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2012 Buick Regal recalls, complaints and safety ratings

There are 7 US recalls for the 2012 Buick Regal, and 7 in Canada. Owners filed 92 complaints with NHTSA, most often about exterior lighting. Its best NHTSA overall crash rating is 5 stars.

7US recalls
0urgent recalls
92owner complaints
5★overall crash rating

Is your car affected?

Check by VIN to confirm the exact model and see every recall for it.

Recalls are issued for a make, model and model year. Whether the repair has already been done on one specific car is known only to its manufacturer and dealers. Check your vehicle's official status at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with a dealer.

US recalls (7)

Suspension: rear

2026-02-26 · campaign 26V113000 · 17,050 vehicles

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.

Risk and remedy

Risk: 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.

Suspension: rear

2021-12-22 · campaign 21V00F000 · 4,271 vehicles

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.

Risk and remedy

Risk: 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.

Suspension: rear

2020-12-21 · campaign 20V764000 · 220,006 vehicles

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 and remedy

Risk: 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.

Seats: front assembly, power adjust

2014-07-23 · campaign 14V447000 · 414,333 vehicles

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 and remedy

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.

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.

Electrical system

2013-05-06 · campaign 13V173000 · 42,904 vehicles

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 and remedy

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.

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.

Exterior lighting: turn signal

2012-10-04 · campaign 12V484000 · 120,426 vehicles

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 and remedy

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.

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.

Exterior lighting

2012-03-07 · campaign 12V093000 · 3,633 vehicles

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.

Risk and remedy

Risk: 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.

Canadian recalls (7)

Show 7 Canadian recalls

Suspension

2026-02-26 · campaign 2026-089 · 516 vehicles

Issue: On certain vehicles, the protective coating on the rear suspension toe links may chip away. If this happens, the metal can rust and the toe links could break. A broken toe link can affect vehicle stability and could cause a loss of control. Note: This recall is an expansion of Transport Canada recalls 2020-615, 2021-510 and 2021-785. This recall only affects vehicles that were originally sold or ever registered in areas of heavy road salt usage (Manitoba, Ontario, Quebec, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, and Newfoundland & Labrador). Safety Risk: A loss of vehicle stability could cause a loss of control and increase the risk of a crash. Corrective Actions: General Motors will notify owners by mail and advise you to take your vehicle to a dealership to replace the rear suspension toe links and adjuster fasteners.

Suspension

2021-12-22 · campaign 2021-785 · 152 vehicles

Issue: On certain vehicles, the protective coating on the rear suspension toe links may chip away. If this happens, the metal can rust and the toe link could break. A broken toe link can affect vehicle stability and could cause a loss of directional control. Note: This recall is an expansion of Transport Canada recalls 2020-615 and 2021-510. This recall only affects vehicles that were originally sold or ever registered in areas of heavy road salt usage (Manitoba, Ontario, Quebec, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, and Newfoundland & Labrador). Safety Risk: A loss of vehicle stability could cause a loss of control and increase the risk of a crash. Corrective Actions: General Motors will notify owners by mail and instruct you to take your vehicle to a dealer to replace the rear suspension toe links and adjuster fasteners.

Suspension

2020-12-10 · campaign 2020-615

Issue: On certain vehicles, the protective coating on the rear suspension toe links may chip away. If this happens, the metal can rust and the toe link could break. A broken toe link can affect vehicle stability and could cause a loss of directional control. Note: This recall only affects vehicles that were originally sold or ever registered in areas of heavy road salt usage (Manitoba, Ontario, Quebec, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, and Newfoundland & Labrador). Safety Risk: A loss of vehicle stability could cause a loss of control and increase the risk of a crash. Corrective Actions: General Motors will notify owners by mail and instruct you to take your vehicle to a dealer to replace the rear suspension toe links and adjuster fasteners.

Lights and instruments

2014-07-23 · campaign 2014-310

Certain vehicles may not comply with the requirements of Canada Motor Vehicle Safety Standard 108 - Lighting System and Retroreflective Devices. If one of the two front turn signal bulbs burn out in either front turn signal lamp, no indication would be provided to the driver, which is contrary to the requirements of the standard. Correction: Dealers will update vehicle software.

Seats and restraints

2014-07-23 · campaign 2014-311

On certain vehicles equipped with power height adjustable front seats, a bolt securing the adjuster mechanism may loosen and fall out. This would cause the seat to drop to the lowest vertical adjustment position, which could affect the driver's ability to safety operate vehicle controls as well as cause reduced driver visibility. These issues could increase the risk of a crash causing injury and/or damage to property. Correction: Dealers will replace the bolt.

Electrical

2013-05-06 · campaign 2013-149 · 604 vehicles

On certain vehicles equipped with eAssist, the Generator Control Module (GCM) may not function correctly. This could cause a gradual loss of battery charge, which would illuminate the malfunction indicator lamp. Eventually, the engine may stall. In conjunction with traffic and road conditions, and the driver's reactions, this could increase the risk of a crash. In addition, there may be a burning or melting odour, smoke and possibly a fire in the trunk. These issues could result in property damage and/or personal injury. Correction: Dealers will inspect and, if necessary, replace the Generator Control Module.

Lights and instruments

2012-03-07 · campaign 2012-090 · 299 vehicles

On certain vehicles equipped with High Intensity Discharge (HID) headlamps, the Body Control Module (BCM) was incorrectly programmed during the manufacturing process, thereby preventing parking lamp activation. This could render the vehicle less visible to other motorists during hours of darkness, possibly resulting in a crash causing property damage and/or personal injury. Correction: Dealers will reprogram the Body Control Module.

Owner complaints (92)

Owners filed 92 complaints with NHTSA about the 2012 Buick Regal (3 crashes, 2 fires, 4 injuries reported). Among 39 model years of this model, it ranks #16 for the most complaints (median 66).

Most-reported problemComplaints
Exterior lighting33
Engine21
Electrical system18
Suspension11
Service brakes8
Power train7
Electronic stability control (esc)7
Vehicle speed control6

Crash test ratings

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2012 Buick Regal.

VersionOverallFrontalSideRollover
2012 Buick Regal 4 DR FWD5★4★5★4★
2012 Buick Regal 4 DR AWD5★4★5★4★

Fuel economy

EPA ratings for each 2012 Buick Regal version.

VersionCity MPGHighway MPGCombinedYearly fuel cost
Regal 2.0 L Automatic (S6)182922$3,050
Regal 2.0 L Manual 6-spd203124$2,800
Regal 2.0 L Manual 6-spd192622$3,050
Regal 2.0 L Automatic (S6)182822$3,050
Regal 2.0 L Automatic (S6)192622$3,050
Regal 2.4 L Automatic (S6)193023$2,900
Regal 2.4 L Automatic (S6)193023$2,900
Regal eAssist 2.4 L Automatic (AV-S6)243528$2,400
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Sources: NHTSA recalls, complaints and 5-Star Safety Ratings, US EPA fuel economy and Transport Canada's Vehicle Recalls Database (contains information licensed under the Open Government Licence – Canada). Recalls updated 2026-10-30.