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2013 Buick Regal

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 2013 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

62 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 37 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Electrical System. Review the 36 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Engine. Review the 9 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

6 crash reports2 fire reports4 injury reports

What owners actually said

91 reports
Mileage unknown · Nov 14, 2015
Tires

BOUGHT 2013 REGAL BUICK OCTOBER OF 2013. I HAD 2 TIRES TO BLOW OUT LAST YEAR AND 1 YESTERDAY. THIS IS 3 TIRES I HAD TO REPLACE. THIS CAN'T BE NORMAL.

NHTSA ODI #10790357

500 miles · Sep 13, 2015
Visibility/wiper

FROM THE PURCHASE OF OUR 2013 BUICK REGAL IN THE SPRING OF 2014 (VEHICLE WAS A NEW LEFTOVER), WE EXPERIENCED CONDENSATION BUILDING ON THE OUTSIDE (BOTTOM PORTION) OF THE WINDSHIELD. WE WOULD USE THE DEFROSTER BUT THAT DID NOT CLEAR THE BUILD UP. WE TURNED OFF THE RECIRCULATION AND TRIED ALL SETTINGS TO NO SATISFACTION. NORMAL…

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FROM THE PURCHASE OF OUR 2013 BUICK REGAL IN THE SPRING OF 2014 (VEHICLE WAS A NEW LEFTOVER), WE EXPERIENCED CONDENSATION BUILDING ON THE OUTSIDE (BOTTOM PORTION) OF THE WINDSHIELD. WE WOULD USE THE DEFROSTER BUT THAT DID NOT CLEAR THE BUILD UP. WE TURNED OFF THE RECIRCULATION AND TRIED ALL SETTINGS TO NO SATISFACTION. NORMALLY ON CLEAR AND LESS HUMID DAYS THERE WAS NO CONDENSATION BUILD UP. HOWEVER WHEN THE DAY WAS HUMID AND A HIGHER DEW POINT, THE BUILD UP WOULD PRESENT ITSELF. WE NORMALLY USED THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS TO CLEAR THE WINDOW FOR VISIBILITY, BUT AT TIMES THE ENTIRE WINDSHIELD WILL FOG UP QUICKLY AND ALMOST COMPLETELY. THIS PRESENTS A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION IN TRAFFIC BEING THAT WE HAVE FOUND IT DIFFICULT TO DEAL WITH THE PROBLEM WHILE DRIVING (BEING THAT AT TIMES IT COVERS THE WINDSHIELD QUICKLY). THROUGHOUT THE WINTER MONTHS OF 2014 THROUGH 2015, WE SELDOM DROVE THIS VEHICLE AND USED OUR TRAILBLAZER FOR DRIVING. THUS WE DID NOT EXPERIENCE TOO MUCH OF A PROBLEM DURING THAT TIME. HOWEVER THIS YEAR WE WILL BE RELYING ON THE 2013 BUICK REGAL THROUGHOUT THE WINTER AND ARE VERY CONCERNED WITH THE CONDENSATION BUILDUP PROBLEM. AS STATED THERE ARE TIMES WHEN THE WINDSHIELD QUICKLY FOGS UP.

NHTSA ODI #10763370

Mileage unknown · May 3, 2015
Electrical System

MULTIPLE INDICATOR LIGHTS ARE COMING ON WHEN NOTHING IS WRONG WITH THE VEHICLE, GRADUAL LOSS OF BATTERY CHARGE. THEN MY VEHICLE WILL NOT START AT ALL. NOTHING WRONG WITH THE STARTER, BATTERY IS STILL GOOD, THE ALTERNATOR IS FINE. MY INDICATOR CONSOLE WILL NOT COME BACK ON WHEN I TRY TO TURN THE CAR BACK ON, CAR WILL NOT START WI…

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MULTIPLE INDICATOR LIGHTS ARE COMING ON WHEN NOTHING IS WRONG WITH THE VEHICLE, GRADUAL LOSS OF BATTERY CHARGE. THEN MY VEHICLE WILL NOT START AT ALL. NOTHING WRONG WITH THE STARTER, BATTERY IS STILL GOOD, THE ALTERNATOR IS FINE. MY INDICATOR CONSOLE WILL NOT COME BACK ON WHEN I TRY TO TURN THE CAR BACK ON, CAR WILL NOT START WITHOUT A JUMP, BUT ALL THE LIGHTS INSIDE AND OUTSIDE OF THE VEHICLE ARE ON. I HAVE FOUND THAT THIS MODEL YEAR HAS A RECALL ALREADY ON IT FOR THIS SAME ISSUE ID # 13V173000 - ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. NOTHING ELSE SEEMS TO BE WRONG WITH THE VEHICLE. NOT SURE AT THIS POINT IF IT IS SAFE TO DRIVE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10714265

400 miles · Apr 6, 2015
Electrical System

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 BUICK REGAL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PUSH TO START BUTTON WAS TOO CLOSE TO THE STEERING WHEEL, WHICH CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO ACCIDENTLY BE TURNED OFF WHEN DRIVING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 400. ..UPDATED 05-26-15…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 BUICK REGAL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PUSH TO START BUTTON WAS TOO CLOSE TO THE STEERING WHEEL, WHICH CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO ACCIDENTLY BE TURNED OFF WHEN DRIVING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 400. ..UPDATED 05-26-15 *BF UPDATED 10/4/2017*CN

NHTSA ODI #10703946

38,000 miles · Mar 22, 2015
Fuel/propulsion SystemVehicle Speed Control

ON 3-7-15, UPON LEAVING MCDONALD'S ON 14 MILE RD., IN ROYAL OAK, MI. I APPROACHED THE END OF THE DRIVEWAY, STOPPED, WAITING FOR TRAFFIC TO CLEAR. STARTING TO TURN OUT OF THE DRIVEWAY, I WENT TO ACCELERATE, THE CAR DID START TO GO, BUT SUDDENLY, WITH NO WARNING, THE CAR WOULD NOT ACCELERATE. THIS OCCURRED WHILE I WAS NOW ON THE…

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ON 3-7-15, UPON LEAVING MCDONALD'S ON 14 MILE RD., IN ROYAL OAK, MI. I APPROACHED THE END OF THE DRIVEWAY, STOPPED, WAITING FOR TRAFFIC TO CLEAR. STARTING TO TURN OUT OF THE DRIVEWAY, I WENT TO ACCELERATE, THE CAR DID START TO GO, BUT SUDDENLY, WITH NO WARNING, THE CAR WOULD NOT ACCELERATE. THIS OCCURRED WHILE I WAS NOW ON THE MAIN ROAD, WITH CARS APPROACHING, NO ACCELERATION. I GLIDED INTO THE DRIVEWAY RIGHT NEXT DOOR, HARDLY MADE IT SAFELY. I TESTED THE CAR IN DRIVE AND REVERSE, AND THE CAR RESPONDED. I DROVE TO THE DEALERSHIP, RIGHT LANE, FLASHERS ON. THEY TESTED THE CAR BY COMPUTER CODING "RUNNING LEAN". THEY DETERMINED THIS WAS THE PROBLEM. I WAS CALLED AND TOLD A LOOSE CABLE AND SCREW TO THE BATTERY CAUSED THE PROBLEM. I ASKED AND WAS TOLD "RUNNING LEAN" HAD NOTHING TO DO WITH IT. THEY SAID IT CODED PREVIOUSLY "RUNNING LEAN". I NEVER HAD WARNINGS, OR HAD NO GAS TO THE ACCELERATOR BEFORE. I HAVE COMPLAINED OF A HESITANCY WHEN I GO TO ACCELERATE FROM A STOP. TEST DRIVING THE CAR, NOBODY AGREED WITH ME, AT SOMERSET BUICK OR AT SELLERS BUICK. TOLD TO ME BY SOMERSET BUICK, A PROBLEM HAS TO OCCUR 3 TIMES BEFORE WARNING THE DRIVER. I SAID THAT COULD BE "TOO LATE", AND THEY COULD HAVE A FATALITY ON THEIR HANDS. IMAGINE MAKING A LEFT TURN IN AN INTERSECTION, STARTING TO ACCELERATE, AND SUDDENLY NO GAS TO DRIVE THE CAR, IN THE MIDDLE OF AN INTERSECTION WITH CARS COMING? I PONDERED: THE "3 TIME OCCURRENCE" BEFORE A WARNING? WHAT REASON NOT TO WARN A DRIVER? HOW COULD THERE NOT BE A WARNING TO LET A DRIVER KNOW THAT THERE IS A CABLE AND A SCREW LOOSE CAUSING NO GAS TO THE ACCELERATOR? I AM HAUNTED BY WHAT HAPPENED TO ALL THOSE PEOPLE DRIVING THE GM CARS THAT HAD THE PROBLEMS WITH THE IGNITION. WILL HISTORY REPEAT ITSELF? I REALLY BELIEVE THIS NEEDS TO BE A RECALL SITUATION TO SAVE LIVES. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10700992

37,617 miles · Feb 10, 2015
StructureCrash

DAMAGE ON DRIVE SIDE OF REAR BUMPER AND TRUNK LIGHT, INCLUDING TRUNK DAMAGE TO THE VEHICLE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10682492

23,500 miles · Dec 19, 2014
Visibility

I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE FREEWAY AND THE MOON ROOF EXPLODED ALL OVER MY KIDS IN THE BACK SEAT AS WELL AS MY SELF, I HAD GLASS STUCK IN MY SCALP. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10667247

Mileage unknown · Sep 20, 2014
Service Brakes

2013 BUICK REGAL GS FWD 18,240 MILES BRAKE NOICE IT IS SO BAD THAT THE FRONT BRAKE PADS AND ROTORS HAVE TO BE REPLACED @18240 MILES THE CAR AT THE DEALER WAS DOING THE SQUEELING NOICE I WAS TOLD IT WAS NORMAL BECAUSE IT HAD BREMBOL BRAKES ROTORS AND PADS THE COST TO REPLACE ALL 4 PADS ROTORS IS $2201.00 THERE IS SO MUCH …

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2013 BUICK REGAL GS FWD 18,240 MILES BRAKE NOICE IT IS SO BAD THAT THE FRONT BRAKE PADS AND ROTORS HAVE TO BE REPLACED @18240 MILES THE CAR AT THE DEALER WAS DOING THE SQUEELING NOICE I WAS TOLD IT WAS NORMAL BECAUSE IT HAD BREMBOL BRAKES ROTORS AND PADS THE COST TO REPLACE ALL 4 PADS ROTORS IS $2201.00 THERE IS SO MUCH WEAR AND TEAR AWFUL. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10637738

1,500 miles · Jun 18, 2014
Unknown Or Other

THE FRONT SEAT HEAD RESTRAINTS ARE HEAD "CONSTRAINTS." BOTH THE ANGLE OF THE BRACES SUPPORTING THE HEAD RESTRAINTS AND THE THICKNESS OF THE PADDING OF THE HEAD RESTRAINTS ARE EXCESSIVE. WHEN THE SEAT IS UPRIGHT, A POSITION OF GOOD POSTURE, THE HEAD RESTRAINT FORCES THE HEAD DOWN TO LOOK AT THE LAP. RAISING THE HEAD RESTRAINT INC…

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THE FRONT SEAT HEAD RESTRAINTS ARE HEAD "CONSTRAINTS." BOTH THE ANGLE OF THE BRACES SUPPORTING THE HEAD RESTRAINTS AND THE THICKNESS OF THE PADDING OF THE HEAD RESTRAINTS ARE EXCESSIVE. WHEN THE SEAT IS UPRIGHT, A POSITION OF GOOD POSTURE, THE HEAD RESTRAINT FORCES THE HEAD DOWN TO LOOK AT THE LAP. RAISING THE HEAD RESTRAINT INCREASES THE DOWNWARD ANGLE. MOVING THE SEAT-BACK AWAY FROM VERTICAL MAKES THE HEAD COMFORTABLE BUT THEN THE BACK DOESN'T TOUCH THE SEAT-BACK AND THAT POSITION IS RATHER TIRING. MUCH OF THE TIME, THE SOLUTION IS TO LEAN FORWARD OR TO THE RIGHT OR TO THE LEFT AWAY FROM THE HEAD RESTRAINT TO AVOID DISCOMFORT AND BLOCKED VISION. THE 2013 BUICK REGAL HAS TAKEN THE HEAD RESTRAINT CRITERIA TO EXCESS AND IT WOULD BE HELPFUL IF MODIFICATIONS CAN BE CONSIDERED SO THAT FUTURE HEAD RESTRAINTS ARE NO LONGER A HINDRANCE TO DRIVERS.

NHTSA ODI #10605259

350 miles · Mar 29, 2014
Electrical System

I PURCHASED A NEW 2013 BUICK REGAL E-ASSIST VEHICLE FROM THE GM DEALERSHIP IN ST. CATHARINES. WHEN I ATTEMPTED TO START MY NEW CAR AND DRIVE IT FOR THE FIRST TIME, TO MY SURPRISE AND DISMAY, THE EMERGENCY LIGHTS WENT OFF, WINDSHIELD WIPERS STARTED WIPING, AUDIBLE WARNING SOUNDS WENT OFF, AND THE CAR STARTED MAKING LOUD SCREECHIN…

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I PURCHASED A NEW 2013 BUICK REGAL E-ASSIST VEHICLE FROM THE GM DEALERSHIP IN ST. CATHARINES. WHEN I ATTEMPTED TO START MY NEW CAR AND DRIVE IT FOR THE FIRST TIME, TO MY SURPRISE AND DISMAY, THE EMERGENCY LIGHTS WENT OFF, WINDSHIELD WIPERS STARTED WIPING, AUDIBLE WARNING SOUNDS WENT OFF, AND THE CAR STARTED MAKING LOUD SCREECHING NOISES! THE VEHICLE SOUNDED AS IF IT WAS CRYING AND DYING! I WAS FRIGHTENED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS GOING TO EXPLODE IN MY GARAGE! I IMMEDIATELY EXITED THE CAR. WHEN I RETURNED TO THE VEHICLE A FEW MOMENTS LATER, ALL POWER WAS OFF IN THE VEHICLE. IT APPEARED AS IF THE VEHICLE HAD A POWER FAILURE. UPON DOING SOME RESEARCH ONLINE I FOUND THAT APPARENTLY, TO MY SURPRISE, THERE WAS A RECALL ON THE VEHICLE (RECALL # 13146) DUE TO A POTENTIAL MALFUNCTION ISSUE WITH THE GENERATOR CONTROL MODULE. APPEARS THAT MY VEHICLE WAS ONE OF THE VEHICLES AFFECTED BY THE DEFECTIVE GCM, HOWEVER THE VEHICLE WAS SOLD TO ME PRIOR TO HAVING THE GCM REPLACED! I AM EXTREMELY DISPLEASED THAT THE RECALL WAS NOT DEALT WITH BY THE DEALERSHIP! WHILE MY VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE GM DEALERSHIP AND SUCCESSFULLY REPAIRED, THIS SITUATION HAS CAUSED ME AN UNACCEPTABLE AMOUNT OF STRESS, EMOTIONAL TRAUMA, AND PHYSICAL SYMPTOMS SUCH AS HEART PALPITATIONS AND INSOMNIA! FOR THE PAST MONTH, I HAVE HAD PERPETUAL NIGHTMARES RELATED TO THIS E-ASSIST VEHICLE! I AM EVEN FRIGHTENED TO APPROACH THE VEHICLE AND START IT, FOR FEAR OF WHAT MIGHT HAPPEN AGAIN! I AM CONSTANTLY WORRIED THAT THE VEHICLE IS GOING TO EXPLODE OR CATCH FIRE! FURTHERMORE, I HAVE TRIED DRIVING THE CAR FOR SHORT DISTANCES DAILY, BUT I HAVE BEEN EXPERIENCING HEADACHES, ANXIETY, DIZZINESS, AND NUMBNESS WHILE DRIVING. DUE TO THE TRAUMA AND NEGATIVE HEALTH PROBLEMS (HEART PROBLEMS, INSOMNIA, ETC.) THAT I HAVE EXPERIENCED AS A RESULT OF THIS E-ASSIST VEHICLE, I AM IN THE PROCESS OF TRADING IN FOR A NON HYBRID. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10575636

Official recalls

6

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.

21V633000 · Suspension:rear

Aug 12, 2021

General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2013 Buick Regal, Chevrolet Malibu, and 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 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. Interim owner notification letters were mailed on September 30, 2021. Owner notification letters were mailed on January 3, 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 N212330130.

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.

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.

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