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ProblemsByVin File / 2013-BUICK-REGAL NHTSA data synced 7 hours ago
2013 · Buick

Buick Regal problems

91 owner complaints and 1 active recall campaign on file. Here's the breakdown — what's serious, what's noise, what a working mechanic would actually do about it.

0 5 10
Reliability score
7.6 / 10

Solid reliability overall. Common issues are concentrated in a few systems.

0
Critical
1
Severe
0
Moderate
Should you avoid this 2013 Regal?
Acceptable — with caveats

Worth owning if you verify the specific issues below before you buy.

Our read of the federal NHTSA complaint and recall record for this exact year and model — not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection. How we score.

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Top trouble spots 6 categories with 3+ complaints

electrical
32 reports · fails ~81,704 mi · avg $850
severe
lighting
27 reports · fails ~60,566 mi · avg $250
moderate
powertrain
7 reports · fails ~65,610 mi · avg $2,500
severe
steering
4 reports · fails ~70,645 mi · avg $700
severe
brakes
3 reports · fails ~61,345 mi · avg $450
moderate
cruise control
3 reports · fails ~27,369 mi · avg $600
severe
Buyer's checklist
Going to look at one? Use the pre-purchase inspection list.
Generated from this 2013 Regal's actual NHTSA complaint history — every item points at a documented failure pattern on this exact vehicle, not generic walkaround filler.
See the checklist ->
Honest Calculator
Should you buy an extended warranty on this 2013 Regal?
We pulled the math: risk-weighted exposure, typical contract cost, and our verdict on whether coverage pencils out for this specific vehicle.
See the calculator ->

What owners are saying recent NHTSA-filed complaints · verbatim

2013 Regal · visibility
I was driving down the freeway and the moon roof exploded all over my kids in the back seat as well as my self, I had glass stuck in my scalp. *tr
12/19/2014 · at 23,500 mi · NHTSA ODI #10667247.0
2013 Regal · powertrain Crash
Tl* the contact owns a 2013 Buick regal. While the driver attempted to parallel park, the vehicle accelerated without warning and crashed into two parked vehicles. The air bags did not deploy. A police report was filed. There were no injuries reported. The vehicle was damaged…
12/05/2017 · at 40,000 mi · NHTSA ODI #11052562.0 · see powertrain pattern →
2013 Regal · electrical
,a month ago my driver headlight went out tried replacing bulbs twice still no light tried a relay switch still not light, light went out while driving to work.
11/29/2018 · at 56,000 mi · NHTSA ODI #11154722.0 · see electrical pattern →
2013 Regal · lighting
My drivers side HID headlight assembly developed condensation inside the assembly causing a headlight failure. Though the car is a 2013, it had only 64000 miles on it when the condition occurred. This is obviously a manufacturing defect since there has been no impact to the…
11/17/2020 · at 64,000 mi · NHTSA ODI #11375104.0 · see lighting pattern →
View all 91 owner complaints →
Had a problem with your 2013 Buick Regal? File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free and official — owner filings are what build the federal safety record behind this page.

Estimate your repair exposure

Drag to your current mileage. Numbers are derived from this vehicle's complaint history.

0 mi 200k mi
At 80,000 miles
Likely repair cost in next 24 months
$0

Active recalls showing 1 of 1

severe NHTSA 26V113000 February 26, 2026

General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2012–2013 Buick Regal Turbo and GS trim-level vehicles that were sold or ever registered, in Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, or Wisconsin

Rear toe link fracture can cause a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash.

Fix: Dealers will replace the rear suspension toe links and adjuster fasteners, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 3, 2026. Owners may contact Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300. GM's number for this recall is N252537580. This recall expands previous NHTSA recall numbers 20V764, 21V633, and 21V00F.

Common questions

Is the 2013 Buick Regal reliable?

Mostly yes. With a reliability score of 7.6 out of 10 based on 91 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2013 Buick Regal is generally a sound vehicle. The areas to watch are listed in the top problem section above — most are budget items, not deal-breakers.

Should you avoid the 2013 Buick Regal?

The 2013 Buick Regal is acceptable, with specific caveats. Worth owning if you verify the specific issues below before you buy. The record behind that call: Electrical system: 32 complaints, classified severe, failures cluster 55,000–117,000 mi; Reliability score 7.6/10 — above the segment average; 1 recall campaign on file. This is our read of the federal complaint and recall data — not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection.

What's the most common problem on the 2013 Buick Regal?

Based on NHTSA records, the most-reported issue is electrical, with 32 complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 81,704 miles. Average repair cost runs about $850 at an independent shop.

What's the most expensive thing that goes wrong?

The electrical is one of the costlier repair items. Average repair cost runs about $850 at an independent shop. Typical failure occurs around 81,704 miles. Catching early warning signs can sometimes extend life by 20–30,000 miles.

How do I check if my Buick Regal has open recalls?

Paste your VIN into the decoder at the top of this page. We pull live from NHTSA, so you'll see exactly which campaigns apply to your vehicle and whether the dealer has logged the fix. Recall repairs are always free regardless of mileage or warranty status.

Is an extended warranty worth it on a 2013 Buick Regal?

Math is straightforward: a quality service contract runs $1,800–3,500 over 3 years. With 91 complaints on file and the costliest repair averaging $850, one major failure more than pays for it. The catch is reading the contract — many providers exclude wear items and require pre-authorization, so cheaper plans are not always better value.

Related

Recall and complaint data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) public records database, last synced 7 hours ago. Verify the raw federal record at nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2013/Buick/Regal. Editorial commentary written by ProblemsByVin contributors and reviewed by ASE-certified mechanics. We are not affiliated with Buick. Some links on this page are affiliate links and we may earn a commission if you complete a quote or purchase.
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