NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
What owners actually said
91 reports100,000 miles · May 31, 2023
Engine And Engine Cooling
The contact owns a 2013 Buick Regal. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, there was a squeaking sound coming from the vehicle. While inspecting under the hood of the vehicle, it was discovered that the tensioner pully was very loose. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer who indicated that the pulley need…
Read full complaint
The contact owns a 2013 Buick Regal. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, there was a squeaking sound coming from the vehicle. While inspecting under the hood of the vehicle, it was discovered that the tensioner pully was very loose. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer who indicated that the pulley needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The contact indicated that the tensioner pulley had been replaced on three previous occasions. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was offered. The local dealer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 100,000.
NHTSA ODI #11524606
Mileage unknown · Mar 23, 2023
Electrical SystemEngineExterior Lighting
Left Headlamp Assembly and Driver’s Window Regulator were replaced under Warranty and now need replacing again! Trim Strips were replaced under Warranty because they were rusting and now they are all rusty again! Electrical System now blows fuses. 2103 Buick Regal Turbo just reached 60,000 miles. HOW MANY TIMES WILL I HAVE TO S…
Read full complaint
Left Headlamp Assembly and Driver’s Window Regulator were replaced under Warranty and now need replacing again! Trim Strips were replaced under Warranty because they were rusting and now they are all rusty again! Electrical System now blows fuses. 2103 Buick Regal Turbo just reached 60,000 miles. HOW MANY TIMES WILL I HAVE TO SPEND $2,000 TO FIX THE FAULTY LEFT HEADLAMP ASSEMBLY WHICH WAS GOING ON IN 2011 & 2012? There’s Complaints all over online!!!! I haven’t been able to go out at night for 6 months because of no front headlight!!!!! I have been to 3 Buick Dealers and they all have no idea how long this $2K light assembly will last because it should have been recalled!!! The lastest Buick Dealer was trying to steal my vehicle by saying the “Check Engine” light indicated that I am going to have all kinds of problems with my turbo or engine (he wasn’t sure what it was) and that my car was not worth keeping!!! I should get a new car! I asked him how much to take care of the engine problems and he said $3,500. So with the supposed engine problem & headlamp, that’s $5K. I SHOULD BUY A NEW CAR PER DIXIE BUICK IN FORT MYERS, FL!! The other Dealerships said it was likely just a sensor since the car was not running rough and there was no hurry to have the “Check Engine” Light looked at by their mechanics!!! They felt waiting 2 weeks until they could schedule an appointment for me was fine. BUICK NEEDS TO RECALL THEIR LEFT HEADLAMP ASSEMBLY WHICH WAS A KNOWN PROBLEM YEARS BEFORE MANUFACTURING THEIR 2013 REGALS AND GET RID OF THEIR SLEAZY RIPOFF SERVICE REP’S!!!
NHTSA ODI #11513462
Mileage unknown · Mar 6, 2023
Exterior LightingUnknown Or Other
Left Headlamp Assembly and Driver’s Window Regulator were replaced under Warranty and now have reoccurred and both need replacing again. My car just reach 60K miles. This began 6 months ago so I haven’t been able to drive at night or during storms nor crack my window to talk to strangers. I am a Realtor and feel my safety is …
Read full complaint
Left Headlamp Assembly and Driver’s Window Regulator were replaced under Warranty and now have reoccurred and both need replacing again. My car just reach 60K miles. This began 6 months ago so I haven’t been able to drive at night or during storms nor crack my window to talk to strangers. I am a Realtor and feel my safety is at risk. This headlight problem was going on in 2011 & 2012 yet Buick continued to use this headlamp assembly, knowing it fills with moisture then blows the bulb & fuse. With all the online Complaints, I am shocked that our government has not forced Buick to do a recall. I could kill someone or hit something with only one headlight!!!! Very concerned when my 4-year-old grandson is in my car too! Both problems are on the driver’s side and both keep reoccurring. The Headlight Assembly is almost $2K to replace. How many times am I going to have to pay for this reoccurring safety issue that Buick knew they should have redesigned years earlier? I may be reached at: [XXX] INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).
NHTSA ODI #11510447
112,000 miles · Sep 30, 2022
Suspension
The contact owns a 2013 Buick Regal. The contact stated that while driving around curves, the vehicle felt wobbly and unstable. No warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed. The dealer was not notified of the failure. The contact stated that she received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 20V764000 (Suspen…
Read full complaint
The contact owns a 2013 Buick Regal. The contact stated that while driving around curves, the vehicle felt wobbly and unstable. No warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed. The dealer was not notified of the failure. The contact stated that she received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 20V764000 (Suspension). The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that there was no recall associated with the VIN. The failure mileage was approximately 112,000.
NHTSA ODI #11487209
Mileage unknown · Sep 19, 2022
Suspension
I made a right hand turn on a 25 mph street in my vehicle and the butt end of my vehicle kicked out and i temporarily lost control of my vehicle. I then heard a high pitch squealing and a thud. I was able to gain control of my vehicle and safely pull into a parking lot where my i saw my rear pass side tire jammed into the whe…
Read full complaint
I made a right hand turn on a 25 mph street in my vehicle and the butt end of my vehicle kicked out and i temporarily lost control of my vehicle. I then heard a high pitch squealing and a thud. I was able to gain control of my vehicle and safely pull into a parking lot where my i saw my rear pass side tire jammed into the wheel well. I had my vehicle towed to the dealership Classic Painesville as it is under warranty. I found out that the toe link fractured due to corrosion and bent the passenger side trailing arm when it snapped. My warranty company will not cover the 1650 dollar repair due to corrosion, and the dealership will not cover the safety recall since my VIN is not listed under the recall notice. I pointed out that the General motors website motorsafety.org provides details on the "salt belt: area concerning this same issue. 2012 – 2013 Buick Regal 2013 Chevrolet Malibu 2010 – 2013 Buick Lacrosse Recall summary The recall concerns the toe links at the rear underside of the car, which hold the rear wheels straight. The toe links are coated to protect them from road debris and corrosion, but the supplier applied too much coating, paradoxically making the protective layer more likely to chip off. GM has issued the recall in specific states in the “Salt Belt,” where salt is used to de-ice roads in the winter. Without their protective coating, salt can corrode the metal toe links and cause them to break. The recall will include models that were sold or ever registered in the following states: 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, and Wisconsin. My vehicle had no previous issues and was just into the dealership for an oil, change-tire rotation and a 50 point inspection 2 wks ago. There were no warning and the failure was sudden.
NHTSA ODI #11485173
Mileage unknown · May 31, 2022
Wheels
My Buick Regal 2013 ( VIN = 2G4GS5EV6D9229705 ) has needed (3) out of the (4) wheel bearings replaced. It only has 55,000 miles. I am not clear whether a wheel bearing is a safety issue, but I believe it could be.
NHTSA ODI #11466804
Mileage unknown · May 6, 2022
Exterior Lighting
Both headlights have condensation and are not working.
NHTSA ODI #11463575
Mileage unknown · Apr 12, 2022
Exterior Lighting
Condensation in drivers headlight caused headlight malfunction. I have seen multiple posts regarding this issue that have not been addressed. Serious safety issue. No warning lights or indicators tell you light has malfunctioned either.
NHTSA ODI #11460474
Mileage unknown · Oct 15, 2021
Unknown Or Other
The car runs fine right up until it doesn't. You can be driving down the highway and all of a sudden lights start flashing on and off and it dies completely and slams on the breaks all at once! It's dangerous especially in the dark! You have no flashers or breaklights to warn other cars you are even there! Sometimes it won't eve…
Read full complaint
The car runs fine right up until it doesn't. You can be driving down the highway and all of a sudden lights start flashing on and off and it dies completely and slams on the breaks all at once! It's dangerous especially in the dark! You have no flashers or breaklights to warn other cars you are even there! Sometimes it won't even start setting in the driveway. You just have to wait a little bit and then the car will start up like nothing ever happened. I've seen recalls on other Buicks for the same thing but mine isn't on the recall list. This car is gonna get someone killed! We are afraid to sell it because we don't want someone else to get hurt! We have taken it to two different mechanics and they couldn't find anything wrong with it except the first mechanic cleared out 23 control module codes.
NHTSA ODI #11436949
Mileage unknown · Jul 29, 2021
Unknown Or Other
I HAVE ATTACHED A DOCUMENT TO THIS INCIDENT REPORT EXPLAINING THE ISSUES WE ARE FACING WITH OUR BUICK REGAL!! THE 2013 BUICK REGAL ALL MODELS NEED TO BE IMMEDIATELY RECALLED BECORE MORE PEOPLE BECOME SERIOUSLY INJURED BY THE CARELESSNESS OF GENERAL MOTORS
NHTSA ODI #11426917
Official recalls
6Feb 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.
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.
Aug 12, 2021
General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2013 Buick Regal, Chevrolet Malibu, and 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 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. Interim owner notification letters were mailed on September 30, 2021. Owner notification letters were mailed on January 3, 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 N212330130.
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.
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.
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
2AQ14001 · 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