← New search

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

What owners actually said

101 reports
173,000 miles · Feb 2, 2015
Electrical System

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 BUICK REGAL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO RESTART AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS. THE FAILURE OCCURRED ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE IGNITION S…

Read full complaint

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 BUICK REGAL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO RESTART AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS. THE FAILURE OCCURRED ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE IGNITION SWITCH NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 173,000.

NHTSA ODI #10680561

113,000 miles · Jan 15, 2015
Electrical System

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 BUICK REGAL. WHILE DRIVING DOWNHILL AT APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY SHUT OFF AND THE ENGINE FAILED TO RESTART. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE IGNITION SWITCH WAS FAULTY. THE IGNITION SWITCH WAS REPLACED AND THE FAILURE WAS REMEDIED. THE MANUFACTUR…

Read full complaint

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 BUICK REGAL. WHILE DRIVING DOWNHILL AT APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY SHUT OFF AND THE ENGINE FAILED TO RESTART. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE IGNITION SWITCH WAS FAULTY. THE IGNITION SWITCH WAS REPLACED AND THE FAILURE WAS REMEDIED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 113,000. UPDATED 2/25/15*CN UPDATED 03/02/15*JB

NHTSA ODI #10672679

150,000 miles · Dec 12, 2014
Electrical SystemEngineWheelsFire

THE CAR HAD NOT BEEN DROVE IN A MONTH, I DROVE ABOUT 3MILES THEN PARKED, CAR THEN STARTED TO SMOKE THEN CAUGHT FIRE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10663816

91,000 miles · Oct 28, 2014
EngineVehicle Speed Control

DRIVING TO WORK IN THE MORNINGS RECENTLY, I HAVE BEEN HAVING SOME ELECTRICAL ISSUES WITH MY CAR. IF I USE MY BLINKERS, ALL THE WARNING LIGHTS IN MY DASH CLUSTER WILL LIGHT UP FOR A FEW SECONDS, AND I COULD FEEL MY BRAKES PULSE. THIS MORNING MY CAR STALLED WHEN I MADE A RIGHT HAND TURN. I MANAGED TO PULL OVER AND RESTART THE CAR,…

Read full complaint

DRIVING TO WORK IN THE MORNINGS RECENTLY, I HAVE BEEN HAVING SOME ELECTRICAL ISSUES WITH MY CAR. IF I USE MY BLINKERS, ALL THE WARNING LIGHTS IN MY DASH CLUSTER WILL LIGHT UP FOR A FEW SECONDS, AND I COULD FEEL MY BRAKES PULSE. THIS MORNING MY CAR STALLED WHEN I MADE A RIGHT HAND TURN. I MANAGED TO PULL OVER AND RESTART THE CAR, BUT I DIDN'T USE THE BLINKERS AGAIN. THIS REALLY SCARED ME, AS I WAS JUST ON THE FREEWAY A FEW MINUTES EARLIER. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10650900

270,000 miles · Oct 28, 2014
Electrical System

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 BUICK REGAL. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH, THE INSTRUMENT PANEL LIGHTS ILLUMINATED AND THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO RESTART, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED SEVERAL TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE IGNITION SWITCH NEEDED TO BE RE…

Read full complaint

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 BUICK REGAL. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH, THE INSTRUMENT PANEL LIGHTS ILLUMINATED AND THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO RESTART, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED SEVERAL TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE IGNITION SWITCH NEEDED TO BE REPLACED; HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 270,000.

NHTSA ODI #10650821

150,000 miles · Oct 3, 2014
Electrical System

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 BUICK REGAL. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 10 MPH, THE ENGINE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE RESTARTED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO STATED THAT THE IGNITION SWITCH NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. …

Read full complaint

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 BUICK REGAL. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 10 MPH, THE ENGINE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE RESTARTED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO STATED THAT THE IGNITION SWITCH NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 150,000. UPDATED 11/20/14*LJ UPDATED 5/4/2015 *JS

NHTSA ODI #10641135

94,528 miles · Sep 8, 2014
Electrical SystemEquipmentVisibility

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 BUICK REGAL. WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE INSTRUMENT PANEL LIGHTING DIMMED, THE WINDOWS FAILED TO CLOSE AND OPEN, AND THE AIR CONDITIONING SYSTEM FAILED TO COOL. THE DEALER PERFORMED DIAGNOSTIC TESTING, BUT THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE DETERMINED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE …

Read full complaint

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 BUICK REGAL. WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE INSTRUMENT PANEL LIGHTING DIMMED, THE WINDOWS FAILED TO CLOSE AND OPEN, AND THE AIR CONDITIONING SYSTEM FAILED TO COOL. THE DEALER PERFORMED DIAGNOSTIC TESTING, BUT THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE DETERMINED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 94,528. UPDATED 10/24/14*CN UPDATED 08/28/2017*CT

NHTSA ODI #10631447

201,789 miles · Aug 20, 2014
Electrical SystemService Brakes

THE VEHICLE ENGINE SHUT DOWN AND HAD TO BE RESTARTED WHILE ROLLING. EVERY EVENT USUALLY INVOLVED TURNING AND BRAKING AT THE SAME TIME, BUT OCCASIONALLY SHUT DOWN WHILE IDLING AT STOP LIGHTS. IT APPEARED TO BE SIMILAR TO THE IGNITION RECALLS THAT HAVE BEEN MADE ON OTHER VEHICLES, BUT NOT ON THIS PARTICULAR MODEL. IT HAS OCCURRED …

Read full complaint

THE VEHICLE ENGINE SHUT DOWN AND HAD TO BE RESTARTED WHILE ROLLING. EVERY EVENT USUALLY INVOLVED TURNING AND BRAKING AT THE SAME TIME, BUT OCCASIONALLY SHUT DOWN WHILE IDLING AT STOP LIGHTS. IT APPEARED TO BE SIMILAR TO THE IGNITION RECALLS THAT HAVE BEEN MADE ON OTHER VEHICLES, BUT NOT ON THIS PARTICULAR MODEL. IT HAS OCCURRED SEVERAL TIMES AND AT LEAST TWO TO THREE TIMES WHILE TURNING ONTO ON RAMPS TO FREEWAYS. IT ALWAYS REQUIRES SHIFTING INTO NEUTRAL TO RESTART AND VERY STIFF STEERING BECAUSE POWER STEERING IS DISABLED. THIS HAS OCCURRED IN TRAFFIC AND PRESENTED VERY HAZARDOUS CONDITIONS. I BELIEVE THE IGNITION IS AT FAULT, BUT CANNOT SAY POSITIVELY. USUALLY OCCURS WHEN THE CAR HAS BEEN DRIVEN FOR SOME TIME AND THE ENGINE HAS BEEN RUNNING QUITE SOME TIME AND IS CONSIDERABLY WARM. UNDER HOT CONDITIONS IT OCCURS MORE OFTEN. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10626897

100,000 miles · Jul 11, 2014
Service Brakes

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 BUICK REGAL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKE LINES WERE CORRODED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000. UPDATED 09/16/14*LJ

NHTSA ODI #10609926

110,000 miles · Jul 9, 2014
Service BrakesService Brakes, Hydraulic

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 BUICK REGAL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE INSPECTING THE VEHICLE, HE NOTICED THAT THE BRAKE LINE WAS COMPLETELY CORRODED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS ADVISED THAT THE BRAKE LINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE…

Read full complaint

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 BUICK REGAL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE INSPECTING THE VEHICLE, HE NOTICED THAT THE BRAKE LINE WAS COMPLETELY CORRODED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS ADVISED THAT THE BRAKE LINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 110,000.

NHTSA ODI #10609174

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.