Model year guide

2012 Buick Regal

Recalls, most-reported problems, crash-test ratings, fuel economy and what a 2012 Buick Regal is worth — from official NHTSA and EPA data. 118 on record.

2012 Buick Regal — representative photo
Representative photo · via Wikimedia Commons

2012 Buick Regal at a glance

Safety recalls7
Owner complaints92
Combined23 mpg
Typical price$13,735

Free: specs, open recalls for that exact car, build sheet and fair price.

2012 Buick Regal recalls 7

Seats:front Assembly:power Adjust NHTSA Campaign #14V447000 · 23/07/2014

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 suddenl…

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. Owners may contact GM customer service at 1-800-521-7300 (Buick), 1-800-458-8006…

Exterior Lighting:turn Signal NHTSA Campaign #12V484000 · 04/10/2012

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 …

Fix: 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.

Exterior Lighting NHTSA Campaign #12V093000 · 07/03/2012

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.

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. OWNERS MAY CONTACT GM AT 1-800-521-7300.

Electrical System NHTSA Campaign #13V173000 · 06/05/2013

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.

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. Owners may contact GM at 1-800-521-7300. GM's recall campaign number is 13136.

Suspension:rear NHTSA Campaign #20V764000 · 21/12/2020

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 Wiscons…

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. Owners m…

Suspension:rear NHTSA Campaign #21V00F000 · 22/12/2021

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 Wiscons…

Fix: 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 N2123466…

Suspension:rear NHTSA Campaign #26V113000 · 26/02/2026

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 suspensi…

Fix: 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…

Source: U.S. NHTSA. A recall applies to a model year, but only a VIN check shows whether a specific car has had the repair done.

2012 Buick Regal common problems

The most-reported problem areas from 92 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — and what to check before you buy.

Exterior Lighting
Confirm all headlights, brake lights, turn signals and reverse lights work, with no moisture inside the housings.
Electrical System
Test every electrical feature: windows, locks, infotainment, charging and all lights. Watch for flickering, dead accessories or warning lights.
Suspension
Listen for clunks over bumps, check the car sits level, and look for uneven tire wear and worn shocks or struts.
Child Seat
Have a trusted mechanic inspect this system as part of a pre-purchase inspection.
Vehicle Speed Control
Test cruise control and throttle response, and watch for any hesitation or unintended acceleration.
Service Brakes
Brakes should feel firm and quiet — no grinding, pulsing or pulling. Check for an ABS light and uneven pad/rotor wear.

2012 Buick Regal MPG & running costs

Combined23 mpg
City19 mpg
Highway29 mpg
Est. annual fuel cost$2,721

Source: U.S. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov, averaged across trims.

What's a 2012 Buick Regal worth?

Low
$10,800
Typical price
$13,735
High
$16,400

From 117 comparable 2012 Buick Regal listings.

Estimated 5-year cost to own

A rough guide to what running a 2012 Buick Regal costs over five years and 75,000 miles.

Fuel (5 yrs)$13,605
Fuel only$13,605
Per mile$0.18

How this is estimated: fuel is the U.S. EPA annual cost at 15,000 miles a year. There aren't enough comparable listings to estimate depreciation for this model, so it is left out. Not included: insurance, maintenance, repairs, taxes, registration and finance costs. Treat it as a comparison guide, not a quote.

2012 Buick Regal trims & engines on record

Trims
Base · Premium 1 · Premium 1 Turbo · GS · Leather · Premium 2
Engines
2.4L 4-cyl · 2.0L

2012 Buick Regal vehicles on record

Other Buick Regal model years

2012 Buick Regal — frequently asked questions

Does the 2012 Buick Regal have any safety recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 7 safety recalls for the 2012 Buick Regal. Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Whether a specific car still has one open depends on its VIN.

What are the most common problems with the 2012 Buick Regal?

Based on 92 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the most-reported problem areas are exterior lighting, electrical system, suspension.

What gas mileage does the 2012 Buick Regal get?

The U.S. EPA rates the 2012 Buick Regal at about 23 mpg combined (19 city / 29 highway).

How much is a 2012 Buick Regal worth?

Comparable 2012 Buick Regal listings run roughly $10,800–$16,400, typically around $13,735 (from 117 vehicles).

Sources: NHTSA (recalls, complaints, crash tests), U.S. EPA (fuel economy). Vehicle data only — CarLogs never shows owner information.