2011 + Regal and GS Typical Concerns

[jwmuscat]

My 2011 has 56K miles and has been well maintained but is not stock (catless dp, intake manifold spacers, Trifecta tune, lowered, k/n filter, snow shield remove on intake). I just replaced the rear struts for clunking noise. Anybody have to replace the struts this soon? Was it related to lowering the car?

Anybody have the transmission seal at the shifter leak? My mechanic says I need a new gasket. Anybody have oil leaking from the turbo? My mechanic noticed that also. I am out of warranty.

I've had oil leaking from turbo ~50K miles. Replaced under warranty

 

[mikeg]

My 2011 has 56K miles and has been well maintained but is not stock (catless dp, intake manifold spacers, Trifecta tune, lowered, k/n filter, snow shield remove on intake). I just replaced the rear struts for clunking noise. Anybody have to replace the struts this soon? Was it related to lowering the car?

Anybody have the transmission seal at the shifter leak? My mechanic says I need a new gasket. Anybody have oil leaking from the turbo? My mechanic noticed that also. I am out of warranty.

I'm wondering if lowering the car by installing Eibach springs caused "premature" failure of the rear struts. If so, you would think the front struts are next.

Apparently, the oil leak in from the turbo seal is common and doesn't require replacement yet.

 

[matsurocka]

It’s very very possible. Eibach makes dampners tuned to work with there springs. The problem with factory stuff is they are not engineered to work in the geometry change you made. At factory height they are “softer” with more intial give them get progressively firmer. Lowered cars need them to be firm where they are “soft”
A new set of shocks can go to shit real quick on a lowered car.

 

[Heelraiser1]

I'm 40 years old and owned a 91' Mr2 turbo stick, a 90' Eagle Talon TSI AWD stick , a 91' Mustang 5.0 notchback manual, an 85' Mustang GT carburated, a tuned 98' Z28, and I bought my ex wife a brand new loaded Dodge Charger R/T back in 2006. I liked driving my friends 2001 Bimmer 325 I , and my nieces 2006 Volvo S90. But after all these great cars If I had to go out in one it'd be my 13' GS with the suspension turned on and the HK turned up to Audioslave and jamming gears to kingdom come. 😁

 

[carl3pedals]

Heelriaser1, your GS looks just like my silver 2012 GS, which also has a stick, and which I got just a month ago.

 

['13 Turbo II (216)]

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. :-/

Any updates on your '13s reliability?

 

['13 Turbo II (216)]

Any updates on your '13s reliability?

I'm also interested in a update on that '13

 

[Mugsytank]

I'm sorry if this is the wrong place to ask, but I'm having issues with my 2011 2.4L regal. It seems that the fuel is running rich, and there is pressure buildup in the crankcase. If you remove the oil fill cap, then the fuel runs within normal perameters. I have no idea how to fix it. These ecotech motors are a real pain in the a$$.

 

[Turboshawn]

New on here.. just bought a use 16 regal GS awd an on the highway lastnite it would shift into 5th or 6th gear in auto or auto stick mod... what is up with this car!

 

[Turboshawn]

Wouldn’t shift... sry typo

 

[MKz2017PremII]

Turboshawn - Have you pinpointed the trans shifting issue in your GS yet? I'm interested in knowing. Thanks.

 

[MaDDFWD]

You forgot to mention the stupid grin you get on your face every time you take an off ramp 30mph faster then any Buick has a right to. This is also normal

I like the fact i can go 5 MPH under with no tailgaters cause they figure im an old lady 😀

 

[doddsington]

I can add a +1 to the turbo oil leak issue. My '13 Regal GS started exhibiting the leak about two years ago right around 66k miles, the dealer noticed it during maintenance. They dyed the oil and when I went in a couple months later to get yet another wheel bearing replaced, I asked them to check on it while they had it up on the lift. Then they kept it while they ordered me a new turbo. Maybe something else was going on with the turbo too, but there was a noticeable change in power output after they replaced the turbo.

 

[kimbice2021]

Can you put a turbo on a non turbo regal?

Asking for the 2011 regal CXL.

I'm having trouble with faulty transmission in 2011 Buick regal. 4000$ to fix is what the dealership told

 

[2007LucerneCXL]

Not clear what you may be asking as Cheeseburger was Last seen Apr 14, 2016 and the post has nothing to do with a transmission.

I would suggest starting a new post on your problem with details on the problem, codes for the transmission and parts or description of what the dealer is charging $4000.00 for, plus anything about your vehicle.

 

[Buickguy123]

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/

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Feel free to comment on this.

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

I was looking at a 2014 Regal for sale. It made that ticking sound you mention. I did not know that was normal. Are all Turbos that way?

 

[Buickguy123]

I'm having trouble with faulty transmission in 2011 Buick regal. 4000$ to fix is what the dealership told

If the car drives go to another transmission shop. Do not tell them you have been to another shop. Just tell them your issue. Or just find a place to drop the pan and replace the filter and transmission fluid. No flush. Be careful before you pay any $4000. Shop around if driveable.

 

[425Buick]

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.

My 2017 gets about 21 around town, mixed city/highway. On a trip, around 70-75 I'll get about 25. have to leave it below 65 to get anything better. Disappointing but I love the car so, so what, I guess?

 

[CASCO]

2013 Regal Premium II Turbo - is the key fob the only way to open the truck?

 

[Brandon01]

Hi every I have a 2013 Buick Regal GS and my driver side, side skirt is coming loose. I went to the body shop to see if they can fix it and they told me they can but it won’t be a permanent fix. Is any one else having this issue? Also does anyone know what would be the best adhesive for this?