Buick Regal years to avoid
The Buick Regal years to avoid are 2011, 1998, 1991, 1999, 1996, 2000, 2001, 1995, 1992, 1988, 1997, 1989, 2002, 1994, 2003, 2013, 2012, 1993, 1990, 2004, 2018 — each drew complaint volumes well above the model's norm or has an open safety investigation. The 1981 is the cleanest year on record.
4,455
Total complaints
104
Recall campaigns
1973–2020
Years covered
21
Years to avoid
Complaints by model year
Regal years to avoid
| Year | Why | Complaints | vs avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2011 | High complaint rate | 441 | |
| 1998 | High complaint rate | 376 | |
| 1991 | High complaints + open investigation | 303 | |
| 1999 | High complaint rate | 301 | |
| 1996 | High complaint rate | 273 | |
| 2000 | High complaint rate | 245 | |
| 2001 | High complaint rate | 229 | |
| 1995 | High complaint rate | 218 | |
| 1992 | High complaint rate | 204 | |
| 1988 | High complaints + open investigation | 181 | |
| 1997 | High complaint rate | 174 | |
| 1989 | High complaints + open investigation | 150 | |
| 2002 | High complaint rate | 150 | |
| 1994 | High complaint rate | 146 | |
| 2003 | High complaint rate | 139 | |
| 2013 | High complaint rate | 137 | |
| 2012 | High complaint rate | 137 | |
| 1993 | High complaint rate | 118 | |
| 1990 | High complaints + open investigation | 107 | |
| 2004 | High complaint rate | 94 | |
| 2018 | Open safety investigation | 33 |
Every Regal year
| Year | Complaints | Recalls | Investigations |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 3 | 2 | |
| 2019 | 29 | 3 | |
| 2018avoid | 33 | 3 | |
| 2017 | 26 | 0 | |
| 2016 | 61 | 1 | |
| 2015 | 50 | 0 | |
| 2014 | 51 | 2 | |
| 2013avoid | 137 | 6 | |
| 2012avoid | 137 | 7 | |
| 2011avoid | 441 | 4 | |
| 2010 | 2 | 0 | |
| 2009 | 1 | 0 | |
| 2008 | 1 | 0 | |
| 2005 | 8 | 0 | |
| 2004avoid | 94 | 4 | |
| 2003avoid | 139 | 5 | |
| 2002avoid | 150 | 5 | |
| 2001avoid | 229 | 8 | |
| 2000avoid | 245 | 10 | |
| 1999avoid | 301 | 8 | |
| 1998avoid | 376 | 7 | |
| 1997avoid | 174 | 8 | |
| 1996avoid | 273 | 4 | |
| 1995avoid | 218 | 8 | |
| 1994avoid | 146 | 3 | |
| 1993avoid | 118 | 2 | |
| 1992avoid | 204 | 2 | |
| 1991avoid | 303 | 7 | |
| 1990avoid | 107 | 9 | |
| 1989avoid | 150 | 8 | |
| 1988avoid | 181 | 11 | |
| 1987 | 28 | 3 | |
| 1986 | 14 | 5 | |
| 1985 | 10 | 9 | |
| 1984 | 6 | 5 | |
| 1983 | 4 | 1 | |
| 1982 | 1 | 2 | |
| 1981 | 0 | 3 | |
| 1980 | 0 | 6 | |
| 1979 | 3 | 5 | |
| 1978 | 1 | 7 | |
| 1977 | 0 | 4 | |
| 1976 | 0 | 2 | |
| 1975 | 0 | 2 | |
| 1974 | 0 | 2 | |
| 1973 | 0 | 1 |
Common questions
What are the worst Buick Regal years?
Based on NHTSA complaint rates and open investigations, the Regal years to avoid are 2011, 1998, 1991, 1999, 1996, 2000, 2001, 1995, 1992, 1988, 1997, 1989, 2002, 1994, 2003, 2013, 2012, 1993, 1990, 2004, 2018. The cleanest year on record is 1981.
What is the best year for the Buick Regal?
By complaint volume, 1981 has the cleanest NHTSA record among Regal years with enough data to compare.
How many recalls does the Buick Regal have?
Across all model years, the Regal has 104 distinct NHTSA recall campaigns and 4,455 consumer complaints on file.
Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.