10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 1
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
66,280 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

The NHTSA is the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints can be spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem. See the Back button — blue bar at the very top of the page — to explore more.

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problem #20

Jul 132021

Regal

  • 72,000 miles
The contact owns a 2012 Buick Regal. The contact stated that the vehicle would not immediately start up, and while at a stop light the entire vehicle would shake and vibrate. The cause of the failure was not determined. The local dealer and manufacturer were notified of the failure. The VIN was included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 20V764000 (Suspension) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact indicated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The failure mileage was 72,000. Parts distribution disconnect.

- Parkville, MD, USA

problem #19

Jun 282021

Regal

  • miles
Timing belt and engine stopped working. Mechanic says needs engine replaced

- Bloomfield , IA, USA

problem #18

Jun 252021

Regal

  • miles
No warning and approximately 80,000 miles -the timing needs replaced. Mechanics state this is common with this model and they recommend a new engine replace the original engine. This car has under 100,000 miles on it. The cost of the repair is out of my means. The car is paid off, however, I cannot afford the repair. Is there anything that can be done?

- Bloomfield , IA, USA

problem #17

Jun 042019

Regal 4-cyl

  • 110,000 miles
The contact owns a 2012 Buick Regal. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the check engine warning light illuminated. The contact stated that every two weeks he would check the engine oil level. The contact stated that there was no visible leaks found. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where the oil was topped off. The vehicle was not diagnosed. Cochran Buick GMC of robinson (5200 campbells run rd, pittsburgh, pa 15205, (877) 338-4077) was contacted and confirmed that the VIN was not under recall. The failure recurred several times. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 110,000.

- Pittsburgh, PA, USA

problem #16

Sep 112020

Regal

  • 163,247 miles
The 2012 Buick Regal consumes a quart or more of oil in less than 2 weeks or 300 miles. I am putting a quart in it just to get it to read on the dip stick and more if needed. As it consumes oil, the engine gains a noticable ticking noise with a rough start. All of this is noticed while driving on a highway or rural road. The back right tire and or tire area makes a thumping noise at all speeds. The tire is not the issue. The stabilitrak warning light comes on often. I am the 3rd owner to the car with with 164,333 current miles. The car has had routine oil changes etc by all owners.

- Pickens, SC, USA

problem #15

Jul 072019

Regal

  • 164 miles
I got a 2012 Buick Regal I brought it July 2018 my car was died out of nowhere about 5 months prior list and then after I changed my oil my car didn't go anymore it sounded like a chain the first night after they change the oil and then the next day I drove it for 2 hours I don't know if the timing is off or what

- Lake Charles, LA, USA

problem #14

Aug 212019

Regal

  • 121,000 miles
Vehicle was traveling at approximately 35 mph on a city street when a "pop" noise was heard, immediately followed by the car shutting down. There was no warning or system error lights on and none turned on. There was no power or brakes available in the vehicle. Upon attempting to coast vehicle off the road to a safe area, 2 people driving by yelled to get out, as there were flames coming out of the undercarriage. The entire front of the car including the engine engulfed in flames. Area firefighters were called to extinguish the fire. Total loss of vehicle. Additionally, this vehicle is equipped with on star services and a monthly report is received showing any issues or concerns with the vehicle. Upon receiving the report on July 27, 2019 there were no issues reported expect a low tire pressure.

- Hamilton, IL, USA

problem #13

May 162019

Regal

  • 86,047 miles
Codes P0016 P0017 dtc P0299 under turbo boost P0010 - fluid leak from transmission - stabilitrak light on and off (2017, 2018, 2019)- { I paid to have the issue fixed and less than a year later it happens again} car will not pick up speed - crank / cam position not plausible - timing chain stretched /stuck.( popping sound coming from under my seat in 2017)these are all issues that happen while driving. I am getting on the on ramp for the highway and my car will not go pass 35 mph for over 15 seconds, even if I floor it. There is on coming traffic doing 60 to 70 mph and that is a life or death situation. I have no way of moving to avoid being hit. My car will stall when I try to drive after stopping at a stop light.

- Flotissant, MO, USA

problem #12

Apr 242019

Regal

  • 76,000 miles
Since I purchased and drove off from the dealership, within the first few days the car shut down on me when I was in a drive thru, and it happened times again while pulling out a parking space and drove a few feet away the car would shut off and began smelling of gas as well overtime I drove it. The dealership was not very helpful but finally kept my car a few days and said it was only the hoses which were loose. Now 4/24 my car again is making weird noises since last week and actually will not start this evening after being out and parking in a lot.

- Evanston, IL, USA

problem #11

Jan 122019

Regal

  • 100,000 miles
For the past year my vehicle is consuming a large amount of oil. I have to add 2.5 quarts after 1500 miles or so. General maintenance is always done. It will stall at stop lights or stop signs. We have changed the cam shift sensors and solenoids due to the codes thrown. My vehicle is still using 4 quarts before 3,000 miles. I have been at a stop light on highway 34 and my car just stopped when I went to accelerate. I was in peoria at a stop light going up hill and my car stalled 4 times before I could get it to start. All my gauges just drop. My oil life does not read properly it always says I'm over 50%. I check my oil regularly just to try and prevent any other issues coming arise.

- Roseville, IL, USA

problem #10

Nov 132018

Regal

  • 71,000 miles
At routine oil change appointment (71000 miles) plus my concern to check out a noise during cold startups, Buick dealership tech noted no oil on dipstick. They recommended oil consumption test, discussed possible need to replace pistons @ $3200 and told me to return in 1000 miles to reassess. On leaving the dealership, my check engine light was lit (no warnings/lights/ driving performance issues prior to leaving the dealership that day), I immediately turned around and they re-ran diagnostic screen, reported to me that it reported nothing different than the one run earlier that day, told me again to return in 1000 miles. Approx 100 miles later, my engine suffered catastrophic damage, leaving me stranded at a stoplight intersection. I feel lucky that this happened in a safe town in broad daylight, and while I was at a stoplight. They again found no oil on dipstick, and major engine damage, my dealer gave me options for replacing the engine with a new ($6300, 3 year warranty), or rebuilt ($5000, no warranty) engine. I have done oil changes always as recommended by onboard monitoring system. Seems that maybe there should have been a recall or consumer alert issued on this longstanding issue for these GM cars, not just a clandestine bulletin that only notified dealers of this problem for vehicles with long oil change interval recommendations. Very disappointed 55 year old lady.

- La Salle, IL, USA

problem #9

Dec 152016

Regal

  • miles
Car burns 1 qt. Oil/ 1000 miles excessive oil consumption requires pistons and rings to be replaced --- many GM 2.4 liter engines have this problem. This first happened under warranty but we did not realize what the problem was until the 5 years was just passed. However it was still under 60,000 miles when I brought it in for an "oil consumption test".

- Webster, NY, USA

problem #8

Jan 012018

Regal

  • 40,000 miles
Vehichle purchased in October 2017 with 35K miles. Has always had a vibrating noise while sitting and idling. It will get worse after the car is driven/heated and then idled. Brakes have always had a very loud screaching noise. Tail lights stopped working. Bulbs were changed and they have worked since. However, the headlights stopped working. Bulbs were changed with no satisfaction. Fuses were changed and blew every time. Took vehicle to mechanic shop - diagnosed. Brakes are ok. Per his words, just cheap setup. (this was how I purchased the car, I've never replaced the brakes since purchasing), the tensioner pulley was causing the vibration. Pulley and belt (stretched) were changed, headlamp assembly's (both) needed to be changed as they were not getting power ($1600 each!!! the ballasts were bad), also had my high pressure line for A/C changed as that quit working as well.

- Livingston, LA, USA

problem #7

Aug 162018

Regal

  • 121,000 miles
The contact owns a 2012 Buick Regal. While driving approximately 45 mph, the engine indicator illuminated and "reduce speed" was displayed on the instrument panel. The contact stated that the vehicle decelerated to 20 mph and would not accelerate beyond that speed. The contact was able to drive the vehicle to an independent mechanic where it was determined that the timing chain and the sensor rods were faulty. A dealer was not made aware of the failure. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and referred the contact to NHTSA. The contact was provided with case number: 8-4544663121 by the manufacturer. The failure mileage was approximately 121,000.

- Davison, MI, USA

problem #6

Aug 132018

Regal

  • 60,000 miles
Car giving a code of electrical control module gcm.L have the code P 0062

- Chicago, IL, USA

problem #5

Jun 032018

Regal

  • 73,000 miles
I have had problems with the stabilitrak - check engine light / multifunction indicator light coming on at random times (the on star diagnostic report doesn't give any indication of whats going on with the car so that regular people can understand before going in talking to a dealer about the issue) - powertrain issues I have had to replace my battery when I bought the car I was told it was newer and shouldn't have issues. My driver side headlight is full of water. There have been so many issues with this car yet no recalls have been found on my particular car. I read reviews from others and the 2012 Buick Regal just seems to have a lot of problems consumers such as myself should be entitled to a huge portion of cash paid for the defective vehicle. I thought it would be a safe family car but it just didn't turn out that way. I was afraid to take my family in my car for 6 months because I didn't know if I would we would be stranded. When I took my car to a certified dealer to get it repaired it was worse my car shook while I drove. Buick just isn't the car for me or anyone until they are able to create a safe car. Aesthetically newer model Buick are nice but mechanically they are a bust.

- Florissant, MO, USA

problem #4

Mar 152018

Regal

  • 144,000 miles
Timing chain stretched and ruined the engine

- Farmington Hills, MI, USA

problem #3

Mar 192015

Regal

  • 39,000 miles
The car had no electrical power. Anything electrical wouldn't work. We couldn't remove the ignition key, put windows or anything. The second time I tried to use the vehicles self jump start but nothing would work. There was absolutely no power in this car at this time. My wife said at on different occasions she did smell a burning odor. We also had the digital speedometer stop working. It started working again after the car was shut off and restarted. We feel we are driving a firebomb waiting to happen and do not want anything to do with this car anymore. Currently its at a GM dealer and they are trying to figure out whats wrong with this car. Best part is the dealers don't want this car back as evidenced by the low trade in value that was offered.

- Ogdensburg, NY, USA

problem #2

Oct 292013

Regal

  • 40,000 miles
Vehicle turns off when going in reverse. Vehicle also makes weird sputtering noise when started. This has been happening since I bought the car brand new in 2011 but dealers can never replicate the problems!

- Charlotte, NC, USA

problem #1

Aug 252012

Regal

  • 9,135 miles
The contact owns a 2012 Buick Regal. The contact stated that while driving 55 mph, the vehicle began to jerk abnormally. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for diagnosis and the technicians were able to duplicate the failure however, they were unable to repair the failure. The vehicle was returned to the dealer weeks later where the dealer advised the contact that the vehicle had a damaged spark plug. The vehicle was repaired however, the failure recurred. The manufacturer was notified and escalated her case stating that they would remain in contact with the contact. In the interim, the vehicle began to make a rumbling noise when she made turns. The vehicle had not been repaired. The failure mileage was 9,135 and the current mileage was 9,200.

- Killeen, TX, USA