Recall 16V517 affects 42,984 2011 Buick Regal vehicles for power seat wiring that can chafe and short. Repair is free at any franchised Buick dealer.
Buick is recalling 42,984 2011 Regal vehicles because the power seat wiring harness can rub against the seat frame and chafe. A chafed harness can short circuit and increase fire risk, so Buick dealers will complete the recall repair free of charge.
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What's wrong?
The 2011 Buick Regal uses a wiring harness under the power adjustable front seats to carry electricity to the seat motors and controls. In vehicles with 8-way power adjustable front seats, that harness needs to stay routed away from the metal seat frame while the seat moves forward, backward, up, and down.
On affected Regals, the harness routing allows the wires to rub against the seat frame. A sharp burr or another contact point on the frame wears through the insulation around the wires. Once the insulation is damaged, the wiring can short circuit under the seat.
There is no warning sign before failure. The seat can keep working normally until the harness insulation is worn enough for an electrical short circuit.
Who's affected?
The issue is tied to the front power seat adjuster and the wiring in the same 2011 Regal sedans.
| 2011 Buick Regal | seat assembly |
|---|---|
| 2011 Buick Regal | wiring |
| Units affected | 42,984 |
| Field incidents | NHTSA has logged 1 field incident to date. |
A matching year and model does not guarantee inclusion. Check your VIN to confirm whether this recall applies to your specific sedan.
What's the safety risk?
Chafed harness wires can cause a short circuit and raise the risk of a fire. If your VIN is included, schedule the dealer inspection and wiring repair soon. Repair is free at any franchised Buick dealer.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2011 Buick Regal is included in this recall.
- Contact a franchised Buick dealer to schedule the free power-seat wiring-harness inspection and repair.
- Ask the dealer to secure the wiring harness and repair any chafed wires that create a short-circuit fire risk.
- Bring the recall notice if Buick mailed one. If not, reference recall number 16V517 and Buick recall 30710 when you call.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, a Buick technician inspects the power seat wiring harness, secures it so it stays clear of the seat frame, and repairs chafed wires that need repair. The recall repair is free, with parts and labor covered. If you've already paid for a related wiring or seat harness repair, Buick's standard reimbursement plan covers documented repairs tied to this issue. Bring receipts or repair paperwork to the service desk.
| Reimbursement | Reimbursement available |
|---|
Timeline
| July 7, 2016 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| March 13, 2017 | Owner notification mailed |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 16V517?
Recall 16V517 covers 42,984 2011 Buick Regal vehicles with 8-way power adjustable front seats. The power-seat wiring harness can contact the seat frame, chafe the wires, and create a short circuit that increases fire risk. Buick dealers inspect and secure the harness, then repair chafed wires for free.
What should I do if my 2011 Buick Regal is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific 2011 Buick Regal is included in recall 16V517. If it is, call a franchised Buick dealer and ask for the power-seat wiring harness inspection and repair. Reference recall 16V517 or Buick recall number 30710 when you schedule service.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires the manufacturer to perform the recall repair at no cost. A franchised Buick dealer will inspect and secure the power-seat wiring harness, and repair any chafed wires as needed, free of charge.
What is the safety risk?
The safety risk is fire from a short circuit in the front power-seat wiring harness. The harness can rub against the seat frame, chafe the wires, and create an electrical short. If your VIN is included, schedule the free dealer repair.
What if I bought my Buick Regal used?
The free recall repair still applies. Recall coverage follows the vehicle, not the first owner. Check your VIN to confirm whether your 2011 Buick Regal is included, then contact a franchised Buick dealer and reference recall 16V517.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/16V517000 |
|---|---|
| Buick customer service | 1-800-521-7300 |
| NHTSA recall # | 16V517 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 16V517000 |
Source documents
-
Download Misc. Document (PDF) - Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Owner Notification Letter (PDF)
- Download Owner Notice (PDF)
- Download Recall Report (PDF)
- Download Quarterly Report (PDF)
- Download Recall Acknowledgement (PDF)
This article is generated from NHTSA's primary recall filings and reviewed against the source on May 31, 2026. RecallNotify does not paraphrase NHTSA's consequence language; that text is reproduced as written above. Editorial standards →