2012 Buick Regal recalls and problems
The 2012 Buick Regal has 6 safety recalls and 92 owner complaints filed with NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at any Buick dealer.
Recalls may cover only some 2012 Buick Regal vehicles. Check your VIN at NHTSA ↗ to see open recalls for your exact car.
2012 Buick Regal recalls
Recall 26V-113: Suspension
Problem: 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.
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.
Recall 20V-764: Suspension
Problem: 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.
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.
Recall 14V-447: Seats
Problem: 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.
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.
Recall 13V-173: Electrical System
Problem: 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.
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.
Recall 12V-484: Exterior Lighting
Problem: 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."
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.
Recall 12V-093: Exterior Lighting
Problem: 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.
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.
2012 Buick Regal problems reported by owners
| Problem area | Reports | |
|---|---|---|
| Exterior Lighting | 34 | |
| Engine | 21 | |
| Electrical System | 18 | |
| Suspension | 11 | |
| Service Brakes | 8 | |
| Power Train | 7 | |
| Electronic Stability Control (ESC) | 7 | |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 6 | |
| Seats | 6 | |
| Unknown or Other | 5 | |
| Structure | 4 | |
| Equipment | 2 |
Most reported parts
- Structure › Body — 3
- Exterior Lighting › Headlights — 2
- Structure › Frame and Members › Underbody Shields — 1
- Equipment › Other › Labels — 1
- Tires › Temporary/Emergency Spare Tire — 1
- Seats › Front Assembly › Head Restraint — 1
- Equipment › Electrical › Radio/Tape Deck/Cd Etc. — 1
- Electrical System › Wiring › Fuses and Circuit Breakers — 1
Typical mileage at the time of the problem: 59,527 miles (median of owner reports).
Problems that are not covered by a recall are paid repairs; labor rates follow local mechanic pay — see what auto mechanics earn in each state.
Recent 2012 Buick Regal complaints
Owner reports filed with NHTSA, as written (personal details removed). Complaints are not verified by NHTSA.
Other Buick Regal years
Frequently asked questions
Does the 2012 Buick Regal have any recalls?
Yes — NHTSA lists 6 recalls for the 2012 Buick Regal: 26V-113 (suspension), 20V-764 (suspension), 14V-447 (seats), 13V-173 (electrical system), 12V-484 (exterior lighting) and more. Not every vehicle is affected, so check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What is the most common problem with the 2012 Buick Regal?
Owners report exterior lighting problems most often (34 reports), followed by engine (21). The typical mileage when problems were reported is about 59,527 miles.
Are Buick recall repairs free?
Yes. Safety recall repairs are free at authorized Buick dealers, whether you are the first owner or bought the car used.