Back to search

2019 BUICK REGAL

3.6L V6•FWD•AUTOMATIC•gas
Be the first sponsor for this vehicle

For $99, we generate the full set of step-by-step repair procedures for this exact vehicle. Free for everyone, forever, with your name on every one.

Sponsor — $99
Dead battery / stuck in Park? Emergency neutral procedure for this Regal →
5-Year Cost of Ownership
$24,578 maintenance + known platform issues
~$4,916/yr · 410¢/mile equivalent · $6,275 maintenance + $4,353 expected platform issues
Compare this engine
vs
2.0L Turbo I4
vs
2.4L I4 Hybrid
Common Problems & Known Issues

The 2019 Buick Regal, built on GM's E2XX platform, is mechanically solid but suffers from specific powertrain and brake issues that can get expensive. The 2.0L turbo is the more reliable choice; the 3.6L V6 has documented catastrophic failures tied to low-speed pre-ignition (LSPI) and piston ring land fractures.

3.6L V6 Piston Ring Land Fracture / LSPI Engine Failure

Occasional · high severity
Typical onset: 40,000-80,000 mi
Symptoms: Sudden loss of power, metallic rattling from cylinder head, Heavy white or blue smoke from exhaust, Check engine light with misfire codes (P0300 series), Metal debris in oil during changes
Fix: Complete engine rebuild or short block replacement required. Fractured ring lands destroy pistons and contaminate the bottom end. Typical shop time: 18-24 hours for short block swap including coolant/oil flush and accessory R&R.
Estimated cost: $7,000-10,000

Transmission Oil Cooler Line Leaks and Cooler Failure

Common · medium severity
Typical onset: 60,000-100,000 mi
Symptoms: Transmission fluid spots under vehicle, often pink or reddish, Burnt transmission fluid smell, Delayed or harsh shifting when cold, Transmission overheating warnings on dash
Fix: Oil cooler lines corrode at crimped fittings; internal cooler can fail and mix coolant into ATF. Requires cooler assembly, lines, and complete fluid flush. Labor: 4-6 hours including flush and road test.
Estimated cost: $800-1,400

Brake Vacuum Booster and Caliper Issues (NHTSA Recalls)

Occasional · high severity
Symptoms: Hard brake pedal requiring excessive force, Hissing sound near firewall when braking, Brake fluid leaking from rear calipers, Parking brake malfunction light
Fix: Two separate recall campaigns: vacuum booster check valve can fail (loss of assist), and rear caliper pistons can corrode causing leaks. Both are recall-eligible if not already completed. If out-of-pocket, booster replacement is 3-4 hours; rear caliper pair is 2.5 hours.
Estimated cost: $0 (recall) or $600-1,200 if customer-pay

Transmission Mount Failure (Front Mount)

Common · medium severity
Typical onset: 50,000-90,000 mi
Symptoms: Clunk or thud when accelerating from stop or shifting into Drive/Reverse, Vibration at idle in gear, Visible engine movement when revving in Park
Fix: Hydraulic front transmission mount collapses, causing excessive drivetrain movement. Common on both engines. Replacement is straightforward: 1.5-2 hours with proper support.
Estimated cost: $300-500

2.0L Turbo High-Pressure Fuel Pump Failure

Occasional · high severity
Typical onset: 70,000-110,000 mi
Symptoms: Extended cranking before start, especially when hot, Loss of power under acceleration, limp mode, Fuel rail pressure codes (P0087, P0088), Rough idle or stalling
Fix: High-pressure fuel pump on the 2.0T fails due to contamination or wear. Pump is camshaft-driven, mounted in the valley. Labor: 3-4 hours including fuel system depressurization and priming.
Estimated cost: $900-1,400

Seat Track Adjuster Weld Failure (NHTSA Recall)

Rare · high severity
Symptoms: Driver or passenger seat moves unexpectedly, Visible gap or misalignment in seat track, Metallic popping noise when adjusting seat
Fix: Factory weld on seat track can fracture, allowing seat to shift during crash or sudden braking. Covered under recall; dealer replaces affected seat track assembly. 1-2 hours.
Estimated cost: $0 (recall)
Owner tips
  • If shopping for the V6 model, demand full service records and have a pre-purchase compression test done — piston ring land failures often show low compression before catastrophic failure
  • Check recall completion status for brake booster, calipers, and seat tracks using the VIN before purchase
  • On 2.0L turbo models, use only GM-approved dexos1 Gen 2 oil and change every 5,000 miles to protect the high-pressure fuel pump and turbo
  • Inspect transmission cooler lines annually for surface rust at crimped ends; early replacement of corroded lines is cheap insurance
Buy the 2.0L turbo version if recalls are completed and service records show religious oil changes; avoid the 3.6L V6 unless you can absorb a potential $10K engine replacement.
AI-assisted summary drawn from NHTSA recall data, our labor-times database, and platform knowledge. Not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection on a specific vehicle.
524 jobs across 17 categories
🔧 Database maintained under the daily editorial review of Chris Hackleman · Master Technician · 20+ years and Jeff Moore · Master Lexus & Toyota Mechanic · 20+ years.
Stuck on a repair? Take it to The Diag Desk — ask a master tech about this exact car → real human answer within 24h, never AI
Building an app?
Free API access to all this data — 20 requests/day, no card required.
Get an API key →
Run a shop?
Manage repairs, estimates, and customers with ShopBase — $249/mo, all features included. Built by the same team.
Try ShopBase →