California Lemon Law · Buick
2 open recalls · no fix yet Midsize Car 2018–2020

Buick Regal E2XX (Insignia) Problems, Recalls & Lemon Law

Buick Regal problems with seat / seat fastener defect? Learn recalls, symptoms, and California lemon law options.

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4
NHTSA recalls
2
Open · no fix
4
Known defects
2018–2020
Model years
The overview

What owners are dealing with

The Buick Regal page focuses on documented recall-backed problems rather than general reliability claims. Owners searching for repeated Buick Regal repairs should compare their symptoms, repair orders, and warranty history against the sourced NHTSA records cited on this page.

The problems

The defects most likely to affect you

The issues owners report most, ranked by severity — each one verified against a cited NHTSA source.

01

Seat / Seat Fastener Defect

driver seat cushion loose; seat fastener recall; seat may not stay secured

Catastrophic2018
02

Brake System Defect - Reduced Brake Assist or Unexpected Braking

brake pedal problem; reduced braking; unexpected braking; brake warning light

Catastrophic2018-2019
03

Seat / Seat Fastener Defect

driver seat cushion loose; seat fastener recall; seat may not stay secured

Catastrophic2019-2020
04

Brake System Defect - Reduced Brake Assist or Unexpected Braking

brake pedal problem; reduced braking; unexpected braking; brake warning light

Catastrophic2018-2020
Real results

What this defect was worth to a real client

A settled Margarian Law case on this exact model, published with the actual settlement math.

Known defects · 4 documented

Every confirmed defect, in plain English

Open any defect for the symptoms and why it matters for a California lemon-law claim. Each is tied to a cited NHTSA source.

Seat / Seat Fastener DefectCatastrophic2018
Symptoms

driver seat cushion loose; seat fastener recall; seat may not stay secured

Why it matters for your claim

Recall-backed safety or drivability concern; repeated unsuccessful warranty repairs may support a California Song-Beverly claim.

Typical fix

GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the rear outboard seat belts, correcting the routing of the seat belts as necessary, free of charge. The recall began May 14, 2018. Owners may contact Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300. GM's number for this recall is 18117.

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Brake System Defect - Reduced Brake Assist or Unexpected BrakingCatastrophic2018-2019
Symptoms

brake pedal problem; reduced braking; unexpected braking; brake warning light

Why it matters for your claim

Recall-backed safety or drivability concern; repeated unsuccessful warranty repairs may support a California Song-Beverly claim.

Typical fix

GM will notify owners, and dealers will bleed the vehicle's brake system, free of charge. The recall began October 11, 2018. Owners may contact Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300, Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006, Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, or GMC customer service

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Seat / Seat Fastener DefectCatastrophic2019-2020
Symptoms

driver seat cushion loose; seat fastener recall; seat may not stay secured

Why it matters for your claim

Recall-backed safety or drivability concern; repeated unsuccessful warranty repairs may support a California Song-Beverly claim.

Typical fix

GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the crossbar welds on the front seats. If the crossbar is improperly welded, the seat back frame will be replaced, free of charge. Interim notices informing owners of the safety risk were mailed November 26, 2019. Owners received a second notice and th

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Brake System Defect - Reduced Brake Assist or Unexpected BrakingCatastrophic2018-2020
Symptoms

brake pedal problem; reduced braking; unexpected braking; brake warning light

Why it matters for your claim

Recall-backed safety or drivability concern; repeated unsuccessful warranty repairs may support a California Song-Beverly claim.

Typical fix

Dealers will update the EBCM software, free of charge. Interim owner notification letters advising owners of the safety risk were mailed on August 19, 2022. Owner notification letters were mailed September 16, 2022. Owners may contact Buick's customer service at 1-800-521-7300.

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NHTSA recall history

Safety recalls, newest first

  1. Jun 30, 2022 · 22V465000

    SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:POWER ASSIST:VACUUM

    open

    General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2018-2020 Buick Regal vehicles. In the event of a vacuum-power brake assist failure, a software error in the electronic brake control module (EBCM) may result in a loss of power brake assist. As such, these vehicles fail to conform to Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 135, "Light vehicle brake systems."

  2. Oct 24, 2019 · 19V762000

    SEATS

    open

    General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2019-2020 Buick Regal vehicles. The driver or passenger front seat frames may have a lower crossbar that was improperly welded.

  3. Aug 30, 2018 · 18V576000

    SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:CALIPER

    remedy available

    General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Chevrolet Equinox, Impala, Cruze, Volt and Bolt EV vehicles, GMC Terrain vehicles, Buick Lacrosse and Regal vehicles, Cadillac XTS and XTS Professional vehicles and 2018 Chevrolet Malibu vehicles. The rear brake caliper pistons may have an insufficient coating causing gas pockets to form, potentially reducing rear brake performance.

  4. Apr 12, 2018 · 18V230000

    SEAT BELTS:REAR/OTHER

    remedy available

    General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2018 Buick Regal vehicles. During the manufacturing process, the rear seat belts may have been improperly routed around the bolster bracket on the rear outboard seats, which can cause inadequate restraint of the passengers.

Do these sound familiar?

Check what's happened to your Regal

Every item below comes from this vehicle's documented defects. The more you recognize, the more a free case review is worth your time.

0Check any that apply to see where you stand.

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Your rights in California

The Song-Beverly Act protects you

California consumers may have rights under the Song-Beverly Consumer Warranty Act when a warrantied defect is not repaired after a reasonable number of attempts or the vehicle spends substantial time out of service. This is general information, not legal advice, and no attorney-client relationship is formed by reading it. Law as of Jun 29, 2026.

$0
out of pocket — the manufacturer pays legal fees if you win
30+
days out of service for repairs can support a claim

Do this

If the dealer says they can't duplicate it

“Could not duplicate” doesn't mean the defect isn't real. Here's exactly what to do to protect a potential California lemon-law claim.

  1. 1

    Document the moment it happens. Photos, video, and screenshots of any warning lights — with the date and the mileage.

  2. 2

    Get a repair order every visit — even “found nothing.” That paperwork is the foundation of a claim.

  3. 3

    Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Note any recall that has no available remedy yet.

  4. 4

    Track your out-of-service days. California law counts the cumulative days your vehicle spends in the shop.

  5. 5

    Keep loaner & rental records. Alternate-transport paperwork during long repairs matters.

  6. 6

    Save everything in one place. Symptoms, dates, repair orders, and every repeat visit — the intermittent ones especially.

For your Buick Regal specifically

If the Buick dealer says it cannot duplicate the issue, ask that the symptom, mileage, date, warning lights, and test-drive result be written on the repair order. Save videos, photos, tow records, and all repeat visits.

Our take

For Buick Regal owners, recall-backed defects are important because they show the manufacturer had notice of a problem. Whether a specific car qualifies still depends on warranty timing, repair history, and documents.

— The Margarian Law team

Free case review · Buick Regal

See if your Regal qualifies

If your Buick has repeated warranty repairs, Margarian Law can review your repair orders and help evaluate whether a buyback, replacement, or cash resolution may be available.

FAQ

Buick Regal lemon-law questions

Is the Buick Regal known for recall-related problems?

Buick Regal records cited on this page include NHTSA recall-backed issues such as seat / seat fastener defect. A recall does not automatically make a vehicle a lemon, but repeat unresolved warranty repairs may matter under California law.

Can a Buick Regal qualify for California lemon law?

A Buick Regal may qualify if a covered defect continues after a reasonable number of warranty repair attempts or causes substantial time out of service. Eligibility depends on repair history, timing, and documents.

What should I do if my Buick Regal dealer cannot duplicate the problem?

Ask the dealer to document the complaint exactly as reported, including warning lights, mileage, dates, and whether a test drive was performed. Keep every repair order and avoid relying only on verbal explanations.

Do Buick recalls help a lemon law claim?

Recall records can help show that Buick had notice of a safety or drivability issue. The legal question is still whether your specific vehicle was repaired within a reasonable number of attempts.

What documents should Buick owners save?

Save purchase or lease documents, every repair order, tow or rental records, photos or videos of symptoms, and all manufacturer recall notices. These records help evaluate warranty timing and repeated repair attempts.

Does contacting Margarian Law cost Buick owners anything upfront?

For qualifying California lemon law cases, attorney fees are typically pursued from the manufacturer after a successful outcome. A case review can help determine whether your Buick repair history is strong enough to pursue.

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