2004 Buick Regal: problems, recalls and reliability
4 recalls and 66 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is electrical system (45% 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 66 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“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.”Owner report · Electrical System · Nov 2020
“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.”Owner report · Electrical System · Sep 2020
“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.”Owner report · Power Train · Jun 2019
Show 7 more owner reports
“Power windows on this car burn out, 4 mechanics said this is a very common problem, and repairs of the power windows is expensive”Owner report · Electrical System · Feb 2019
“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.”Owner report · Engine · Nov 2018
“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.”Owner report · Engine · Nov 2018
“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.”Owner report · Electrical System · Jan 2018
“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.”Owner report · Unknown Or Other · May 2017
“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”Owner report · Electrical System · Apr 2017
“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.”Owner report · Engine · May 2016
Recalls - 4 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.
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 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: 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.
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 2004 Buick Regal reliable?
NHTSA has 66 owner complaints and 4 recall campaigns on record for the 2004 Buick Regal. The most complained-about area is electrical system (45% of complaints).
At what mileage do 2004 Buick Regal problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 90,963 miles or less.
Does the 2004 Buick Regal have open recalls?
4 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.