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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

Other model years Selected 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 · Feb 8, 2006
Electrical System

COMMENTS: SAFETY ISSUE: IN AN EMERGENCY SITUATION WHERE I NEED MY HORN TO SOUND, I HAVE DIFFICULTY FINDING THE "RIGHT" SPOT ON MY STEERING WHEEL TO SOUND THE HORN, AS THE WHEEL MAY NOT BE STRAIGHT AT THAT TIME, BUT TURNED RIGHT OR LEFT. ALSO, I MAY BE MORE CONCERNED TO SEE THE TRAFFIC SITUATION AND CANNOT SAFELY LOOK DOWN FOR TH…

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COMMENTS: SAFETY ISSUE: IN AN EMERGENCY SITUATION WHERE I NEED MY HORN TO SOUND, I HAVE DIFFICULTY FINDING THE "RIGHT" SPOT ON MY STEERING WHEEL TO SOUND THE HORN, AS THE WHEEL MAY NOT BE STRAIGHT AT THAT TIME, BUT TURNED RIGHT OR LEFT. ALSO, I MAY BE MORE CONCERNED TO SEE THE TRAFFIC SITUATION AND CANNOT SAFELY LOOK DOWN FOR THE HORN SYMBOL. ON OLDER CARS BEFORE AIR BAGS, THAT WAS NOT A PROBLEM. I PLACED A SMALL STICKER OVER THE HORN SYMBOLS ON MY TWO CARS. NOW, AT A GLANCE, I CAN SEE EXACTLY WHERE TO PRESS THE STEERING WHEEL FOR THE HORN TO SOUND, NO MATTER WHAT POSITION THE WHEEL IS IN. FOR NIGHT USE, MAYBE A STICKER WITH MORE "FEEL" CAPABILITY, OR A STICKER THAT WILL SLIGHTLY ILLUMINATE. FROM NHTSA WEB SITE. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10149702

Mileage unknown · Sep 29, 2005
Air BagsElectrical SystemEngine And Engine Cooling

COMPLAINT REGARDING AIR BAG LIGHT & LOW TIRE LIGHT CAME ON SEVERAL TIMES CONSUMER HAD VEHICLE SERVICE AND ONCE OFF THE SERVICE LOT ALL DASH LIGHTS CAME ON. *TS THE TRUN SIGNAL AND WIPER MOTOR HAD TO BE REPLACED. THE HUB ASSEMBLT HARNESS HAD TO BE REPALCED. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED ALONG WITH THE NO TRAC AND ABS LIG…

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COMPLAINT REGARDING AIR BAG LIGHT & LOW TIRE LIGHT CAME ON SEVERAL TIMES CONSUMER HAD VEHICLE SERVICE AND ONCE OFF THE SERVICE LOT ALL DASH LIGHTS CAME ON. *TS THE TRUN SIGNAL AND WIPER MOTOR HAD TO BE REPLACED. THE HUB ASSEMBLT HARNESS HAD TO BE REPALCED. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED ALONG WITH THE NO TRAC AND ABS LIGHT. *NM

NHTSA ODI #10138819

21,000 miles · May 26, 2005
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

THE INSIDE OF THE REAR ROTORS RUSTED AND AS A RESULT THE CAR WOULDN'T STOP. THIS IS THE CONSUMERS FIFTH VEHICLE FROM GM. WHEN THE REAR ROTORS RUSTED IT CAUSED THE FRONT ROTORS TO OVERWORK AND RESULTED IN THE FRONT ROTORS WARPING. THE ROTORS ARE NOT YET REPAIRED. *AK *SB *NM

NHTSA ODI #10119514

Mileage unknown · Feb 16, 2005
Visibility

WHILE DRIVING IN INCLEMENT WEATHER THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS FAILED TO COME ON. DRIVER CONTACTED AND DROVE TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION, AND MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT THE WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10111663

Mileage unknown · Jan 13, 2005
Visibility

FRONT DEFROSTER INEFFECTIVE. WITH THE ENGINE AT OPERATING TEMPS, IF CAR TURNED OFF TO GO INTO A STORE, WHEN RETURNED THE WINDOWS ARE FOGGED AND IT TAKES ANYPLACE FROM 5 TO 20 MINUTES TO DEFROST ( THE ENGINE IS STILL AT OPERATING TEMPS.). COMPLAINTS TO THE DEALER SAYS THAT IT IS A GM DESIGN AND THERE IS NOTHING THEY CAN DO ABOU…

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FRONT DEFROSTER INEFFECTIVE. WITH THE ENGINE AT OPERATING TEMPS, IF CAR TURNED OFF TO GO INTO A STORE, WHEN RETURNED THE WINDOWS ARE FOGGED AND IT TAKES ANYPLACE FROM 5 TO 20 MINUTES TO DEFROST ( THE ENGINE IS STILL AT OPERATING TEMPS.). COMPLAINTS TO THE DEALER SAYS THAT IT IS A GM DESIGN AND THERE IS NOTHING THEY CAN DO ABOUT IT. *NM

NHTSA ODI #10106269

Mileage unknown · Aug 24, 2004
SteeringSuspension

WHILE DRIVING AT LOWER SPEED CONSUMER HEARD A NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT END. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP, AND MECHANIC REPLACED THE BUSHINGS, AND GREASED THE RACK AND PINION.*AK

NHTSA ODI #10089610

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.