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Buick Regal — Years to Avoid

Reliability breakdown of every Buick Regal model year. Based on NHTSA owner complaints, federal recalls, and safety investigations.

Model Years
48
Years to Avoid
2018, 2017, 2016, 2015, 2014, 2013, 2012, 2011
Best Years
2007, 2006, 1984, 1983, 1982, 1981, 1980, 1979, 1978, 1977, 1976, 1975, 1974, 1973
2020
3 complaints2 recalls579 TSBs
2019
29 complaints3 recalls665 TSBs
2018Avoid
33 complaints3 recalls1 invest.891 TSBs
2017Avoid
26 complaints0 recalls1044 TSBs
2016Avoid
61 complaints1 recalls1203 TSBs
2015Avoid
50 complaints0 recalls1517 TSBs
2014Avoid
50 complaints2 recalls1745 TSBs
2013Avoid
130 complaints5 recalls2 invest.1876 TSBs
2012Avoid
137 complaints6 recalls2 invest.1743 TSBs
2011Avoid
438 complaints4 recalls1519 TSBs
2010
2 complaints0 recalls296 TSBs
2009
1 complaints0 recalls190 TSBs
2008
1 complaints0 recalls180 TSBs
2007Best Year
0 complaints0 recalls
2006Best Year
0 complaints0 recalls
2005
8 complaints0 recalls446 TSBs
2004
94 complaints4 recalls440 TSBs
2003
139 complaints5 recalls424 TSBs
2002
150 complaints5 recalls2 invest.404 TSBs
2001
229 complaints8 recalls2 invest.397 TSBs
2000
245 complaints10 recalls3 invest.335 TSBs
1999
301 complaints8 recalls3 invest.101 TSBs
1998
376 complaints7 recalls6 invest.84 TSBs
1997
174 complaints8 recalls6 invest.102 TSBs
1996
273 complaints4 recalls6 invest.43 TSBs
1995
218 complaints8 recalls1 invest.60 TSBs
1994
146 complaints3 recalls40 TSBs
1993
118 complaints2 recalls2 invest.22 TSBs
1992
204 complaints2 recalls2 invest.13 TSBs
1991
303 complaints7 recalls10 invest.9 TSBs
1990
107 complaints9 recalls10 invest.6 TSBs
1989
150 complaints8 recalls11 invest.4 TSBs
1988
181 complaints11 recalls12 invest.1 TSBs
1987
28 complaints3 recalls6 invest.
1986
14 complaints5 recalls5 invest.
1985
10 complaints9 recalls6 invest.
1984Best Year
6 complaints5 recalls3 invest.
1983Best Year
4 complaints1 recalls
1982Best Year
1 complaints2 recalls1 invest.
1981Best Year
0 complaints3 recalls1 invest.
1980Best Year
0 complaints6 recalls1 invest.
1979Best Year
3 complaints5 recalls1 invest.
1978Best Year
1 complaints7 recalls2 invest.
1977Best Year
0 complaints4 recalls
1976Best Year
0 complaints2 recalls
1975Best Year
0 complaints2 recalls
1974Best Year
0 complaints2 recalls
1973Best Year
0 complaints1 recalls

How we calculate this

Each year receives a composite risk score based on NHTSA owner complaints, federal recalls, safety investigations, and technical service bulletins. Years scoring more than 2x the model's average are flagged as “years to avoid.” Years in the lowest risk bracket are marked as “best years.” All data is sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).

Which Buick Regal Years Should You Avoid?

Based on federal safety data, the 2018, 2017, 2016, 2015, 2014, 2013, 2012, 2011 Buick Regal are the most problematic years, with significantly higher rates of owner complaints, recalls, and safety investigations compared to other model years.

If you're shopping for a used Buick Regal, consider the 2007, 2006, 1984, 1983, 1982, 1981, 1980, 1979, 1978, 1977, 1976, 1975, 1974, 1973 model years — these have the fewest reported issues relative to other years.

48 model years analyzed