2001 Buick Regal: problems, recalls and reliability
8 recalls and 187 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is engine (25% of complaints); the 2003 model year looks more trouble-free.
Data updated weekly · latest recall Oct 2015
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 187 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“Had a front tire blow out car went across the road down into small ditch and stopped to hit a mailbox resulting in the airbags deploying the passenger side airbag came out so hard that it broke the windshield driver side airbag came out and resulted in it breaking my spine I've had to have one surgery since then and maybe more”Owner report · Air Bags · Aug 2020
“Recall fixed the front valve cover and the rear one should of been done also due to the leaking of oil that could potentially start a fire from leaking on the block and possibly burn on the exhaust manifold.”Owner report · Engine · Feb 2020
“I was driving doing almost 50 when it shut off with no warning the steering wheel locked up the brakes were not working. The first time this happened I just let the car coast to a stop, the second time was exactly the same except I put the car in neutral while I still had a good bit of speed and crunk it back up. The car always crank right back up with no problem and drives fine. I've change my fuses and certain lights (low tire, low coolant, check engine)on the dashboard won't go off and I just recently had my car inspected in which it passed”Owner report · Power Train · Sep 2018
Show 7 more owner reports
“I bought this car a year ago. Today I tried to crank the car while sitting in my yard a big boom happened and the car engine caught on fire. The plastic covering melted off the engine as well as some of the back part of the engine it was engulfed in flames. The recalls associated manufacturer recall numbern150757 NHTSA recall number15v701”Owner report · Structure · Feb 2018
“Tl* the contact owned a 2001 buick regal. While the vehicle was parked on a local street, it caught fire. The fire department extinguished the fire. A passerby noticed the vehicle was on fire and contacted the fire and police departments. A fire and a police report were filed. The cause of the fire was not determined. The vehicle was towed and deemed destroyed. The manufacturer was not notified. The failure mileage was unknown.”Owner report · Electrical System · Apr 2017
“Tl* the contact owns a 2001 buick regal. After starting the engine, a loud booming sound was heard coming from the engine. Upon inspection, the contact discovered smoke under the hood. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the intake manifold was faulty and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that the vehicle was previously repaired for the same failure per NHTSA campaign number: 09v116000 (engine) on september 20, 2016. The manufacturer was notified of the failure the failure mileage was 232,000. Updated 05/16/17*lj *cn the consumer stated after the vehicle was repaired under recall the upper intake manifold exploded. *js”Owner report · Engine · Dec 2016
“Tl* the contact owned a 2001 buick regal. While driving 55 mph, the engine caught fire. A police report was filed and there were no injuries. The fire department extinguished the fire. The vehicle was towed and destroyed. The manufacturer was not made aware of the fire. The failure mileage was 130,000. The VIN was not available.”Owner report · Engine · Nov 2016
“Tl* the contact owns a 2001 buick regal. While driving, an electrical burning odor was present inside the vehicle. The cause of the failure was not diagnosed. The vehicle was not repaired. No further information was available. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.”Owner report · Electrical System · Nov 2016
“Tl* the contact owns a 2001 buick regal. While driving approximately 70 mph, the vehicle lost power and the steering wheel tightened without warning. The vehicle was pulled over to the side of the road. Smoke and flames appeared under the hood. The fire was extinguished by the police and a police report was filed. The contact was injured, but did not receive medical attention. The vehicle was towed to the contact's residence. The VIN was included in NHTSA campaign number: 15v701000 (engine and engine cooling). The manufacturer was notified. The approximate failure mileage was 155,000.”Owner report · Engine · Oct 2016
“Tl* the contact owns a 2001 buick regal. While driving 55 mph, the air bag warning indicator illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local mechanic who diagnosed that the module was faulty. The manufaturer was notified the VIN was invalid. The failure mileage was 155,000. Updated 03/01/17*lj”Owner report · Air Bags · Sep 2016
When filing, owners marked a crash in 5 of these complaints and injuries in 7 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 8 campaigns
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: 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.
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: 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.
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. SOME OF THESE VEHICLES EXHIBIT A CONDITION IN WHICH THE DRIVER SIDE IMPACT AIR BAG INFLATOR SEPARATES FROM THE AIR BAG MODULE DURING DEPLOYMENT.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE SIDE IMPACT AIR BAG MODULE.
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.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE ENGINE'S FRONT VALVE COVER AND FRONT-VALVE-COVER GASKET WITH NEW PARTS OF AN IMPROVED DESIGN AND REMOVE THE ENGINE'S 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> .
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: 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.
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES, LIGHT DUTY TRUCKS, SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, AND MINI VANS EQUIPPED WITH TRW SEAT BELT BUCKLE ASSEMBLIES. THE BUCKLE BASE OF THESE SEAT BELT ASSEMBLIES WERE NOT PROPERLY HEAT TREATED AND THEREFORE DO NOT PASS THE LOAD BEARING REQUIREMENT OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 209, "SEAT BELT ASSEMBLIES."
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE VEHICLE'S SAFETY BELT BUCKLE ASSEMBLY DATE CODES AND, IF NECESSARY, WILL REPLACE ANY SAFETY BELT BUCKLE ASSEMBLY.
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.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE ENGINE'S FRONT VALVE COVER AND FRONT-VALVE-COVER GASKET WITH NEW PARTS OF AN IMPROVED DESIGN AND REMOVE THE ENGINE'S 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.
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, EQUIPPED WITH SUNVISOR LOCATED AIR BAG LABELS, FAIL TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLES SAFETY STANDARD NO. 208, "OCCUPANT CRASH PROTECTION." THESE VEHICLES HAVE A MESSAGE AREA LESS THAN 30 CM WHICH DOES NOT MEET THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE STANDARD.
Remedy: GM WILL MAIL A NEW BILINGUAL AIR BAG LABEL WITH INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS. HOWEVER, THE CUSTOMER MAY BRING THE LABEL TO THEIR DEALER FOR INSTALLATION FREE OF CHARGE. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN MAY 4, 2001. OWNERS WHO DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE LABEL AND INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT OLDSMOBILE AT 1-800-442-6537 OR BUICK AT 1-800-521-7300.
How other years compare
Check your exact Regal by VIN
Recalls and equipment differ between individual vehicles. Decode your VIN to see what applies to yours.
Open VIN decoderFrequently asked questions
Is the 2001 Buick Regal reliable?
NHTSA has 187 owner complaints and 8 recall campaigns on record for the 2001 Buick Regal. The most complained-about area is engine (25% of complaints).
At what mileage do 2001 Buick Regal problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 92,500 miles or less.
Does the 2001 Buick Regal have open recalls?
8 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning engine and engine cooling:engine. Check your specific vehicle by VIN - recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.