KnownCarProblems2003 Buick Regal Problems and Recalls
Owners filed 101 complaints with NHTSA about the 2003 Buick Regal, most often about the engine (35% of complaints, typically around 142,000 miles). It is 5th of 19 Regal model years by number of complaints and has 3 recalls.
Most common 2003 Buick Regal problems
Engine
35 complaints · 35%Half of these problems showed up before 142,000 miles. Parts named most often: engine, cooling system, exhaust system.
My ABS, traction & service vehicle soon lights came on. Shortly after, the car stalled while turning on the turn signals. During the stall, the power steering and ABS locked up. I noticed that the car would stall whenever a turn signal was turned on. After reading forums, I see that this has been a problem for many…
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…
Electrical
35 complaints · 35%Half of these problems showed up before 98,000 miles. Parts named most often: ignition, 12v/24v/48v battery, instrument cluster/panel.
2003 Buick Regal with defective ignition switch customer states that this is very dangerous and a recall should be done* 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…
The contact owns a 2003 Buick Regal. The contact stated that while traveling 50 MPH, the engine stalled and the indicator lights on the instrument panel illuminated. The power steering and brakes failed. The vehicle resumed to its normal operation after being restarted. The manufacturer was contacted and did not offer…
Brakes
10 complaints · 10%Half of these problems showed up before 100,000 miles. Parts named most often: foundation components.
The contact owns a 2003 Buick Regal. The contact stated that the brake lines were corroded. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 100,000. Updated 09/16/14
The contact owns a 2003 Buick Regal. The contact stated that while inspecting the vehicle, he noticed that the brake line was completely corroded. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was advised that the brake line needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the…
Steering
10 complaints · 10%Half of these problems showed up before 32,000 miles. Parts named most often: linkages, hydraulic power assist.
The intermediate steering shaft became loose, making it difficult to steer, especially on slower speed. The problem continued.
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…
Transmission
7 complaints · 7%Half of these problems showed up before 35,000 miles. Parts named most often: automatic transmission.
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…
(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.…
Wheels and tires
6 complaints · 6%Parts named most often: rim.
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.
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.
Lights
5 complaints · 5%Half of these problems showed up before 68,500 miles. Parts named most often: headlights, turn signal.
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.
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…
Other or unspecified
5 complaints · 5%
Complaints are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.
2003 Buick Regal recalls
Engine: manifold/header/muffler/tail pipe
Risk: Engine oil that drips onto the hot surface of the exhaust manifold may result in a fire.
Fix: 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 engineâs 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 s
Full defect summary
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.
Engine: engine and engine cooling
Risk: If the manifold is hot enough and the oil runs below the heat shield, it may ignite into a small flame and may spread to the plastic spark plug wire channel and beyond increasing the risk of an engine compartment fire.
Fix: Dealers will replace the engineâs front valve cover and front-valve-cover gasket with new parts of an improved design and remove the engineâs 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.
Full defect summary
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.
Engine: engine and engine cooling
Risk: Certain underhood fires may be caused by drops of engine oil, from seepage or spillage, being deposited on the exhaust manifold through hard braking. If the manifold is hot enough and the oil runs below the heat shield, it may ignite into a small flame and, in some instances, the fire may spread to the plastic spark plug wire channel and beyond.
Fix: Dealers will replace the engineâs front valve cover and front-valve-cover gasket with new parts of an improved design and remove the engineâs 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
Full defect summary
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.
Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which recalls are still open on your car.
Questions about the 2003 Buick Regal
- What are the most common problems with the 2003 Buick Regal?
- By NHTSA owner complaints: engine (35 complaints, typically around 142,000 miles); electrical (35 complaints, typically around 98,000 miles); brakes (10 complaints, typically around 100,000 miles).
- How many recalls does the 2003 Buick Regal have?
- 3 recalls listed by NHTSA, the latest from October 26, 2015 (engine). Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which ones are still open on your car.
- Is the 2003 a bad year for the Buick Regal?
- It is 5th of 19 Regal model years by number of complaints, with 101 complaints. Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so popular years collect more of them, and the newest years have had less time to.