10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 2
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
98,102 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2003 Buick Regal electrical problems

electrical problem

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2003 Buick Regal Owner Comments (Page 1 of 2)

problem #24

Jan 252017

Regal

  • 300,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

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 the battery drained down with a phone charger hooked up. Even following the factory key sequence, the battery runs down before the code can be cleared and re-established.

- Port Orange, FL, USA

problem #23

Jan 042017

Regal

  • 200,000 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 her on 1/4/17 while making a left hand curve. She was not turning or using her turn signal. I only had it happen to me once while making a left turn using my turn signal. My mother also has an 03 Regal gs and also experienced this same problem. I contacted the dealer where I purchased the car and they told me there is no current recall nor was there ever one for this problem, but I know we had it addressed about 5 to 8 years ago.

- Graytown, OH, USA

problem #22

Apr 012016

Regal

  • 148,000 miles
The contact owns a 2003 Buick Regal. While driving approximately 40 mph through a busy intersection, the vehicle suddenly shut off. After restarting the engine, the vehicle operated normally. The cause of the failure was not diagnosed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 148,000.

- Pheonix, AZ, USA

problem #21

Jun 292007

Regal

  • 72,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The contact owns a 2003 Buick Regal. The contact stated that the vehicle was able to be started without the key in the ignition. The failure recurred on several occasions. The contact also stated that it was difficult to unlock the steering wheel on several occasions. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the ignition switch was faulty and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 72,000.

- Bristow, OK, USA

problem #20

Jan 022016

Regal

  • 77,582 miles
The contact owns a 2003 Buick Regal. While driving approximately 30 mph, the vehicle stalled and an unknown warning light illuminated. The contact was able to restart the vehicle, but the failure recurred. The contact took the vehicle to a certified mechanic who found no failures; however, the mechanic stated that the computer system failed intermittently. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The VIN was unknown. The approximate failure mileage was 77,582.

- Springfield, IL, USA

problem #19

Aug 032015

Regal 6-cyl

  • miles
My ignition key wouldn't come to off position when I turn off the engine. Key wouldn't come out from the ignition cylinder and I had to leave the key in the car and manually lock the car. As a result it would drain the battery and the car is under a high risk of car being stolen and at the times the steering would get locked. Thank you

- Cleveland, OH, USA

problem #18

Aug 072013

Regal 6-cyl

  • 94,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Motor would shut off while going down the road took the car to classic dealer in madison Ohio and they said there was no recall I had to pay over $400 to get it fixed was there a recall on this part they said they had to pull the steering column.

- Geneva , OH, USA

problem #17

Jan 132015

Regal

  • 173,000 miles
The contact owns a 2003 Buick Regal. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 40 mph, the vehicle stalled without warning. The vehicle was able to restart after several attempts. The failure occurred on several occasions. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the ignition switch needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 173,000.

- Lake Hiawatha, NJ, USA

problem #16

Oct 162014

Regal 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 113,000 miles
The contact owns a 2003 Buick Regal. While driving downhill at approximately 25 mph, the vehicle suddenly shut off and the engine failed to restart. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the ignition switch was faulty. The ignition switch was replaced and the failure was remedied. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 113,000. Updated 2/25/15 updated 03/02/15

- Tarentum, PA, USA

problem #15

Dec 042014

Regal 6-cyl

  • 150,000 miles
The car had not been drove in a month, I drove about 3miles then parked, car then started to smoke then caught fire.

- Atlanta , GA, USA

problem #14

Jun 142014

Regal 6-cyl

  • 201,789 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The vehicle engine shut down and had to be restarted while rolling. Every event usually involved turning and braking at the same time, but occasionally shut down while idling at stop lights. It appeared to be similar to the ignition recalls that have been made on other vehicles, but not on this particular model. It has occurred several times and at least two to three times while turning onto on ramps to freeways. It always requires shifting into neutral to restart and very stiff steering because power steering is disabled. This has occurred in traffic and presented very hazardous conditions. I believe the ignition is at fault, but cannot say positively. Usually occurs when the car has been driven for some time and the engine has been running quite some time and is considerably warm. Under hot conditions it occurs more often.

- Visalia, CA, USA

problem #13

Apr 122006

Regal 6-cyl

  • 38,000 miles
The contact owns a 2003 Buick Regal. The contact stated while driving approximately 55 mph, there was a sudden loss in engine power as the electronic throttle control warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where who diagnosed that the ignition switch was fractured and needed to be repaired. The failure recurred on two occasions. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 38,000. The current mileage was 126,432...updated 08/12/14 the ignition switch had to be replaced twice. Updated 09/16/14

- Westerville, OH, USA

problem #12

Jun 212014

Regal 6-cyl

  • 53,000 miles
Activated left turn signal and started to brake for the turn. All dash light flashed, gauges dropped to zero and engine died. It immediately restarted on its own. Happened twice with-in 4 blocks. Drove vehicle again 1 week later and traction control switched off even though switch was in active position. Cycled the switch and traction control came back on.

- Liberty, SC, USA

problem #11

Mar 052014

Regal

  • 103,000 miles
Engine died while signaling a left turn going about 45 mph. Almost rear ended. Changed ignition switch module. No repeat recurrence.

- Anchorage, AK, USA

problem #10

May 012014

Regal 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 100,000 miles
The contact owns a 2003 Buick Regal. The contact stated that while traveling 50 mph, the engine stalled and the indicator lights on the instrument panel illuminated. The power steering and brakes failed. The vehicle resumed to its normal operation after being restarted. The manufacturer was contacted and did not offer a remedy. The failure has recurred several times. The vehicle was taken to the dealer. The technician diagnosed that there was an electrical shortage in the ignition switch and as a result, it needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The failure mileage was 100,000 and the current mileage was 102,000. Updated 08/19/14 updated 08/23/2017

- Fort Collins, CO, USA

problem #9

May 192014

Regal

  • 85,592 miles
TL * the contact owns a 2003 Buick Regal. The contact stated that while driving 25 mph, the vehicle stalled without any warnings. The contact mentioned that the failure recurred several times. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic. The technician diagnosed that the ignition switch was defective and needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The vehicle was repaired. The VIN was not available. The failure mileage was 85,592 and the current mileage was 86,500. Updated 08/11/14

- Greenbay , WI, USA

problem #8

Aug 082012

Regal

  • miles
I have not driven the car for over a year due to it not being on the recall list for the ignition not working. Some thing to do with the ignition and the transmission, you can't get the key out of ignition because it want turn off to the point of removal. I've noticed that there's a click sometimes when you put it in park and then you can remove key but it's rare, I'm afraid it's going to do the same thing the recall says will happen going down the road. (accident) there for I don't drive it the Buick dealership said there were no parts available due to the number of recalls brought in, I've been unable to get help.

- Wendell, NC, USA

problem #7

Dec 122013

Regal 6-cyl

  • 150,000 miles
My car has had issues with the electrical system. When I use my turning signals my car shuts off and I have to put in neutral and re start it. Also, the ignition issue is preventing my car from starting. I just had my starter replaced 4 days ago because I thought the issue was the starter even one it read okay I went ahead and replaced it since the issue was the car starting along with it shutting off when using the turning signals. I called in due to the recall to find out my car has a recall on another part that could cause it to catch fire. I had the appointment set up to replace that recall but since the car is not on the ignition switch recall I cant get that fixed to even get the car started. It starts most of the time but it seams the times I really need to be somewhere it wont start. Whyis it that my make and model are not apart of the recall if plenty of owners with this car are having the same issues. I have been so close to being in an accident due to this and need it fixed. I am a single mother and feel I should not incur diagnosis test when I can tell you what's wrong and then I have to pay to fix something that has been recalled in many other GM automobiles but not mine. How can I get my car put on the recall list so it can get fixed"??" this is a huge safety issue and it needs to be addressed!

- Louisville, KY, USA

problem #6

Feb 192014

Regal 6-cyl

  • miles
2003 Buick Regal. Consumer writes in regards to ignition problems. The consumer stated he almost had an accident, when his vehicle cut off, on a busy road. After much checking, the repair shop discovered the problem to be the ignition switch.

- Point Pleasant, NJ, USA

problem #5

Sep 192013

Regal

  • miles
2003 Buick Regal. Consumer writes in regards to vehicle stopped in traffic without warning. The consumer stated everything locked up on the vehicle and it had to be towed. An inspection revealed, the issue was the ignition switch.

- Bellevue, OH, USA

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