Reliability & 5-year cost of ownership — 2012 Buick Regal
NHTSA data on file today
The 2012 Buick Regal has 7 NHTSA recall campaigns and 92 owner complaints on file as of . Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.
NCAP overall rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars, averaged across 2 NHTSA-tested trims.
Recall campaigns on file
- NHTSA #26V113000 Rear Toe Links May Fracture NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #21V00F000 Rear Toe Links May Fracture NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #20V764000 Rear Toe Links May Fracture NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #14V447000 Seat Height Adjuster Bolt may Fall out NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #13V173000 Hybrid Charging System/Possible Fire or Stall NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #12V484000 Front Turn Signal Bulbs/FMVSS 108 NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #12V093000 PARKING LAMPS/FMVSS 108 NHTSA notice
Most-cited components in owner complaints
- Exterior Lighting 33 complaints
- Engine 21 complaints
- Electrical System 18 complaints
- Suspension 11 complaints
- Service Brakes 8 complaints
- Electronic Stability Control (ESC) 7 complaints
Of the 92 complaints on file, 3 report a crash and 2 a fire; across all 92 complaints, owners report 4 injuries (owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA).
Below average
Estimated 5-year repair + maintenance cost: $6,000–$12,000AI estimate — not from NHTSA data
The 2012 Buick Regal has a mixed track record with recurring issues in suspension, electrical system, and exterior lighting. Multiple recalls highlight potential safety concerns, particularly with the rear suspension in certain regions. Owner complaints further underscore issues with these systems.
Most-common failures
| Part | Typical mileage (AI estimate) | Cost range (AI estimate) | Frequency |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rear suspension | 50,000–80,000 miles | $600–$1,500 | common |
| Electrical system | 40,000–70,000 miles | $200–$800 | common |
| Exterior lighting | 30,000–60,000 miles | $100–$300 | common |
| Engine | 70,000–100,000 miles | $1,000–$3,000 | occasional |
| Front seats | 60,000–90,000 miles | $150–$500 | occasional |
AI estimate — not from NHTSA data: the mileage bands and repair-cost ranges above. Get a written repair quote before you budget.
Scheduled maintenance to budget
Routine items every owner should plan for.
- Oil and filter change
- Brake fluid replacement
- Tire rotation and balance
- Coolant flush
- Transmission fluid change
- Air filter replacement
Warning signs to watch for
Symptoms that signal a major upcoming repair.
- Unstable handling or noises
- Check engine light flashing
- Unresponsive or dim lights
- Battery charging issues
- Erratic seat adjustment
Generated by gpt-4o on from the NHTSA recall campaigns and owner-complaint counts on file for the 2012 Buick Regal at the time. The rating is an AI assessment; cost and mileage figures are AI estimates, not NHTSA data.