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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

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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

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

What owners actually said

66 reports
110,000 miles · Dec 8, 2020
Electrical SystemUnknown Or Other

ALL 4 POWER WINDOW MOTORS DO NOT WORK. THEY ALL FAILED WITHIN 6 MONTHS OF EACH OTHER. I CHECKED ON YOU TUBE AND FOUND THAT ALMOST ALL BUICK REGALS HAVE THIS PROBLEM OF POWER WINDOW MOTORS BREAKING. THERE ARE HUNDREDS OF COMPLAINTS ON YOU TUBE ALONE FOR THIS ISSUE. I BELIEVE THIS IS PROOF THAT THE POWER WINDOW MOTORS ARE DEFECTI…

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ALL 4 POWER WINDOW MOTORS DO NOT WORK. THEY ALL FAILED WITHIN 6 MONTHS OF EACH OTHER. I CHECKED ON YOU TUBE AND FOUND THAT ALMOST ALL BUICK REGALS HAVE THIS PROBLEM OF POWER WINDOW MOTORS BREAKING. THERE ARE HUNDREDS OF COMPLAINTS ON YOU TUBE ALONE FOR THIS ISSUE. I BELIEVE THIS IS PROOF THAT THE POWER WINDOW MOTORS ARE DEFECTIVE AND PROBABLY MADE THIS WAY TO FORCE OWNERS TO MAKE EXPENSIVE REPAIRS. I AM ASKING YOU TO FORCE BUICK TO RECALL THEIR REGAL MODELS AND HAVE THE WINDOW MOTORS REPAIRED AT BUICK'S EXPENSE.

NHTSA ODI #11378434

98,296 miles · Dec 1, 2020
Electrical System

THE FIRST TIME THE CAR STALLED WAS AS I WAS APPROACHING THE STOP SIGN.IT STALLED AND THE DASH LIGHT ALL CAME ON. I WAS ABLE TO RE-START IT AFTER PUTTING IT IN PARK. IT THEN HAPPENED AGAIN THE SAME AS BEFORE I GOT HOME. THE NEXT DAY IT DROVE NORMAL FOR AWHILE THEN AS I WAS STARTING IT UP AGAIN IT STARTED WITH A NOISE AND THE LIGH…

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THE FIRST TIME THE CAR STALLED WAS AS I WAS APPROACHING THE STOP SIGN.IT STALLED AND THE DASH LIGHT ALL CAME ON. I WAS ABLE TO RE-START IT AFTER PUTTING IT IN PARK. IT THEN HAPPENED AGAIN THE SAME AS BEFORE I GOT HOME. THE NEXT DAY IT DROVE NORMAL FOR AWHILE THEN AS I WAS STARTING IT UP AGAIN IT STARTED WITH A NOISE AND THE LIGHTS ON THE DASH A LIT UP AGAIN. IT SEEMED TO RUN NORMAL AGAIN. BUT A BIT LATER AS I WAS SLOWING DOWN TO MAKE A TURN INTO A PARKING LOT IT STALLED AGAIN. I BROUGHT IT INTO AN INDEPENDENT AUTOMOTIVE GARAGE AND THEY HOOKED UP TO THEIR TESTER AND COULD NOT FIND ANYTHING ABNORMAL WITH THE CAR.

NHTSA ODI #11377289

57,000 miles · Jun 10, 2019
Power Train

FROM A DEAD STOP, WHEN YOU ACCELERATE THE CAR HAS A HARD SHUDDER, TRANS SLIP...BELIEVE IT TO BE A TRANSMISSION PROBLEM AND A PROBLEM GM HAS KNOWN FOR SOMETIME WITH THEIR G4T60-E TRANSMISSION, MOST LIKELY A PRESSURE CONTROL SOLENOID PROBLEM OR CLUTCH ASSEMBLY.

NHTSA ODI #11218905

85,000 miles · Feb 25, 2019
Electrical System

POWER WINDOWS ON THIS CAR BURN OUT, 4 MECHANICS SAID THIS IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM, AND REPAIRS OF THE POWER WINDOWS IS EXPENSIVE

NHTSA ODI #11182256

97,000 miles · Dec 18, 2018
Electrical SystemEngine

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 BUICK REGAL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ENGINE WOULD SHUT OFF WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IN OPERATION. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO RESTART BY USING THE KEY FOB, BUT WOULD SHUT BACK OFF WHEN THE KEY WAS INSERTED IN THE IGNITION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC TO BE DIAGNOSED, BUT A FAILURE WA…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 BUICK REGAL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ENGINE WOULD SHUT OFF WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IN OPERATION. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO RESTART BY USING THE KEY FOB, BUT WOULD SHUT BACK OFF WHEN THE KEY WAS INSERTED IN THE IGNITION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC TO BE DIAGNOSED, BUT A FAILURE WAS NOT FOUND. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 97,000.

NHTSA ODI #11162188

115,000 miles · Nov 15, 2018
EngineFire

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 BUICK REGAL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE WHILE PARKED. THE CONTACT SAW SMOKE ESCAPE FROM UNDERNEATH THE HOOD OF THE VEHICLE AS IT ENTERED INTO THE CABIN OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT'S FRIENDS ATTEMPTED TO EXTINGUISH THE FIRE, BUT WERE UNSUCCESSFUL. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE FIRE D…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 BUICK REGAL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE WHILE PARKED. THE CONTACT SAW SMOKE ESCAPE FROM UNDERNEATH THE HOOD OF THE VEHICLE AS IT ENTERED INTO THE CABIN OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT'S FRIENDS ATTEMPTED TO EXTINGUISH THE FIRE, BUT WERE UNSUCCESSFUL. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE. A POLICE REPORT AND A FIRE REPORT WERE NOT FILED. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FIRE. THE CONTACT REFERENCED NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V701000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING) AS A POTENTIAL CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 115,000.

NHTSA ODI #11151820

95,000 miles · Jun 22, 2018
Electrical System

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 BUICK REGAL. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS AND WHILE MAKING A LEFT OR RIGHT TURN, THE VEHICLE WOULD INTERMITTENTLY LOSE POWER. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE BY WIGGLING THE KEY IN THE IGNITION SWITCH. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE FAILURE OCCUR…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 BUICK REGAL. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS AND WHILE MAKING A LEFT OR RIGHT TURN, THE VEHICLE WOULD INTERMITTENTLY LOSE POWER. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE BY WIGGLING THE KEY IN THE IGNITION SWITCH. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE FAILURE OCCURRED WHEN THE TURN SIGNALS WERE ACTIVATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER OR AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 95,000.

NHTSA ODI #11103428

9,284 miles · Jun 16, 2017
Engine

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 BUICK REGAL. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE THE DEALER (INTEGRITY DODGE LOCATED ON 6025 INTERNATIONAL DR, CHATTANOOGA, TN) FOR A RECALL REPAIR. THE TECHNICIAN REMOVED THE GRAY COVER GASKET FROM THE ENGINE AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT EVERYTHING WAS OK WITH THE ENGINE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. IN ADDIT…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 BUICK REGAL. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE THE DEALER (INTEGRITY DODGE LOCATED ON 6025 INTERNATIONAL DR, CHATTANOOGA, TN) FOR A RECALL REPAIR. THE TECHNICIAN REMOVED THE GRAY COVER GASKET FROM THE ENGINE AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT EVERYTHING WAS OK WITH THE ENGINE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. IN ADDITION, WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO WALMART FOR SERVICE, THE TECHNICIAN FOUND A LEAK COMING FROM THE TAP OF THE ENGINE COVER AND STATED THAT THE GASKET NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS INCLUDED IN A RECALL FOR THE ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND REFERRED THE CONTACT TO NHTSA. THE NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER WAS UNKNOWN. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 9,284.

NHTSA ODI #10995588

73,000 miles · May 11, 2017
Unknown Or Other

IGNITION SWITCH IS FAILING, CAUSING STALLS, AND FLASHING WARNING LIGHTS. WARNING LIGHTS CAME ON FOR JUST A SECOND OR 2 TODAY WHILE I WAS DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEED. IT STOPPED AT A STOP LIGHT AND I HAD TO START IT. IT KILLED IN A GARAGE, TURNING OFF THE HIGHWAY INTO A DRIVEWAY, AND SO ON. EVIDENTLY THIS IS A PROBLEM IN GM CAR…

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IGNITION SWITCH IS FAILING, CAUSING STALLS, AND FLASHING WARNING LIGHTS. WARNING LIGHTS CAME ON FOR JUST A SECOND OR 2 TODAY WHILE I WAS DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEED. IT STOPPED AT A STOP LIGHT AND I HAD TO START IT. IT KILLED IN A GARAGE, TURNING OFF THE HIGHWAY INTO A DRIVEWAY, AND SO ON. EVIDENTLY THIS IS A PROBLEM IN GM CARS.

NHTSA ODI #10985028

48,000 miles · Apr 28, 2017
Electrical System

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 BUICK REGAL. WHILE DRIVING SLOW SPEEDS, ALL THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED AND THE ENGINE SEIZED. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE BATTERY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHIC…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 BUICK REGAL. WHILE DRIVING SLOW SPEEDS, ALL THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED AND THE ENGINE SEIZED. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE BATTERY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 46,000. UPDATED 06/21/17*LJ *AS

NHTSA ODI #10981232

Official recalls

2

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.

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

0

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.