Recall 18V230 affects 8,738 2018 Buick Regal vehicles for misrouted rear seat belts. Repair is free at any franchised Buick dealer.
Buick is recalling 8,738 2018 Regal vehicles because the rear seat belts on the outboard seats were routed incorrectly around the bolster brackets during manufacturing. That routing can leave rear seat passengers inadequately restrained in a crash and increase the risk of injury; Buick dealers will inspect and correct the seat belt routing free of charge.
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What's wrong?
The rear outboard seat belts in the 2018 Buick Regal are the belts for passengers sitting by the rear doors. Each belt is supposed to run through a specific path around the seat structure, including the bolster bracket, so the webbing can hold the passenger in the right position during a crash or hard stop.
On affected Regals, the belt was routed the wrong way around the rear seat bolster bracket during assembly. The instructions used at the plant did not clearly show the correct path, so the belt webbing can sit where it does not load the passenger correctly. If the vehicle is in a crash, that incorrect routing can reduce how well the belt restrains the rear-seat passenger.
There is no warning sign before failure. The belt can look usable in normal driving, so the important difference is whether a Buick dealer confirms the rear outboard belt routing is correct.
Who's affected?
| 2018 Buick Regal | seat belt |
|---|---|
| Units affected | 8,738 |
| Field incidents | NHTSA has logged 3 field incidents to date. |
Not every 2018 Buick Regal is on the list. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific car is included.
What's the safety risk?
A rear outboard seat belt that does not restrain passengers properly in a crash increases the risk of injury. Until the belts are inspected, treat this as a restraint issue for rear seat passengers and schedule the repair soon. Repair is free at any franchised Buick dealer.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2018 Buick Regal is included in this recall.
- Contact a franchised Buick dealer to schedule the free rear-seat-belt inspection and routing correction, which fixes the belt path around the rear bolster bracket.
- Bring the recall notice if you have it, and reference recall number 18V230 when you call.
- Avoid using the rear outboard seats for passengers until the dealer confirms the seat belts are routed correctly.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, a Buick technician inspects the rear outboard seat belts and corrects the belt routing around the rear seat bolster bracket when needed. The inspection, routing correction, parts, and labor are free under the recall. Out of pocket repairs already paid are handled through the existing warranty, not through a separate reimbursement program, because all covered vehicles are under warranty. Ask the service desk how warranty coverage applies if you have prior repair paperwork.
| Reimbursement | Warranty coverage applies |
|---|
Timeline
| April 12, 2018 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| April 12, 2018 | Dealer notification began |
| April 12, 2018 | Dealer notification ended |
| May 14, 2018 | Owner notification mailed |
| June 5, 2018 | VIN-searchable in NHTSA's database — Check your VIN to see whether this recall applies to your specific vehicle. |
| June 5, 2018 | Interim owner notification (was planned for this date) |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 18V230?
Recall 18V230 covers 8,738 2018 Buick Regal vehicles with rear outboard seat belts that were routed incorrectly around the bolster bracket during manufacturing. In a crash, the belt can fail to restrain passengers, increasing injury risk. Buick dealers will inspect and correct the routing for free.
What should I do if my 2018 Buick Regal is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific Regal is included in recall 18V230. If it is, contact a franchised Buick dealer to schedule the rear outboard seat belt inspection and routing correction. Reference recall number 18V230 or Buick recall number 18117 when you call.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires the manufacturer to repair the defect at no cost, and Buick dealers will inspect the rear outboard seat belts and correct the routing free of charge.
What is the safety risk?
The risk is inadequate rear-seat restraint in a crash. If the rear outboard seat belt is routed incorrectly around the bolster bracket, it can fail to hold the passenger properly, increasing the risk of injury. The dealer repair corrects the belt routing.
What if I bought my Buick Regal used?
The free recall repair still applies. Recall coverage follows the vehicle, not the original owner. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific Regal is included, then call a franchised Buick dealer with recall number 18V230 or Buick recall number 18117.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/18V230000 |
|---|---|
| Buick customer service | 1-800-521-7300 |
| NHTSA recall # | 18V230 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 18V230000 |
Source documents
-
Download Misc. Document (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 25, 2026. RecallNotify does not paraphrase NHTSA's consequence language; that text is reproduced as written above. Editorial standards →