There is a water seal leak around the driver side headlight. I have photos showing proof of standing water. It has now caused the headlight, left turn signal, and drivers side brake light to fail. My passenger side headlight is doing the same. I have no headlights, no driverside lights period. I drive 2 children around in this car and it's gotten very dangerous. I contacted GM, and the local dealership and they won't fix it. I'm a [XXX] and don't have the $3200-$5000 I was told the repair would be. It is a problem in certain GM models, Cadillac Srx 2010-2015 having the same issue and the recall being fixed for those drivers. So, I have no choice but to drive around with no headlights, no left blinker, and no driver side brake light with two you children. I have to work and have no other options. It's a catastrophe waiting to happen, I live in the metropolitan area of Atlanta, Georgia. Please help me with this, I am terrified to drive this car around. I've had two people flag me down at a red light to let me know my brake light is out which is terribly dangerous and if it starts raining while I am out I have no headlights. This has become an emergency situation for me and my children. I have photo proof of the water pooling inside the headlight assembly. The seal is so bad that even covered the condensation pools inside the headlight. Please help me get a dealership to fix this issue. They want to charge me $275 for diagnostics and this is already and issue on this model car, reported by many drivers with the recall on the Cadillac. They need to fix it before I end up a casualty to this problem. Thank you so much. I can send a video of the emergency flasher and signal not working. I replaced the headlight in January and the new one never worked. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Buick Regal headlights problems
176 of the 2,973 owner complaints about the Buick Regal describe headlights failing or too dim, most of them for the 2013 model year.
- owner complaints
- 176
- worst model year
- 2013
- typical repair cost reported
- $1,500
- typical mileage
- 72,000
By model year
Often reported together
Water leak 9Check engine light 7Tire blowout 5Stalling 5Warning lights 3Won't start 2Wipers 2Won't shift 2
What owners say
I purchased the 2016 Buick Regal used in 2021 with 40,000 miles., it now has close to 70,000 miles. It’s still in well cared for mint condition, except for the driver side headlight. Condensation appeared and has been getting worse, dealership says the only option is buying another complete headlight assembly for $1200.00. The LED part of that headlight has stopped working., it’s inevitable that the bulbs themselves with fail also. This is a safety issue. It’s absurdly cost prohibitive for me and most everybody else to spend that kind of money to fix a headlight.., and $1200.00 is the cost of the part alone, we’d be adding labor to that. This is a manufacturer defect that so many people are suffering with. They say we’re getting no relief from this because not enough people have filed complaints to the federal safety agency. GM should be compelled to provide this part to us at a much more reasonable price. I’m just a poor widower dad with a daughter in college. Thank you.
2nd bad headlamp assembly that develops moisture and causes lamp to go out. First was passenger side now driver side
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.
Driver side headlamp draws moisture, keeps blowing bulbs at 104.99 a pop. Water gets in the headlight assembly and shorts out the ballast. This happens even when driving down the road at random. It could be pitch black and suddenly you have no headlights and are forced to drive with only fog lamps
Driver side HID headlight filling with condensation on lens and water collecting inside the headlight capsule where the wiring for the bulbs and ballast run through. Daytime running light now out and potential loss of headlight use is foreseen.
The driver headlight assembly has water in it and unable to fix it without replacing whole assembly that can be as much as $1500. The light bulb and valance was replaced. The valance was filled with water. The headlight still wouldn’t work. Upon further investigation there is a part sealed into the assembly that also has water in it with no way to get it out or replace. This is a safety risk since i am unable to see on driver side in dark without my light. There are no recalls but have found many complaints on same issue. The part water is in is sealed and shouldn’t have a way for to get in. The only fix is replacing entire assembly. I have no light at all on that side until fixed.
Projector lights in headlamp assembly go out and moisture gets into headlamp causing poor visibility after sundown or poor weather. General Motors Case Number: 9-10416199921
My head lamps have water in them, and is making my lights too dim to
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.
Related recalls
Exterior lighting: turn signal
- What is wrong
- 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 such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment."
- 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 turning, thereby increasing the risk of a crash.
- 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. GM's number for this recall is 12212.
Recall number 12V484000 · Recall details
Exterior lighting
- What is wrong
- 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 not activate when either the parking lamps or headlamps are turned on.
- Risk
- Inadequate lighting could reduce the visibility of the vehicle, increasing the potential for a crash.
- Remedy
- General motors will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the body control module free of charge. The safety recall began on march 29, 2012. Owners may contact gm at 1‑800‑521‑7300.
Recall number 12V093000 · Recall details
Exterior lighting: headlights
- What is wrong
- Certain passenger vehicles do not conform to the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 108, "lamps, reflective devices, and associated equipment." some of these vehicles do not meet the overhead sign illumination requirements.
- Risk
- Less illumination may reduce the ability of the driver to read overhead signs when driving at night.
- Remedy
- Dealers will install new low beam headlamp bulbs in both of the headlamp assemblies. The recall began on september 8, 2004. Owners should contact buick at 1‑866‑608‑8080. Note: if the bulb needs replacement in the future, gm bulb number 89024715 is available from a dealer, or the equivalent sylvania bulb is 9006hp, with orange lettering on the bulb.
Recall number 04V375000 · Recall details
Exterior lighting: headlights
- What is wrong
- Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. These vehicles do not conform to the requirements of fmvss no. 108, "lamps, reflective devices, and associated equipment." the vertical head lamp adjusting device may not be calibrated properly.
- Risk
- Driver visibility may be impaired increasing the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- Owners will be provided with an owner's manual insert containing instructions for optically aiming the headlamps.
Recall number 99V356000 · Recall details
Exterior lighting: headlights
- What is wrong
- Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. The owner manuals do not contain the requirement information pertaining to the vehicle headlamp aiming device. This does not comply with requirements of fmvss no. 108, "lamps, reflective devices, and associated equipment."
- Risk
- If the headlamp assemblies are replaced, customers may not be able to properly aim the headlights.
- Remedy
- Owners will be mailed an owner manual's insert which contains the appropriate information.
Recall number 98V102000 · Recall details
Exterior lighting
- What is wrong
- Incorrect clear front side marker bulbs were installed rather than amber bulbs. This does not conform to the requirements of fmvss no. 108, "lamps, reflective devices, and associated equipment."
- Risk
- Consequence of non-compliance: during illumination, the bulbs will show clear rather than amber and could momentarily confuse other drivers.
- Remedy
- Dealers will replace the clear bulbs with the correct amber bulbs.
Recall number 95V152000 · Recall details
Exterior lighting
- What is wrong
- The vehicles were assembled with an incorrect front park/turn signal bulb which does not have sufficient candle power. This does not comply with fmvss no. 108, "lamps, reflective devices, and associated equipment."
- Risk
- Consequence of non-compliance: operators could fail to notice and heed the warning labels. Reduces candle power on the park/turn lights decreases the liklihood of vehicle operator's intent being seen by other motorists.
- Remedy
- Dealers will replace the incorrect bulb with the correct bulb.
Recall number 94V229000 · Recall details
Exterior lighting: brake lights: switch
- What is wrong
- Brake stoplamps may not illuminate or, in some cases, stoplamps will not stay illuminated all the time when brakes are applied due to a faulty stoplamp switch. Also in vehicles equipped with cruise control, a faulty stoplamp switch can result in resumption of the cruise control function upon release of the brake pedal.
- Risk
- A trailing vehicle may not recognize a braking actionin time to respond appropriately. Also, cruise control will reengage uponrelease of the brake pedal and resume the set speed. In either case, it couldresult in a crash without prior warning.
- Remedy
- Install an improved design stoplamp switch.
Recall number 90V185000 · Recall details
Questions about the Buick Regal headlights
Which Buick Regal years have headlights failing or too dim problems?
The model years with the most reports are 2013 (38 complaints), 2011 (32 complaints) and 2012 (31 complaints).
How much does it cost to fix headlights failing or too dim on the Buick Regal?
Owners who mentioned a price put the repair at about $1,500 (median of 32 complaints that include a dollar amount). Costs vary with mileage, warranty and where the work is done.
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