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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
Mileage unknown · Dec 28, 2015
EngineFire

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2004 BUICK REGAL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 55 MPH, THE VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT PRIOR TO THE FIRE, THE TEMPERATURE GAUGE SHOWED THAT THE ENGINE WAS OVERHEATED. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS ABLE TO EXTINGUISH THE FIRE. IT WAS UNKNOWN IF A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED OR IF ANY …

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2004 BUICK REGAL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 55 MPH, THE VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT PRIOR TO THE FIRE, THE TEMPERATURE GAUGE SHOWED THAT THE ENGINE WAS OVERHEATED. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS ABLE TO EXTINGUISH THE FIRE. IT WAS UNKNOWN IF A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED OR IF ANY INJURIES WERE REPORTED. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V201000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNAVAILABLE.

NHTSA ODI #10816449

70,300 miles · Dec 21, 2015
Engine

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 BUICK REGAL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 65 MPH, THERE WAS A WHITE SMOKE COMING FROM THE ENGINE AND THE VEHICLE STARTED TO OVERHEAT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED BUT THE DETAILS WERE NOT AVAILABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER H…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 BUICK REGAL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 65 MPH, THERE WAS A WHITE SMOKE COMING FROM THE ENGINE AND THE VEHICLE STARTED TO OVERHEAT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED BUT THE DETAILS WERE NOT AVAILABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER HAD NOT BEEN NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V201000 (ENGINE) HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE RECALL REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,300. ...UPDATED 02/04/16 *BF *TR

NHTSA ODI #10811590

75,450 miles · Dec 21, 2015
EngineEngine And Engine Cooling

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…

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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

NHTSA ODI #10811564

73,000 miles · Dec 18, 2015
EnginePower Train

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 BUICK REGAL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 68 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING DUE TO A SHORT IN THE IGNITION. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT AFTER THE FAILURE OCCURRED, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO SWITCH GEARS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MA…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 BUICK REGAL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 68 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING DUE TO A SHORT IN THE IGNITION. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT AFTER THE FAILURE OCCURRED, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO SWITCH GEARS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 73,000. UPDATED 03/09/16*LJ *TR

NHTSA ODI #10811113

80,150 miles · Oct 12, 2015
Electrical System

THE DRIVER'S DOOR WINDOW MASTER SWITCH BECAME INOPERATIVE. I HAD TO REPLACE IT. YOU HAVE A NOTICE ON THE 2006-07 BUICK RAINIER BUT THE 2004 REGAL SHOULD BE ON THE LIST. I THINK THE LIST INVOLVES SEVERAL MORE BUICK MODELS. THIS PROBLEM OCCURRED WHEN THE CAR WAS PARKED OR IN MOTION. IN MY CASE THE WINDOW WOULD REMAIN IN THE OPEN P…

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THE DRIVER'S DOOR WINDOW MASTER SWITCH BECAME INOPERATIVE. I HAD TO REPLACE IT. YOU HAVE A NOTICE ON THE 2006-07 BUICK RAINIER BUT THE 2004 REGAL SHOULD BE ON THE LIST. I THINK THE LIST INVOLVES SEVERAL MORE BUICK MODELS. THIS PROBLEM OCCURRED WHEN THE CAR WAS PARKED OR IN MOTION. IN MY CASE THE WINDOW WOULD REMAIN IN THE OPEN POSITION WHENEVER THE IGNITION SWITCH WAS ON. I WAS NOT ABLE TO CLOSE THE WINDOW. I REPLACED THE SWITCH MYSELF AS I DID NOT KNOW ABOUT THE RECALL.

NHTSA ODI #10781397

Mileage unknown · Sep 23, 2015
Electrical System

BOUGHT THE VEHICLE 1 YEAR AGO ONE DAY I WAS DRIVING AND THE CAR NEVER STARTED AGAIN MY DASH BOARD CLICK AND FLICK LIGHTS ALL THE LIGHT ON DASHBOARD THE VEHICLE WILL NOT START AND THE BATTERY DRAINS OUT. I GO ON GM WEBSITE PUT IN MY VIN AND THERE ARE NOT OPEN RECALLS ON THE VEHICLE I CANT GET THE HISTORY OF WHEN IT WAS PUT IN OR …

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BOUGHT THE VEHICLE 1 YEAR AGO ONE DAY I WAS DRIVING AND THE CAR NEVER STARTED AGAIN MY DASH BOARD CLICK AND FLICK LIGHTS ALL THE LIGHT ON DASHBOARD THE VEHICLE WILL NOT START AND THE BATTERY DRAINS OUT. I GO ON GM WEBSITE PUT IN MY VIN AND THERE ARE NOT OPEN RECALLS ON THE VEHICLE I CANT GET THE HISTORY OF WHEN IT WAS PUT IN OR WERE OR BY WHO I CAN CALL THE AUTOMATED SYSTEM AND IT WILL TELL ME THAT THERE IS AN OPEN ISSUE WITH THE VEHICLE BUT WHEN I CALL GM THEY SAY THERE NO ISSUE BUT MY IGNITION IS ACTING UP I CANT DRIVE MY VEHICLE

NHTSA ODI #10767599

61,546 miles · May 5, 2015
Electrical System

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 BUICK REGAL. WHILE DRIVING AT 5 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE AND ALL THE LIGHTS ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE IGNITION SWITCH AND THE ELECTRICAL HARNESS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE …

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 BUICK REGAL. WHILE DRIVING AT 5 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE AND ALL THE LIGHTS ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE IGNITION SWITCH AND THE ELECTRICAL HARNESS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 61,546. UPDATED 6/22/15*CN

NHTSA ODI #10714749

129,500 miles · Apr 23, 2015
Electrical SystemPower TrainService Brakes

THE FIRST FEW TIMES, THE VEHICLE LOST POWER AS I WAS BRAKING FOR STOP SIGNS. THE ANTI-LOCKS ACTIVATED, THE ANTI-LOCK WARNING CAME ON, AND THEN THE ENGINE REFIRED, THE DASH LIGHTS WENT OUT, AND IT RAN FINE. I BROUGHT THE VEHICLE IN FOR A COMPLETE TUNE-UP. THEN IT QUIT ON THE HIGHWAY AND THE IGNITION WOULD REFIRE. THEN IT QUIT …

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THE FIRST FEW TIMES, THE VEHICLE LOST POWER AS I WAS BRAKING FOR STOP SIGNS. THE ANTI-LOCKS ACTIVATED, THE ANTI-LOCK WARNING CAME ON, AND THEN THE ENGINE REFIRED, THE DASH LIGHTS WENT OUT, AND IT RAN FINE. I BROUGHT THE VEHICLE IN FOR A COMPLETE TUNE-UP. THEN IT QUIT ON THE HIGHWAY AND THE IGNITION WOULD REFIRE. THEN IT QUIT ON AN ONRAMP AND I HAD TO SHIFT TO NEUTRAL TO RESTART IT. THE LAST TIME IT FAILED, I ATTEMPTED TO START IT IN A PARKING LOT. IT TOOK SEVERAL ATTEMPTS TO KEEP IT RUNNING. THE LAST SEVERAL TIMES THAT IT FAILED, ALL OF THE DASH LIGHTS WOULD BLINK ON AND OFF UNTIL I RESTARTED IT. THAT WAS THE CLUE THAT I SEARCHED FOR ON THE INTERNET. I FOUND THIS PARTICULAR WEBSITE AND I ALSO FOUND VIDEOS AND BLOGS OF MY PROBLEM. MY LOCAL MECHANIC DID HIS OWN RESEARCH AND WE CAME TO THE CONCLUSION TO REPLACE THE IGNITION CONTACT BLOCK. SO, I TOOK THE OLD IGNITION CONTACT BLOCK APART. THREE CONTACTS WERE BURNED. TWO WERE MILD, BUT THE THIRD ONE WAS SEVERE. I CAN'T TELL YOU WHAT CIRCUIT IT WAS FOR, BUT IT WAS THE LAST CONTACT AWAY FROM THE CIRCULAR OPENING ON THE SIDE WHERE THE RED AND THE ORANGE WIRES ENTER THE BLOCK. SINCE THE REPAIR, THE CAR IS RUNNING GOOD. DUE TO THE RANDOM NATURE OF THE PROBLEM, I CANNOT BE COMFORTABLE QUITE YET UNTIL I PUT A FEW MORE MILES ON IT. I FRANKLY DO NOT UNDERSTAND WHY GM DOES NOT ADMIT THAT THE SCOPE OF THEIR IGNITION SWITCH RECALL IS PROBABLY MUCH LARGER THAN THEY ALREADY ADMIT TO - UNLESS IT INVOLVES THAT MANY MORE CARS. I READ AN ARTICLE WHERE THEY ARE TELLING PEOPLE NOT TO HANG ANY WEIGHT ON THE IGNITION KEY UNTIL THEY CAN GET THEIR REPAIRS DONE. I JIGGLED AND PULLED ON MY KEY WHILE CAR WAS RUNNING OK BETWEEN BOUTS OF FAILURE: IT HAD NO EFFECT. THIS REPAIR COST ME $326.54 AND I AM HOLDING MY RECEIPT JUST IN CASE EITHER THE GOVT. OR GM DOES THE RIGHT THING AND REIMBURSES ME. I THINK I WILL LOOK AT FORD NEXT TIME. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10712505

65,000 miles · Feb 3, 2015
Electrical System

IGNITION SWITCH SHUT OFF AND ENGINE SHUT OFF. LOST POWER STEERING, POWER BRAKES, ELECTRICAL POWER, ABS, AND AIRBAGS. ATTEMPTED RESTART AFTER PULLING OFF HIGHWAY, WHICH CAUSED FLASHING OF ALL DASH LIGHTS AND ENGINE TO RUN ERRATICALLY. CHANGED TO 2ND IGNITION KEY AND CAR STARTED, RAN ACCEPTABLY, AND DROVE HOME. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10680762

150,000 miles · Jan 7, 2015
Electrical System

THE IGNITION SWITCH HAS FAILED EVENTUALLY IT WILL START AFTER ABOUT 30 MINUTES OF TRYING THE CAR WILL RUN BUT SHUTS DOWN WHILE DRIVING ITS DANGEROUS TO DRIVE I AM NOT SAFE NOR MY GRANDKIDS IN THIS VEHICLE I CANT BUY A NEW CAR NOR CAN I AFFORD TO HAVE THIS FIXED MYSELF SINCE IM ON A FIXED INCOME I READ SEVERAL OTHERS HAVE THE SAM…

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THE IGNITION SWITCH HAS FAILED EVENTUALLY IT WILL START AFTER ABOUT 30 MINUTES OF TRYING THE CAR WILL RUN BUT SHUTS DOWN WHILE DRIVING ITS DANGEROUS TO DRIVE I AM NOT SAFE NOR MY GRANDKIDS IN THIS VEHICLE I CANT BUY A NEW CAR NOR CAN I AFFORD TO HAVE THIS FIXED MYSELF SINCE IM ON A FIXED INCOME I READ SEVERAL OTHERS HAVE THE SAME COMPLAINT MY VEHICLE IS IDENTICAL TO THEIR COMPLAINTS I THINK THEY SHOULD HAVE TO REPLACE THESE MINE JUST LEFT ME STRANDED AT THE DOCTORS OFFICE WITH MY LITTLE GRAND-DAUGHTER ITS ONLY 23 DEGREES OUTSIDE I EVENTUALLY GOT IT STARTED AFTER ABOUT 30 MINUTES BUT I COULD NOT STOP ANYWHERE BEFORE I HAD TO COME STRAIGHT HOME. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10670652

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.