I received a hand me down 2011 Buick Regal ad my first car back in October of 2019, the first day it was officially mine the check engine light came on, i took it to autozone and they told me to replace the camshaft position solenoid, so i did and unfortunately it wasn’t the problem, i drove the car around locally until February 2020 at that point it wasn’t safe to drive, once i had the money to get it fixed I did, the timing chain was loose. I was never given a cause of the problem but i know its because of the oil. Back in October i checked the oil and it was bone dry and the oil change was almost 3000 miles overdue.

First I want to say I bought American and took my vehicle to the dealership mechanic believing, naively, that I was keeping the American worker working! However they ultimately didn't give a bleepity bleep bleep bleep about their fellow American customer, me.

I took my vehicle in at least 5 times for the engine light. They fixed for various things. One time a belt tensioner, one time they didn't know why it was on and did some routine maintenance on it, which didn't work and I was right back there. During the 5 times I took it in, they NEVER once mention the timing chain issue of stretching. Half of those 5 times, the timing chain would have been under warranty, if they would have just recommended it at 70k, 80k or even 90k miles? But NOT once did they mention it.

So here I am today with no vehicle because the timing chain stretched at 120k miles and apparently cracked my engine. I met with the mechanic and right out of the gate he blames me for not changing the oil. He denied any professional responsibility, deny deny deny.

He stated I am supposed to change my oil every 5000 miles. I changed my oil when the oil indicator light came on. So I check my owners manual and sure enough, it said to change when the oil indicator light came on. This vehicle uses synthetic oil, which extends the life of the oil and mileage between oil changes significantly. But I suppose he knew that and apparently didn't think I did because I am just a dumb girl. Dumb oh hells no, but Naive I will give him for actually thinking I was helping the American worker by buying American. The manual does not state at all to change at a certain mileage. In fact it states, when indicator lights come on at ONCE A YEAR. So it was clear to me the mechanic, just wanted to blame me and never really wanted to resolve the issue.

So here I am today with no vehicle because Buick is a no integrity good for nothing American Corporation screwing the American consumer. I will be filing complaints with the Ohio Attorney General and BBB and possibly suit if it does not get resolved.

Over and out

After spending 2k to get the transmission changed within two months the timing chain failed on the car. Luckily I was just pulling out at Advance auto at low speed so it did not destroy the engine, but it was still significant. I had to have the car towed home and then completely disassemble the engine to fix it. Of course there are problems with other models but not mine! GM needs to realize that once a customer experiences an expensive fix there is a high probability that they become a past customer, two of these makes it certain. Worst car I have ever owned and I owned a 1979 disposable Subaru!

Beautiful car. Bought it April 2012. Engine problems began early this year. First there was an engine noise, then it was a timing chain, now it's a bad timing sprocket and cam shaft. I have already spent $2000 on repairs at the dealership. The current estimate now is $2200. I could have replaced the engine for $4200. I've been a constant and loyal GM buyer since high school. But now, who knows. My 2002 Silverado has 400000 miles not a major problem. Why is this engine so bad?

GM you designed a beautiful car but the engine is AWFUL!!! You should be made to replace the engine. Toyotas, Lexus, and G80's are looking mighty good right now and I'm in the market. My Buick is currently being repaired at Burns Chevrolet in Rock Hill, SC been there since Dec 8th when the car keep shutting down while driving with a very rough idle. This vehicle has been no where else other than the dealership for service and repair. Someone in service knew of these problems. I could have sold it before putting in 4K in repairs. This has to be faulty metal or bad workmanship. Something is really bad wrong.

I purchased the Buick Regal 2011 a year ago, used. As soon as my warranty ran out it began to give me problems. It started with just having to change the battery to replacing the transmission to now an unknown issue. I had the car looked at by three mechanics and finally gave in to allowing the Buick dealer have a stab at fixing the problem. Still there has not been a solid answer to the most recent problem. The car will crank but will not start. They have replaced the throttle body, changed the spark plugs, and now are looking at the timing chain. Not sure of how this will end. But I hope the Buick and GM manufacturing see these post and take a closer look at what has been happening from the customers end.

I received a letter from Buick which said that my timing chain could break and cause engine damage. They would not do anything about it until it broke. They increased the warranty to 10 years or 120,000 miles. If I am on the interstate running 70 mph and the chain breaks, the car cuts off and I lose steering which is a comforting thought. They also had a recall to add new computer software which changed the engine oil life calculations, requiring more frequent oil changes. Now the oil changes occur about every 3500 miles and since it recommends synthetic oil it gets pretty expensive to maintain this vehicle. No other cars that I know of call for 3500 mile oil changes. They did this so that I have to keep clean oil in the engine to protect the defective timing chain. How long have they been making timing chains? Can't they get it right? Do they not test the components before being released to the consumer? The bottom line is, they put duct tape on the problem and hope it holds.