The 2018 Buick Regal is a vehicle from United States. Below are the specifications, open safety recalls and NHTSA data available for this specific model year. Decode a 2018 Regal VIN to see the exact trim, engine and equipment for one particular vehicle.
Overview
The Buick Regal is a vehicle sold in the U.S. market. Enter its 17-character VIN below to pull the exact build from NHTSA vPIC: model year, trim, engine, drivetrain and assembly plant, plus any open safety recalls filed for that model year.
Specifications at a glance
Basic build info
Model year
2018
Make
Buick
Model
Regal
Body
Vehicle
Country of origin
United States
Model-year-exact trim, engine and equipment vary by VIN. Decode the specific VIN above to confirm.
NHTSA safety ratings
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Overall
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Frontal
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Side
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Rollover
Source: NHTSA New Car Assessment Program (NCAP).
NHTSA safety recalls — 2018 Buick Regal
3
open recall campaigns on file with NHTSA for this year/make/model. Repairs are free at any authorized Buick dealer (within 10 years of first sale). See all recalls →
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:CALIPER
Campaign: 18V576000 · Filed: 30/08/2018
Defect description: General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Chevrolet Equinox, Impala, Cruze, Volt and Bolt EV vehicles, GMC Terrain vehicles, Buick Lacrosse and Regal vehicles, Cadillac XTS and XTS Professional vehicles and 2018 Chevrolet Malibu vehicles. The rear brake caliper pistons may have an insufficient coating causing gas pockets to form, potentially reducing rear brake performance.
Consequence: A reduction of braking performance can increase the risk of a crash.
Corrective action: GM will notify owners, and dealers will bleed the vehicle's brake system, free of charge. The recall began October 11, 2018. Owners may contact Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300, Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006, Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, or GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is 18279.
SEAT BELTS:REAR/OTHER
Campaign: 18V230000 · Filed: 12/04/2018
Defect description: General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2018 Buick Regal vehicles. 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.
Consequence: If the seat belt fails to adequately restrain the passengers in a crash, it can increase the risk of injury.
Corrective action: 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. Owners may contact Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300. GM's number for this recall is 18117.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:POWER ASSIST:VACUUM
Campaign: 22V465000 · Filed: 30/06/2022
Defect description: General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2018-2020 Buick Regal vehicles. 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."
Consequence: A loss of power brake assist can extend the distance required to stop the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Corrective action: 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. Owners may contact Buick's customer service at 1-800-521-7300.
Source: NHTSA Recalls API. Snapshot last checked: October 19, 2026. Recall status changes — verify by VIN for any vehicle you own or plan to buy.
Common problems to check on this generation
Wear items (brakes, suspension bushings, tires) at a rate set by mileage and prior care
Electronics and infotainment faults reported on some model years
Any open recall: verify by VIN, since repairs are free at the dealer
Applies to the model line as a whole; the 2018 model year may have specific TSBs, always verify by VIN.
Owner-reported problems — 2018 Regal
19
owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this year/make/model. Complaints are self-reported by owners and are separate from formal recalls.
Most-reported problem areas:
SERVICE BRAKES — 4 reports
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,UNKNOWN OR OTHER,ENGINE — 2 reports
STEERING WHEEL JERKS BACK ON AUTO START AFTER AUTO STOP. EXTREMELY DANGEROUS THE ISSUES HAPPENED WHILE DRIVING AND AT RANDOM. REPORTED THE ISSUE EARLY FEBRUARY 2020 AGAIN IN EARLY MAY 2020 AFTER FAILURE TO DUPLICATE THE ISSUE BY THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT.REPORTED THE ISSUE AGAIN EARLY OCTOBER AFTER THE ISSUE WAS WORSE. ACCORDING TO GM FIELD SPECIALIST THE STEERING RACK WAS THE ISSUE, IT WAS REPLACED BUT THE ISSUE WAS STILL PERSISTENT AND THEY CONTINUED TO HAVE THE VEHICLE FOR ABOUT A MONTH. VEHICLE
POWER TRAIN,ENGINE,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM — 12/18/2020
WHILE BEING DRIVEN THE VEHICLES TRANSMISSION FAILS TO SHIFT GEARS WHILE RPMS ARE REGISTERED THE TRANSMISSION FAILS TO RESPOND AND LACKS POWER. I WAS FORCED TO SHIFT MANUALLY TO TRY AND GET THE GEARS TO SHIFT WITH NO LUCK AFTER QUICKLY MAKING THE SWITCH BETWEEN AUTOMATIC TO MANUAL TWICE THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION RESPONDED WITH A LOUD CLANK AS IF THE SEMI BEHIND ME HAD HIT ME AND THE RESPONDED WITH ACCELERATION. THE ISSUE WAS REPORTED FIRST EARLY FEBRUARY 2020 AGAIN IN EARLY MAY 2020 AND RECENTLY
UNKNOWN OR OTHER,ENGINE,VISIBILITY/WIPER — 12/18/2020
DURING THE COLD WEATHER WHILE BEING DRIVEN THE AC UNIT OR HEATER THROWS MOISTURE INTO THE CABIN RESULTING IN COMPLETE VISION IMPAIRMENT. THIS HAPPENED FIRST WHILE GOING UP A MOUNTAIN ROAD AND THE CAR HAD TO BE COMPLETELY STOPPED HOPING NOT TO GET HIT. THE DEFROST WAS MAXED AND THE IMPAIRMENT WAS STILL POSSIBLE, NO MATTER HOW HOT IT GOT IN THE CABIN THE MOISTURE WAS TO MUCH, TAKING MY AND WIPING THE MOISTURE OF THE WINDSHIELD WATER DRIPPED DOWN. IT CONTINUES TO OCCUR NOW WITH THE AC TURNING ON BY
Ask a specific question about this year and model. Our editors review every submission and publish answers with sources on this page — typical response time is 2-5 business days.
Related guides for 2018 Buick Regal owners & buyers
The 2018 Regal is a Vehicle. Decode a specific VIN above for the exact trim, engine, transmission and factory options for one particular vehicle.
Are there recalls on the 2018 Regal?
Yes — 3 recalls on record. Repairs are free at any authorized dealer.
Is the 2018 Buick Regal reliable?
How long a used Buick Regal lasts depends mostly on its maintenance history, not the badge. Pull the recall list for the model year, read the service records and pay for an independent inspection before you commit.
Values vary by trim, mileage, condition and region. Check Kelley Blue Book, Edmunds and NADA/J.D. Power for a range, see our guide comparing them — and pair with 5–10 local listings for your exact year and mileage.
What common problems should I watch for on a 2018 Regal?
Segment-wide issues like brake and suspension wear are the norm at this age; model-specific issues vary by generation. Review the "common problems" section above, check NHTSA complaints and TSBs for the specific year, and get an independent inspection focused on those areas.
Sources on this page:NHTSA vPIC (specifications),
NHTSA Recalls,
NHTSA NCAP (safety),
EPA FuelEconomy.gov (MPG),
NHTSA Complaints, SAE J2012 (OBD-II standard). VinSpecs is an independent service, not affiliated with Buick or any government agency.
