Last updated: 2026-07-25

RELIABILITY SCORE: 75/100 (GOOD)

2020 Buick Regal Reliability Report

Name: 2020 Buick Regal
Brand: Buick

The 2020 Buick Regal scores 75/100 ("Good"). With 2 recalls and 2 owner complaints, reliability is acceptable but not class-leading.

Full Breakdown Compare Models

Recalls

Complaints

Complaint Rate

8.1per 10,000 sold

Est. Repair Cost

$563

Annual Fuel Cost

$2,750–$3,100

Detailed Score Breakdown

Complaint Severity70/100

Component-weighted complaints normalized by sales volume

Repair Costs80/100

Independent repair cost ratings

Recall Impact80/100

Recall count weighted by severity

Issue Diversity72/100

Breadth of reported problem categories

The Verdict

Consider

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

Top Issues to Watch

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM (1)
TIRES (1)

Generation & Refresh (US)

Final Year

2020 is the last model year of the Fifth generation (2008).

Final-year models are typically the most refined version of a generation.
6 years after the last refresh (2014).
5th generation Regal (US).

What this means for buyers

Final-year models are usually the most polished version of a generation, but resale value may dip as buyers anticipate the next redesign.

2011: Fifth generation (2008) Launch

Generation start — new platform.

2014: Mid-Cycle Refresh

Updated features and styling tweaks.

2020: This Model Year

2020 is the last model year of the Fifth generation (2008).

Should You Buy the 2020 Buick Regal?

At 75/100, the 2020 Buick Regal lands in "Good" territory — acceptable, but not class-leading. 2020 is the last model year of the Fifth generation (2008).

Owners log 2 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 electrical system (1). An extended warranty is worth pricing out.

See also the 2019 Buick Regal for an earlier comparison.

Pros

+Acceptable reliability score
+Infrequent unscheduled repairs
+Low major repair risk (12%)
+Low recall count

Cons

−ELECTRICAL SYSTEM (1)
−TIRES (1)

Compare 2020 Buick Regal With

2020 Honda Accord

Reliability: 73/100

Good

2020 Toyota Camry

Reliability: 75/100

Good

2020 Hyundai Sonata

Reliability: 62/100

Good

2020 Nissan Altima

Reliability: 71/100

Good

Common Problem Categories

Safety

LOW RISK

2 manufacturer recalls issued

Other

MODERATE

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM (1)
TIRES (1)

See detailed breakdown by component ↓

Recall Overview

recalls on record

The 2020 Buick Regal carries 2 recalls — a low count. Authorized dealers repair any open recall free of charge, regardless of warranty status.

NHTSA.gov →

Complaint Breakdown

8.1

per 10,000 sold

Segment avg: 17.8

LowAvgHigh

Low

Safety Incidents

Crashes

Fires

Injuries

Deaths

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

2020 Buick Regal Recall Details

2 recalls have been issued for the 2020 Buick Regal. All recall repairs are performed free of charge at authorized dealerships.

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 2020 Buick Regal? Check its history first

Every 2020 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.

Accidents
Open Recalls
Title History
Odometer Rollback

2020 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/Pelvis (Driver, Front Passenger)Torso (Rear Seat)Knee (Driver, Front Passenger)Additional Air Bags (None)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 2020 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 2020 Buick Regal.

Inspect all tires for bubbles or uneven wear
Check tire pressure monitoring system functionality
Test proximity door unlock system for consistent operation
Verify key fob battery is new and functioning properly

2020 Buick Regal Common Problems by Component

2 owner complaints grouped by vehicle system.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

1 complaint

2020-03-10

Proximity door unlock system rarely works goes in and out even with key fob in pocket and within Proximity. I've reported the problem to buick/Chevrolet many times, changed fob batteries and etc with no fix

TIRES

1 complaint

2022-01-01

The contact owns a 2020 Buick Regal GS equipped with Continental ProContact TX Tires, Tire Size: 245/40/R19, DOT Number: 6Y66WBR71819. The contact stated while driving approximately 70 MPH, the TPMS warning light indicated that the rear driver’s side tire air pressure was low. The tire lost air pressure and became flat. Also, later the front passenger’s side tire developed bubbles and had to be replaced. Within the first 200 miles of driving the vehicle, a dealer employee experienced a blowout of the front passenger’s side tire. The contact stated that the vehicle was equipped with the tires when it was purchased new. The contact stated that three of the four tires had experienced a failure. The contact was informed that the tire size was not included in the NHTSA Campaign Number: 21T001000 (Tires). The failure mileage was 200.

When Do 2020 Buick Regal Problems Start?

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

0–1,000 milesTire failures

Best & Worst Buick Regal Years

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

Best Buick Regal Years to Buy

Based on reliability index score

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

Good

2020

(Current Model)

2Recalls

2Complaints

Good

2018

3Recalls

19Complaints

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.

See full Buick Regal years-to-avoid analysis

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
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(selected)	75/100	+2	Good	2	2
2019	73/100	-1	Good	3	18
2018	74/100	—	Good	3	19

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the 2020 Buick Regal reliable?

The 2020 Buick Regal has a "Good" reliability rating with a score of 75/100. It is reasonably reliable with 2 recalls and 2 owner complaints, though some issues have been reported.

What are the most common problems with the 2020 Buick Regal?

The most commonly reported problems with the 2020 Buick Regal include: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM (1 complaints), TIRES (1 complaints). These issues were identified from owner complaints analyzed by Auto Reliability Index.

How many recalls does the 2020 Buick Regal have?

The 2020 Buick Regal has 2 recalls on record. Recalls are safety or compliance fixes issued by the manufacturer and repaired at no cost at authorized dealerships.

Is the 2020 Buick Regal expensive to maintain?

The 2020 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 75/100, some repairs may be needed, but overall ownership costs are manageable.

Don’t buy a 2020 Buick Regal without checking its VIN first — hidden accidents, title issues, and open recalls could cost you thousands.

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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

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.

Repair Costs

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

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.

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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