2018 Buick Regal
The Verdict
Worst problem area
Brakes
Brakes leads by volume: 11 of 33 complaints (33%) mention it.
Complaints filed rose from 20 in 2017 to 33 in 2018.
Data last changed . Sources: NHTSA complaints and recalls, EPA fuel economy data. Methodology
Cost, Fuel Economy & Complaint History
| Category | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | vs. 2018 Large Cars |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Annual fuel cost ($) | 2,250–2,850 | 2,700–3,500 | 2,850–3,250 | 2,850–3,250 | 2,850–3,250 | |
| Combined MPG | 22–28 | 22–24 | 22–26 | 22–26 | 22–26 | |
| City / Highway MPG | 19–24 / 27–35 | 19–21 / 27–30 | 19–22 / 27–32 | 19–22 / 27–32 | 19–22 / 27–32 | |
| CO₂ tailpipe (g/mi) | 312–407 | 374–402 | 344–403 | 345–404 | 343–411 | |
| Complaints filed | 41 | 20 | 33 | 18 | 5 | |
| Recalls issued | 1 | 0 | 3 | 3 | 2 | |
| Crash-involved complaints | 0 | 1 | 5 | 0 | 0 | |
| Fire-involved complaints | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Injuries reported | 1 | 1 | 4 | 0 | 0 | |
| Deaths reported | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Configurations compared | 5 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 |
Not compared: this database has no vehicle sales or registration figures, so a raw count mostly reflects how many were sold, not how safe the vehicle is.
Common questions
How many recalls does the 2018 Buick Regal have?
3 NHTSA recall campaigns as of Sep 16, 2026. Check your VIN with NHTSA to see whether one applies to your car.
What is the most common complaint about the 2018 Buick Regal?
Brakes: 11 of 33 NHTSA complaints (33%) mention it.
What gas mileage does the 2018 Buick Regal get?
EPA rates it 22–26 MPG combined.
How much does it cost to fuel a 2018 Buick Regal?
EPA estimates $2,850–$3,250 a year in fuel costs, using EPA's assumptions.
Similar Vehicles
EPA-Rated Configurations (4)
| Configuration | Transmission | Cylinders | Displacement | Drivetrain | Fuel Type | Vehicle Class | City | Highway | Combined | Annual Fuel Cost | CO₂ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Configuration 1 | Automatic (S9) | 4 | 2.0L | Front-Wheel Drive | Premium | Large Cars | 22 mpg (high) | 32 mpg (high) | 26 mpg (high) | $3,000 | 344 g/mi (low) |
| Configuration 2 | Automatic (S8) | 4 | 2.0L | All-Wheel Drive | Premium | Large Cars | 21 mpg | 29 mpg | 24 mpg | $3,250 (high) | 366 g/mi |
| Configuration 3 | Automatic (S8) | 4 | 2.0L | All-Wheel Drive | Premium | Small Station Wagons | 21 mpg | 29 mpg | 24 mpg | $3,250 (high) | 366 g/mi |
| Configuration 4 | Automatic (S9) | 6 | 3.6L | All-Wheel Drive | Regular | Large Cars | 19 mpg (low) | 27 mpg (low) | 22 mpg (low) | $2,850 (low) | 403 g/mi (high) |
Complaints by Category
| Category | Complaints | Crash-Involved | Fire-Involved | Injuries | Deaths |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 9 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Transmission & Drivetrain | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuel System | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Electrical | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Brakes | 11 | 4 | 0 | 3 | 0 |
| Steering | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Suspension, Wheels & Tires | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Airbags & Restraints | 2 | 2 | 0 | 3 | 0 |
| Driver Assistance & Speed Control | 4 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Body, Seats & Latches | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Visibility & Lighting | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Other | 8 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
A complaint that names more than one category is counted in each, so the rows can add up to more than the total number of complaints.
Recalls (3)
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:POWER ASSIST:VACUUM; SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:POWER ASSIST:ELECTRIC:CONTROL MODULE:SOFTWARE · Campaign 22V465000 · Jul 6, 2022
Defect: General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2018-2020 Buick Regal vehicles. In the event of a vacuum-power brake assist failure, a software error in the electronic brake control module (EBCM) may result in a loss of power brake assist. As such, these vehicles fail to conform to Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 135, "Light vehicle brake systems."
Consequence: A loss of power brake assist can extend the distance required to stop the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will update the EBCM software, free of charge. Interim owner notification letters advising owners of the safety risk were mailed on August 19, 2022. Owner notification letters were mailed September 16, 2022. Owners may contact Buick's customer service at 1-800-521-7300.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:CALIPER · Campaign 18V576000 · Sep 5, 2018
Defect: General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Chevrolet Equinox, Impala, Cruze, Volt and Bolt EV vehicles, GMC Terrain vehicles, Buick Lacrosse and Regal vehicles, Cadillac XTS and XTS Professional vehicles and 2018 Chevrolet Malibu vehicles. The rear brake caliper pistons may have an insufficient coating causing gas pockets to form, potentially reducing rear brake performance.
Consequence: A reduction of braking performance can increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will bleed the vehicle's brake system, free of charge. The recall began October 11, 2018. Owners may contact Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300, Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006, Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, or GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is 18279.
SEAT BELTS:REAR/OTHER · Campaign 18V230000 · Apr 13, 2018
Defect: General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2018 Buick Regal vehicles. During the manufacturing process, the rear seat belts may have been improperly routed around the bolster bracket on the rear outboard seats, which can cause inadequate restraint of the passengers.
Consequence: If the seat belt fails to adequately restrain the passengers in a crash, it can increase the risk of injury.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the rear outboard seat belts, correcting the routing of the seat belts as necessary, free of charge. The recall began May 14, 2018. Owners may contact Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300. GM's number for this recall is 18117.