Tl* the contact owns a 2011 Buick regal. While driving at an undisclosed speed, the check engine warning indicator illuminated and an abnormal noise was heard coming from the front of the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to liberty Buick GMC (9028 e independence blvd, matthews, nc 28105, (704) 708-8000) where it was diagnosed that the transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired;…
2011 Buick Regal powertrain problems
severe 35 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $2,500 · see powertrain across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
35
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$2,500
2crashes
When does it fail?
Of the 35 powertrain complaints filed for the 2011 Buick Regal, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 50,000-75,000 mi.
0-25k
25-50k
50-75k
75-100k
100-125k
125-150k
150k+
Each bar shows the share of total complaints filed at that mileage range. Peak failure window highlighted. Some owners report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 miles symptom-free. Maintenance habits and driving conditions shift the curve as much as mileage alone.
What stands out
Of the 6 model years of Buick Regal we track for powertrain problems, this one carries the most owner complaints on file — 35.
Owners have filed 35 powertrain complaints with NHTSA against this vehicle, but no formal recall covers the issue — the federal record reflects what manufacturers have admitted, not everything owners are reporting.
The failure pattern owners describe
The 2011 Buick Regal powertrain complaints cluster around three dominant failure modes: transmission failure, engine timing chain/balance chain degradation with excessive oil consumption, and throttle/acceleration control loss.
Transmission failures occur across a wide mileage range (18,000 to 133,000 miles) with sudden, dangerous loss of power during driving. Owners report the vehicle stalling without warning during highway merges, city driving, and parking, sometimes requiring the engine to be shut off and restarted to regain function. Multiple owners cite a "wave plate" coming apart inside the transmission and describe sealed internal components that cannot be serviced. Repair shops confirm this is a known design problem; one transmission expert noted the failure pattern is identical to Enclave recalls. Full transmission replacement costs cited range from $3,000 to $3,976.
Engine issues include excessive oil consumption requiring frequent top-ups, rough idle, noise, and timing chain/balance chain failure. At 82,000 miles, one owner's check engine light revealed a jumped timing chain front guide and diagnostic codes P0011, P0014, P0016, P0017. An engine bolt released and bent exhaust valves on another vehicle. Owners reference a GM special coverage bulletin (Document 4821148) for 120,000 miles or 10 years coverage, though dealers reportedly refuse to apply it.
Throttle body and acceleration control failures leave cars unable to accelerate beyond 40 mph, and unintended acceleration occurs during parking and gear shifts. Throttle body replacement costs cited at $611.
Owners report OnStar diagnostics show no issues even as vehicles fail.
Failure modes owners describe
Transmission failure with sudden loss of power
Automatic transmission fails without warning, causing complete loss of power and inability to shift or move. Vehicle stalls mid-drive or during critical maneuvers like highway merges and parking. Owners report sealed internal design prevents repair; wave plate component deteriorates. Some vehicles regain function after engine restart; others require full replacement. Occurs across wide mileage range without prior warning lights in many cases.
When: 18,000 to 133,000 miles; many failures between 37,000 and 105,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Sudden stalling without warning; Loss of power during acceleration; Transmission will not shift into gear or move; Delayed or hard shifting; Flashing 'D' indicator on instrument cluster; Check engine light illuminates during failure; Vehicle must be shut off and restarted to regain function (intermittent); Abnormal noise from transmission; Transmission control module failure
Codes mentioned: P0780
Repairs/costs cited: Full transmission replacement required; cannot be serviced. Costs cited: $3,000 to $3,976 for reconditioned transmission and torque converter. One owner paid $3,400 for transmission rebuild at AAMCO. Multiple owners note transmission expert opinion that failure pattern matches Enclave recalls.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: GM refuses to cover under warranty despite similar recalls on Enclave model. PI Bulletin PI0780A exists for this issue but GM does not apply to 2011 Regal. No formal recall issued for Regal despite multiple complaints and transmission shop confirmation of design defect.
Engine excessive oil consumption
Engine consumes oil rapidly, requiring frequent top-ups. Owners report low oil indicator on dipstick despite no visible oil leak. One dealership repeatedly instructed owner to simply add oil frequently rather than repair. Occurs alongside rough idle and engine noise. Linked to known 2.4L L4 engine design flaw.
When: Appears across multiple mileage points; 64,000 miles documented case; continues as chronic issue
Symptoms owners cite: Oil level drops below low marker on dipstick; No visible oil leak; Abnormal engine noise; Rough idle
Repairs/costs cited: No permanent repair provided by dealers. Owner instructed to add oil frequently. Low oil indicator reported as also defective by one owner.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: GM Special Coverage Bulletin Document ID 4821148 (June 6, 2017) provides extended warranty for 120,000 miles or 10 years for engine balance chain and fuel pump on 2.4L engines including 2011 Regal. However, dealerships reportedly refuse to cover permanent repairs under this bulletin.
Timing chain/balance chain failure
Timing chain front guide deteriorates and jumps out of position, causing engine noise, rough running, and check engine codes. One owner's timing chain kit, intake/exhaust actuators, and oil filter required replacement at 82,000 miles. Another owner's vehicle exhibited identical symptoms. Engine becomes difficult to start or will not start.
When: 82,000 miles documented; varies
Symptoms owners cite: Check engine light illuminates; Loud abnormal noise from engine; Rough idle; Noisy even at idle; Jerky automatic transmission shifting; Engine difficult to start or won't start; Continuous engine cranking without full turn-over
Codes mentioned: P0016, P0017, P0011, P0014
Repairs/costs cited: Timing chain kit, intake and exhaust actuators, oil and filter replacement documented. Another owner faced $2,800 engine replacement cost. One owner had timing solenoids and starter replaced without resolution.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: No coverage mentioned in narratives for timing chain repairs.
Throttle body malfunction and acceleration control loss
Vehicle loses most of its power and cannot accelerate, capped at 40 mph or below. Creates hazardous conditions on highways where minimum speed is 45 mph. Check engine light comes on. Owners identify throttle body as source. Also occurs as unintended acceleration during parking maneuvers when driver's foot is not on accelerator.
When: Multiple instances across various mileages
Symptoms owners cite: Loss of power and acceleration; Cannot accelerate beyond 40 mph; Check engine light illuminates; Unintended rapid acceleration while parked or entering parking space; Acceleration occurs when transferring foot from accelerator to brake; Vehicle accelerates despite driver foot off gas pedal
Repairs/costs cited: Throttle body replacement cost cited at $611. One owner paid this amount. No permanent fix found in some cases; Buick ran diagnostics on unintended acceleration case and denied defect.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Buick contacted regarding unintended acceleration but ran diagnostics and denied defect exists. Owner traded vehicle in for new car.
Fuel pump failure and fuel system codes
Fuel pump fails with check engine light appearing after filling tank. Owner reports fuel pump code appears. Dealership and independent shops (Firestone) confirm fuel pump failure requiring replacement. One replacement at dealership did not resolve stalling issue.
When: Various mileages
Symptoms owners cite: Check engine light comes on after filling tank, reduces when tank is less than 3/4 full; Vehicle will not accelerate; Stalling after acceleration attempts; Fuel pump code detected
Repairs/costs cited: Fuel pump replacement performed at dealership; stalling issue persisted post-repair. Dealer unable to diagnose exact cause after replacing fuel pump.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: No specific manufacturer response documented.
Hard jerking and violent shifting
Transmission shifts harshly or jerks violently during normal driving and gear changes. Occurs when shifting from Park to Drive, during acceleration, and low-speed driving. One owner reports very hard jerk when shifting from Park to Drive with no diagnostic codes.
When: Varies; reported as early as 2,121 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Hard jerk when shifting from Park to Drive; Violent jerking during low-speed driving; Choppy or jerky gear shifting; Bucking while driving at 30 mph; Delayed shifts
Repairs/costs cited: No repairs documented for most cases. One case at 2,121 miles showed no dealer diagnosis.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealer diagnosed no failure in case at 2,121 miles.
Transmission cooler line deterioration and leak
Transmission cooler lines deteriorate, causing fluid leak underneath vehicle. Identified during inspection of fluid spots under vehicle.
When: Not specified
Symptoms owners cite: Fluid spots under vehicle; Transmission cooler line deterioration
Repairs/costs cited: Deteriorated cooler lines identified during inspection.
Valve cover bolt release and internal engine damage
Valve cover bolt releases, striking and bending exhaust valves and damaging cylinder head. Owner had vehicle less than 2 years and under 100,000 miles. Vehicle will not crank properly after failure.
When: Under 100,000 miles, owned less than 2 years
Symptoms owners cite: Engine will not start properly; Engine spins/cranks continuously without full turn-over; Vehicle parked in city limits when failure occurred on attempted start
Repairs/costs cited: Cylinder head replacement or full engine replacement required; owner reports costs are significant.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Owner reports being held responsible as factory defect; no manufacturer response documented.
Synthesized from 35 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 2 most recent
Check engine light illuminated at 82000 miles. Using the scan tool from a local auto parts store, I observed that the OBD-ii codes were p0016 and p0017. Around the time that the check engine light came on, I noticed that the shifting done by the automatic transmission seemed jerky, and that the engine was noisier than usual even when idling. Generally the miles on this car accumulate from equal…
Had powertrain 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 powertrain problem on the 2011 Buick Regal?
It's a meaningful issue. 35 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $2,500.
At what mileage does the powertrain typically fail?
Across the 26 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most powertrain failures cluster between 44,820 and 85,000 miles, with the median around 64,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 44,820; a quarter make it past 85,000. 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 $2,500 for powertrain 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 powertrain?
No active recalls currently cover powertrain 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.