Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (headlights, tail lights, turn signals, interior lights).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2013 Buick Regal owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
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's and passenger's side headlights have since become inoperable due to heavy condensation. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where the vehicle was diagnosed with failed front driver's and passenger's headlights due to condensation. The contact was informed that the driver's and passenger's side headlights needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 42,000.
Left Headlamp Assembly and Driver's Window Regulator were replaced under Warranty and now have reoccurred and both need replacing again. My car just reach 60K miles. This began 6 months ago so I haven't been able to drive at night or during storms nor crack my window to talk to strangers. I am a Realtor and feel my safety is at risk. This headlight problem was going on in 2011 & 2012 yet Buick continued to use this headlamp assembly, knowing it fills with moisture then blows the bulb & fuse. With all the online Complaints, I am shocked that our government has not forced Buick to do a recall. I could kill someone or hit something with only one headlight!!!! Very concerned when my 4-year-old grandson is in my car too! Both problems are on the driver's side and both keep reoccurring. The Headlight Assembly is almost $2K to replace. …
There is condensation and moisture present inside the high definition front headlight assemblies, which causes the headlight illumination to be diminished and created a visibility hazard while driving at night. The vehicle was taken to the Ganley Chevrolet dealership who diagnosed that the front headlight assemblies were faulty and needed to be replaced. The cost to replace both is about $3,000. Then I went to Damper's Automotive of Cleveland Ohio for a second opinion and after replacing the bulb in the passenger side headlight, the bulb immediately blew. Based on complaints from other customers this is a known issue on low and high mileage vehicles of the same make and model. It's a astronomical cost to replace these assemblies and they could go out at any time while driving due to the trapped moisture and-or electrical wiring exposed behind the headlight.
Condensation in drivers headlight caused headlight malfunction. I have seen multiple posts regarding this issue that have not been addressed. Serious safety issue. No warning lights or indicators tell you light has malfunctioned either.
Left Headlamp Assembly and Driver's Window Regulator were replaced under Warranty and now need replacing again! Trim Strips were replaced under Warranty because they were rusting and now they are all rusty again! Electrical System now blows fuses. 2103 Buick Regal Turbo just reached 60,000 miles. HOW MANY TIMES WILL I HAVE TO SPEND $2,000 TO FIX THE FAULTY LEFT HEADLAMP ASSEMBLY WHICH WAS GOING ON IN 2011 & 2012? There's Complaints all over online!!!! I haven't been able to go out at night for 6 months because of no front headlight!!!!! I have been to 3 Buick Dealers and they all have no idea how long this $2K light assembly will last because it should have been recalled!!! …
I've had for the last few years had issues with my 2013 Buick Regal turning off while driving causing a few accidents that has nearly cause me my life. The car has had multiple electrical issues I've tried getting fixed and I've dealt with damage to my vehicle due to this. Car has turned off on me while in motion. I've replaced the battery and I've spent several 1,000s of dollars trying to get it replaced.
Prior to this event the radio and interior and exterior light would flicker and the radio would turn off completely. The battery was the original battery so we replaced it. But it wasn't completely shot at that point. During the same time of this happening the battery in the key fob went bad also. So I thought that May have had something to do with it. Had to disconnect the battery completely to reset the computer because there was any power to the car at all. Waited a few minutes hooked it back up and it allowed us to jump the car off.. The radio and lights have on a few occasions did the same as before but never the issue of starting. So now it did the same thing as before so once it was jumped again I took it to my local autozone and had the battery and alternator checked and got an all good report. …
I recently got pulled over by the local police department that noticed that my driver side headlight was out as I was pulling out of my drive way first thing in the morning .after changing the headlight bulb ($100.00)the headlight did not turn on.under recommendation of the part clerk of my local parts store we looked at the headlight ballast ($300.00).this vehicle headlight design somehow accumulates condensation within the headlight housing. The condensation some how gains access and accumulates into the ballast of the high intensity discharge lights which are mounted underneath the headlamp assembly. Leaving the vehicle with no headlights to operate the vehicle safely at night or under low visibility conditions.after replacing the light bulb and ballast the head lights still would not turn on. …
Tl* the contact owns a 2013 Buick Regal. Upon starting the vehicle, the passenger side headlight began blinking and went completely out. Upon inspecting the vehicle, the contact found moisture build up in the headlight, which he believed caused the failure. After some time, the driver's side headlight also failed to operate. The contact drove to autocenters Nissan (1825 e edwardsville rd, wood river, il 62095, [phone]) where he purchased the vehicle from and was informed that despite having an extended warranty, headlights were not covered under the warranty. The contact then drove the vehicle to an unknown Buick dealer (that has since closed) and was also informed that the headlights were not under warranty and was given a cost estimate for the repair. The manufacturer was not notified of the failures. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 82,000.
The car was driven to a commitment (no rain) which started before sundown and ended at night, raining. Upon leaving the drivers headlight did not illuminate, when checked it looked to be shorted out due to water entering the lens assembly. Considering the car was not driven how did this happen? The car had no damages to the light assembly and none to the front of the vehicle, but water/vapor entered into the headlight causing no illumination to upper or lower beams. This caused limited vision & hazardous driving conditions on my drive home at night from the commitment. I was told by Buick this should not have occurred but they did have reported claims about this issue. The cost of the total lens replacement by Buick for the driver's side lens assembly was $1,143.00 + labor. Do I expect the other side
Related recalls
Exterior lighting › Turn signal
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.
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.
Headlight complaints in other Regal years
Frequently asked questions
How common are headlight problems on the 2013 Buick Regal?
NHTSA has 37 complaints about the lights of the 2013 Buick Regal, 41% of the model year's 91 complaints. The component named most often is headlights (3 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2013 Buick Regal headlight problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 12V-484 (turn signal, Oct 4, 2012). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2013 Buick Regal headlight problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 63,000 miles, and 4% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 1 crash, 1 fire and 0 injuries to lights problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.