- The problem
- 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.
- The risk
- Engine oil that drips onto the hot surface of the exhaust manifold may result in a fire.
- The fix
- 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.
Vehicle safety record
2003 Buick Regal Problems, complaints & recalls
Owners have filed 104 complaints about the 2003 Buick Regal with NHTSA, most often about the engine & cooling (37) and the electrical system (36). Those complaints describe 5 crashes, 14 fires and 7 injuries. It is covered by 5 recalls, the latest in October 2015 for the engine. For comparison, the 2002 has 129 and the 2004 has 66.
NHTSA data checked
FFar more problems than a typical Regal year, for its age
#116 most complained-about 2003 vehicle
- Complaints
- 104
- Recalls
- 5
- Crashes
- 5
- Fires
- 14
- Injuries
- 7
- Deaths
- 0
Most common 2003 Buick Regal problems
Share of all 104 complaints. One complaint can name more than one area. Tap an area for its complaints and recalls.
2003 Buick Regal recalls 5
Recall repairs are free. Your dealer fixes them whether or not you bought the car there - check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see if yours is done. What to do
- The problem
- 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.
- The risk
- 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.
- The fix
- 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.
- The problem
- Dorman is recalling 979 steering knuckles, dorman p/nos. 697-902 And 697-903, sold under dorman's "oe solutions<sup>tm</sup>" brand name, and napa p/nos. 7-8502 And 7-8503 which were sold for replacement use on the various vehicles listed above. A potential material or design defect could result in the steering knuckle breaking in the hub area.
- The risk
- A broken steering knuckle could result in loss of steering control and a possible crash without warning.
- The fix
- Dorman will notify owners and replace the defective steering knuckles free of charge and reimburse the repair facility or owner for labor. The recall began on february 23, 2009. Owners may contact dorman's toll-free hotline at 1-800-523-2492 and press 5.
- The problem
- Dorman products is recalling 3,900 intermediate steering shafts dorman part nos. 425-151, 425-152, And 425-153, (sold under dorman's "oe solutions" brand name), balkamp #'s 7-3057, 7-3058, 7-3059 (sold under the "napa" brand name), and platinum parts #'s 2425151, 2425152, and 2425153 manufactured during the month of september 2007. These replacement steering shafts can be used on the vehicles listed above. The weld connecting the inner tube to the outer tube may be defective.
- The risk
- If the weld fails, loss of steering could result, possibly resulting in a vehicle crash.
- The fix
- Dorman will notify owners and replace the steering shafts free of charge. The recall began on october 16, 2008. Owners may contact dorman toll free at 1-800-523-2492.
- The problem
- 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.
- The risk
- 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.
- The fix
- 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> .
What owners say
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104 complaints about the 2003 Buick Regal
Newest first, as filed with NHTSA by owners. Page 1 of 5.
I backed the car in drive and the guages were normal. When I got out I saw a small amount of smoke coming from under car but within a minute there were flames coming from under the car and within a few minutes the flames were above the car. I called 911 when I saw flames and knew I wasn't going to be able to put the fire out myself. The fire dept arrived, it took them at least 30 minutes to put the fire out. A county deputy arrived and there is a police report (i tried to upload it and it failed each time). The damage has been inspected by an insurance representative from the owner of the house (upload failed.
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 buick regal. The contact stated that while driving at 55 mph, the vehicle repeatedly shut off without warning after multiple attempts. Upon inspection of the vehicle, the contact's friend opened the vehicle's hood and discovered that the engine was engulfed in flames. The police and fire department were called to the scene and the fire was extinguished. Police and fire reports were filed at the scene, no injuries were sustained. The vehicle was towed to the contact's residence. Two...
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months later, the contact received a recall notice for nhtsa recall number: 09v116(engine and engine cooling) which he linked to the failure. The manufacturer nor the dealer were notified of the failure. The vehicle had yet to be repaired. The failure mileage was unknown.
My daughter was sitting in the passenger front seat. The seat kept heating up almost unbearable. The next day car was off all night my battery died and the heated seat was still hot never shut off all night long I found a sensor under the seat and unplugged that but am nervous of my driver seat also she has newborn baby was with us and the seat definitely could have started on fire very disturbing also very dangerous.
While my vehicle is in motion I can smell oil burning from some where
Recall #15757 was performed by dealer on 2/24/2016. The vehicle at the time of the repair had 255,300 miles on it when I took it to the dealer (brookdale chevrolet buick.Gmc on 5/30/18 when I took it back to the dealer for oil dripping on the manifold it had 258,200. There is smoke coming from under the hood. We had it in storage after the repair and took it out this spring. The wife said it smoked and then I drove it and I had a lot of smoke coming from under the hood. Since the repair we only put 2,900 miles...
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on the vehicle. Surely if the repair was done correctly we shouldn't be worrying about our safety. The car can't be driven as is. The dealer flatly said they were no longer responsible for any more repairs unless I pay them $1,100 to replace the valve cover and valve cover gasket. The car is registered at the dealer under nl companies because I have a rental. They can't seem to put it under my name. I can appreciate their reluctance to redo the repairs but there is no way oil should be leaking again on the manifold after 2.900 Miles. They wrote down the wrong mileage on their 5/30/18 invoice. There should be 4 documents attached if I did it correctly.
The bright /dim headlight controller hits the back of the steering wheel if the steering wheel is in a position during a right direction curve in the road. This has caused the switch to catch in between settings and the headlights turn off. An example of that use would be going around a curve and need to turn bright lights off due to oncoming traffic. To get the headlights back on, the bright / dim switch has to be activated again. This vehicle was purchased new by myself in 2003 and has been a problem for as long...
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as I can remember since owning the car. I forget about the problem when I get home so now I finally report it in 2018. The problem appears to be a factory defect because the switch and steering wheel are not damaged. The information about when the incident happened is only the last incident.
PASSENGER SEAT BELT LIGHT STAYS ON
All window components motors and regulators have been defective in all 4 doors brake shaking transmission slippage
2003 Buick regal. Consumer writes in regards to no parts available to repair recall notice - vehicle vandalized at dealership - refuses to be held responsible for damages. *Smd the consumer did not reference a recall. *Jb
Unannounced to purchasers, the buick regal has a redundant and defective security ignition system that prevents the vehicle from being able to start with the key after the battery is disconnected. It must now be taken to a dealership to be diagnosed and for a costly repair. It was stationary, and the battery drained down with a phone charger hooked up. Even following the factory key sequence, the battery runs down before the code can be cleared and re-established.
My 03 buick regal ls will shutoff sometimes when turning left, or when using the turn signal. I can not find the paperwork, but I remember a recall for this about 5 to 8 years ago. We did have it addressed, but the problem has come back. Today's date is 1/9/17 and my wife had this happen again to her on 1/4/17 while making a left hand curve. She was not turning or using her turn signal. I only had it happen to me once while making a left turn using my turn signal. My mother also has an 03 regal gs and also...
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experienced this same problem. I contacted the dealer where I purchased the car and they told me there is no current recall nor was there ever one for this problem, but I know we had it addressed about 5 to 8 years ago.
Serpentine belt came off as I was driving down 65 s heading toward brandon from springfield, can't get belt on, and it won't even turn over without a jump.
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 buick regal. After driving the vehicle and shifting into park, the key failed to eject from the ignition switch properly. The ignition switch was in the off position and took more than twenty attempts for the key to be removed. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact did not feel safe in the vehicle. The failure mileage was 39,000.
Tl* the contact owned a 2003 buick regal. While driving 5 mph, the brakes malfunctioned and another vehicle struck the passenger side of the contact's vehicle. The air bags did not deploy. A police report was filed. The contact sustained injuries to the back, the entire right side of the body, the foot, and the neck. Medical attention was required. The vehicle was towed to a dealer. The vehicle was destroyed. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The failure mileage and vin were unknown. Updated 11/29/16*lj updated 12/13/16.*Jb
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 buick regal. After parking the vehicle, smoke appeared under the hood. The fire department was called to the scene and extinguished the flames. A fire report was not filed. The cause of the failure was not diagnosed. The vehicle was not repaired. The vin was invalid. The failure mileage was 188,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 buick regal. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to start and all the warning indicators flashed on the instrument panel. The vehicle eventually restarted. The vehicle stalled five times the same day. The contact stated that the failure occurred twelve times before the last failure. The dealer replaced the ignition switch. The manufacturer was notified. The approximate failure mileage was 69,800.
Oil leaks,05/22/2016. I have dad several hard breaking times -highway-and I have sense noticed oil leaking and smelled oil smoke from engine.I had recall #15757 back in 02/2016.Called about parts to fif problem.They say they cant get parts,-on back order- been almost 6 months,still no parts.Loudacrous.No excuse.
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 buick regal. The contact received notification of nhtsa campaign number: 15v701000 (engine and engine cooling); however, the part for the recall repair was not available. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not notified of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.
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.
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 buick regal. While driving approximately 40 mph through a busy intersection, the vehicle suddenly shut off. After restarting the engine, the vehicle operated normally. The cause of the failure was not diagnosed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 148,000.
2003 Buick regal. Consumer writes in regards to replacement parts not available to repair recall notice 15v-701. *Smd
General motors sent letter saying parts were available to repair engines for recall # 15757, but my dealer has been unable to obtain part numbers 12590366 (cover) and 25532619 (gasket) since early march. Despite letter from general motors, parts needed for this recall remain on back order. In repeated calls to general motors customer service line, I've been told they could not provide any information on timelines to resolve the parts backorder.
On the early morning of 03/08/2016 around 5:50am on my way to work, the car lost all power as I was trying to turn left on to a county road. I was able to steer the car out of traffic coming from the opposite direction and almost went down the ditch due to the steering was very hard to turn. I put the car in neutral and restart the car continuing to get to my destination. At the next intersection, this happened again as soon as I used the turn signal (i was turning right this time). I restart the car again after...
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put it in neutral. This problem is now will occur each time I use either turn signal left or right. I consider this is a safety problem because accident can occur if someone didn't know how to react when it happen the 1st time on a busy road.
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 buick regal. The contact stated that there was a presence of an oil leak which progressed without warning. The contact noticed a puddle under the vehicle. The contact later received notification of nhtsa campaign number: 15v701000 (engine and engine cooling). The dealer was unable to supply the part for several months. The contact was unable to determine when the manufacturer would be able to supply the part to the dealer. The failure mileage was not available. Vin tool confirms parts not available. Updated 05/11/16*lj *tr
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 buick regal. The contact stated that while parked, it was observed that engine oil was leaking from underneath the vehicle onto the ground. The failure occurred constantly. The contact received a notification of nhtsa campaign number: 15v701000 (engine and engine coolant) however, the part for the recall was not available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown. Parts distribution disconnect.
Buick Regal: every year compared
All Regal years2003 Buick Regal vs rivals
| Vehicle | Complaints | Recalls | Grade | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2003 Buick Regal | 104 | 5 | F | |
| 2003 Buick Rendezvous | 284 | 7 | D | Compare |
| 2003 Buick Lesabre | 167 | 1 | F | Compare |
| 2003 Buick Century | 130 | 2 | F | Compare |
| 2003 Buick Park Avenue | 36 | 1 | C | Compare |
| 2003 Buick Buick Truck | 2 | 0 | - | Compare |
| 2003 Buick Rainier | 1 | 0 | A | Compare |
More sales usually means more complaints, so compare similar vehicles of the same year. The grade compares each vehicle with its own model's other years.
Questions about the 2003 Buick Regal
Does the 2003 Buick Regal have any recalls?
Yes - NHTSA lists 5 recalls for the 2003 Buick Regal: engine (October 2015); engine and engine cooling (April 2009); steering (February 2009); steering (October 2008) and more. Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether yours has been fixed.
What are the most common problems with the 2003 Buick Regal?
By the complaints owners filed with NHTSA, the most common problem areas are the engine & cooling (37), electrical system (36), steering (10).
How many complaints has the 2003 Buick Regal had?
104 complaints have been filed with NHTSA, the first on November 10, 2002 and the latest on August 4, 2023. Of these, 5 describe a crash and 14 a fire, and together they report 7 injuries and 0 deaths.
Is the 2003 Buick Regal a reliable vehicle?
Its Safety Index is 12 out of 100 (grade F: far more problems than a typical Buick Regal year, for its age). The index weighs complaints, crashes, fires, injuries, deaths and recalls against how long the vehicle has been on the road, compared with the same model's other years. It is not a measure of every repair - read the complaints and owner experiences, and have any used vehicle inspected before you buy.
Which Buick Regal years have the most complaints?
1998 (312), 2011 (280), 1999 (252). See every Buick Regal year compared.
What should I do if my 2003 Buick Regal has a problem?
If it is a safety problem, stop driving it if it is unsafe and contact your dealer. Report it to NHTSA at nhtsa.gov/report-a-safety-problem - enough reports start investigations and recalls - and share your experience here so other owners know what to look for.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) complaints and recalls, checked . Complaints are owners' own reports and are not verified. How we use the data