2012 Buick Regal Exterior lighting Problems

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 drive 2 children around in this car and it's gotten very dangerous. I contacted GM, and the local dealership and they won't fix it. I'm a [XXX] and don't have the $3200-$5000 I was told the repair would be. It is a problem in certain GM models, Cadillac Srx 2010-2015 having the same issue and the recall being fixed for those drivers. So, I have no choice but to drive around with no headlights, no left blinker, and no driver side brake light with two you children. I have to work and have no other options. It's a catastrophe waiting to happen, I live in the metropolitan area of Atlanta, Georgia. Please help me with this, I am terrified to drive this car around. I've had two people flag me down at a red light to let me know my brake light is out which is terribly dangerous and if it starts raining while I am out I have no headlights. This has become an emergency situation for me and my children. I have photo proof of the water pooling inside the headlight assembly. The seal is so bad that even covered the condensation pools inside the headlight. Please help me get a dealership to fix this issue. They want to charge me $275 for diagnostics and this is already and issue on this model car, reported by many drivers with the recall on the Cadillac. They need to fix it before I end up a casualty to this problem. Thank you so much. I can send a video of the emergency flasher and signal not working. I replaced the headlight in January and the new one never worked. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ID

11676449

Incident

Jan 15, 2025

2nd bad headlamp assembly that develops moisture and causes lamp to go out. First was passenger side now driver side

NHTSA ID

11575316

Incident

Mar 4, 2024

The contact owns a 2012 Buick Regal. The contact stated that after starting the vehicle, he became aware that the electrical system was not functioning properly. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who diagnosed a failure with the body control module. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure reoccurred. After investigating the failure, the contact related it to NHTSA Campaign Number: 12V093000 (Exterior Lighting), but the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but provided no assistance. The failure mileage was 16,000.

NHTSA ID

11552125

Incident

Feb 15, 2023

Mileage

16,000 mi

The driver headlight assembly has water in it and unable to fix it without replacing whole assembly that can be as much as $1500. The light bulb and valance was replaced. The valance was filled with water. The headlight still wouldn’t work. Upon further investigation there is a part sealed into the assembly that also has water in it with no way to get it out or replace. This is a safety risk since i am unable to see on driver side in dark without my light. There are no recalls but have found many complaints on same issue. The part water is in is sealed and shouldn’t have a way for to get in. The only fix is replacing entire assembly. I have no light at all on that side until fixed.

NHTSA ID

11546680

Incident

Sep 26, 2023

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

NHTSA ID

11504241

Incident

Oct 28, 2021

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.

NHTSA ID

11492760

Incident

Aug 25, 2020

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.

NHTSA ID

11469283

Incident

Feb 7, 2022

Moisture in headlights causes light to fail while driving .

NHTSA ID

11465598

Incident

May 21, 2022

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.

NHTSA ID

11449757

Incident

Oct 1, 2021

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.

NHTSA ID

11443201

Incident

Oct 1, 2021

Mileage

78,000 mi

The contact owns a 2012 Buick Regal. The contact stated that while driving at night, the illumination from the headlights was very dim. The contact had taken the vehicle to an independent mechanic and was informed that condensation had accumulated in both headlight modules causing the failure. The dealer was notified of the issue and informed her that they would call her back. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 82,000.

NHTSA ID

11435875

Incident

Jun 1, 2021

Mileage

82,000 mi

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

NHTSA ID

11428955

Incident

Apr 30, 2021

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.

NHTSA ID

11421463

Incident

Aug 6, 2020

THE FRONT HEADLIGHTS GET WATER IN THEM AND FOGS UP..CAUSING YOUR HEADLIGHTS TO LOOK DIM AT NIGHT.

NHTSA ID

11416798

Incident

Jun 18, 2019

Mileage

99,000 mi

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.

NHTSA ID

11403376

Incident

Feb 10, 2021

Mileage

65,000 mi

WATER SEEMS TO BE LEAKING IN HEADLIGHTS, CAUSING BLOWOUT HEADLIGHT HID.

NHTSA ID

11388893

Incident

Jan 26, 2020

Mileage

53,000 mi

BOTH HEADLIGHTS WENT OUT WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT. MECHANIC TOLD ME I NEEDED NEW BALLAST.

NHTSA ID

11372568

Incident

Apr 18, 2020

Mileage

10,128 mi

CONDENSATION/WATER GETTING INSIDE HID HEADLIGHT OPTION TF4

NHTSA ID

11364574

Incident

Sep 18, 2020

Mileage

159,400 mi

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.

NHTSA ID

11364016

Incident

Mar 2, 2020

Mileage

115,000 mi

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

NHTSA ID

11362783

Incident

Oct 3, 2020

Mileage

88,450 mi

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. *TR

NHTSA ID

11330479

Incident

Jun 19, 2018

Mileage

62,427 mi

HID DRIVER HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLY BECAME FULL OF CONDENSATION AND STOPPED WORKING. QUOTE FROM DEALER TO REPLACE ENTIRE ASSEMBLY IS $1800.

NHTSA ID

11322849

Incident

Nov 10, 2019

Mileage

145,000 mi

HID DRIVER HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLY BECAME FULL OF CONDENSATION AND STOPPED WORKING. QUOTE FROM DEALER TO REPLACE ENTIRE ASSEMBLY IS $700 PLUS LABOR.

NHTSA ID

11306416

Incident

Jan 3, 2020

Mileage

50,000 mi

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.

NHTSA ID

11302802

Incident

Nov 15, 2019

Mileage

70,000 mi

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.

NHTSA ID

11289546

Incident

Nov 15, 2019

Mileage

98,000 mi