Buick · Regal · 2004
4
Recalls
66
Complaints
-
Not Rated
The 2004 Buick Regal has 4 recalls and 66 owner-reported complaints on file with NHTSA. Most reported issue: electrical system (21 reports).
Source: NHTSA Public Records · Updated Apr 22, 2026
This page combines three types of NHTSA data: recall campaigns (official manufacturer or government actions), owner complaints (unverified consumer reports), and crash test ratings (where available). A vehicle with many complaints is not necessarily less reliable — complaint volume correlates with sales volume and vehicle age. Recalls indicate identified defects, not overall quality. To compare this model year with others, use the year navigation in the sidebar or return to the model overview page.
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.
Remedy Status
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.
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.
Remedy Status
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.
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.
Remedy Status
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.
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.
Remedy Status
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 FIRST TIME THE CAR STALLED WAS AS I WAS APPROACHING THE STOP SIGN.IT STALLED AND THE DASH LIGHT ALL CAME ON. I WAS ABLE TO RE-START IT AFTER PUTTING IT IN PARK. IT THEN HAPPENED AGAIN THE SAME AS BEFORE I GOT HOME. THE NEXT DAY IT DROVE NORMAL FOR AWHILE THEN AS I WAS STARTING IT UP AGAIN IT STARTED WITH A NOISE AND THE LIGHTS ON THE DASH A LIT UP AGAIN. IT SEEMED TO RUN NORMAL AGAIN. BUT A BIT LATER AS I WAS SLOWING DOWN TO MAKE A TURN INTO A PARKING LOT IT STALLED AGAIN. I BROUGHT IT INTO AN INDEPENDENT AUTOMOTIVE GARAGE AND THEY HOOKED UP TO THEIR TESTER AND COULD NOT FIND ANYTHING ABNORMAL WITH THE CAR.
ALL 4 POWER WINDOW MOTORS DO NOT WORK. THEY ALL FAILED WITHIN 6 MONTHS OF EACH OTHER. I CHECKED ON YOU TUBE AND FOUND THAT ALMOST ALL BUICK REGALS HAVE THIS PROBLEM OF POWER WINDOW MOTORS BREAKING. THERE ARE HUNDREDS OF COMPLAINTS ON YOU TUBE ALONE FOR THIS ISSUE. I BELIEVE THIS IS PROOF THAT THE POWER WINDOW MOTORS ARE DEFECTIVE AND PROBABLY MADE THIS WAY TO FORCE OWNERS TO MAKE EXPENSIVE REPAIRS. I AM ASKING YOU TO FORCE BUICK TO RECALL THEIR REGAL MODELS AND HAVE THE WINDOW MOTORS REPAIRED AT BUICK'S EXPENSE.
FROM A DEAD STOP, WHEN YOU ACCELERATE THE CAR HAS A HARD SHUDDER, TRANS SLIP...BELIEVE IT TO BE A TRANSMISSION PROBLEM AND A PROBLEM GM HAS KNOWN FOR SOMETIME WITH THEIR G4T60-E TRANSMISSION, MOST LIKELY A PRESSURE CONTROL SOLENOID PROBLEM OR CLUTCH ASSEMBLY.
POWER WINDOWS ON THIS CAR BURN OUT, 4 MECHANICS SAID THIS IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM, AND REPAIRS OF THE POWER WINDOWS IS EXPENSIVE
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 BUICK REGAL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ENGINE WOULD SHUT OFF WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IN OPERATION. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO RESTART BY USING THE KEY FOB, BUT WOULD SHUT BACK OFF WHEN THE KEY WAS INSERTED IN THE IGNITION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC TO BE DIAGNOSED, BUT A FAILURE WAS NOT FOUND. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 97,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 BUICK REGAL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE WHILE PARKED. THE CONTACT SAW SMOKE ESCAPE FROM UNDERNEATH THE HOOD OF THE VEHICLE AS IT ENTERED INTO THE CABIN OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT'S FRIENDS ATTEMPTED TO EXTINGUISH THE FIRE, BUT WERE UNSUCCESSFUL. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE. A POLICE REPORT AND A FIRE REPORT WERE NOT FILED. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FIRE. THE CONTACT REFERENCED NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V701000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING) AS A POTENTIAL CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 115,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 BUICK REGAL. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS AND WHILE MAKING A LEFT OR RIGHT TURN, THE VEHICLE WOULD INTERMITTENTLY LOSE POWER. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE BY WIGGLING THE KEY IN THE IGNITION SWITCH. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE FAILURE OCCURRED WHEN THE TURN SIGNALS WERE ACTIVATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER OR AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 95,000.
IGNITION SWITCH IS FAILING, CAUSING STALLS, AND FLASHING WARNING LIGHTS. WARNING LIGHTS CAME ON FOR JUST A SECOND OR 2 TODAY WHILE I WAS DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEED. IT STOPPED AT A STOP LIGHT AND I HAD TO START IT. IT KILLED IN A GARAGE, TURNING OFF THE HIGHWAY INTO A DRIVEWAY, AND SO ON. EVIDENTLY THIS IS A PROBLEM IN GM CARS.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 BUICK REGAL. WHILE DRIVING SLOW SPEEDS, ALL THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED AND THE ENGINE SEIZED. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE BATTERY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 46,000. UPDATED 06/21/17*LJ *AS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 BUICK REGAL. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V201000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING) HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE SENSOR WAS REPLACED HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED FOR THE RECALL. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.
CAR DIED WHILE IN MOTION; EVERYTHING SHUT OFF INCLUDING POWER STEERING WHICH CAUSED ME TO SIT IN MIDDLE OF INTERSECTION. ANOTHER VEHICLE CAME CLOSE TO RUNNING INTO ME. MECHANIC CHECKED EVERYTHING AND SAID IT'S A FAULTY IGNITION SWITCH.
2004 BUICK REGAL. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO NO PARTS AVAILABLE TO REPAIR EXHAUST MANIFOLD PROBLEM RECALL NOTICE. *SMD
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 BUICK REGAL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 35 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE IGNITION SWITCH NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 43,329.
I WAS LEAVING WORK ONE EVENING AND USED MY TURN SIGNALS TO PULL OUT OF THE PARKING LOT WHEN THE VEHICLE SHUT OFF. THE CAR STARTED BACK UP IMMEDIATELY, BUT ONCE I USED THE TURN SIGNAL AGAIN, THE CAR SHUT OFF COMPLETELY. EACH TIME I USED A TURN SIGNAL, THE CAR SHUT OFF, THOUGH IT WAS ABLE TO START BACK UP IMMEDIATELY. AFTER SEARCHING ONLINE, I FOUND THIS: HTTP://WWW.NPR.ORG/SECTIONS/THETWO-WAY/2014/06/16/322607434/GM-RECALLS-3-2-MILLION-MORE-CARS-FOR-FAULTY-IGNITION-SWITCHES I SEARCHED MY VIN NUMBER AND THERE WAS NO RECALL FOR MY SPECIFIC CAR. I CALLED GM AND THEY TOLD ME IF THERE WAS NO RECALL THEY WOULD CONDUCT A DIAGNOSTIC AND WOULD GO FROM THERE. RIGHT OR WRONG, I WAS FULLY CONVINCED THE PROBLEM WOULD BE THE IGNITION SWITCH. I TOOK THE CAR TO MY MECHANIC IN PHILADELPHIA BECAUSE I TRUSTED HIM AND FELT COMFORTABLE WITH HIM LOOKING AT IT. HE HAD NEVER SEEN THIS BEFORE. AFTER DOING HIS OWN DIAGNOSTIC, HE FOUND THAT THE PROBLEM WAS THE IGNITION SWITCH. I EMAILED GM ABOUT THIS ISSUE AND ASKED THEM TO REIMBURSE ME FOR THE $387.00 WORTH OF REPAIRS, BUT THEY REFUSED, SAYING THE CAR WAS TOO OLD AND IT WAS NOT BECAUSE OF A DEFECTIVE PART: "...OUR EXPERIENCE HAS BEEN THAT A DEFECT ATTRIBUTABLE TO THE ORIGINAL MANUFACTURING AND ASSEMBLY PROCESS GENERALLY MAKES ITSELF APPARENT QUITE EARLY IN THE LIFE OF THE VEHICLE. AFTER A VEHICLE HAS BEEN IN SERVICE FOR SEVERAL YEARS, MANY FACTORS (USAGE, OWNER MAINTENANCE, AGE AND WEAR, ETC.) CAN CONTRIBUTE TO DIFFICULTIES THAT ARE BEYOND THE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE'S MANUFACTURER. A POINT IS EVENTUALLY REACHED WHERE THE MANUFACTURER'S RESPONSIBILITY CEASES AND ANY ADDITIONAL REPAIRS OR EXPENSES BECOME THE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE OWNER. BECAUSE YOUR 2004 BUICK REGAL HAS BEEN IN SERVICE FOR APPROXIMATELY 12 YEARS AND HAS ACCUMULATED 132,344 MILES ON IT, WE ARE UNABLE TO PARTICIPATE ON YOUR REQUESTED REIMBURSEMENT. "
2004 BUICK REGAL. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO ENGINE OIL DEPOSIT LEAKING ONTO THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD DURING HARD BRAKING AND RECALL NOTICE REPAIRS. *SMD THE CONSUMER ATTACHED THE RECALL NOTICE. *JB
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 BUICK REGAL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE HEADLIGHTS FAILED TO WORK. THE MULTIFUNCTION LEVER HEADLIGHT BUTTON HAD TO BE HELD IN ORDER FOR THE HIGH BEAM HEADLIGHTS TO WORK. IN ADDITION, THE LOW BEAM HEADLIGHTS WOULD NOT OPERATE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, BUT THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE DUPLICATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 114,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2004 BUICK REGAL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 55 MPH, THE VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT PRIOR TO THE FIRE, THE TEMPERATURE GAUGE SHOWED THAT THE ENGINE WAS OVERHEATED. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS ABLE TO EXTINGUISH THE FIRE. IT WAS UNKNOWN IF A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED OR IF ANY INJURIES WERE REPORTED. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V201000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNAVAILABLE.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 BUICK REGAL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE ATTEMPTING TO SHUT OFF THE VEHICLE, THE IGNITION KEY WOULD GET JAMMED. THE CONTACT STATED AFTER SHIFTING MULTIPLE TIMES, THE KEY WAS ABLE TO BE REMOVED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 93,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 BUICK REGAL. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V201000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING) HOWEVER, THE PART NEEDED TO PERFORM THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE. UPDATED 04/20/16*LJ UPDATED 05/29/18*JB
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 BUICK REGAL. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V701000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS A PROGRESSIVE OIL LEAK BUT THE RECALL REPAIR PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE IN ORDER TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE WHEN THE PARTS WOULD BECOME AVAILABLE TO RECEIVE THE RECALL REPAIR APPOINTMENT. THE MANUFACTURER WAS UNABLE TO PROVIDE A SPECIFIC TIME FRAME THAT THE PART WOULD BE SUPPLIED TO THE DEALER. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 98,000. UPDATED 05/03/16*LJ UPDATED 11/30/2017*JS
Showing 1–20 of 25 complaints
The 2004 Buick Regal has 4 recalls recorded by NHTSA.
NHTSA has received 66 owner-reported complaints for the 2004 Buick Regal.
NHTSA has not published a safety rating for the 2004 Buick Regal.
The most commonly reported complaint categories for the 2004 Buick Regal are electrical system (21 reports), engine (13 reports), engine and engine cooling (5 reports).
Yes. NHTSA has 4 recalls on record for the 2004 Buick Regal. Scroll up to review the published recall summaries, consequences, and remedies. To check for unrepaired recalls on your specific vehicle, use your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Look up recalls and complaints for any year, make, and model.
This page summarizes publicly available data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Complaint counts reflect reports submitted to NHTSA by vehicle owners and do not by themselves prove defect severity or vehicle safety. Safety ratings may not be available for all vehicle-years. This site is not affiliated with NHTSA or any vehicle manufacturer. For official information, visit the official NHTSA page for this vehicle.