2012 Buick Regal Problems, Recalls & Reliability
Verdict
AvoidComplaint Index
80/100
#3 most-complained of 11 Regal years
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
The 2012 Buick Regal has a Complaint Index of 80 with 92 NHTSA complaints and 7 recalls, ranking 3rd worst among 11 model years. Electrical System problems dominate at 49% of complaints, giving it an Avoid verdict relative to other Regal years.
- Complaints
- 92
- Recalls
- 7
- Crashes / fires
- 3 / 2
- Injuries / deaths
- 4 / 0
- NHTSA overall rating
- 5 / 5 ★
- EPA combined MPG
- 22.5
- 19 city / 29.5 hwy
Top 2012 Buick Regal problems
NHTSA owner complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Electrical System45 (49%)
- Engine25 (27%)
- Brakes16 (17%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires12 (13%)
- Structure & Body10 (11%)
- Other8 (9%)
- Transmission & Powertrain7 (8%)
- Fuel System2 (2%)
- Steering1 (1%)
What owners report
- Front driver's seat caught fire while the vehicle sat idling, with flames noticed and no warning beforehand.
- A car lost power and brakes suddenly on a city street after a popping noise, then caught fire while coasting to a stop.
- Vehicle reportedly accelerated on its own while decelerating and crashed into a building, causing injuries requiring hospital transport.
- Condensation builds up inside HID headlights, causing both headlights to randomly shut off while driving.
- Brake pedal became extremely stiff at highway speed, preventing braking pressure and leading to a rear-end collision.
- Engine jerks abnormally at highway speed and dealers could duplicate the issue but could not repair it.
2012 Buick Regal recalls
7 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 26V113000Feb 26, 2026Suspension, Wheels & Tires17,050 vehicles
Suspension:rear
General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2012â2013 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.
Risk: Rear toe link fracture can cause a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash.
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.
- NHTSA 21V00F000Dec 22, 2021Suspension, Wheels & Tires4,271 vehicles
Suspension:rear
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.
Risk: A rear toe link fracture may reduce the driver's ability to control the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
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.
- NHTSA 20V764000Dec 21, 2020Suspension, Wheels & Tires220,006 vehicles
Suspension:rear
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.
Risk: A rear toe link fracture may reduce the driver's ability to control the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
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.
2012 Buick Regal fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 19 MPG
- Highway
- 29.5 MPG
- Combined
- 22.5 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $2,875
- 15,000 mi/yr
- Fuel
- Gasoline or E85
- Current regular gas
- $4.32/gal
- national avg.
EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.
2012 compared with other Regal years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2012 Buick Regal reliable?
- NHTSA data gives the 2012 Regal a Complaint Index of 80 with 92 complaints and 7 recalls, ranking it 3rd worst among 11 model years, so it earns an Avoid verdict compared to other Regal years.
- What is the biggest problem with the 2012 Buick Regal?
- Electrical System issues are the top problem area, accounting for 49% of complaints (45 of 92), with a median mileage at failure of 68,000 miles.
- Does the 2012 Buick Regal have recalls?
- Yes, NHTSA lists 7 recalls for the 2012 Regal, covering suspension toe links, body control module software, turn signal bulbs, and power seat height adjuster bolts. None are do-not-drive recalls.
- How does the 2012 Regal compare to other years?
- The 2012 Regal's Complaint Index of 80 is lower than the 2011 model's 100 but higher than 2013's 90, 2014's 40, and 2019's 20, which is the best-rated year with a Best verdict.
- What is the fuel economy of the 2012 Buick Regal?
- The 2012 Regal gets an EPA-rated 22.5 mpg combined (19 city / 29.5 highway), with an estimated annual fuel cost of $2,875.