NHTSA vehicle safety data

2018 Buick Regal Recalls & Complaints

The 2018 Buick Regal has 3 NHTSA recall campaigns and 19 owner complaints on file as of November 3, 2026. Recall repairs are usually free at an authorized Buick dealer.

NHTSA recall and complaint data for the 2018 Buick Regal. Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.

2018 Buick Regal owner complaints

Owners have filed 19 complaints with NHTSA about the 2018 Buick Regal, describing incidents dated June 17, 2018 to October 11, 2025.

Most-cited components

  • Service Brakes 8 complaints
  • Engine 5 complaints
  • Unknown or Other 4 complaints
  • Electrical System 3 complaints
  • Air Bags 2 complaints
  • Power Train 2 complaints

Of the 19 complaints on file, 5 report a crash; across all 19 complaints, owners report 4 injuries (owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA).

Newest complaints

  • ODI #11692646 · Filed

    My car was part of recall number 22V465, which was supposed to fix a problem with the electronic brake assist system. The recall repair was done in 2023, but after my battery recently died, the same problem has come back — my brakes are very firm, and I have to press hard to stop. The car is showing…

  • ODI #11650765 · Filed

    This issue is related to the gear shifter on the vehicle. When stopping the car and putting it into park the dashboard shows the message "Shift to Park." this vehicle has only 50,000 miles on it and this issue cause safety issues as the battery on the vehicle will drain as the car can't be turned…

  • ODI #11622365 · Filed

    Was driving home from work and my brakes suddenly stopped working, if I press all the way down on the brakes they somewhat work. Checked brake fluid and brake lines and everything seems fine. Could this be from vacuum power brake assist fail?

Read all 19 complaints

NHTSA defect investigations

NHTSA's investigations file lists the 2018 Buick Regal in 1 investigation. A listed model year means only that an investigation names it; it says nothing about any particular vehicle. An open investigation is not a finding that a safety defect exists, and NHTSA can close one without a recall.

Open and recently closed NHTSA defect investigations

Loss of Power Brake Assist/FMVSS 135

NHTSA #22V465000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic — Power Assist — Vacuum · NHTSA notice

Reported June 30, 2022 · General Motors, LLC

Potentially affected: 23,734 vehicles

Repair completion: 84.17% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)

Manufacturer campaign N222370090 · Owners notified September 16, 2022

Defect description

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."

Safety consequence

A loss of power brake assist can extend the distance required to stop the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.

Manufacturer 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.

Notes

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.nhtsa.gov.

Insufficient Coating on Rear Brake Caliper Pistons

NHTSA #18V576000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic — Foundation Components — Disc — Caliper · NHTSA notice

Reported August 30, 2018 · General Motors LLC

Potentially affected: 210,628 vehicles

Repair completion: 95.86% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)

Manufacturer campaign 18279 · Owners notified October 11, 2018 · Vehicles built May 16, 2018 – June 25, 2018 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

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.

Safety consequence

A reduction of braking performance can increase the risk of a crash.

Manufacturer 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.

Notes

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

Rear Outboard Seat Belts may not Restrain Properly

NHTSA #18V230000 · Seat Belts — Rear/Other · NHTSA notice

Reported April 12, 2018 · General Motors LLC

Potentially affected: 8,738 vehicles

Repair completion: 99.24% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)

Manufacturer campaign 18117 · Owners notified May 14, 2018 · Vehicles built June 9, 2017 – February 22, 2018 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

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.

Safety consequence

If the seat belt fails to adequately restrain the passengers in a crash, it can increase the risk of injury.

Manufacturer 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.

Notes

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

Other Buick Regal model years

Check your 2018 Buick Regal VIN

Not every recall applies to every VIN in a given year. Enter the 17-character VIN from your Buick Regal at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether your specific vehicle has an unrepaired recall.

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