2016 Buick Regal Safety Report
2016 Buick Regal Safety Analysis
Safety Decision Cockpit for the 2016 Buick Regal
This page is the hub for deciding what to inspect next on the 2016 Buick Regal. It connects recall campaigns, owner complaint patterns, service bulletins, sibling model years, component issue hubs, and the model buying guide so a shopper or owner can move from a single report into the wider safety graph.
| Signal | Value | What to inspect next |
|---|---|---|
| Recall burden | Moderate (1) | Review campaign numbers, affected components, and dealer remedies below. |
| Owner complaints | Moderate (41) | Scan complaint narratives for recurring symptoms, mileage, crashes, fires, injuries, and dates. |
| Crash and fire reports | 0 | Treat any crash, fire, injury, or fatality-linked pattern as a priority pre-purchase inspection item. |
| Primary component hub | Steering | Compare steering issues across vehicles. |
| Cleaner nearby model year | 2020 | Compare against the 2020 Buick Regal with 2 complaints and 2 recalls. |
| Riskier nearby model year | 2015 | Check the 2015 Buick Regal before buying across this generation. |
Buick Regal Year-by-Year Comparison
The safest purchase decision usually comes from comparing neighboring model years, not reading a single page in isolation. The table below uses only validated Buick Regal years already present in the cleaned NHTSA dataset, so each comparison links to a real vehicle safety report rather than a generated combination.
| Model Year | Complaints | Recalls | Use case |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2017 Buick Regal | 20 | 0 | Compare as a potentially cleaner alternative. |
| 2015 Buick Regal | 33 | 0 | Compare as a potentially cleaner alternative. |
| 2018 Buick Regal | 19 | 3 | Compare as a potentially cleaner alternative. |
| 2019 Buick Regal | 18 | 3 | Compare as a potentially cleaner alternative. |
| 2020 Buick Regal | 2 | 2 | Compare as a potentially cleaner alternative. |
2016 Buick Regal Complaint Theme Map
Complaint counts become more useful when they are grouped into inspection themes. For the 2016 Buick Regal, these are the component areas with the clearest NHTSA complaint signals. Use each link to jump from this single vehicle into broader component hubs and make-specific issue pages.
Steering
9 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Steering issues Buick onlyExterior Lighting
4 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Exterior Lighting issues Buick onlyUnknown Or Other
3 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Unknown Or Other issues Buick onlyVisibility/Wiper
3 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Visibility/Wiper issues Buick onlyElectrical System
2 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Electrical System issues Buick onlyStructure
2 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Structure issues Buick onlyAI Safety Analysis for the 2016 Buick Regal
Reliability Score
The 2016 Buick Regal receives a reliability score of 55 out of 100 based on analysis of NHTSA complaint data, recall history, crash reports, and safety ratings. This indicates average reliability — some notable concerns exist that prospective buyers should be aware of.
NHTSA Safety Ratings for the 2016 Buick Regal
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) evaluates vehicles through controlled crash tests and assigns star ratings from 1 to 5, with 5 being the safest.
Known Issues for the 2016 Buick Regal
The following issues have been identified from NHTSA complaint data and owner reports for the 2016 Buick Regal:
| Issue | Severity | Frequency | Typical Mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Steering System Failure The 2016 Buick Regal has experienced frequent power steering failures, leading to hard-to-control steering and potential safety risks. General Motors has issued a recall for this issue. |
High | Common | 30k-60k miles |
| Exterior Lighting Issues Water in headlamps and dimming of lights have been reported, affecting visibility and safety during nighttime driving. |
Medium | Common | 30k-60k miles |
| Tire Degradation Tires have been observed turning brown on the outside, indicating potential degradation and reduced tire life. |
Medium | Common | 30k-60k miles |
| Structural And Electrical Issues Various structural and electrical issues, including check engine lights and wheel bearing failures, have been reported. |
Low | Common | 30k-60k miles |
Common Problems Reported by Owners
Based on NHTSA complaint data, the following components account for the majority of reported issues with the 2016 Buick Regal:
23% of reported issues involve steering system failures, including power steering and hard-to-control steering.
15% of reported issues relate to exterior lighting, such as water in headlamps and dimming lights.
10% of reported issues involve tire degradation, with tires turning brown on the outside.
8% of reported issues involve electrical system problems, including check engine lights and wheel bearing failures.
Recall Details for the 2016 Buick Regal
The following 1 recall has been issued for the 2016 Buick Regal by NHTSA:
Summary: General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2016 Buick Regal Vehicles manufactured August 30, 2015, to February 12, 2016. The affected vehicles have a power-steering assist system that may fail.
Consequence: A loss of power steering assist may increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the electric belt drive rack and pinion steering gear assembly, free of charge. The recall began on March 21, 2016. Owners may contact Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300. GM's number for this recall is 21510.
NHTSA Complaint Summaries for the 2016 Buick Regal
Below are complaint narratives filed by owners of the 2016 Buick Regal with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. 1 reported injuries or fatalities.
My Buick stops when driving unknown when it’s a surprise lights and dash go off almost got hit took to mechanics it’s the 2016-17 “throw away motor” ad they call it does not last and gets”metal pieces” to ruin motor and turbo as I have noticed speed issues and dying unexpectedly it’s the regal turbo 2.0 v-6 motor a should be recall I’ve seen online since at mechanic and a large issue why no recall...
My steering failed and started pulling left into traffic. It was hard to keep it in my lane. Had to have it towed by AAA. Took to my mechanic and he said it was the electric belt drive rack &pinion steering. He told me there was a recall on it. When I checked I was told that my vin # was not included. I think it should have been because its the same problem.it is not safe to drive.
My tires were Black when I bought them at Wittlins in Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin in 2020. They have been continualy turning brown on the outside of tire. Now they are a beige color on the outside of tire. It seems the tires are aging terribly. I complained to Wittlins a few times about tires discoloration and the manager keeps telling me the tires are wearing fine and said discoloration is nor...
I purchased the 2016 Buick Regal used in 2021 with 40,000 miles., it now has close to 70,000 miles. It’s still in well cared for mint condition, except for the driver side headlight. Condensation appeared and has been getting worse, dealership says the only option is buying another complete headlight assembly for $1200.00. The LED part of that headlight has stopped working., it’s inevitable that t...
The contact owns a 2016 Buick Regal. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle lost power steering functionality and the vehicle became difficult to steer. The contact stated that the failure occurred intermittently. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or the dealer. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but provided no ass...
The contact owns a 2016 Buick Regal. The contact stated while driving 35-40 MPH, the check engine warning light illuminated, and the vehicle started sputtering. The contact veered to the side of the road and turned off the vehicle for 5-10 minutes. The contact stated that upon restarting the vehicle, the failure was no longer present. The contact drove to the residence. The contact stated that the...
My head lamps have water in them, and is making my lights too dim to
The contact owns a 2016 Buick Regal. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed during rainy weather, and making a left or right turn, the steering wheel intermittently made a grinding and clicking sound. No warning lights were illuminated. The dealer was notified of the failure and the contact was made aware of NHTSA Campaign Number: 16V108000 (Steering). The vehicle was then taken ...
The contact owns a 2016 Buick Regal. The contact stated that condensation and moisture was present inside the front headlight assemblies, which caused the headlight illumination to be diminished and created a visibility hazard while driving at night. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer who diagnosed that the front headlight assemblies were faulty and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was no...
Condensation on passenger headlight. (80%) Just noticed condensation on driver side (15%)
While driving down the highway at 60 mph with myself my husband and my 7 year old son my steering wheel locked up and then jolted very hard to the left. Got the car pulled to side of the road the power assist warning started flashing this all happened Saturday October 22, 2022. It had never happened before turned the car off and checked fluids they were filled to where they needed to be started ...
Driving on the highway and abs, stabltrack and steering lights came on. This is the third time in 2 years that a wheel bearing failed on this vehicle. A magnet ring in the wheel bearing that sensors wheel speed failed and fractured causing a loss of power steering, abs, and traction control.
I was driving down the highway at 75 mph with my kids in the car and the vacuum pump for the brakes went out which caused my brake pedal to seize up and car brakes would not work while in traffic. I was barely able to get off the highway and get the car to stop. This issue with the pump failing also put debris into the motor and caused motor failure. There was no warning lights on the dash and ...
My car continues to run on battery. I’ve had the battery and alternator replaced
The contact owns a 2016 Buick Regal. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the steering wheel seized while turning the vehicle. Additionally, the vehicle experienced a loss of motive power. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but informed the contact that there was no recall associa...
The steering wheel locks up during turning making it difficult to control the vehicle during turn-this presented a major safety risk. The vehicle was taken to a Buick dealer service on two occasions. The dealer was not able to duplicate the issue. On the first occasion an error code of B101E was noted during diagnosis system check. (Service write-up attached) The same issue represented and is cu...
Interior Chrome Driver Door Handle: The chrome film splits which caused a sharp edge on the edge of the chrome film of the door handle. I cut the edge of my finger on this sharp edge. When I took my vehicle in to have this handle replaced, I had to purchase the entire Driver's Side Door Panel just to get the handle. When speaking to my Service Rep, he informed me of another elderly customer tha...
When using adaptive cruise control, this vehicle will allow you to get close to the vehicle in front of you and aggressively apply brakes which throws you forward. The dealer has looked at this vehicle several times for this issue, changed several sensors but the problem still still exists. Because of this issue I cannot use my Adaptive Cruise Control.
Water leaking into both front headlights results in dimming of headlights making it hard to see during nighttime driving and a real concern that the HID ballast wiring will short out causing complete loss of headlight operational function. There are many reports online of customers complaining that their HID headlights blew out due to water leakage and they were unable to see properly during night...
The contact owns a 2016 Buick Regal. The contact stated that moisture had entered the vehicle's headlight module which caused the headlights to dim while in operation. The contact had taken the vehicle to a dealer where he was given three options on how to repair the vehicle, all three options included him paying out of pocket for the repair which he declined. The manufacturer had been notified of...
Showing 20 of 41 complaints. Additional complaints are available via the NHTSA database.
Frequently Asked Questions About the 2016 Buick Regal
Has the 2016 BUICK REGAL been recalled?
Yes, the 2016 BUICK REGAL has 1 recall on record with NHTSA. Each recall addresses a specific safety defect identified by the manufacturer or NHTSA.
How many complaints does the 2016 BUICK REGAL have?
The 2016 BUICK REGAL has 41 complaints filed with NHTSA. None of the complaints involved crashes. 1 injuries and 0 deaths have been reported.
What is the safety rating for the 2016 BUICK REGAL?
The 2016 BUICK REGAL received an overall NHTSA safety rating of excellent (5/5). Frontal crash: 4/5. Side crash: 5/5. Rollover: 4/5.
What are the most common problems with the 2016 BUICK REGAL?
The most commonly reported problems with the 2016 BUICK REGAL involve steering (9 complaints), exterior lighting (4 complaints), unknown or other (3 complaints). Other affected components include visibility/wiper, electrical system, structure.
How many crash reports does the 2016 BUICK REGAL have?
There are no crash reports associated with the 2016 BUICK REGAL in the NHTSA database.
How many fire reports does the 2016 BUICK REGAL have?
There are no fire reports for the 2016 BUICK REGAL in the NHTSA database.
Are there any deaths reported for the 2016 BUICK REGAL?
No deaths have been reported in NHTSA complaints for the 2016 BUICK REGAL.
How many injuries are reported for the 2016 BUICK REGAL?
1 injury has been reported in NHTSA complaints for the 2016 BUICK REGAL. These are self-reported by vehicle owners as part of their safety complaints.
Should I buy a 2016 BUICK REGAL?
Based on NHTSA data, the 2016 BUICK REGAL is generally recommended. It has 41 complaints, 1 recalls, and a excellent (5/5) safety rating. Always have a pre-purchase inspection done by a qualified mechanic.
What components fail most on the 2016 BUICK REGAL?
The components with the most failures on the 2016 BUICK REGAL are: 1. STEERING (9 complaints), 2. EXTERIOR LIGHTING (4 complaints), 3. UNKNOWN OR OTHER (3 complaints), 4. VISIBILITY/WIPER (3 complaints), 5. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM (2 complaints). STEERING is the single most-reported problem area with 9 complaints.
What should I know before buying a 2016 BUICK REGAL?
Be cautious of steering system failures and exterior lighting issues, which are common in the 2016 Buick Regal. Regular maintenance is crucial to ensure safety and reliability. The 2016 BUICK REGAL has 41 NHTSA complaints and 1 recalls on record. NHTSA rates it excellent (5/5).
How reliable is the 2016 BUICK REGAL?
The 2016 BUICK REGAL receives a reliability score of 55/100, indicating average reliability. This is based on 41 owner complaints, 1 recalls, and 0 crash/fire reports in the NHTSA database. Key known issues include Steering System Failure and Exterior Lighting Issues.
What are the known issues with the 2016 BUICK REGAL?
Known issues with the 2016 BUICK REGAL include: Steering System Failure, Exterior Lighting Issues, Tire Degradation, Structural and Electrical Issues. These are based on patterns found across 41 NHTSA complaints. 1 of these patterns resulted in formal recalls.
Are there any recalls for the 2016 Buick Regal?
Yes, there is a recall for power steering issues that can lead to hard-to-control steering.
What are the most common exterior lighting issues?
Water in headlamps and dimming of lights are the most common exterior lighting problems.
Are there any tire issues with the 2016 Buick Regal?
Yes, tires have been observed turning brown on the outside, indicating potential degradation.
Buyer Advice
Our recommendation: Be cautious of steering system failures and exterior lighting issues, which are common in the 2016 Buick Regal. Regular maintenance is crucial to ensure safety and reliability.
NHTSA Data Summary for 2016 Buick Regal
This safety report is based on a comprehensive analysis of data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) for the 2016 Buick Regal. The data includes 41 consumer complaints filed by vehicle owners, 1 manufacturer-initiated safety recalls, 1 reported injuries, and safety rating assessments associated with this vehicle.
The NHTSA has assigned the 2016 Buick Regal an overall safety rating of 5 out of 5 stars, with a frontal crash rating of 4 stars, a side crash rating of 5 stars, and a rollover rating of 4 stars. These ratings are determined through controlled crash testing conducted by the NHTSA.
All data presented in this report is sourced from public NHTSA databases. Our AI analysis identifies patterns across complaint narratives, correlates them with recall history, and produces the safety assessment above. This analysis is updated as new complaints and recalls are filed with the NHTSA.
Consumers are encouraged to report vehicle safety problems to the NHTSA at nhtsa.gov. If your vehicle is subject to a recall, contact your dealer to schedule the free repair.
Disclaimer: This analysis is AI-generated from NHTSA public data and does not constitute professional automotive or safety advice. Always verify recall status at NHTSA.gov and consult a qualified mechanic.
Analysis last updated: 2026-05-13