Last updated: 2026-07-25

2018 Buick Regal
RELIABILITY SCORE: 74/100 (GOOD)

2018 Buick Regal Reliability Report

The 2018 Buick Regal scores 74/100 ("Good"). With 3 recalls and 19 owner complaints, reliability is acceptable but not class-leading.

Recalls

3

Complaints

19

Complaint Rate

13.5per 10,000 sold

Est. Repair Cost

$563

Annual Fuel Cost

$2,750–$3,100

Detailed Score Breakdown

Complaint Severity65/100

Component-weighted complaints normalized by sales volume

Repair Costs80/100

Independent repair cost ratings

Recall Impact75/100

Recall count weighted by severity

Issue Diversity81/100

Breadth of reported problem categories

The Verdict

Consider

Acceptable reliability — worth considering with a pre-purchase inspection.

Top Issues to Watch

  • SERVICE BRAKES (5)
  • ELECTRICAL SYSTEM (3)
  • VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL (2)

Generation & Refresh (US)

Post-Refresh

2018 is 4 years after the minor facelift refresh.

  • Year 8 in the Fifth generation (2008) (2011–2020).
  • Well-established in its generation — most early issues should be resolved.
  • 5th generation Regal (US).

What this means for buyers

Post-refresh years tend to be among the most refined — updates have been applied and early kinks worked out.

2011: Fifth generation (2008) Launch

Generation start — new platform.

2014: Mid-Cycle Refresh

Updated features and styling tweaks.

2018: This Model Year

2018 is 4 years after the minor facelift refresh.

Should You Buy the 2018 Buick Regal?

At 74/100, the 2018 Buick Regal lands in "Good" territory — acceptable, but not class-leading. 2018 is 4 years after the minor facelift refresh.

Owners log 19 complaints on this model year — enough to suggest attention is needed, but no single failure mode dominates yet.

Get a pre-purchase inspection on any used example, with extra attention to service brakes (4). An extended warranty is worth pricing out.

Compared to the 2019 Buick Regal, which scored 1 points lower.

Pros

  • +Acceptable reliability score
  • +Infrequent unscheduled repairs
  • +Low major repair risk (12%)
  • +Below-average complaint rate for Sedan

Cons

  • Moderate recall count
  • SERVICE BRAKES: Excessive pressure needed to depress the brake pedal, which is often more... (5 complaints)
  • ELECTRICAL SYSTEM issues reported (3 complaints)

Compare 2018 Buick Regal With

Common Problem Categories

Safety

LOW RISK
  • 3 manufacturer recalls issued

Other

HIGH RISK
  • SERVICE BRAKES (5)
  • ELECTRICAL SYSTEM (3)

See detailed breakdown by component ↓

Recall Overview

3

recalls on record

A moderate 3 recalls are on file for the 2018 Buick Regal. Each one points to a specific safety or compliance issue identified by the manufacturer or NHTSA — check the list below before buying.

NHTSA.gov →

Complaint Breakdown

13.5

per 10,000 sold

Segment avg: 24.4

LowAvgHigh
Moderate

Safety Incidents

5

Crashes

0

Fires

4

Injuries

0

Deaths

Data sourced from NHTSA complaint filings and manufacturer recall notices. Complaint narratives are owner-reported.

2018 Buick Regal Recall Details

3 recalls have been issued for the 2018 Buick Regal. All recall repairs are performed free of charge at authorized dealerships.

18V2300002018-04-12

SEAT BELTS

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2018 Buick Regal vehicles. During the manufacturing process, the rear seat belts may have been improperly routed around the bolster bracket on the rear outboard seats, which can cause inadequate restraint of the passengers.

Consequence

If the seat belt fails to adequately restrain the passengers in a crash, it can increase the risk of injury.

Remedy

GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the rear outboard seat belts, correcting the routing of the seat belts as necessary, free of charge. The recall began May 14, 2018. Owners may contact Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300. GM's number for this recall is 18117.

18V5760002018-08-30

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Chevrolet Equinox, Impala, Cruze, Volt and Bolt EV vehicles, GMC Terrain vehicles, Buick Lacrosse and Regal vehicles, Cadillac XTS and XTS Professional vehicles and 2018 Chevrolet Malibu vehicles. The rear brake caliper pistons may have an insufficient coating causing gas pockets to form, potentially reducing rear brake performance.

Consequence

A reduction of braking performance can increase the risk of a crash.

Remedy

GM will notify owners, and dealers will bleed the vehicle's brake system, free of charge. The recall began October 11, 2018. Owners may contact Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300, Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006, Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, or GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is 18279.

22V4650002022-06-30

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2018-2020 Buick Regal vehicles. In the event of a vacuum-power brake assist failure, a software error in the electronic brake control module (EBCM) may result in a loss of power brake assist. As such, these vehicles fail to conform to Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 135, "Light vehicle brake systems."

Consequence

A loss of power brake assist can extend the distance required to stop the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy

Dealers will update the EBCM software, free of charge. Interim owner notification letters advising owners of the safety risk were mailed on August 19, 2022. Owner notification letters were mailed September 16, 2022. Owners may contact Buick's customer service at 1-800-521-7300.

VIN History Report

Buying a used 2018 Buick Regal? Check its history first

Every 2018 Buick Regal has a different past. A VIN check reveals hidden accidents, title problems, odometer rollbacks, and open recalls that reliability scores can't show you.

Affiliate link — we may earn a commission at no cost to you. No VIN? Just hit “Check VIN” to look one up.

  • Accidents
  • Open Recalls
  • Title History
  • Odometer Rollback

2018 Buick Regal NHTSA Safety Ratings

Crash Test Results by Configuration (expand)

Gas Powertrain

Rollover risk: 0.0%

Safety Technologies

Dynamic Head Restraints (Not Available)Head Restraint (Driver, Front Passenger, Rear Seat)Advanced Belt Feature (Standard)Adjustable Upper Belt Anchorage (Rear Seat)Seat Belt Reminder System (Driver, Front Passenger)Frontal Air Bag (Driver, Front Passenger)Curtain (Driver, Front Passenger, Rear Seat)Torso (Rear Seat)Pelvis/Torso (Driver, Front Passenger)Knee (Driver, Front Passenger)Additional Air Bags (Not Available)Meets Side Air Bag Out-of-Position Requirements (Yes)LATCH Locations (Rear Seat)Safety Power Windows (Anti-Pinch) (Standard)Safety Power Windows (Anti-Pinch) locations (Driver, Front Passenger)
View full safety data on NHTSA.gov →

Buick RegalRepair Costs & Maintenance

Maintenance Rating

4Maintenance rating: 4 out of 5

Based on NHTSA complaint patterns, recall severity, and publicly available cost benchmarks.

Est. Annual Maintenance

$563

vs $526 avg for midsize cars

vs $652 avg for all vehicles

Repair Frequency

0.2

unscheduled repair visits per year

Severe Repair Probability

12%

chance of a major repair

Annual Cost Comparison

Regal
$563
Category Avg
$526
All Vehicles
$652

Category-level averages derived from publicly available industry reports (AAA, CarMD). Model-level estimates produced by Auto Reliability Index.

MPG & Annual Running Costs

Gas

22–26 MPG

Running cost: $3,300–$3,650/yr

Fuel + repair

19–22 city / 27–32 hwy MPG

Running cost includes EPA fuel-cost estimate and independent repair-cost data (repair cost estimated at model level). Excludes routine maintenance, depreciation, and insurance. Data as of 2018 EPA label cycle.

Gas trims
TrimDriveTrans.CityHwyCombFuel Cost
Regal AWD 3.6L 6-cylAll-Wheel DriveAutomatic (S9)192722$2,750
Regal 2.0L 4-cylFront-Wheel DriveAutomatic (S9)223226$2,850
Regal AWD 2.0L 4-cylAll-Wheel DriveAutomatic (S8)212924$3,100
Regal TourX AWD 2.0L 4-cylAll-Wheel DriveAutomatic (S8)212924$3,100

Used Buying Checklist

Key things to inspect or verify before purchasing a 2018 Buick Regal.

  • Inspect brake pedal firmness and ensure proper brake function

  • Check for persistent check engine light and perform a diagnostic scan

  • Test auto-engine-shutoff feature for delays or jolts when restarting

  • Verify gear shifter does not display 'Shift to Park' message when parked

  • Ensure reversing camera guide lines appear consistently

  • Check climate control system for moisture issues affecting visibility

2018 Buick Regal Common Problems by Component

19 owner complaints grouped by vehicle system.

5
3
2
2
3
SERVICE BRAKES (5)ELECTRICAL SYSTEM (3)VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL (2)UNKNOWN OR OTHER (2)TIRES (1)SEAT BELTS (1)SEATS (1)STEERING (1)Other (3)

SERVICE BRAKES

5 complaintsSafety-related

Owners of the 2018 Buick Regal report issues with the service brakes, particularly involving excessive pressure needed to depress the brake pedal, which is often more pronounced when reversing. Some complaints are linked to recall number 22V465000, addressing the electronic brake assist system, with issues persisting even after recall repairs. Reported symptoms include firm brakes and trouble codes related to the brake control module, often occurring around 28,000 miles. Safety implications are significant, with two incidents involving crashes, one resulting in an injury. Buyers should be aware of these potential brake system issues when considering this vehicle.

5 complaints total2 crashes1 injury

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

3 complaints

Owners of the 2018 Buick Regal frequently report issues related to the vehicle's electrical system, specifically involving the check engine light and auto-engine-shutoff feature. Complaints describe the check engine light remaining persistently on, preventing emissions testing and causing delays or jolts when the vehicle restarts from a stop. Additionally, some owners experience the car shutting off and going into neutral at red lights, which resumes once the brake is pressed. Another common issue involves the gear shifter displaying a "Shift to Park" message, which prevents the car from turning off and can lead to battery drain, particularly noted around 50,000 miles. These issues present potential safety implications, such as increased stopping distances and risk of rear-end collisions due to unexpected engine behavior.

3 complaints total

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

2 complaintsSafety-related

Owners of the 2018 Buick Regal report issues with vehicle speed control, including unintended acceleration and hesitation to accelerate. One complaint describes a crash occurring when the vehicle unexpectedly accelerated while the brake was applied, resulting in a collision with a pole at a drive-thru. Another complaint highlights hesitation in acceleration when attempting to merge into highway traffic after stopping. The mileage at which these incidents occur is reported at approximately 169 miles for the crash incident. These reports suggest potential safety implications, especially in situations requiring precise speed control.

2 complaints total1 crash
UNKNOWN OR OTHER (2 complaints)

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

2 complaints

Owners of the 2018 Buick Regal report issues with the reversing camera and the climate control system. The reversing camera intermittently loses its guide lines, which reappear when shifting from neutral back to reverse. This issue is noted to occur daily and is linked to vehicles with multiple safety features. Additionally, during cold weather, the climate control system reportedly throws moisture into the cabin, leading to significant visibility impairment, even when the defrost is on maximum. This problem has been reported to occur repeatedly since early 2020, with no resolution from service departments. These issues present potential safety concerns, particularly the visibility impairment while driving.

2 complaints total
TIRES (1 complaints)

TIRES

1 complaint
2023-11-15

The contact owns a 2018 Buick Regal equipped with General Tires, Tire Line: Unknown, Tire Size: 245/45R18, and DOT Number: Unknown. The contact stated that after traveling over 3,000 miles and driving at an undisclosed speed, upon reaching his destination, he became aware that an abnormal buddle had developed on the side wall of the front passenger side tire. The tire was taken to the dealer, who determined that the bubble was the result of the vehicle having been driven over a pothole. All four tires were replaced. The tires were not original to the vehicle. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 29,500.

SEAT BELTS (1 complaints)

SEAT BELTS

1 complaintSafety-related
2023-08-14Crash reported2 injuries

On Monday, August 14th, at approximately 5 pm, my wife and I were traveling in our 2018 Buick Regal towards a red streetlight. I began applying my brakes to come to a stop. I was several car lengths behind a vehicle that was up ahead. My car's engine then revved up and our vehicle kept on going and jerking front and back although I was applying the brakes. Our car failed to stop so I struck the stationary vehicle. I kept on applying the brakes, but the car kept on going and jerking until I struck the car in front a second time. Our vehicles engine continued to revve up and the brakes continued to fail and I struck the rear end of the car in front of me again. The other driver crossed the intersection with us traveling right behind with no control over our vehicle. When we crossed the intersection there was an incline, so this slowed down our car since our brakes did not work, I pulled the steering wheel to the right towards the cement curb, then I put the transmission into Park, then the car's engine revved up once again and made a loud noise. Both vehicles sustained damage. I then was able to turn the engine off. This action was the only maneuver which stopped our car. Both my wife and I had injuries which we were checked at a hospital emergency room. We have our vehicle parked at our home's driveway and it it available for inspection. The fact that our vehicle's brakes failed to function placed me and my passenger and others at risk. My wife called our dealership the following day, and a manager stated we needed to report this incident. Our vehicle has not been inspected at this point. There were no symptoms of the problem that appeared other than the engine making a sound like increasing in speed and the brakes failing. At the hospital I was diagnosed with a concussion. My wife was diagnosed with neck pain since her head kept snapping back and forth and hitting the dashboard area and the headrest. The seatbelts plus the airbags also failed to properly function.

SEATS (1 complaints)

SEATS

1 complaint
2022-11-26

The contact owns a 2018 Buick Regal. The contact stated that the front driver’s side seat failed to move forward or backward. The contact took the vehicle to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed with needing the front driver's seat metal frame to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 85,164.

STEERING (1 complaints)

STEERING

1 complaint
2020-02-02

STEERING WHEEL JERKS BACK ON AUTO START AFTER AUTO STOP. EXTREMELY DANGEROUS THE ISSUES HAPPENED WHILE DRIVING AND AT RANDOM. REPORTED THE ISSUE EARLY FEBRUARY 2020 AGAIN IN EARLY MAY 2020 AFTER FAILURE TO DUPLICATE THE ISSUE BY THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT.REPORTED THE ISSUE AGAIN EARLY OCTOBER AFTER THE ISSUE WAS WORSE. ACCORDING TO GM FIELD SPECIALIST THE STEERING RACK WAS THE ISSUE, IT WAS REPLACED BUT THE ISSUE WAS STILL PERSISTENT AND THEY CONTINUED TO HAVE THE VEHICLE FOR ABOUT A MONTH. VEHICLE WAS RETURNED BACK TO ME WITH A SHARPENING NOISE AND A STEERING WHEEL GOING LEFT. HAVE NOT HEARD BACK FOR REPAIRS.

POWER TRAIN (1 complaints)

POWER TRAIN

1 complaint
2020-02-02

WHILE BEING DRIVEN THE VEHICLES TRANSMISSION FAILS TO SHIFT GEARS WHILE RPMS ARE REGISTERED THE TRANSMISSION FAILS TO RESPOND AND LACKS POWER. I WAS FORCED TO SHIFT MANUALLY TO TRY AND GET THE GEARS TO SHIFT WITH NO LUCK AFTER QUICKLY MAKING THE SWITCH BETWEEN AUTOMATIC TO MANUAL TWICE THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION RESPONDED WITH A LOUD CLANK AS IF THE SEMI BEHIND ME HAD HIT ME AND THE RESPONDED WITH ACCELERATION. THE ISSUE WAS REPORTED FIRST EARLY FEBRUARY 2020 AGAIN IN EARLY MAY 2020 AND RECENTLY EARLY OCTOBER 2020 SERVICE DEPARTMENT FAILS TO DUPLICATE ISSUE. MY DASHCAM CAPTURED VIDEO WHILE BEING DRIVEN BY THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT EXPRESSING THE STRANGE FEELING THE TRANSMISSION WOULD GIVE THEM WITH TORQUE AND SHIFTS.

AIR BAGS (1 complaints)

AIR BAGS

1 complaintSafety-related
2018-10-23Crash reported1 injury

VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION: 'DRIVING THROUGH AN EMPTY PARKING LOT. 'FOLLOWED ROAD AROUND THE BUILDING. 'BLINDED BY SUNLIGHT. 'HIT STATIONARY POLE HEAD ' ON. WEATHER CONDITIONS : HEAVY RAIN : PRIOR TO 2:00PM LIGHT RAIN AND SUNSHINE BETWEEN : 2:45PM AND 3:04PM FAULT OR PROBLEM DESCRIPTION: KNEE / LOWER EXTREMITY AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT. HIGH RISK OF LOWER EXTREMITY INJURY FOR BOTH IN-POSITION AND OUT-OF-POSITION SMALL FEMALE DRIVERS. MY LEFT FOOT WAS FORCED UPWARD DUE TO THE FORCE OF CRASH. THE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED WITH SUCH FORCE, IT SNAPPED MY LEFT FOOT DOWNWARD. THE RESULT IS A LEFT ANKLE DISLOCATED AND SEVERE LEFT TIBIA / FIB FRACTURE. BASICALLY, I BROKE EVERY BONE IN MY LEFT FOOT APART FROM MY HEEL AND TOES. SURGERY, MONDAY, NOVEMBER 5, 2018: OPEN REDUCTION / INTERNAL FIXATION (ORIF) WITH LEFT BIMALLEOLAR ANKLE FRACTURE / DISLOCATION WITH CLOSE MANAGEMENT TALUS FRACTURE / SUBTALAR SURGERY. I NOW HAVE A PLATE AND SIX (6) SCREWS INSIDE THE BONE TO HOLD THEM IN THE CORRECT PLACE SO THE BONES DO NOT HEAL ABNORMALLY. THE ORTHOPEDIC SURGEON INFORMED ME, DUE TO THIS TYPE OF INJURY, ARTHRITIS WILL SET IN MY ANKLE. I MAY WANT TO CONSIDER ANKLE FUSION SURGERY IN THE FUTURE. THE FUSION SURGERY WOULD HELP REDUCE THE CHRONIC PAIN. FUSION SURGERY WOULD RESULT THE INABILITY TO USE MY ANKLE, I.E., TO FLEX, POINT, BEND ANKLE, AND ROTATE THE ANKLE AT ALL. THE FUSION SURGERY IS PERMANENT. COMPONENT PART OR SYSTEM THAT MAY BE THE CAUSE OF THE SAFETY RISK: DRIVER LOWER EXTREMITY RESPONSE AND INJURY WITH KNEE AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION AND EVIDENCE RELATED TO YOUR COMPLAINT: WILL BE SCANNED AND SENT LATER.

When Do 2018 Buick Regal Problems Start?

Based on owner complaint patterns, here's when common issues tend to appear.

28,000–29,000 milesService brakes failure
50,000 milesElectrical system failures

Best & Worst Buick Regal Years

Comprehensive reliability analysis based on NHTSA data, owner complaints, and historical performance.

Best Buick Regal Years to Buy

The best Buick Regal year is 2020 with a reliability score of 75/100, rated good. Other strong picks include 2018 (74/100) and 2019 (73/100).

Top Pick
75
Good

2020

2Recalls
2Complaints
74
Good

2018

(Current Model)

3Recalls
19Complaints
73
Good

2019

3Recalls
18Complaints

Buick Regal Years to Avoid

No Buick Regal years are statistical outliers in our data.

All model years score consistently well. The Buick Regal maintains one of the highest industry standards for long-term durability across its entire production span.

Buick Regal Reliability Score Trend

Buick Regal reliability has remained consistent across model years, averaging 74/100.

Scores 0–100. Higher is better. Current year highlighted.

Buick Regal reliability scores by year
YearScoreRating
201874/100Good
201973/100Good
202075/100Good

Buick Regal Reliability Compared to Other Years

Reliability scores compared across model years
YearScorevs Prior YearRatingRecallsComplaints
202075/100+2Good22
201973/100-1Good318
2018(selected)74/100Good319

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the 2018 Buick Regal reliable?
The 2018 Buick Regal has a "Good" reliability rating with a score of 74/100. It is reasonably reliable with 3 recalls and 19 owner complaints, though some issues have been reported.
What are the most common problems with the 2018 Buick Regal?
The most commonly reported problems with the 2018 Buick Regal include: SERVICE BRAKES (5 complaints), ELECTRICAL SYSTEM (3 complaints), VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL (2 complaints), UNKNOWN OR OTHER (2 complaints), TIRES (1 complaints). These issues were identified from owner complaints analyzed by Auto Reliability Index.
How many recalls does the 2018 Buick Regal have?
The 2018 Buick Regal has 3 recalls on record. Recalls are safety or compliance fixes issued by the manufacturer and repaired at no cost at authorized dealerships.
Is the 2018 Buick Regal expensive to maintain?
The 2018 Buick Regal has estimated annual repair costs of $563/year, which is $37 more than the midsize cars average of $526. With a reliability score of 74/100, some repairs may be needed, but overall ownership costs are manageable.

Don’t buy a 2018 Buick Regal without checking its VIN first — hidden accidents, title issues, and open recalls could cost you thousands.

Affiliate link — we may earn a commission at no cost to you.

Look Up a VIN →

How We Calculate Reliability Scores

Auto Reliability Index scores are calculated on a 0–100 scale using a weighted formula that combines multiple public data sources. Each factor is weighted based on its predictive value for real-world ownership experience.

Key Ranking Factors

1

Complaint Severity

NHTSA owner complaints weighted by component category (e.g., powertrain, safety systems, electronics, cosmetic) — safety-critical issues carry more weight than cosmetic ones. Adjusted for sales volume so high-volume models aren't unfairly penalized.

2

Repair Costs

Independent reliability ratings based on repair frequency, average repair costs, and severity of typical repairs for each model.

3

Recall Impact

Number of NHTSA recalls weighted by severity. “Stop driving” and fire-risk recalls are penalized more heavily than minor software or labeling recalls.

4

Issue Diversity

Measures how many major vehicle systems (engine, transmission, electrical, braking, etc.) have recorded complaints. A vehicle with issues spread across many systems may indicate systemic quality issues.

Scores are grouped into four tiers:

  • 80–100: Excellent— Top-tier reliability, minimal issues
  • 60–79: Good— Reliable with some minor concerns
  • 40–59: Mixed— Notable issues, research before buying
  • 0–39: Risky— Significant problems, proceed with caution

Data is sourced from NHTSA recall records, owner complaint filings, and independent repair databases. Scores are recalculated as new data becomes available. While the weighting model is proprietary, all underlying data sources are public and traceable.

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