Buick›Regal›2011›Overview/buick/regal/2011/base/

2011 Buick Regal

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2011 Regal.

Body PASSENGER CAR

The 2011 Buick Regal is a passenger‑car sedan that calls for 5 qt of 5W‑30 engine oil, a straightforward maintenance specification. It carries four recalls and its most frequent owner complaints relate to the engine, contributing to a total of 279 reported issues. Within the Regal’s 1990‑2020 complaint timeline, this figure sits below the peak of 325 complaints in 1998 but well above the low of just one complaint in 2008, indicating a middling reliability standing for the model year.

Model year2018 2017 2016 2015 2014 2013 2012 2011 2004

Quick specs

Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.

Engine oil capacity5 qtOEM · verified

Engine oil type5W-30OEM · verified

Lug nut torque110 ft-lbsOEM · verified

Fitment & sizes

Replacement part sizes and factory part numbers — battery, bulbs, filters and belts.

From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI 48 · 615 CCA battery, OE oil filter 12580255. Each part links to every other vehicle that shares it, so a part you already stock may fit more of your fleet than you'd expect.

Battery groupBCI 48 · 615 CCAOEM · verified

Tire sizeP235-50R18; P245-50R18OEM · verified

OE service part numbers OEM · verified

Engine oil filter	12580255 alt 12605566
Engine air filter	55560894 alt 13319421
Spark plug	12681658
Battery	88866271
Front wiper blades	84574893 alt 84574892
Serpentine belt	12605208
Thermostat	12622410 alt 03522676
Cabin air filter	13503675 alt 13356914

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length	190.6 in
Overall width	73.2 in
Overall height	58.3 in
Wheelbase	107.9 in
Curb weight	3600 lb
Track (front / rear)	62.6 / 62.6 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)	58/42

Performance & power Independent road tests

0–60 mph, quarter-mile, horsepower and torque from independent road tests.

Independent road tests for the Regal of this era, listed by trim and engine — this page spans more than one engine, so no single horsepower figure is shown.

6.8–9.4 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 6.80 sec — 2011 CXL Turbo Sedan

Year	Trim / engine	0–60	¼ mile	HP	Drivetrain
2011	CXL Turbo Sedan 2.0L Turbo I-4	6.80 sec	15.40 sec	220 hp	FWD
2011	CXL Turbo Sedan 2.0L Turbo I-4	7.50 sec	15.70 sec	220 hp	FWD
2011	CXL Turbo Sedan 2.0L Turbo I-4	7.50 sec	15.70 sec	220 hp	FWD
2011	CXL Sedan 2.4L I-4	8.70 sec	16.70 sec	182 hp	FWD
2011	CXL Sedan 2.4L I-4	9.10 sec	16.80 sec	182 hp	FWD
2011	CXL Sedan 2.4L I-4	9.40 sec	17.00 sec	182 hp	FWD
2012	GS Sedan 2.0L Turbo I-4	6.20 sec	15.00 sec	270 hp	FWD
2012	GS Sedan 2.0L Turbo I-4	6.20 sec	15.00 sec	270 hp	FWD

Service quick specs OEM factory data

Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.

This engine holds 5 qt of 5W-30 engine oil, DOT 3 brake fluid. Torque lug nuts to 110 ft-lbs, the oil drain plug to 18.0 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-3-4-2. Note the cylinder-head bolts finish on a torque angle (torque-to-yield) — they stretch permanently and should be replaced, not reused, during any head service.

Lubricants & capacities

Automatic Transmission Fluid	ATF
Automatic Transmission Fluid Capacity	4.2-6.3
Brake Fluid	DOT 3
Engine Coolant	DEX-COOL OR EQUIVALENT
Engine Oil	5W-30
Engine Oil Capacity	5 qt
Engine Oil	5W-30
Engine Oil Capacity	6.3 qt

Engine torques

Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts	7.3 ft-lbs
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts	10 ft-lbs
Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts	7.4 ft-lbs
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts	10 ft-lbs
Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug	18.0 ft-lbs
Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug	18.0 ft-lbs
Engine Valve Cover Bolts	7.4 ft-lbs
Engine Valve Cover Bolts	7.4 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Lug Nuts	110 ft-lbs
Transfer Case Fill Plug	30.0 ft-lbs
Transfer Case Drain Plug	30.0 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order	1-3-4-2
Spark Plug Manufacturer	AC Delco
Spark Plug Gap	0.043 in
Spark Plug Torque	15.0 ft-lbs
Spark Plug Manufacturer	AC Delco
Spark Plug Gap	0.035 in
Spark Plug Torque	15.0 ft-lbs

Battery & A/C

Refrigerant	R134a
Refrigerant Capacity	1.30 lbs
Oil Group	PAG
Oil Type	46
Oil Capacity	3.70 oz
Refrigerant	R134a
Refrigerant Capacity	1.50 lbs
Oil Group	PAG

Service checks

Pressure Test	15, Pressure should not exceed 20 psi.
Radiator Cap Pressure Relief	15 psi
Thermostat Opening Temperature	188-206 °F
Pressure Test	15, Pressure should not exceed 20 psi.
Radiator Cap Pressure Relief	15 psi
Thermostat Opening Temperature	188-206 °F
Key ON Engine OFF (KOEO)	50-100
RPM	43-58 @ Idle rpm

Brakes

Brake Application	WITH RPO J60 / WITH RPO J61 / WITH FN3
Torque Caliper to Bracket	20 ft-lbs
Minimum Pad Thickness	Front: 0.080; Rear: 0.080 specification
Brake Application	WITH RPO J60 / WITH RPO J61 / WITH FN3
Rotor Max Parallel Variation	0.00024 in
Rotor Runout Limit	0.002 in
Rotor Nominal Thickness From	0.472 in / 0.905 in / 1.18 in
Rotor Nominal Thickness To	0.472 in / 0.905 in / 1.18 in

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Torque to Knuckle — tightening sequence 1 stages

74 FT. LBS., STEP 2: 60

74 FT. LBS

Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages

74 ft. lbs., step 2: 125

74 ft. lbs

Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages

74 ft. lbs., step 2: 125

74 ft. lbs

Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 3 stages

Prep Do not reuse old bolts.

1	22.0 ft. lbs.	22 ft. lbs
2	150 degrees	150 degrees
3	Outer bolts 26.0 ft. lbs.	26 ft. lbs

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the spark plugs every 100,000 mi; coolant at 150,000 mi. The big-interval services (at 150,000 mi for coolant, and the transmission fluid) are the ones owners most often skip — on a lower-mileage example, assume the original fluids are still in it and check them first.

Every 7,500 mi	Tire & Wheel Assembly (rotate)
Every 25,000 mi	Cabin Air Filter (replace) · Fuel System (inspect)
Every 50,000 mi	Engine Air Filter Element (replace) · Fuel Evaporative Emission Control System (inspect)
Every 100,000 mi	Spark Plug Wires (inspect) · Spark Plugs (replace) · Transmission Assembly (drain & refill)
At 150,000 mi	Accessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Engine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill)

Reliability & federal safety record

Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.

The 2011 Buick Regal generated 279 federal complaints, a sharp increase from the single complaint recorded in 2010 and still higher than the 92 complaints logged in 2012. It incurred four recalls, comparable to the surrounding years but far below the seven recalls noted in 2012, while the total service bulletins reached 1,526, the highest figure in the entire record. The dominant complaint categories were Engine (57), Exterior Lighting (23), Electrical System/Seats (18), and Power Train (16), with crash and fire complaints each accounting for seven reports. Across the generation, complaint volume had been declining after a peak in the early 2000s and only began to rise again, making 2011 an outlier in the upward swing. Consequently, the 2011 model carries a markedly higher complaint burden than adjacent years, so it is not advisable to purchase this specific year.

Open recalls

NHTSA campaigns

1526

Service bulletins

Manufacturer communications

ODI investigations

Office of Defects Investigation

279

Owner complaints

7 involved a crash · 7 a fire

NHTSA crash-test rating federal NCAP · out of 5 stars

Overall★★★★★

Frontal★★★★★

Side★★★★★

Rollover★★★★★

Owner complaints by model year NHTSA · this generation & adjacent

’90 ’91 ’92 ’93 ’94 ’95 ’96 ’97 ’98 ’99 ’00 ’01 ’02 ’03 ’04 ’05 ’08 ’09 ’10’11’12 ’13 ’14 ’15 ’16 ’17 ’18 ’19 ’20

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 279 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Engine57

Exterior Lighting23

Electrical System,Seats18

Power Train16

Service Brakes15

Electrical System12

Electrical System,Engine11

Electrical System,Exterior Lighting9

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 4 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

16V502000Electrical System:IgnitionReported 05/07/2016

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2016-2017 Buick Verano and 2016 Chevrolet Malibu as the electronic park lock lever may allow the ignition key to be removed without the transmission being in PARK… Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and if necessary replace the key cylinder lock housing, free of charge. The recall began on October 14, 2016. Owners may contact…

16V517000Electrical System:WiringReported 07/07/2016

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2011 Buick Regal vehicles manufactured November 3, 2009, to March 25, 2011, equipped with 8-way power adjustable front seats. The power seat wiring harness may… Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and secure the wiring harness, and repair any chafed wires as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on March 13, 2017. Owners…

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 1526 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

Bulletin	Date	Component	Summary
PIP6113	2026-05-18	Unknown Or Other	This document provides the technician with a diagnostic tip if the vehicle stalls and set…
PIT3271Q	2026-04-01	Unknown Or Other	This preliminary information communicates information about how to determine if a wheel…
PIP6104	2026-03-09	Unknown Or Other	This Preliminary information communicates the steps on how to save a GDS2 Session Log and…
PIP4902V	2026-03-09	Unknown Or Other	This preliminary information advises a dealer on how to email GDS2 session logs into…
PIP4902U	2026-01-08	Unknown Or Other	This preliminary information advises a dealer on how to email GDS2 session logs into…

Common OBD-II trouble codes

The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.

P0420

Catalyst system efficiency below threshold — Bank 1

P0300

Random / multiple cylinder misfire detected

P0171

System too lean — Bank 1

P0455

Evaporative emission system leak detected — large leak

P0128

Coolant thermostat below regulating temperature

P0442

Evaporative emission system leak detected — small leak

VIN tools

Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.

VIN

Decode a VIN to confirm the transmission and build data for a specific Regal. OEM

Build data

Plant, GVWR class, engine and body data for any 17-character VIN.

Recalls

Check open recall campaigns against a specific vehicle by VIN.

Vehicles with shared specs

Find every vehicle that shares this one's battery, bulbs, oil capacity, platform or parts.

Group 48 battery Vehicles taking 5 qt Engine oil filter 12580255 Engine air filter 55560894 Spark plug 12681658 Battery 88866271

Reference guides

Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.

Vehicle recalls & TSBs OBD-II trouble codes Torque specifications Maintenance schedules Fluid capacities & specs

Frequently asked

How much oil does the 2011 Regal take?

5 qt of 5W-30 MEETING GM DEXOS 1 SPECIFICATION, per the factory manual.

Does the 2011 Regal have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 4 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.