Sell your 2012 Buick Regal for cash

The 2012 Buick Regal is a midsize car that came with a choice of 2.0L 4-cyl and 2.4L 4-cyl engines. At 14 years old, many are reaching the point where repairs cost more than the car is worth. Running or not, we'll make you an offer and tow it away for free.

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2012 Buick Regal at a glance

Body styleMidsize Cars
Engines2.0L 4-cyl, 2.4L 4-cyl (turbocharged versions available)
TransmissionsAutomatic (S6), Manual 6-spd, Automatic (AV-S6)
DriveFront-Wheel Drive
FuelRegular Gasoline
Fuel economy18–24 city / 26–35 highway / 22–28 combined MPG
EPA annual fuel cost$2,400–$3,050 a year (EPA estimate at current fuel prices, 15,000 miles)
Tailpipe CO₂317–404 grams per mile
Curb weight (NHTSA test vehicle)3,676 lb
Gross vehicle weight rating4,639–4,838 lb
Versions tested by EPA8 configurations: Regal, Regal eAssist
Age14 years

Specs, fuel cost and emissions from the EPA's fueleconomy.gov data; weights from NHTSA crash-test records. Your car's exact equipment may differ.

What affects its junk value

  • Age: at 14 years old, most of a 2012 Regal's value comes from reusable parts and scrap metal, not resale.
  • Weight: NHTSA's crash-test 2012 Regal weighed 3,676 lb at curb weight. Scrap value is largely priced by weight, so this is a good starting point. See how scrap prices by weight work.
  • Catalytic converter: like all gas and diesel cars, it has a catalytic converter containing precious metals, one of the most valuable parts on a junk car. An offer assumes it's still in place. More on catalytic converters.
  • Recalls: NHTSA lists 7 recalls for the 2012 Regal. Open recalls don't stop you from selling or junking it.
  • Known problems: owners reported the most issues with the exterior lighting, typically around 66,000 miles. If that's what failed on yours, it can still be sold as-is.

How junk car offers are calculated

2012 Buick Regal recalls

NHTSA lists 7 safety recalls covering the 2012 Buick Regal. Open recalls don't stop you from selling or junking the car, but check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which apply to yours.

SuspensionFeb 2026 · NHTSA campaign 26V113000

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…

Risk: Rear toe link fracture can cause a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash.

SuspensionDec 2021 · NHTSA campaign 21V00F000

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…

Risk: A rear toe link fracture may reduce the driver's ability to control the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.

SuspensionDec 2020 · NHTSA campaign 20V764000

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…

Risk: A rear toe link fracture may reduce the driver's ability to control the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.

SeatsJul 2014 · NHTSA campaign 14V447000

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2011-2012 Buick LaCrosse, Regal and Chevrolet Camaro, as well as certain 2010-2012 Cadillac SRX, Chevrolet Equinox and GMC Terrain vehicles, equipped with power height adjustable driver and passenger seats. In the affected vehicles, the bolt that secures the driver's and…

Risk: If the driver's seat unexpectedly drops, the distraction and altered seat position may affect the drivers' control of the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.

Electrical SystemMay 2013 · NHTSA campaign 13V173000

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…

Risk: If the vehicle is continued to be driven, the engine may stall and/or the vehicle may not start. In addition, there may be a burning or melting odor, smoke, and possibly a fire in the trunk.

Exterior LightingOct 2012 · NHTSA campaign 12V484000

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…

Risk: If the driver is not aware that a turn signal is not functioning properly, the driver may continue to drive the vehicle. If half of a front turn signal is not illuminating, other driver's may not be aware that the affected vehicle is turnin

Exterior LightingMar 2012 · NHTSA campaign 12V093000

General motors (gm) is recalling certain model year 2012 Buick Regal vehicles manufactured from february 22, 2011, through february 22, 2012 for failing to comply with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 108 "lamps, reflective devices and associated equipment." due to a software error, the parking lamps do…

Risk: Inadequate lighting could reduce the visibility of the vehicle, increasing the potential for a crash.

Common 2012 Regal problems

Owners have filed 92 complaints about the 2012 Buick Regal with NHTSA. 3 reports involved a crash and 2 reports involved a fire. Owners reported 4 injuries.

Complaints are reports from owners and aren't verified by NHTSA. One complaint can list several components. Mileage is the median odometer reading owners reported for that component.

Most-reported components

  • Exterior Lighting32
  • Engine21
  • Electrical System14
  • Suspension11
  • Service Brakes8
  • Electronic Stability Control (Esc)7

Typical mileage when problems were reported

  • Exterior Lighting66,000 mi
  • Engine73,000 mi
  • Electrical System66,000 mi
  • Suspension72,000 mi
  • Service Brakes35,000 mi
  • Electronic Stability Control (Esc)34,000 mi

2012 Buick Regal crash test ratings

NHTSA's 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2012 Buick Regal, by version tested.

VersionOverallFrontal crashSide crashRolloverRollover risk
4 Dr, AWD★★★★★★★★★☆★★★★★★★★★☆10.9%
4 Dr, FWD★★★★★★★★★☆★★★★★★★★★☆10.9%

Source: NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (NCAP). Ratings from different model years or rating systems aren't directly comparable.

2012 Buick Regal service bulletins

Manufacturers have filed 1,749 technical service bulletins and communications with NHTSA covering the 2012 Buick Regal. These are repair instructions for known issues, not recalls.

Most common bulletin topics

  • Equipment239
  • Equipment190
  • Electrical System176
  • Engine and Engine Cooling101
  • Engine79
  • Equipment79

Recent bulletins

  • Service Bulletin/Repair InstructionsSep 2026 · PIP4902W

    This preliminary information advises a dealer on how to email GDS2 session logs into Technical Assistance.

  • Service Bulletin/Repair InstructionsMay 2026 · PIP6113

    This document provides the technician with a diagnostic tip if the vehicle stalls and set diagnostic trouble code P0191 and may also set P0172. The diagnostic tip has the

  • Service Bulletin/Repair InstructionsApr 2026 · PIT3271Q

    This preliminary information communicates information about how to determine if a wheel and tires size change is available.

  • Service Bulletin/Repair InstructionsMar 2026 · PIP4902V

    This preliminary information advises a dealer on how to email GDS2 session logs into Technical Assistance.

Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications (technical service bulletins).

NHTSA defect investigations

NHTSA opened 2 defect investigations covering the 2012 Buick Regal.

Electrical SystemAQ14001 · opened May 2014, closed May 2016

Sands Chevrolet/Hybrid System Fire/Stall

NHTSA opened AQ14-001 to determine whether Sands Chevrolet of Surprise, Arizona complied with the requirements of the National Traffic and Motor Vehicle Safety Act, 49 U.S.C. Chapter 301 (Safety Act) and its implementing regulations. The Safety Act requires, among other things, that a manufacturer notify its dealers of

Electrical SystemRQ13003 · opened Jul 2013, closed Jul 2014

Generator Control Module Fires

On July 5, 2013 the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened Recall Query RQ13-003 to investigate whether the service procedures utilized in recall bulletins 13136 and 13142 for safety recall 13V-173 were sufficient to identify the safety defect in the subject vehicles.These safety recalls were issue on May 3, 2013

Selling a 2012 Regal: questions

How much is a 2012 Buick Regal worth for junk?

It depends on its condition, whether major parts like the engine, transmission and catalytic converter are still there, and current scrap and parts prices where you live. Its parts make up much of its value. Enter your ZIP code above for a free offer on your specific car.

Can I junk a 2012 Regal that doesn't run?

Yes. We buy 2012 Regals that don't start, were in an accident, failed inspection or have a blown engine or transmission. Towing is always free.

Can I sell a 2012 Regal with open recalls?

Yes. Open recalls don't prevent a junk sale. NHTSA lists 7 recalls for the 2012 Buick Regal; you can check whether any are still open on yours with the VIN lookup at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What paperwork do I need to sell my 2012 Regal?

Usually the title and a photo ID. Rules differ by state, including what to do with your plates and whether to file a notice of sale. Check our state-by-state car title guides for the official forms.

Sources

Data retrieved October 2026.

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