Buyer Research

2014 Buick Regal — Should You Buy One?

Typical asking price: $8,000–$14,000. There is 1 high-severity known issue you need to know before handing over a check.

Kestrel Take

An Opel Insignia in a Buick suit — a genuinely good-driving European midsize that Americans ignored, so used prices are low. The 2.0T is the engine to want. Timing chain wear, the turbo, and GM electronics are the maintenance realities.

What we checked

Reconciled against public records, 2026-09-11

NHTSA holds 38 owner complaints for the 2014 Buick Regal, across 2 recall campaigns.

A big number here usually means a lot of these were sold, not that it is a bad vehicle — popular models collect more complaints for the same rate of trouble. So the total on its own says little. What is worth reading is the shape of it. The largest single group is the engine at 24%. That is notable without being overwhelming — worth checking, not worth panicking about.

2 recall campaigns cover this model year. Recalls are repaired free, for any owner, with no time limit on most safety campaigns — but only if someone books it in. Ask the seller to show it was done, or have any dealer check the VIN; it takes them a couple of minutes and costs nothing.

Counts come from the NHTSA complaint and recall database — free, public, and worth checking yourself.

Known Issues for the 2014 Buick Regal

Ranked by wallet impact. These are documented, recurring problems — not freak accidents.

2.0T timing chain and turbo wearHigh — wallet impact

The LTG/older 2.0T can stretch its chain and wear the turbo actuator on neglected engines. Cold-start rattle is the tell.

Repair cost (estimate): $1,200-$3,000

Source: NHTSA complaints filed under the engine (9).

Water pump and thermostat failuresMedium

Cooling components fail with age on the turbo engine.

Repair cost (estimate): $500-$1,200

Source: NHTSA complaints filed under the engine (9).

HVAC actuator and electrical faultsMedium

Clicking behind the dash and assorted GM electrical gremlins.

Repair cost (estimate): $300-$1,100

Source: NHTSA complaints filed under electrics and electronics (6).

AWD system service (equipped cars)Medium

The optional AWD needs differential service and can develop noise.

Repair cost (estimate): $200-$1,500

Source: NHTSA complaints filed under the transmission and drivetrain (6).

Walk-Away Red Flags

✗Cold-start rattle
✗Coolant loss
✗Deferred oil changes on a turbo
✗AWD driveline noise

Good Signs

✓2.0T with documented 5,000-mile oil changes
✓Timing components serviced
✓GS or Turbo trim, well maintained

Found a specific Buick Regal?

This page covers what goes wrong on the 2014 Buick Regal in general. The Kestrel report covers this specific car— the asking price vs. market, the photos, the seller's description, and a BUY / NEGOTIATE / WALK AWAY verdict with a negotiation script.

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Not ready to pay for one? The free read is instant and needs no card — it checks the asking price against the market and names the top issues for this year. It stops short of the verdict, because that needs the photos.

Known issues on this page are based on documented owner reports, NHTSA complaints, class-action records, and manufacturer technical service bulletins. Individual vehicles vary. A pre-purchase inspection by a trusted mechanic is always worth doing.

Other Buick Regal years

2016 Buick Regal

$11,000–$16,000