Buick Regal Exterior Lighting Problems
Owners have filed 196 complaints with NHTSA about exterior lighting problems on the Buick Regal across 17 model years. The 2011 model year has the most (38). The words owners use most often: “headlight assembly” (13% of reports).
- 196exterior lighting complaints
- —median miles at failure
- 2mention a crash
- 2mention an injury
- 7related recalls
- $1,650typical repair cost reported by owners
- 45%of reports with a speed happened at 50+ mph
What owners describe
Phrases that appear unusually often in these complaints compared with complaints about other cars.
- Headlight assembly: mentioned in 26 of 196 complaints (13%)
- Turn signal: mentioned in 26 of 196 complaints (13%)
- Low beam: mentioned in 10 of 196 complaints (5%)
How much does it cost to fix?
Owners who wrote down what they paid or were quoted put the typical exterior lighting repair on the Buick Regal at $1,650, and half of them between $1,300 and $2,000.
Based on 17 NHTSA complaints about this problem alone that state a repair bill or quote (2000–2024), converted to 2026 dollars with the U.S. consumer price index. These are owners' own figures, not a quote: they include dealer quotes, and owners who file complaints often faced larger repairs, so they can run higher than typical shop prices. Prices vary by shop, region and warranty coverage. How we calculate this.
At what mileage do exterior lighting problems happen?
Based on 120 complaints that reported the odometer reading.
How serious are the reports?
Of 196 complaints, 2 mention a crash, 4 a fire, 2 an injury.
Buick Regal exterior lighting complaints by model year
| Model year | Exterior Lighting complaints | Share of that year | Median miles |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2017 Regal | 2 | 10% | 41,000 |
| 2016 Regal | 6 | 15% | 25,700 |
| 2015 Regal | 8 | 24% | 29,750 |
| 2014 Regal | 3 | 8% | — |
| 2013 Regal | 37 | 41% | 63,000 |
| 2012 Regal | 33 | 36% | 66,000 |
| 2011 Regal | 38 | 14% | 79,500 |
| 2004 Regal | 1 | 2% | 114,000 |
| 2003 Regal | 5 | 5% | 68,500 |
| 2002 Regal | 6 | 5% | 97,500 |
| 2001 Regal | 6 | 3% | 72,445 |
| 2000 Regal | 7 | 4% | 20,000 |
| 1999 Regal | 7 | 3% | 97,000 |
| 1998 Regal | 22 | 7% | 99,000 |
| 1997 Regal | 8 | 6% | 87,500 |
| 1996 Regal | 4 | 2% | — |
| 1995 Regal | 3 | 2% | — |
When owners reported it
Related recalls (7)
Exterior lighting:turn signal
Model years: 2011, 2012, 2013
Problem: 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."
Risk: 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.
Fix: 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.
Exterior lighting
Model years: 2012
Problem: 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 âlamps, reflective devices and associated equipment.â due to a software error, the parking lamps do not activate when either the parking lamps or headlamps are turned on.
Risk: Inadequate lighting could reduce the visibility of the vehicle, increasing the potential for a crash.
Fix: 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.
Exterior lighting:headlights
Model years: 1999
Problem: Certain passenger vehicles do not conform to the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 108, "lamps, reflective devices, and associated equipment." some of these vehicles do not meet the overhead sign illumination requirements.
Risk: Less illumination may reduce the ability of the driver to read overhead signs when driving at night.
Fix: Dealers will install new low beam headlamp bulbs in both of the headlamp assemblies. The recall began on september 8, 2004. Owners should contact buick at 1-866-608-8080. Note: if the bulb needs replacement in the future, gm bulb number 89024715 is available from a dealer, or the equivalent sylvania bulb is 9006hp, with orange lettering on the bulb.
Exterior lighting:headlights
Model years: 1998, 1999
Problem: Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. These vehicles do not conform to the requirements of fmvss no. 108, "lamps, reflective devices, and associated equipment." the vertical head lamp adjusting device may not be calibrated properly.
Risk: Driver visibility may be impaired increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Owners will be provided with an owner's manual insert containing instructions for optically aiming the headlamps.
Exterior lighting:headlights
Model years: 1997, 1998
Problem: Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. The owner manuals do not contain the requirement information pertaining to the vehicle headlamp aiming device. This does not comply with requirements of fmvss no. 108, "lamps, reflective devices, and associated equipment."
Risk: If the headlamp assemblies are replaced, customers may not be able to properly aim the headlights.
Fix: Owners will be mailed an owner manual's insert which contains the appropriate information.
Exterior lighting
Model years: 1995
Problem: Incorrect clear front side marker bulbs were installed rather than amber bulbs. This does not conform to the requirements of fmvss no. 108, "lamps, reflective devices, and associated equipment."
Risk: Consequence of non-compliance: during illumination, the bulbs will show clear rather than amber and could momentarily confuse other drivers.
Fix: Dealers will replace the clear bulbs with the correct amber bulbs.
Exterior lighting
Model years: 1995
Problem: The vehicles were assembled with an incorrect front park/turn signal bulb which does not have sufficient candle power. This does not comply with fmvss no. 108, "lamps, reflective devices, and associated equipment."
Risk: Consequence of non-compliance: operators could fail to notice and heed the warning labels. Reduces candle power on the park/turn lights decreases the liklihood of vehicle operator's intent being seen by other motorists.
Fix: Dealers will replace the incorrect bulb with the correct bulb.
What owners report
Short excerpts of recent complaints, with personal details removed. Full reports are on NHTSA.gov.
There is a water seal leak around the driver side headlight. I have photos showing proof of standing water. It has now caused the headlight, left turn signal, and drivers side brake light to fail. My passenger side headlight is doing the same. I have no headlights, no driverside lights period. I…
I purchased the 2016 Buick Regal used in 2021 with 40,000 miles., it now has close to 70,000 miles. Itâs still in well cared for mint condition, except for the driver side headlight. Condensation appeared and has been getting worse, dealership says the only option is buying another complete…
2nd bad headlamp assembly that develops moisture and causes lamp to go out. First was passenger side now driver side
The contact owns a 2013 Buick Regal. The contact stated that the front driver's side headlight was replaced by the dealer six years ago. The contact stated that the front passenger's side front headlight was inoperable and replaced three years ago; however, the contact stated that the front…
Driver side headlamp draws moisture, keeps blowing bulbs at 104.99 a pop. Water gets in the headlight assembly and shorts out the ballast. This happens even when driving down the road at random. It could be pitch black and suddenly you have no headlights and are forced to drive with only fog lamps
Frequently asked questions
Do all Buick Regals have exterior lighting problems?
No. NHTSA has 196 owner complaints about exterior lighting for the Buick Regal. Complaint data shows that the problem is reported, not how many of all cars sold are affected.
Was there a recall on the Buick Regal exterior lighting?
Yes: 7 safety recalls list exterior lighting. Check your VIN on NHTSA.gov to see whether the fix was done on your car.
How much does it cost to fix exterior lighting problems on the Buick Regal?
Owners report a typical cost of $1,650 (half paid between $1,300 and $2,000), from 17 complaints that state a repair bill or quote, in 2026 dollars.
What do owners say about exterior lighting problems on the Buick Regal?
The most frequent phrase is “headlight assembly”, in 26 of 196 complaints, followed by “turn signal” (26).
Other Buick Regal problems
- Electrical System problems (487)
- Engine problems (421)
- Engine and Engine Cooling problems (293)
- Steering problems (279)
- Service Brakes, Hydraulic problems (177)
- Power Train problems (157)
- Air Bags problems (134)
- Visibility problems (108)
See all Buick Regal problems.