BUICK REGAL · model year

2017 BUICK REGAL

26 NHTSA complaints, 1 crash report for this specific cohort.

NHTSA overall rating

5 / 5 ★

New Car Assessment Program

The 2017BUICKREGAL carries 26 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 1 crash, 3 fires, 3 injuries, 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 2017 REGAL is service brakes, hydraulic with 7 filings, followed by service brakes (5) and unknown or other (4). 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.

NHTSA currently has 1 investigation file overlapping the 2017 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.

26
Complaints
1
Crashes
3
Fires
3
Injuries
0
Deaths
2017 BUICK REGAL — NHTSA crash-test profile NHTSA NCAP crash-test star ratings for the 2017 BUICK REGAL. Overall composite: 5.0 of 5 stars across 3 safety dimensions. Front CrashSide CrashRollover 5.0 NHTSA NCAP of 5 stars
  • Front Crash 4.0 ★
  • Side Crash 5.0 ★
  • Rollover 4.0 ★
NHTSA overall 5.0/5 stars, with front-crash, side-crash and rollover ratings from standardized NCAP barrier and dynamic tests.

Total Complaints

26 filings

Crashes Reported

1 reports

Source

NHTSA ODI

Federal complaints database

Complaints vs. fleet median (215)

At or below the fleet median complaint volume.

NHTSA NCAP overall: 5/5 — Top NCAP rating · Front: 4/5 · Side: 5/5 · Rollover: 4/5

Complaints by Component

ComponentCount
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC7
SERVICE BRAKES5
UNKNOWN OR OTHER4
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM3
EXTERIOR LIGHTING2
POWER TRAIN2
BACK OVER PREVENTION: SENSING SYSTEM: CAMERA1
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING1
STEERING1

Recent Complaints

20250325SERVICE BRAKES

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.

20250128ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

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.

20250128UNKNOWN OR OTHER

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.

20250128STEERING

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.

20241107SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

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.

Mileage: 100,000

20240422SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

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.

Mileage: 165,000

20231012SERVICE BRAKES

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 firs

20231012FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING

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 firs

20230519SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

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.

Mileage: 51,528

20230417CrashSERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

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 f

Mileage: 70,509

20220920SERVICE BRAKES

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.

Mileage: 97,000

20220919SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

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.

Mileage: 76,000

20220725SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

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.

Mileage: 65,000

20220716FireSERVICE BRAKES

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.

Mileage: 118,140

20220716FireELECTRICAL SYSTEM

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.

Mileage: 118,140

20220716FirePOWER TRAIN

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.

Mileage: 118,140

20220607UNKNOWN OR OTHER

The wave plate has failed inside the transmission causing the car to not go in reverse. I have done my research and this is a common problem with Buick models and should be recalled. The part is only 8 dollars but the transmission must be dropped in order to replace the part, which the labor is over 2,000 dollars which isn’t fair to the customers. Something should be done as soon as possible.

20220607SERVICE BRAKES

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.

Mileage: 82,000

20220603BACK OVER PREVENTION: SENSING SYSTEM: CAMERA

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.

Mileage: 50,000

20220521EXTERIOR LIGHTING

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

Compare 2017BUICKREGAL to Similar Vehicles

NHTSA Investigations

Frequently Asked Questions

How many complaints does the 2017 BUICK REGAL have?
The 2017 BUICK REGAL has 26 NHTSA complaints, 1 crashes, 3 fires, 3 injuries, and 0 deaths reported.
What is the safety rating for the 2017 BUICK REGAL?
The 2017 BUICK REGAL received an overall NHTSA safety rating of 5/5, front crash rating of 4/5, side crash rating of 5/5, and rollover rating of 4/5.
What are the most common problems with the 2017 BUICK REGAL?
The most-complained component for the 2017 BUICK REGAL is SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC with 7 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include SERVICE BRAKES and UNKNOWN OR OTHER.
Is the 2017 BUICK REGAL safe to buy?
Review the complaint history, crash and fire reports, safety ratings, and recall status on this page to make an informed decision. The 2017 BUICK REGAL has an NHTSA safety rating of 5/5. Compare with other model years using the links above.
Where does this data come from?
All complaint, recall, and safety rating data is sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Complaints are filed by vehicle owners through NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation.

Vehicle Safety Guides

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.