2012 Buick Regal Electrical system Problems
- Complaints
- 18about this part
- Share
- 20%of 92 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 63,000miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 18 complaints about the electrical system of the 2012 Buick Regal, 20% of the 92 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 63,000 miles. 1 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers. 1 recall campaign on record is filed under a similar system.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“My vehicle battery will not hold a charge after several replacement batteries the vehicle battery is completely drained overnight and will not start. I must get a boost with cables or the battery has to be completely recharged or replaced”
NHTSA complaint #11394261, filed 2021-02, 83,000 miles“My brake pedal always get stuck depressed down in hot humid weather. You literally have to drive with two feet to lift pedal when time to accelerate. My driver seat also goes in and out when trying to adjust the seat. It will not move unless I play with the power adjuster a few times then it will maneuver. My radio also turns off and on by itself with bluetooth is connected or sometimes the radio wouldn't turn on with car running or turn off while car is off.”
NHTSA complaint #11299744, filed 2020-01, 100,000 miles“My battery seems to be losing charge. Then it will completely die. When I charge it on a battery charger for a while it would hold the charge for a a couple of days then die again. I had the battery, alternator, and starter checked and machanic stated that they are all working good. This happens randomly. The driverside power control buttons work on and off. Some days they work and others they dont, almost like a short. This also happens randomly.”
NHTSA complaint #11031942, filed 2017-10, 96,000 miles“Since I purchased and drove off from the dealership, within the first few days the car shut down on me when I was in a drive thru, and it happened times again while pulling out a parking space and drove a few feet away the car would shut off and began smelling of gas as well overtime I drove it. The dealership was not very helpful but finally kept my car a few days and said it was only the hoses which were loose. Now 4/24 my car again is making weird noises since last week and actually will not start this evening after being out and parking in a lot.”
NHTSA complaint #11203614, filed 2019-04, 76,000 miles“The car had no electrical power. Anything electrical wouldn't work. We couldn't remove the ignition key, put windows or anything. The second time I tried to use the vehicles self jump start but nothing would work. There was absolutely no power in this car at this time. My wife said at on different occasions she did smell a burning odor. We also had the digital speedometer stop working. It started working again after the car was shut off and restarted. We feel we are driving a firebomb waiting to happen and do not want anything to do with this car anymore. …”
NHTSA complaint #10725396, filed 2015-06, 39,000 milesRelated recalls
- 13V173000May 6, 2013General Motors (GM) is recalling certain model year 2012 and 2013 Buick LaCrosse and Regal, and model year 2013 Chevrolet Malibu Eco vehicles equipped with…Covers: Buick Regal 2012–2013, Lacrosse 2012–2013, Chevrolet Malibu Eco 2013
Related service bulletins
- 11024324Sep 4, 2025This Warranty Administration service bulletin provides Lithium-Ion battery Exchange Process and Transaction Submission information.
- 11023365May 14, 2025This Warranty Administration service bulletin provides Lithium-Ion battery Exchange Process and Transaction Submission information.
- 11017252Mar 28, 2025This service bulletin provides information for dealers/technicians on OnStar Module 2G Sunset Information.
- 11017031Mar 12, 2025This service bulletin provides information to diagnose batteries that have set for a long period of time and/or cold weather climates and testing those batteries.
- 11014230Jan 31, 2025This bulletin advises the dealers to maintain the vehicle stock on hand by doing a full inspection on the vehicles before being sold (prepping) to the customer.
- 11013239Jan 14, 2025This Warranty Administration service bulletin provides Lithium-Ion battery Exchange Process and Transaction Submission information.
- 11013069Jan 9, 2025This bulletin provides information on identifying Non-GM Engine Calibrations for Gasoline Engines using the Tech 2 or GDS 2.
- 11012678Dec 12, 2024This Warranty Administration service bulletin provides Lithium-Ion battery Exchange Process and Transaction Submission information.
- 11011805Dec 6, 2024This Preliminary information communicates a GM part number for reflective high temperature heat or insulating tape when repairing wiring harnesses.
- 11011896Nov 21, 2024This Warranty Administration service bulletin provides Lithium-Ion battery Exchange Process and Transaction Submission information.
Electrical system: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | 7 | 35% |
| 2018 | 3 | 16% |
| 2017 | 3 | 15% |
| 2016 | 6 | 15% |
| 2015 | 5 | 15% |
| 2014 | 6 | 16% |
| 2013 | 36 | 40% |
| 2012 | 18 | 20% |
| 2011 | 75 | 27% |
| 2004 | 35 | 53% |
| 2003 | 35 | 35% |
| 2002 | 36 | 31% |
| 2001 | 32 | 17% |
| 2000 | 42 | 23% |
| 1999 | 42 | 17% |
| 1998 | 51 | 17% |
| 1997 | 18 | 13% |
| 1996 | 24 | 12% |
| 1995 | 10 | 6% |
| 1994 | 17 | 15% |
| 1993 | 8 | 9% |
| 1992 | 13 | 9% |
| 1991 | 12 | 6% |
| 1990 | 4 | 5% |
| 1989 | 14 | 13% |
| 1988 | 5 | 4% |
| 1985 | 1 | 11% |
| 1984 | 1 | 17% |
Other parts of the 2012 Buick Regal
33 complaintsEngine
21 complaintsSuspension
11 complaintsBrakes
9 complaintsElectronic stability control
7 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
7 complaintsOther or unknown
6 complaintsSeats
6 complaintsVehicle speed control
6 complaintsBody and structure
4 complaintsEquipment
2 complaintsFuel system
2 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2012 Buick Regal
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology