The defect
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."
The 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.
The 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.
NHTSA's own wording · initiated by MFR
Vehicles covered
| Model | Model years |
|---|---|
| Buick Regal | 2011, 2012, 2013 |
| Chevrolet Malibu | 2013 |
Components: EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TURN SIGNAL
Model years in this recall
NHTSA complaints and the number of recall campaigns for each model year this recall covers.
| Model | Year | Complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|
| Buick Regal | 2011 | 280 | 4 |
| Buick Regal | 2012 | 92 | 7 |
| Buick Regal | 2013 | 91 | 6 |
| Chevrolet Malibu | 2013 | 837 | 10 |
Other exterior lighting recalls in 2012
25 of the 583 recall campaigns reported to NHTSA in 2012 concerned the exterior lighting; General Motors LLC filed 272 campaigns in all.
| 12V602000 26 Dec 2012 | SUBARU OF AMERICA, INC. |
| 12V578000 11 Dec 2012 | Newmar Corporation |
| 12V561000 4 Dec 2012 | AUTOMOBILI LAMBORGHINI |
| 12V553000 30 Nov 2012 | Ford Motor Company |
| 12V538000 15 Nov 2012 | BLUE BIRD BODY COMPANY |
| 12V493000 10 Oct 2012 | Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC. |
| 12V490000 9 Oct 2012 | PACCAR Incorporated |
| 12V454000 17 Sept 2012 | General Motors LLC |
NHTSA recalls (public domain) · all recalls of 2012