← New search

2012 Buick Regal

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 2012 Buick Regal do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 29.

About this comparison →

How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

Other model years Selected year
Compare all Regal years →

Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.

What owners reported most

All reported categories

Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

63 reports with mileage · 29 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.

  • Exterior Lighting. Review the 33 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Engine. Review the 21 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Electrical System. Review the 18 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

3 crash reports2 fire reports2 injury reports

What owners actually said

92 reports
12,000 miles · Apr 7, 2014
Power TrainVehicle Speed Control

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 BUICK REGAL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DECELERATING FROM 35 MPH, THE VEHICLE VIOLENTLY JERKED FORWARD. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO SEVERAL DIFFERENT DEALERS. THE FIRST DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM WHILE THE SECOND STATED THAT THE SHIFT ADAPTER NEEDED TO BE RESET. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED…

Read full complaint

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 BUICK REGAL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DECELERATING FROM 35 MPH, THE VEHICLE VIOLENTLY JERKED FORWARD. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO SEVERAL DIFFERENT DEALERS. THE FIRST DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM WHILE THE SECOND STATED THAT THE SHIFT ADAPTER NEEDED TO BE RESET. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BUT THE FAILURE WORSENED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 12,000.

NHTSA ODI #10578094

40,000 miles · Oct 29, 2013
EnginePower Train

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! *TR

NHTSA ODI #10550010

8,000 miles · Sep 26, 2013
SeatsInjury

OUR NECKS BEGAN TO HURT ABOUT A FEW WEEKS AGO. BEFORE THEN WE HAD NOT DRIVEN THE CAR OFTEN OR FOR LONG DURATIONS. THEN THE MORE WE WERE IN THE CAR, E.G. A 5 DAY TRIP TO AND FROM NEW ORLEANS, THE MORE WE HAD NECK DISCOMFORT. INITIALLY WE THOUGHT IT COULD BE OTHER ACTIVITY BEING THE CAUSE. BUT TODAY, AFTER SEEING INFORMATION A…

Read full complaint

OUR NECKS BEGAN TO HURT ABOUT A FEW WEEKS AGO. BEFORE THEN WE HAD NOT DRIVEN THE CAR OFTEN OR FOR LONG DURATIONS. THEN THE MORE WE WERE IN THE CAR, E.G. A 5 DAY TRIP TO AND FROM NEW ORLEANS, THE MORE WE HAD NECK DISCOMFORT. INITIALLY WE THOUGHT IT COULD BE OTHER ACTIVITY BEING THE CAUSE. BUT TODAY, AFTER SEEING INFORMATION AND ILLUSTRATIONS ON THE INTERNET, WE FEEL THAT THE ANGLE OF THE HEADREST ON THE SEAT BACKS IS IMPROPER AND THE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM. WHAT TO DO? IS THERE A "RECALL" ON THIS MATTER? SINCERELY, *JS

NHTSA ODI #10545587

10,000 miles · Feb 26, 2013
Steering

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 BUICK REGAL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE STEERING PULLED TO THE LEFT INDEPENDENTLY. THE FAILURE RECURRED NUMEROUS TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS BUT NO CAUSE OF FAILURE WAS FOUND. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAG…

Read full complaint

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 BUICK REGAL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE STEERING PULLED TO THE LEFT INDEPENDENTLY. THE FAILURE RECURRED NUMEROUS TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS BUT NO CAUSE OF FAILURE WAS FOUND. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 10,000.

NHTSA ODI #10500530

7,500 miles · Feb 5, 2013
Electronic Stability Control (esc)

ON DECEMBER 12, 2012 , SHORTLY AFTER SUNSET, MY WIFE AND I WERE DRIVING ON A RURAL ROAD AT ABOUT 30 MPH. I WAS IN THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT. I REACHED OVER TO SWITCH THE RADIO FROM SIRIUS TO FM, BUT INADVERTENTLY HIT THE ENGINE ON/OFF BUTTON, LOCATED ABOUT 2 CM FROM THE RADIO BUTTON. WHEN I HIT THE BUTTON, THE ENGINE WENT OFF, …

Read full complaint

ON DECEMBER 12, 2012 , SHORTLY AFTER SUNSET, MY WIFE AND I WERE DRIVING ON A RURAL ROAD AT ABOUT 30 MPH. I WAS IN THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT. I REACHED OVER TO SWITCH THE RADIO FROM SIRIUS TO FM, BUT INADVERTENTLY HIT THE ENGINE ON/OFF BUTTON, LOCATED ABOUT 2 CM FROM THE RADIO BUTTON. WHEN I HIT THE BUTTON, THE ENGINE WENT OFF, WE LOST ALL INTERNAL AND EXTERNAL LIGHTS, AND THE CAR SLOWED DRAMATICALLY. IT WAS TERRIFYING. WE MANAGED TO PULL THE CAR TO SIDE OF THE ROAD. HAD WE BEEN ON A MAJOR HIGHWAY, A MAJOR COLLISION AND PILE-UP LIKELY WOULD HAVE FOLLOWED. WHEN WE REPORTED THE INCIDENT TO THE DEALERSHIP, IT INITIALLY CLAIMED THE CAR'S INTERNAL CONTROLS WOULD PREVENT THE ENGINE FROM TURNING OFF WHILE THE CAR WAS MOVING BUT SUBSEQUENT DEALER TESTS DISCLOSED EVEN A SLIGHT TOUCH OF THE POWER BUTTON SHUT OFF ALL POWER. I REPORTED IT TO BUICK AND BUICK ASKED THE DEALER TO RECONFIRM THE TESTS, WHICH IT DID. THE DEALERSHIP SEEMED VERY CONCERNED ABOUT THE SAFETY PROBLEM BUT SAID BUICK NEEDED TO RESOLVE THE ISSUE. BUICK SAID THE CAR OPERATED AS DESIGNED AND THERE WAS NOTHING MORE IT COULD DO. I AM NOT SATISFIED WITH BUICK'S RESPONSE; NOR SHOULD THIS AGENCY. AT THE TIME OF PURCHASE, I WAS GIVEN NO WARNING ABOUT THIS POTENTIALLY LIFE THREATENING HAZARD. ALTHOUGH THE DRIVERS' MANUAL CONTAINS MANY HIGHLIGHTED WARNINGS, IT ONLY MENTIONS THE ENGINE SHUT OFF IN PASSING. QUOTING 9-18 OF THE DRIVERS' MANUAL: "DO NOT TURN OFF THE ENGINE WHEN THE VEHICLE IS MOVING. THIS WILL CAUSE A LOSS POWER ASSIST IN THE BRAKE AND STEERING SYSTEMS AND DISABLE THE AIRBAG." NOTHING ELSE WAS SAID. THE CLOSE PROXIMITY OF THE PRIMARY CONTROL FOR RADIO CHANNEL SELECTION TO THE POWER BUTTON, AND THE POTENTIALLY LETHAL CONSEQUENCES OF INADVERTENTLY HITTING THE POWER BUTTON IS AN INHERENTLY DANGEROUS DESIGN FLAW. THE LACK OF EXPLICIT WARNINGS EXACERBATES THIS ALREADY SERIOUS PROBLEM. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10496411

200 miles · Oct 15, 2012
Service BrakesVehicle Speed Control

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 BUICK REGAL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 5 MPH, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED INDEPENDENTLY. THE BRAKE WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED AT THE TIME OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE BUT THE WARNING LIGHT REMAINED ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSP…

Read full complaint

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 BUICK REGAL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 5 MPH, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED INDEPENDENTLY. THE BRAKE WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED AT THE TIME OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE BUT THE WARNING LIGHT REMAINED ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION OR REPAIRS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED BUT PROVIDED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 200.

NHTSA ODI #10480187

9,135 miles · Sep 21, 2012
Engine

TL* 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 …

Read full complaint

TL* 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.

NHTSA ODI #10476686

Mileage unknown · Sep 11, 2012
TiresWheels

AFTER MUCH RESEARCH I FOUND THERE IS NO COMPACT SPARE TIRE AND WHEELS FOR THE GRAND SPORT VERSION OF THE 2012 BUICK REGAL ANYWHERE I COULD FIND. THEY ONLY PROVIDE AN INFLATER KIT. MY LAST 3 FLATS COULD NOT BE REPAIRED WITH THE INFLATER BECAUSE OF THE TYPE DAMAGE. NO WRITTEN DOCUMENTATION THAT I HAVE OBTAINED STATED THIS FACT. TH…

Read full complaint

AFTER MUCH RESEARCH I FOUND THERE IS NO COMPACT SPARE TIRE AND WHEELS FOR THE GRAND SPORT VERSION OF THE 2012 BUICK REGAL ANYWHERE I COULD FIND. THEY ONLY PROVIDE AN INFLATER KIT. MY LAST 3 FLATS COULD NOT BE REPAIRED WITH THE INFLATER BECAUSE OF THE TYPE DAMAGE. NO WRITTEN DOCUMENTATION THAT I HAVE OBTAINED STATED THIS FACT. THE PROBLEM IS THAT WE HAVE FAMILY IN THE MIDDLE OF PENNSLYVANIA AND HAVE TO TRAVEL THROUGH THE MOUNTAINS WHERE THERE IS NO CELL PHONE CONDUCTIVITY (THAT ELIMINATES THE ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE) A REGULAR TRIP IS FOR THANKSGIVING AND WE HAVE EXPERIENCED SOME EXTREME WEATHER DURING SOME OFF THESE TRIPS WITH MINIMAL TRAFFIC DUE TO THE WEATHER. THEREFORE WE COULD HAVE A FLAT AND BE STRANDED DURING A SNOW STORM. I BELIEVE THIS IS AN UNSAFE CONDITION.. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10475005

19 miles · Aug 22, 2012
Electrical SystemPower Train

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 BUICK REGAL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE RPMS IDLES HIGH AND THE VEHICLE FAILED TO ACCELERATE OVER 45MPH. ALSO, THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE DOORS FAILED TO UNLOCK WITH THE REMOTE CONTROL AND AS A RESULT, SHE HAD TO USE THE KEY TO UNLOCK THE DOORS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER SEVERA…

Read full complaint

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 BUICK REGAL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE RPMS IDLES HIGH AND THE VEHICLE FAILED TO ACCELERATE OVER 45MPH. ALSO, THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE DOORS FAILED TO UNLOCK WITH THE REMOTE CONTROL AND AS A RESULT, SHE HAD TO USE THE KEY TO UNLOCK THE DOORS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER SEVERAL TIMES WHO WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE BUT DECIDED TO REPROGRAMMED THE VEHICLE COMPUTER SYSTEM AS A SAFETY PRECAUTION. THE REMEDY FAILED TO REPAIR THE PROBLEM. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 19 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 1,200.

NHTSA ODI #10471904

220 miles · May 8, 2012
Equipment

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 BUICK REGAL GS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TIRE PRESSURE INDICATOR STICKER, LOCATED ON THE FRONT DRIVER'S DOOR, SPECIFIED TO INFLATE THE TIRES TO 80 POUNDS PER SQUARE INCH. THE CONTACT NOTIFIED THE TIRE MANUFACTURER, WHO STATED THAT THE TIRE LABEL INFORMATION WAS INCORRECT AND THE CORRECT TIRE PRESSU…

Read full complaint

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 BUICK REGAL GS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TIRE PRESSURE INDICATOR STICKER, LOCATED ON THE FRONT DRIVER'S DOOR, SPECIFIED TO INFLATE THE TIRES TO 80 POUNDS PER SQUARE INCH. THE CONTACT NOTIFIED THE TIRE MANUFACTURER, WHO STATED THAT THE TIRE LABEL INFORMATION WAS INCORRECT AND THE CORRECT TIRE PRESSURE WAS 38 POUNDS PER SQUARE INCH. THE MANUFACTURER OF THE VEHICLE WAS NOTIFIED AND WAS UNABLE TO PROVIDE ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 220.

NHTSA ODI #10457805

Official recalls

7

26V113000 · Suspension:rear

Feb 26, 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 suspension toe links may have received improper corrosion protection, which can result in rear toe link fracture.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: Rear toe link fracture can cause a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: 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 20V764, 21V633, and 21V00F.

21V00F000 · Suspension:rear

Dec 22, 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 Wisconsin. These vehicles may have rear toe links that received an improper amount of electrocoating (e-coat) corrosion protection, which could cause the e-coat to become brittle and break away when contacted by road debris. Over time, the e-coat may chip away, exposing the metal toe link and making it more susceptible to corrosion. Corrosion may eventually cause the toe link to thin and ultimately fracture.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: A rear toe link fracture may reduce the driver's ability to control the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: 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 N212346640. This recall is an expansion of NHTSA recalls 20V-764 and 21V-633.

20V764000 · Suspension:rear

Dec 21, 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 Wisconsin. These vehicles may have rear toe links that received excessive electrocoating (e-coat) corrosion protection, which could cause the e-coat to become brittle and break away when contacted by road debris. Over time, the e-coat may chip away, exposing the metal toe link and making it more susceptible to corrosion. Corrosion may eventually cause the toe link to thin and ultimately to fracture.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: A rear toe link fracture may reduce the driver's ability to control the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: 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 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 N202308930.

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.

13V173000 · Electrical System

May 6, 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.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: If the vehicle is continued to be driven, the engine may stall and/or the vehicle may not start. In addition, there may be a burning or melting odor, smoke, and possibly a fire in the trunk.

Remedy: 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.

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.

12V093000 · Exterior Lighting

Mar 7, 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.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: 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.

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

2

AQ14001 · Sands Chevrolet/hybrid System Fire/stall

Opened May 2, 2014 · Closed May 22, 2016

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Electrical System

NHTSA opened AQ14-001 to determine whether Sands Chevrolet of Surprise, Arizona complied with the requirements of the National Traffic and Motor Vehicle Safety Act, 49 U.S.C. Chapter 301 (Safety Act) and its implementing regulations. The Safety Act requires, among other things, that a manufacturer notify its dealers of defects related to motor vehicle safety and non-compliances with Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards and, in turn, that a dealer not sell and deliver a new vehicle subject to a recall unless the recall remedy has been performed (49 U.S.C. ?? 30112(a), 30120(i)).NHTSA issued an information request (IR) letter to Sands Chevrolet on May 5, 2014.Sands Chevrolet responded to this request on May 22, 2014.To ensure NHTSA?s information request encompassed all possible reference codes for General Motors recall 13V-173, NHTSA issued another IR letter to Sands Chevrolet on June 8, 2015.Again, a response letter was received on June 9, 2015.NHTSA?s investigation indicated that Sands Chevrolet did sell and deliver recalled vehicles that did not have the recall remedy completed at the time the vehicles were delivered to the customers.NHTSA therefore concluded that Sands Chevrolet was liable for civil penalties for violations of the Safety Act, pursuant to 49 U.S.C. ? 30165.Under a Settlement Agreement dated March 24, 2016, Sands Chevrolet represented that it improved its processes to verify that it checks every vehicle for recalls prior to delivery to the purchaser and that it has not sold and delivered any unremedied new motor vehicles since June 9, 2015.Sands Chevrolet also represented that it now also checks for open recalls on every customer vehicle brought in for service, and that it checks for open recalls on every used trade-in vehicle, regardless of make or model, and takes steps to have all used trade-in vehicles repaired prior to retail sale. Sands Chevrolet admitted to violating the law and must pay civil penalties in the amount of $40,000.This Audit Query is closed.

RQ13003 · Generator Control Module Fires

Opened Jul 5, 2013 · Closed Jul 22, 2014

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Electrical System:propulsion System:traction Battery

On July 5, 2013 the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened Recall Query RQ13-003 to investigate whether the service procedures utilized in recall bulletins 13136 and 13142 for safety recall 13V-173 were sufficient to identify the safety defect in the subject vehicles.These safety recalls were issue on May 3, 2013 to address the improper function of the Generator Control Module (GCM) in certain model year (MY) 2012-13 Buick LaCrosse and Regal and MY 2013 Chevrolet Malibu Eco equipped with eAssist.This condition may result in a loss of battery charge, engine stall and/or inability for the vehicle to start.In severe cases it may also lead to odor, smoke and possibly a fire in the trunk.During discussions with General Motors (GM), ODI was informed that the subject vehicles could be separated into 4 distinct build populations, or groups. Group A contained vehicles built from the start of production through 3/19/2012.Group B involved vehicles built from 3/20/2012 to 8/20/2012, group C from 8/21/2012 to 12/31/12, and group D from 1/1/2013 onwards.Bulletin 13136 instructed dealers to inspect and, if necessary, replace the GCM for vehicles in groups A or C.Bulletin 13142 instructed dealers to replace the GCM of any vehicle in group B.Group D vehicles were not recalled.All eAssist vehicles have a Powerpack which contains a BAS (belt alternator-starter) Power Inverter Module (BPIM)/Accessory Power Module (APM) and a 115-V Lithium-Ion battery.The Powerpack is known by GM's Part Description System as the GCM and Battery Module. The BPIM/APM contains 3 multi-layered printed circuit boards (PCBs) comprised of conductive layers separated by isolating layers.Vehicles built within the time periods of groups A and B had PCBs using single isolation layers.Vehicles build in group C had dual isolation layers on 1 of the 3 PCBs, and group D had all 3 PCBs built with dual insulation.Adding dual insulation to a PCB makes it more robust to material and manufacturing variations, and ultimately less susceptible to an electrical short circuit and subsequent failure.Through initial analysis of the GCM failures, GM identified that vehicles within group B contained PCBs that were contaminated during production due to increased production volumes that resulted in inadequate quality control.GM also noted that GCM failures occurred early in the life of the vehicle (typically <1000 miles).Therefore a service procedure was developed to replicate early life failures by subjecting the GCM to high current loads which would cause the identified failure mechanism (copper migration) to occur quickly and reveal any underlying PCB defect.Although groups A and C were built with PCBs containing single layer PCBs, they were built using better quality control, and as the data supports, experienced significantly lower failures.GM advised that for these reasons the two different service procedures were used in the Recall 13V-173 population.In response to ODI's Information Request (IR) GM submitted 234 unique reports related to the alleged problem. It was noted that 197 (84%) of the received reports fell into the group B population.The 2 fire incidents noted were events in which flames were evident and/or damage was experienced outside of the GCM. Both of these incidents involved group B vehicles. One hundred four warranty claims were also submitted in response to the IR, with 96 claims (92%) from group B.It was also noted that none of the claims from groups A or C occurred after the service procedure was conducted, and that the majority of the A or C incidents occurred during the service procedure.Given the data, ODI believes the ser