2012 Buick Regal: Recalls, Problems & MPG
Here are the deets on the 2012 Buick Regal: 7 recalls, 92 owner complaints and up to 24 mpg combined.
Recalls
7 vehicle recalls from the manufacturer. Repairs are free. Check your VIN to see if one is still open on your car.
Exterior lights Vehicle recall #12V093000 · 2012 · 3,633 vehicles
What's wrong: 108 âlamps, reflective devices and associated equipment.â due to a software error, the parking lamps do not activate when either the parking lamps or headlamps are turned on.
Why it matters: Inadequate lighting could reduce the visibility of the vehicle, increasing the potential for a crash.
The 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.
Exterior lights Vehicle recall #12V484000 · 2012 · 120,426 vehicles
What's wrong: 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."
Why it matters: 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.
The fix: Gm will notify owners, dealers will update the body control module software, free of charge. The recall began in September 2014.
Electrical Vehicle recall #13V173000 · 2013 · 42,904 vehicles
What's wrong: 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.
Why it matters: 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.
The fix: 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.
Seats Vehicle recall #14V447000 · 2014 · 414,333 vehicles
What's wrong: 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.
Why it matters: 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.
The fix: 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.
Suspension Vehicle recall #20V764000 · 2020 · 220,006 vehicles
What's wrong: 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.
Why it matters: A rear toe link fracture May reduce the driver's ability to control the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: 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.
Suspension Vehicle recall #21V00F000 · 2021 · 4,271 vehicles
What's wrong: 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.
Why it matters: A rear toe link fracture May reduce the driver's ability to control the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will replace the rear suspension toe links and adjuster fasteners, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 27, 2022.
Suspension Vehicle recall #26V113000 · 2026 · 17,050 vehicles
What's wrong: The rear suspension toe links May have received improper corrosion protection, which can result in rear toe link fracture.
Why it matters: Rear toe link fracture can cause a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will replace the rear suspension toe links and adjuster fasteners, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 3, 2026.
Most-reported problems
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component. One complaint can list several components. 2 mention a fire, 4 injuries and 0 deaths were reported.
What owners describe
- Exterior lights (33): the most common themes are electrical failure (6), warning light on (5), leaks (5).
- Engine (21): the most common themes are noise or vibration (8), stalls / loses power (5), warning light on (5).
- Electrical (18): the most common themes are electrical failure (8), stalls / loses power (3), noise or vibration (3).
- Suspension (11): the most common themes are noise or vibration (2).
The 2012 Buick Regal has 92 owner complaints, ranking #14 of 29 Regal model years for complaints (about average; the typical year has 103). Complaints peaked in 2021 (18 filed that year). The typical problem showed up when the car was about 7 years old, at a median of 59,527 miles. Neighboring years: 2011 (280 complaints, 4 recalls), 2013 (91 complaints, 6 recalls).
Engines & fuel economy (EPA)
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2.0 L 4-cyl turbo | Manual 6-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 20 | 31 | 24 | Gasoline or E85 |
| 2.4 L 4-cyl | Automatic (S6) | Front-Wheel Drive | 19 | 30 | 23 | Gasoline or E85 |
| 2.4 L 4-cyl | Automatic (S6) | Front-Wheel Drive | 19 | 30 | 23 | Regular |
| 2.0 L 4-cyl turbo | Automatic (S6) | Front-Wheel Drive | 18 | 29 | 22 | Gasoline or E85 |
| 2.0 L 4-cyl turbo | Manual 6-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 19 | 26 | 22 | Regular |
| 2.0 L 4-cyl turbo | Automatic (S6) | Front-Wheel Drive | 18 | 28 | 22 | Gasoline or E85 |
| 2.0 L 4-cyl turbo | Automatic (S6) | Front-Wheel Drive | 19 | 26 | 22 | Regular |
Want the full repair deets? Get the factory manual.
Recall and complaint data tells you what goes wrong. A service manual tells you how to fix it: torque specs, wiring diagrams, fluid capacities and step-by-step procedures for the 2012 Buick Regal.
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FAQ
Does the 2012 Buick Regal have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists 7 vehicle recalls for the 2012 Buick Regal. Recall repairs are free at any dealer, no matter how old the car is. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What are the most common 2012 Buick Regal problems?
Owners have filed 92 complaints with NHTSA. The most-reported areas are exterior lights (33), engine (21), electrical (18).
What gas mileage does the 2012 Buick Regal get?
EPA ratings run up to 24 mpg combined (2.0 L, Manual 6-spd), across 7 engine and transmission combos.
Where can I get a 2012 Buick Regal repair manual?
eManualOnline sells downloadable manuals, Mitchell 1 DIY and ALLDATAdiy sell online access to factory repair data, and Haynes sells printed guides and online access. Pick a download if you want to keep it, or a subscription for wiring diagrams and TSBs.