Last updated: 2026-10-10

2018 Buick Regal Reliability Report
The 2018 Buick Regal has good reliability, but brake complaints, including hard pedals and fading stops, are the main thing to check.
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
Component-weighted complaints normalized by sales volume
Independent repair cost ratings
Recall count weighted by severity
Breadth of reported problem categories
The Verdict
Rated good and above its class, but marked by brake complaints and three recalls, two of them for hydraulic service brakes.
Top Issues to Watch
- SERVICE BRAKES (5)
- ELECTRICAL SYSTEM (3)
- VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL (2)
Generation & Refresh (US)
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?
Reliability holds up well here. Standing is good, above average among 2018 sedans, and in the middle of the Regal's three scored years. Owners filed 19 complaints. The 2019 rates about the same, so neither year has a clear edge. Estimated repair cost across the Regal runs $563 a year against $526 for the class.
Brakes are the problem to know about. Five complaints describe a pedal that turns hard and needs heavy pressure, or braking that fades until the pedal is pushed nearly to the floor. Reports call it intermittent and worse in reverse. Two involve crashes, one with an injury. Federal recall records list three recalls: one for seat belts and two for hydraulic service brakes. Owners also report a check engine light that stays on, stop-start restarts that lag at red lights, and surging or hesitation when accelerating.
Ask the seller for proof that all three recalls were completed, especially the brake ones. Test the brakes going forward and in reverse, and watch the stop-start restart at a light. The 2019 is a fair alternative.
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 issues reported (5 complaints)
- −ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: Check engine light stays on or flickers on and off, and one owner cannot pass... (3 complaints)
Compare 2018 Buick Regal With

2018 Honda Accord
Reliability: 63/100

2018 Toyota Camry
Reliability: 65/100

2018 Mazda 3
Reliability: 79/100

2018 Hyundai Sonata
Reliability: 61/100

2018 Nissan Altima
Reliability: 76/100
Common Problem Categories
Safety
LOW RISK- 3 manufacturer recalls issued
Other
HIGH RISK- SERVICE BRAKES (5)
- ELECTRICAL SYSTEM (3)
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 soldSegment avg: 25.7
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.
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.
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.
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.
Buying a used 2018 Buick Regal? Check its history first
Service brakes problems lead owner complaints about the 2018 Buick Regal, and 3 recalls were issued for it. A VIN check shows whether this car's recall work was done, plus accident, title, and odometer history.
- 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
Buick RegalRepair Costs & Maintenance
Maintenance Rating
4Maintenance rating: 4 out of 5Based 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
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
| Trim | Drive | Trans. | City | Hwy | Comb | Fuel Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Regal AWD 3.6L 6-cyl | All-Wheel Drive | Automatic (S9) | 19 | 27 | 22 | $2,750 |
| Regal 2.0L 4-cyl | Front-Wheel Drive | Automatic (S9) | 22 | 32 | 26 | $2,850 |
| Regal AWD 2.0L 4-cyl | All-Wheel Drive | Automatic (S8) | 21 | 29 | 24 | $3,100 |
| Regal TourX AWD 2.0L 4-cyl | All-Wheel Drive | Automatic (S8) | 21 | 29 | 24 | $3,100 |
Used Buying Checklist
Key things to inspect or verify before purchasing a 2018 Buick Regal.
Press the brake pedal hard with the engine running, both forward and in reverse; walk away if it feels rock hard.
Scan for stored trouble codes, especially brake control module codes, even if no warning lights are showing.
Check the VIN for open recalls and ask for paperwork showing completed brake work.
Confirm the check engine light goes out after startup and the car can pass an emissions test.
At several stops, let stop-start shut the engine off and feel for delayed restarts or jolts when releasing the brake.
Shift into Park and switch the car off several times; watch for a stuck Shift to Park message.
Run the heater and defrost on a cold day; watch for windshield fogging, cabin moisture, or musty vent smells.
Shift into reverse repeatedly and confirm the backup camera guide lines appear every time.
2018 Buick Regal Common Problems by Component
19 owner complaints grouped by vehicle system.
SERVICE BRAKES
5 complaintsSafety-relatedThe brake pedal turns hard and needs heavy pressure to stop the car, or braking fades suddenly until the pedal is pushed nearly to the floor. Reports call it intermittent and worse when reversing, with one dated to about 28,000 miles. Two of the 5 complaints involve crashes, one with an injury, where the car would not slow down or lurched forward when the brake was released. Some owners say a recall part was unavailable. Another says the firm pedal and brake control module trouble codes came back after a dead battery.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
3 complaintsThe check engine light stays on or flickers on and off, and one owner cannot pass an emissions retest because of it. Several reports describe the auto stop-start system shutting the engine off at red lights, then restarting with a long delay or an engine and transmission jolt when the brake is released. Owners see that delay as a rear-end collision risk. A separate complaint describes a stuck "Shift to Park" message at around 50,000 miles. Because of it, the car will not turn off and the battery drains.
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
2 complaintsSafety-relatedThe car surges forward or hesitates when the driver doesn't expect it. In the crash-related report, the car accelerated into a pole in a drive-thru while the brake pedal was pressed, at very low mileage. It appears to be the same incident that was also filed under service brakes. The other complaint describes sluggish acceleration when pulling away from a highway stop, which makes merging into traffic risky. Neither report mentions a dealer diagnosis or repair.
UNKNOWN OR OTHER (2 complaints)
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
2 complaintsIn cold weather, the climate system blows moisture into the cabin and fogs the windshield enough to block the view, even with defrost on maximum. The reports also mention the AC switching on by itself, a smell from the vents, and a service department that could not reproduce the problem. In a separate issue, the backup camera's guide lines disappear at random and return only after shifting to neutral and back into reverse. A module was replaced 4 times without fixing it.
TIRES (1 complaints)
TIRES
1 complaintThe 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-relatedOn 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 complaintThe 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 complaintSTEERING 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 complaintWHILE 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-relatedVEHICLE 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.
Best & Worst Buick Regal Years
Best Buick Regal Years to Buy
Based on reliability index score2020
2018
(Current Model)
2019
Buick Regal Years to Avoid
No Buick Regal years are statistical outliers in our data.
Scores stay between 73 and 75 across 3 scored model years.
Buick Regal Reliability Score Trend
Scores 0–100. Higher is better. Current year highlighted.
| Year | Score | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 2018 | 74/100 | Good |
| 2019 | 73/100 | Good |
| 2020 | 75/100 | Good |
Buick Regal Reliability Compared to Other Years
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the 2018 Buick Regal reliable?
What are the most common problems with the 2018 Buick Regal?
Does the 2018 Buick Regal have brake problems?
How many recalls does the 2018 Buick Regal have?
Is the 2018 Buick Regal better than the 2019?
Don’t buy a 2018 Buick Regal without checking its VIN first — hidden accidents, title issues, and open recalls could cost you thousands.
How we score the 2018 Buick Regal
Of the four inputs behind this score, the 2018 Buick Regal does best on how many systems draw complaints (81/100) and worst on complaint severity (65/100). Scores weight complaint severity at 35%, repair costs at 30%, recall impact at 20%, and the spread of complaints across systems at 15%, with complaint counts adjusted for US sales. Read the full methodology.
Get notified when new recalls or reliability data is added for the Buick Regal.
No spam. Only data updates for this model.
Browse More Buick Models

Buick Enclave
Score: 81/100

Buick Encore
Score: 80/100

Buick Encore GX
Score: 82/100

Buick Envision
Score: 77/100

Buick Envista
Score: 82/100

Buick LaCrosse
Score: 76/100
Browse More 2018 Vehicles

2018 Lexus RX
Score: 85/100

2018 Nissan Murano
Score: 82/100

2018 Lexus IS
Score: 81/100

2018 Lexus ES
Score: 80/100

2018 Toyota Corolla
Score: 80/100

2018 Buick Encore
Score: 80/100
See incorrect data? Report an issue