MotorDeets

2018 Buick Regal: Recalls, Problems & MPG

Here are the deets on the 2018 Buick Regal: 3 recalls, 19 owner complaints and up to 26 mpg combined.

3vehicle recalls
19owner complaints
5mention a crash
26best combined mpg
2018 Buick Regal
Photo: Navigator84 · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons. Representative photo of this generation; trim may differ.

Recalls

3 vehicle recalls from the manufacturer. Repairs are free. Check your VIN to see if one is still open on your car.

Seat belts Vehicle recall #18V230000 · 2018 · 8,738 vehicles

What's wrong: 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.

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

The fix: 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.

Brakes (hydraulic) Vehicle recall #18V576000 · 2018 · 210,628 vehicles

What's wrong: The rear brake caliper pistons May have an insufficient coating causing gas pockets to form, potentially reducing rear brake performance.

Why it matters: A reduction of braking performance can increase the risk of a crash.

The fix: Gm will notify owners, and dealers will bleed the vehicle's brake system, free of charge. The recall began October 11, 2018.

Brakes (hydraulic), Brakes (hydraulic) Vehicle recall #22V465000 · 2022 · 23,734 vehicles

What's wrong: 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."

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

The 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.

Most-reported problems

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component. One complaint can list several components. 0 mention a fire, 4 injuries and 0 deaths were reported.

Brakes7
Engine5
Other / unknown4
Electrical3
Speed control / throttle2
Airbags2
Transmission & drivetrain2
Visibility/Wiper2

What owners describe

The 2018 Buick Regal has 19 owner complaints, ranking #23 of 29 Regal model years for complaints (well below the 103 average). Complaints peaked in 2022 (4 filed that year). The typical problem showed up when the car was about 3 years old, at a median of 22,000 miles. Neighboring years: 2017 (20 complaints, 0 recalls), 2019 (19 complaints, 3 recalls).

Engines & fuel economy (EPA)

EngineTransmissionDriveCityHwyComb.Fuel
2.0 L 4-cyl turboAutomatic (S9)Front-Wheel Drive223226Premium

Want the full repair deets? Get the factory manual.

Recall and complaint data tells you what goes wrong. A service manual tells you how to fix it: torque specs, wiring diagrams, fluid capacities and step-by-step procedures for the 2018 Buick Regal.

eManualOnline Download (PDF), keep forever

Closest thing to the factory manual for most years. Pay once, keep it.

Most $25–$78, one-time
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Mitchell 1 DIY Online access, factory-level data

Pro-shop repair procedures, wiring diagrams and TSBs for your exact car.

From $19.99/mo · $39.99/yr
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ALLDATAdiy Online access, factory OEM info

OEM procedures, specs and recall/TSB info, the same source many shops use.

From $19.99/mo · $59.99/yr
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Haynes Print book or AllAccess online

Step-by-step photos written from a real teardown. Great for first-timers.

Books ~$30–$40 · AllAccess $34.99/mo
Check 2018 Buick Regal manual

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FAQ

Does the 2018 Buick Regal have any recalls?

Yes. NHTSA lists 3 vehicle recalls for the 2018 Buick Regal. Recall repairs are free at any dealer, no matter how old the car is. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What are the most common 2018 Buick Regal problems?

Owners have filed 19 complaints with NHTSA. The most-reported areas are brakes (7), engine (5), other / unknown (4).

What gas mileage does the 2018 Buick Regal get?

EPA ratings run up to 26 mpg combined (2.0 L, Automatic (S9)), across 1 engine and transmission combos.

Where can I get a 2018 Buick Regal repair manual?

eManualOnline sells downloadable manuals, Mitchell 1 DIY and ALLDATAdiy sell online access to factory repair data, and Haynes sells printed guides and online access. Pick a download if you want to keep it, or a subscription for wiring diagrams and TSBs.

Other Regal years

19901991199219931994199519961997199819992000200120022003200420052008200920102011201220132014201520162017201820192020