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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

Power Train complaints

7 reports
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82,000 miles · Jun 7, 2016
Power Train

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 BUICK REGAL. WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED INDEPENDENTLY WHEN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS NOT DEPRESSED. THE FAILURE RECURRED INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE POWER TRAIN CONTROL MODULE FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS N…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 BUICK REGAL. WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED INDEPENDENTLY WHEN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS NOT DEPRESSED. THE FAILURE RECURRED INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE POWER TRAIN CONTROL MODULE FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 82,000.

NHTSA ODI #10872999

Mileage unknown · May 20, 2014
Electrical SystemPower Train

I HAVE NOT DRIVEN THE CAR FOR OVER A YEAR DUE TO IT NOT BEING ON THE RECALL LIST FOR THE IGNITION NOT WORKING. SOME THING TO DO WITH THE IGNITION AND THE TRANSMISSION, YOU CAN'T GET THE KEY OUT OF IGNITION BECAUSE IT WANT TURN OFF TO THE POINT OF REMOVAL. I'VE NOTICED THAT THERE'S A CLICK SOMETIMES WHEN YOU PUT IT IN PARK AND …

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I HAVE NOT DRIVEN THE CAR FOR OVER A YEAR DUE TO IT NOT BEING ON THE RECALL LIST FOR THE IGNITION NOT WORKING. SOME THING TO DO WITH THE IGNITION AND THE TRANSMISSION, YOU CAN'T GET THE KEY OUT OF IGNITION BECAUSE IT WANT TURN OFF TO THE POINT OF REMOVAL. I'VE NOTICED THAT THERE'S A CLICK SOMETIMES WHEN YOU PUT IT IN PARK AND THEN YOU CAN REMOVE KEY BUT IT'S RARE, I'M AFRAID IT'S GOING TO DO THE SAME THING THE RECALL SAYS WILL HAPPEN GOING DOWN THE ROAD. (ACCIDENT) THERE FOR I DON'T DRIVE IT THE BUICK DEALERSHIP SAID THERE WERE NO PARTS AVAILABLE DUE TO THE NUMBER OF RECALLS BROUGHT IN, I'VE BEEN UNABLE TO GET HELP. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10592721

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 · Jan 15, 2008
Power Train

2003 BUICK REGAL WITH TRANSMISSION FLUID PROBLEMS. CONSUMER STATES THAT SHE NOTICED AN ODOR. UPON PERSONAL INSPECTION IT WAS FOUND THAT TRANSMISSION FLUID WAS LEAKING ONTO THE ENGINE AND COULD HAVE CAUSED A FIRE. *KB

NHTSA ODI #10215050

35,000 miles · Sep 13, 2006
Power TrainCrashInjury

DT: THE CONTACT STATED AFTER PUTTING THE VEHICLE IN PARK, THE VEHICLE JUMPED INTO REVERSE ON ITS OWN SLAMMING THE CONTACT BETWEEN THE DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR AND A CHAIN LINK FENCE. THE CONTACT SUFFERED INJURIES TO THE LEFT LEG AND CALF AND A BROKEN RIGHT FOOT. THE DEALERSHIP HAS NOT BEEN CONTACTED YET. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A…

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DT: THE CONTACT STATED AFTER PUTTING THE VEHICLE IN PARK, THE VEHICLE JUMPED INTO REVERSE ON ITS OWN SLAMMING THE CONTACT BETWEEN THE DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR AND A CHAIN LINK FENCE. THE CONTACT SUFFERED INJURIES TO THE LEFT LEG AND CALF AND A BROKEN RIGHT FOOT. THE DEALERSHIP HAS NOT BEEN CONTACTED YET. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A BODY SHOP. THERE WAS DAMAGE DONE TO THE VEHICLE AND TO THE CHAIN LINK FENCE. ON ONE OTHER OCCASION THE VEHICLE JUMPED OUT OF PARK AND TRIED TO GO FORWARD, BUT THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO STOP THE VEHICLE IN TIME.

NHTSA ODI #10168133

17,700 miles · May 31, 2005
Power TrainService Brakes, Hydraulic

(1) I HAVE A 2003 BUICK REGAL WITH MILEAGE OF 17700.THIS MORNING AT 9 AM WHEN I STOPPED BEFORE THE TRAFFIC LIGHT IN THE INTERSECTION OF MOUND RD AND 13 MILE RD. (2) SUDDENLY THE BRAKE PEDAL APPEARS TO BE VERY LOOSE AND THE CAR STARTS GOING BACKWARD SLOWLY. I KEEP ON PRESSING THE BRAKE BUT THE CAR KEEPS GOING BACKWARD. I SWITCH…

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(1) I HAVE A 2003 BUICK REGAL WITH MILEAGE OF 17700.THIS MORNING AT 9 AM WHEN I STOPPED BEFORE THE TRAFFIC LIGHT IN THE INTERSECTION OF MOUND RD AND 13 MILE RD. (2) SUDDENLY THE BRAKE PEDAL APPEARS TO BE VERY LOOSE AND THE CAR STARTS GOING BACKWARD SLOWLY. I KEEP ON PRESSING THE BRAKE BUT THE CAR KEEPS GOING BACKWARD. I SWITCHED TO PARKING GEAR AND THEN DRIVING GEAR AND PRESS THE GASPEDAL AND THE CAR STARTS MOVING FORWARD. BOTH MY WIFE AND I WERE IN THE CAR. FORTUNATELY NO CAR WAS BEHIND US SO NO ACCIDENT OCCURED. (3) THE DEALER CHECKED THE CAR AND CAN NOT FIND WHAT IS THE PROBLEM. SO THEY ASKED US TO CONTINUE DRIVING UNTIL THE PROBLEM HAPPENS AGAIN! HOW CAN WE CONTINUE DRIVING A CAR WHICH ALMOST LED TO A FATAL ACCIDENT? THAT IS CRAZY!

NHTSA ODI #10122584

5,400 miles · Oct 29, 2003
Power TrainVehicle Speed Control

I BROUGHT MY CAR INTO THE DEALERSHIP BECAUSE OF A THROTTLE PROBLEM. THEY SPRAYED SOMETHING ON IT (ALUMINUM TYPE SPRAY) AND SENT US ON OUR WAY UNTIL THEY ORDERED A NEW PART. IT WAS THE WRONG PART AND A MONTH WENT BY WITHOUT A FURTHER CALL REGARDING ANY NEW PART COMING IN. ON SEPTEMBER 13TH I HEADED INTO ANCHORAGE ON THE BUSIE…

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I BROUGHT MY CAR INTO THE DEALERSHIP BECAUSE OF A THROTTLE PROBLEM. THEY SPRAYED SOMETHING ON IT (ALUMINUM TYPE SPRAY) AND SENT US ON OUR WAY UNTIL THEY ORDERED A NEW PART. IT WAS THE WRONG PART AND A MONTH WENT BY WITHOUT A FURTHER CALL REGARDING ANY NEW PART COMING IN. ON SEPTEMBER 13TH I HEADED INTO ANCHORAGE ON THE BUSIEST HIGHWAY IN THE STATE OF ALASKA. THE THROTTLE SPRING LET GO. I FOUND MYSELF CLUTCHING THE STEERING WHEEL WITH THE BRAKE PEDAL TO THE FLOOR. I WAS ON THE HIGHWAY AT 70 MPH AND THE BRAKES WOULDN'T WORK. I TRIED DOWNSHIFTING BUT THAT DIDN'T EVEN CAUSE A BLIP OF REACTION IN THE CAR'S SPEED. NOT KNOWING WHAT WOULD HAPPEN BY APPLYING THE EMERGENCY BRAKE WHILE GOING AT LEAST 70 MILES PER HOUR, I HAD NO CHOICE AND PUSHED ON THE EMERGENCY BRAKE. THAT DIDN'T WORK AT ALL. AS I RUSHED DOWN THE ROAD WITH THE PARK BRAKE ON, I ALSO PRESSED ON THE REGULAR BRAKES AND THAT FINALLY WORKED ENOUGH THAT I COULD SLOW DOWN TO APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH. I DROVE ONTO THE SHOULDER AND TURNED THE IGNITION OFF. SMOKE ROSE ALL AROUND THE CAR. I STAYED CALM AND TOOK INTO CONSIDERATION THAT IT WOULD BE BEST TO BE IN THE RIGHT LANE IF I ROLLED THE CAR. LUCKILY THE SATURDAY MORNING TRAFFIC WAS LIGHT ENOUGH, INITIALLY, THAT I DIDN'R REAR END ANY VEHICHLE, I DIDN'T ROLL, AND I DIDN'T LOSE CONTROL. I HAVE NOT, AND WILL NEVER AGAIN DRIVE IT. I HAVE BEEN WITHOUT A CAR SINCE 9-13-03. I AM A 10 YEAR CUSTOMER OF BUICK. THEY ARE DOING A BUY BACK OF THAT CAR AND I WILL BE OUT ABOUT $3000 WHEN ALL IS SAID AND DONE. PRETTY EASY "OUT" FOR A COMPANY THAT COULD HAVE BEEN SUED IF I HAD BEEN KILLED IN THEIR VEHICLE. MY OWN DRIVING SKILL RESULTED IN MY NOT HAVING A FATAL OUTCOME IN THIS INCIDENT. IF THIS HAD HAPPENED ON A WEEKDAY MORNING, THERE WOULD HAVE BEEN A TRAFFIC JAM IN MY PATH. IF IT HAD HAPPENED ON SNOW OR ICE, I WOULDN'T BE AROUND TO TELL YOU OF THIS. I AM REPORTING THIS SO OTHERS ARE AWARE OF THE THROTTLE PROBLEM.

NHTSA ODI #10045045

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.