2002 Buick Regal: problems, recalls and reliability
5 recalls and 117 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is electrical system (27% of complaints).
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 117 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“Was driving on a trip back and forth from mississippi, was driving on firestone infinity tires sizep215.7015, had 2 blow outs on the car. The said tires didn't have but 23k miles on them the left front went 1st causing bout 2000 worth of damage, the 2nd one blew out coming back, these tires have a history of blow outs, would recommend against people trusting firestone tires.”Owner report · Wheels · Sep 2017
“Tl* the contact owns a 2002 buick regal. While refueling the vehicle, the contact noticed smoke coming from the engine compartment. Upon further inspection, the contact noticed that the engine compartment caught fire. The contact extinguished the fire. A police report was not filed and there were no injuries. The vehicle was taken to a dealer, but was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The VIN was included in NHTSA campaign number: 15v701000 (engine and engine cooling). The failure mileage was 226,000.”Owner report · Engine · Oct 2016
“Since the recall on the valve cover(s) been having ignition problems. The car 's engine stops running probably due to electrical problem or some other problem, eg ignition switch. Then it is difficult or impossible to start the car. After a start, have a hard time getting the car home. Right mow the vehicle is not drivable and in the garage. *tr”Owner report · Electronic Stability Control (Esc) · Jul 2016
Show 7 more owner reports
“Please refer to the letter attached below. It is a copy of the letter that was originally sent to the georgia attorney general consumer protection division on june 2, 2016. Thank you *tr”Owner report · Engine · Apr 2016
“Tl* the contact owns a 2002 buick regal. While driving 30 mph, the vehicle decelerated independently without warning. In addition, when the accelerator pedal was depressed, the vehicle failed to respond. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the intake gasket was leaking oil and the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure occurred after the vehicle was serviced under NHTSA campaign number: 15v701000 (engine and engine cooling). The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.”Owner report · Engine · Apr 2016
“Tl* the contact owned a 2002 buick regal. The contact stated that as soon as the vehicle was parked, it immediately caught on fire. A police and a fire report were filed. The fire department extinguished the fire. The contact did not sustain any injuries. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 15v701000 (engine and engine cooling); however, the parts for the recall repair were not available. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was notified. The vehicle was destroyed. The failure mileage was 141,000. Parts distribution disconnect.”Owner report · Engine · Mar 2016
“Tl* the contact owns a 2002 buick regal. The contact received a notification for NHTSA campaign number: 15v701000 (engine and engine cooling). The part needed was not available. The dealer cancelled an appointment twice, stating that the parts were still not available. The manufacturer was made aware of the delay. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.”Owner report · Engine · Feb 2016
“Tl* the contact owns a 2002 buick regal. After parking the vehicle, smoke and flames were present under the hood. The contact extinguished the flames using a cloth. The cause of the failure was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The VIN was invalid. The failure mileage was 170,000.”Owner report · Engine · Feb 2016
“Tl* the contact owns a 2002 buick regal. The contact received a notification of NHTSA campaign number: 15701000 (engine) 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 manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. The VIN tool confirms parts not available.”Owner report · Engine · Feb 2016
“2002 buick regal. Consumer writes in regards to no parts available to repair engine oil deposit on exhaust manifold recall notice. *smd”Owner report · Engine And Engine Cooling · Feb 2016
When filing, owners marked a crash in 2 of these complaints and injuries in 3 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 5 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.
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.
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.
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 2002 Buick Regal reliable?
NHTSA has 117 owner complaints and 5 recall campaigns on record for the 2002 Buick Regal. The most complained-about area is electrical system (27% of complaints).
At what mileage do 2002 Buick Regal problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 86,000 miles or less.
Does the 2002 Buick Regal have open recalls?
5 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.