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2012 Buick Regal

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 2012 Buick Regal do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 29.

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How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

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Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.

What owners reported most

All reported categories

Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

63 reports with mileage · 29 unknown

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Exterior Lighting. Review the 33 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Engine. Review the 21 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Electrical System. Review the 18 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

3 crash reports2 fire reports2 injury reports

Structure complaints

4 reports
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121,000 miles · Aug 21, 2019
EngineStructureUnknown Or OtherFire

VEHICLE WAS TRAVELING AT APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH ON A CITY STREET WHEN A "POP" NOISE WAS HEARD, IMMEDIATELY FOLLOWED BY THE CAR SHUTTING DOWN. THERE WAS NO WARNING OR SYSTEM ERROR LIGHTS ON AND NONE TURNED ON. THERE WAS NO POWER OR BRAKES AVAILABLE IN THE VEHICLE. UPON ATTEMPTING TO COAST VEHICLE OFF THE ROAD TO A SAFE AREA, 2 PEOP…

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VEHICLE WAS TRAVELING AT APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH ON A CITY STREET WHEN A "POP" NOISE WAS HEARD, IMMEDIATELY FOLLOWED BY THE CAR SHUTTING DOWN. THERE WAS NO WARNING OR SYSTEM ERROR LIGHTS ON AND NONE TURNED ON. THERE WAS NO POWER OR BRAKES AVAILABLE IN THE VEHICLE. UPON ATTEMPTING TO COAST VEHICLE OFF THE ROAD TO A SAFE AREA, 2 PEOPLE DRIVING BY YELLED TO GET OUT, AS THERE WERE FLAMES COMING OUT OF THE UNDERCARRIAGE. THE ENTIRE FRONT OF THE CAR INCLUDING THE ENGINE ENGULFED IN FLAMES. AREA FIREFIGHTERS WERE CALLED TO EXTINGUISH THE FIRE. TOTAL LOSS OF VEHICLE. ADDITIONALLY, THIS VEHICLE IS EQUIPPED WITH ON STAR SERVICES AND A MONTHLY REPORT IS RECEIVED SHOWING ANY ISSUES OR CONCERNS WITH THE VEHICLE. UPON RECEIVING THE REPORT ON JULY 27, 2019 THERE WERE NO ISSUES REPORTED EXPECT A LOW TIRE PRESSURE.

NHTSA ODI #11245539

20,000 miles · Sep 17, 2016
Structure

TRUNK LID OPENS ON IT'S OWN. THIS HAPPENS WHEN PARKED, BUT IT OPENED AT LEAST [OR WAS DISCOVERED OPEN] WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE STREET. BLOCKING THE REAR VIEW. THIS HAS HAPPENED AT LEAST 10 TIMES. THIS HAS ALLOWED SNOW AND RAIN TO ENTER THE TRUNK. I THINK THIS IS A PROBLEM WITH THE REMOTE TRUNK RELEASE WHEN THIS HAPPENS T…

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TRUNK LID OPENS ON IT'S OWN. THIS HAPPENS WHEN PARKED, BUT IT OPENED AT LEAST [OR WAS DISCOVERED OPEN] WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE STREET. BLOCKING THE REAR VIEW. THIS HAS HAPPENED AT LEAST 10 TIMES. THIS HAS ALLOWED SNOW AND RAIN TO ENTER THE TRUNK. I THINK THIS IS A PROBLEM WITH THE REMOTE TRUNK RELEASE WHEN THIS HAPPENS THE CONTENTS OF THE CAR AND THE CAR ARE OPEN TO THEFT. THE DEALER AND BUICK ARE KNOW ABOUT THIS BUT DO NOT ACT LIKE THIS IS IMPORTANT THIS HAS HAPPENED ON SEVERAL DATES,I PURCHASED THE CAR IN FEB 2013 THE LAST TIME IT HAPPENED WAS IN JULY OF 2016. THE CAR HAS 20500 MILES ON IT

NHTSA ODI #10907367

165 miles · Apr 12, 2012
Structure

WE PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE ON 7 MARCH 2012 AND SHORTLY AFTERWARDS I WAS CHECKING IT OVER AND SAW THAT THE BACK OF THE HEADLINER WAS HANGING DOWN ABOUT AN INCH OR SO. I TOOK IT INTO THE THE GARAGE WHERE I PURCHASED THE CAR AND THEY HAD THEIR REPAIR PERSON CHECK IT OUT. THEY FIRST TRIED TO USE DOUBLE SIDED STICKY TAPE AND IT DID …

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WE PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE ON 7 MARCH 2012 AND SHORTLY AFTERWARDS I WAS CHECKING IT OVER AND SAW THAT THE BACK OF THE HEADLINER WAS HANGING DOWN ABOUT AN INCH OR SO. I TOOK IT INTO THE THE GARAGE WHERE I PURCHASED THE CAR AND THEY HAD THEIR REPAIR PERSON CHECK IT OUT. THEY FIRST TRIED TO USE DOUBLE SIDED STICKY TAPE AND IT DID NOT WORK SO THEY WENT TO THE HEAD OFFICE OF BUICK TO TRY TO SOLVE THE PROBLEM. ON 10 APRIL I TOOK THE CAR BACK IN AND THEIR FIX WAS TO STICK SMALL MAGNETS TO THE ROOF AND ALSO TO THE HEADLINER AND THEN SNAP THE MAGNETS TOGETHER. I DON'T KNOW HOW MANY MAGNETS THEY USED BUT THE HEADLINER IS LOOKING OK FOR NOW. I DON'T KNOW HOW LONG THIS FIX WILL LAST OR IF THE HEADLINER SHOULD HAVE BEEN REPLACED. GUESS WE WILL NEED TO WAIT AND SEE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10454972

110 miles · Mar 30, 2012
Structure

THE INTERIOR CENTER CONSOLE HAS A BRUSHED CHROME TRIM AROUND THE OUTSIDE AND A MIRROR FINISH CHROME BEZEL DIRECTLY SURROUNDING THE GEAR SHIFTER. I FIRST REALIZED IT TO BE A CONCERN WHEN I WAS DRIVING DIRECTLY INTO THE SUN, AND THE SUNLIGHT REFLECTED OFF THE MIRROR IMAGE CHROME BEZEL, UNDER MY DARK SUNGLASSES, AND DIRECTLY INTO …

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THE INTERIOR CENTER CONSOLE HAS A BRUSHED CHROME TRIM AROUND THE OUTSIDE AND A MIRROR FINISH CHROME BEZEL DIRECTLY SURROUNDING THE GEAR SHIFTER. I FIRST REALIZED IT TO BE A CONCERN WHEN I WAS DRIVING DIRECTLY INTO THE SUN, AND THE SUNLIGHT REFLECTED OFF THE MIRROR IMAGE CHROME BEZEL, UNDER MY DARK SUNGLASSES, AND DIRECTLY INTO MY EYES, MOMENTARILY BLINDING ME. AS SOON AS I REALIZED WHERE THE BLINDING LIGHT CAME FROM I REMOVED MY RIGHT HAND FROM THE STEERING WHEEL TO BLOCK AS MUCH OF THE GLARING LIGHT AS POSSIBLE. I HAD TO KEEP MY HAND IN THE SAME POSITION UNTIL I TURNED, AND THE SUNLIGHT NO LONGER REFLECTED OFF THE CHROME BEZEL. I HAVE CONTACTED BUICK CUSTOMER RELATIONS ABOUT THIS AND WAS TOLD THEY CANNOT DO ANYTHING OR EVEN CONSIDER IT TO BE A PROBLEM UNLESS A RECALL IS ISSUED, WHICH THEY WON'T DO BECAUSE THEY DO NOT CONSIDER IT A PROBLEM. *JS

NHTSA ODI #10453542

Official recalls

7

26V113000 · Suspension:rear

Feb 26, 2026

General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2012–2013 Buick Regal Turbo and GS trim-level vehicles that were sold or ever registered, in Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, or Wisconsin. The rear suspension toe links may have received improper corrosion protection, which can result in rear toe link fracture.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: Rear toe link fracture can cause a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Dealers will replace the rear suspension toe links and adjuster fasteners, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 3, 2026. Owners may contact Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300. GM's number for this recall is N252537580. This recall expands previous NHTSA recall numbers 20V764, 21V633, and 21V00F.

21V00F000 · Suspension:rear

Dec 22, 2021

General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2010-2013 Buick Lacrosse, 2012-2013 Buick Regal, and 2013 Chevrolet Malibu vehicles sold or ever registered in Connecticut, Delaware, the District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, or Wisconsin. These vehicles may have rear toe links that received an improper amount of electrocoating (e-coat) corrosion protection, which could cause the e-coat to become brittle and break away when contacted by road debris. Over time, the e-coat may chip away, exposing the metal toe link and making it more susceptible to corrosion. Corrosion may eventually cause the toe link to thin and ultimately fracture.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: A rear toe link fracture may reduce the driver's ability to control the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Dealers will replace the rear suspension toe links and adjuster fasteners, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 27, 2022. Owners may contact Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300 or Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is N212346640. This recall is an expansion of NHTSA recalls 20V-764 and 21V-633.

20V764000 · Suspension:rear

Dec 21, 2020

General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2012-2013 Buick Regal, 2013 Chevrolet Malibu, and 2010-2013 Buick Lacrosse vehicles sold or ever registered in Connecticut, Delaware, the District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, or Wisconsin. These vehicles may have rear toe links that received excessive electrocoating (e-coat) corrosion protection, which could cause the e-coat to become brittle and break away when contacted by road debris. Over time, the e-coat may chip away, exposing the metal toe link and making it more susceptible to corrosion. Corrosion may eventually cause the toe link to thin and ultimately to fracture.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: A rear toe link fracture may reduce the driver's ability to control the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the rear suspension toe links and adjuster fasteners free of charge. Parts are not currently available. Owners were mailed an interim notification on January 27, 2021, and April 15, 2021. A third notification was mailed on August 19, 201. Owners may contact Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300 or Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is N202308930.

14V447000 · Seats:front Assembly:power Adjust

Jul 23, 2014

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2011-2012 Buick LaCrosse, Regal and Chevrolet Camaro, as well as certain 2010-2012 Cadillac SRX, Chevrolet Equinox and GMC Terrain vehicles, equipped with power height adjustable driver and passenger seats. In the affected vehicles, the bolt that secures the driver's and passenger's power front seat height adjuster may fall out causing the seat to drop suddenly to the lowest vertical position.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: If the driver's seat unexpectedly drops, the distraction and altered seat position may affect the drivers' control of the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the height adjuster shoulder bolts, free of charge. The manufacturer distributed interim letters to owners on September 11, 2014. The recall began on December 26, 2014. Owners may contact GM customer service at 1-800-521-7300 (Buick), 1-800-458-8006 (Cadillac), 1-800-222-1020 (Chevrolet), or 1-800-462-8782 (GMC). GM's number for this recall is 14271.

13V173000 · Electrical System

May 6, 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 Generator Control Module (GCM) may not function properly. This could cause a gradual loss of battery charge and the illumination of the malfunction indicator light.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: If the vehicle is continued to be driven, the engine may stall and/or the vehicle may not start. In addition, there may be a burning or melting odor, smoke, and possibly a fire in the trunk.

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 recall campaign number is 13136.

12V484000 · Exterior Lighting:turn Signal

Oct 4, 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 the two front turn signal bulbs burn out in either front turn signal lamp, there is no indication to the driver. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment."

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: If the driver is not aware that a turn signal is not functioning properly, the driver may continue to drive the vehicle. If half of a front turn signal is not illuminating, other driver's may not be aware that the affected vehicle is turning, thereby increasing the risk of a crash.

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 Chevrolet at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is 12212.

12V093000 · Exterior Lighting

Mar 7, 2012

GENERAL MOTORS (GM) IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2012 BUICK REGAL VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM FEBRUARY 22, 2011, THROUGH FEBRUARY 22, 2012 FOR FAILING TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108 “LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.” DUE TO A SOFTWARE ERROR, THE PARKING LAMPS DO NOT ACTIVATE WHEN EITHER THE PARKING LAMPS OR HEADLAMPS ARE TURNED ON.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: INADEQUATE LIGHTING COULD REDUCE THE VISIBILITY OF THE VEHICLE, INCREASING THE POTENTIAL FOR A CRASH.

Remedy: GENERAL MOTORS WILL NOTIFY OWNERS, AND DEALERS WILL REPROGRAM THE BODY CONTROL MODULE FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MARCH 29, 2012. OWNERS MAY CONTACT GM AT 1-800-521-7300.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

2

AQ14001 · Sands Chevrolet/hybrid System Fire/stall

Opened May 2, 2014 · Closed May 22, 2016

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Electrical System

NHTSA opened AQ14-001 to determine whether Sands Chevrolet of Surprise, Arizona complied with the requirements of the National Traffic and Motor Vehicle Safety Act, 49 U.S.C. Chapter 301 (Safety Act) and its implementing regulations. The Safety Act requires, among other things, that a manufacturer notify its dealers of defects related to motor vehicle safety and non-compliances with Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards and, in turn, that a dealer not sell and deliver a new vehicle subject to a recall unless the recall remedy has been performed (49 U.S.C. ?? 30112(a), 30120(i)).NHTSA issued an information request (IR) letter to Sands Chevrolet on May 5, 2014.Sands Chevrolet responded to this request on May 22, 2014.To ensure NHTSA?s information request encompassed all possible reference codes for General Motors recall 13V-173, NHTSA issued another IR letter to Sands Chevrolet on June 8, 2015.Again, a response letter was received on June 9, 2015.NHTSA?s investigation indicated that Sands Chevrolet did sell and deliver recalled vehicles that did not have the recall remedy completed at the time the vehicles were delivered to the customers.NHTSA therefore concluded that Sands Chevrolet was liable for civil penalties for violations of the Safety Act, pursuant to 49 U.S.C. ? 30165.Under a Settlement Agreement dated March 24, 2016, Sands Chevrolet represented that it improved its processes to verify that it checks every vehicle for recalls prior to delivery to the purchaser and that it has not sold and delivered any unremedied new motor vehicles since June 9, 2015.Sands Chevrolet also represented that it now also checks for open recalls on every customer vehicle brought in for service, and that it checks for open recalls on every used trade-in vehicle, regardless of make or model, and takes steps to have all used trade-in vehicles repaired prior to retail sale. Sands Chevrolet admitted to violating the law and must pay civil penalties in the amount of $40,000.This Audit Query is closed.

RQ13003 · Generator Control Module Fires

Opened Jul 5, 2013 · Closed Jul 22, 2014

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Electrical System:propulsion System:traction Battery

On July 5, 2013 the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened Recall Query RQ13-003 to investigate whether the service procedures utilized in recall bulletins 13136 and 13142 for safety recall 13V-173 were sufficient to identify the safety defect in the subject vehicles.These safety recalls were issue on May 3, 2013 to address the improper function of the Generator Control Module (GCM) in certain model year (MY) 2012-13 Buick LaCrosse and Regal and MY 2013 Chevrolet Malibu Eco equipped with eAssist.This condition may result in a loss of battery charge, engine stall and/or inability for the vehicle to start.In severe cases it may also lead to odor, smoke and possibly a fire in the trunk.During discussions with General Motors (GM), ODI was informed that the subject vehicles could be separated into 4 distinct build populations, or groups. Group A contained vehicles built from the start of production through 3/19/2012.Group B involved vehicles built from 3/20/2012 to 8/20/2012, group C from 8/21/2012 to 12/31/12, and group D from 1/1/2013 onwards.Bulletin 13136 instructed dealers to inspect and, if necessary, replace the GCM for vehicles in groups A or C.Bulletin 13142 instructed dealers to replace the GCM of any vehicle in group B.Group D vehicles were not recalled.All eAssist vehicles have a Powerpack which contains a BAS (belt alternator-starter) Power Inverter Module (BPIM)/Accessory Power Module (APM) and a 115-V Lithium-Ion battery.The Powerpack is known by GM's Part Description System as the GCM and Battery Module. The BPIM/APM contains 3 multi-layered printed circuit boards (PCBs) comprised of conductive layers separated by isolating layers.Vehicles built within the time periods of groups A and B had PCBs using single isolation layers.Vehicles build in group C had dual isolation layers on 1 of the 3 PCBs, and group D had all 3 PCBs built with dual insulation.Adding dual insulation to a PCB makes it more robust to material and manufacturing variations, and ultimately less susceptible to an electrical short circuit and subsequent failure.Through initial analysis of the GCM failures, GM identified that vehicles within group B contained PCBs that were contaminated during production due to increased production volumes that resulted in inadequate quality control.GM also noted that GCM failures occurred early in the life of the vehicle (typically <1000 miles).Therefore a service procedure was developed to replicate early life failures by subjecting the GCM to high current loads which would cause the identified failure mechanism (copper migration) to occur quickly and reveal any underlying PCB defect.Although groups A and C were built with PCBs containing single layer PCBs, they were built using better quality control, and as the data supports, experienced significantly lower failures.GM advised that for these reasons the two different service procedures were used in the Recall 13V-173 population.In response to ODI's Information Request (IR) GM submitted 234 unique reports related to the alleged problem. It was noted that 197 (84%) of the received reports fell into the group B population.The 2 fire incidents noted were events in which flames were evident and/or damage was experienced outside of the GCM. Both of these incidents involved group B vehicles. One hundred four warranty claims were also submitted in response to the IR, with 96 claims (92%) from group B.It was also noted that none of the claims from groups A or C occurred after the service procedure was conducted, and that the majority of the A or C incidents occurred during the service procedure.Given the data, ODI believes the ser