Last updated: 2026-10-10

RELIABILITY SCORE: 73/100 (GOOD)

2019 Buick Regal Reliability Report

The 2019 Buick Regal rates good for reliability, but a false "Shift to Park" warning can drain the battery and leave the car unable to restart.

Full Breakdown Compare Models

Recalls

Complaints

Complaint Rate

17.4per 10,000 sold

Est. Repair Cost

$563

Annual Fuel Cost

$2,750–$3,100

Detailed Score Breakdown

Complaint Severity64/100

Component-weighted complaints normalized by sales volume

Repair Costs80/100

Independent repair cost ratings

Recall Impact75/100

Recall count weighted by severity

Issue Diversity79/100

Breadth of reported problem categories

The Verdict

Consider

Weakest of the three scored Regal years, with a recurring false Shift to Park warning that drains batteries and three recalls, two involving brakes.

Top Issues to Watch

POWER TRAIN (4)
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM (4)
SUSPENSION (2)

Generation & Refresh (US)

Post-Refresh

2019 is 5 years after the minor facelift refresh.

Year 9 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.

2019: This Model Year

2019 is 5 years after the minor facelift refresh.

Should You Buy the 2019 Buick Regal?

Reliability is good, and it sits above average among 2019 sedans. Within the Regal's scored model years it is the weakest of three, though 2018 and 2020 rate about the same. Independent repair-cost data puts yearly repairs slightly above the class norm, at $563 against $526.

The most common complaint is a false "Shift to Park" message while the shifter is already in park. The car may not fully shut off, so the battery runs down and the car may not restart. Some owners clear it by moving the shifter back and forth. One dealer found a failed shifter unit and console at about 39,500 miles. A few owners also report lights and radio staying on, and suspension instability that returned after repeated dealer visits. Federal records show three recalls: two for hydraulic service brakes and one for seats.

Ask for proof that all three recalls were completed. Ask whether the shifter has ever been repaired. On a test drive, shut the car off in park and watch for the warning. The 2018 has a similar record, so choose on service history.

Compared to the 2020 Buick Regal, which scored 2 points higher. See also the 2018 Buick Regal for an earlier comparison.

Pros

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

Cons

−Moderate recall count
−POWER TRAIN: False "Shift to Park" or "Place in Park" message appears even when the shifter... (4 complaints)
−ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: "Shift to Park" warning shows up after shutdown with the car already in park (4 complaints)

Compare 2019 Buick Regal With

2019 Honda Accord

Reliability: 70/100

Good

2019 Toyota Camry

Reliability: 70/100

Good

2019 Mazda 3

Reliability: 78/100

Good

2019 Hyundai Sonata

Reliability: 71/100

Good

2019 Nissan Altima

Reliability: 72/100

Good

Common Problem Categories

Safety

LOW RISK

3 manufacturer recalls issued

Other

HIGH RISK

POWER TRAIN (4)
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM (4)

See detailed breakdown by component ↓

Recall Overview

recalls on record

A moderate 3 recalls are on file for the 2019 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

17.4

per 10,000 sold

Segment avg: 19.1

LowAvgHigh

Moderate

Safety Incidents

Crashes

Fires

Injuries

Deaths

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

2019 Buick Regal Recall Details

3 recalls have been issued for the 2019 Buick Regal. All recall repairs are performed free of charge at authorized dealerships.

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.

19V7620002019-10-24

SEATS

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2019-2020 Buick Regal vehicles. The driver or passenger front seat frames may have a lower crossbar that was improperly welded.

Consequence

Seats with improper welds may not provide adequate protection in the event of a crash, increasing the risk of an injury.

Remedy

GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the crossbar welds on the front seats. If the crossbar is improperly welded, the seat back frame will be replaced, free of charge. Interim notices informing owners of the safety risk were mailed November 26, 2019. Owners received a second notice and the recall began February 20, 2020. Owners may contact Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300. GM's number for this recall is N192278300.

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 2019 Buick Regal? Check its history first

Power train problems lead owner complaints about the 2019 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

2019 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

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 2019 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 2019 Buick Regal.

Shift into park and switch off the engine several times, watching for a false "Shift to Park" message.
After shutdown, confirm the lights, radio, and accessories all turn off.
Have the battery tested and ask whether the car has needed repeated jump-starts.
Check under the engine for oil leaks, which can signal blown rear main or crankcase seals.
Start the car cold and listen for a high-pitched squeal or whistle from the engine bay.
Drive over rough and curving roads and feel for unstable handling or a harsh, unsettled ride.
Ask for service records and look for repeated suspension repairs or replaced shifter and console parts.
Check that the radio screen stays on and the climate fan actually stops when the system is set to off.

2019 Buick Regal Common Problems by Component

18 owner complaints grouped by vehicle system.

POWER TRAIN (4)ELECTRICAL SYSTEM (4)SUSPENSION (2)UNKNOWN OR OTHER (2)TIRES (1)SEATS (1)SERVICE BRAKES (1)EQUIPMENT (1)Other (2)

POWER TRAIN

4 complaints

A false "Shift to Park" or "Place in Park" message appears even when the shifter is already in park. When that happens the car may not fully shut off, so the battery can run down and the car may not restart. Some owners clear it by moving the shifter back and forth. One dealer diagnosed a failed shifter unit and console at about 39,500 miles. Separately, a failed PCV system blew out the rear main and crankcase seals and caused an oil leak. The only warning was a high-pitched squeal in cold weather, with no dash lights or codes.

4 complaints total

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

4 complaints

A "Shift to Park" warning shows up after shutdown with the car already in park. Lights, radio, and accessories then stay on and drain the battery, and the shifter stays locked unless the car is running. Some filings describe dead-battery episodes that keep coming back: no power, no click from the ignition, and a blank instrument panel until the car is jump-started. A whistling noise from the engine bay is also reported. Other complaints describe the radio screen going black and the air conditioning blowing on high while set to off. These faults come and go.

4 complaints total

SUSPENSION

2 complaints

Persistent instability and poor ride quality return even after repeated dealer visits, in one case over two years. Dealers replace several suspension components, but the problem continues. Complaints also raise concerns about warranty service for these repairs. The filings do not name the failing parts or describe a crash. Still, owners call the loss of stability a safety concern, and the main pattern is repairs that do not fix the problem.

2 complaints total

UNKNOWN OR OTHER (2 complaints)

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

2 complaints

The automatic engine stop-start feature can stay inactive when the car is new and then start working without warning, in one case after about 600 miles of driving. There is no button to turn it off, and owners say this was never disclosed to them. A separate filing concerns partial or full loss of vacuum brake assist, which raises crash risk, and complains about waiting for a fix. These reports center on disclosure and repair delays, not a repeated mechanical failure.

2 complaints total

TIRES (1 complaints)

TIRES

1 complaint

2024-12-22

The contact owns a 2019 Buick Regal TourX equipped with Continental Pro Contact tires, Tire Size: 235/50/R18, and DOT [XXX] . The contact stated that while driving on several occasions at various speeds, he observed what he believed to be the tires vibrating. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the belt separated on the inside of the passenger and drivers rear tires. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 38,000. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

SEATS (1 complaints)

SEATS

1 complaint

2024-07-13

When I was braking at an intersection, the driver's seat broke and slide all the way forward causing me to jam the brake all the way, then the recoil sent the seat flying all the back. After the orignal pop where something broke, the seat freely slides all the way forward and back.

SERVICE BRAKES (1 complaints)

SERVICE BRAKES

1 complaint

2022-08-29

The contact owns a 2019 Buick Regal. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V465000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The dealer was made aware of the issue. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

EQUIPMENT (1 complaints)

EQUIPMENT

1 complaint

2021-12-20

In attempt to change a flat tire (front passenger side), I loosened the 5 lug nuts (1/4-turn), raised the vehicle (Buick Regal Sportback) and the jack collapsed to one side at the hinge points at both ends of the threaded shaft as I was about to remove the 5th lug nut. Note the slotted connections at the hinge/pivot points (see attached photo).

WHEELS (1 complaints)

WHEELS

1 complaint

2020-11-03

REAR PASSENGER TIRE WENT OUT OF BALANCE TO SUCH A DEGREE THAT THE ENTIRE CAR WAS RATTLING, MIRRORS SHAKING, AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. VIBRATION VISIBLE TO OBSERVERS OUTSIDE AND FOLLOWING THE VEHICLE. AFTER MULTIPLE ATTEMPTS TO BALANCE THE MECHANIC REMOVED THE TIRE FROM THE WHEEL AND FOUND THAT THE "QUITE RUNNING FOAM" HAD SEPARATED FROM THE INSIDE OF THE TIRE. REMOVING FOAM SOLVED THE ISSUE. ABOUT A MONTH LATER FRONT PASSENGER TIRE WENT OUT OF BALANCE, AGAIN, NOTICEABLE AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. NOT WILLING TO RISK BEING STRANDED AWAY FROM HOME, I HAVE NOW PERSONALLY PAID, WITH SOME RELIEF FROM GM, TO HAVE ALL FOUR TIRES REPLACED WITH NON-QUIET RUNNING TIRES. I DID A QUICK SEARCH, AND IF YOU LOOK AT THE FIRST COMMENT IN THIS "HOW TO REPAIR" ARTICLE YOU WILL SEE OTHERS HAVE HAD THIS PROBLEM TOO. HTTPS://GM-TECHLINK.COM/?P=8677

STRUCTURE (1 complaints)

STRUCTURE

1 complaint

2018-09-09

WHEN A CHILD IS LOCKED INTO THE TRUNK OF THIS VEHICLE HE/SHE WILL BE PERMANENTLY TRAPPED INSIDE. THERE IS NO EMERGENCY PROCEDURE FOR EGRESS. THERE IS NO CABLE NO BUTTON. NOT ACCEPTABLE.

Best & Worst Buick Regal Years

Best Buick Regal Years to Buy

Based on reliability index score

Top Pick

Good

2020

2Recalls

2Complaints

Good

2018

3Recalls

19Complaints

Good

2019

(Current Model)

3Recalls

18Complaints

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.

See full Buick Regal years-to-avoid analysis

Buick Regal Reliability Score Trend

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

Buick Regal reliability scores by year
Year	Score	Rating
2018	74/100	Good
2019	73/100	Good
2020	75/100	Good

Buick Regal Reliability Compared to Other Years

Reliability scores compared across model years
Year	Score	vs Prior Year	Rating	Recalls	Complaints
2020	75/100	+2	Good	2	2
2019(selected)	73/100	-1	Good	3	18
2018	74/100	—	Good	3	19

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the 2019 Buick Regal reliable?

Yes, it has a good reliability standing and ranks above average among 2019 sedans. It is the weakest of the three scored Regal years, though the 2018 and 2020 rate about the same. Owners filed 18 complaints, mostly about the shifter, electrical faults, and suspension.

What are the most common problems with the 2019 Buick Regal?

Power train and electrical complaints lead, with four each. Both center on a false "Shift to Park" message that can leave accessories on and drain the battery. Suspension follows with two complaints about instability and poor ride that persisted after repeated dealer repairs.

Does the 2019 Buick Regal have a Shift to Park problem?

Yes, owners report it often. The message appears even when the shifter is in park, and the car may not fully shut off. The battery can die and the car may not restart. Some owners clear it by moving the shifter back and forth. One dealer diagnosed a failed shifter unit and console.

Has the 2019 Buick Regal been recalled?

Yes, federal recall records list three recalls for this model year. Two involve the hydraulic service brakes and one involves the seats. Ask the seller for proof that each was completed, or have a Buick dealer check the VIN for open recalls.

How much does it cost to repair a Buick Regal each year?

Independent repair-cost data estimates about $563 a year across the model, compared with $526 for its class. That is a modest premium. The figure covers the Regal in general, not only the 2019 model year.

Don’t buy a 2019 Buick Regal without checking its VIN first — hidden accidents, title issues, and open recalls could cost you thousands.

Look Up a VIN →

How we score the 2019 Buick Regal

Of the four inputs behind this score, the 2019 Buick Regal does best on repair costs (80/100) and worst on complaint severity (64/100). 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.