NHTSA Owner Complaint Log
This page lists owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2003 Buick Regal. Complaints are unverified consumer reports submitted to NHTSA and do not by themselves prove a defect or defect rate.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 BUICK REGAL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT UPON MAKING A TURN, THE VEHICLE STALLED AND ALL OF THE WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE FAILURE WOULD OCCUR INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A PRIVATE MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE IGNITION SWITCH NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 150,000. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 159,000.
ENGINE DIED WHILE SIGNALING A LEFT TURN GOING ABOUT 45 MPH. ALMOST REAR ENDED. CHANGED IGNITION SWITCH MODULE. NO REPEAT RECURRENCE. *TR
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
2003 BUICK REGAL. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO IGNITION PROBLEMS. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED HE ALMOST HAD AN ACCIDENT, WHEN HIS VEHICLE CUT OFF, ON A BUSY ROAD. AFTER MUCH CHECKING, THE REPAIR SHOP DISCOVERED THE PROBLEM TO BE THE IGNITION SWITCH.*JB
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
MY CAR HAS HAD ISSUES WITH THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. WHEN I USE MY TURNING SIGNALS MY CAR SHUTS OFF AND I HAVE TO PUT IN NEUTRAL AND RE START IT. ALSO, THE IGNITION ISSUE IS PREVENTING MY CAR FROM STARTING. I JUST HAD MY STARTER REPLACED 4 DAYS AGO BECAUSE I THOUGHT THE ISSUE WAS THE STARTER EVEN ONE IT READ OKAY I WENT AHEAD AND REPLACED IT SINCE THE ISSUE WAS THE CAR STARTING ALONG WITH IT SHUTTING OFF WHEN USING THE TURNING SIGNALS. I CALLED IN DUE TO THE RECALL TO FIND OUT MY CAR HAS A RECALL ON ANOTHER PART THAT COULD CAUSE IT TO CATCH FIRE. I HAD THE APPOINTMENT SET UP TO REPLACE THAT RECALL BUT SINCE THE CAR IS NOT ON THE IGNITION SWITCH RECALL I CANT GET THAT FIXED TO EVEN GET THE CAR STARTED. IT STARTS MOST OF THE TIME BUT IT SEAMS THE TIMES I REALLY NEED TO BE SOMEWHERE IT WONT START. WHYIS IT THAT MY MAKE AND MODEL ARE NOT APART OF THE RECALL IF PLENTY OF OWNERS WITH THIS CAR ARE HAVING THE SAME ISSUES. I HAVE BEEN SO CLOSE TO BEING IN AN ACCIDENT DUE TO THIS AND NEED IT FIXED. I AM A SINGLE MOTHER AND FEEL I SHOULD NOT INCUR DIAGNOSIS TEST WHEN I CAN TELL YOU WHAT'S WRONG AND THEN I HAVE TO PAY TO FIX SOMETHING THAT HAS BEEN RECALLED IN MANY OTHER GM AUTOMOBILES BUT NOT MINE. HOW CAN I GET MY CAR PUT ON THE RECALL LIST SO IT CAN GET FIXED???? THIS IS A HUGE SAFETY ISSUE AND IT NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED! *TR
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
MOTOR WOULD SHUT OFF WHILE GOING DOWN THE ROAD TOOK THE CAR TO CLASSIC DEALER IN MADISON OHIO AND THEY SAID THERE WAS NO RECALL I HAD TO PAY OVER $400 TO GET IT FIXED WAS THERE A RECALL ON THIS PART THEY SAID THEY HAD TO PULL THE STEERING COLUMN. *TR
THE INSIDE OF THE WHEELS ARE FLAKING OFF CAUSING THE TIRES TO LOSE AIR AND COMING IN CONTACT WITH THE CALIPER LINES. *TR
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
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.
I HAVE NOT DRIVEN THE CAR FOR OVER A YEAR DUE TO IT NOT BEING ON THE RECALL LIST FOR THE IGNITION NOT WORKING. SOME THING TO DO WITH THE IGNITION AND THE TRANSMISSION, YOU CAN'T GET THE KEY OUT OF IGNITION BECAUSE IT WANT TURN OFF TO THE POINT OF REMOVAL. I'VE NOTICED THAT THERE'S A CLICK SOMETIMES WHEN YOU PUT IT IN PARK AND THEN YOU CAN REMOVE KEY BUT IT'S RARE, I'M AFRAID IT'S GOING TO DO THE SAME THING THE RECALL SAYS WILL HAPPEN GOING DOWN THE ROAD. (ACCIDENT) THERE FOR I DON'T DRIVE IT THE BUICK DEALERSHIP SAID THERE WERE NO PARTS AVAILABLE DUE TO THE NUMBER OF RECALLS BROUGHT IN, I'VE BEEN UNABLE TO GET HELP. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 BUICK REGAL. WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH, THE CONTACT NOTICED SMOKE UNDER THE HOOD. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO PULL THE VEHICLE OVER AND NOTICED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS ON FIRE. THE FIRE WAS EXTINGUISHED BY THE CONTACT, A CONSTRUCTION CREW, AND THE LOCAL FIRE DEPARTMENT. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED AND THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V701000 (ENGINE); HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 136,000.
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
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
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
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 BUICK REGAL. THE CONTACT STATED THE ALUMINUM CASTING AROUND THREE OF THE FOUR RIMS WAS PEELING OFF. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A DEALER AND WAS INFORMED THIS HAD BECOME A KNOWN FAILURE AND IT WAS HARD TO RE-SEAL THE WHEELS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 55,000. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN.
ON MULTIPLE BUT INTERMITTENT OCCASIONS, WHEN THE LEFT TURN SIGNAL IS ENGAGED ALL DASHBOARD WARNING LIGHTS FLASH AND THE VEHICLE STOPS RUNNING. I WAS FORTUNATE IN THAT IT NEVER OCCURRED IN HEAVY TRAFFIC, BUT IT STILL REPRESENTS A SIGNIFICANT DANGER. ON ONE PARTICULAR OCCASION, IT FAILED TO RESTART AND I HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO AN AUTHORIZED GM DEALER WHO KEPT IT FOR SEVEN DAYS BUT FAILED TO FIND OR FIX THE PROBLEM. INSTEAD, THEY REPLACED "BROKEN AND LOOSE CONNECTORS ON THE FUSE BOX." WHEN THE PROBLEM RECURRED TWO DAYS LATER, I RETURNED TO THE GM DEALER WHO, DESPITE KEEPING THE VEHICLE FOR ANOTHER THREE DAYS, STILL FAILED TO FIND THE PROBLEM. I DECIDED TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO AN AUTOMOTIVE ELECTRICAL SPECIALIST BUT FIRST SEARCHED THE INTERNET UNDER "2003 BUICK ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS", AND FOUND THAT THIS WAS A FAIRLY COMMON PROBLEM THAT GM WAS AWARE OF (A GM CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE HAD REPLIED ON ONE OF THE FORUMS - EDMUNDS.COM? - THAT GM READS THESE FORUMS). HAVING LEARNED FROM THE FORUMS THAT THE MOST PROBABLE CAUSE WAS THE IGNITION SWITCH, I TOOK IT TO AN AUTOMOTIVE ELECTRICAL SPECIALIST WHO FOUND A DEFECTIVE IGNITION SWITCH AND REPLACED IT. (REGRET OLD PART NO LONGER AVAILABLE). *TR
THIS CAR WAS TOTALLED IN AN ACCIDENT WITH ANOTHER VEHICLE. PLEASE REMOVE NOTICES OF RECALL 09047 UPDATED 08/31/11 *BF
IGNITION SWITCH FAILURE. CAUSED ENGINE TO DIE WHILE DRIVING. UNABLE TO CHANGE GEAR OUT OF DRIVE. ALL WARNING LIGHTS FLASHING. WOULD NOT RESTART. HAPPENED IN A PARKING LOT, NO DAMAGE. TEMP FIX GOT IT STARTED, THEN SAME THING HAPPENED ON FREEWAY, COASTED TO SHOULDER, NO DAMAGE. TOWED TO DEALER, DETERMINED IGNITION SWITCH PROBLEM AND REPLACED. OKAY SINCE. *TR
ALL WINDOW COMPONENTS MOTORS AND REGULATORS HAVE BEEN DEFECTIVE IN ALL 4 DOORS BRAKE SHAKING TRANSMISSION SLIPPAGE
OE CHROME PLATED ALUMINUM WHEELS ON MY 2003 BUICK REGAL. SEPARATION OCCURS BETWEEN THE CHROME AND THE ALUMINUM SUBSTRATE RESULTING IN AN AIR LEAK, BELIEVED TO BE CAUSED BY SALT CORROSION. LOSS OF AIR COULD RESULT IN A DEFLATED TIRE AND SUBSEQUENT LOSS OF CONTROL. DISCOVERED UPON NEW TIRE PURCHASE. *TR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 BUICK REGAL. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 08V118000, NHTSA ACTION NUMBER EA07008 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). THE FAILURE OCCURRED BEFORE THE VEHICLE COULD BE TAKEN TO THE DEALER. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE DRIVER NOTICED SMOKE COMING OUT OF THE DASHBOARD. SHE PULLED THE VEHICLE OVER AND IT BURST INTO FLAMES SECONDS LATER. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE, BUT THEY STATED THAT THE VEHICLE SHOULD NOT HAVE CAUGHT FIRE SO EASILY. THE DEALER STATED THAT THEY WERE NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR THE REPAIRS. THE CONTACT BELIEVES THAT THE MANUFACTURER SHOULD ASSUME RESPONSIBILITY. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 120,000.
WHEN TURNING,THE ENGINE QUITS.2003 BUICK REGAL I AM MECHANIC FOUND THE IGNITION SWITCH WEAK AND WHEN YOU ENGAUGE TURN SIGNAL SWITCH THE ENGINE STALLS. *TR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 BUICK REGAL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE SMELLED SOMETHING BURNING IN HIS VEHICLE. HE NOTICED THAT THE ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. HE RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 09V116000 AND GM RECALL NUMBER 90047, WHICH WAS REPAIRED BY THE DEALER ON MAY 27, 2009. THE DEALER INFORMED THE CONTACT OF ANOTHER ISSUE WITH HIS VEHICLE AND STATED THAT HE HAD TO PAY $88, BUT THE CONTACT REFUSED. THE DEALER BELIEVED THAT THE OTHER ISSUE HAD NOTHING TO DO WITH THE RECALL FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 120,000.
HEADLIGHTS SUDDENLY WENT OUT WHILE DRIVING. TRIED THE MANUAL DASH SWITCH NO LUCK. LIGHTS SUDDENLY CAME ON FOR 5 SECONDS, THEN WENT OUT AGAIN. FOG LIGHTS AND BRIGHT NOT OPERATING. ON THEN OFF AGAIN SEVERAL TIMES, THEN OFF UNTIL I GOT HOME. NEXT DAY EVERYTHING OPERATED CORRECTLY. TRIED TO REPEAT FAULT DURING DAYLIGHT AND AT NIGHT WITH NO SUCCESS. *TR
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
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
2003 BUICK REGAL 1. NORMAL DRIVING. 2. WINDOWS FALL OPEN AT ANY TIME. 3. REPLACE BROKEN WINDOW REGULATOR. *TR
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
ON 21 AUGUST 2007 MY 2003 BUCK RENDEZVOUS CXL AWD WITH APP 60,050 MILES SUFFERED A COMPLETE ENGINE FAILURE DUE TO WHAT MY MECHANIC BELIEVES IS A FAILURE OF THE WRIST PIN IN THE LEFT MOST FRONT CYLINDER. THE CAR WAS WELL MAINTAINED FOR RECEIVING REGULARLY SPACED OIL CHANGES. PER MY MECHANIC'S OPINION FAILURE OF THIS PART IS NOT AN INDICATION OF EXCESSIVE WEAR OR TEAR OR LACK OF VEHICLE CARE. THE CONSEQUENCE OF THE FAILURE OF THIS WRIST PIN IS THE DESTRUCTION OF THE ENTIRE ENGINE. PER MY MECHANIC'S OPINION THERE IS NO WAY TO SALVAGE AN ENGINE THAT HAS SUFFERED THIS TYPE OF INCIDENT. THE CORRECTION OF THIS INCIDENT WILL INVOLVE THE REPLACEMENT OF THE ENTIRE ENGINE. *TR
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
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
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 BUICK REGAL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO BE STARTED WITHOUT THE KEY IN THE IGNITION. THE FAILURE RECURRED ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT IT WAS DIFFICULT TO UNLOCK THE STEERING WHEEL ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE IGNITION SWITCH WAS FAULTY AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 72,000.
MY MOTHER'S 2003 BUICK REGAL CAUGHT FIRE IN THE STEERING COLUMN. *JB
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
DT: THE CONTACT STATED AFTER PUTTING THE VEHICLE IN PARK, THE VEHICLE JUMPED INTO REVERSE ON ITS OWN SLAMMING THE CONTACT BETWEEN THE DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR AND A CHAIN LINK FENCE. THE CONTACT SUFFERED INJURIES TO THE LEFT LEG AND CALF AND A BROKEN RIGHT FOOT. THE DEALERSHIP HAS NOT BEEN CONTACTED YET. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A BODY SHOP. THERE WAS DAMAGE DONE TO THE VEHICLE AND TO THE CHAIN LINK FENCE. ON ONE OTHER OCCASION THE VEHICLE JUMPED OUT OF PARK AND TRIED TO GO FORWARD, BUT THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO STOP THE VEHICLE IN TIME.
LAST YEAR AFTER REFUELING THE 03 BUICK RENDEZVOUS IT WOULD NOT CRANK. SINCE THEN, OCCASIONALLY IT HAS DONE THE SAME. RECENTLY, IT WON'T START AT ALL WITHOUT TAKING 30 + MINUTES OF RETRYING AND RETRYING. THE DEALER REPLACED THE FUEL LINES ,AND SAID THAT IT WAS PROBABLY THE PROBLEM. AFTER SPENDING $400 FOR THAT THE CAR IS STILL NOT CRANKING.*AK
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 BUICK REGAL. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH, THERE WAS A SUDDEN LOSS IN ENGINE POWER AS THE ELECTRONIC THROTTLE CONTROL WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE IGNITION SWITCH WAS FRACTURED AND NEEDED TO BE REPAIRED. THE FAILURE RECURRED ON TWO OCCASIONS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 38,000. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 126,432. ..UPDATED 08/12/14 *BF THE IGNITION SWITCH HAD TO BE REPLACED TWICE. UPDATED 09/16/14
(1) I HAVE A 2003 BUICK REGAL WITH MILEAGE OF 17700.THIS MORNING AT 9 AM WHEN I STOPPED BEFORE THE TRAFFIC LIGHT IN THE INTERSECTION OF MOUND RD AND 13 MILE RD. (2) SUDDENLY THE BRAKE PEDAL APPEARS TO BE VERY LOOSE AND THE CAR STARTS GOING BACKWARD SLOWLY. I KEEP ON PRESSING THE BRAKE BUT THE CAR KEEPS GOING BACKWARD. I SWITCHED TO PARKING GEAR AND THEN DRIVING GEAR AND PRESS THE GASPEDAL AND THE CAR STARTS MOVING FORWARD. BOTH MY WIFE AND I WERE IN THE CAR. FORTUNATELY NO CAR WAS BEHIND US SO NO ACCIDENT OCCURED. (3) THE DEALER CHECKED THE CAR AND CAN NOT FIND WHAT IS THE PROBLEM. SO THEY ASKED US TO CONTINUE DRIVING UNTIL THE PROBLEM HAPPENS AGAIN! HOW CAN WE CONTINUE DRIVING A CAR WHICH ALMOST LED TO A FATAL ACCIDENT? THAT IS CRAZY!
I OWNED A 2003 BUICK REGAL WITH 13,000 MILES THAT I PURCHASED NEW AT A DEALER IN INDIANAPOLIS IN JULY OF 2003. AS I WAS DRIVING HOME ON FEBRUARY 4, 2005 FROM RUNNING ERRANDS, MY SEAT HEATER IN THE DRIVER SEAT BECAME SO HOT THAT I HAD TO PULL OVER AND PUT MY WINTER COAT DOWN TO SIT ON IN ORDER TO FINISH THE DRIVE HOME. WHEN I ARRIVED AT MY HOME, I PULLED INTO THE GARAGE AND TURNED THE CAR OFF. A SHORT TIME LATER, I SMELLED SOMETHING BURNING. I COULD NOT FIND ANYTHING IN THE HOUSE THAT WAS ON FIRE. I LOOKED OUT INTO THE GARAGE AND THE INSIDE OF MY BUICK WAS ON FIRE. I CALLED THE FIRE DEPARTMENT THAT WAS LOCATED ABOUT ONE BLOCK FROM MY HOME. THEY CAME IMMEDIATELY AND PUT OUT THE FIRE AS WELL AS DISCONNECTED THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM SO THAT MY HOME WOULD NOT CATCH ON FIRE. I IMMEDIATELY CONTACTACTED GM ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE. I WAS TOLD THAT A WRECKER WOULD COME WITHIN TWO HOURS AND PICK UP THE CAR AND TAKE IT TO THE NEAREST DEALER. THE WRECKER DID PICK UP THE VEHICLE ON FEB. 4TH AND TRANSPORTED IT TO ERIC DICKERSON BUICK IN INDIANAPOLIS. A DIAGNOSTICS WAS RUN ON MONDAY FEBRUARY 7TH. IT WAS DETERMINED BY THE DEALER THAT THERE WAS A SHORT IN THE WIRING FOR THE SEAT HEATER. AS A RESULT, THE ENTIRE CAR WAS TOTALED. I FILED A COMPLAINT WITH BUICK AND ASKED THAT THE CAR BE REPLACED. AFTER MANY WEEKS OF BEING PUT OFF BY GM, WE WERE OFFERED A SETTLEMENT BY GM TO NOT SUE THEM. I WAS ALLOWED TO PURCHASE A NEW 2005 BUICK LACROSSE, HOWEVER, I HAD TO GIVE THEM MY CAR AND $3,528.62 OF MY SAVINGS. GM DID PAY FOR MY CAR RENTAL FOR THE TIME I NEEDED ONE. I BELIEVE GM SHOULD HAVE REPLACED MY CAR WITH A NEW ONE AT NO COST TO ME. THEY LEFT ME NO CHOICE. I HAD TO HAVE A CAR. PLUS, THEY ARE NOT RECALLING THIS VEHICLE. I THINK ALL OF THEM SHOULD BE CHECKED. THIS WAS VERY UPSETTING TO ME AS I AM NEARLY 80 YEARS OLD. BUT, THIS INCIDENT SCARED ME AND LEFT ME WITH A DEPLETED SAVINGS ACCOUNT. BUT, IT WAS CHEAPER THAN GOING OUT AND BUYING A NEW OR USED CAR SIMILAR TO MY 2003.*AK
WAS TOLD BY DEALER THAT THE NORMAL OIL CONSUMPTION OF 1 QUART IN 2000 MILES WAS NORMAL ACCORDING TO THE MANUFACTURER FOR A BUICK LESABRE '03 V6 ENGINE. I THOUGHT IT WAS RIDICULOUS FOR A BRAND NEW CAR! I'D APPRECIATE ANY INFO ON THIS. *NM
AT NIGHT IF THE HIGH BEAM LIGHTS ARE ON, AND I MEET A VEHICLE WHILE MOVING THROUGH A RIGHT CURVE, THE DIMMER SWITCH CANNOT BE ACTIVATED BECAUSE IT HITS THE BACK OF THE STEERING WHEEL. SINCE THIS OCCURS ALMOST EVERY TIME I DRIVE AT NIGHT TO GO HOME, I'M AFRAID IT COULD BLIND ANOTHER DRIVER AND CAUSE AN ACCIDENT. I HAVE GOTTEN BAD REACTIONS FROM OTHER DRIVERS WHEN I CAN'T DIM THE LIGHTS AND MEET THEM ON THE ROAD. (I DON'T WANT TO BE THE VICTIM OF ROAD RAGE.) I HAVE EXPERIENCED THIS PROBLEM SINCE I BOUGHT THE VEHICLE IN 2004. THE SWITCH BROKE A FEW YEARS BACK AND IT WAS REPLACED, BUT THE NEW ONE STILL HAD THE SAME PROBLEM. THE DEALERSHIP SAID THAT WAS THE ONLY MODEL OF SWITCH IN HIS CATALOG. IT HAS A DESIGN FLAW. IT THE TURN SIGNAL HANDLE WAS DESIGNED TO BE PUSH AWAY FROM THE STEERING WHEEL INSTEAD OF PULLING IT TOWARD THE STEERING WHEEL, THERE WOULD BE NO PROBLEM. *TR
THE INTERMEDIATE STEERING SHAFT BECAME LOOSE, MAKING IT DIFFICULT TO STEER, ESPECIALLY ON SLOWER SPEED. *AK THE PROBLEM CONTINUED. *SC *JB
WHILE TRAVELING AT 25 MPH IN TRAFFIC DRIVER APPLIED THE BRAKES AND THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS VERY HARD. AS A RESULT, THE DRIVER HIT ANOTHER VEHICLE. *AK THE AIR BAG FAILED TO DEPLOY DURING THE ACCIDENT. THE VEHICLE SUSTAINED $9700 DAMAGE BUT THE OTHER VEHICLE SUSTAINED NO DAMAGE. *NM
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
WHILE THE CONSUMER WAS DRIVING AT AN UNDETERMINED SPEED. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE DASH AND THE VEHICLE TO STALLED. THE OWNER HAS MADE CONTACT WITH THE DEALER ON TWO SEPARATE OCCASIONS AND THE PROBLEM STILL CONTINUED. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. *JB
I BROUGHT MY CAR INTO THE DEALERSHIP BECAUSE OF A THROTTLE PROBLEM. THEY SPRAYED SOMETHING ON IT (ALUMINUM TYPE SPRAY) AND SENT US ON OUR WAY UNTIL THEY ORDERED A NEW PART. IT WAS THE WRONG PART AND A MONTH WENT BY WITHOUT A FURTHER CALL REGARDING ANY NEW PART COMING IN. ON SEPTEMBER 13TH I HEADED INTO ANCHORAGE ON THE BUSIEST HIGHWAY IN THE STATE OF ALASKA. THE THROTTLE SPRING LET GO. I FOUND MYSELF CLUTCHING THE STEERING WHEEL WITH THE BRAKE PEDAL TO THE FLOOR. I WAS ON THE HIGHWAY AT 70 MPH AND THE BRAKES WOULDN'T WORK. I TRIED DOWNSHIFTING BUT THAT DIDN'T EVEN CAUSE A BLIP OF REACTION IN THE CAR'S SPEED. NOT KNOWING WHAT WOULD HAPPEN BY APPLYING THE EMERGENCY BRAKE WHILE GOING AT LEAST 70 MILES PER HOUR, I HAD NO CHOICE AND PUSHED ON THE EMERGENCY BRAKE. THAT DIDN'T WORK AT ALL. AS I RUSHED DOWN THE ROAD WITH THE PARK BRAKE ON, I ALSO PRESSED ON THE REGULAR BRAKES AND THAT FINALLY WORKED ENOUGH THAT I COULD SLOW DOWN TO APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH. I DROVE ONTO THE SHOULDER AND TURNED THE IGNITION OFF. SMOKE ROSE ALL AROUND THE CAR. I STAYED CALM AND TOOK INTO CONSIDERATION THAT IT WOULD BE BEST TO BE IN THE RIGHT LANE IF I ROLLED THE CAR. LUCKILY THE SATURDAY MORNING TRAFFIC WAS LIGHT ENOUGH, INITIALLY, THAT I DIDN'R REAR END ANY VEHICHLE, I DIDN'T ROLL, AND I DIDN'T LOSE CONTROL. I HAVE NOT, AND WILL NEVER AGAIN DRIVE IT. I HAVE BEEN WITHOUT A CAR SINCE 9-13-03. I AM A 10 YEAR CUSTOMER OF BUICK. THEY ARE DOING A BUY BACK OF THAT CAR AND I WILL BE OUT ABOUT $3000 WHEN ALL IS SAID AND DONE. PRETTY EASY "OUT" FOR A COMPANY THAT COULD HAVE BEEN SUED IF I HAD BEEN KILLED IN THEIR VEHICLE. MY OWN DRIVING SKILL RESULTED IN MY NOT HAVING A FATAL OUTCOME IN THIS INCIDENT. IF THIS HAD HAPPENED ON A WEEKDAY MORNING, THERE WOULD HAVE BEEN A TRAFFIC JAM IN MY PATH. IF IT HAD HAPPENED ON SNOW OR ICE, I WOULDN'T BE AROUND TO TELL YOU OF THIS. I AM REPORTING THIS SO OTHERS ARE AWARE OF THE THROTTLE PROBLEM.
THE ANTIFREEZE INTAKE GASKET IS LEAKING...IS THERE SOMETHING WRONG WITH THE ANTIFREEZE DEX- COOL THAT I'M USING... I DID SOME ONLINE RESEARCH AND A LOT OF BUICK OWNERS HAS TO REPLACE THE INTAKE GASKET MULTIPLE TIMES AND IT WAS RECOMMENDED TO USE GREEN ANTIFREEZE INSTEAD OF DEX-COOL AND THERE WAS NO PROBLEMS SINCE..SHOULD I CONSIDER USING THE OTHER ANTIFREEZE BECAUSE I CAN'T AFFORD TO PAY 800.00 EVERY TIME. *TR
THE CONSUMER HAD A RENTAL VEHICLE. WHEN SHE PLACED THE VEHICLE IN PARK, THE DOOR(S) AUTOMATICALLY UNLOCKED AND AN UNKNOWN ASSAILANT PULLED THE CONSUMER FROM THE VEHICLE AND SEVERELY BEAT HER CAUSING PERMANENT DAMAGE. THE CONSUMER DID NOT KNOW THE DOORS WOULD AUTOMATICALLY UNLOCK. *JB *SC
Data synced from NHTSA on May 4, 2026