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ProblemsByVinFile / 2012-BUICK-REGALNHTSA data synced 4 days ago
Buick
2012 Buick Regal problems
The 2012 Buick Regal has 92 NHTSA owner complaints and 1 active recall campaign on file. Here's the breakdown — what's serious, what's noise, and what a working mechanic would actually do about it.
The 2012 Buick Regal has 92 NHTSA owner complaints and 1 recall on file (U.S. federal records, as of July 2026). The most-reported system is lighting at 28 complaints, typically surfacing around 75,127 miles (~$250 to repair). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.
Solid reliability overall. Common issues are concentrated in a few systems.
0
Critical
1
Severe
0
Moderate
Should you avoid this 2012 Regal?
Generally reliable
Buyable on the data — keep up the usual maintenance and inspect normally.
No systemic severe-failure pattern in the complaint record
Reliability score 7.6/10 — above the segment average
1 recall campaign on file
Our read of the federal NHTSA complaint and recall record for this exact year and model —
not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection. How we score.
NHTSA crash-test safety ratings
5 / 5 overall
Overall★★★★★5/5
Frontal crash★★★★★4/5
Side crash★★★★★5/5
Rollover★★★★★4/5
Driver-assist features on the tested model:
Electronic stability control: Standard · Forward collision warning: No · Lane departure warning: No
Source: NHTSA New Car Assessment Program — tested configuration: 2012 Buick Regal 4 DR AWD. Stars rate crash protection in NHTSA's tests, not overall reliability — see the owner-complaint data below for what actually goes wrong.
Buying a used 2012 Buick Regal? Check these first
Here's what this model is known to do — so you can inspect for it, price it in, or
make the seller fix it before you sign.
What to inspect on this specific car
lighting — 28 owner reports
· tends to show around 75,127 mi · ~$250 to fix
electrical — 14 owner reports
· tends to show around 65,200 mi · ~$850 to fix
suspension — 11 owner reports
· tends to show around 92,749 mi · ~$900 to fix
engine — 9 owner reports
· tends to show around 92,523 mi · ~$3,100 to fix
⚠ The one to take seriously: electrical is flagged
severe on this model
, showing up around 65,200 mi.
Inspect it closely on a test drive.
Recalls to confirm are done
Run the VIN from the listing — 1 active recall on this model. Recall repairs are always free.
Verdict for buyers: 7.6/10 model. The priciest documented failure is
engine (~$3,100) — get the
seller's service records for it or inspect closely. Otherwise an average-risk used buy at a fair price.
We tell you what this model is known for and what to inspect — a vehicle-history report
tells you what this exact car has been through. Smart buyers get both.
A noise, a warning light, a repair quote, "should I buy this?" — get an answer grounded in
this vehicle's actual NHTSA record, not generic advice.
Dash light, leak, worn part — snap it and we'll read it against this car's record.
Photo attached — type a question or just hit Ask.
Answers use this vehicle's NHTSA complaint & recall record — owner-reported and unverified, not a diagnosis. Verify anything safety-critical with a mechanic.
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What owners are saying
recent NHTSA-filed complaints · verbatim
2012 Regal· lighting
Tamara recall I noticed that there was water in the front left headlight and as I was driving down the road the bulb burnt out. When I took the light out the water ran down into the ballast this the second headlight that I have brought and the same problems exist. This is very…
At routine oil change appointment (71000 miles) plus my concern to check out a noise during cold startups, Buick dealership tech noted no oil on dipstick. They recommended oil consumption test, discussed possible need to replace pistons @ $3200 and told me to return in 1000…
Right HID headlamp assembly contains moisture and prematurely wears out ballast. Even after replacing ballast and removing moisture it has slowly started to reappear on the inside of the headlamp assembly.
Tl* the contact owns a 2012 Buick regal. The contact noticed condensation in the driver's side headlight and that the fuse was blown. There were no warning indicators illuminated. The local dealer and manufacturer were not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired.…
Had a problem with your 2012 Buick Regal?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free and official — owner filings are what build the federal safety record behind this page.
Estimate your repair exposure
Drag to your current mileage. Numbers are derived from this vehicle's complaint history.
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
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.
Common questions
Is the 2012 Buick Regal reliable?
Mostly yes. With a reliability score of 7.6 out of 10 based on 92 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2012 Buick Regal is generally a sound vehicle. The areas to watch are listed in the top problem section above — most are budget items, not deal-breakers.
Should you avoid the 2012 Buick Regal?
On the NHTSA data, the 2012 Buick Regal does not need avoiding. Buyable on the data — keep up the usual maintenance and inspect normally. The record behind that call: No systemic severe-failure pattern in the complaint record; Reliability score 7.6/10 — above the segment average; 1 recall campaign on file. This is our read of the federal complaint and recall data — not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection.
What should I check before buying a used 2012 Buick Regal?
Inspect the lighting first — it's the most-reported issue on this model, with 28 owner complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 75,127 miles. Average repair cost runs about $250 at an independent shop. Also confirm any open recalls have been completed by running the VIN, and ask for service records covering the problem areas listed above.
Is the 2012 Buick Regal a good used car to buy?
It scores 7.6 out of 10 on our NHTSA-based read of 92 owner complaints. The main thing to watch is lighting. Typical failure occurs around 75,127 miles. Priced fairly and clean on inspection, it's a reasonable used buy. Our data covers what this model is known for — pair it with a vehicle-history report on the VIN to see what that specific car has been through.
What's the most common problem on the 2012 Buick Regal?
Based on NHTSA records, the most-reported issue is lighting, with 28 complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 75,127 miles. Average repair cost runs about $250 at an independent shop.
What's the most expensive thing that goes wrong?
The lighting is one of the costlier repair items. Average repair cost runs about $250 at an independent shop. Typical failure occurs around 75,127 miles. Catching early warning signs can sometimes extend life by 20–30,000 miles.
How do I check if my Buick Regal has open recalls?
Paste your VIN into the decoder at the top of this page. We pull live from NHTSA, so you'll see exactly which campaigns apply to your vehicle and whether the dealer has logged the fix. Recall repairs are always free regardless of mileage or warranty status.
Is an extended warranty worth it on a 2012 Buick Regal?
Math is straightforward: a quality service contract runs $1,800–3,500 over 3 years. With 92 complaints on file and the costliest repair averaging $250, one major failure more than pays for it. The catch is reading the contract — many providers exclude wear items and require pre-authorization, so cheaper plans are not always better value.
Recall and complaint data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database, last synced 4 days ago. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2012/Buick/Regal.
Editorial commentary written by ProblemsByVin contributors and reviewed by ASE-certified mechanics.
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