2012 Buick Regal lighting problems

Related recalls

• Recall 12V484000Oct 4, 2012120,426 vehicles
  EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TURN SIGNAL

  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."

  Risk: 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.

  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 12V093000Mar 7, 20123,633 vehicles
  EXTERIOR LIGHTING

  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.

  Risk: Inadequate lighting could reduce the visibility of the vehicle, increasing the potential for a crash.

  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.

What owners say

1. Filed Jul 27, 2025GAElectrical SystemLighting

   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 headlight is doing the same. I have no headlights, no driverside lights period. I drive 2 children around in this car and it's gotten very dangerous. I contacted GM, and the local dealership and they won't fix it. I'm a [XXX] and don't have the $3200-$5000 I was…

   NHTSA complaint #11676449 · source
2. Filed Oct 26, 202316,000 miILElectrical SystemLighting

   The contact owns a 2012 Buick Regal. The contact stated that after starting the vehicle, he became aware that the electrical system was not functioning properly. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who diagnosed a failure with the body control module. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure reoccurred. After investigating the failure, the contact related it to NHTSA Campaign Number: 12V093000 (Exterior Lighting), but the VIN was not…

   NHTSA complaint #11552125 · source
3. Filed Sep 26, 2023WILighting

   The driver headlight assembly has water in it and unable to fix it without replacing whole assembly that can be as much as $1500. The light bulb and valance was replaced. The valance was filled with water. The headlight still wouldn’t work. Upon further investigation there is a part sealed into the assembly that also has water in it with no way to get it out or replace. This is a safety risk since i am unable to see on driver side in dark without my light. There are no…

   NHTSA complaint #11546680 · source
4. Filed Jan 28, 2023NYCrashLighting

   I previously reported an issue with a he condensation in the driver side headlight which every one of these models with the hid headlights has this issue. Now it is becoming a safety issue as both headlights are doing it and are randomly going off while driving I almost hit a telephone pole with my infant in the car this is an extremely common issue with these vehicles and Buick has no fix they even stopped producing the replacement headlights this is an extremely dangerous…

   NHTSA complaint #11504241 · source
5. Filed Nov 8, 2022NJElectrical SystemLightingOther / Unknown

   The headlight area had condensation in it that resulted in water in the headlight. This caused the headlight to go dark. This is a safety issue as one of my headlights is not working. I can’t see that section of the road or adjacent sidelines. Very dangerous particularly at this time of year with deer running into road from the side. There are many other regal owners with this problem which can be verified by googling the problem. This is the second time the light has failed…

   NHTSA complaint #11492760 · source
6. Filed Jun 15, 2022NYLighting

   The driver side headlamp assembly has a faulty seal which allows water to leak inside the housing under normal daily conditions. When this happens the water leaks down through the assembly where the headlight ballast is mounted, causing water to collect in the ballast, and killing it (making the headlight go out) as well as the electrical components that power the L.E.D. daytime running lights also making those stop functioning. There is no quick and easy fix for this, as…

   NHTSA complaint #11469283 · source
7. Filed Feb 1, 2022ILLighting

   The contact's uncle owns a 2012 Buick Regal. The contact stated that the front headlights were burned out. The contact was unsure whether there was a warning light illuminated. The contact did not provide further information. The contact stated that the vehicle was taken to an unknown dealer who diagnosed that there was condensation in the frontal headlights and that the front headlight assemblies needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and…

   NHTSA complaint #11449757 · source
8. Filed Dec 9, 202178,000 miNYLighting

   The contact owns a 2012 Buick Regal. The contact stated that the driver’s side headlight assembly developed condensation inside causing the light bulb to blow out. The contact indicated that the entire headlight assembly needed to be replaced to fix the failure. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The manufacturer and the local dealer were notified of the failure, but no assistance was offered. The failure mileage was 78,000.

   NHTSA complaint #11443201 · source
9. Filed Oct 7, 202182,000 miMILighting

   The contact owns a 2012 Buick Regal. The contact stated that while driving at night, the illumination from the headlights was very dim. The contact had taken the vehicle to an independent mechanic and was informed that condensation had accumulated in both headlight modules causing the failure. The dealer was notified of the issue and informed her that they would call her back. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage…

   NHTSA complaint #11435875 · source
10. Filed Aug 13, 2021RILighting

    Headlight housing leaks water into headlight. This appears to be a problem with this vehicle as I read numerous complaints about this.

    NHTSA complaint #11428955 · source
11. Filed Jun 19, 2021VALighting

    Issue with the condensation/water getting inside our HID headlights. Have replaced once and now they are both full of water again. Dealer refuses to cover as a defect. VERY expensive to repair. Huge safety issue because lights can fail at any time going down a dark road! Safety to thers as they may not see me coming.

    NHTSA complaint #11421463 · source
12. Filed Mar 16, 202165,000 miNYLighting

    My passenger headlight went out and did know till i got a ticket. I have taken it to a repair shop for repair two times and they found that it is not sealed properly. There is corrosion under the headlight assembly due to it collecting water. How can this be fixed i have heard that this is a big issue please advise on what can be done to help everyone affected.

    NHTSA complaint #11403376 · source

Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Office of Defects Investigation public data. Complaints are submitted by owners and are not verified by NHTSA or by us; a complaint does not prove a defect exists. View this vehicle on NHTSA.gov Methodology