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
57,385 miles · Jun 25, 2008
Electrical System
2003 BUICK REGAL GRAND SPORT ON SUNDAY JUNE 22, 2008 MY HUSBAND AND I WERE RETURNING HOME FROM CHICAGO, IL. WHILE WE WERE DRIVING DOWN INTERSTATE 55 I ACCELERATED TO GO AROUND THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF ME. WHEN I STEPPED ON THE GAS TO ACCELERATE, THE DASH LIGHTS ALL WENT RED, AND THE VEHICLE STALLED. IT LOST ALL POWER. THIS W…
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2003 BUICK REGAL GRAND SPORT ON SUNDAY JUNE 22, 2008 MY HUSBAND AND I WERE RETURNING HOME FROM CHICAGO, IL. WHILE WE WERE DRIVING DOWN INTERSTATE 55 I ACCELERATED TO GO AROUND THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF ME. WHEN I STEPPED ON THE GAS TO ACCELERATE, THE DASH LIGHTS ALL WENT RED, AND THE VEHICLE STALLED. IT LOST ALL POWER. THIS WAS VERY SCARY AND COULD HAVE COST MANY LIVES. I WAS ABLE TO GET TO THE SHOULDER BY COASTING THERE. AFTER SITTING THERE IN DISBELIEF OF WHAT HAD JUST HAPPENED. THE VEHICLE WAS STILL RUNNING SO I PUT IT INTO DRIVE AND TRIED TO ACCELERATE AGAIN TO PULL INTO TRAFFIC, BUT THE CAR WOULD NOT MOVE. I TURNED THE VEHICLE OFF AND RESTARTED IT. AND IT STARTED RIGHT UP, SO I PULLED INTO TRAFFIC AND PROCEEDED HOME. HOWEVER THE VEHICLE WAS RUNNING AT LESS POWER. EVEN THROUGH THE SPEEDOMETER READ 65 I WAS NOT GOING 65 I WAS GOING MORE LIKE 55 ON THE INTERSTATE. MY HUSBAND NOTICED THE DIFFERENCE ALSO. WHEN WE REACHED OUR HOME, WE UNLOADED THE SUITCASES AND IMMEDIATELY TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP WHERE WE BOUGHT THE CAR AND I HAVE MY REPAIR WORK DONE. (WE BOUGHT THIS CAR NEW FROM THE DEALERSHIP) AFTER HAVING THE CAR FOR DAYS THEY FOUND NOTHING WRONG WITH MY VEHICLE. I KNOW THERE IS SOMETHING WRONG WITH THIS VEHICLE, BECAUSE IT HAPPENED TO ME AGAIN ON THE WAY HOME FROM THE DEALERSHIP. WE ONLY HAVE A LITTLE OVER 57,000 MILES ON THIS VEHICLE AND IT IS STILL UNDER THE EXTENDED WARRANTY WE TOOK OUT ON IT WHEN WE BOUGHT IT. PLEASE HELP US WITH THIS PROBLEM. I WOULD HATE TO HAVE MY YOUNG GRANDCHILDREN IN THE VEHICLE IF SOMETHING BAD WOULD HAPPEN ESPECIALLY IF IT COULD BE AVOIDED. THANK-YOU. SINCERELY, DAVE AND PHYLIS UNDERWOOD EUREKA, IL. 57,000 MILES *TR
NHTSA ODI #10232318
53,500 miles · Mar 13, 2008
Wheels
THE CHROME-PLATED ALLOY RIMS ON THE 2003 BUICK REGAL HAVE THE PLATING PEELING OFF IN SHEETS ON THE INSIDE OF THE RIMS, WHERE IT CAN STRIKE AND POTENTIALLY SLICE OR DAMAGE THE TIRES, BRAKES, BRAKE LINES, ETC. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10221115
Mileage unknown · Feb 27, 2008
Wheels
2003 BUICK REGAL UNSAFE TIRES DEEMED BY GOODYEAR TIRE CO. CONSUMER STATES THAT THE INSIDE OF THE RIMS IS PEELING BACK CAUSING CORROSION AND FLAT TIRES. ALSO THE PLATING IS HITTING THE BRAKE DRUMS AND CALIPERS. *KB
NHTSA ODI #10219459
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
50,000 miles · Dec 14, 2007
Visibility
2003 BUICK REGAL 1. NORMAL DRIVING. 2. WINDOWS FALL OPEN AT ANY TIME. 3. REPLACE BROKEN WINDOW REGULATOR. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10211952
90,000 miles · Oct 16, 2007
Electrical SystemFire
MY MOTHER'S 2003 BUICK REGAL CAUGHT FIRE IN THE STEERING COLUMN. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10205849
97,987 miles · Aug 22, 2007
Electrical SystemFuel System, Gasoline
2003 BUICK REGAL WITH DEFECTIVE IGNITION SWITCH CUSTOMER STATES THAT THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS AND A RECALL SHOULD BE DONE**CC THE CONSUMER STATED WHILE DRIVING, THE VEHICLE LOST ALL POWER AND ALL THE DASH LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE CONSUMER STATED THIS DEFECT WAS DUE TO A FAULTY IGNITION SWITCH AND IS A VERY DANGEROUS SAFETY HAZARD.…
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2003 BUICK REGAL WITH DEFECTIVE IGNITION SWITCH CUSTOMER STATES THAT THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS AND A RECALL SHOULD BE DONE**CC THE CONSUMER STATED WHILE DRIVING, THE VEHICLE LOST ALL POWER AND ALL THE DASH LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE CONSUMER STATED THIS DEFECT WAS DUE TO A FAULTY IGNITION SWITCH AND IS A VERY DANGEROUS SAFETY HAZARD. THE CONSUMER STATED A FAULTY FUEL PUMP WAS BAD ENOUGH WITH NO WARNING SIGNS BUT A FAULTY IGNITION SWITCH IS A DANGEROUS DEFECT AND FURTHER STATED HE WOULD LIKE THE DEFECT RECALLED. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10201387
5,905 miles · Aug 13, 2007
Steering
LOST POWER STEERING FLUID IN MY 2003 BUICK REGAL DUE TO A HOLE IN THE POWER STEERING RETURN LINE. THE HOLE DEVELOPED AS A RESULT OF THE LINE RUBBING AGAINST TRANSMISSION FILLER TUBE. THIS IS DESIGN FAULT AND IS CONSIDERED A SAFETY ISSUE THAT NEEDS TO BE CORRECTED. THE ODOMETER READING AT THE TIME OF THIS FAILURE WAS 5905…
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LOST POWER STEERING FLUID IN MY 2003 BUICK REGAL DUE TO A HOLE IN THE POWER STEERING RETURN LINE. THE HOLE DEVELOPED AS A RESULT OF THE LINE RUBBING AGAINST TRANSMISSION FILLER TUBE. THIS IS DESIGN FAULT AND IS CONSIDERED A SAFETY ISSUE THAT NEEDS TO BE CORRECTED. THE ODOMETER READING AT THE TIME OF THIS FAILURE WAS 5905. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10199425
31,500 miles · Feb 9, 2007
Steering
STEERING/LINKAGE/DRIVE SHAFT PROBLEM AT 31,000 MILES/3 YEARS 11/06; 1/07. 2 OCCURRENCES OF LOUD CLUNKING NOISE WHEN BACKING AND TURNING OUT OF DRIVEWAY OR ANY PARKING SPACE. DOES NOT HAPPEN EVERY TIME. FIRST TIME DEALER LUBED INTERMEDIATE DRIVE SHAFT, WHICH CURED PROBLEM FOR COUPLE OF MONTHS. SECOND TIME DEALER COULD NOT HEA…
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STEERING/LINKAGE/DRIVE SHAFT PROBLEM AT 31,000 MILES/3 YEARS 11/06; 1/07. 2 OCCURRENCES OF LOUD CLUNKING NOISE WHEN BACKING AND TURNING OUT OF DRIVEWAY OR ANY PARKING SPACE. DOES NOT HAPPEN EVERY TIME. FIRST TIME DEALER LUBED INTERMEDIATE DRIVE SHAFT, WHICH CURED PROBLEM FOR COUPLE OF MONTHS. SECOND TIME DEALER COULD NOT HEAR NOISE, BUT SAID THEY WOULD LUBE SAME PART AGAIN. NOISE WAS NOT FIXED. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10182084
2,000 miles · Feb 5, 2007
Steering
TL*- THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING THE 2003 BUICK REGAL AT ANY RATE OF SPEED AND TURNING RIGHT OR LEFT THE CONTACT HEARD A CLICKING NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE. HE FELT THE STEERING WHEEL VIBRATE. THE DEALER FIXED THE VEHICLE TEMPORARILY APPROXIMATELY 10 TIMES BY LUBRICATING THE INTERMEDIATE STEER…
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TL*- THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING THE 2003 BUICK REGAL AT ANY RATE OF SPEED AND TURNING RIGHT OR LEFT THE CONTACT HEARD A CLICKING NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE. HE FELT THE STEERING WHEEL VIBRATE. THE DEALER FIXED THE VEHICLE TEMPORARILY APPROXIMATELY 10 TIMES BY LUBRICATING THE INTERMEDIATE STEERING SHAFT. EACH TIME IT HAD BEEN REPAIRED THE REPAIR WOULD LAST ABOUT 4 WEEKS. GENERAL MOTORS IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM ,AND STATED THEY WERE WORKING ON IT. *AK
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
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