Owners have filed 18 complaints with NHTSA about this car, most about the transmission, electrical, and suspension. The 9 checks below target those problems, in the order you would do them at the car.
2019Tick items off on your phone at the car, or print it. Ticks stay on this device.
0/9 checked
2019 Buick Regal: inspection sheet
Before you go, or before you touch the car0/2
Engine off, key in hand0/2
Ask the seller not to warm the car up first0/3
At least 20 minutes, with some highway0/2
These checks are specific to this model year. For tires, body panels, fluids, and the other basics every used car needs, use the general inspection guide.
These years share the 2019's design and most of its parts, so their problems are the ones to look for on this car too.
Worth adding to your 2019 checks
EPA figures for each version of the 2019 Buick Regal. Use them to confirm you are looking at the version that was advertised, and as a yardstick on the test drive.
| Version | Drive | EPA rating |
|---|---|---|
| 2.0L 4-cyl | AWD, FWD | 24–26 mpg |
| 3.6L 6-cyl | AWD | 22 mpg |
NHTSA complaints for the 2019 Buick Regal, grouped by the part owners named. Open a row to read what goes wrong.
A false "Shift to Park" or "Place in Park" message appears even when the shifter is already in park. When that happens the car may not fully shut off, so the battery can run down and the car may not restart. Some owners clear it by moving the shifter back and forth. One dealer diagnosed a failed shifter unit and console at about 39,500 miles. Separately, a failed PCV system blew out the rear main and crankcase seals and caused an oil leak. The only warning was a high-pitched squeal in cold weather, with no dash lights or codes.
A "Shift to Park" warning shows up after shutdown with the car already in park. Lights, radio, and accessories then stay on and drain the battery, and the shifter stays locked unless the car is running. Some filings describe dead-battery episodes that keep coming back: no power, no click from the ignition, and a blank instrument panel until the car is jump-started. A whistling noise from the engine bay is also reported. Other complaints describe the radio screen going black and the air conditioning blowing on high while set to off. These faults come and go.
Persistent instability and poor ride quality return even after repeated dealer visits, in one case over two years. Dealers replace several suspension components, but the problem continues. Complaints also raise concerns about warranty service for these repairs. The filings do not name the failing parts or describe a crash. Still, owners call the loss of stability a safety concern, and the main pattern is repairs that do not fix the problem.
Excerpts from complaints Regal owners filed with NHTSA, as written. Listen for the same symptoms on your test drive.
PCV system failed causing excess pressure to blow out the rear main seal and crankcase seal resulting in an oil leak. No lights and no codes were on the dashboard. The only symptom was a high pitched squealing sound during very cold weather. The problem has been reproduced by the dealer. The problem first appeared the first winter owning the vehicle.
Filed with NHTSA, February 2025
We are concerned about how safe our vehicle is when in "park". We will, on occasion, get a "Place in Park" message when the shifter is clearly in the park position. The dealership is not aware of any service bulletins or recalls, and since the problem is intermittent cannot offer a clear assessment.
Filed with NHTSA, August 2023
Hello, I am the original owner of my 2019 Buick Regal Sportback which shows a "shift to park message when I attempt to shut off the car and the car shifter is in the park position. I am unable to turn off lights, radio, or accessories. This condition runs down the battery and prevents me from starting the car as the shifter stays locked in position unless the car is running. This should be covered under the GM drivetrain warranty. Please help.
Filed with NHTSA, April 2024
After shifting the vehicle into park and shutting off the engine I get a warning light on the dash that says shift to park. Even though the vehicle is already in park.
Filed with NHTSA, August 2021
Complaints for this year next to the average for the other model years, area by area.
The 2019 ranks second for owner complaints among 3 Regal years, about 1.7 times the average of the others. Newer years have had less time to collect complaints, so compare like with like.
Redesigns and mid-cycle updates change what can go wrong.
The 2019 is the ninth model year of the Regal's fifth generation (2011–2020).
It includes the 2014 update.
What changed for 2014
Recall repairs are free at any Buick dealer, but the seller may never have had them done. Check each campaign number against the VIN.
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.".
Risk: A loss of power brake assist can extend the distance required to stop the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: 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.
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2019-2020 Buick Regal vehicles. The driver or passenger front seat frames may have a lower crossbar that was improperly welded.
Risk: Seats with improper welds may not provide adequate protection in the event of a crash, increasing the risk of an injury.
Fix: GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the crossbar welds on the front seats. If the crossbar is improperly welded, the seat back frame will be replaced, free of charge. Interim notices informing owners of the safety risk were mailed November 26, 2019. Owners received a second notice and the recall began February 20, 2020. Owners may contact Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300. GM's number for this recall is N192278300.
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.
Risk: A reduction of braking performance can increase the risk of a crash.
Fix: 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.
Cars shoppers compare with the Buick Regal, with their own 2019 checklists.
2019 owner complaints, side by side
