Recall 12V093 affects 3,633 2012 Buick Regal vehicles for parking lamps that fail to activate. Repair is free at any franchised Buick dealer.
Buick recall 12V093 covers 3,633 2012 Regal vehicles because a software error stops the parking lamps from turning on when the parking lamps or headlamps are selected. That leaves the vehicle with inadequate lighting, reducing visibility and increasing crash risk; the Buick dealer repair will be free once available.
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What's wrong?
The exterior lighting system on a 2012 Buick Regal includes parking lamps, which are small marker lights at the front and rear of the vehicle. They help show the vehicle's position in low light and are designed to come on when the driver turns on either the parking lamps or the headlamps. The switch command should tell the body control software to power those lamps.
On affected Regals, a software error interrupts that command. The driver can turn on the parking lamps or headlamps, but the parking lamps do not activate as designed. The headlamp switch still appears to be used normally, so the defect is not a broken bulb or a loose lamp housing. It is a control problem inside the lighting software.
There is no warning sign before failure. An owner is most likely to notice the problem by walking around the vehicle with the lights turned on and seeing that the parking lamps stay dark.
Who's affected?
| 2012 Buick Regal | Exterior lighting |
|---|---|
| Units affected | 3,633 |
Not every 2012 Buick Regal sedan is on the list. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific sedan is included.
What's the safety risk?
Inadequate exterior lighting reduces how easily other drivers can see the vehicle, which increases the potential for a crash. Use extra care at night or in poor weather, and have the recall checked promptly if your VIN is included. Repair will be free at any franchised Buick dealer once available.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2012 Buick Regal is included in this recall.
- Contact your nearest franchised Buick dealer to schedule the free body-control-module reprogramming that restores parking-lamp operation when the headlamps or parking lamps are turned on.
- Bring the recall notice if you have it. If not, reference recall number 12V093 when you call.
- Avoid night driving until the repair is complete, because inadequate lighting reduces vehicle visibility.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, a Buick technician reprograms the body control module so the parking lamps activate when the parking lamps or headlamps are turned on. GM listed this repair as free of charge, and the safety recall began on March 29, 2012. Parts are not the focus of this repair. The service work is a software update to the body control module, which controls exterior lighting commands for the vehicle.
Timeline
| March 7, 2012 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| March 29, 2012 | Owner notification mailed |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 12V093?
Recall 12V093 covers 3,633 2012 Buick Regal vehicles with a body control module software error that keeps the parking lamps from turning on when the parking lamps or headlamps are selected. Inadequate lighting can make the vehicle harder to see and increase crash risk. Buick dealers reprogram the module for free.
What should I do if my 2012 Buick Regal is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific car is included in recall 12V093. If it is, contact a franchised Buick dealer and ask for the body control module reprogramming. Reference recall number 12V093 when you call. The dealer repair is free.
Does the recall repair cost anything?
No. Federal recall law requires manufacturers to repair safety defects at no cost, and Buick dealers reprogram the body control module free of charge. Parts and labor are covered for included 2012 Buick Regal vehicles.
What is the safety risk?
The safety risk is reduced vehicle visibility. If the parking lamps do not activate when selected, other drivers have less lighting to help them see the Regal, which increases the potential for a crash. The free dealer repair corrects the body control module software.
What if I bought my Buick Regal used?
The free recall repair still applies. Recalls follow the VIN, not the first owner, so a used 2012 Buick Regal is still eligible if its VIN is included. Check your VIN, then call a franchised Buick dealer and reference recall 12V093.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/12V093000 |
|---|---|
| Buick customer service | 1-800-521-7300 |
| NHTSA recall # | 12V093 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 12V093000 |
Source documents
-
Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF) - Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Owner Notification Letter (PDF)
- Download Defect / Noncompliance Notice (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Recall Acknowledgement (PDF)
This article is generated from NHTSA's primary recall filings and reviewed against the source on June 2, 2026. RecallNotify does not paraphrase NHTSA's consequence language; that text is reproduced as written above. Editorial standards →