2003 BUICK REGAL — Problems, Recalls & Safety Data
N/A
Safety Rating
139
Owner Complaints
5
Recalls
8
Service Bulletins
0
Investigations
Overview of the 2003 BUICK REGAL
The 2003 BUICK REGAL has received a total of 139 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. 8 technical service bulletins have been issued by General Motors, LLC for this model year. The most commonly reported problems involve the Engine (26 complaints), Electrical System (24 complaints), and Electrical Systemignitionswitch (8 complaints).
Recalls for the 2003 BUICK REGAL
NHTSA has recorded 6 recalls for the 2003 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 2003 BUICK REGAL
139 complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 2003 BUICK REGAL. Below is a breakdown by vehicle component.
Most Recent Complaints
I BACKED THE CAR IN DRIVE AND THE GUAGES WERE NORMAL. WHEN I GOT OUT I SAW A SMALL AMOUNT OF SMOKE COMING FROM UNDER CAR BUT WITHIN A MINUTE THERE WERE FLAMES COMING FROM UNDER THE CAR AND WITHIN A FEW MINUTES THE FLAMES WERE ABOVE THE CAR. I CALLED 911 WHEN I SAW FLAMES AND KNEW I WASN'T GOING TO BE ABLE TO PUT THE FIRE OUT MYSELF. THE FIRE DEPT ARRIVED, IT TOOK THEM AT LEAST 30 MINUTES TO PUT THE FIRE OUT. A COUNTY DEPUTY ARRIVED AND THERE IS A POLICE REPORT (I TRIED TO UPLOAD IT AND IT FAILED EACH TIME). THE DAMAGE HAS BEEN INSPECTED BY AN INSURANCE REPRESENTATIVE FROM THE OWNER OF THE HOUSE (UPLOAD FAILED.
I BACKED THE CAR IN DRIVE AND THE GUAGES WERE NORMAL. WHEN I GOT OUT I SAW A SMALL AMOUNT OF SMOKE COMING FROM UNDER CAR BUT WITHIN A MINUTE THERE WERE FLAMES COMING FROM UNDER THE CAR AND WITHIN A FEW MINUTES THE FLAMES WERE ABOVE THE CAR. I CALLED 911 WHEN I SAW FLAMES AND KNEW I WASN'T GOING TO BE ABLE TO PUT THE FIRE OUT MYSELF. THE FIRE DEPT ARRIVED, IT TOOK THEM AT LEAST 30 MINUTES TO PUT THE FIRE OUT. A COUNTY DEPUTY ARRIVED AND THERE IS A POLICE REPORT (I TRIED TO UPLOAD IT AND IT FAILED EACH TIME). THE DAMAGE HAS BEEN INSPECTED BY AN INSURANCE REPRESENTATIVE FROM THE OWNER OF THE HOUSE (UPLOAD FAILED.
I BACKED THE CAR IN DRIVE AND THE GUAGES WERE NORMAL. WHEN I GOT OUT I SAW A SMALL AMOUNT OF SMOKE COMING FROM UNDER CAR BUT WITHIN A MINUTE THERE WERE FLAMES COMING FROM UNDER THE CAR AND WITHIN A FEW MINUTES THE FLAMES WERE ABOVE THE CAR. I CALLED 911 WHEN I SAW FLAMES AND KNEW I WASN'T GOING TO BE ABLE TO PUT THE FIRE OUT MYSELF. THE FIRE DEPT ARRIVED, IT TOOK THEM AT LEAST 30 MINUTES TO PUT THE FIRE OUT. A COUNTY DEPUTY ARRIVED AND THERE IS A POLICE REPORT (I TRIED TO UPLOAD IT AND IT FAILED EACH TIME). THE DAMAGE HAS BEEN INSPECTED BY AN INSURANCE REPRESENTATIVE FROM THE OWNER OF THE HOUSE (UPLOAD FAILED.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 BUICK REGAL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 55 MPH, THE VEHICLE REPEATEDLY SHUT OFF WITHOUT WARNING AFTER MULTIPLE ATTEMPTS. UPON INSPECTION OF THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT'S FRIEND OPENED THE VEHICLE'S HOOD AND DISCOVERED THAT THE ENGINE WAS ENGULFED IN FLAMES. THE POLICE AND FIRE DEPARTMENT WERE CALLED TO THE SCENE AND THE FIRE WAS EXTINGUISHED. POLICE AND FIRE REPORTS WERE FILED AT THE SCENE, NO INJURIES WERE SUSTAINED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. TWO MONTHS LATER, THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR NHTSA RECALL NUMBER: 09V116(ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING) WHICH HE LINKED TO THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER NOR THE DEALER WERE NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE HAD YET TO BE REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.
MY DAUGHTER WAS SITTING IN THE PASSENGER FRONT SEAT. THE SEAT KEPT HEATING UP ALMOST UNBEARABLE. THE NEXT DAY CAR WAS OFF ALL NIGHT MY BATTERY DIED AND THE HEATED SEAT WAS STILL HOT NEVER SHUT OFF ALL NIGHT LONG I FOUND A SENSOR UNDER THE SEAT AND UNPLUGGED THAT BUT AM NERVOUS OF MY DRIVER SEAT ALSO SHE HAS NEWBORN BABY WAS WITH US AND THE SEAT DEFINITELY COULD HAVE STARTED ON FIRE VERY DISTURBING ALSO VERY DANGEROUS.
Safety Rating for the 2003 BUICK REGAL
NHTSA has not yet tested the 2003 BUICK REGAL in its New Car Assessment Program.
Technical Service Bulletins for the 2003 BUICK REGAL
General Motors, LLC has issued 8 technical service bulletins (TSBs) for the 2003 BUICK REGAL. TSBs are notices sent by manufacturers to their dealers describing a known issue and the recommended repair procedure.
030849018B — STRUCTURE:BODY
BROKEN CONSOLE OR STORAGE COMPARTMENT LID LATCH. *TT UPDATED *EH
040842006 — STRUCTURE:BODY
INOPERATIVE LEFT OR RIGHT FOG LAMP. *EH
0308110006 — STRUCTURE:BODY
HEADLINER SAGGING BEHIND POWER SLIDING SUNROOF. *TT
0308110007 — STRUCTURE:BODY:ROOF AND PILLARS
INFORMATION ON HEADLINER SAGGING BEHIND POWER SLIDING SUNROOF NEAR REAR WINDOW (NORMAL CONDITION). *TT
080703 — STRUCTURE:BODY
THE RIGHT PIECE OF BRIGHT TRIM ATTACHED TO THE LOWER ROCKER MOLDING IN FRONT OF THE REAR TIRE RIGHT SIDE HAS SEEN A FREQUENT FAILURE. *TT
021203 — STRUCTURE:BODY:ROOF AND PILLARS
SAGGING OR WARPED HEADLINER APPEARANCE BEHIND THE SUNROOF MODULE IS A NORMAL CONDITION. *TT
020730022A — UNKNOWN OR OTHER
SERVICE ENGINE SOON LIGHT ON WITH DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODES P0716 AND / OR P0717, P0730, P0753, P0758, P1860, P1887 OR OTHER MISCELLANEOUS TRANSMISSION TROUBLE CODES SET. *TT
3500 — SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:ABS WARNING LIGHT
ABS LIGHT COMING ON AND CODES C1225, C1226, C1232, C1233, C1276 AND/OR C1277 ARE FOUND IN THE EBCM. *TT
NHTSA Investigations for the 2003 BUICK REGAL
There are no NHTSA defect investigations on record for this vehicle.
Other Model Years of the BUICK REGAL
- 1998 BUICK REGAL — 376 complaints
- 1999 BUICK REGAL — 301 complaints
- 2000 BUICK REGAL — 245 complaints
- 2001 BUICK REGAL — 229 complaints
- 2002 BUICK REGAL — 150 complaints
- 2003 BUICK REGAL (current)
- 2004 BUICK REGAL — 94 complaints
- 2005 BUICK REGAL — 8 complaints
- 2008 BUICK REGAL — 1 complaint
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