Reliable Auto DB

2012 Buick Regal reliability

Is it reliable?

The 2012 Buick Regal has 92 complaints with NHTSA after 15 years, or 4 per year. That is the most complaints per year among the 9 Regal years on this site. NHTSA has 7 recalls on file, including Rear, Power adjuster, and Electrical system.

2012 Buick Regal
Photo by Zoerides, resized from the original. Wikimedia Commons CC BY-SA 4.0
Complaints

92

Per year

4

Recalls

7

Years on the road

15

What owners report

The complaints owners file most often name Exterior lighting (33 of 92), then Engine (21) and Electrical system (18). Those filings include 3 that report a crash, 2 that report a fire, and 2 that report an injury.

Next to 2013

The 2013 Regal has 91 complaints, 4 per year. The 2012 has more complaints per year than the 2013.

The complaint rate is complaints filed in this year’s first 3 years on the road, divided by however many of those years have passed. Recalls are a separate count. The numbers are for the US-market 2012 Buick Regal. How we count. Data as of .

Recalls (7)

Recall suspension, rear 2026-02-26 · NHTSA campaign 26V113000
Summary 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.
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.
Recall suspension, rear 2021-12-22 · NHTSA campaign 21V00F000
Summary 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.
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.
Recall suspension, rear 2020-12-21 · NHTSA campaign 20V764000
Summary 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.
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.
Recall seats, front assembly, power adjuster 2014-07-23 · NHTSA campaign 14V447000
Summary 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.
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.
Recall Electrical system 2013-05-06 · NHTSA campaign 13V173000
Summary 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.
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.
Recall exterior lighting, turn signal 2012-10-04 · NHTSA campaign 12V484000
Summary 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."
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.
Recall Exterior lighting 2012-03-07 · NHTSA campaign 12V093000
Summary 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.
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.

Complaints by component (92 total)

Exterior lighting
33
Engine
21
Electrical system
18
Suspension
11
Service brakes
8
Electronic stability control (ESC)
7
Powertrain
7
Seats
6
Speed control
6
Structure
4
Equipment
2
Fuel and propulsion system
2
Wheels
2
Child seat
1
Hydraulic brakes
1
Interior lighting
1
Steering
1
Tires
1
Show 10 more Show less
Crash-flagged

3

Fire-flagged

2

Injury reports

2

Death reports

0

Complaints filed per year

7201242013220144201522016520171220181020191120201820216202252023320242202512026
Excerpts from recent NHTSA complaint filings
  • "Rear passenger side toe link did fracture causing vehicle to spin out of control."
    Suspension · filed 2026-07-15
  • "The contact owns a Safety 1st Car Seat, Model Name: Disney Baby Jive 2-in-1 Convertible, Model Number: CC286-GAD, Manufactured Date: August 17, 2022. The contact stated that the forward-facing safety seat head detached…"
    child seat · filed 2025-08-21
  • "There is a water seal leak around the driver side headlight. I have photos showing proof of standing water. It has now caused the headlight, left turn signal, and drivers side brake light to fail. My passenger side…"
    Electrical system, Exterior lighting · filed 2025-07-27
  • "[XXX] my car failed to let me use the brake, i was going about 45mph and when i went to apply brake pressure the pedal was so stiff i couldnt use the brake. Causing from end collision, when i made a trip to springdale…"
    Electrical system, Speed control, Service brakes · filed 2024-11-26
  • "Hard to be able to control the vehicle due to something going on the rear"
    Suspension, Wheels, Unknown or other · filed 2024-05-24

NHTSA crash ratings

Version Overall Front Side Rollover
2012 Buick Regal 4 DR AWD 5 stars 4 stars 5 stars 4 stars
2012 Buick Regal 4 DR FWD 5 stars 4 stars 5 stars 4 stars
2012 Buick Regal eAssist 4 DR FWD 5 stars 4 stars 5 stars 4 stars

Stars are how this vehicle did in NHTSA crash tests. They are a safety result, separate from the complaint record. Not rated means that test was not run for this version.

Fuel economy

Trim Engine Transmission Drive City Hwy Combined Annual fuel cost
Regal 2L, 4-cyl Automatic (6-speed) Front-wheel drive 19 26 22 MPG $2950
Regal 2L, 4-cyl Automatic (6-speed) Front-wheel drive 18 29 22 MPG $2950
Regal 2.4L, 4-cyl Automatic (6-speed) Front-wheel drive 19 30 23 MPG $2800
Regal 2.4L, 4-cyl Automatic (6-speed) Front-wheel drive 19 30 23 MPG $2800
Regal 2L, 4-cyl Manual 6-speed Front-wheel drive 20 31 24 MPG $2700
Regal 2L, 4-cyl Manual 6-speed Front-wheel drive 19 26 22 MPG $2950
Regal 2L, 4-cyl Automatic (6-speed) Front-wheel drive 18 28 22 MPG $2950
Regal eAssist 2.4L, 4-cyl Automatic (AV-S6) Front-wheel drive 24 35 28 MPG $2300

Specs and fitment

Fourth generation, 2012–2017
Body styles Sedan
Oil 5W-30 (all temps); 0W-30 below −29 °C , 5 qt capacity
Tire size 235/50R18 (base/Premium), 245/40R19 (GS)

Known issues for this generation

Recall 20V764000 covers certain 2012-2013 Buick Regal vehicles (with 2013 Malibu and 2010-2013 LaCrosse) sold or ever registered in salt-belt states whose rear toe links may have received excessive electrocoating that can lead to corrosion; dealers replace the rear suspension toe links and adjuster fasteners. Recall 26V113000 covers certain 2012-2013 Regal Turbo and GS vehicles in the same salt-belt states for improper corrosion protection on the rear suspension toe links, with the same replacement remedy. Recall 12V484000 covers certain 2012-2013 Regal vehicles (with 2013 Malibu) whose body control module software may not detect a burned-out front turn-signal bulb when only one of two bulbs fails; dealers update BCM software. Recall 13V173000 covers certain 2012-2013 Regal vehicles equipped with eAssist (with LaCrosse and Malibu Eco) whose Generator Control Module may not function properly, which can gradually lose battery charge; dealers test and replace the GCM as needed.

Compare

Next year 2013 Buick Regal See every Buick Regal model year →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2012 Buick Regal reliable?

The 2012 Buick Regal has 92 complaints with NHTSA after 15 years, or 4 per year. That is the most complaints per year among the 9 Regal years on this site. NHTSA has 7 recalls on file, including Rear, Power adjuster, and Electrical system.

What are common problems with a 2012 Buick Regal?

The complaints owners file most often name Exterior lighting (33 of 92), then Engine (21) and Electrical system (18). Those filings include 3 that report a crash, 2 that report a fire, and 2 that report an injury.

Is the 2012 Buick Regal more reliable than the years next to it?

The 2013 Regal has 91 complaints, 4 per year. The 2012 has more complaints per year than the 2013.

Has the 2012 Buick Regal been recalled?

The 2012 Buick Regal has 7 recalls on file with NHTSA. See the recalls table on this page for dates, components, and remedies.

How many complaints have owners filed about the 2012 Buick Regal?

Owners have filed 92 complaints about the 2012 Buick Regal with NHTSA.

What mpg does a 2012 Buick Regal get?

EPA-rated combined fuel economy for the 2012 Buick Regal is 23.3 MPG. See the fuel economy table on this page for city and highway figures by engine and transmission.

What oil does a fifth-generation Buick Regal take?

0W-30 for the 2.0L turbo; capacity about 6 qt—confirm in the owner’s manual.

Is there a rear suspension recall on 2012-2013 Regals?

Recalls 20V764000 and 26V113000 cover certain 2012-2013 Regals in salt-belt states for rear toe links with inadequate corrosion protection; dealers replace the toe links.