Best and worst Buick Regal years — which to avoid

The Buick Regal has been one of the most reliable and affordable sedans on the US market for generations, but buying one still requires some skill and knowledge. We say that because there are some Buick Regal years to avoid based on driver complaints and repetitive issues, which is why our team wanted to help with this guide on the worst Buick Regal years to avoid.

Through this guide, we’ll be focusing on some of the main reliability complaints, common issues, and safety ratings of the Regal as a model over the years. We’ll also tell you which models are the best bargains on the market, as well as what to look out for when buying a used Regal.

Why you can trust REREV’s advice on which car model years to avoid: Our car experts look at official data, ask real drivers what they think, and talk to experienced mechanics to make sure our list is useful. This reliable info can make buying a car easier for you. Want to know how we do it? Find out more about our research methodology.

How we rated the best and worst Buick Regal years

In the making of this guide, our team of automotive experts reviewed the Buick Regal years by several factors. We first wanted to give you official records and complaints based on NHTSA reliability inputs, as well as safety ratings provided by IIHS and other driving safety organizations.

However, we can’t only rate the years as best or worst by purely going over the official reports, which is why we also explored driver reviews to check what their experiences with the model were like. That’s why we used ownership reviews on forums and platforms like KBB, Edmunds, and Consumer Reports to give you a complete picture of the model’s reliability by years:

Most common Buick Regal problems

Over the years, the Regal established itself as one of America’s favorite vintage sedans and the latest versions feature an interesting five-door liftback design since they share the platform with Opel Insignia. Still, it would all be for nothing in case of typical problems, so we’ll go over all of the common issues of the model.

1. Engine-related issues

Problems with the engine were reported for a 2011 model out of the more recent models, as well as for 1997 to 2004 Buick Regal models when it comes to the fourth-gen Regal. These issues were caused by a variety of issues, and it was mostly due to bad MAF sensor symptoms as well as the failing crankshaft position sensor which was common for these Buick Regal models.

Also, some drivers reported issues with the timing chain and excessive coolant liquid consumption which was possibly caused by a leak. Some of the engines to keep an eye out for are the 3.8-liter V6 from the fourth-gen Regal and a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine from the fifth-generation model.

2. Electrical problems

Sadly, the Regal is a model known for its electrical problems and some of these were more severe than others. Common electrical issues include faulty A/C heaters, problems with interior accessories, and problems with heated seats.

On top of that, drivers have reported issues with the false warning lights glowing up on the dashboard, so that’s another thing to keep an eye out for. The fourth-gen model had issues with malfunctioning windshield wipers and dashboard lights not turning off after starting the car. Sometimes the car wouldn’t start at all and this matter was mostly associated with failing starter and ignition switch issues.

3. Key stuck in ignition

One of the most common problems of the older generation Regal models was the key being stuck in the ignition. It’s caused by a faulty spring within the ignition switch and that led to the blockage of the key path and the key being stuck completely.

This is a bothersome issue since not only were drivers not able to start their cars, but it also requires the help of an experienced locksmith. It’s a good thing that recent models didn’t have such issues, but you should stay alarmed in case you aim to grab an older used Buick Regal.

4. Water pump failure

We wrap things up with yet another crucial issue that may turn you down on some Buick Regal models – faulty water pumps. Some of the main water pump failure symptoms include temperature raises and an overheating engine.

If the water pump fails, it can’t push the coolant through the cooling lines and your engine would be left with just engine oil to absorb a portion of the heat. Because of that, you probably get why it’s so important to avoid the affected model years such as the 1992, 1997, 2000, and 2001 Buick Regals.

Worst Buick Regal years to avoid

While going over all these problems, we felt like you deserve to know about the most commonly reported issues that the Regal came with for several model years. Still, there’s plenty left to discuss concerning those model years, and the key question is – what are the worst Buick Regal years?

The worst Buick Regal years are 2000 and 2011, but you might want to also avoid the following ones:

• 1998
• 1999
• 2000
• 2001
• 2011
• 2012
• 2013
• 2014

Well, let us make things easier for you by going over the worst models from each of the affected generations. It’s worth noting that up to the fourth-gen Regal, all the previous models were pretty much solid, except for the 1992 model which had issues with the engine cooling system.

Fourth-generation Buick Regal (1998-2001 model years)

As mentioned, the fourth-gen Regal model was the first one with more than a few problematic model years. If possible, we recommend you avoid the 1998 to 2001 models, as well as the 2003 model which was the worst one after those.

Among these, the 2000′ Buick Regal had the most issues and it’s also the second-worst Regal model overall. Some of the main issues that the car had included electrical issues like dim dashboard lights or the engine not properly starting.

On top of that, there are problems with the engine itself, A/C heater malfunctions, and problems with visibility like faulty wipers.

Fifth-generation Buick Regal (2011-2014 model years)

The following generation of the Regal was a bit better in terms of reliability overall, but it also had a few issues concerning some similar problems as the generation before. We once again had to witness problems with engine stalling caused by the bad crankshaft position sensors and other sensors that aid the controlled combustion.

There’s also a timing chain issue which was rarer, but still present for the fifth-gen Regal models. One of the most severe issues of this model is poor braking performance which sometimes leads to accidents. Drivers reported overheating brakes and problems with the StabiliTrak light glowing up on the dash.

Finally, we’ve seen reports of engine stalling and interior accessory problems for the 2012 model, so we advise you to skip buying the 2011 to 2014 models.

What are the best Buick Regal years to buy?

Not everything is so dark with the Regal although we just discussed more than just a few issues. Still, the most important thing to realize here is that the Regal was produced for nearly 50 years, and that’s quite a number if you ask our team members. It’s therefore impossible for the model to come completely free of any issues, but here’s a list of the models that weren’t affected by the mentioned problems:

• 1993
• 1994
• 1995
• 1997
• 1999
• 2005
• 2006
• 2007
• 2008
• 2009
• 2010
• 2015
• 2016
• 2017
• 2018
• 2019
• 2020

Some of the best-rated models in terms of reliability include the 2005 to 2010 Regals and the 2019 model. These didn’t have nearly any issues and reported complaints, making them the best options out there for those on the lookout for reliable used Buick Regal cars.

We recommend you steer away from the 2000, 2011, and 2012 models due to their excessive reliability problems and complaints. Overall, Buick Regal had quite a run when it comes to producing reliable cars considering that the first three generations merely had a few problems altogether.

2004 Buick Regal

Unlike the 1998 to 2001 model that struggled with electrical features and engine problems, models from 2004 were a lot more reliable when it comes to fourth-gen Regal. They didn’t have any reported issues with the engine or transmission and had a fairly low number of complaints submitted to NHTSA.

In fact, the 2004 model specifically fits into this category as one of the best models overall in the Buick Regal’s production with reliable engines and decent fuel economy at a fair market price. For an older model, it surely won’t give you much headache as it has only positive driver reviews and a lot of compliments from driving safety organizations.

2019 Buick Regal

For a more recent model, we can recommend the 2019 Buick Regal as they don’t have any severe issues reported. It’s still a fairly new model so we may see some more issues popping up in the future, but for now, drivers haven’t complained about anything other than some cosmetic issues.

The turbocharged engine proved to be a reliable option with more than enough power and a decent fuel economy, so it’s a perfect pick for those looking for an affordable, yet modern sedan with decent performance.

Is the Buick Regal worth buying?

In the end, it all comes down to making a final verdict on the Buick Regal as a model, and that’s not as easy as it seems. Still, all those bothersome faults and breakdowns we’ve discussed weren’t a match for over 30 decent model years that came without any particular issues.

The Regal offers an equal chance for all types of buyers to find a decent model, whether you aim for a second-gen Regal or the superb latest 2019 Regal GS. All things considered, our team gives the model a positive remark and hopefully quality pieces of advice to you as a buyer through this guide.

When you’re looking at midsize sedans you’re considering a class of vehicles known for their blend of comfort, efficiency, and practicality. Make sure to check our Chevrolet Malibu years to avoid, Ford Fusion years to avoid, and Honda Accord years to avoid. Our articles aim to spotlight those specific years that might be best avoided, based on a thorough analysis