2016 Buick Regal problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Steering (9) · Vehicle Speed Control (4) · Visibility/Wiper (3)
🧭 Reliability snapshot
Compared against other Buick Regal model years — complaint volume vs the model's median year, recalls and severity. How we score →
🛣️ Complaints by mileage
21 NHTSA complaints that reported an odometer reading.
Safety recalls (1)
Steering:electric Power Assist System 2016-02-24 · campaign 16V108000 · 74 vehicles
Defect: 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.
Risk: A loss of power steering assist may increase the risk of a crash.
Fix: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the electric belt drive rack and pinion steering gear assembly, free of charge. The recall began on March 21, 2016. Owners may contact Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300. GM's number for this recall is 21510.
Service bulletins (1,213)
Technical service bulletins are repair instructions manufacturers send dealers for known issues. Unlike recalls, the fix is not automatically free — but naming the bulletin at the service desk can save diagnosis time and support goodwill repairs.
Unknown Or Other 2026-09-26 · PIT5698F · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this pi provides diagnostics tips on how the lin bus works and how to diagnosis it.
Unknown Or Other 2026-09-04 · PIP4902W · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this preliminary information advises a dealer on how to email gds2 session logs into technical assistance.
Unknown Or Other 2026-07-21 · PIT5099J · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
pi to help diagnose a/c concern
Unknown Or Other 2026-05-19 · PIP6113 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this document provides the technician with a diagnostic tip if the vehicle stalls and set diagnostic trouble code p0191 and may also set p0172. the diagnostic tip has the technician inspect the high pressure fuel pump body markings to confirm it is an original manufacture part. if it is not an origi
Unknown Or Other 2026-04-01 · PIT3271Q · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this preliminary information communicates information about how to determine if a wheel and tires size change is available.
Unknown Or Other 2026-03-09 · PIP6104 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this preliminary information communicates the steps on how to save a gds2 session log and upload to a technical assistance case in cx connect.
Showing the 6 most recent of 1,213 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2025-06-18 · Wheels“my buick stops when driving unknown when it’s a surprise lights and dash go off almost got hit took to mechanics it’s the 2016-17 “throw away motor” ad they call it does not last and gets”metal pieces” to ruin motor and turbo as i have noticed speed issues and dying unexpectedly it’s the regal turbo 2.0 v-6 motor a should be recall i’ve seen online…”
2025-02-12 · Steering“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 sam…”
2024-09-25 · Tires“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 ti…”
2024-05-19 · Exterior Lighting“i purchased the 2016 buick regal used in 2021 with 40,000 miles., it now has close to 70,000 miles. it’s 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 head…”
2024-05-16 · Steering · 43,000 mi“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…”
2024-04-25 · Engine And Engine Cooling · 85,900 mi“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 d…”
2023-08-02 · Exterior Lighting“my head lamps have water in them, and is making my lights too dim to…”
2023-06-08 · Steering · 127,000 mi“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:…”
2023-01-30 · Exterior Lighting:headlights · 90,000 mi“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 fa…”
2022-12-20 · Electrical System“condensation on passenger headlight. (80%) just noticed condensation on driver side (15%)…”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.