Recall 12V484 affects 120,426 2011-2013 Buick Regal and Malibu vehicles for front turn signal failure. Free software update at any franchised Buick dealer.
Buick recall 12V484 covers 120,426 2011-2013 Regal and Malibu vehicles with two bulbs in each front turn signal. If one bulb burns out, the driver gets no warning, and other drivers lose a clear signal that the vehicle is turning, which raises crash risk; the dealer repair will be free once available.
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What's wrong?
In NHTSA campaign 12V484, the front turn signal lamp on the 2011-2013 Buick Regal and Malibu uses two bulbs on each side. Those bulbs are supposed to flash together so drivers nearby can see which way the vehicle is turning or changing lanes.
The problem is in the driver alert, not the basic light switch. If one bulb burns out in either front turn signal lamp, the vehicle does not give the driver the expected warning from inside the cabin. The remaining bulb still flashes, so the signal looks incomplete from outside while the driver has no dashboard indication that one front bulb has failed.
There is no warning sign before failure. After the bulb is out, an owner would need to see the front signal from outside the vehicle, or have someone else check it, to notice that one of the two bulbs is no longer working.
Who's affected?
Covers Regal and Malibu turn signal systems across the 2011, 2012, and 2013 model years.
| 2012 Buick Regal | Turn signal |
|---|---|
| 2013 Chevrolet Malibu | Turn signal |
| 2013 Buick Regal | Turn signal |
| 2011 Buick Regal | Turn signal |
| Units affected | 120,426 |
A matching year and model does not guarantee inclusion. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific sedan is included.
What's the safety risk?
A front turn signal that only partly illuminates can leave other drivers unaware that your vehicle is turning. If the driver does not notice the signal problem, the vehicle can stay in traffic with reduced turn signal visibility, increasing the risk of a crash. Schedule the software update soon. Repair will be free at any franchised Buick dealer once available.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2011-2013 Buick Regal or Malibu is included in this recall.
- Contact a franchised Buick dealer and ask whether the free body control module software update is open for your VIN.
- Reference recall number 12V484 when you call, and bring the owner notice if you have it.
- Drive with extra care until the software update is complete. Check the front turn signal lamps before driving so other drivers can see your turn signal.
What happens at the repair
The listed dealer fix is a body control module software update. Once the repair is available, a Buick technician updates the software so the vehicle can alert the driver when a front turn signal bulb burns out. The final dealer repair will be free once available, with parts and labor covered under recall 12V484. The source material does not provide a separate reimbursement program, so this section does not add reimbursement guidance.
Timeline
| October 4, 2012 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| September 8, 2014 | Owner notification mailed |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 12V484?
Recall 12V484 covers 120,426 2011-2013 Buick Regal and Malibu vehicles with front turn signal bulbs that fail without alerting the driver. If part of the signal stops lighting, other drivers are less able to see the turn signal, increasing crash risk.
What should I do if my 2011-2013 Buick Regal or Malibu is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific vehicle is included in recall 12V484. If it is, contact a franchised Buick dealer to schedule the body control module software update. Reference recall number 12V484 when you call. The repair is free.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires the manufacturer to repair the defect at no cost, and Buick dealers will update the body control module software free of charge. This recall began in September 2014, so dealer service departments can handle the repair path.
What is the safety risk in recall 12V484?
The risk is reduced turn signal visibility. If one front turn signal bulb burns out, the driver does not get an in-vehicle warning. Other drivers are less able to see that the vehicle is turning, which increases crash risk.
What if I bought this vehicle used?
The free recall repair still applies. Recall coverage follows the vehicle, not the first owner. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific Regal or Malibu is included, then call a franchised Buick dealer and reference recall number 12V484.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/12V484000 |
|---|---|
| Buick customer service | 1-800-521-7300 |
| NHTSA recall # | 12V484 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 12V484000 |
Source documents
-
Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF) - Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Recall Investigation Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Owner Notification Letter (PDF)
- Download Owner Notice (PDF)
- Download Quarterly Report (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 →