2002 BUICK REGAL — Problems, Recalls & Safety Data
N/A
Safety Rating
150
Owner Complaints
5
Recalls
11
Service Bulletins
0
Investigations
Overview of the 2002 BUICK REGAL
The 2002 BUICK REGAL has received a total of 150 safety complaints filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). There have been 6 recall campaigns affecting this vehicle, covering issues with ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:MANIFOLD/HEADER/MUFFLER/TAIL PIPE, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING. 11 technical service bulletins have been issued by General Motors, LLC for this model year. The most commonly reported problems involve the Engine (33 complaints), Electrical System (24 complaints), and Engine And Engine Cooling (10 complaints).
Recalls for the 2002 BUICK REGAL
NHTSA has recorded 6 recalls for the 2002 BUICK REGAL, potentially affecting up to 3,717,004 vehicles.
Recall 15V701000 — ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:MANIFOLD/HEADER/MUFFLER/TAIL PIPE
| 1,003,556 vehicles affected
Defect: 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.
Consequence: Engine oil that drips onto the hot surface of the exhaust manifold may result in a fire.
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 engines front valve cover and gasket. Vehicles that are covered by recalls 08V-118, 09V-116, or 15V-201...
View full details →Recall 15V701000 — ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
| 1,003,556 vehicles affected
Defect: 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.
Consequence: Engine oil that drips onto the hot surface of the exhaust manifold may result in a fire.
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 engines front valve cover and gasket. Vehicles that are covered by recalls 08V-118, 09V-116, or 15V-201...
View full details →Recall 09V116000 — ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
| 1,497,516 vehicles affected
Defect: 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.
Consequence: 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.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE ENGINES FRONT VALVE COVER AND FRONT-VALVE-COVER GASKET WITH NEW PARTS OF AN IMPROVED DESIGN AND REMOVE THE ENGINES PLASTIC COVER AND PLASTIC OIL-FILL-TUBE EXTENSION, FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING MAY 2016....
View full details →Recall 09E005000 — STEERING
| 979 vehicles affected
Defect: 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.
Consequence: A BROKEN STEERING KNUCKLE COULD RESULT IN LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL AND A POSSIBLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.
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.
View full details →Recall 08E063000 — STEERING
| 3,855 vehicles affected
Defect: 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....
Consequence: IF THE WELD FAILS, LOSS OF STEERING COULD RESULT, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
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.
View full details →Recall 08V118000 — ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
| 207,542 vehicles affected
Defect: 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.
Consequence: 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.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE ENGINES FRONT VALVE COVER AND FRONT-VALVE-COVER GASKET WITH NEW PARTS OF AN IMPROVED DESIGN AND REMOVE THE ENGINES PLASTIC COVER AND PLASTIC OIL-FILL-TUBE EXTENSION, ALONG WITH THE 1-3-5 SPARK PLUG WIRE RETAINERS, FREE OF CHARGE. THE...
View full details →Owner Complaints for the 2002 BUICK REGAL
150 complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 2002 BUICK REGAL. Below is a breakdown by vehicle component.
Most Recent Complaints
Dealership sold car knowing there’s recalls and never fixed
Dealership sold car knowing there’s recalls and never fixed
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 BUICK REGAL. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING AT 45 MPH, WHEN HE DETECTED A BURNING ODOR AND SAW SMOKE COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED AS A FALSE SENSOR, OIL LEAK, AND BRAKE FLUID LEAK. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED HOWEVER THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V701000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO WILLIAM BUICK GMC (8201 SOUTH BLVD, CHARLOTTE, NC 28273) BUT WAS INFORMED THE RECALL REPAIR COULD NOT BE DONE BECAUSE OF RUST UNDER THE HOOD AND LIABILITY ISSUE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.
TL* THE CONTACT'S SON OWNED A 2002 BUICK REGAL. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, SHE SAW SMOKE EXITING THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED NO WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT STATED SHE PARKED THE VEHICLE ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND WHEN SHE OPENED THE HOOD SHE SAW FIRE LOCATED IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. THE CONTACT STATED SHE WAS ABLE TO EXTINGUISH THE FIRE WITH A FIRE EXTINGUISHER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DRIVABLE AND WAS TOWED TO A TOW LOT. THE CONTACT STATED RECEIVED NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V701000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING) TWO WEEKS AFTER THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT CALLED GLENDENNING MOTOR COMPANY (1100 E SOUTH ST, MT AYR, IA 50854) TO MAKE THEM AWARE OF THE FAILURE HOWEVER SHE WAS INFORMED NO ASSISTANCE COULD BE OFFERED AS THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOTALED. THE MANUFACTURER HAD NOT BEEN INFORMED OF FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.
Safety Rating for the 2002 BUICK REGAL
NHTSA has not yet tested the 2002 BUICK REGAL in its New Car Assessment Program.
Technical Service Bulletins for the 2002 BUICK REGAL
General Motors, LLC has issued 11 technical service bulletins (TSBs) for the 2002 BUICK REGAL. TSBs are notices sent by manufacturers to their dealers describing a known issue and the recommended repair procedure.
04082004 — SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR
THE CURRENT BRAKE ROTOR MINIMUM ALLOWABLE THICKNESS AFTER REFINISH, OR MINIMUM THICKNESS SPECIFICATION, FOUND IN THE PAST SERVICE MANUAL APPLICATIONS ARE INCORRECT. PLEASE USE CORRECT INFORMATION AS FOLLOWS. *TT
040604023 — ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
POWERTRAIN CONTROL MODULE WILL NOT PROPERLY COMMUNICATE ON BOARD DIAGNOSTIC EGR TEST RESULT INFORMATION TO NON-TECH2 SERVICE OR TEST EQUIPMENT. *EH
01876 — ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
CHANGE ENGINE OIL SOON INDICATOR DOES NOT COME ON. *TT
00579 — ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODE B 1001 IN BCM AND/OR POWERTRAIN CONTROL MODULE (PCM) SPEAICAL PROCEDURE. *MJ
01338 — STRUCTURE:BODY
REGAL LOWER ROCKER MOLDING AT QUARTER PANEL AVAILABILITY. SERVICE VME. *TT
01391A — ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
INTERMITTENT INSTRUMENT PANEL CLUSTER (IPC) INOPERATIVE (FUEL GAUGE OR PRNDL), ENGINE NO CRANK OR START WITH THE SECURITY LIGHT ON, CANNOT REMOVE THE TRANSAXLE SELECTOR LEVER FROM THE PARK POSITION; OR SES, ABS, OR TCS WARNING LIGHTS ON. *TT
091703 — ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
INSTRUMENT PANEL CLUSTER FUNCTION INTERMITTENTLY INOPERATIVE, ESPECIALLY FUEL GAUGE OR PRINDEL, INTERMITTENT ENGINE NO CRANK OR NO START WITH A SECURITY LIGHT ON, CANNOT REMOVE THE TRANSAXLE SELECTOR LEVER FROM THE PARK POSITION, AND SCS, ANTI-LOCK BRAKE SYSTEM (ABS) OR TRACTION CONTROL SYSTEM (TCS) LIGHTS ON WITH DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODES...
57 — ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING
WIRE HARNESS MAY BE STRETCHED, OR THE PCS MAY NOT BE ORIENTED IN THE SAME POSITION, AFTER INSTALLING A SERVICE REPLACEMENT VALVE BODY ASSEMBLY. GM TECH LINK. *TT
020864018 — VISIBILITY:REARVIEW MIRRORS/DEVICES:EXTERIOR
SOME CUSTOMERS MAY COMMENT OF A WIND RUSH NOISE COMING FROM ONE OR BOTH OUTSIDE REAR VIEW MIRRORS. *TT
070602 — STRUCTURE:BODY
THIS MESSAGE DEALS WITH WIND NOISE AT THE RIGHT OR LEFT LOWER A-PILLAR OR OUTSIDE REARVIEW MIRROR LOCATION. *TT
Showing 10 of 11 technical service bulletins.
NHTSA Investigations for the 2002 BUICK REGAL
There are no NHTSA defect investigations on record for this vehicle.
Other Model Years of the BUICK REGAL
- 1997 BUICK REGAL — 174 complaints
- 1998 BUICK REGAL — 376 complaints
- 1999 BUICK REGAL — 301 complaints
- 2000 BUICK REGAL — 245 complaints
- 2001 BUICK REGAL — 229 complaints
- 2002 BUICK REGAL (current)
- 2003 BUICK REGAL — 139 complaints
- 2004 BUICK REGAL — 94 complaints
- 2005 BUICK REGAL — 8 complaints
Other BUICK Models
- BUICK LESABRE — 4,864 total complaints
- BUICK ENCLAVE — 3,194 total complaints
- BUICK LACROSSE — 2,882 total complaints
- BUICK CENTURY — 2,393 total complaints
- BUICK PARK AVENUE — 1,880 total complaints
- BUICK RENDEZVOUS — 1,795 total complaints
- BUICK LUCERNE — 1,322 total complaints
- BUICK ENCORE — 846 total complaints