Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
60–25K
1125–50K
950–75K
975–100K
14100–150K
19150K+
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
35,350 miles · Apr 10, 2014
Electrical System
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 BUICK REGAL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE IGNITION SWITCH NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE IGNITION SWITCH WAS REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURE WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE W…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 BUICK REGAL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE IGNITION SWITCH NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE IGNITION SWITCH WAS REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURE WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 35,350 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 51,000. UPDATED 6/17/14*CN UPDATED 8/17/17*CN
NHTSA ODI #10578986
Mileage unknown · Apr 8, 2014
Electrical System
2003 BUICK REGAL. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO VEHICLE STOPPED IN TRAFFIC WITHOUT WARNING. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED EVERYTHING LOCKED UP ON THE VEHICLE AND IT HAD TO BE TOWED. AN INSPECTION REVEALED, THE ISSUE WAS THE IGNITION SWITCH. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10577663
142,000 miles · Apr 4, 2014
EngineCrash
MY ABS, TRACTION & SERVICE VEHICLE SOON LIGHTS CAME ON. SHORTLY AFTER, THE CAR STALLED WHILE TURNING ON THE TURN SIGNALS. DURING THE STALL, THE POWER STEERING AND ABS LOCKED UP. I NOTICED THAT THE CAR WOULD STALL WHENEVER A TURN SIGNAL WAS TURNED ON. AFTER READING FORUMS, I SEE THAT THIS HAS BEEN A PROBLEM FOR MANY PEOPLE! *TR
NHTSA ODI #10577382
Mileage unknown · Mar 28, 2014
Service BrakesStructure
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 BUICK REGAL. THE CONTACT STATED UPON INSPECTION, IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE BRAKE LINES AND THE FRAME WERE COVERED WITH RUST. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A PRIVATE MECHANIC WHERE THE FAILURE WAS CONFIRMED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE AND…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 BUICK REGAL. THE CONTACT STATED UPON INSPECTION, IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE BRAKE LINES AND THE FRAME WERE COVERED WITH RUST. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A PRIVATE MECHANIC WHERE THE FAILURE WAS CONFIRMED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE AND VIN WERE NOT AVAILABLE.
NHTSA ODI #10575315
101,000 miles · Mar 12, 2014
Electrical System
ABOUT THREE WEEKS AGO WE HAD TO REPLACE A FAULTY IGNITION SWITCH IN OUR 2003 BUICK REGAL. A WEEK PRIOR TO THAT, IT BEGAN TO EXPERIENCE "STRANGE" PROBLEMS: THE "SERVICE ENGINE SOON" AND "ABS" LIGHTS CAME ON INTERMITTENTLY; THERE WERE SOMETIMES ODD SOUNDS DURING BREAKING AND WHEN USING THE TURN SIGNAL. THEN, ONE MORNING ON MY W…
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ABOUT THREE WEEKS AGO WE HAD TO REPLACE A FAULTY IGNITION SWITCH IN OUR 2003 BUICK REGAL. A WEEK PRIOR TO THAT, IT BEGAN TO EXPERIENCE "STRANGE" PROBLEMS: THE "SERVICE ENGINE SOON" AND "ABS" LIGHTS CAME ON INTERMITTENTLY; THERE WERE SOMETIMES ODD SOUNDS DURING BREAKING AND WHEN USING THE TURN SIGNAL. THEN, ONE MORNING ON MY WAY TO WORK, THE CAR COMPLETELY LOST ALL POWER WITHOUT ANY WARNING. LATER THAT DAY IT HAPPENED AGAIN. THE FIRST TIME IT LOST POWER, I HAD JUST PUT THE TURN SIGNAL ON AND SLOWED DOWN TO GO AROUND A CAR IN ORDER TO GET INTO MY TURNING LANE. IF I HAD NOT ALREADY BEGUN TO TURN THE STEERING WHEEL, I WOULD HAVE HIT THE BUMPER OF THE CAR IN THE LANE TO MY RIGHT. I WAS ABLE TO COME TO A COMPLETE STOP AND PUT THE CAR IN PARK. FORTUNATELY--- ESPECIALLY SINCE IT WAS MORNING RUSH HOUR---I WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE CAR AND CONTINUE THROUGH THE INTERSECTION. I PROCEEDED ON TO WORK WITHOUT FURTHER INCIDENT EXCEPT THAT MOST OF THE DASH LIGHTS HAD COME ON AND REMAINED ON. WHEN I PULLED TO END OF THE DRIVEWAY AS I LEFT WORK, THE CAR AGAIN STOPPED. I DROVE HOME AND SCHEDULED AN APPOINTMENT TO HAVE THE CAR CHECKED OUT THE NEXT DAY. THE PROBLEM WAS A FAULTY IGNITION SWITCH. THANKFULLY, THERE WERE NO ACCIDENTS AS A RESULT OF THE CAR LOSING POWER AS I WAS DRIVING THAT DAY, AND EVERYTHING SEEMS TO BE BACK TO NORMAL SINCE HAVING THE SWITCH REPLACED.. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10568894
Mileage unknown · May 27, 2013
Wheels
THE INSIDE OF THE WHEELS ARE FLAKING OFF CAUSING THE TIRES TO LOSE AIR AND COMING IN CONTACT WITH THE CALIPER LINES. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10513702
Mileage unknown · Oct 2, 2012
Visibility
2003 BUICK REGAL. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO WINDSHIELD WIPERS ON GENERAL MOTORS VEHICLES *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED THE WINDSHIELD WIPER ARM FELL OFF HIS DAUGHTER'S VEHICLE, WHILE DRIVING IN INCLEMENT WEATHER.
NHTSA ODI #10479022
29,300 miles · Jan 11, 2012
Exterior Lighting
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 BUICK REGAL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE HEADLIGHTS FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THEY ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THE MULTI FUNCTION SWITCH EXPERIENCED AN INTERNAL SHORT. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAG…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 BUICK REGAL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE HEADLIGHTS FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THEY ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THE MULTI FUNCTION SWITCH EXPERIENCED AN INTERNAL SHORT. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 29,300. UPDATED 02/15/12*BF
NHTSA ODI #10443421
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
43,450 miles · Oct 31, 2011
Electrical System
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 BUICK REGAL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE THE TURN SIGNALS WERE ACTIVATED, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT DROVE THE VEHICLE HOME WITHOUT USE OF THE TURNS SIGNALS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE MANUFACTURER TOOK A COMPLAINT AND ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT …
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 BUICK REGAL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE THE TURN SIGNALS WERE ACTIVATED, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT DROVE THE VEHICLE HOME WITHOUT USE OF THE TURNS SIGNALS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE MANUFACTURER TOOK A COMPLAINT AND ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THE FAILURE WAS NOT RECALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 43,540. UPDATED 12/12/11*LJ THE CONSUMER STATED DURING NORMAL DRIVING CONDITIONS, WHEN HE USED THE TURN SIGNAL, THE ENGINE IMMEDIATELY AND WITHOUT WARNING SHUT DOWN. THE CONSUMER ALSO STATED THE ENGINE SHUT DOWN WHILE STOPPED AT A TRAFFIC SIGNAL. THE PROBLEM WAS DISCOVERED TO BE THE IGNITION SWITCH. UPDATED 12/16/11
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.
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 ENGINES FRONT VALVE COVER AND FRONT-VALVE-COVER GASKET WITH NEW PARTS OF AN IMPROVED DESIGN AND REMOVE THE ENGINES 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.
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 ENGINES FRONT VALVE COVER AND FRONT-VALVE-COVER GASKET WITH NEW PARTS OF AN IMPROVED DESIGN AND REMOVE THE ENGINES 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.
2003 Buick Regal Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year