Buyer Research

2016 Buick Regal — Should You Buy One?

Typical asking price: $11,000–$16,000. There is 1 high-severity known issue you need to know before handing over a check.

Kestrel Take

A quietly good near-luxury sedan — the Regal (an Opel Insignia underneath) is comfortable, well-built, and the 2.0T version is genuinely quick, with available AWD. Cheaper to run than the German rivals it apes. Watch the 2.0T timing chain/oil and GM electronics. A comfortable, under-the-radar value if the turbo checks out.

What we checked

Reconciled against public records, 2026-09-11

NHTSA holds 41 owner complaints for the 2016 Buick Regal, across 1 recall campaign.

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 steering at 24%. That is notable without being overwhelming — worth checking, not worth panicking about.

One recall campaign covers 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.

Looked at and set aside: the lights (6) — 6 lighting complaints on file; real, but usually a bulb or a housing rather than a reason to walk.

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

Known Issues for the 2016 Buick Regal

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

2.0T timing chain / oil consumptionMedium

The GM 2.0T can stretch chains and use oil if neglected; listen for cold rattle and check oil level.

Repair cost (estimate): $1,500-$3,000 if affected

Source: NHTSA complaints filed under the engine (6).

Electronics / IntelliLink quirksLow

Occasional infotainment and sensor faults.

Repair cost (estimate): $100-$600

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

Electric power steering connector fails, steering gets heavyHigh — wallet impact

Water can get into the electric power steering system's connector on affected units, corroding the connection and causing steering assist to fade or cut out — the wheel suddenly gets much heavier to turn, especially at low speed. GM recalled 2016 Regals built between August 2015 and February 2016 for this exact defect, replacing the steering gear assembly. Confirm the recall was completed for this VIN.

Repair cost: $0 with the recall — verify it was performed

Source: NHTSA complaints filed under steering (10).

Walk-Away Red Flags

✗Timing-chain rattle / oil consumption
✗Neglected oil on the turbo
✗Random electrical faults
✗Crash repair under paint

Good Signs

✓Quiet 2.0T cold, steady oil
✓Documented service
✓AWD working (if equipped)

Found a specific Buick Regal?

This page covers what goes wrong on the 2016 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

2014 Buick Regal

$8,000–$14,000