repaired · 2026 Q3
Suspension: rear
NewRisk. Rear toe link fracture can cause a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash.
2012 Buick RegalProblems, recalls & complaints
NHTSA has logged 92 owner complaints about the 2012 Buick Regal, most often about the exterior lighting. It is covered by 7 safety recalls, and for recall 21V00F000 the manufacturer reports only 50% of affected cars repaired.
Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through July 15, 2026. Updated daily. Photo: IFCAR, Public domain.
Complaints by system
Where the 2012 Buick Regal has problems
92 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.
33Exterior lighting1 crash/fire/injury
21Engine1 crash/fire/injury
18Electrical system1 crash/fire/injury
11Suspension1 crash/fire/injury
8Service brakes1 crash/fire/injury
7Electronic stability control (ESC)
7Power train
6Vehicle speed control
6Seats
159 other systems1 crash/fire/injury
| System | Complaints | Crash, fire or injury |
|---|---|---|
| Exterior lighting | 33 | 1 |
| Engine | 21 | 1 |
| Electrical system | 18 | 1 |
| Suspension | 11 | 1 |
| Service brakes | 8 | 1 |
| Electronic stability control (ESC) | 7 | 0 |
| Power train | 7 | 0 |
| Vehicle speed control | 6 | 1 |
| Seats | 6 | 2 |
| 9 other systems | 15 | 1 |
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.
7 recalls
2012 Buick Regal recalls and how many were fixed
Each ring shows the share of affected cars repaired, from the manufacturer’s latest quarterly report to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
repaired · 2024 Q3
Suspension: rear
Risk. A rear toe link fracture may reduce the driver's ability to control the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
repaired · 2024 Q2
Suspension: rear
Risk. A rear toe link fracture may reduce the driver's ability to control the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
repaired · 2016 Q1
Front assembly: 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…
Show 3 more recalls
repaired · 2015 Q1
Electrical system
Risk. If the vehicle is continued to be driven, the engine may stall and/or the vehicle may not start.
repaired · 2016 Q1
Exterior lighting: 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.
no report yet
Exterior lighting
Risk. INADEQUATE LIGHTING COULD REDUCE THE VISIBILITY OF THE VEHICLE, INCREASING THE POTENTIAL FOR A CRASH.
Recalls apply to specific cars. To see whether a recall is still open on yours, enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with Buick.
Mileage at failure
When do exterior lighting problems start?
66kmiles, median
Based on the odometer reading in 22 exterior lighting complaints. 86% were reported before 100,000 miles.
2under 30k miles19under 100k miles3100k miles or more
Best & worst years
2012 vs. every other Regal year
Bars show complaints per model year. Colors show the CarFlaw verdict: complaints weighted for crashes, fires and injuries, adjusted for years on the road and compared with the Regal median. How we score
'73'74'75'76'77'78'79'80'81'82'83'84'85'86'87'88'89'90'91'92'93'94'95'96'97'98'99'00'01'02'03'04'05'08'09'10'11'12'13'14'15'16'17'18'19'20
- Avoid
- Caution
- Solid
- Best
- Not rated
NHTSA crash tests
2012 Buick Regal safety ratings
2012 Buick Regal 4 DR AWD in NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program. Photos are from NHTSA's crash tests.
★★★★★
- Rollover: 4 stars (10.9% risk)
- Stability control: Standard
- Forward collision warning: No
- Lane departure warning: No
2 investigations
NHTSA defect investigations
Federal investigations that included the 2012 Buick Regal, and the recalls they led to.
- Sands Chevrolet/Hybrid System Fire/StallNo recall
- Generator Control Module FiresNo recall
In owners' words
What Regal owners report
Recent exterior lighting complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.
There is a water seal leak around the driver side headlight. I have photos showing proof of standing water. It has now caused the headlight, left turn signal, and drivers side brake light to fail. My passenger side headlight is doing the same. I have no headlights, no driverside lights period. I…
The contact owns a 2012 Buick Regal. The contact stated that after starting the vehicle, he became aware that the electrical system was not functioning properly. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who diagnosed a failure with the body control module. The…
The driver headlight assembly has water in it and unable to fix it without replacing whole assembly that can be as much as $1500. The light bulb and valance was replaced. The valance was filled with water. The headlight still wouldn’t work. Upon further investigation there is a part sealed into the…
Own a 2012 Regal?
Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.