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2003 Buick RegalProblems, recalls & complaints

NHTSA has logged 101 owner complaints about the 2003 Buick Regal, most often about the electrical system. It is covered by 3 safety recalls, and for recall 15V-701 the manufacturer reports only 26% of affected cars repaired.

2003 Buick Regal
51
CarFlaw IndexSolid year4% below the Regal median · #13 of 28 years by complaints
Safety recalls3Lowest repair rate 26%Owner complaints10124 with a crash, fire or injuryTypical failure mileage98kElectrical system, median miles

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through August 4, 2023. Updated daily. Photo: Elise240SX, CC BY-SA 4.0.

Complaints by system

Where the 2003 Buick Regal has problems

101 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.

Box size = number of complaints naming that system. Darker = larger share. One complaint can name more than one system.
Complaints by system
SystemComplaintsCrash, fire or injury
Electrical system352
Engine2611
Engine and engine cooling102
Steering100
Service brakes71
Power train71
Wheels61
Exterior lighting50
Visibility40
10 other systems196

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.

3 recalls

2003 Buick Regal recalls and how many were fixed

Each ring shows the share of affected cars repaired, from the manufacturer’s latest quarterly report to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

26%repaired · 2017 Q3

Engine and engine cooling: engine

Recall 15V-701 · Oct 26, 2015 · 1,003,556 vehicles · 265,197 repaired

Risk. Engine oil that drips onto the hot surface of the exhaust manifold may result in a fire.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

–no report yet

Engine and engine cooling

Recall 09V-116 · Apr 8, 2009 · 1,497,516 vehicles

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…

Problem, fix and repair progress →

–no report yet

Engine and engine cooling

Recall 08V-118 · Mar 12, 2008 · 207,542 vehicles

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.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

Recalls apply to specific cars. To see whether a recall is still open on yours, enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with Buick.

Mileage at failure

When do electrical system problems start?

98kmiles, median

Based on the odometer reading in 31 electrical system complaints. 52% were reported before 100,000 miles.

median0k50k100k150k200k+
0under 30k miles16under 100k miles15100k miles or more
Best & worst years

2003 vs. every other Regal year

Bars show complaints per model year. Colors show the CarFlaw verdict: complaints weighted for crashes, fires and injuries, adjusted for years on the road and compared with the Regal median. How we score

'73'74'75'76'77'78'79'80'81'82'83'84'85'86'87'88'89'90'91'92'93'94'95'96'97'98'99'00'01'02'03'04'05'08'09'10'11'12'13'14'15'16'17'18'19'20
  • Avoid
  • Caution
  • Solid
  • Best
  • Not rated
NHTSA crash tests

2003 Buick Regal safety ratings

2003 Buick Regal 4-DR w/SAB in NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program. Photos are from NHTSA's crash tests.

  • Stability control: No
  • Forward collision warning: No
  • Lane departure warning: No
In owners' words

What Regal owners report

Recent electrical system complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.

UNANNOUNCED TO PURCHASERS, THE BUICK REGAL HAS A REDUNDANT AND DEFECTIVE SECURITY IGNITION SYSTEM THAT PREVENTS THE VEHICLE FROM BEING ABLE TO START WITH THE KEY AFTER THE BATTERY IS DISCONNECTED. IT MUST NOW BE TAKEN TO A DEALERSHIP TO BE DIAGNOSED AND FOR A COSTLY REPAIR. IT WAS STATIONARY, AND…
Complaint 10949491 · Feb 3, 2017 · 300,000 miles
MY 03 BUICK REGAL LS WILL SHUTOFF SOMETIMES WHEN TURNING LEFT, OR WHEN USING THE TURN SIGNAL. I CAN NOT FIND THE PAPERWORK, BUT I REMEMBER A RECALL FOR THIS ABOUT 5 TO 8 YEARS AGO. WE DID HAVE IT ADDRESSED, BUT THE PROBLEM HAS COME BACK. TODAY'S DATE IS 1/9/17 AND MY WIFE HAD THIS HAPPEN AGAIN TO…
Complaint 10943795 · Jan 9, 2017 · 200,000 miles
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 BUICK REGAL. AFTER DRIVING THE VEHICLE AND SHIFTING INTO PARK, THE KEY FAILED TO EJECT FROM THE IGNITION SWITCH PROPERLY. THE IGNITION SWITCH WAS IN THE OFF POSITION AND TOOK MORE THAN TWENTY ATTEMPTS FOR THE KEY TO BE REMOVED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE…
Complaint 10919032 · Oct 26, 2016 · 39,000 miles

Own a 2003 Regal?

Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.