This bulletin advises the dealers to maintain the vehicle stock on hand by doing a full inspection on the vehicles before being sold (prepping) to the customer.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2011 Buick Regal brakes problems
moderate 16 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $450 · see brakes across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
16
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$450
What stands out
Of the 6 model years of Buick Regal we track for brakes problems, this one carries the most owner complaints on file — 16.
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering brakes on this vehicle — documented repair instructions, service campaigns, or warranty extensions sent to dealers. A TSB isn't a recall (it's not a free safety remedy), but it's the manufacturer acknowledging the issue and how to fix it.
This bulletin advises the dealers to maintain the vehicle stock on hand by doing a full inspection on the vehicles before being sold (prepping) to the customer.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This Preliminary information communicates that when removing the fuel line jumper hose care should be taken to be sure the line is reinstalled correctly to avoid a no/low fuel pressure situation.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This service bulletin provides technicians with updated information to help identify the differences between what is considered a fluid leak, and what is considered fluid seepage.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This informational bulletin advises the dealers to maintain the vehicle stock on hand by doing a full inspection on the vehicles before being sold (prepping) to the customer.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
Owners consistently describe a heat-triggered brake pedal that sticks in the depressed or "on" position after the vehicle sits in the sun, particularly in temperatures of 80°F or higher. The pedal will not return to its resting position and requires manual lifting with the driver's foot to release the brakes. This defect appears reliably after highway driving or prolonged sun exposure and causes the brakes to drag, creating extreme heat that glows rotors red and can shift to different wheels unpredictably. Owners report steering wheel vibration, burning smells, and premature wear of rotors, pads, and tires despite multiple full repairs including caliper replacement, hose replacement, and master cylinder inspection. The pedal sticking problem also correlates with engine stalling and cruise control failure in some cases. A separate complaint involves brake lights requiring excessive pedal pressure to illuminate during gradual deceleration, creating a visibility hazard. Buick dealers initially denied knowledge of the issue but later acknowledged it affected multiple Regal and other Buick models. Service Bulletin 338152 and TSB 5692D are mentioned; one owner's factory replacement pedal assembly later exhibited binding, suggesting the replacement does not resolve the underlying design flaw.
Failure modes owners describe
Brake pedal sticks in depressed position
Brake pedal remains partially or fully depressed after release, requiring manual lifting by driver's foot. Occurs most reliably in high heat (80°F+) or after vehicle has been parked in the sun. Some reports include brakes dragging and vehicle becoming undriveable.
When: Heat-triggered, after parked in sun; reported from 2012 onwards; some cases intermittent over years
Symptoms owners cite: Brake pedal stuck in depressed position or on floor; Pedal will not return to resting position; Requires manual foot manipulation to lift pedal; Brakes dragging while pedal is stuck; Vehicle may not start or stall; Brake warning light illuminates; Vehicle undriveable until pedal releases
Repairs/costs cited: Brake pedal assembly replacement cited in multiple narratives. One owner replaced entire factory brake pedal assembly in 2018; replacement assembly later exhibited binding. Dealer service record noted 'PIC#5692A—replaced brake pedal and retainers.' Independent mechanic recommended full brake system replacement.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Service Bulletin 338152 and TSB 5692D mentioned by owners; Buick service manager acknowledged multiple other Regals and Buick models had same issue. Manufacturer directed vehicles to dealer diagnosis but some dealer visits unable to replicate failure.
Brake drag and overheating causing rotor glow and caliper seizure
Brakes generate extreme heat, causing rotors to glow red and calipers to seize or grab, particularly after highway driving in high heat. Issue may shift between different wheels/sides unpredictably. Results in premature wear of pads and rotors, steering wheel vibration, and burning smell.
When: During highway speeds or prolonged driving after sun-parked vehicle; heat-dependent; reported at mileages 26K–127K
Symptoms owners cite: Rotors glow red during driving; Brakes will not fully release; Steering wheel violently shakes; Burning smell from wheels; All four wheels become very hot; Brake drag during normal driving; Premature brake pad and rotor wear
Repairs/costs cited: Owners have replaced: two tires, two front calipers, front brake pads, all brake hoses, front rotors, brake booster and master cylinder inspected (found OK). Despite extensive repairs, issue recurs. One owner at independent shop—brake system replacement recommended; another owner had rear driver side brake pad completely eroded at 33.3K miles.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: One owner cited TSB 5692D addressing danger of brake pedal assembly becoming detached. Dealer visits in some cases unable to duplicate failure; manufacturer not always made aware.
Brake light illumination failure
Brake lights require excessive pedal pressure to illuminate. Lights only come on at complete stop, not during gradual deceleration, reducing visibility to following vehicles and creating collision risk.
When: Ongoing issue; owner stopped by police multiple times
Symptoms owners cite: Brake light does not illuminate on gradual deceleration; High pedal pressure required to illuminate brake light; Light only illuminates at complete stop; Following drivers unable to see brake intent
Repairs/costs cited: Repair shop advised increasing pedal pressure but did not fix the underlying issue.
Synthesized from 16 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 0 most recent
Had brakes trouble with your 2011 Buick Regal?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the brakes problem on the 2011 Buick Regal?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 16 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $450 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the brakes typically fail?
Across the 12 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most brakes failures cluster between 33,300 and 121,000 miles, with the median around 67,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 33,300; a quarter make it past 121,000. Maintenance history matters more than the odometer alone — this is the reported failure window, not a guarantee.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $450 for brakes repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to brakes?
No active recalls currently cover brakes issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2011/Buick/Regal.
Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities. Repair cost estimates are
independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area. Some links on this page are affiliate links.