Buick Regal Engine Problems

Source: NHTSA · Updated Sep 28, 2026 · 421 complaints analyzed

Owners have filed 421 complaints with NHTSA about engine problems on the Buick Regal across 21 model years. The 2011 model year has the most (108). The words owners use most often: “engine cooling” (33% of reports).

What owners describe

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

  • Engine cooling: mentioned in 139 of 421 complaints (33%)
  • Fire department: mentioned in 57 of 421 complaints (14%)
  • Timing chain: mentioned in 28 of 421 complaints (7%)

At what mileage do engine problems happen?

Based on 276 complaints that reported the odometer reading.

Under 10k miles14 · 5%
10k–25k miles10 · 4%
25k–50k miles27 · 10%
50k–75k miles46 · 17%
75k–100k miles46 · 17%
100k–150k miles77 · 28%
150k+ miles56 · 20%

How serious are the reports?

Of 421 complaints, 5 mention a crash, 110 a fire, 7 an injury.

Buick Regal engine complaints by model year

Peak: 2011, with 108 complaints
1995: 119951996: 21997: 1119971998: 291999: 4919992000: 282001: 5220012002: 332003: 2620032004: 182005: 120052009: 12010: 120102011: 1081082012: 2120122013: 92014: 920142015: 92016: 520162018: 52019: 32019

n = 421 complaints · Source: NHTSA

Model yearEngine complaintsShare of that yearMedian miles
2019 Regal316%22,301
2018 Regal526%22,000
2016 Regal512%38,500
2015 Regal927%54,000
2014 Regal924%69,381
2013 Regal910%80,645
2012 Regal2123%73,000
2011 Regal10839%70,000
2010 Regal1100%13,000
2009 Regal1100%—
2005 Regal125%45
2004 Regal1827%97,650
2003 Regal2626%142,000
2002 Regal3328%135,500
2001 Regal5228%122,500
2000 Regal2815%140,000
1999 Regal4920%139,000
1998 Regal2910%128,000
1997 Regal118%144,000
1996 Regal21%216,628
1995 Regal11%110,000

When owners reported it

Peak: 2016, with 151 complaints
2012: 3201232013: 882014: 282014282015: 59592016: 15120161512017: 33332018: 402018402019: 30302020: 242020242021: 22222022: 3202232023: 992024: 5202452025: 552026: 120261

n = 421 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.

While driving on the highway at 60 mph, warning on dash came on saying “engine power reduced” and drop down speed to around 25 mph and I could not accelerate more than 25 mph on the highway which could have caused an accident because of the traffic flow behind me. I put a code scanner under the…

Received May 13, 2026 · NHTSA complaint 11737701

The contact owns a 2011 Buick Regal. The contact stated that while driving at 30 MPH, the vehicle stalled with the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was able to be restarted. The dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware…

Received Oct 8, 2025 · NHTSA complaint 11692104

My Buick stops when driving unknown when it’s a surprise lights and dash go off almost got hit took to mechanics it’s the 2016-17 “throw away motor” ad they call it does not last and gets”metal pieces” to ruin motor and turbo as I have noticed speed issues and dying unexpectedly it’s…

Received Jun 18, 2025 · NHTSA complaint 11667836

This issue is related to the gear shifter on the vehicle. When stopping the car and putting it into park the dashboard shows the message "Shift to Park." this vehicle has only 50,000 miles on it and this issue cause safety issues as the battery on the vehicle will drain as the car can't be turned…

Received Mar 26, 2025 · NHTSA complaint 11650765

I have a continuous problem where the vehicle goes into limp mode/reduce power mode it studders and stalls out. The check engine and stabilitrak light comes on. It is extreamly dangerous at it happens on the road and in traffic. I have thousands of dollars, a new thortle body sensor, a new crank…

Received Mar 13, 2025 · NHTSA complaint 11648213
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 problems?

No. NHTSA has 421 owner complaints about engine 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?

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

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

The most frequent phrase is “engine cooling”, in 139 of 421 complaints, followed by “fire department” (57).

Other Buick Regal problems

See all Buick Regal problems.