cross-reference.
Read our methodology — how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.