MYRModel Year Report

2012 Buick Regal

● Typical for this model
2012 Buick Regal
RENDERED 2026-11-01T12:38:58.633Z

This year's complaint volume is within 30% of this model's typical year.

This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.

How is this computed?

Complaints
92
Recalls
7

Campaigns on file for 2012

Investigations
2

Opened by NHTSA

Top problem
Exterior lighting

37% of complaints

Complaints per year

1982: 1 complaint 1982 1983: 4 complaints 1984: 6 complaints 1985: 9 complaints 1986: 12 complaints 1987: 25 complaints 1987 1988: 125 complaints 1989: 107 complaints 1990: 77 complaints 1991: 201 complaints 1992: 145 complaints 1992 1993: 86 complaints 1994: 119 complaints 1995: 174 complaints 1996: 204 complaints 1997: 136 complaints 1997 1998: 302 complaints 1999: 246 complaints 2000: 184 complaints 2001: 187 complaints 2002: 117 complaints 2002 2003: 101 complaints 2004: 66 complaints 2005: 4 complaints 2008: 1 complaint 2009: 1 complaint 2010: 1 complaint 2011: 280 complaints 2012: 92 complaints 2012 92 2013: 91 complaints 2014: 38 complaints 2015: 33 complaints 2016: 41 complaints 2017: 20 complaints 2018: 19 complaints 2019: 19 complaints 2019 2020: 2 complaints
1982: 1 complaint 1982 1983: 4 complaints 1984: 6 complaints 1985: 9 complaints 1985 1986: 12 complaints 1987: 25 complaints 1988: 125 complaints 1988 1989: 107 complaints 1990: 77 complaints 1991: 201 complaints 1991 1992: 145 complaints 1993: 86 complaints 1994: 119 complaints 1994 1995: 174 complaints 1996: 204 complaints 1997: 136 complaints 1997 1998: 302 complaints 1999: 246 complaints 2000: 184 complaints 2000 2001: 187 complaints 2002: 117 complaints 2003: 101 complaints 2003 2004: 66 complaints 2005: 4 complaints 2008: 1 complaint 2008 2009: 1 complaint 2010: 1 complaint 2011: 280 complaints 2012: 92 complaints 2012 92 2013: 91 complaints 2014: 38 complaints 2015: 33 complaints 2016: 41 complaints 2017: 20 complaints 2017 2018: 19 complaints 2019: 19 complaints 2020: 2 complaints 2020
1982: 1 complaint 1982 1983: 4 complaints 1984: 6 complaints 1984 1985: 9 complaints 1986: 12 complaints 1986 1987: 25 complaints 1988: 125 complaints 1988 1989: 107 complaints 1990: 77 complaints 1990 1991: 201 complaints 1992: 145 complaints 1992 1993: 86 complaints 1994: 119 complaints 1994 1995: 174 complaints 1996: 204 complaints 1996 1997: 136 complaints 1998: 302 complaints 1998 1999: 246 complaints 2000: 184 complaints 2000 2001: 187 complaints 2002: 117 complaints 2002 2003: 101 complaints 2004: 66 complaints 2004 2005: 4 complaints 2008: 1 complaint 2008 2009: 1 complaint 2010: 1 complaint 2010 2011: 280 complaints 2012: 92 complaints 2012 92 2013: 91 complaints 2014: 38 complaints 2014 2015: 33 complaints 2016: 41 complaints 2016 2017: 20 complaints 2018: 19 complaints 2018 2019: 19 complaints 2020: 2 complaints 2020

2012: 92 complaints

View as data table
YearComplaints
19800
19810
19821
19834
19846
19859
198612
198725
1988125
1989107
199077
1991201
1992145
199386
1994119
1995174
1996204
1997136
1998302
1999246
2000184
2001187
2002117
2003101
200466
20054
20081
20091
20101
2011280
201292
201391
201438
201533
201641
201720
201819
201919
20202

Known problem areas

Percentages can add to more than 100% — a complaint can name more than one system.

Exterior lighting

37% · 34 reports

Most commonly citing headlights.

CRASH

Engine

23% · 21 reports
FIRE
Show complaint excerpts

Vehicle was traveling at approximately 35 MPH on a city street when a "Pop" Noise was heard, immediately followed by the car shutting down. There was no warning or system error lights on and none turned on.

NHTSA ODI report, 2019-08-21

Also filed under Structure

Electrical system

20% · 18 reports

Most commonly citing fuses and circuit breakers and body control module/bcm.

CRASH
Show complaint excerpts

[XXX] my car failed to let me use the brake, i was going about 45mph and when i went to apply brake pressure the pedal was so stiff i couldnt use the brake.

NHTSA ODI report, 2024-11-26

Also filed under Service brakes and vehicle speed control

Suspension

12% · 11 reports
CRASHINJURY
Show complaint excerpts

Rear passenger side toe link did fracture causing vehicle to spin out of control.

NHTSA ODI report, 2026-07-15

Service brakes

10% · 9 reports

Most commonly citing hydraulic.

CRASH

Safety timeline

7 recalls · 2 investigations · oldest first

To check one car, enter its VIN on the NHTSA recall page. Check a VIN →

  1. R
    2012-03-29Exterior lighting12V093000 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…

    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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  2. R
    2013-06-11Electrical system13V173000 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…

    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…

    Check if this car was fixed →

  3. I
    2013-07-05Recall queryClosed 2014-07-22 Generator Control Module Fires
  4. I
    2014-05-02Audit queryClosed 2016-05-22 Sands Chevrolet/Hybrid System Fire/Stall
  5. R
    2014-09-08Exterior lighting12V484000 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…

    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…

    Check if this car was fixed →

  6. R
    2014-12-26Seats14V447000 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...

    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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  7. R
    2021-08-19Suspension20V764000 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,...

    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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  8. R
    2022-01-27Suspension21V00F000 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,...

    Remedy: Dealers will replace the rear suspension toe links and adjuster fasteners, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 27, 2022.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  9. R
    2026-04-03Suspension26V113000 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,...

    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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

Buy-smart checklist

2012 Buick Regal — pre-purchase inspection

Inspect

  • Exterior lighting: 34 reports on file for this year.
  • Engine: 21 reports on file for this year.
  • Electrical system: 18 reports on file for this year.

Verify these recalls were completed

  • Recall 12V093000 · Exterior lighting
  • Recall 13V173000 · Electrical system
  • Recall 12V484000 · Exterior lighting
  • Recall 14V447000 · Seats
  • Recall 20V764000 · Suspension
  • Recall 21V00F000 · Suspension
  • Recall 26V113000 · Suspension
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

Other years of this model

See all years ranked →

Best years3 years

Worst years3 years

FAQ

Is the 2012 Buick Regal reliable?
Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2012 Buick Regal is rated "typical".
What are the most common problems with the 2012 Buick Regal?
The most-reported component is exterior lighting, accounting for 37% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 2012 Buick Regal have?
7 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-10-31 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.