BuickRegal2013Overview/buick/regal/2013/base/

2013 Buick Regal

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2013 Regal.

Body PASSENGER CAR

The 2013 Buick Regal is a passenger car requiring 6.3 quarts of 5W-30 engine oil. This model year has recorded 91 total owner complaints, primarily focused on exterior lighting, and has been subject to six recalls. Within the model's 1990-2020 complaint history, these figures place the 2013 iteration well below the 1998 peak of 325 complaints but above the 2008 low of one.

Model year201820172016201520142013201220112004

Quick specs

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

Engine oil capacity6.3 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 sizeEASSIST P235-50R17; SEDAN, TURBO P235-50R18; GS P245-40R19OEM · verified

OE service part numbers OEM · verified

Engine oil filter12580255 alt 12605566
Engine air filter13319421 alt 55560894
Spark plug12681658
Battery88866271 alt 88866291
Front wiper blades84574893 alt 84574892
Serpentine belt12660099 alt 12605208
Thermostat12622410 alt 03522676
Cabin air filter13503675 alt 13356914

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length190.6 in
Overall width73.2 in
Overall height58.3 in
Wheelbase107.9 in
Curb weight3618 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.

5.4–9.4 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 5.40 sec — 2018 GS Fastback Sedan
YearTrim / engine0–60¼ mileHPDrivetrain
2012GS Sedan 2.0L Turbo I-46.20 sec15.00 sec270 hpFWD
2012GS Sedan 2.0L Turbo I-46.20 sec15.00 sec270 hpFWD
2012GS Sedan 2.0L Turbo I-46.30 sec14.90 sec270 hpFWD
2012GS Sedan 2.0L Turbo I-46.40 sec15.00 sec270 hpFWD
2012GS Sedan 2.0L Turbo I-46.80 sec15.20 sec270 hpFWD
2012eAssist Premium II Sedan 2.4L I-4 + Elec 0.5-kWh8.10 sec16.40 sec182 hpFWD
2014Turbo Premium II Sedan 2.0L Turbo I-46.10 sec14.80 sec259 hpFWD
2014GS Sedan 2.0L Turbo I-46.20 sec14.70 sec259 hpAWD

Service quick specs OEM factory data

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

This engine holds 6.3 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 FluidATF
Automatic Transmission Fluid Capacity4.2-6.3
Brake FluidDOT 3
Engine Oil5W-30
Engine Oil Capacity6.3 qt
Engine Oil5W-30
Engine Oil Capacity5.0 qt
Manual Transmission FluidGM part number 19259104

Engine torques

Intake Manifold to Engine Boltsbolts:18, nuts: 16 ft-lbs
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts43 ft-lbs
Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts7.3 ft-lbs
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts10 ft-lbs
Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug18.0 ft-lbs
Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug18.0 ft-lbs
Engine Valve Cover Bolts7.4 ft-lbs
Engine Valve Cover Bolts7.4 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Lug Nuts110 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order1-3-4-2
Spark Plug ManufacturerAC Delco
Spark Plug Gap0.043 in
Spark Plug Torque15.0 ft-lbs
Spark Plug ManufacturerAC Delco
Spark Plug Gap0.030-0.035 in
Spark Plug Torque15.0 ft-lbs

Battery & A/C

RefrigerantR134a
Refrigerant Capacity1.3 lbs
Oil GroupPAG
Oil Type46
Oil Capacity3.7 oz
RefrigerantR134a
Refrigerant Capacity1.5 lbs
Oil GroupPAG

Service checks

Pressure Test15, Pressure should not exceed 20 psi.
Radiator Cap Pressure Relief15 psi
Thermostat Opening Temperature188-206 °F
Pressure Test15, Pressure should not exceed 20 psi.
Radiator Cap Pressure Relief15 psi
Thermostat Opening Temperature188-206 °F
Key ON Engine OFF (KOEO)50-100
RPM43-58 @ Idle rpm

Brakes

Brake ApplicationWITH FN3
Torque Caliper to Bracket20 ft-lbs
Minimum Pad ThicknessFront: 0.080; Rear: 0.080 specification
Brake ApplicationWITH FN3
Rotor Max Parallel Variation0.00024 in
Rotor Runout Limit0.002 in
Rotor Nominal Thickness From1.18 in / 0.472 in / 0.905 in / 1.26 in
Rotor Nominal Thickness To1.18 in / 0.472 in / 0.905 in / 1.26 in

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Torque to Knuckle — tightening sequence 1 stages
1111 FT. LBS., STEP 2: 45 DEGREES, STEP 3: 15111 FT. LBS
Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
1111 ft. lbs., step 2: 100111 ft. lbs
Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
1111 ft. lbs., step 2: 100111 ft. lbs
Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 3 stages

Prep Do not reuse old bolts.

122.0 ft. lbs.22 ft. lbs
2150 degrees150 degrees
3Outer 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 engine oil and filter every 7,500 mi; spark plugs every 60,000 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 miAccelerator Pedal (inspect) · Body Latches, Locks & Hinges (lubricate) · Brake Shift Interlock Solenoid (inspect) · Brake System (inspect) · Engine Assembly (leak inspection) · Engine Oil (inspect fluid level)
Every 22,500 miCabin Air Filter (replace)
Every 45,000 miEngine Air Filter Element (replace) · Fuel Evaporative Emission Control System (inspect)
Every 60,000 miSpark Plug Wires (inspect) · Spark Plugs (replace)
Every 97,500 miTransmission Assembly (drain & refill)
At 150,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Brake Hydraulic System (drain, refill & bleed) · 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 federal record shows a sharp increase in service activity beginning in 2011, where Technical Service Bulletins (TSBs) jumped from 302 in 2010 to 1,526, coinciding with a complaint spike to 279. The 2013 model year sits at the peak of this cycle, recording the highest TSB count in the provided record at 1,884, while maintaining complaint levels (91) nearly identical to the preceding 2012 model year (92). Regulatory oversight remains consistent with the prior year, as the 2013 model shows 6 recalls and 2 investigations, slightly lower than the 7 recalls and 2 investigations logged for 2012. Reported issues for 2013 focus primarily on Exterior Lighting with 26 complaints and the Electrical System with 16 complaints, though the data does not specify the root causes for these failures. Subsequent model years demonstrate a clear downward trend, with complaints dropping to 38 in 2014 and TSBs decreasing steadily through 2020. While 2013 shows stabilized complaint numbers compared to the 2011 launch, the peak TSB volume suggests higher service frequency, making post-2013 model years statistically safer bets for reliability.

6
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
1884
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
2
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
91
Owner complaints
6 involved a crash · 2 a fire
NHTSA crash-test rating federal NCAP · out of 5 stars
Overall★★★★★
Frontal★★★★
Side★★★★★
Rollover★★★★

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 91 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Exterior Lighting26
Electrical System16
Electrical System,Exterior Lighting5
Unknown Or Other4
Service Brakes3
Power Train,Electrical System,Engine2
Vehicle Speed Control,Service Brakes2
Electrical System,Engine2

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 6 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

12V484000Exterior Lighting:Turn SignalReported 04/10/2012

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2011-2013 Buick Regal and model year 2013 Chevrolet Malibu vehicles. These vehicles are equipped with two turn signal bulbs in each front turn signal. If one of… Remedy: GM will notify owners, dealers will update the body control module software, free of charge. The recall began in September 2014. Owners may contact Buick at 1-800-521-7300 or…

13V173000Electrical SystemReported 06/05/2013

General Motors (GM) is recalling certain model year 2012 and 2013 Buick LaCrosse and Regal, and model year 2013 Chevrolet Malibu Eco vehicles equipped with eAssist. These vehicles may have a condition in which the… Remedy: GM will notify owners and dealers will test the GCM and replace it, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on June 11, 2013. Owners may contact GM at 1-800-521-7300. GM's…

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 1884 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
PIP61132026-05-18Unknown Or OtherThis document provides the technician with a diagnostic tip if the vehicle stalls and set…
PIT3271Q2026-04-01Unknown Or OtherThis preliminary information communicates information about how to determine if a wheel…
PIP61042026-03-09Unknown Or OtherThis Preliminary information communicates the steps on how to save a GDS2 Session Log and…
PIP4902V2026-03-09Unknown Or OtherThis preliminary information advises a dealer on how to email GDS2 session logs into…
PIP4902U2026-01-08Unknown Or OtherThis 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.

Reference guides

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

Frequently asked

How much oil does the 2013 Regal take?

6.3 qt of 5W-30 ONLY USE ENGINE OIL MEETING GM DEXOS 1 SPECIFICATION, per the factory manual.

Does the 2013 Regal have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 6 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.