2012 Buick Regal Problems

Typical for Model

Real NHTSA owner complaints for the 2012 Buick Regal.

20112013
Complaints
137
Crashes
5
Fires
4
Injuries
4
Fatalities
Recalls
7

Worst 2012 Buick Regal Problems

Top 3 most-reported issues with average mileage at failure.

#132 complaints

Headlight/Taillight Failures

Avg mileage:70,734 mi
Crash-related:1
#221 complaints

Engine Problems

Avg mileage:77,976 mi
Fires:1
#314 complaints

Electrical Faults

Avg mileage:60,702 mi
Crash-related:1
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All Problems by Category

Every NHTSA complaint category for the 2012 Buick Regal.

Headlight/Taillight Failures
32
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
Avg Miles
70,734
Engine Problems
21
complaints
Crashes
Fires
1
Avg Miles
77,976
Electrical Faults
14
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
Avg Miles
60,702
Suspension Failures
10
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
Avg Miles
55,649
Brakes
8
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
Avg Miles
54,127
Electronic Stability Control
7
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
56,829
Transmission / Drivetrain
7
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
41,661
Unintended Acceleration
6
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
Avg Miles
26,512
Seat-Related Issues
5
complaints
Crashes
Fires
1
Avg Miles
85,994
Body Structure
3
complaints
Crashes
Fires
1
Avg Miles
Exterior Lighting:Headlights
2
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Fuel System
2
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Wheel Issues
2
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Child Seat
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Instrument Cluster
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Electrical System:12v/24v/48v Battery
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Electrical System:Body Control Module/Bcm
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Wiring & Fuses
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Equipment:Electrical:Radio/Tape Deck/Cd Etc.
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Equipment:Other:Labels
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Interior Lighting
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Seats:Front Assembly:Head Restraint
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Hydraulic Brakes
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Steering Defects
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Structure:Frame And Members:Underbody Shields
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Tires:Temporary/Emergency Spare Tire
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles

Search Owner Complaints

Read what owners actually reported to NHTSA for the 2012 Buick Regal. Type a keyword (e.g. “transmission”, “stalling”, “brakes”) to filter.

Recalls for 2012 Buick Regal

7 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting ~822,623 vehicles.

26V113000Suspension:rear
~17,050 affected

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.

21V00F000Suspension:rear
~4,271 affected

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.

20V764000Suspension:rear
~220,006 affected

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.

14V447000Seats:front Assembly:power Adjust
~414,333 affected

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.

13V173000Electrical System
~42,904 affected

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.

12V484000Exterior Lighting:turn Signal
~120,426 affected

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."

12V093000Exterior Lighting
~3,633 affected

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.

Other Buick Regal Years

2012 Buick Regal — FAQ

Answers based on real NHTSA complaint and recall data for this specific model year.

Is the 2012 Buick Regal reliable?
Verdict: Typical for Model. The 2012 Buick Regal has 137 NHTSA complaints, 5 crash-related, and 7 recall campaigns. The most common issue is Headlight/Taillight Failures with 32 complaints. Source: NHTSA via VinItel.
What are common problems with the 2012 Buick Regal?
Top reported problems: Headlight/Taillight Failures (32 complaints, avg 70,734 mi); Engine Problems (21 complaints, avg 77,976 mi); Electrical Faults (14 complaints, avg 60,702 mi). Every complaint is filed by an owner with NHTSA — this is raw reported data, not editorial opinion.
At what mileage do problems start on the 2012 Buick Regal?
The weighted average mileage at time of complaint is about 63,807 miles. Some components fail earlier, some later — check the "All Problems by Category" table above for per-issue averages.
How safe is the 2012 Buick Regal?
NHTSA complaints for the 2012 Buick Regal include 5 crash-related reports, 4 fire reports, 4 injuries, and 0 fatalities. These are owner-reported incidents, not official crash-test ratings — a complaint being filed doesn't confirm a defect, but clusters around specific components are worth investigating.
Does the 2012 Buick Regal have any recalls?
Yes — 7 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting an estimated 822,623 vehicles. Recalls are free to fix at the dealer. Always verify by VIN whether the specific car you're looking at has had its recalls addressed.
Should I buy a 2012 Buick Regal?
Complaint levels are in line with what's expected. Normal used-car due diligence applies — check the specific VIN for accident history, open recalls, and title brands.

Source: NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) complaint and recall databases, aggregated by VinItel.

Wider context: See the full Buick Regal reliability report with year-by-year comparison and generation analysis.

Check Your Specific 2012 Buick Regal

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