Transport CanadaCritical
At a glance
What can fail
The protective coating on rear suspension toe links can chip away, allowing rust to form. Rusted toe links may break, potentially affecting vehicle stability and control.
What the fix does
This page covers 8 recalls, 91 owner complaints, NHTSA crash-test ratings and EPA fuel economy for the 2012 Buick Regal.
22–24 mpg combined
9.8–10.7 L/100km
Midsize Cars
Fuel economy data from fueleconomy.gov (EPA / U.S. Dept. of Energy). Annual cost based on 15,000 mi/yr at 55% city driving and current fuel prices. MPG is U.S. gallons; L/100km converted. Ranges reflect the 7 tested variants for this model year.
5/5 Overall
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Rating
Exterior lighting is the dominant complaint pattern for the 2012 Buick Regal, accounting for roughly a third of all reports filed. Owners consistently describe moisture and water intrusion into the headlight assemblies, with condensation or standing water building up inside the housing until the headlight, turn signal, or brake light stops working. Both driver-side and passenger-side assemblies are mentioned, and several owners report the problem recurring after replacing one side. Engine complaints form the next notable group, though the reports are less consistent in describing a single symptom. Suspension complaints round out the top three, with some owners noting handling or rear-end control issues. The headlight water intrusion problem is the clearest pattern here, owners describe losing multiple lighting functions simultaneously as moisture accumulates inside a sealed assembly that appears prone to seal failure.
91
Total Complaints
3
Crash-Related
2
Fire-Related
2
With Injuries
By System
The 2012 Buick Regal has 8 recalls, the most serious being a rear suspension toe link that can rust, fracture, and cause sudden loss of vehicle control.
The toe link issue is the subject of multiple recalls covering different groups of vehicles, primarily those sold or registered in northern and mid-Atlantic states where road salt accelerates corrosion. Some of these recalls specifically apply to Turbo and GS trim levels. In each case, the protective coating on the toe link can chip away, the exposed metal rusts, and the link can break while driving, leaving the rear axle without proper alignment control.
Three recalls involve exterior lighting. On vehicles with High Intensity Discharge headlamps, the body control module can be programmed in a way that prevents the parking lamps from activating, making the car harder to see in the dark. A separate compliance recall covers inadequate lighting more broadly. There is also a turn signal concern: each front turn signal uses two bulbs, and if one burns out, the dashboard gives no warning, so the driver may not realize the signal is only partially working.
At a glance
What can fail
The protective coating on rear suspension toe links can chip away, allowing rust to form. Rusted toe links may break, potentially affecting vehicle stability and control.
What the fix does
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Ratings from NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program (NCAP). Based on 2 tested variants; worst-case ratings shown.
Complaints are owner-reported and reflect individual experiences, not confirmed defects. They are distinct from recalls. Data sourced from the national vehicle safety complaint database. See trending complaints →
Dealership will replace the rear suspension toe links and adjuster fasteners.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The rear suspension toe links may lack proper corrosion protection, which can cause them to crack or break.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the rear suspension toe links and adjuster fasteners at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The protective coating on rear suspension toe links can chip away, allowing the metal underneath to rust and potentially break. A broken toe link may affect vehicle stability and directional control.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the rear suspension toe links and adjuster fasteners.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
Rear toe links may lack proper corrosion protection coating, causing it to become brittle and chip away when hit by road debris. Exposed metal corrodes over time, thinning the toe link until it fractures.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the rear suspension toe links and adjuster fasteners at no cost.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
Rear toe links received excessive coating that becomes brittle and breaks away from road debris. As the coating chips off, the metal corrodes. Over time, corrosion can cause the toe link to thin and fracture.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the rear suspension toe links and fasteners at no cost. Parts are not yet available.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
Each front turn signal contains two bulbs. If one bulb burns out, the driver receives no warning and won't know the turn signal is partially not working.
What the fix does
Dealers will update the body control module software to detect and alert the driver when either front turn signal bulb fails.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The vehicle's computer controls HID headlamps but was programmed incorrectly at the factory, preventing parking lamps from turning on. This makes the vehicle harder to see at night.
What the fix does
The dealer will reprogram the vehicle's computer to restore proper parking lamp function.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
A software error prevents the parking lamps from turning on when you activate either the parking lamps or headlamps.
What the fix does
Dealers will reprogram the body control module at no cost to restore proper parking lamp operation.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
