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2003 Buick Regal

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

More warning signs than most Regal years

Owner complaints for the 2003 Buick Regal are substantially higher than the model-year median of 29.

About this comparison →

How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

Other model years Selected year
Compare all Regal years →

Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.

What owners reported most

All reported categories

Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

68 reports with mileage · 33 unknown

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Electrical System. Review the 35 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Engine. Review the 26 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 10 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

5 crash reports14 fire reports5 injury reports

Engine And Engine Cooling complaints

10 reports
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Mileage unknown · Apr 25, 2016
Engine And Engine Cooling

2003 BUICK REGAL. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO REPLACEMENT PARTS NOT AVAILABLE TO REPAIR RECALL NOTICE 15V-701. *SMD

NHTSA ODI #10859759

Mileage unknown · Mar 10, 2016
EngineEngine And Engine Cooling

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 BUICK REGAL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS A PRESENCE OF AN OIL LEAK WHICH PROGRESSED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT NOTICED A PUDDLE UNDER THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT LATER RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V701000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO SUPPLY THE PART F…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 BUICK REGAL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS A PRESENCE OF AN OIL LEAK WHICH PROGRESSED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT NOTICED A PUDDLE UNDER THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT LATER RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V701000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO SUPPLY THE PART FOR SEVERAL MONTHS. THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE WHEN THE MANUFACTURER WOULD BE ABLE TO SUPPLY THE PART TO THE DEALER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE. UPDATED 05/11/16*LJ *TR

NHTSA ODI #10846003

Mileage unknown · Feb 1, 2016
Engine And Engine Cooling

2003 BUICK REGAL. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO DROPS OF ENGINE OIL ON EXHAUST MANIFOLD COULD CAUSE AN ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE RECALL NOTICE. *SMD THE CONSUMER WAS INFORMED THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10838236

194,000 miles · Jan 8, 2016
Engine And Engine CoolingFire

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 BUICK REGAL. AFTER DRIVING THE VEHICLE AND PARKING, THE DRIVER NOTICED A BURNING ODOR. THE DRIVER LIFTED THE HOOD AND DISCOVERED FLAMES COMING FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. THE DRIVER USED A FIRE EXTINGUISHER TO EXTINGUISH THE FLAMES. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS CALLED TO THE HOME. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 BUICK REGAL. AFTER DRIVING THE VEHICLE AND PARKING, THE DRIVER NOTICED A BURNING ODOR. THE DRIVER LIFTED THE HOOD AND DISCOVERED FLAMES COMING FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. THE DRIVER USED A FIRE EXTINGUISHER TO EXTINGUISH THE FLAMES. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS CALLED TO THE HOME. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 194,000. THE CONSUMER RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE, REGARDING THE POSSIBILITY OF AN ENGINE FIRE. UPDATED 01/19/16. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10818925

195,716 miles · Nov 3, 2011
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine CoolingPower Train

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 BUICK REGAL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS OVERHEATING AND WOULD LOSE POWER WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE HE WAS INFORMED THAT THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER, IDLE AIR CONTROL VALVE AND THE MANIFOLD ABSOLUTE PRESSURE WERE DEFECTIVE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANU…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 BUICK REGAL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS OVERHEATING AND WOULD LOSE POWER WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE HE WAS INFORMED THAT THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER, IDLE AIR CONTROL VALVE AND THE MANIFOLD ABSOLUTE PRESSURE WERE DEFECTIVE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE NOR WAS THE VEHICLE REPAIRED. UPDATED 12/12/11*LJ THE CONSUMER STATED THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD FRONT AND REAR GLOWED REED HOT. THE ENGINE TEMPERATURE GAUGE WAS IN THE RED. COOLANT LEAKED FROM A HOSE NEAR THE ENGINE AND THE ENGINE BEGAN TO EMIT BLUE SMOKE. THE VEHICLE BURNED ONE QUART OF OIL EXCESSIVELY. THE BATTERY, THERMOSTAT, FRONT BRAKES, TRANSMISSION OIL FILTER AND GASKET WERE ALL REPLACED. ALSO, THE DRIVER REAR WINDOW WAS INOPERATIVE, THE WINDSHIELD WASHER WAS SPRAYER DID NOT WORK, THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AND THE HEAT/AC BLOWER DID NOT OPERATE IN ALL THE SETTINGS. UPDATED 12/23/11

NHTSA ODI #10434147

Mileage unknown · Sep 5, 2010
Engine And Engine Cooling

THE ANTIFREEZE INTAKE GASKET IS LEAKING...IS THERE SOMETHING WRONG WITH THE ANTIFREEZE DEX- COOL THAT I'M USING... I DID SOME ONLINE RESEARCH AND A LOT OF BUICK OWNERS HAS TO REPLACE THE INTAKE GASKET MULTIPLE TIMES AND IT WAS RECOMMENDED TO USE GREEN ANTIFREEZE INSTEAD OF DEX-COOL AND THERE WAS NO PROBLEMS SINCE..SHOULD I CONSI…

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THE ANTIFREEZE INTAKE GASKET IS LEAKING...IS THERE SOMETHING WRONG WITH THE ANTIFREEZE DEX- COOL THAT I'M USING... I DID SOME ONLINE RESEARCH AND A LOT OF BUICK OWNERS HAS TO REPLACE THE INTAKE GASKET MULTIPLE TIMES AND IT WAS RECOMMENDED TO USE GREEN ANTIFREEZE INSTEAD OF DEX-COOL AND THERE WAS NO PROBLEMS SINCE..SHOULD I CONSIDER USING THE OTHER ANTIFREEZE BECAUSE I CAN'T AFFORD TO PAY 800.00 EVERY TIME. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10353916

120,000 miles · Aug 12, 2009
Engine And Engine CoolingFire

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 BUICK REGAL. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 08V118000, NHTSA ACTION NUMBER EA07008 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). THE FAILURE OCCURRED BEFORE THE VEHICLE COULD BE TAKEN TO THE DEALER. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE DRIVER NOTICED SMOKE COMING OUT OF THE DASHBOARD. SHE PU…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 BUICK REGAL. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 08V118000, NHTSA ACTION NUMBER EA07008 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). THE FAILURE OCCURRED BEFORE THE VEHICLE COULD BE TAKEN TO THE DEALER. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE DRIVER NOTICED SMOKE COMING OUT OF THE DASHBOARD. SHE PULLED THE VEHICLE OVER AND IT BURST INTO FLAMES SECONDS LATER. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE, BUT THEY STATED THAT THE VEHICLE SHOULD NOT HAVE CAUGHT FIRE SO EASILY. THE DEALER STATED THAT THEY WERE NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR THE REPAIRS. THE CONTACT BELIEVES THAT THE MANUFACTURER SHOULD ASSUME RESPONSIBILITY. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 120,000.

NHTSA ODI #10280193

120,000 miles · May 27, 2009
Engine And Engine Cooling

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 BUICK REGAL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE SMELLED SOMETHING BURNING IN HIS VEHICLE. HE NOTICED THAT THE ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. HE RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 09V116000 AND GM RECALL NUMBER 90047, WHICH WAS REPAIRED BY THE DEALER ON MAY 27, 2009. TH…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 BUICK REGAL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE SMELLED SOMETHING BURNING IN HIS VEHICLE. HE NOTICED THAT THE ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. HE RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 09V116000 AND GM RECALL NUMBER 90047, WHICH WAS REPAIRED BY THE DEALER ON MAY 27, 2009. THE DEALER INFORMED THE CONTACT OF ANOTHER ISSUE WITH HIS VEHICLE AND STATED THAT HE HAD TO PAY $88, BUT THE CONTACT REFUSED. THE DEALER BELIEVED THAT THE OTHER ISSUE HAD NOTHING TO DO WITH THE RECALL FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 120,000.

NHTSA ODI #10270070

Mileage unknown · Dec 31, 2003
Engine And Engine Cooling

WHILE THE CONSUMER WAS DRIVING AT AN UNDETERMINED SPEED. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE DASH AND THE VEHICLE TO STALLED. THE OWNER HAS MADE CONTACT WITH THE DEALER ON TWO SEPARATE OCCASIONS AND THE PROBLEM STILL CONTINUED. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10052190

Mileage unknown · Feb 20, 2003
Engine And Engine Cooling

THE VEHICLE STALLED.*JB

NHTSA ODI #10008955

Official recalls

3

15V701000 · Engine And Engine Cooling:engine; Engine And Engine Cooling:exhaust System:manifold/header/muffler/tail Pipe

Oct 26, 2015

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 1998-1999 Chevrolet Lumina and Oldsmobile Intrigue, 1997-2004 Buick Regal and Pontiac Grand Prix, 2000-2004 Chevrolet Impala, and 1998-2004 Chevrolet Monte Carlo vehicles. The affected vehicles were previously repaired under recalls 08V-118, 09V-116, and 15V-201 to address the possibility that engine oil may drip onto the hot exhaust manifold.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: Engine oil that drips onto the hot surface of the exhaust manifold may result in a fire.

Remedy: The remedy applied under recalls 08V-118, 09V-116, and 15V-201 did not adequately remove the safety risk. Under the improved remedy, dealers will replace the engine’s front valve cover and gasket. Vehicles that are covered by recalls 08V-118, 09V-116, or 15V-201 that have not yet received the original remedy will instead receive the improved remedy under the original recall number. The recall began on February 19, 2016. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300, Oldsmobile customer service at 1-800-442-6537 and Pontiac customer service at 1-800-458-8006. GM's number for this recall is 15757. Note: Until the improved remedy has been applied, owners are advised to park their vehicle outside since the fire risk exists even when the vehicle is unattended.

Additional source detail variants (2)

Engine And Engine Cooling:exhaust System:manifold/header/muffler/tail Pipe

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 1998-1999 Chevrolet Lumina and Oldsmobile Intrigue, 1997-2004 Buick Regal and Pontiac Grand Prix, 2000-2004 Chevrolet Impala, and 1998-2004 Chevrolet Monte Carlo vehicles. The affected vehicles were previously repaired under recalls 08V-118, 09V-116, and 15V-201 to address the possibility that engine oil may drip onto the hot exhaust manifold.

Consequence: Engine oil that drips onto the hot surface of the exhaust manifold may result in a fire.

Remedy: The remedy applied under recalls 08V-118, 09V-116, and 15V-201 did not adequately remove the safety risk. Under the improved remedy, dealers will replace the engine’s front valve cover and gasket. Vehicles that are covered by recalls 08V-118, 09V-116, or 15V-201 that have not yet received the original remedy will instead receive the improved remedy under the original recall number. The recall began on February 19, 2016. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300, Oldsmobile customer service at 1-800-442-6537 and Pontiac customer service at 1-800-458-8006. GM's number for this recall is 15757. Note: Until the improved remedy has been applied, owners are advised to park their vehicle outside since the fire risk exists even when the vehicle is unattended.

Engine And Engine Cooling:engine

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 1998-1999 Chevrolet Lumina and Oldsmobile Intrigue, 1997-2004 Buick Regal and Pontiac Grand Prix, 2000-2004 Chevrolet Impala, and 1998-2004 Chevrolet Monte Carlo vehicles. The affected vehicles were previously repaired under recalls 08V-118, 09V-116, and 15V-201 to address the possibility that engine oil may drip onto the hot exhaust manifold.

Consequence: Engine oil that drips onto the hot surface of the exhaust manifold may result in a fire.

Remedy: The remedy applied under recalls 08V-118, 09V-116, and 15V-201 did not adequately remove the safety risk. Under the improved remedy, dealers will replace the engine’s front valve cover and gasket. Vehicles that are covered by recalls 08V-118, 09V-116, or 15V-201 that have not yet received the original remedy will instead receive the improved remedy under the original recall number. The recall began on February 19, 2016. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300, Oldsmobile customer service at 1-800-442-6537 and Pontiac customer service at 1-800-458-8006. GM's number for this recall is 15757. Note: Until the improved remedy has been applied, owners are advised to park their vehicle outside since the fire risk exists even when the vehicle is unattended.

09V116000 · Engine And Engine Cooling

Apr 8, 2009

GENERAL MOTORS IS RECALLING 1,497,516 MY 1997-2003 BUICK REGAL, MY 1998-2003 CHEVROLET LUMINA, MONTE CARLO AND IMPALA, MY 1998-1999 OLDSMOBILE INTRIGUE, MY 1997-2003 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH A 3.8L V6 NATURALLY ASPIRATED ENGINE. SOME OF THESE VEHICLES HAVE A CONDITION IN WHICH DROPS OF ENGINE OIL MAY BE DEPOSITED ON THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD THROUGH HARD BRAKING.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: IF THE MANIFOLD IS HOT ENOUGH AND THE OIL RUNS BELOW THE HEAT SHIELD, IT MAY IGNITE INTO A SMALL FLAME AND MAY SPREAD TO THE PLASTIC SPARK PLUG WIRE CHANNEL AND BEYOND INCREASING THE RISK OF AN ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE ENGINE’S FRONT VALVE COVER AND FRONT-VALVE-COVER GASKET WITH NEW PARTS OF AN IMPROVED DESIGN AND REMOVE THE ENGINE’S PLASTIC COVER AND PLASTIC OIL-FILL-TUBE EXTENSION, FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING MAY 2016. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438, OLDSMOBILE AT 1-800-630-6537, AND PONTIAC AT 1-800-620-7668 OR HTTP://WWW.PONTIAC.COM OR HTTP:WWW.GMOWNERCENTER.COM.

08V118000 · Engine And Engine Cooling

Mar 12, 2008

GM IS RECALLING 207,542 MY 1997-2003 BUICK REGAL AND PONTIAC GRAND PRIX VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH A 3.8L SUPERCHARGED V-6 ENGINE. THESE VEHICLES HAVE HIGHER FRONT ROCKER COVER GASKET TEMPERATURES, CREATING THE POTENTIAL FOR EARLIER DEGRADATION OF THE FRONT ROCKER COVER GASKET AND EVENTUAL OIL SEEPAGE.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: CERTAIN UNDERHOOD FIRES MAY BE CAUSED BY DROPS OF ENGINE OIL, FROM SEEPAGE OR SPILLAGE, BEING DEPOSITED ON THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD THROUGH HARD BRAKING. IF THE MANIFOLD IS HOT ENOUGH AND THE OIL RUNS BELOW THE HEAT SHIELD, IT MAY IGNITE INTO A SMALL FLAME AND, IN SOME INSTANCES, THE FIRE MAY SPREAD TO THE PLASTIC SPARK PLUG WIRE CHANNEL AND BEYOND.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE ENGINE’S FRONT VALVE COVER AND FRONT-VALVE-COVER GASKET WITH NEW PARTS OF AN IMPROVED DESIGN AND REMOVE THE ENGINE’S PLASTIC COVER AND PLASTIC OIL-FILL-TUBE EXTENSION, ALONG WITH THE 1-3-5 SPARK PLUG WIRE RETAINERS, FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING MAY 2016. , FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING MAY 2016. UNTIL THE REMEDY IS COMPLETED, GM STRONGLY RECOMMENDS THAT OWNERS OBSERVE THE FOLLOWING IMPORTANT PRECAUTIONS (1) THAT OWNERS DO NOT PARK THEIR VEHICLE IN A GARAGE, CAR PORT, OR OTHER STRUCTURE; (2) IF OWNERS NOTICE A BURNING ODOR, THEY SHOULD HAVE THEIR DEALER INSPECT THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER WILL INSPECT THE VEHICLE WITHOUT CHARGE; (3) USE PREMIUM FUEL (91 OCTANE OR HIGHER) IN THE VEHICLE AS RECOMMENDED IN THE VEHICLE'S OWNER MANUAL. OWNERS MAY CONTACT BUICK AT 1-866-608-8080 OR PONTIAC AT 1-800-620-7668, OR THROUGH THEIR WEBSITE AT <A HREF=HTTP://WWW.GMOWNERCENTER.COM>HTTP://WWW.GMOWNERCENTER.COM</A> .

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

0

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.