Buick Regal water leak problems

Filed Sep 10, 2026 · Electrical, Visibility · 30,000 miles · MA

The contact owns a 2019 Buick Regal. The contact stated that while driving 20 MPH, the accelerator pedal was depressed; however, the vehicle failed to accelerate as intended. The traction and check engine warning lights were illuminated. The failure had occurred while the grandchildren were inside the vehicle. The contact stated that the warning lights illuminated and then turned off. The failure occurred after it had rained, and while going through the car wash. The contact stated that water entered through the windshield into the electrical box. The dealer was contacted by phone and made aware of the failure. The vehicle was taken to the dealer; however, the failure was not duplicated. The failure mileage was approximately 30,000.

Filed Dec 28, 2023 · Lights · IL

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

Filed Jun 15, 2022 · Lights · NY

The driver side headlamp assembly has a faulty seal which allows water to leak inside the housing under normal daily conditions. When this happens the water leaks down through the assembly where the headlight ballast is mounted, causing water to collect in the ballast, and killing it (making the headlight go out) as well as the electrical components that power the L.E.D. daytime running lights also making those stop functioning. There is no quick and easy fix for this, as the headlamp assembly must be replaced to restore the headlight because even replacing the burned out ballast will only provide light temporarily again until that too is again destroyed by water. Because there is no good alternative available with an aftermarket replacement, I was forced to purchase an entirely new assembly which cost $1,505 and took months to save and be able to afford. This is a manufacturing flaw that should have been recalled and addressed. My warranty does not cover any damage due to water, so I had to pay for this myself, along with many many other people with the same issue. Having my headlight randomly stop working was a dangerous situation to be put into.

Filed Dec 5, 2021 · Body, Lights · NY

Water leaking into both front headlights results in dimming of headlights making it hard to see during nighttime driving and a real concern that the HID ballast wiring will short out causing complete loss of headlight operational function. There are many reports online of customers complaining that their HID headlights blew out due to water leakage and they were unable to see properly during nighttime driving. This is huge safety issue. Dealer Confirmed fault with both front headlight assemblies and verified significant water leakage into headlight assemblies. Customer called GM customer service where issue was escalated to senior advisor. Senior advisor was unable to offer any cost assistance to customer despite significant safety concerns, due to vehicle age of 5 years and 2 months. Total cost approximately $2300.

Filed Aug 13, 2021 · Lights · RI

Headlight housing leaks water into headlight. This appears to be a problem with this vehicle as I read numerous complaints about this.

Filed Aug 22, 2019 · Lights · LA

Condensation started in driver's side headlight to the point when light bulbs short out and are ruined as soon as they are put in. The water entering the electrical system is dangerous.

Filed Apr 25, 2019 · Lights · 136,270 miles · MD

I am seeing multiple complaints online about the headlight assemblies here: http://www.carproblemzoo.com/buick/regal/headlights-problems.php on my buick, I am having the same exact issues. For some reason, there is condensation/water entering the headlight housing and causing the ballast and bulb to fail. Buick wanted $1,215.00 to repair the headlights. One person in the site above said the following: "this is due to a faulty seal between the outer and inner shell assembly. This is a huge safety issue, as the vehicle may loose all headlights and cause the driver to crash. The assemblies are very costly to replace and the issue is very common on all 2011 though 2017 regal and gs models with hid. This is dangerous and should be fixed by the manufacturer. New assemblies will result in the same safety issue in a short amount of time. This could be a design flaw or a manufacturing flaw. . . Regardless, it is very dangerous!." I am in a major predicament. I can't afford the new headlights, and even if I could, this person is stating that they are likely to fail again. Also, the way this buick is designed, I was able to replace the passenger side headlight with a more inexpensive bulb. I could not easily replace the driver side headlight, or another bulb that is out. The design is a safety risk as I can't afford the dealers's repair costs and cannot do it myself. The washer fluid bottle is in the way and there was no way to easily remove the headlight. This puts me at risk for a crash and also a ticket from police. Buick should fix this for all regals with this issue - especially since their vehicles are so incredibly expensive anyway..

Filed Feb 12, 2019 · Electrical, Lights · 38,000 miles · MO

This vehicle has hid headlight assemblies that have constant issues with condensation/water entering the housing and causing the ballast and bulb to fail. This is due to a faulty seal between the outer and inner shell assembly. This is a huge safety issue, as the vehicle may loose all headlights and cause the driver to crash. The assemblies are very costly to replace and the issue is very very common on all 2011 though 2017 regal and gs models with hid. This is dangerous and should be fixed by the manufacturer. New assemblies will result in the same safety issue in a short amount of time. This could be a design flaw or a manufacturing flaw... Regardless, it is very dangerous!

Filed Jul 12, 2018 · Lights · 58,000 miles · NC

The car was driven to a commitment (no rain) which started before sundown and ended at night, raining. Upon leaving the drivers headlight did not illuminate, when checked it looked to be shorted out due to water entering the lens assembly. Considering the car was not driven how did this happen? The car had no damages to the light assembly and none to the front of the vehicle, but water/vapor entered into the headlight causing no illumination to upper or lower beams. This caused limited vision & hazardous driving conditions on my drive home at night from the commitment. I was told by buick this should not have occurred but they did have reported claims about this issue. The cost of the total lens replacement by buick for the driver's side lens assembly was $1,143.00 + labor. Do I expect the other side

Filed Jun 10, 2017 · Lights · MD

Takata recall I noticed that the driver side light keep getting condensation in it I noticed that everybody who have the gs model has condensation in causing the ballast to fill with water and causing the bulb to burn out and the ballast and bulb have to be replaced because of water entering into the headlight