Carlexica

2013 Buick Regal: problems, recalls and reliability

6 recalls and 91 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is exterior lighting (36% of complaints); the 2014 and 2015 model years look more trouble-free.

Data updated weekly · latest recall Feb 2026

6
recalls
91
owner complaints
2
fire reports
60,600
typical failure mileage, mi

All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.

NHTSA crash testOverall ★★★★★Front ★★★★Side ★★★★★Rollover ★★★★
5-star NHTSA overall safety ratingWeak spot: exterior lighting (36%)2 fire reports

Common problems

Computed from 91 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.

Exterior Lighting (headlights, taillights)36% · 30 complaints
Electrical System (battery, wiring, electronics)29% · 24 complaints
Structure (body, frame, doors, rust)7% · 6 complaints
Service Brakes (brakes)6% · 5 complaints
Power Train (transmission, axles, driveline)5% · 4 complaints
Engine (engine mechanics)2% · 2 complaints
The contact owns a 2013 Buick Regal. The contact stated that while stopped at a stop light and depressing the brake pedal, the hybrid battery would power off as intended; however, when the brake pedal was released, the vehicle would lose automotive power before suddenly independently powering on before jolting. The check engine light illuminated. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. In addition, the contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign: 13V173000 (Electrical System); however, the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 130,000.Owner report · Electrical System · May 2026
While in motion at about 25-30 miles per hours, slightly stepping on the brake to slow down, the car just... wouldn't, I was forced to swerve, preventing damage to cars ahead, I went over a curbOwner report · Structure · Apr 2026
, while driving, doing a steady 25-30 mph my vehicle completed transformed behavior, literally, I could only guess the problem(s)Owner report · Structure · Mar 2026
Show 7 more owner reports
I have a continuous problem where the vehicle goes into limp mode/reduce power mode it studders and stalls out. The check engine and stabilitrak light comes on. It is extreamly dangerous at it happens on the road and in traffic. I have thousands of dollars, a new thortle body sensor, a new crank positioner, new timing chain, new ECM, new gaskets and so much more.Owner report · Engine · Mar 2025
Second time, the car has basically shut down. Brake assist, ABS and traction control lights on. Stabilitrak Service light. Had to slow down to 25 miles an hour because it was shaking so bad and limped it home. Last time they said it was a bearing in one of the tires. Also states said it has multiple misfires. Having it towed tomorrow to see what it is now.Owner report · Service Brakes · Feb 2024
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.Owner report · Engine And Engine Cooling · May 2023
While driving the vehicle, I received an alert message on the instrument panel that stated "Remote Not Detected," then the vehicle immediately shutdown in the middle of the road. I lost all power to the vehicle, I couldn't put the vehicle in gear, neutral or anything to get it out of the road. I immediately replaced the key fob battery, no change vehicle didn't start or power didn't return. The vehicle had to be towed. After a couple hours power was restored and the vehicle started up again. I have replaced key fobs, had the dealership replace the car battery and the problem persists. This appears to be a defect, could you please advise on how to proceed with dealership?Owner report · Engine · Mar 2023
Condensation is getting in the High Def headlamps, and causing headlights to blow. It's a known issue and the assembly is between $1,200 and $1,500 dollarsOwner report · Electrical System · Mar 2023
Projector lights in headlamp assembly go out and moisture gets into headlamp causing poor visibility after sundown or poor weather. General Motors Case Number: 9-10416199921Owner report · Electrical System · Feb 2023
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.Owner report · Suspension · Sep 2022

When filing, owners marked a crash in 6 of these complaints and injuries in 5 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.

Recalls - 6 campaigns

EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TURN SIGNAL12V484000 · Oct 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."

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.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM13V173000 · May 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.

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.

SUSPENSION:REAR26V113000 · Feb 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.

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.

SUSPENSION:REAR21V00F000 · Dec 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.

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.

SUSPENSION:REAR20V764000 · Dec 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.

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.

SUSPENSION:REAR21V633000 · Aug 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.

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.

Trouble codes owners mention

OBD-II codes that appear in NHTSA complaints about this car.

How other years compare

Check your exact Regal by VIN

Recalls and equipment differ between individual vehicles. Decode your VIN to see what applies to yours.

Open VIN decoder

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2013 Buick Regal reliable?

NHTSA has 91 owner complaints and 6 recall campaigns on record for the 2013 Buick Regal. The most complained-about area is exterior lighting (36% of complaints).

At what mileage do 2013 Buick Regal problems usually appear?

Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 60,600 miles or less.

Does the 2013 Buick Regal have open recalls?

6 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning exterior lighting:turn signal. Check your specific vehicle by VIN - recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.