Buick Regal Engine and Engine Cooling Problems

Source: NHTSA · Updated Sep 28, 2026 · 293 complaints analyzed

Owners have filed 293 complaints with NHTSA about engine and engine cooling problems on the Buick Regal across 13 model years. The 1998 model year has the most (55). The words owners use most often: “caught fire” (15% of reports).

What owners describe

Phrases that appear unusually often in these complaints compared with complaints about other cars.

  • Caught fire: mentioned in 43 of 293 complaints (15%)
  • Intake manifold: mentioned in 27 of 293 complaints (9%)
  • Engine compartment: mentioned in 26 of 293 complaints (9%)
  • Consumer writes regards: mentioned in 16 of 293 complaints (5%)

How much does it cost to fix?

Owners who wrote down what they paid or were quoted put the typical engine and engine cooling repair on the Buick Regal at $1,050, and half of them between $500 and $1,400.

Based on 15 NHTSA complaints about this problem alone that state a repair bill or quote (2003–2011), converted to 2026 dollars with the U.S. consumer price index. These are owners' own figures, not a quote: they include dealer quotes, and owners who file complaints often faced larger repairs, so they can run higher than typical shop prices. Prices vary by shop, region and warranty coverage. How we calculate this.

At what mileage do engine and engine cooling problems happen?

Based on 151 complaints that reported the odometer reading.

Under 10k miles3 · 2%
10k–25k miles2 · 1%
25k–50k miles19 · 13%
50k–75k miles24 · 16%
75k–100k miles38 · 25%
100k–150k miles45 · 30%
150k+ miles20 · 13%

How serious are the reports?

Of 293 complaints, 1 mention a crash, 98 a fire, 1 an injury.

Buick Regal engine and engine cooling complaints by model year

Peak: 1998, with 55 complaints
1995: 191995191996: 361996361997: 301997301998: 551998551999: 431999432000: 352000352001: 342001342002: 172002172003: 102003102004: 8200482011: 4201142013: 1201312016: 120161

n = 293 complaints · Source: NHTSA

Model yearEngine and Engine Cooling complaintsShare of that yearMedian miles
2016 Regal12%85,900
2013 Regal11%100,000
2011 Regal41%31,031
2004 Regal812%83,207
2003 Regal1010%157,000
2002 Regal1715%85,486
2001 Regal3418%81,331
2000 Regal3519%100,000
1999 Regal4317%90,739
1998 Regal5518%100,000
1997 Regal3022%119,274
1996 Regal3618%82,559
1995 Regal1911%88,988

When owners reported it

Peak: 2008, with 37 complaints
1995: 319951996: 31997: 319971998: 51999: 2219992000: 102001: 520012002: 102003: 2020032004: 222005: 1520052006: 112007: 1120072008: 37372009: 3220092010: 192011: 2220112012: 22013: 420132014: 32015: 720152016: 252023: 120232024: 1

n = 293 complaints · Source: NHTSA

Related recalls (4)

Engine and engine cooling:exhaust system:manifold/header/muffler/tail pipe; engine and engine cooling:engineOct 26, 2015 · NHTSA campaign 15V701000 · 1,003,556 vehicles

Model years: 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004

Problem: 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.

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 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.

Engine and engine cooling:engineApr 6, 2015 · NHTSA campaign 15V201000 · 330,742 vehicles

Model years: 2004

Problem: 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.

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.

Engine and engine coolingApr 8, 2009 · NHTSA campaign 09V116000 · 1,497,516 vehicles

Model years: 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003

Problem: 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.

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 engineâ’s front valve cover and front-valve-cover gasket with new parts of an improved design and remove the engineâ’s 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.

Engine and engine coolingMar 12, 2008 · NHTSA campaign 08V118000 · 207,542 vehicles

Model years: 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003

Problem: 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.

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 engineâ’s front valve cover and front-valve-cover gasket with new parts of an improved design and remove the engineâ’s 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 odor, they should have their dealer inspect the vehicle. The dealer will inspect the vehicle without charge; (3) use premium fuel (91 octane or higher) in the vehicle as recommended in the vehicle's owner manual. Owners may contact buick at 1-866-608-8080 or pontiac at 1-800-620-7668, or through their website at <a href=http://www.gmownercenter.com>http://www.gmownercenter.com</a> .

What owners report

Short excerpts of recent complaints, with personal details removed. Full reports are on NHTSA.gov.

The contact owns a 2016 Buick Regal. The contact stated while driving 35-40 MPH, the check engine warning light illuminated, and the vehicle started sputtering. The contact veered to the side of the road and turned off the vehicle for 5-10 minutes. The contact stated that upon restarting the…

Received Apr 25, 2024 · NHTSA complaint 11585149

The contact owns a 2013 Buick Regal. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, there was a squeaking sound coming from the vehicle. While inspecting under the hood of the vehicle, it was discovered that the tensioner pully was very loose. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer who…

Received May 31, 2023 · NHTSA complaint 11524606

2001 buick regal. Consumer writes in regards to parts not available to repair defective recall notice 15757. *smd the consumer stated the vehicle caught fire. Also, the vehicle had an overheating problem. *jb

Received Jul 5, 2016 · NHTSA complaint 10881200

1997 buick regal. Consumer writes in regards to dealership denied reimbursement requests for engine oil deposited on the exhaust manifold recall notice. *smd the consumer was denied reimbursement, because the repair was done after the recall was mailed. *jb

Received Jun 2, 2016 · NHTSA complaint 10872011

1999 buick regal. Consumer writes in regards to engine oil deposited on exhaust manifold can cause engine compartment fire recall notice. Consumer seeks compensation for new vehicle after recalled vehicle caught fire. *smd

Received Jun 2, 2016 · NHTSA complaint 10872013
Buick Regal
BUICK REGAL SIXTH GENERATION (OPEL INSIGNIA B) China. Representative photo; appearance varies by model year. Photo: Dinkun Chen, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.

Frequently asked questions

Do all Buick Regals have engine and engine cooling problems?

No. NHTSA has 293 owner complaints about engine and engine cooling for the Buick Regal. Complaint data shows that the problem is reported, not how many of all cars sold are affected.

Was there a recall on the Buick Regal engine and engine cooling?

Yes: 4 safety recalls list engine and engine cooling. Check your VIN on NHTSA.gov to see whether the fix was done on your car.

How much does it cost to fix engine and engine cooling problems on the Buick Regal?

Owners report a typical cost of $1,050 (half paid between $500 and $1,400), from 15 complaints that state a repair bill or quote, in 2026 dollars.

What do owners say about engine and engine cooling problems on the Buick Regal?

The most frequent phrase is “caught fire”, in 43 of 293 complaints, followed by “intake manifold” (27).

Other Buick Regal problems

See all Buick Regal problems.