KnownCarProblems2004 Buick Regal Problems and Recalls
Owners filed 66 complaints with NHTSA about the 2004 Buick Regal, most often about the electrical (53% of complaints, typically around 93,000 miles). It is 8th of 19 Regal model years by number of complaints and has 2 recalls.
Most common 2004 Buick Regal problems
Electrical
35 complaints · 53%Half of these problems showed up before 93,000 miles. Parts named most often: ignition, horn, 12v/24v/48v battery.
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…
While driving in town my 2004 Buick Regal completely shut off. When I put it in park and tried to restart it all of the lights started flashing and luckily it started back up after a couple minutes. I drove to work and then home and everything was normal. The next morning I went to the store and at a stop light it…
Engine
25 complaints · 38%Half of these problems showed up before 97,500 miles. Parts named most often: engine, cooling system.
The contact owns a 2004 Buick Regal. The contact stated that the ignition module failed, causing the vehicle to stall sporadically and without warning. The contact would shift from park to neutral before attempting to restart the vehicle. Additionally, the instrument panel lights would flicker independently. The…
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…
Steering
6 complaints · 9%Parts named most often: rack and pinion.
1st time vehicle wheels and steering completely locked up when making a right turn blocking traffic and had to be towed after police and no one could release it. After having towed the vehicle to my home. I was able to release the lock and tested it before I decided to drive it to a gas station for gas. As I pulled…
Driving down the road at 30 MPH without notice the car turned off with no apparent reason. Causing the car to loose power steering, power brakes, and rapid loss of speed in a busy downtown setting. This has happened 4 other times since then. We have read other complaints on forums recently and everyone who has…
Stability control
5 complaints · 8%Half of these problems showed up before 96,000 miles.
Engine stalls after first startup, then after restart all warning lights blink for long period. Vehicle stalls when stopping for a traffic signal or slowing down to turn. Then, when ignition switch was turned to off position, could not remove key, and could not turn engine off. Mechanic replaced ignition electrical…
I was driving the car at 40mph when all of a sudden it cut off and all the gauge lights came on. I was nearly side swiped by another car. I restarted the car but it would not start. I tried to start it up again. It started but would not shift out of park. The gauge lights on the dash board were still on. I restarted…
Brakes
4 complaints · 6%Parts named most often: foundation components, antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip.
The inside of the rear rotors rusted and as a result the car wouldn't stop. This is the consumers fifth vehicle from gm. When the rear rotors rusted it caused the front rotors to overwork and resulted in the front rotors warping. The rotors are not yet repaired.
1st time vehicle wheels and steering completely locked up when making a right turn blocking traffic and had to be towed after police and no one could release it. After having towed the vehicle to my home. I was able to release the lock and tested it before I decided to drive it to a gas station for gas. As I pulled…
Transmission
3 complaints · 5%The contact owns a 2004 Buick Regal. The contact stated that while driving 68 MPH, the vehicle stalled without warning due to a short in the ignition. In addition, the contact mentioned that after the failure occurred, the vehicle failed to switch gears. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was…
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.
Other or unspecified
3 complaints · 5%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…
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…
Complaints are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.
2004 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
Risk: The leaking engine oil can drip onto the hot surface of the exhaust manifold, increasing the risk of a fire.
Fix: 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.
Full defect summary
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.
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 2004 Buick Regal
- What are the most common problems with the 2004 Buick Regal?
- By NHTSA owner complaints: electrical (35 complaints, typically around 93,000 miles); engine (25 complaints, typically around 97,500 miles); steering (6 complaints).
- How many recalls does the 2004 Buick Regal have?
- 2 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 2004 a bad year for the Buick Regal?
- It is 8th of 19 Regal model years by number of complaints, with 66 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.