AI Damage2018 Buick Regal Tourx: common problems
Owners of the 2018 Buick Regal Tourx filed 14 complaints with NHTSA, most often about engine and electrical system. The maker issued 287 service bulletins for this year. We found 2 repair videos on YouTube. Details by component below, with sources.
Key figures
- Owner complaints
- 14
- Technical service bulletins (TSB)
- 287
- YouTube repair videos
- 2
What fails most often
- 1 Engine 29% of all complaints
- 2 Electrical system 21% of all complaints
- 3 Service brakes 21% of all complaints
- 4 Powertrain 14% of all complaints
- 5 Backover prevention 14% of all complaints
- 6 Wheels 7% of all complaints
- 7 Structure 7% of all complaints
- 8 Lane departure 7% of all complaints
- Engine: 4 complaints (29% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 33.
- Electrical system: 3 complaints (21% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 45.
- Service brakes: 3 complaints (21% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 7.
- Powertrain: 2 complaints (14% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 31.
- Backover prevention: 2 complaints (14% of all).
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 14 NHTSA complaints mention each symptom (automatic count from complaint text; one complaint can mention several).
Components owners complain about
| Component | Owner complaints | involving a crash | Technical service bulletins (TSB) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 4 | 0 | 33 |
| Electrical system | 3 | 0 | 45 |
| Service brakes | 3 | 0 | 7 |
| Powertrain | 2 | 0 | 31 |
| Backover prevention | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Wheels | 1 | 0 | 29 |
| Structure | 1 | 0 | 14 |
| Lane departure | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Equipment | 0 | 0 | 72 |
| Engine and cooling | 0 | 0 | 55 |
| Suspension | 0 | 0 | 10 |
| Fuel system | 0 | 0 | 9 |
| Steering | 0 | 0 | 9 |
| Tires | 0 | 0 | 6 |
What owners report
Short excerpts of NHTSA complaints in the original wording. These are owner statements not verified by NHTSA; personal data removed.
Check engine light came on, reads reduced power and is causing problems accelerating
My check engine light came on along with my traction control light, and "Reduced Engine Power" popped up. This is connected to a recall on this vehicle for a connector at the throttle pedal.
Rear camera and cross traffic warning system malfunctions randomly, working less than half the time. When the vehicle is put in reverse the system and camera often do not work and issue a notice that it needs serviced. On several occasions it did not warn me of a person behind my vehicle or another vehicle behind me.
Shift to park message in DIC along with audible warning, even though car in park. Will not allow you to lock car, will run down battery. Have to play with shifter to stop. Eventually couldn't get it to stop. Per dealer "Possible intermittent failure of the park switch in transmission shift control.
RECALL NOT COMPLETED? The previous GM Buick Dealership I went to, appears they will not or can not confirm that the Buick June, 2022 Recall (Braking issue) work was done in October, 2022 at Key Chevrolet Buick GM in South Burlington, VT.
The contact stated that his daughter did not notice any warning lights being illuminated. The vehicle had extensive damage to the hood, which had crumbled, the front grill, and the engine compartment. The driver's side air bag had deployed.
The vehicle was taken to the dealer, and the dealer replaced the rear differential pinion seal. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 27,483.
The backup grid randomly disappears on the rear view camera when the vehicle is in reverse. This happens at least 1-2 times every trip, and sometimes as often as every other time I put the transmission in reverse.
When owners complained
NHTSA complaints by filing year. The peak shows at what age the problems show up most.
Comparison
By complaint count this model year ranks 1,374 of 2,102 model years in the NHTSA data (among the 35% least complained about).
On average one model year of the Regal Tourx has 12 complaints (3 years in the data). This year has 14, above average.
What to check before buying
- Engine. Cold start, unusual noises, oil leaks and engine codes.
- Electrical system. Scan all modules, test the battery and alternator, inspect connectors near the impact zone.
- Service brakes. Pedal feel, ABS operation, leaks, discs and hoses.
- Powertrain. Shift quality under load, harsh shifts, transmission codes, CV joints.
Manufacturer service bulletins
Bulletin titles as filed with NHTSA.
- This PI provides Diagnostics tips on how the LIN bus works and how to diagnosis it
- This preliminary information advises a dealer on how to email GDS2 session logs into Technical Assistance
- PI to help diagnose A/C concern
- This preliminary information communicates information about how to determine if a wheel and tires size…
- This Preliminary information communicates the steps on how to save a GDS2 Session Log and upload to a…
This Preliminary information communicates the steps on how to save a GDS2 Session Log and upload to a Technical Assistance Case in CX Connect.
- This service bulletin provides information on Tire Sidewall Irregularities
- This service bulletin provides information on replacing the intake manifold when the engine is replaced…
This service bulletin provides information on replacing the intake manifold when the engine is replaced after severe internal engine damage.
- This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that have…
This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that have had multiple repair attempts that are being performed on customer’s vehicles that exhibit vibration conditions…
- The service bulletin advises the tech of a normal transmission shift condition and the delay in throttle…
The service bulletin advises the tech of a normal transmission shift condition and the delay in throttle response when the throttle plate is opened rapidly and advises the customer that it is normal for the delay.
- New Vehicle Monitoring Programs Section in IVH
- This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that have…
This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that have an intermittent no crank, no start, or start stall concern with the security light coming on. Technician may…
- This service bulletin provides information to dealership personnel for new vehicles with less than 1,000…
This service bulletin provides information to dealership personnel for new vehicles with less than 1,000 miles that may not pass California smog inspection or smog inspection in other states.
NHTSA lists 287 bulletins for this year; the 12 newest are shown here.
Repair videos
We do not copy videos: these are YouTube links credited to their authors. Amounts are as stated by the author and not verified by us.
Other years of this model
Questions and answers
What are the most common problems with the 2018 Buick Regal Tourx?
Owner complaints to NHTSA most often mention: engine, electrical system, service brakes. Total complaints: 14. The most frequent symptoms in complaint texts: rear-view camera (21%), warning lights, check engine (21%), loss of power / limp mode (7%).
How many service bulletins (TSB) were issued for the 2018 Buick Regal Tourx?
NHTSA lists 287 manufacturer service bulletins for this year. A bulletin tells dealers how to diagnose or fix a known issue; it is not a recall.
Should I buy a 2018 Buick Regal Tourx from a US auction?
Owner complaints describe defects, not crash damage. Before bidding, check the components listed above and review the lot photos: VinWind builds a report of visible and hidden damage by VIN.
Other 2018 models
Read also
Sources: public NHTSA data (USA): service bulletins and owner complaints; YouTube: links to videos credited to their authors. Complaints are owner statements not verified by NHTSA, and describe defects rather than crash damage. Data updated 2026-11-04.