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2011 Buick Regal

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

More warning signs than most Regal years

Owner complaints for the 2011 Buick Regal are substantially higher than the model-year median of 29.

About this comparison →

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

204 reports with mileage · 75 unknown

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Engine. Review the 108 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Electrical System. Review the 75 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Power Train. Review the 39 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

7 crash reports7 fire reports6 injury reports

What owners actually said

279 reports
Mileage unknown · Nov 21, 2016
Electrical SystemSeats

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 BUICK REGAL. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V517000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, SEATS). THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. T…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 BUICK REGAL. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V517000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, SEATS). THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. UPDATED 01/06/2017*CT

NHTSA ODI #10927186

Mileage unknown · Nov 9, 2016
Electrical SystemSeats

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 BUICK REGAL. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V517000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, SEATS); HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE RECALL REPAIR WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 BUICK REGAL. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V517000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, SEATS); HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE RECALL REPAIR WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ODI #10925183

30,000 miles · Oct 30, 2016
Electronic Stability Control (esc)

"STABILITI TRAK NEEDS TO BE SERVICED" LIGHT COMES ON AND CAUSES IMMEDIATE LOSS OF ENGINE POWER. THIS HAS BECOME VERY DANGEROUS AND IS NO LONGER A SAFETY FEATURE BUT A HAZARD WHEN DRIVING. THIS HAS HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES AND BEEN TAKEN TO DEALERSHIPS AT LEAST 5 TIMES, WITH NO FIX. THEY CANNOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM BUT THE CAR C…

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"STABILITI TRAK NEEDS TO BE SERVICED" LIGHT COMES ON AND CAUSES IMMEDIATE LOSS OF ENGINE POWER. THIS HAS BECOME VERY DANGEROUS AND IS NO LONGER A SAFETY FEATURE BUT A HAZARD WHEN DRIVING. THIS HAS HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES AND BEEN TAKEN TO DEALERSHIPS AT LEAST 5 TIMES, WITH NO FIX. THEY CANNOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM BUT THE CAR CONTINUES TO HAVE THE ISSUE. THIS IS A HUGE SAFETY HAZARD WHEN TRAVELING AND I HAVE BEEN FORCED TO PULL OVER AND SHUT OFF THE CAR IN HIGH TRAFFIC AREAS DUE TO CONTINUED BRAKE PRESSURE AND LOSS OF POWER. THIS PROBLEM OCCURS MOSTLY ON HIGHWAY TRAVEL BUT HAS HAPPENED ON CITY STREETS AS WELL. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10920066

42,000 miles · Oct 28, 2016
Engine

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 BUICK REGAL. WHILE DRIVING AND WHILE STATIONARY, THE VEHICLE SHUT OFF UNEXPECTEDLY. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO RESTART SUCCESSFULLY. LATER, WHEN BACKING OUT OF A PARKING SPACE AT 2 MPH, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANU…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 BUICK REGAL. WHILE DRIVING AND WHILE STATIONARY, THE VEHICLE SHUT OFF UNEXPECTEDLY. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO RESTART SUCCESSFULLY. LATER, WHEN BACKING OUT OF A PARKING SPACE AT 2 MPH, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 42,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ODI #10919812

105,000 miles · Oct 21, 2016
Power Train

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 BUICK REGAL. WHILE DRIVING 10 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT WAS NOT ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE TRANSMISSION MODULE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS …

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 BUICK REGAL. WHILE DRIVING 10 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT WAS NOT ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE TRANSMISSION MODULE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 105,000.

NHTSA ODI #10917805

30,000 miles · Oct 13, 2016
Power Train

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 BUICK REGAL. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IDLING AT A RED LIGHT, IT FAILED TO ACCELERATE WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT HAD TO PUSH THE VEHICLE OFF THE ROAD. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE TRANSMISSION CONTROL MODULE FAILED AND NEEDED REPLACEMENT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIR…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 BUICK REGAL. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IDLING AT A RED LIGHT, IT FAILED TO ACCELERATE WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT HAD TO PUSH THE VEHICLE OFF THE ROAD. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE TRANSMISSION CONTROL MODULE FAILED AND NEEDED REPLACEMENT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 30,000.

NHTSA ODI #10915929

25,000 miles · Oct 3, 2016
Seats

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 BUICK REGAL. WHENEVER THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE SEAT WARMER WAS ACTIVATED, IT BECAME INOPERABLE WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V517000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, SEATS); HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. …

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 BUICK REGAL. WHENEVER THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE SEAT WARMER WAS ACTIVATED, IT BECAME INOPERABLE WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V517000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, SEATS); HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 25,000.

NHTSA ODI #10911102

40,105 miles · Sep 29, 2016
Electrical SystemService BrakesSteering

MY DAUGHTER DRIVES OUR 2011 BUICK REGAL CXL THAT WE PURCHASED IN FEBRUARY 2016. IN THE LAST SEVERAL MONTH THE VEHICLE HAS STALLED, STEERING LOCKS UP, BRAKES GO COMPLETELY OUT, IT DOESN'T HAVE AN ELECTRICAL AND BECAUSE IT HAS AN ELECTRIC EMERGENCY BRAKE THERE IS NO WAY FOR HER TO STOP. THE FIRST TWO TIMES SHE WAS DRIVING AROUND …

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MY DAUGHTER DRIVES OUR 2011 BUICK REGAL CXL THAT WE PURCHASED IN FEBRUARY 2016. IN THE LAST SEVERAL MONTH THE VEHICLE HAS STALLED, STEERING LOCKS UP, BRAKES GO COMPLETELY OUT, IT DOESN'T HAVE AN ELECTRICAL AND BECAUSE IT HAS AN ELECTRIC EMERGENCY BRAKE THERE IS NO WAY FOR HER TO STOP. THE FIRST TWO TIMES SHE WAS DRIVING AROUND TOWN AND THE LAST TIME IT HAPPENED WAS LAST WEEK AT 70 MPH ON THE HIGHWAY. SHE ALMOST HIT THE CAR IN FRONT OF HER. ONCE IT COASTED TO A STOP SHE WAS ABLE TO START IT AND CONTINUE ON. THIS GM VEHICLE 2011 BUICK REGAL IS A DEATH TRAP WAITING TO HAPPEN. DON'T BUY A BUICK!!! I PICKED IT UP FROM THE LOCAL BUICK DEALER YESTERDAY AND THEY CAN'T DO ANYTHING. ONCE THE VEHICLE IS RESTARTED AFTER ONE OF THESE INCIDENTS THE COMPUTERS AUTOMATICALLY RESETS AND WIPED CLEAN OF CODES WITHOUT ANY TRACE OF A PROBLEM OR ISSUE. ALL THE ERRORS COMPLETELY DISAPPEAR. THE SERVICE PERSON AT THE DEALERSHIP ASKED ME IF I HAD A DECODER I COULD PLUG IN RIGHT AFTER IT HAPPENS. THIS PROBLEM IS ALL OVER THE INTERNET AND BUICK DOES NOTHING. YOU CAN BET THAT A GM EXECUTIVE WOULD DECLINE AN OFFER FOR ONE OF HIS/HER FAMILY MEMBERS TO DRIVE IT FOR A WHILE. MAKE NO MISTAKE THESE CARS SHUT DOWN COMPLETELY WITHOUT ANY WARNING AND ABSOLUTELY NOTHING WORKS AT THE MOMENT. NO STEERING, NO BRAKES, STALLED ENGINE, AND NO ELECTRICAL. ABSOLUTELY NOTHING!!! ALL BUICK SAYS BASE ON ONLINE COMMENTS IS SORRY. SORRY FOR WHAT? KILLING PEOPLE? NOT GIVING A [XXX] ABOUT MY FAMILY OR YOURS? IF THEY WERE SORRY THEY'D STEP UP AND DO THE RIGHT THING BEFORE ITS TOO LATE AND SOMEONE DIES. INSURANCE COMPANIES ARE PROBABLY PAYING OUT LOTS OF MONEY TO THEIR INSURED AND THE PEOPLE THEY HIT, INJURE OR KILL. I BET THEY WOULD LOVE TO HEAR MORE ABOUT THIS ISSUE. BE CAREFULLY WHAT YOU BUY BECAUSE YOU MIGHT BE SURPRISED BY YOUR CAR RIGHT BEFORE YOU CRASH. I'VE ALWAYS LIKES GM AND BUICKS BUT NOT ANYMORE. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

NHTSA ODI #10910618

44,820 miles · Sep 29, 2016
Power Train

TRANSMISSION FAILURE AFTER 44,820 MILES. REQUIRED RECONDITIONED TRANSMISSION AND TORQUE CONVERTER WITH TOTAL COST OF REPAIR OF $3,976.63. IN MOTION ON CITY STREETS AND HIGHWAY- DELAYS REVERSE. HARD SHIFTING. SLOW RESPONSE DRIVING.

NHTSA ODI #10910554

Mileage unknown · Sep 19, 2016
Electrical System

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 BUICK REGAL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER SENT NOTIFICATION OF AN UNKNOWN ELECTRICAL SYSTEM RECALL. IT WAS UNKNOWN WHEN THE REMEDY AND PARTS WOULD BE SUPPLIED TO THE DEALER. THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE WHEN THE VEHICLE WOULD BE REPAIRED. IN ADDITION, THE DRIVER'S SIDE ELECTRICAL FU…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 BUICK REGAL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER SENT NOTIFICATION OF AN UNKNOWN ELECTRICAL SYSTEM RECALL. IT WAS UNKNOWN WHEN THE REMEDY AND PARTS WOULD BE SUPPLIED TO THE DEALER. THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE WHEN THE VEHICLE WOULD BE REPAIRED. IN ADDITION, THE DRIVER'S SIDE ELECTRICAL FUNCTIONS FAILED AND THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO ADJUST THE SEAT, WHICH WAS STUCK IN AN UPRIGHT POSITION. VARIOUS WARNING INDICATORS AND GAUGES FLICKERED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS UNABLE TO BE DRIVEN SAFELY DUE TO THE MULTIPLE FAILURES. THE VIN AND FAILURE MILEAGE WERE NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ODI #10907966

Official recalls

4

16V517000 · Electrical System:wiring; Seats:front Assembly:power Adjust

Jul 7, 2016

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2011 Buick Regal vehicles manufactured November 3, 2009, to March 25, 2011, equipped with 8-way power adjustable front seats. The power seat wiring harness may contact the seat frame, causing the wires to chafe.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: Chafed harness wires may cause a short circuit, increasing the risk of a fire.

Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and secure the wiring harness, and repair any chafed wires as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on March 13, 2017. Owners may contact Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300. GM's number for this recall is 30710.

Additional source detail variants (2)

Seats:front Assembly:power Adjust

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2011 Buick Regal vehicles manufactured November 3, 2009, to March 25, 2011, equipped with 8-way power adjustable front seats. The power seat wiring harness may contact the seat frame, causing the wires to chafe.

Consequence: Chafed harness wires may cause a short circuit, increasing the risk of a fire.

Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and secure the wiring harness, and repair any chafed wires as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on March 13, 2017. Owners may contact Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300. GM's number for this recall is 30710.

Electrical System:wiring

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2011 Buick Regal vehicles manufactured November 3, 2009, to March 25, 2011, equipped with 8-way power adjustable front seats. The power seat wiring harness may contact the seat frame, causing the wires to chafe.

Consequence: Chafed harness wires may cause a short circuit, increasing the risk of a fire.

Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and secure the wiring harness, and repair any chafed wires as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on March 13, 2017. Owners may contact Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300. GM's number for this recall is 30710.

16V502000 · Electrical System:ignition; Power Train:automatic Transmission:control Module (tcm/pcm/tecm)

Jul 5, 2016

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2016-2017 Buick Verano and 2016 Chevrolet Malibu as the electronic park lock lever may allow the ignition key to be removed without the transmission being in PARK. Also, certain 2013 Buick Encore, 2011 Buick Regal, 2013-2014 Buick Verano, 2011-2016 Chevrolet Cruze, 2010-2013 Chevrolet Equinox 2013-2015 Chevrolet Malibu, and 2011-2013 GMC Terrain vehicles may have been serviced with similar defective replacement electronic park lock levers. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 114, "Theft Protection and Rollaway Prevention."

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: If the key is removed without the transmission in PARK, the vehicle may rollaway as occupants are exiting, increasing the risk of injury.

Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and if necessary replace the key cylinder lock housing, free of charge. The recall began on October 14, 2016. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, Buick 1-800-521-7300, and GMC 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is 50490 and 50491.

Additional source detail variants (2)

Electrical System:ignition

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2016-2017 Buick Verano and 2016 Chevrolet Malibu as the electronic park lock lever may allow the ignition key to be removed without the transmission being in PARK. Also, certain 2013 Buick Encore, 2011 Buick Regal, 2013-2014 Buick Verano, 2011-2016 Chevrolet Cruze, 2010-2013 Chevrolet Equinox 2013-2015 Chevrolet Malibu, and 2011-2013 GMC Terrain vehicles may have been serviced with similar defective replacement electronic park lock levers. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 114, "Theft Protection and Rollaway Prevention."

Consequence: If the key is removed without the transmission in PARK, the vehicle may rollaway as occupants are exiting, increasing the risk of injury.

Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and if necessary replace the key cylinder lock housing, free of charge. The recall began on October 14, 2016. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, Buick 1-800-521-7300, and GMC 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is 50490 and 50491.

Power Train:automatic Transmission:control Module (tcm/pcm/tecm)

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2016-2017 Buick Verano and 2016 Chevrolet Malibu as the electronic park lock lever may allow the ignition key to be removed without the transmission being in PARK. Also, certain 2013 Buick Encore, 2011 Buick Regal, 2013-2014 Buick Verano, 2011-2016 Chevrolet Cruze, 2010-2013 Chevrolet Equinox 2013-2015 Chevrolet Malibu, and 2011-2013 GMC Terrain vehicles may have been serviced with similar defective replacement electronic park lock levers. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 114, "Theft Protection and Rollaway Prevention."

Consequence: If the key is removed without the transmission in PARK, the vehicle may rollaway as occupants are exiting, increasing the risk of injury.

Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and if necessary replace the key cylinder lock housing, free of charge. The recall began on October 14, 2016. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, Buick 1-800-521-7300, and GMC 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is 50490 and 50491.

14V447000 · Seats:front Assembly:power Adjust

Jul 23, 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 suddenly to the lowest vertical position.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: If the driver's seat unexpectedly drops, the distraction and altered seat position may affect the drivers' control of the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: 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 (Cadillac), 1-800-222-1020 (Chevrolet), or 1-800-462-8782 (GMC). GM's number for this recall is 14271.

12V484000 · Exterior Lighting:turn Signal

Oct 4, 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 Safety Standard No. 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment."

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: 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.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

0

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.