Illustration2004 BUICK REGAL. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO DROPS OF ENGINE OIL DEPOSIT ON EXHAUST MANIFOLD RECALL NOTICE. *LD ACCORDING TO THE REPAIR INVOICE, THE MULTI-FUNCTION SWITCH WAS REPLACED. *JB
2004 Buick Regal
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
Similar to other model years
Owner complaints for the 2004 Buick Regal do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 29.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model 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
30–25K
325–50K
950–75K
1775–100K
11100–150K
2150K+
45 reports with mileage · 21 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 18 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 8 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
0 crash reports2 fire reports0 injury reports
Engine And Engine Cooling complaints
8 reportsTL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 BUICK REGAL. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V201000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING) HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF…
Read full complaint
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 BUICK REGAL. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V201000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING) HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE. UPDATED 03/08/16*LJ THE CONSUMER WAS NOTIFIED, THE PARTS WERE AVAILABLE. THE CONSUMER HAD AN APPOINTMENT FOR MARCH 1, 2016. UPDATED 03/14/16.*JB.....UPDATED 03/15/16 *BF UPDATED 03/17/16.*JB
2004 BUICK REGAL. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO ENGINE OIL DEPOSIT LEAKING ONTO THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD DURING HARD BRAKING AND RECALL NOTICE REPAIRS. *SMD THE CONSUMER ATTACHED THE RECALL NOTICE. *JB
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 BUICK REGAL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE IN PARK, THE CONTACT NOTICED ENGINE OIL LEAKING FROM UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE RECURRED ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V201000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING) HOWEVER, T…
Read full complaint
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 BUICK REGAL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE IN PARK, THE CONTACT NOTICED ENGINE OIL LEAKING FROM UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE RECURRED ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V201000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING) HOWEVER, THE PART NEEDED TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 98,000. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE. UPDATED 03/28/16. *JB
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 BUICK REGAL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS AT A STOP, IT OVERHEATED AND THE MANIFOLD NEEDLE FLUCTUATED. WHEN PARKED, THE MANIFOLD NEEDLE SEIZED AT THE "F" POSITION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, WHO DIAGNOSED THAT A THERMOSTAT AND MANIFOLD NEEDLE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICL…
Read full complaint
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 BUICK REGAL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS AT A STOP, IT OVERHEATED AND THE MANIFOLD NEEDLE FLUCTUATED. WHEN PARKED, THE MANIFOLD NEEDLE SEIZED AT THE "F" POSITION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, WHO DIAGNOSED THAT A THERMOSTAT AND MANIFOLD NEEDLE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. IN ADDITION, THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT AND THE THERMOSTAT WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V201000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 75,450. .....UPDATED 02/10/16 *BF *TR
RADIATOR WAS DRAINED, FLUSHED AND REFILLED WITH RECOMMENDED DEXCOOL COOLANT. THEN STARTED TO LEAK ABOUT A PINT A DAY. DEALER SAID THAT FOR $700.00 THEY CAN REPLACE THE PLASTIC INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKETS (ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT) WITH STEEL ONES. ON A LIMITED INCOME, I CANNOT HAVE THAT DONE YET. I DAILY ADD A PINT OF COOLANT TO PREVEN…
Read full complaint
RADIATOR WAS DRAINED, FLUSHED AND REFILLED WITH RECOMMENDED DEXCOOL COOLANT. THEN STARTED TO LEAK ABOUT A PINT A DAY. DEALER SAID THAT FOR $700.00 THEY CAN REPLACE THE PLASTIC INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKETS (ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT) WITH STEEL ONES. ON A LIMITED INCOME, I CANNOT HAVE THAT DONE YET. I DAILY ADD A PINT OF COOLANT TO PREVENT ENGINE OVERHEATING. I HAVE TO CLEAN MY GARAGE FLOOR EVERY MORNING FROM THE LEAKING. **TT
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 BUICK REGAL. THE CONTACT SMELLED A BURNING ODOR IN HER VEHICLE WHILE IT WAS IDLING AND IN MOTION. THE DEALER INSPECTED THE VEHICLE, BUT FOUND NO FAILURES. SHE IS FILING A COMPLAINT WITH THE FTC. THERE WERE NO WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MIL…
Read full complaint
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 BUICK REGAL. THE CONTACT SMELLED A BURNING ODOR IN HER VEHICLE WHILE IT WAS IDLING AND IN MOTION. THE DEALER INSPECTED THE VEHICLE, BUT FOUND NO FAILURES. SHE IS FILING A COMPLAINT WITH THE FTC. THERE WERE NO WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 52,000.
COMPLAINT REGARDING AIR BAG LIGHT & LOW TIRE LIGHT CAME ON SEVERAL TIMES CONSUMER HAD VEHICLE SERVICE AND ONCE OFF THE SERVICE LOT ALL DASH LIGHTS CAME ON. *TS THE TRUN SIGNAL AND WIPER MOTOR HAD TO BE REPLACED. THE HUB ASSEMBLT HARNESS HAD TO BE REPALCED. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED ALONG WITH THE NO TRAC AND ABS LIG…
Read full complaint
COMPLAINT REGARDING AIR BAG LIGHT & LOW TIRE LIGHT CAME ON SEVERAL TIMES CONSUMER HAD VEHICLE SERVICE AND ONCE OFF THE SERVICE LOT ALL DASH LIGHTS CAME ON. *TS THE TRUN SIGNAL AND WIPER MOTOR HAD TO BE REPLACED. THE HUB ASSEMBLT HARNESS HAD TO BE REPALCED. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED ALONG WITH THE NO TRAC AND ABS LIGHT. *NM
Official recalls
215V701000 · 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 engines 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 engines 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 engines 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.
15V201000 · Engine And Engine Cooling:engine
Apr 6, 2015
General Motors LLC (GM) notified the agency on April 2, 2015, that they are is recalling certain model year 2004 Buick Regal vehicles manufactured April 9, 2003, to June 1, 2003, 2004 Chevrolet Impala vehicles manufactured April 8, 2003, to June 23, 2003, and 2004 Chevrolet Monte Carlo vehicles manufactured April 7, 2003, to June 23, 2003. On May 18, 2015, GM expanded the recall to cover an additional 49,751 2004 Pontiac Grand Prix vehicles manufactured January 6, 2003, to June 25, 2004. In the affected vehicles, the valve cover gasket may leak.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: The leaking engine oil can drip onto the hot surface of the exhaust manifold, increasing the risk of a fire.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will remove the plastic cover and plastic oil fill tube extension and replace the front valve cover and gasket. These repairs will be done free of charge. The recall began on April 24, 2015. Owners may contact Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300, Pontiac customer service at 1-800-762-2737 or Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is 14574.
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
0No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.