My drivers side HID headlight assembly developed condensation inside the assembly causing a headlight failure. Though the car is a 2013, it had only 64000 miles on it when the condition occurred. This is obviously a manufacturing defect since there has been no impact to the headlight assembly and no visible break in the seal.
2013 Buick Regal lighting problems
moderate 27 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $250 · see lighting across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
27
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$250
1fire
When does it fail?
Of the 27 lighting 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
Owners have filed 27 lighting 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.
Among the 6 model years of Buick Regal in our records for lighting problems, this one ranks #2 by owner-complaint volume.
What owners are reporting 5 most recent
Moisture built up in the drivers side headlight cause the whole headlight assembly to fail. I paid to have it replaced last year and now the passengers side has done the exact same thing. It is a condensation problem causing the units to fail and should be considered a safety issue! When your headlight goes out without warning on a stormy night it is dangerous not only for you but anyone in the…
Condensation, water accumulation in headlight assembly. No damage or cracks in headlight. Bulb went out. Purchased new bulb to replace and replacement did not work.
Moisture in drivers side HID headlight caused damage to ballast blowing headlight . Replaced ballast and bulb,but daytime running light does not illuminate. Headlight shorted out when car was started in morning.
I recently got pulled over by the local police department that noticed that my driver side headlight was out as I was pulling out of my drive way first thing in the morning .after changing the headlight bulb ($100.00)the headlight did not turn on.under recommendation of the part clerk of my local parts store we looked at the headlight ballast ($300.00).this vehicle headlight design somehow…
Had lighting 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 lighting problem on the 2013 Buick Regal?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 27 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $250 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the lighting typically fail?
Across the 20 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most lighting failures cluster between 45,000 and 72,000 miles, with the median around 61,200. A quarter of owners report trouble before 45,000; a quarter make it past 72,000. 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 $250 for lighting 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 lighting?
No active recalls currently cover lighting 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.