AI Damage2017 Buick Regal: common problems
Owners of the 2017 Buick Regal filed 20 complaints with NHTSA, most often about service brakes and electrical system. The maker issued 739 service bulletins for this year. Details by component below, with sources.
Key figures
- Owner complaints
- 20
- involving a crash
- 1
- Technical service bulletins (TSB)
- 739
What fails most often
- 1 Service brakes 60% of all complaints
- 2 Electrical system 15% of all complaints
- 3 Powertrain 10% of all complaints
- 4 Exterior lighting 10% of all complaints
- 5 Steering 5% of all complaints
- 6 Backover prevention 5% of all complaints
- 7 Forward collision avoidance 5% of all complaints
- Service brakes: 12 complaints (60% of all), 1 of them with a crash reported by the owner; manufacturer bulletins for this component: 24.
- Electrical system: 3 complaints (15% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 144.
- Powertrain: 2 complaints (10% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 56.
- Exterior lighting: 2 complaints (10% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 10.
- Steering: 1 complaints (5% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 16.
Engines and transmissions
US-market versions per EPA. On the right: how many NHTSA complaints name this engine or transmission type.
- 2 L · petrol · turbo · 4 cyl
- 2.4 L · petrol · 4 cyl
- automatic, 6-speed
Drive: FWD, AWD
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 20 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) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Service brakes | 12 | 1 | 24 |
| Electrical system | 3 | 0 | 144 |
| Powertrain | 2 | 0 | 56 |
| Exterior lighting | 2 | 0 | 10 |
| Steering | 1 | 0 | 16 |
| Backover prevention | 1 | 0 | 5 |
| Forward collision avoidance | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Equipment | 0 | 0 | 289 |
| Engine and cooling | 0 | 0 | 84 |
| Engine | 0 | 0 | 70 |
| Wheels | 0 | 0 | 47 |
| Tires | 0 | 0 | 33 |
| Structure | 0 | 0 | 30 |
| Fuel system | 0 | 0 | 25 |
What owners report
Short excerpts of NHTSA complaints in the original wording. These are owner statements not verified by NHTSA; personal data removed.
It was unknown if any warning lights illuminated. The contact stated that no injuries were sustained. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to a collision repair facility. The contact stated he was unaware of the cause of the brake failure as well as what was repaired.
I am being stranded in the dark in the cold with a car i cannot leave the key in or someone could steal the car, the doors will not lock with key in ignition.
The Brake Assist warning light was illuminated. The contact stated that upon depressing the brake pedal harder, the brake pedal slightly travelled down and bounced back. Additionally, the steering wheel shuddered, and the vehicle failed to respond. The contact allowed the vehicle to gradually decelerate independently.
The contact stated he used the parking brake to stop the vehicle. The contact stated that the brake assist warning light was illuminated after the failure had occurred. The contact continued driving the vehicle at 5 MPH to a nearby gas station and continued to use the parking brake to stop the vehicle.
The contact stated that the rearview camera would fail to activate while reversing. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the human interface module failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired.
Hid headlights moisture accumulation inside housing manufacturing defect cause is either a crack in headlight housing or seal could cause damage to bulbs and/or ballast/wiring
The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle shuddered while shifting gears. Serpentini chevrolet buick of orville (1107 n main st, orrville, [ZIP]) was made aware of the failure. The vehicle was repaired three times with an oil change while two unknown transmission parts were replaced.
It also shows that wires with these head assemblies have been melting make it more likely as a potential fire hazard. I check the driver side as well and it appears to be on the verge of cracking as well as the pictures show.
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 1,249 of 2,102 model years in the NHTSA data (among the 41% least complained about).
On average one model year of the Regal has 17 complaints (5 years in the data). This year has 20, above average.
What to check before buying
- Service brakes. Pedal feel, ABS operation, leaks, discs and hoses.
- Electrical system. Scan all modules, test the battery and alternator, inspect connectors near the impact zone.
- Powertrain. Shift quality under load, harsh shifts, transmission codes, CV joints.
- Exterior lighting. Headlamps, leveling, sensors and mounts after a frontal hit.
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 document provides the technician with a diagnostic tip if the vehicle stalls and set diagnostic…
This document provides the technician with a diagnostic tip if the vehicle stalls and set diagnostic trouble code P0191 and may also set P0172. The diagnostic tip has the technician inspect the high pressure fuel pump…
- 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.
- This Warranty Administration service bulletin provides Lithium-Ion battery Exchange Process and…
This Warranty Administration service bulletin provides Lithium-Ion battery Exchange Process and Transaction Submission information.
- New Vehicle Monitoring Programs Section in IVH
NHTSA lists 739 bulletins for this year; the 12 newest are shown here.
Other years of this model
Questions and answers
What are the most common problems with the 2017 Buick Regal?
Owner complaints to NHTSA most often mention: service brakes, electrical system, powertrain. Total complaints: 20. The most frequent symptoms in complaint texts: warning lights, check engine (40%), brake failure (15%), jerking, harsh shifts (10%).
How many service bulletins (TSB) were issued for the 2017 Buick Regal?
NHTSA lists 739 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 2017 Buick Regal 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 2017 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.