KnownCarProblems2012 Buick Regal Problems and Recalls
Owners filed 92 complaints with NHTSA about the 2012 Buick Regal, most often about the lights (37% of complaints, typically around 66,000 miles). It is 6th of 19 Regal model years by number of complaints and has 7 recalls.
Most common 2012 Buick Regal problems
Lights
34 complaints · 37%Half of these problems showed up before 66,000 miles. Parts named most often: headlights.
The contact owns a 2012 Buick Regal. Contact stated that the brake lights and headlights stopped working. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and repaired. No further information was available. The contact also indicated that after shutting the vehicle off, the engine would not restart. The vehicle was taken to an…
Tamara recall I noticed that there was water in the front left headlight and as I was driving down the road the bulb burnt out. When I took the light out the water ran down into the ballast this the second headlight that I have brought and the same problems exist. This is very dangerous especially driving on a back…
Engine
21 complaints · 23%Half of these problems showed up before 73,000 miles.
I have had problems with the stabilitrak - check engine light / multifunction indicator light coming on at random times (the on star diagnostic report doesn't give any indication of whats going on with the car so that regular people can understand before going in talking to a dealer about the issue) - powertrain…
The contact owns a 2012 Buick Regal. The contact stated that the vehicle would not immediately start up, and while at a stop light the entire vehicle would shake and vibrate. The cause of the failure was not determined. The local dealer and manufacturer were notified of the failure. The VIN was included in NHTSA…
Electrical
18 complaints · 20%Half of these problems showed up before 63,000 miles. Parts named most often: wiring, 12v/24v/48v battery, instrument cluster/panel, body control module/bcm.
The contact owns a 2012 Buick Regal. Contact stated that the brake lights and headlights stopped working. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and repaired. No further information was available. The contact also indicated that after shutting the vehicle off, the engine would not restart. The vehicle was taken to an…
The contact owns a 2012 Buick Regal. While driving, the interior lighting turned on and off without warning. Additionally, the radio spontaneously turned on and off. The vehicle was taken to dealer, but was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failures. The VIN was unknown. The failure…
Suspension
11 complaints · 12%The 2012 Buick Regal consumes a quart or more of oil in less than 2 weeks or 300 miles. I am putting a quart in it just to get it to read on the dip stick and more if needed. As it consumes oil, the engine gains a noticable ticking noise with a rough start. All of this is noticed while driving on a highway or rural…
The contact owns a 2012 Buick Regal. The contact stated that the vehicle would not immediately start up, and while at a stop light the entire vehicle would shake and vibrate. The cause of the failure was not determined. The local dealer and manufacturer were notified of the failure. The VIN was included in NHTSA…
Brakes
9 complaints · 10%Half of these problems showed up before 35,000 miles.
The contact owns a 2012 Buick Regal. The contact stated that the brake pedal was extremely difficult to depress. The ABS and brake indicators illuminated several times. The dealer (fremont chevrolet Buick gmc, 1401 n federal blvd, riverton, wy 82501, ([phone]) diagnosed that the timing chain needed to be replaced. The…
Brake pads rusted to the rotors, after hand-washing the vehicle the evening of july 2nd. Needed to rev the engine very high, in order to release the brake pads. This has occurred several times after driving the vehicle in the rain, and then letting it sit for a day or two. On jan 16, 2015 we took the vehicle in for…
Transmission
7 complaints · 8%Half of these problems showed up before 23,000 miles.
The contact owns a 2012 Buick Regal. The contact stated that while decelerating from 35 MPH, the vehicle violently jerked forward. The vehicle was taken to several different dealers. The first dealer was unable to diagnose the problem while the second stated that the shift adapter needed to be reset. The vehicle was…
Driving on highway at 70mph and car completely shut down almost causing a serious accident and dash board went haywire brakes locked and service stabiliktrack system and ABS assist warnings and it smelled like my car was on fire brakes locked steering and lost power totally shut down glad someone was in car to help me…
Stability control
7 complaints · 8%Half of these problems showed up before 34,000 miles.
Driving on highway at 70mph and car completely shut down almost causing a serious accident and dash board went haywire brakes locked and service stabiliktrack system and ABS assist warnings and it smelled like my car was on fire brakes locked steering and lost power totally shut down glad someone was in car to help me…
General motors denies that my car VIN number do not apply to 13v173000, recall date 05/06/2013, component electrical system, and recall campaign number is 13136 despite, key Buick performed repairs on module 2.560, the vehicle driver seat (moves up/ down, and forward/backwards) while I am driving, radio system (radio…
Speed control
6 complaints · 7%Half of these problems showed up before 12,000 miles.
The contact owns a 2012 Buick Regal. The contact stated that while decelerating from 35 MPH, the vehicle violently jerked forward. The vehicle was taken to several different dealers. The first dealer was unable to diagnose the problem while the second stated that the shift adapter needed to be reset. The vehicle was…
Driving on highway at 70mph and car completely shut down almost causing a serious accident and dash board went haywire brakes locked and service stabiliktrack system and ABS assist warnings and it smelled like my car was on fire brakes locked steering and lost power totally shut down glad someone was in car to help me…
Complaints are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.
2012 Buick Regal recalls
Suspension: rear
Risk: Rear toe link fracture can cause a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: 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.
Full defect summary
General motors, llc (gm) is recalling certain 2012â2013 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.
Suspension: rear
Risk: A rear toe link fracture may reduce the driver's ability to control the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: 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.
Full defect summary
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.
Suspension: rear
Risk: A rear toe link fracture may reduce the driver's ability to control the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: 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.
Full defect summary
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.
Seats: power adjust
Risk: 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.
Fix: 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.
Full defect summary
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.
Electrical: electrical system
Risk: 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.
Fix: 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.
Full defect summary
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.
Lights: turn signal
Risk: 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.
Fix: 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.
Full defect summary
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."
Lights: exterior lighting
Risk: Inadequate lighting could reduce the visibility of the vehicle, increasing the potential for a crash.
Fix: 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.
Full defect summary
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 âlamps, reflective devices and associated equipment.â due to a software error, the parking lamps do not activate when either the parking lamps or headlamps are turned on.
Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which recalls are still open on your car.
NHTSA defect investigations
Sands chevrolet/hybrid system fire/stall
Summary
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 thi
Generator control module fires
Summary
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.du
Questions about the 2012 Buick Regal
- What are the most common problems with the 2012 Buick Regal?
- By NHTSA owner complaints: lights (34 complaints, typically around 66,000 miles); engine (21 complaints, typically around 73,000 miles); electrical (18 complaints, typically around 63,000 miles).
- How many recalls does the 2012 Buick Regal have?
- 7 recalls listed by NHTSA, the latest from February 26, 2026 (suspension). Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which ones are still open on your car.
- Is the 2012 a bad year for the Buick Regal?
- It is 6th of 19 Regal model years by number of complaints, with 92 complaints. Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so popular years collect more of them, and the newest years have had less time to.