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2016 Buick Regal Recalls, Issues & Maintenance

The 2016 Buick Regal carries 1 open NHTSA recall — most recently covering electric power assist system. Owners report 5 recurring issue clusters, led by “Headlight condensation and dimming.” Buick uses the GM Oil Life System: an algorithm tracks engine revolutions and temperature, then lights the change-oil message — typically every 7,500 miles in mixed driving, capped at 12 months, using dexos-approved oil. Current Encore GX and Envista run 1.2/1.3L turbo three-cylinders where oil quality matters more than volume drivers expect (the sump is small and turbo-heated). Front-drive models pair to a CVT with a published fluid interval — it is not a lifetime part.

1 Open Recall

Source: NHTSA

STEERING:ELECTRIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM

Campaign #16V108000 · Feb 24, 2016

Issue: 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.

Risk: A loss of power steering assist may increase the risk of a crash.

Fix: 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.

Recall data refreshed Sep 13, 2026.

Known issues for this vehicle

What drivers and federal regulators have officially reported about the 2016 Buick Regal.

Reported to NHTSA

Headlight condensation and dimming

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

6 NHTSA complaints · 2021-10 → 2024-05

“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”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11589503
“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”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11504363
“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”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11436396

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Unintended or automatic braking events

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

4 NHTSA complaints · 2017-08 → 2022-05

“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”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11464402
“CAR APPLIED BRAKES SUDDENLY AND FULLY 4-5 TIMES DURING 200 MILE TRIP ON I-5 FOR NO APPARENT REASON WHILE ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL WAS ON AT FREEWAY SPEEDS (65-70MPH)”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11015791
“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”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11449512

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Power steering loss or lockup while driving

STEERING

10 NHTSA complaints · 2019-10 → 2025-02

“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”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11642262
“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”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11460383
“POWER STEERING RANDOMLY FAILS WHILE DRIVING. THIS HAPPENED WHILE TURNING INTO A PARKING SPACE, ON RESIDENTIAL STREET AND THE EXPRESSWAY”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11266895

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Engine stalling and internal failure

ENGINE

5 NHTSA complaints · 2021-03 → 2025-06

“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”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11585149
“ENGINE HAS A DEFECT THAT CAUSES A PIECE OF THE ENGINE TO BREAK OFF AND END UP IN THE OIL LINES, ENDS UP IN OIL PAN. THIS DEFECT CAUSES THE ENGINE TO FREEZE AND OWNER MUST REPLACE THE ENGINE”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11414614
“WHEN ACCELERATING THE VEHICLE AFTER COMING TO A STOP OR SLOWING DOWN STUMBLING/STUTTERING OCCURRED ALONG WITH THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMING ON AND THE STABILITRAK/ TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11405282

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Transmission shifting and gear-engagement failure

POWER TRAIN

3 NHTSA complaints · 2018-08 → 2020-01

“I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY IN TEXAS, AND WAS IN THE PROCESS OF CHANGING LANES TO THE LEFT AND ACCELERATING WHEN ALL OF A SUDDEN MY VEHICLE COMPLETELY LOST POWER AND WOULD NOT GO INTO GEAR”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11162135
“I WAS ENTERING A CITY STREET FROM A SHOPPING MALL. AS I FOUND A SMALL BREAK IN THE TRAFFIC I PULLED OUT AND ATTEMPTED TO ACCELERATE”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11122934
“SHIFT TO PARK IS DISPLAYED ON THE DASHBOARD EVEN WHEN THE CAR IS IN PARK. DASH LIGHTS AND ACCESSORIES REMAIN ON UNTIL YOU "JIGGLE" THE SHIFTER IN AND OUT OF PARK SEVERAL TIMES”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11302298

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Issues on other model years

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI). Complaint data refreshed Sep 13, 2026. Investigation data refreshed Sep 13, 2026.

We display NHTSA's record with attribution; we don't editorialize on what these complaints mean for any specific vehicle.

Essential maintenance

Critical for safety and preventing major damage

Engine Oil & Filter (Oil Life System)

Every 7,500 mi

Change when the Oil Life System calls it — typically around 7,500 miles, never beyond 12 months. dexos1 0W-20 on modern engines. Small-displacement turbos (Encore GX, Envista): don't stretch the indicator.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$120–$160

Shop

~$85–$115

DIY

~$25–$55

Full synthetic costs more than conventional. 5-quart 0W-20 + filter is the typical bill.

Tire Rotation

Every 7,500 mi

Rotate every 7,500 miles with the oil change — GM pairs the two in its schedule.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$85

Shop

~$60

DIY

Free

Often free at the shop where you bought the tires — worth asking before paying.

Brake Inspection

Every 7,500 mi

Inspect pads, rotors, and lines at every service. Older Centurys: check rear drum adjustment and parking-brake cables, which seize with age.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$85

Shop

~$60

DIY

Free

Most shops do this free as a courtesy with any service. Don't pay separately if you can avoid it.

CVT Fluid (Encore GX / Envista FWD)

Every 45,000 mi

FWD Encore GX and Envista use a CVT: GM schedules fluid replacement around 45,000 miles under severe service — which includes most city commuting. AWD Encore GX uses a 9-speed automatic instead (see transmission fluid).

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$360–$500

Shop

~$255–$355

DIY

~$80–$180

CVT fluid is manufacturer-specific and pricey — do NOT substitute conventional ATF.

Important maintenance

Keeps your vehicle running smoothly and efficiently

Automatic Transmission Fluid

Every 45,000 mi

Conventional automatics (Century's 4T65-E, Regal's Aisin, AWD Encore GX's 9-speed): GM lists 45,000 miles severe / longer normal. Older Buicks respond well to a simple drain-and-fill — avoid pressure flushes on high-mile units.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$330–$500

Shop

~$235–$355

DIY

~$60–$180

Some sealed transmissions have no dipstick — fill is precise and best left to a shop. Many drivers can still DIY drain-and-fill.

Spark Plugs

Every 60,000 mi

Small-turbo three-cylinders (Encore GX, Envista): roughly every 60,000 miles — check the manual. Older 3.1/3.8 V6s: iridium plugs last to 100,000 miles.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$285–$390

Shop

~$200–$275

DIY

~$25–$100

Iridium plugs cost more but last 100k+ miles. V6/V8 access varies wildly — some are tough.

Engine Air Filter

Every 45,000 mi

GM schedules replacement around 45,000 miles; inspect at every oil change in dusty regions.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$60–$95

Shop

~$45–$70

DIY

~$15–$40

5-minute job on most cars; the airbox lid usually has clips, no tools needed.

Serpentine Belt

Every 60,000 mi

Inspect from 60,000 miles; replace on cracking or glazing rather than mileage alone.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$195–$235

Shop

~$135–$165

DIY

~$20–$50

DIY-friendly if you can reach the tensioner. Inspect for cracks rather than swap on a strict mileage interval.

Recommended maintenance

Extends the life of your vehicle and improves comfort

Cabin Air Filter

Every 22,500 mi

Replace roughly every 22,500 miles per GM's schedule — behind the glovebox on modern Buicks.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$60–$95

Shop

~$45–$70

DIY

~$15–$40

Usually behind the glovebox. Shops charge labor for a 10-minute job — easy DIY win.

Coolant Replacement (Dex-Cool)

Every 150,000 mi

Dex-Cool is rated 5 years / 150,000 miles. On older 3.1/3.8 V6s, intake-gasket seepage was the classic failure — check coolant level and condition at every oil change on a Century.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$285–$330

Shop

~$200–$235

DIY

~$25–$60

Use the manufacturer-specified coolant — wrong color/chemistry can damage the cooling system.

Battery Test & Service

Every 25,000 mi

Test annually after year 3. Stop-start-equipped Encore GX/Envista use AGM batteries — replace like-for-like, not with a cheaper flooded battery.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$225–$390

Shop

~$160–$280

DIY

~$130–$250

Most auto-parts stores test and install batteries free with purchase. Skip the dealer markup.

Fatal crash history & reported problems

Occupant deaths in fatal crashes (FARS)

15 crashes 2010–2024

FARS counts every occupant death in a fatal crash, whatever the cause — it does not mean the vehicle was at fault or defective. Counts are not adjusted for how many of each vehicle are on the road. How to read this number

Owner-reported problem signals

Separate from the federal fatality data above: complaints owners filed with NHTSA about this year and model. These are reports of problems, unverified, and are counted here only as signals.

0

complaints mentioning a crash

0

complaints mentioning a fire

Reviewed known issues for this vehicle·Open recalls for this vehicle

Typical U.S. ranges. Actual quotes vary by shop, parts choice, and vehicle condition.

How we estimate: Dealer = OEM parts × 1.4 + labor × $165/hr. Shop = parts + labor × $115/hr. DIY = parts only.

This maintenance schedule for the 2016 Buick Regal reflects Buick's published service intervals and the GM Oil Life System system. Your actual service needs may vary based on driving conditions, climate, and vehicle usage. Always consult your owner's manual for model-specific recommendations.

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