2011 + Regal and GS Typical Concerns

[wierz11]

Hooah, stickied!

Also, I didn't see it on the list, but was the shrinking of the hood liner mentioned? New hood lining was developed and fits properly.

 

[DonRican]

Hooah, stickied!

Also, I didn't see it on the list, but was the shrinking of the hood liner mentioned? New hood lining was developed and fits properly.

Is there a PI for that? If not what's the fix?

 

[wierz11]

I believe there is, I will find it. They replace they hood liner with a newly designed one that properly fits.

 

[FatherDeth]

Let's not forget the timing being knocked off of these engines very easily. And on some cars, the steering shaft can exhibit a popping and steering sensation due to a misaligned intermediate shaft dust seal.

 

[DonRican]

For HK Surround turning off after shutting the car off. Below is the PI number. Thanks wierz11.

UR9738 REPROGRAM WITH SPECIAL DISC PIP#PI#0663D

 

[JCG]

2011 + Regal and GS Typical Concerns


I have read many posts on issues and non-issues Buick Regal and GS owners have. I thought it would be a good idea to have them all in one place so new owners can know what to expect and know what to do if these issues arise.



Noise during startup
The Buick 2.0 T has an air pump which runs for about 1 minute. It sounds like a vacuum sucking in air at high velocity. This is normal and not a failed part. It helps get the Catalytic Converter up to operating temperature faster.


Loud squeak after start or putting it in gear
The loud squeak sounds like the serpentine belt slipping off metal. It may go away after warming up. The belt tensioner seems to have a short life in these cars. Change the Belt Tensioner.


Ticking while idle
This is due to direct injection and is normal.

http://buickforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=29761



Service Suspension System indicator on
The Service Suspension System is part of the Stabilitrac system. The Service Suspension System may come on for a number of reasons. A new GS may have the indicator come on when the system is calibrating itself. Sometimes it goes away after turning the car off and never comes back. Sometimes it comes on and off for a few weeks then never comes back. There are a number of reasons it can happen. It may come on if your front brakes need replacing. The accelerometer sensors might have failed and needs replacing. It also might be due to the placement of the wiring which rubs on the front suspension components.


http://buickforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=21778
http://sandyblogs.com/techlink/?p=994



Trunk opens by itself
This is a Buick Regal or even GM specific issue. I had the same issue with a Chrysler Town and Country. Putting your key in your pocket or purse with other objects can cause the button to be hit unintentionally. I had to put my key into my shirt pocket in order to keep the truck or car doors closed. GM has come up with a solution to this. They will install a “two shot rely” to resolve the issue.

http://sandyblogs.com/techlink/?p=1833



Sagging or lose Head Liner
Owners may experience a headliner which comes away from the back window. Below is the fix for this.

http://sandyblogs.com/techlink/?p=1321


Poor idle at stop lights.
I have researched this issue and the closest thing I had to an answer was this is related to the engine finding the best way to save fuel at idle. This was from a previous Buick service tech who is also my friend so I trust he is telling me what he knows to be the truth. My GS stopped doing this after about 15,000 to 20,000 miles. It doesn’t happen all the time but when it does it gets your attention. It feels like its about to shut off but doesn’t.


E85 and GS
The GS does not come with a needed computer to calculate E85 gas. That is by design. The reason might be the GS reaches a higher boost pressure than the stock Regal Turbo so it needs more fuel for the added air. That and the fact that E85 needs more fuel to work efficiently = not enough fuel pressure to do both E85 and the higher boost level of the GS.


GS Brake Squeal and front brake dust.
The GS has Brembo front brake pads which do a great job of stopping the car without fade. Brembo’s are also notorious for brake dust. This is not an issue with your brakes, just your expectations. There is a PI for the dust and noise if it bothers you. #PI0676A


http://gmauthority.com/blog/topic/buick-regal-gs-brembo-brakes-squeal/

__________________

Feel free to comment on this.

This should be a sticky so new members can see it.

I had all of these issues and then some with my 2011 Regal RL6. Mostly engine and brake problems. Things got so bad to the point where GM finally replaced my vehicle with a 2013 Regal Turbo III, and gave me $8825 cash back on top of replacing the vehicle. It was a nightmare, but here is the shocking news.....

The Buick dealer, specifically the general manager, where I picked up my new car, stated that he had four 2011 Regals dropped off at their dealership as lemon buybacks in ONE MONTH! I was his 5th, and this has all started to happen recently, not over a long period of time. He told me they were all the 2011 Rüsselsheim built Regals, and the Rüsselsheim models only....none of the Oshawa models, and none of them 2012 or 2013. Even the finance manager at this same dealership turned in his 2011 Regal (Russelsheim) as a lemon. The general manager and finance manager stated that some of the cars had issues from the beginning, and mine was certainly one of them, with problems beginning at 4400 miles, but the bulk of problems were happening between 18,000 and 30,000 miles, and people have been coming in droves to replace their problematic 2011s, even if just for a trade-in/trade-up rather than a lemon buyback.

This is a bit alarming. It would almost seem to me that the 2011s built in Rüsselsheim have some sort of "shelf life" issue going on--good for about 2 years or 30,000 miles. I wonder how much more of this we're going to see. It's really a shame because it's such a beautiful car, and Regals, to me (even the base models), aren't inexpensive.

If you own a 2011 built in Rüsselsheim, or any other model having issues, my advice would be to contact GM right away and have them start a buyback. Granted, they were not easy to work with, and I did have to get an attorney (at no cost to me) to help me negotiate the deal I got, but we should never be tolerant or complacent of all these problems given the top dollar each of us has paid for our Regals. So far, other than the Intellilink system driving me nuts, my 2013 is great and "seems" to have all of the bugs worked out right from the get go. Time will tell, but it looks like the 2011 Rüsselsheim is just infected with glitches and bugs. :-/

 

[Quicksilver]

I woudn't necessarily stomp on the 2011 Rüsselsheim built Regals. I am running a 2011 T07 Trifecta Tuned Turbo with 27K and no significant problems. I had a HK radio issue which was easily resolved. Plan to to replace the stock TBV which is throwing off a P2261 code and attribute this to the increased PSI of the tune. I haven't yank the TBV yet to see if it is sticking, needs lube or if the diaphragm is torn. pretty minor stuff. Thanks for the insight and a good concern to monitor.

 

[buickguy2]

Is there any sort of bulletin # I can give the dealer for this?

Loud squeak after start or putting it in gear
The loud squeak sounds like the serpentine belt slipping off metal. It may go away after warming up. The belt tensioner seems to have a short life in these cars. Change the Belt Tensioner.

I have this issue. I took it in today for 4 issues. They agreed to 3 out of 4 but they said it of course didn't squeak for them today. It has been doing this for 6 months!

 

[Buick Customer Service]

Is there any sort of bulletin # I can give the dealer for this?

Loud squeak after start or putting it in gear
The loud squeak sounds like the serpentine belt slipping off metal. It may go away after warming up. The belt tensioner seems to have a short life in these cars. Change the Belt Tensioner.

I have this issue. I took it in today for 4 issues. They agreed to 3 out of 4 but they said it of course didn't squeak for them today. It has been doing this for 6 months!

Hi buickguy2,

I would be happy to assist and speak with your dealership for further information. Feel free to send a private message at any time with your full contact information, VIN, mileage, and name of involved dealership. Thank you!

Jessica
Buick Customer Care

 

[turbo13]

I didn't include the shit eating grin you get hanging with a 50,000 dollar BMW at 140 + - even on twisty roads... But that's a given, not a concern. 😀

I know what I missed, reports of poor gas mileage when the car is new.

I also had the gas mileage issue in my '12 Turbo. At about 18k miles it went from 21 to 24 mpg almost instantly.

 

[DonRican]

I also had the gas mileage issue in my '12 Turbo. At about 18k miles it went from 21 to 24 mpg almost instantly.

I think this is an expectation problem. The dealers should inform new owners about this. If they think its a given they'd be wrong.

 

[Dedupe]

My center console vibrates and rattles, especially with the little flip up door (where the power port is located) is closed. It annoys the crap out of me. My sun roof sliding shade vibrates when open, no noise when closed. Recently the passenger seat has begun to vibrate. I have little rattles and buzzes from the dash that come and go - some days are there, sometimes gone. I actually think the exhaust on the GS causes a lot of these as my car vibrates at when on the gas in 1st and 2nd.

My Service Suspension Light comes on sometimes, I have noticed that if I park with the front end higher than the rear end it will come on (parking on an incline).

When the car is cold and I pull away and turn at the same time I get a metallic "clang" or "pop" sometimes. This comes and goes.

My shifter has become loose. When I got the car (around 20K miles) the shifter was tight. It's quite wobbly now (35K) and doesn't have that solid feel it did when I got the car.

I don't hot rod this car. To me it's my standard commuter car, I drive it to the office and back 5 days a week. I'm usually the only one in the car.

No matter what I do, my 1st to 2nd shifts are not consistent. I know how to drive a manual and have been for years. I don't know if it's the drive by wire or the engine doing on the fly tuning or something, but for the life of me I can't make these shifts consistent. Sometimes they are perfect and sometimes the car almost falls on its face. It's REALLY annoying - almost enough for me to sell the car.

 

[DonRican]

My center console vibrates and rattles, especially with the little flip up door (where the power port is located) is closed. It annoys the crap out of me. My sun roof sliding shade vibrates when open, no noise when closed. Recently the passenger seat has begun to vibrate. I have little rattles and buzzes from the dash that come and go - some days are there, sometimes gone. I actually think the exhaust on the GS causes a lot of these as my car vibrates at when on the gas in 1st and 2nd.

My Service Suspension Light comes on sometimes, I have noticed that if I park with the front end higher than the rear end it will come on (parking on an incline).

When the car is cold and I pull away and turn at the same time I get a metallic "clang" or "pop" sometimes. This comes and goes.

My shifter has become loose. When I got the car (around 20K miles) the shifter was tight. It's quite wobbly now (35K) and doesn't have that solid feel it did when I got the car.

I don't hot rod this car. To me it's my standard commuter car, I drive it to the office and back 5 days a week. I'm usually the only one in the car.

No matter what I do, my 1st to 2nd shifts are not consistent. I know how to drive a manual and have been for years. I don't know if it's the drive by wire or the engine doing on the fly tuning or something, but for the life of me I can't make these shifts consistent. Sometimes they are perfect and sometimes the car almost falls on its face. It's REALLY annoying - almost enough for me to sell the car.

Sorry for your troubles but this wasn't really a complaint thread. This is for issues that many have and the fixes/PI for them. Sorry for the confusion. Read the thread for more details. You might find the answer to some of those issues here.

 

[Dedupe]

Sorry for your troubles but this wasn't really a complaint thread. This is for issues that many have and the fixes/PI for them. Sorry for the confusion. Read the thread for more details. You might find the answer to some of those issues here.

Hi Don, thanks for reading. I of course did read the thread which is why I replied. Take care.

 

[Bippoptl]

Quick question... I'm picking up a Certified 2012 Buick Regal GS 6spd Manual in 2 days. It has 12,200 miles on it. I see all these issues and these Pi numbers or something. What exactly are they? And are three foxes dealer fixes or you guys are fixing this stuff yourself. Thanks for the help

 

[DonRican]

Quick question... I'm picking up a Certified 2012 Buick Regal GS 6spd Manual in 2 days. It has 12,200 miles on it. I see all these issues and these Pi numbers or something. What exactly are they? And are three foxes dealer fixes or you guys are fixing this stuff yourself. Thanks for the help

The PI is another word for GM's Service Bulletin Number. Your dealers service department uses this number to fix known issues. If you have one of the issues described in this thread, give the dealers service department the PI number and they will fix it free of charge.

 

[Bippoptl]

The PI is another word for GM's Service Bulletin Number. Your dealers service department uses this number to fix known issues. If you have one of the issues described in this thread, give the dealers service department the PI number and they will fix it free of charge.

Awesome, thanks!

 

[cmgww]

I think this is an expectation problem. The dealers should inform new owners about this. If they think its a given they'd be wrong.

I hope mine gets a bit better. Bought it with 441 miles on it (new but they had to get it from a dealership 2 hours away)...I am getting about 16-17 in the city and got 25 on the highway today going 72 mph on flat land...Considering my Dads HHR SS gets nearly 30 on the highway at faster speeds, I am a bit disappointed (yeah I know it is lighter). I didn't buy mine because I wanted an Eco, but I'd like a bit better than 25 mpg at 72

 

[DonRican]

Let us know how the mileage is after 10,000 miles. Most of us have seen 28 to 30 on flat roads. At 55 you should see 32 but only after the break-in.

 

[rook785]

My car has developed a rattle in the worst place possible..

the height adjuster for the driver's side seatbelt, right next to my left ear.

it drives me insane. It isn't continuous - it'll have pauses just long enough for my brain not to be able to drown it out as background noise.