This informational bulletin instructs the tech when fuel/fluid is needed to be tested and where it can be sent for analysis.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2017 Buick Regal brakes problems
severe Owners of the 2017 Buick Regal have filed 11 NHTSA complaints about the brakes, typically surfacing around 82,000 miles at roughly $450 to repair (U.S. federal records, as of July 2026). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. See brakes across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
11
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$450
| Model year | brakes complaints |
|---|---|
| 2013 Regal | 3 |
| 2014 Regal | 3 |
| 2017 Regal (this page) | 11 |
| 2018 Regal | 5 |
1crash
When does it fail?
Of the 11 brakes complaints filed for the 2017 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
Among the 6 model years of Buick Regal in our records for brakes problems, this one ranks #2 by owner-complaint volume.
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 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 service bulletin provides information about GM Accessories - Dealer-Installed, Repaired or Replaced During Warranty Coverage Period.
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 ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
Owners of 2017 Buick Regals consistently report sudden brake system failure without warning. The brake pedal goes rigid, travels to the floorboard, or bounces back when pressed. Braking response deteriorates dramatically, forcing owners to rely on parking brakes or coast to a stop. The brake assist warning light illuminates in some cases. Failures occur across a wide mileage range—from 51,500 to 165,000 miles—and dealership diagnostics consistently point to the brake vacuum pump.
The pattern that stands out: this is not a one-time failure. Multiple owners report the same vehicle experiencing 2, 3, or even 4 brake failures over a 3-year period. One owner replaced the pump twice within 14 months; another experienced failures in 2020, 2021, and 2022. After dealership or independent repair, the failure recurs within weeks to months. Dealership mechanics cannot explain why the pump fails repeatedly on the same vehicle. Owners report costs of $600 per pump replacement. Manufacturers have been notified and cases opened, but no recall has been issued despite owners pointing to NHTSA Campaign 22V465000 for hydraulic service brakes.
Failure modes owners describe
Brake vacuum pump failure
The brake vacuum pump fails without warning, causing loss of brake assist. When depressed, the brake pedal becomes rigid, travels to the floor, or bounces back. Braking distance extends dramatically. The failure occurs repeatedly on some vehicles — owners report 2, 3, or even 4 occurrences on the same vehicle.
When: 51,528 to 165,000 miles; incidents reported 2020–2023
Symptoms owners cite: Brake pedal becomes firm or rigid when depressed; Brake pedal travels to floorboard; Brake pedal bounces back when pressed harder; Vehicle fails to stop or requires extended stopping distance; Brake assist warning light illuminates (sometimes); Steering wheel shudder (one report)
Repairs/costs cited: Vacuum pump replacement; dealership and independent mechanics performed repairs. Owners report costs of $600 for pump replacement at dealership. One dealership also recommended exhaust camshaft replacement and computer reset, though repairs were not completed in that case.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer notified in several cases but stated vehicles were not included in NHTSA Campaign 22V465000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic). Cases were opened but no recall issued. No assistance offered despite repeated failures on individual vehicles.
Recurring vacuum pump failure on same vehicle
After vacuum pump replacement, the same failure recurs within weeks to months on the same vehicle. Owners have experienced 2–4 brake system failures on a single vehicle over a 3-year span, each time requiring pump replacement. One owner replaced the pump twice in 14 months; another experienced failures in 2020, 2021, and 2022.
When: Recurring within 1 month to 3 years of prior repair
Symptoms owners cite: Brake pedal becomes firm or rigid; Brake pedal travels to floorboard; Brake assist warning light illuminates (sometimes); Failure occurs at same location or conditions on repeat incidents
Repairs/costs cited: Multiple vacuum pump replacements per vehicle. One owner replaced pump twice with dealership and independent mechanics; another replaced pump three times. Dealership unable to identify root cause of repeated failures despite diagnostics.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer case opened but provided no solution for recurring failures. One dealership stated the replacement part may have been faulty; no explanation given for third occurrence on same vehicle.
Synthesized from 11 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 11 most recent
The contact owns a 2017 Buick Regal. The contact stated while driving approximately 15 MPH, the braking system suddenly malfunctioned and the brake pedal was firm while depressed, causing the braking distance to be extended. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer who diagnosed that the brake vacuum pump had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The contact stated…
I was driving on the interstate going up the mountain and my 2017 Regal started to choke going up the incline. I was pressing my gas to the floor and nothing when this happened I quickly pulled off to the side when I tapped my brakes they felt as if I was pressing on a concrete block. I was able to stop but it was pretty scary. I had no cell phone reception going up this mountain in the dark late…
Brakes failed. This happened twice in 14 months. Vacuum Pump had to be replaced both times. The first time it happened it was sitting in a parking lot and we just started to pull out. The second time we were on a 4 lane highway in the fast lane and had to pull the car over through the lanes to the berm of the highway. No warning lights came on and no problems beforehand. The car has been well…
The contact owns a 2017 Buick Regal. The contact stated while her son was exiting a parking spot at 5 MPH and depressing the brake pedal, the vehicle failed to stop the vehicle. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The contact stated that the vehicle rolled to a stop. The driver took the vehicle to an independent mechanic and was informed that the vacuum pump needed to be…
The contact owns a 2017 Buick Regal. The contact stated while driving 80 MPH, the brake pedal seized while depressed, preventing the vehicle from immediately stopping. The brake assist warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where it was diagnosed with a brake vacuum pump failure. The dealer informed the contact that the exhaust camshaft needed to be replaced and the…
Three years in a row starting in 2020, the vacuum pump has gone out causing the brakes to malfunction (NO BRAKES). In 2020, I was coming off the freeway when the brakes went out. In 2021, the brakes went out on my daughter. June 2022, brakes out while grandson was driving. No accidents or injuries occurred. Just frazzled nerves.
The contact owns a 2017 Buick Regal. The contact stated while driving 35 MPH and approaching a traffic light, the contact depressed the brake pedal, but the vehicle failed to stop as needed. The contact stated he used the parking brake to stop the vehicle. The contact stated that the brake assist warning light was illuminated after the failure had occurred. The contact continued driving the…
The contact owns a 2017 Buick Regal. The contact stated while driving 80-85 MPH downhill and depressing the brake pedal, the brake pedal was rigid, failed to lower as needed, and the vehicle failed to respond. The Brake Assist warning light was illuminated. The contact stated that upon depressing the brake pedal harder, the brake pedal slightly travelled down and bounced back. Additionally, the…
The contact owns a 2017 Buick Regal. The contact stated that while driving at 70 MPH, the brake pedal was depressed and traveled to the floorboard as the vehicle rear-ended another vehicle. It was unknown if any warning lights illuminated. The contact stated that no injuries were sustained. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to a collision repair facility. The contact stated he was…
Noticed a recall regarding Buick Regal concerning break issues causing the valve to not operate correctly. Possibly the electronic break module not working properly and an update needed along with some parts. Recently the break valve was replaced because the break assist failed. Now, after running the vehicle for more than an hour or sometimes two, the same thing happens. My thoughts are that…
Had brakes trouble with your 2017 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 2017 Buick Regal?
It's a meaningful issue. 11 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $450.
At what mileage does the brakes typically fail?
Across the 9 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most brakes failures cluster between 70,509 and 100,000 miles, with the median around 82,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 70,509; a quarter make it past 100,000. 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/2017/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.