NHTSA — Exterior Lighting Problems

2012 Buick Regal (Page 1 of 2)

10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
1 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
52,479 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2012 Buick Regal lights problems

lights problem

Find something helpful? Spread the word.
Get notified about new defects, investigations, recalls & lawsuits for the 2012 Buick Regal:

Unsubscribe any time. We don't sell/share your email.

2012 Buick Regal Owner Comments (Page 1 of 2)

problem #28

Oct 282021

Regal

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

I previously reported an issue with a he condensation in the driver side headlight which every one of these models with the hid headlights has this issue. Now it is becoming a safety issue as both headlights are doing it and are randomly going off while driving I almost hit a telephone pole with my infant in the car this is an extremely common issue with these vehicles and Buick has no fix they even stopped producing the replacement headlights this is an extremely dangerous issue I-€™ve made both nhsta and Buick aware of these issues and if nothings done to rectify them and something happens I will pursue legal action

- Colonie, NY, USA

problem #27

Aug 252020

Regal

  • miles
The headlight area had condensation in it that resulted in water in the headlight. This caused the headlight to go dark. This is a safety issue as one of my headlights is not working. I can-€™t see that section of the road or adjacent sidelines. Very dangerous particularly at this time of year with deer running into road from the side. There are many other regal owners with this problem which can be verified by googling the problem. This is the second time the light has failed for condensation. Other drivers and pedestrians are at risk because they cannot be seen with the headlight out. Headlight was replaced once and has failed again. Cost to repair 2 years ago $1600 new estimate $1800. This is for one headlight but recommended to replace both.

- Hampton, NJ, USA

problem #26

Feb 072022

Regal

  • miles
The driver side headlamp assembly has a faulty seal which allows water to leak inside the housing under normal daily conditions. When this happens the water leaks down through the assembly where the headlight ballast is mounted, causing water to collect in the ballast, and killing it (making the headlight go out) as well as the electrical components that power the L.E.D. daytime running lights also making those stop functioning. There is no quick and easy fix for this, as the headlamp assembly must be replaced to restore the headlight because even replacing the burned out ballast will only provide light temporarily again until that too is again destroyed by water. Because there is no good alternative available with an aftermarket replacement, I was forced to purchase an entirely new assembly which cost $1,505 and took months to save and be able to afford. This is a manufacturing flaw that should have been recalled and addressed. My warranty does not cover any damage due to water, so I had to pay for this myself, along with many many other people with the same issue. Having my headlight randomly stop working was a dangerous situation to be put into.

- Mechanicville, NY, USA

problem #25

May 212022

Regal

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Moisture in headlights causes light to fail while driving.

- Bel Air, MD, USA

problem #24

Oct 012021

Regal

  • miles
The contact's uncle owns a 2012 Buick Regal. The contact stated that the front headlights were burned out. The contact was unsure whether there was a warning light illuminated. The contact did not provide further information. The contact stated that the vehicle was taken to an unknown dealer who diagnosed that there was condensation in the frontal headlights and that the front headlight assemblies needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to the dealer. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was unknown.

- Roselle, IL, USA

Search CarComplaints.com for these popular complaint phrases...

problem #23

Oct 012021

Regal

  • 78,000 miles
The contact owns a 2012 Buick Regal. The contact stated that the driver-€™s side headlight assembly developed condensation inside causing the light bulb to blow out. The contact indicated that the entire headlight assembly needed to be replaced to fix the failure. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The manufacturer and the local dealer were notified of the failure, but no assistance was offered. The failure mileage was 78,000.

- Colonie, NY, USA

problem #22

Apr 302021

Regal

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Headlight housing leaks water into headlight. This appears to be a problem with this vehicle as I read numerous complaints about this.

- Carolina, RI, USA

problem #21

Aug 062020

Regal

  • miles
Issue with the condensation/water getting inside our HID headlights. Have replaced once and now they are both full of water again. Dealer refuses to cover as a defect. VERY expensive to repair. Huge safety issue because lights can fail at any time going down a dark road! Safety to thers as they may not see me coming.

- Virginia Beach, VA, USA

problem #20

Jun 182019

Regal

  • 99,000 miles
The front headlights get water in them and fogs up..causing your headlights to look dim at night.

- Mentor, OH, USA

problem #19

Feb 102021

Regal

  • 65,000 miles
My passenger headlight went out and did know till I got a ticket. I have taken it to a repair shop for repair two times and they found that it is not sealed properly. There is corrosion under the headlight assembly due to it collecting water. How can this be fixed I have heard that this is a big issue please advise on what can be done to help everyone affected.

- Rochester, NY, USA

problem #18

Jan 262020

Regal

  • 53,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Water seems to be leaking in headlights, causing blowout headlight hid.

- Ronkonkoma, NY, USA

problem #17

Apr 182020

Regal

  • 10,128 miles
Both headlights went out while driving at night. Mechanic told me I needed new ballast.

- Atlanta, GA, USA

problem #16

Sep 182020

Regal

  • 159,400 miles
Condensation/water getting inside hid headlight option TF4

- New Franklin, OH, USA

problem #15

Mar 022020

Regal

  • 115,000 miles
Condensation in headlight causing the bulb to quit. Get new bulb for $150, change bulb, it rains, it happens again. Am told a new assembly is $1500. This is a common issue with this vehicle. Seems like it should be fixed by Buick.

- Fenton, MI, USA

problem #14

Oct 032020

Regal

  • 88,450 miles
In the 2 years I've owned this vehicle, I have had to replace both rear turn signal bulbs 4 times. The socket looks melted. On October 3, 2020...the front passenger seat adjustment stopped working. It can recline back, but not return to the upright position

- Garner, NC, USA

problem #13

Jun 192018

Regal 4-cyl

  • 62,427 miles
My hid headlight assembly has a seal leak, causing moisture to form in it every morning which results in the headlight electrical and headlight to burn out. The first time it was the drivers side, now the passenger side. The consequence is that inadequate lighting may reduce the visibility of the driver, thus increasing the risk of a crash. It should have been under the manufacture warranty.

- Cooper City, FL, USA

problem #12

Nov 102019

Regal

  • 145,000 miles
Hid driver headlight assembly became full of condensation and stopped working. Quote from dealer to replace entire assembly is $1800.

- West Saint Paul, MN, USA

problem #11

Jan 032020

Regal

  • 50,000 miles
Hid driver headlight assembly became full of condensation and stopped working. Quote from dealer to replace entire assembly is $700 plus labor.

- Pittsburgh, PA, USA

problem #10

Nov 152019

Regal

  • 70,000 miles
Both headlights let water from rain in. Both hid bulbs have been replaced several times. I've had headlights go out at night. Had to park car and call someone to come pick me up. GM needs to fix this problem before someone gets killed from there headlights going completely out at night and causing an accident.

- Brodhead, KY, USA

problem #9

Nov 152019

Regal

  • 98,000 miles
Right hid headlamp assembly contains moisture and prematurely wears out ballast. Even after replacing ballast and removing moisture it has slowly started to reappear on the inside of the headlamp assembly.

- Xenia, OH, USA

Read the next 8 complaints »

Not what you are looking for?