This Warranty Administration service bulletin provides Lithium-Ion battery Exchange Process and Transaction Submission information.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2013 Buick Regal electrical problems
severe 32 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $850 · see electrical across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
32
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$850
1crash
1injury
When does it fail?
Of the 32 electrical complaints filed for the 2013 Buick Regal, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 50,000-75,000 mi.
0-25k
25-50k
50-75k
75-100k
100-125k
125-150k
150k+
Each bar shows the share of total complaints filed at that mileage range. Peak failure window highlighted. Some owners report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 miles symptom-free. Maintenance habits and driving conditions shift the curve as much as mileage alone.
What stands out
Electrical accounts for 35% of every owner complaint on file for this vehicle — the dominant problem area across 6 categories tracked.
Owners have filed 32 electrical complaints with NHTSA against this vehicle, but no formal recall covers the issue — the federal record reflects what manufacturers have admitted, not everything owners are reporting.
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering electrical on this vehicle — documented repair instructions, service campaigns, or warranty extensions sent to dealers. A TSB isn't a recall (it's not a free safety remedy), but it's the manufacturer acknowledging the issue and how to fix it.
This Warranty Administration service bulletin provides Lithium-Ion battery Exchange Process and Transaction Submission information.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This service bulletin provides information on the proper Reflective High Temperature Heat and/or Insulating Tape to use for certain repairs, such as Wiring Harness Repairs.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗The intent of this service bulletin is to identify aftermarket ALDL or DLC interface devices as potential sources for causing multiple customer concerns that do not have other diagnostic methods to identify them.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This service bulletin provides information for dealers/technicians on OnStar Module 2G Sunset Information.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
The 2013 Buick Regal electrical system presents a cluster of serious, safety-critical failures. The most dangerous is sudden, complete loss of electrical power while driving—engine stalls, power steering and power brakes fail, and doors unlock. Radio and lights flicker before shutdown. It happens at various speeds and mileages (54,000–130,000 miles), and some owners have nearly crashed as a result. Dealers cannot consistently diagnose or fix it; one owner had the BCM replaced only to experience the same failure a month later.
Battery and charging system failures plague many cars: repeated battery replacements and alternator testing confirm good condition, yet the vehicle won't start or stay charged. Diagnostic codes either don't appear or fall outside recall windows, leaving owners stranded.
Headlight condensation is pervasive and expensive. Moisture inside HID assemblies causes bulb burnout and projector failure. Replacement assemblies cost $1,200–$3,000 and fail again within weeks to months. A $100+ bulb replacement doesn't help—it's a sealed housing problem.
E-Assist hybrids had generator control module failures that caused emergency lights, windshield wipers, and loud screeching noises at startup. Recall 13146 addressed this, but some dealers sold cars before performing the work.
Mass airflow sensors fail repeatedly with no available diagnostic codes; resetting the computer buys only minutes of runtime. Dealerships also misdiagnose: one recommended a $4,500 transmission replacement when the actual problem was a $420 throttle body sensor. Dealers have refused warranty coverage citing miscellaneous reasons and ignored customer recalls.
Same Buick Regal electrical reports on nearby years: 2011 · 2012
Failure modes owners describe
Electrical power loss and stalling while driving
Vehicle loses all electrical power while in motion, engine stalls, and critical safety systems (power steering, power brakes, headlights) become inoperative. Radio and dash lights flicker before total shutdown. Some cases report loss of control due to loss of power steering and braking assist.
When: 4 months to several years of ownership; mileage 54,200 to 130,000
Symptoms owners cite: Radio and interior/exterior lights flicker on and off; Engine stalls without warning while driving at various speeds; Complete loss of electrical power; Power steering and power brake assist fail; Headlights go off; Doors unlock; Vehicle doors unable to open after power loss; Inability to shift out of gear after shutdown
Codes mentioned: ABS warning light illuminates, StabiliTrak light illuminates, Traction control light illuminates, Check engine light remains on
Repairs/costs cited: BCM (Body Control Module) replacement attempted; issue recurred one month post-repair. Battery and alternator testing show good condition. No permanent repair identified in narratives.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: NHTSA Campaign 13V173000 (Electrical System) covers some 2013 Regal models, particularly E-Assist hybrids; non-hybrid owners report exclusion from recall despite identical symptoms. GM stated parts under warranty but vehicle not included in recall. Dealers unable to recreate problem or identify root cause.
Generator/Alternator control module failure (E-Assist hybrid)
Generator control module malfunction causes sudden electrical system failure on E-Assist hybrid vehicles at startup or during operation. Vehicle exhibits emergency lights, windshield wipers, and audible warnings; loud screeching/crying noises reported. Complete power loss follows.
When: First startup after purchase; early ownership
Symptoms owners cite: Emergency lights activate on their own; Windshield wipers engage automatically; Audible warning sounds; Loud screeching/crying noises from vehicle; Complete power loss after initial malfunction; All power off in vehicle
Repairs/costs cited: Generator Control Module replaced under recall at dealership. Repair successful in reported case.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: NHTSA Recall #13146 issued for Generator Control Module malfunction on affected E-Assist vehicles. Some dealers sold vehicles prior to performing recall work.
Headlight assembly condensation and bulb failure
Moisture and condensation accumulate inside high-definition and HID headlight assemblies, causing bulb burnout, projector malfunction, and loss of headlight illumination. Issue affects both low and high mileage vehicles. Condensation visible in housing within days of repair.
When: Throughout ownership; repeats within weeks to months of replacement
Symptoms owners cite: Condensation visible inside headlight lens; Moisture inside headlight assembly; Bulb burnout and failure; HID projector malfunction and burn-out; Diminished or no headlight illumination; Halogen bulb replacement ineffective; Headlight failure while driving at night
Repairs/costs cited: Left or driver-side headlight assembly replacement: $1,200–$3,000 per pair. Multiple replacements required (owners report third replacement within 8 months). Bulb replacement alone ($106–$112) does not resolve issue.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: No recall issued despite widespread complaints across model years. Dealers acknowledge faulty assemblies but no systematic fix offered. Known issue cited by multiple dealerships but treated as individual warranty claims rather than systematic defect.
Battery and charging system failures
Battery discharge and charging system malfunction prevent vehicle from starting or maintaining charge. Original and replacement batteries fail to hold charge. Alternator testing shows acceptable function, suggesting charging system control issues rather than simple alternator failure.
When: Throughout ownership; some issues present from early ownership
Symptoms owners cite: Gradual loss of battery charge; Vehicle will not start; Battery warning indicator illuminates; Battery charging system warning lights on; Requires jump-start to restart; All lights on simultaneously (inside and outside vehicle)
Codes mentioned: Battery warning indicator, Battery charging system warning light
Repairs/costs cited: Battery replacement (original and replacements) does not resolve issue. Alternator tested and confirmed functional. No permanent repair identified.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: NHTSA Campaign 13V173000 (Electrical System) identified for some model variants; many owners' vehicles fall outside recall range despite matching symptoms. Manufacturer states parts under warranty but denies coverage if VIN not in recall database.
Mass airflow sensor repeated failures
Mass airflow sensor repeatedly fails and must be replaced multiple times. Vehicle shuts down without diagnostic codes available to aid repair. Computer reset required between shutdowns; vehicle runs briefly before failing again.
When: Repeated failures over extended ownership period
Symptoms owners cite: Vehicle shuts down with no codes available; Check engine light illuminated; Vehicle acceleration poor or non-responsive; Requires negative battery terminal disconnection and computer reset to restart; Vehicle runs briefly then shuts down again
Codes mentioned: Check engine light (but no readable codes)
Repairs/costs cited: Mass airflow sensor replaced three times in affected cases; failures continue. Computer reset temporary workaround only.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: No mention of manufacturer involvement or recall. Dealership unable to resolve issue despite multiple replacements.
Instrument cluster and console display failures
Driver information center and console display lights fail, rendering critical information unreadable. Console disconnects in heat. Parking light indicator malfunction. Multiple indicator lights activate when no fault exists.
When: Throughout ownership; heat-related failure noted
Symptoms owners cite: Driver information center light failure; Cannot see mileage, fuel level, speed limit, or tire pressure information; Console display disconnects in heat; Parking light says not in park when vehicle parked; Parking light will not turn off; Multiple indicator lights come on for non-existent problems
Repairs/costs cited: Instrument cluster repair requires opening entire cluster assembly; estimated cost $800. No permanent fix identified.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: No recall; treated as warranty repair.
Key fob and immobilizer system malfunction
Vehicle displays 'Remote Not Detected' warning and immediately shuts down while driving. Vehicle will not start after shutdown despite key fob battery replacement. Power restoration requires hours of waiting.
When: During normal driving
Symptoms owners cite: Remote not detected warning message on instrument panel; Vehicle immediately shuts down mid-drive; Vehicle will not restart after shutdown; Cannot shift vehicle into gear, neutral, or any gear after shutdown; Complete power loss
Codes mentioned: Remote not detected
Repairs/costs cited: Key fob battery replacement does not resolve issue. Vehicle required towing. Battery replacement by dealership did not resolve issue. No permanent repair identified.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: No mention of manufacturer response or recall.
Burning smell and electrical odor
Vehicle produces burning or melting smell, typically from rear of vehicle. Associated with electrical shutdown and battery drain.
When: During electrical shutdown episodes
Symptoms owners cite: Burning/melting smell from rear of vehicle; Battery drain after shutdown
Repairs/costs cited: No repair details provided in narratives.
Misdiagnosis and dealership repair errors
Dealerships misdiagnose electrical and sensor failures, recommending unnecessary expensive repairs such as transmission replacement when actual problem is throttle body sensor.
When: During diagnostic visits
Repairs/costs cited: Transmission replacement quoted at $4,500 by GM dealership; independent mechanics diagnosed as throttle body failure, repaired for $420. Dealerships unable to verify diagnostic codes before recommending repairs.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: GM dealership stated it is not their responsibility to notify customers of recalls. Dealership denied warranty coverage for alternator failure after recommending unneeded transmission replacement.
Synthesized from 32 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 6 most recent
,a month ago my driver headlight went out tried replacing bulbs twice still no light tried a relay switch still not light, light went out while driving to work.
My car have an electrical problem is gas/electrical , and don't charge, replace battery and problem continue; call to Buick concessionary for recall because find that these model and year make a vehicles have electrical problems, but the person tell me if don t have recalls for my specific car VIN number; I don't know what happened but my car have very electrical problem, replace two batteries…
Light on driver side continue to blow light or bulb
Prior to this event the radio and interior and exterior light would flicker and the radio would turn off completely. The battery was the original battery so we replaced it. But it wasn't completely shot at that point. During the same time of this happening the battery in the key fob went bad also. So I thought that may have had something to do with it. Had to disconnect the battery completely to…
The headlight wiring system does not continue to function, for some reason it does not give power to the HID headlights.
Vehicle collected condensation inside the driver headlight assembly causing a shortage/burn out of the projector for the HID system. $1244 was the cost of replacement light assembly, which didn't last long before the projector burnt out again. This manufacturer defect needs to be recalled, especially with the replacement cost between $1000-$1600! This vehicle will not illuminate a check engine…
Had electrical trouble with your 2013 Buick Regal?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the electrical problem on the 2013 Buick Regal?
It's a meaningful issue. 32 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $850.
At what mileage does the electrical typically fail?
Across the 19 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most electrical failures cluster between 55,000 and 117,000 miles, with the median around 80,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 55,000; a quarter make it past 117,000. Maintenance history matters more than the odometer alone — this is the reported failure window, not a guarantee.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $850 for electrical repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to electrical?
No active recalls currently cover electrical issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2013/Buick/Regal.
Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities. Repair cost estimates are
independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area. Some links on this page are affiliate links.