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ProblemsByVin File / 2016-BUICK-REGAL NHTSA data synced 4 days ago
2016 · Buick

Buick Regal problems

Light NHTSA footprint — 41 owner complaints and 1 active recall campaign. Either a clean record or thin data; we'll show what's there.

0 5 10
Reliability score
8.0 / 10

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

0
Critical
1
Severe
0
Moderate
Should you avoid this 2016 Regal?
Generally reliable

Buyable on the data — keep up the usual maintenance and inspect normally.

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

steering
10 reports · fails ~81,893 mi · avg $700
moderate
electrical
5 reports · fails ~14,000 mi · avg $850
moderate
lighting
5 reports · fails ~57,850 mi · avg $250
moderate
cruise control
4 reports · fails ~13,600 mi · avg $600
moderate
powertrain
4 reports · fails ~31,600 mi · avg $2,500
moderate
visibility
3 reports · fails ~17,617 mi · avg $350
moderate
Buyer's checklist
Going to look at one? Use the pre-purchase inspection list.
Generated from this 2016 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 2016 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

2016 Regal · electrical
Condensation on passenger headlight. (80%) Just noticed condensation on driver side (15%)
2016 Regal · powertrain
I was driving down the highway in texas, and was in the process of changing lanes to the left and accelerating when all of a sudden my vehicle completely lost power and would not go into gear. My transmission light immediately came on. The psl was 70 and thankfully I was able to…
12/17/2018 · at 35,000 mi · NHTSA ODI #11162135.0 · see powertrain pattern →
2016 Regal · lighting
Water leaking into both front headlights results in dimming of headlights making it hard to see during nighttime driving and a real concern that the HID ballast wiring will short out causing complete loss of headlight operational function. There are many reports online of…
2016 Regal · body
Letter from congressman visclosky on behalf of constituent re the materials used to manufacturer automobiles should be looked into for the safety of the consumers. *ld the consumer stated the vehicle was in a minor accident that caused significant damage to the bumper. The…
11/03/2017 · NHTSA ODI #11042448.0
View all 41 owner complaints →
Had a problem with your 2016 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.

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

Active recalls showing 1 of 1

severe NHTSA 16V108000 February 24, 2016

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2016 Buick Regal Vehicles manufactured August 30, 2015, to February 12, 2016

A loss of power steering assist may increase the risk of a crash.

Fix: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the electric belt drive rack and pinion steering gear assembly, free of charge. The recall began on March 21, 2016. Owners may contact Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300. GM's number for this recall is 21510.

Common questions

Is the 2016 Buick Regal reliable?

Mostly yes. With a reliability score of 8.0 out of 10 based on 41 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2016 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 2016 Buick Regal?

On the NHTSA data, the 2016 Buick Regal does not need avoiding. Buyable on the data — keep up the usual maintenance and inspect normally. The record behind that call: No systemic severe-failure pattern in the complaint record; Reliability score 8.0/10 — 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 2016 Buick Regal?

Based on NHTSA records, the most-reported issue is steering, with 10 complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 81,893 miles. Average repair cost runs about $700 at an independent shop.

What's the most expensive thing that goes wrong?

The steering is one of the costlier repair items. Average repair cost runs about $700 at an independent shop. Typical failure occurs around 81,893 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 2016 Buick Regal?

Math is straightforward: a quality service contract runs $1,800–3,500 over 3 years. With 41 complaints on file and the costliest repair averaging $700, 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 4 days ago. Verify the raw federal record at nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2016/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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