[JMregal]

I have been noticing that the transmission on my '11 2.4L CXL Regal hesitates when I'm crawling in traffic and then try to accelerate to merge. I believe it is happening at speeds below 10 MPH and the computer trying to choose between 1st and 2nd gears. For example, today I was trying to merge into traffic, i pressed the accelerator and the car completely paused for a good second or two. This isn't the first time it's happened, and it's scary. Is this just a programming issue I need to have addressed or is this just the way the car is? It doesn't seem safe.

I'd love any input from other members who may have had similar experiences and can help me better describe to the dealership what I am experiencing.

 

[thestepchild]

I've heard the dealership explain off a slight hesitation on the drive by wire. Basically it takes a split second for the sensors to talk to each other. Yours description sounds more severe than that tho.

 

[Buick Customer Service]

I have been noticing that the transmission on my '11 2.4L CXL Regal hesitates when I'm crawling in traffic and then try to accelerate to merge. I believe it is happening at speeds below 10 MPH and the computer trying to choose between 1st and 2nd gears. For example, today I was trying to merge into traffic, i pressed the accelerator and the car completely paused for a good second or two. This isn't the first time it's happened, and it's scary. Is this just a programming issue I need to have addressed or is this just the way the car is? It doesn't seem safe.

I'd love any input from other members who may have had similar experiences and can help me better describe to the dealership what I am experiencing.

I apologize for the inconvenience that you have been having with your 2011 Buick Regal. When you take your vehicle into the dealership keep me updated on the resolution from the diagnosis.

Thank you,
Amanda Buick Customer Service

 

[JMregal]

Thanks Amanda, I am taking it in next week because I have also noticed that in bumper to bumper traffic, when rolling at about 10MPH, there's a "shudder" in the car as the car accelerates. I am hopeful that my dealership will be able to fix it.

 

[taeedy]

Hi all, for anyone still monitoring this thread, I have noticed that the transmission (with the 2.0T engine) hesitation on my car disappears as the temp drops, that is, the air temp: at 60F, it seems to be the borderline for the issue. Lower, the transmission is tight, perfect running and gear changes. Monitor your cars. I would appreciate if anyone else is able confirm the same as I have done on my car. Thanks, all.

 

[kubishbeienr]

Seems I don't have such an issue....

Hi all, for anyone still monitoring this thread, I have noticed that the transmission (with the 2.0T engine) hesitation on my car disappears as the temp drops, that is, the air temp: at 60F, it seems to be the borderline for the issue. Lower, the transmission is tight, perfect running and gear changes. Monitor your cars. I would appreciate if anyone else is able confirm the same as I have done on my car. Thanks, all.

 

[rhsanborn]

JMregal or Amanda, have you gotten any more information on this? I bought my Regal Certified Pre-Owned with 4000 miles on it. The first time I took it out for a test drive, I tried to pull into traffic and it did exactly this. It hesitated for a solid 2 seconds before going again. The salesmen said it had been sitting and probably had air in the fuel line or something. It didn't do it again during test driving. Since then, it's happened quite a bit, usually at least once a day to varying degrees. Only occasionally do I get the full 2 second hesitation, but I have been stopping short so I have enough room to see if it's going to conk out.

 

[Rodeo57]

The transmissions seems to have quit on my year old Regal. The check engine light came on less than 3 miles to my home. Since it was night and snowing, I decided to limp home. Once I put it in reverse to park, it wouldn't go back into any forward gear. Fun to push a year old car into a parking spot. Anyone else having same problem? Right noe, I am feeling pretty bad about this car and not looking forward to arranging towing, rental car and all the other hassle of dealing with the dealership.

 

[Rodeo57]

2 weeks?!?!!

The transmissions seems to have quit on my year old Regal. The check engine light came on less than 3 miles to my home. Since it was night and snowing, I decided to limp home. Once I put it in reverse to park, it wouldn't go back into any forward gear. Fun to push a year old car into a parking spot. Anyone else having same problem? Right noe, I am feeling pretty bad about this car and not looking forward to arranging towing, rental car and all the other hassle of dealing with the dealership.

Just spent 2 hours getting car towed, at dealer, at rental car agency. Buick service said it might take up to 2 weeks to repair the transmission! Thanks goodness Buick is paying for the rental car.

Guy at the rental place told me the Buick Regal is a sweet car. Yeah, except mine won't go forward. A minor defect.

 

[Rodeo57]

The service saga continues

Just spent 2 hours getting car towed, at dealer, at rental car agency. Buick service said it might take up to 2 weeks to repair the transmission! Thanks goodness Buick is paying for the rental car.

Guy at the rental place told me the Buick Regal is a sweet car. Yeah, except mine won't go forward. A minor defect.

It took the Buick dealership 30 hours to confirm that the transmission is indeed the root cause of the vehicle not driving forward. Estimated time to repair: "a week or so?"

They did give me a free loaner vehicle, even if it is a huge, black monstrosity-- something called a Traverse-- that I think should be called a Perverse. I think they did it so that I will be glad to get back my hunk of junk Buick.

 

[Matt2011Regal]

It took the Buick dealership 30 hours to confirm that the transmission is indeed the root cause of the vehicle not driving forward. Estimated time to repair: "a week or so?"

They did give me a free loaner vehicle, even if it is a huge, black monstrosity-- something called a Traverse-- that I think should be called a Perverse. I think they did it so that I will be glad to get back my hunk of junk Buick.

So if my regal is hesitating for 3 or 4 seconds when trying to pass then its the tranny? Not good because mine is doing that too. In fact I already had a two second downshift lag coming off the lot but its gotten progressively worse. Looks like I need to go to the dealer soon.

 

[Phenex409]

JMRegal,

Was the dealer able to fix your issue? I'm having a similar problem with my car, but mine feels really sluggish and has trouble accelerating as well. I've tried taking it to the dealership, but they haven't found an issue, so I'm curious if you were able to find a solution.

 

[gary9648]

OK, my Regal (2011) had issues with hard shifting from time to time at low speeds. The dealer pulled the cpu's (7) connectors off, cleaned them and added dialectric grease to them and reinstalled and this corrected the problem. I recently started having hesitation problems and stalling issues and this was traced back to the cam shaft timing control valves and were replaced and this corrected that problem. They also reprogrammed my engine computer to cause the oil change light to come on sooner. The first time I had about 11,000 miles on the oil and the computer showed 15% oil life left when I changed the oil and the oil that was in the engine when the last problem started had about 8,300 miles on it and showed 22% life left. They felt the oil was getting to dirty and causeing the valves to stick on the cam timming valves causing the problem. Now they suggest oil changes around 5,500 to 6,000 miles. I installed mobil one Dexsos full synthetic oil and a preimium oil filter when I changed the oil asumming that I should get 10,000 miles between oil changes as the manual and online GM sites had told me. I normally change oil in my cars around 3-4000 miles. I was told the new Dexsos oil was to lengthen the change intervals.

 

[Darkvette]

I just bought a 2011 CXL Turbo, and am noticing similar issues. Since it has an updated engine design of the 2007 Saturn Ion Redline that I used to own, I have a good idea of how this car should handle. Since it isn't accelerating anywhere close to how it should, and noticeable hesitation on accelerating, it's a definite issue.

 

[Buick Customer Service]

I just bought a 2011 CXL Turbo, and am noticing similar issues. Since it has an updated engine design of the 2007 Saturn Ion Redline that I used to own, I have a good idea of how this car should handle. Since it isn't accelerating anywhere close to how it should, and noticeable hesitation on accelerating, it's a definite issue.

Good evening Darkvette,

I apologize for the concerns you are experiencing when trying to accelerate. Have you made contact with your dealership regarding this matter? I would be happy to assist you with setting up a dealership visit in order to have this matter addressed. Feel free to private message me your full contact info, VIN, mileage, and involved dealership.

Kind regards,

Jonathan A.
Buick Customer Care

 

[adaboy]

This transmission hesitation is on every buick regal forum. I have had the same issue with my 2011 regal. You press the gas to go and it feels like when a rollercoaster breaks entering the station jerky. I hope my transmission dont fail my car only has 41000 miles now but I have seen the problem at 30k. It's going back to the shop in coulpe days for other non related issues.

 

[PearlRumDrum]

New to the Regal community and loving the car thus far. 2012, 2.4. 30K miles.

Reading through the transmission issues, mine sounds similar, but is more prominent from 2nd to 3rd....

There is a very noticeable "lag" when the car goes from 2nd to 3rd. It is not overly jerky, but you do feel the car hesitate to an extent and then catch. As soon as the car does hit 3rd however, there is a "surge" in power once it initially hits 3rd, almost as if it is making up for the lost time on the shift! Again, not that is is jerky, but it is "lagged"

Also, where in the heck is the dipstick to check the automatic tranny fluid??? There looks to be a cap it could be under off the the right hand side of the engine on top of the tranny, but was not sure if I should open?

Best,

-Jordan

 

[Paul]

I am new to the forum, was actually looking for normal readings on O2 sensors, but came across this and felt I had to post. I bought my wife this car in 2010-11 when they were brand new because I am an idiot. I didn't test drive it, and my first time driving it I thought there was something wrong with it. It has NO power, and often hesitates in traffic, especially in stop and go situations. I took it in and was told that the car was just under powered. Yep. just not enough power. If there has been a fix for this problem that would be great. I hate driving this car and in Dallas I am often in traffic where it acts up the most. eventually i would like to put the turbo'ed 2.8 v6 its european sister has. maybe somewhere on this site someone already has. I look forward to seeing all the info this site has to offer!

 

[BuickCam]

Transmission slips

Ive noticed that many of us are having the same issue with the throttle. Ive experienced loss of power while slowing down thru traffic, as soon as i hit the accelerator to get up to speed their is a 3-8 second delay. ive tooken my car in 3 times for the loss of power but dealer never finds nothing wrong with it. I received a letter from GM 4 months ago in regards a throttle sensor going out that may cause this issue but have been unable to duplicate it when they are test driving it.

 

[Canadian731]

Just bought a 2011 CXL 2.4 and I'm having the same issue. Car drove fine on the test drive but now the transmission is all over the place. Not sure if I should being it to the dealer or just live with it since it seems like something that's pretty prominent on the 2011's... Love the car but the transmission acting up like this may be enough for me to just demand a different car...