2012 Buick REGAL: complaints, problems and recalls

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…

Owner-reported narrative. 110 miles reported. Look up ODI 10453542 at NHTSA ↗

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 …

Owner-reported narrative. 165 miles reported. Look up ODI 10454972 at NHTSA ↗

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 BUICK REGAL GS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TIRE PRESSURE INDICATOR STICKER, LOCATED ON THE FRONT DRIVER'S DOOR, SPECIFIED TO INFLATE THE TIRES TO 80 POUNDS PER SQUARE INCH. THE CONTACT NOTIFIED THE TIRE MANUFACTURER, WHO STATED THAT THE TIRE LABEL INFORMATION WAS INCORRECT AND THE CORRECT TIRE PRESSURE WAS 38 POUNDS PER SQUARE INCH. THE MANUFACTURER OF THE VEHICLE WAS NOTIFIED AND WAS UNABLE TO PROVIDE ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 220.

Owner-reported narrative. 220 miles reported. Look up ODI 10457805 at NHTSA ↗

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 BUICK REGAL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE RPMS IDLES HIGH AND THE VEHICLE FAILED TO ACCELERATE OVER 45MPH. ALSO, THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE DOORS FAILED TO UNLOCK WITH THE REMOTE CONTROL AND AS A RESULT, SHE HAD TO USE THE KEY TO UNLOCK THE DOORS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER SEVERAL TIMES WHO WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE BUT DECIDED TO REPROGRAMMED THE VEHICLE COMPUTER SYSTEM AS A SAFETY PRECAUTION. THE REMEDY FAILED TO REPAIR THE PROBLEM. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE…

Owner-reported narrative. 19 miles reported. Look up ODI 10471904 at NHTSA ↗

AFTER MUCH RESEARCH I FOUND THERE IS NO COMPACT SPARE TIRE AND WHEELS FOR THE GRAND SPORT VERSION OF THE 2012 BUICK REGAL ANYWHERE I COULD FIND. THEY ONLY PROVIDE AN INFLATER KIT. MY LAST 3 FLATS COULD NOT BE REPAIRED WITH THE INFLATER BECAUSE OF THE TYPE DAMAGE. NO WRITTEN DOCUMENTATION THAT I HAVE OBTAINED STATED THIS FACT. THE PROBLEM IS THAT WE HAVE FAMILY IN THE MIDDLE OF PENNSLYVANIA AND HAVE TO TRAVEL THROUGH THE MOUNTAINS WHERE THERE IS NO CELL PHONE CONDUCTIVITY (THAT ELIMINATES THE ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE) A REGULAR TRIP IS FOR THANKSGIV…

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10475005 at NHTSA ↗

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 BUICK REGAL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO JERK ABNORMALLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS AND THE TECHNICIANS WERE ABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE HOWEVER, THEY WERE UNABLE TO REPAIR THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS RETURNED TO THE DEALER WEEKS LATER WHERE THE DEALER ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THE VEHICLE HAD A DAMAGED SPARK PLUG. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND ESCALATED HER CASE STATING THAT THEY WOULD REMAIN …

Owner-reported narrative. 9,135 miles reported. Look up ODI 10476686 at NHTSA ↗

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 BUICK REGAL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 5 MPH, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED INDEPENDENTLY. THE BRAKE WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED AT THE TIME OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE BUT THE WARNING LIGHT REMAINED ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION OR REPAIRS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED BUT PROVIDED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 200.

Owner-reported narrative. 200 miles reported. Look up ODI 10480187 at NHTSA ↗

ON DECEMBER 12, 2012 , SHORTLY AFTER SUNSET, MY WIFE AND I WERE DRIVING ON A RURAL ROAD AT ABOUT 30 MPH. I WAS IN THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT. I REACHED OVER TO SWITCH THE RADIO FROM SIRIUS TO FM, BUT INADVERTENTLY HIT THE ENGINE ON/OFF BUTTON, LOCATED ABOUT 2 CM FROM THE RADIO BUTTON. WHEN I HIT THE BUTTON, THE ENGINE WENT OFF, WE LOST ALL INTERNAL AND EXTERNAL LIGHTS, AND THE CAR SLOWED DRAMATICALLY. IT WAS TERRIFYING. WE MANAGED TO PULL THE CAR TO SIDE OF THE ROAD. HAD WE BEEN ON A MAJOR HIGHWAY, A MAJOR COLLISION AND PILE-UP LIKELY WOULD HAVE …

Owner-reported narrative. 7,500 miles reported. Look up ODI 10496411 at NHTSA ↗

Reported: 2012-03-07 (March 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: 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.

Reported: 2012-10-04 (October 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: 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.

Reported: 2013-05-06 (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: 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.

Reported: 2014-07-23 (July 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: 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.

Reported: 2020-12-21 (December 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: 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.

Reported: 2021-12-22 (December 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: 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.

Reported: 2026-02-26 (February 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: 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.