2011 Buick Regal
Trims, performance, features, fuel economy, safety and known problems — with the pros and cons against similar 2011 models.

- Class
- Midsize Cars
- Body styles
- 4dr Sedan Cxl/Cxl Turbo
- Engines
- 2.0L 4-cyl turbo, 2.4L 4-cyl
- Drivetrain
- Front-Wheel Drive
- Fuel
- FFV, Regular Gasoline
- MPG (best)
- 24 combined · 20 city / 31 hwy
- Length
- 190.6 in
- Curb weight
- 3,600 lb
- NHTSA rating
- Not rated
- Recalls
- 4 campaigns
Overview
The 2011 Buick Regal is a midsize car offered with 2 engines (2.0L 4-cyl turbo and 2.4L 4-cyl) and front-wheel drive.
It measures about 191 inches long and 73 inches wide on a 108-inch wheelbase, with a curb weight of roughly 3,600 lb.
EPA rates its most efficient version at 24 MPG combined (20 city / 31 highway), 3% better than the 2011 midsize car average of 23.2 MPG, for an estimated $2,800 a year in fuel.
NHTSA has not published a 5-Star overall rating for this model year.
It has 4 recall campaigns on file and owners have filed 238 complaints with NHTSA since 2015, most often about the engine.
Dimensions & weight
| Body | Length | Width | Height | Wheelbase | Track F / R | Curb weight | Weight F/R |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4dr Sedan Cxl/Cxl Turbo | 190.6 in | 73.2 in | 58.3 in | 107.9 in | 62.6 / 62.6 in | 3,600 lb | 58/42 |
Transport Canada CVS (Open Government Licence – Canada), Canadian-market figures.
Will it fit your garage? Check with your measurements →Engines, MPG & running costs
| Version | Engine | Transmission | Drive | City / Hwy / Comb | vs. class | Fuel / yr | CO₂ g/mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Regal FFV | 2.0L 4-cyl turbo | Manual 6-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 20 / 31 / 24 | +3% | $2,800 | 370 |
| Regal | 2.4L 4-cyl | Automatic (S6) | Front-Wheel Drive | 19 / 30 / 23 | -1% | $2,900 | 386 |
| Regal FFV | 2.0L 4-cyl turbo | Automatic (S6) | Front-Wheel Drive | 18 / 28 / 21 | -9% | $3,200 | 423 |
EPA estimates; "vs. class" is combined MPG against the 2011 EPA class average. How we calculate this →
Safety ratings & technology
NHTSA has not published 5-Star ratings for the 2011 Buick Regal.
Similar 2011 midsize cars
| Model | Best MPG / range | NHTSA overall | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2011 Buick Regal (this car) | 24 MPG | Not rated | 4 |
| 2011 Honda Accord | 26 MPG | Not rated | 9 |
| 2011 Chevrolet Impala | 23 MPG | Not rated | 2 |
| 2011 Toyota Camry | 33 MPG | Not rated | 5 |
| 2011 Nissan GT-R | 17 MPG | Not rated | 0 |
| 2011 Chevrolet Malibu | 26 MPG | Not rated | 3 |
| 2011 Nissan Leaf | 73 mi | Not rated | 0 |
Recalls (4)
Seats › Front Assembly › Power Adjust · Jul 7, 2016
NHTSA campaign 16V517000 · 42,984 vehicles
- Problem
- General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2011 Buick Regal vehicles manufactured November 3, 2009, to March 25, 2011, equipped with 8-way power adjustable front seats. The power seat wiring harness may contact the seat frame, causing the wires to chafe.
- Risk
- Chafed harness wires may cause a short circuit, increasing the risk of a fire.
- Fix
- GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and secure the wiring harness, and repair any chafed wires as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on March 13, 2017. Owners may contact Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300. GM's number for this recall is 30710.
Electrical System › Ignition · Jul 5, 2016
NHTSA campaign 16V502000 · 8,367 vehicles
- Problem
- General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2016-2017 Buick Verano and 2016 Chevrolet Malibu as the electronic park lock lever may allow the ignition key to be removed without the transmission being in PARK. Also, certain 2013 Buick Encore, 2011 Buick Regal, 2013-2014 Buick Verano, 2011-2016 Chevrolet Cruze, 2010-2013 Chevrolet Equinox 2013-2015 Chevrolet Malibu, and 2011-2013 GMC Terrain vehicles may have been serviced with similar defective replacement electronic park lock levers. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 114, "Theft Protection and Rollaway Prevention."
- Risk
- If the key is removed without the transmission in PARK, the vehicle may rollaway as occupants are exiting, increasing the risk of injury.
- Fix
- GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and if necessary replace the key cylinder lock housing, free of charge. The recall began on October 14, 2016. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, Buick 1-800-521-7300, and GMC 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is 50490 and 50491.
Seats › Front Assembly › Power Adjust · Jul 23, 2014
NHTSA campaign 14V447000 · 414,333 vehicles
- Problem
- General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2011-2012 Buick LaCrosse, Regal and Chevrolet Camaro, as well as certain 2010-2012 Cadillac SRX, Chevrolet Equinox and GMC Terrain vehicles, equipped with power height adjustable driver and passenger seats. In the affected vehicles, the bolt that secures the driver's and passenger's power front seat height adjuster may fall out causing the seat to drop suddenly to the lowest vertical position.
- Risk
- If the driver's seat unexpectedly drops, the distraction and altered seat position may affect the drivers' control of the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Fix
- GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the height adjuster shoulder bolts, free of charge. The manufacturer distributed interim letters to owners on September 11, 2014. The recall began on December 26, 2014. Owners may contact GM customer service at 1-800-521-7300 (Buick), 1-800-458-8006 (Cadillac), 1-800-222-1020 (Chevrolet), or 1-800-462-8782 (GMC). GM's number for this recall is 14271.
Exterior Lighting › Turn Signal · Oct 4, 2012
NHTSA campaign 12V484000 · 120,426 vehicles
- Problem
- General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2011-2013 Buick Regal and model year 2013 Chevrolet Malibu vehicles. These vehicles are equipped with two turn signal bulbs in each front turn signal. If one of the two front turn signal bulbs burn out in either front turn signal lamp, there is no indication to the driver. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment."
- Risk
- If the driver is not aware that a turn signal is not functioning properly, the driver may continue to drive the vehicle. If half of a front turn signal is not illuminating, other driver's may not be aware that the affected vehicle is turning, thereby increasing the risk of a crash.
- Fix
- GM will notify owners, dealers will update the body control module software, free of charge. The recall began in September 2014. Owners may contact Buick at 1-800-521-7300 or Chevrolet at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is 12212.
Not every 2011 Buick Regal is affected — only a VIN check confirms your car.
Owner-reported problems
Unverified owner reports; best-sellers collect more.
Used 2011 Buick Regal buyer's checklist
- Run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. 4 recalls this year — ask for proof of repairs.
- Engine — 101 owner reports. Cold-start the engine, listen for knocking, and watch for warning lights or hesitation on acceleration.
- Electrical System — 63 owner reports. Test every window, lock, light, screen and USB port; check the battery age.
- Exterior Lighting — 34 owner reports. Check all exterior lights, wipers and the windshield for cracks.
- Mileage to watch. Owners typically reported problems around 73,500 miles; ask what was repaired near that point.
- Before you pay: service records, a history report and an independent inspection.
Generated by DecodedCars from NHTSA recalls and owner complaints for the 2011 Buick Regal. Not a substitute for a professional inspection.
Other Regal years
Compare all years →| Year | MPG (best) | Length | Overall | Recalls | Complaints |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 Regal | 26 | 192.9 in | Not rated | 2 | 6 |
| 2019 Regal | 26 | 192.9 in | Not rated | 3 | 20 |
| 2018 Regal | 26 | 192.9 in | Not rated | 3 | 33 |
| 2017 Regal | 24 | 190.6 in | Not rated | 0 | 20 |
| 2016 Regal | 28 | 190.6 in | Not rated | 1 | 41 |
| 2015 Regal | 28 | 190.6 in | Not rated | 0 | 33 |
| 2014 Regal | 28 | 190.6 in | Not rated | 2 | 38 |
| 2013 Regal | 29 | 190.6 in | Not rated | 6 | 86 |
| 2012 Regal | 28 | 190.6 in | Not rated | 7 | 79 |
Sources: EPA, NHTSA, Transport Canada, Wikimedia Commons. Not affiliated with NHTSA, the EPA or Buick. How we calculate this →