Why Are there so many problems with my 2012 Buick?

[Mrsdeejackson4]

I bought my 2012 Buick Regal brand new with only 2 miles on it. I've had so many problems with it that I accused my dealership of tearing up stuff just to charge me. I recently saw a thread on here where a person said that their car rocks back and forth at traffic lights with their foot on the brakes. I KNOW HOW THAT FEELS! It's been doing that for years, but the dealer cab never recreate the problem when I take it in. I know my car is considered old at this point, but if everybody's having the same issue, it's the manufacturer. I'll never buy a Buick again.

 

[MelsRegal]

Are you sure the ABS system isnt causing the problem. Do you feel this bucking sensation in the brake pedal?

 

[Walt G]

The most common problem on these engines is failure of the solenoids that control oil flow that adjust the camshafts. If the camshafts are not positioning correctly, it can cause the engine to have trouble idling at a steady speed, and that can cause the surging you feel.

These solenoids, called 'variable valve timing solenoids' are inexpensive (about $30 for the both of them) and easy to replace. I'd do that first.

 

[JONNYESS]

You're preaching to the choir man! With my nightmare experience (complete engine rebuild at $50k) Now with 90k miles, I'm waiting for the dashboard warnings to light up like a Christmas tree.

The Mazda6 turbos cannot hit the used car market fast enough for me.

 

[TurboLover]

The most common problem on these engines is failure of the solenoids that control oil flow that adjust the camshafts. If the camshafts are not positioning correctly, it can cause the engine to have trouble idling at a steady speed, and that can cause the surging you feel.

These solenoids, called 'variable valve timing solenoids' are inexpensive (about $30 for the both of them) and easy to replace. I'd do that first.

Just had mine replaced this week...second time in 91K miles

 

[ThatsNotABuick!]

I bought my 2012 Buick Regal brand new with only 2 miles on it. I've had so many problems with it that I accused my dealership of tearing up stuff just to charge me. I recently saw a thread on here where a person said that their car rocks back and forth at traffic lights with their foot on the brakes. I KNOW HOW THAT FEELS! It's been doing that for years, but the dealer cab never recreate the problem when I take it in. I know my car is considered old at this point, but if everybody's having the same issue, it's the manufacturer. I'll never buy a Buick again.

Considering that the 2012 model was the first year of production in North American, I am not too surprised with the issues. For most car manufacturers, the first year of production has more issues than later years. A late 2013 model would have been a better choice. FYI, the last year before a body/engine change is usually the best year for reliability and minimal issues.

The other common problems are the timing tensioner components and LSPI for LTG engines. It seems that doing oil changes every 5K miles can greatly reduce the timing component failures. LSPI can be be avoided by using recommended oil and quality premium gas.

 

[ThatsNotABuick!]

You're preaching to the choir man! With my nightmare experience (complete engine rebuild at $50k) Now with 90k miles, I'm waiting for the dashboard warnings to light up like a Christmas tree.

What year is your Regal? At what mileage intervals were you changing your oil?

 

[MKz2017PremII]

Considering that the 2012 model was the first year of production in North American, I am not too surprised with the issues. For most car manufacturers, the first year of production has more issues than later years. A late 2013 model would have been a better choice. FYI, the last year before a body/engine change is usually the best year for reliability and minimal issues.

The other common problems are the timing tensioner components and LSPI for LTG engines. It seems that doing oil changes every 5K miles can greatly reduce the timing component failures. LSPI can be be avoided by using recommended oil and quality premium gas.

Nice to know, hope that notion works for my 2017...

 

[-Regal-]

What you bought is an Opel Insignia rebadged as a Buick. I somehow doubt they build them with the same "love" or expectation for longevity or reliability; why would they want an "American" car or brand to last? If you wanted a reliable Buick Regal you should have found one with the 3800 motor. Truthfully there isn't a single "Buick" currently manufactured that I'd even want. It sickens me that if it weren't for Trump and his policies regarding tariffs and America first, Buick/GM would shaft their own manufacturing and customer base that built them into what they are and manufacture everything in China under enemy ideological conditions (and further financially build up those backing such ideas) if they could get away with it and its current management (hopefully soon out the door) could profit enough in the short term as a result.

 

[MKz2017PremII]

What you bought is an Opel Insignia rebadged as a Buick. I somehow doubt they build them with the same "love" or expectation for longevity or reliability; why would they want an "American" car or brand to last? If you wanted a reliable Buick Regal you should have found one with the 3800 motor. Truthfully there isn't a single "Buick" currently manufactured that I'd even want. It sickens me that if it weren't for Trump and his policies regarding tariffs and America first, Buick/GM would shaft their own manufacturing and customer base that built them into what they are and manufacture everything in China under enemy ideological conditions (and further financially build up those backing such ideas) if they could get away with it and its current management (hopefully soon out the door) could profit enough in the short term as a result.

So SAD...I really thought that Buick had finally headed in a new direction of superior quality vehicles when the 2011 Regal was introduced -- especially w the German Insignia design and manufacturing process -- but that hope was a passing fancy. Too many negative and unresolved issues w this car (according to this forum)...I supposed I've dodged a bullet, thus far, keeping the love affair alive.

 

[-Regal-]

So SAD...I really thought that Buick had finally headed in a new direction of superior quality vehicles when the 2011 Regal was introduced -- especially w the German Insignia design and manufacturing process -- but that hope was a passing fancy. Too many negative and unresolved issues w this car (according to this forum)...I supposed I've dodged a bullet, thus far, keeping the love affair alive.

Their quality has been steadily going downhill for years; one can tell by comparing the interior of the 1993 Buick Regal with that of the 1994, or even arguably looking back to 1981 when they did away with the Buick V8 engine and then 1986 when many of the RWD V8 (with motors of other GM divisions, mind you) models were switched to FWD V6s initially of questionable reliability. The Buick 3800 V6 is widely considered to be the best motor ever made but they quit making the last variation of it in 2008, and the styling of many of the Buick models the motor appeared in often left something to be desired. Despite the modern looks of their newer models since then, as you know the quality is hardly superior. Unfortunately they are more or less now just pasting their name on someone else's product which is a terrible trend bringing many brands down across many industries. Buick needs to be their own engineers and designers again.

 

[MKz2017PremII]

Their quality has been steadily going downhill for years; one can tell by comparing the interior of the 1993 Buick Regal with that of the 1994, or even arguably looking back to 1981 when they did away with the Buick V8 engine and then 1986 when many of the RWD V8 (with motors of other GM divisions, mind you) models were switched to FWD V6s initially of questionable reliability. The Buick 3800 V6 is widely considered to be the best motor ever made but they quit making the last variation of it in 2008, and the styling of many of the Buick models the motor appeared in often left something to be desired. Despite the modern looks of their newer models since then, as you know the quality is hardly superior. Unfortunately they are more or less now just pasting their name on someone else's product which is a terrible trend bringing many brands down across many industries. Buick needs to be their own engineers and designers again.

I agree and well put, Regal LTD Coupe. I bought a new 1994 Regal Limited w the 3800 V6 (bulletproof engine), leather and the touring wheels/Michelins...so smooth and comfortable. One of the best rides I have ever owned w nary an issue over 160k miles. There was a bidding war when I sold it and made $400 over asking price. Guess you don't see that too often these days. Happy Motoring!

 

[JONNYESS]

What year is your Regal? At what mileage intervals were you changing your oil?

2012
5k

 

[BoostedRegal2.0]

I had a few V6 powered W body cars and my Regal is just as a reliable and it has more features. It rides better and it's faster after tuning them both, plus it hooks up better with the all wheel drive.

 

[MKz2017PremII]

I had a few V6 powered W body cars and my Regal is just as a reliable and it has more features. It rides better and it's faster after tuning them both, plus it hooks up better with the all wheel drive.

Now that's the results I'm expecting from mine. HNY!

 

[G-176238]

Sorry to hear about your experiences. My dd '12 GS is rolling on 200K + miles. Rear bearings replaced twice and a transmission mount. Maybe I am lucky.

 

[MKz2017PremII]

So many issues w the Rear bearings...poor quality/design or overly rough driving? How do you know when they've gone bad?

 

[BoostedRegal2.0]

A bad bearing will make a low pitch humming noise. My wife had one replaced and it failed a little over a year later. She doesn't drive her Regal hard so evidently it's a quality issue with the GM bearings. I had one replaced in the rear of my Regal too.

 

[2007LucerneCXL]

Not sure on the history lesson, but from 1929 until 2017, Opel was owned by General Motors so it's a GM vehicle as much as Chevrolet, Cadillac and has been sold in the USA under other names like Saturn, as well as being sold as Buick Opel during the 60' and 70's. Of course GM had their own small vehicle if you wanted a made in the USA car, the Vega

 

[HotZ28]

Not sure on the history lesson, but from 1929 until 2017, Opel was owned by General Motors so it's a GM vehicle as much as Chevrolet, Cadillac and has been sold in the USA under other names like Saturn, as well as being sold as Buick Opel during the 60' and 70's. Of course GM had their own small vehicle if you wanted a made in the USA car, the Vega

Don't forget to mention the Corviar, Chevette, Citation & Monza! They were all doomed to fail from the beginning!