10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
1 / 15
Injuries / Deaths:
1 / 0
Average Mileage:
73,260 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.

2002 Buick Regal engine problems

engine problem

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2002 Buick Regal Owner Comments (Page 1 of 2)

problem #33

Aug 202023

Regal

  • miles

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

Dealership sold car knowing there-??s recalls and never fixed

- Wheaton, IL, USA

problem #32

Mar 032019

Regal

  • miles
The contact owns a 2002 Buick Regal. The contact was driving at 45 mph, when he detected a burning odor and saw smoke coming from under the hood. The check engine light illuminated. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed as a false sensor, oil leak, and brake fluid leak. The vehicle was repaired however the failure recurred. The contact received NHTSA campaign number: 15V701000 (engine and engine cooling). The vehicle was taken to william Buick GMC (8201 South blvd, charlotte, nc 28273) but was informed the recall repair could not be done because of rust under the hood and liability issue. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.

- Clover, SC, USA

problem #31

Feb 012020

Regal

  • 0 miles
The contact's son owned a 2002 Buick Regal. The contact stated while driving 25 mph, she saw smoke exiting the front of the vehicle. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The contact stated she parked the vehicle on the side of the road and when she opened the hood she saw fire located in the engine compartment. The contact stated she was able to extinguish the fire with a fire extinguisher. The vehicle was not drivable and was towed to a tow lot. The contact stated received NHTSA campaign number: 15V701000 (engine and engine cooling) two weeks after the failure. The contact called glendenning motor company (1100 E South St, mt ayr, ia 50854) to make them aware of the failure however she was informed no assistance could be offered as the vehicle was not repairable. The vehicle was totaled. The manufacturer had not been informed of failure. The failure mileage was unknown.

- Ankeny, ID, USA

problem #30

Jan 212019

Regal

  • 98 miles

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

My car as a engine issue every year around or near Feb crazy but true I have had my car saftey recall fixed but not properly stated another dealership in sunnyvale during investigation from GM but nothing was done about it once again I had another fire from cover and still nothing was done due to my lost time and suffer of this reoccurring issue that seems to never be properly fixed or addressed still I suffer from this car all my new 'fix' to that safety recall has a bigger problem still gasket is cracked by looks since the day it was replaced and the plastic retaining clips are melting and burning my spark plugs to that clip is burning and fremont dealership won't even give me time or day GM is red flaged my phone number and now after I get my motoermounts fixed and all the money I put into keeping my car up and running it still fails me to point that my engine just started knocking really loud day after I got oil change and no warning light or anything that could help explain the problem and towed to my car shop to find out my car results and I hear it's a bad engine I need to replace it as of January 21 2019 go without a car due to a GM bad engine all around for my car the worst car ever worst service from both GM and fremont GMC has no care of my life situation because of this app engine ! is it possible that my car is just a no good engine all around like a lemon engine? why is this engine so great and last forever in all other Buick's but mine has major issues safety issues

- Newark, CA, USA

problem #29

Nov 142018

Regal 6-cyl

  • miles
My car was in driving mode on the road in newark California and speed limit 35 mph all of the sudden my car without warning without any issues prior to this just stopped locked up brakes locked up steering wheel car still running but won't let me accelerate car radios on toast on my battery just everything locked up out of nowhere no warning signs scare the heck out of me I just had to let it keep rolling to look into a stop and got it towed home now every time we turn on the car if I had the blinker on it shut off the car won't drive it doesn't have enough power almost like electrical issue him a check engine light wasn't coming on now is I have codes U1040, C1225, C1226, C1232, C1233, C1248, why is this car so unsafe and why can't any real actions be taken seriously its old but very major issue in all these makes of year look it up and see same thing every where I am lucky I?M still alive due to all my fairies with recall 15757 and all other major issues that never been really dealt with I submit a claim almost every 2 years when my car catches fire 4X and now this major safety issue!! never got any out come on any of these big issues and this is my safe option for my life in owning a car I pay a lot of money for this I wish I had more info on GM no loyalties to there people please they have told me straight up we will not do anything about this sorry !!! I can't find a lawyer to take a case against GM I think action needs real time investigating not a website we can write claim after claim after claim hopefully I will get my story out there before people start driving and end up dead due to this horrible situation the 02 Buick Regal is not safe stop driving this car if U own one !!!

- Newark, CA, USA

problem #28

Sep 252017

Regal 6-cyl

  • 83,100 miles
The contact owns a 2002 Buick Regal. While stationary, the vehicle caught fire under the beauty cover where oil had leaked onto the intake manifold. A police report was not filed. The contact extinguished the fire the first time. The fire occurred a second time within the same day and the fire department extinguished the fire. There were no injuries. Fremont Buick GMC in fremont, California was made aware of the fires and requested that the contact pay for a vehicle inspection. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue and stated that the vehicle would be fully inspected. Upon inspection, it was determined that the retainers on the vehicle were installed improperly. The failure mileage was 83,100. Updated 7/26/18

- Newark, CA, USA

problem #27

Sep 252017

Regal

  • 89 miles

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

Second time around my Buick Regal caught on fire as it sat in driveway my car has been a VIN that fit the saftey recall since 2007 3rd or 4th one since I bought my car from dealership my car has 5 recalls which 3 are recall campaign so dealer fixed only part of the recall in Feb 18 2016 I was sent another safety recall letter asking me to go back to get extra work done or newer parts dealer said no so now it's September 25/26 2017 and fire happens again this time was a bigger issue had firedepartment called out all the flames came from under the beauty cover and valve cover leak which was a recall for several years they fixed with better parts but still have a fire dealership said no get my car out there shop and agm tells me sorry can't do anything for U because my car 2002 old no warranties but it's a saftey recall almost every year since my car was bought no parts available not sure Y I get only half recall done and not do the full recall correctly there for they should be help responsible for the fire since they never took my cover off they were very aware of that I can't do anything for this issue I have had 7 claims since first time car on fire Jan 6 2016 and claim #11 claim story for NHTSA called everyone I could even my local news but no one will help me because it's a fight against GM it's so wrong not fair that this happens to people I don't want money or big deal I just want a car that doesn't catch fire every year I need help please !!! also I would like more info on what campaign means for the situation !?

- Newark, CA, USA

problem #26

Oct 192016

Regal

  • 226,000 miles
The contact owns a 2002 Buick Regal. While refueling the vehicle, the contact noticed smoke coming from the engine compartment. Upon further inspection, the contact noticed that the engine compartment caught fire. The contact extinguished the fire. A police report was not filed and there were no injuries. The vehicle was taken to a dealer, but was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The VIN was included in NHTSA campaign number: 15V701000 (engine and engine cooling). The failure mileage was 226,000.

- Bel Aire, KS, USA

problem #25

Apr 042016

Regal 6-cyl

  • 188,000 miles
Please refer to the letter attached below. It is a copy of the letter that was originally sent to the Georgia attorney general consumer protection division on June 2, 2016. Thank you

- Boynton Beach, FL, USA

problem #24

Jun 162016

Regal

  • 68,300 miles
I have 2002 Buick Regal, had fixed for low coolant light sign problem several time by dealer, last repair was done 1-26-2016 by dealer and do not show any more low coolant sign of light, 20 days later my car stopped in the middle of road, I towed it to same dealer, dealer told me that transmission need to be replaced by verbal, I towed it to transmission shop and repaired and I complainted to state of ca, in Feb. 2016, I had recall notice from GM, I had recall service done by another GM dealer in March 2016, investigator from the state looked through my car in May 20 2016, investigator found the sign of low coolant light was not displayed when he turned engine on, every other signs of engine light displayed except low coolant sign of light, I paid $131 to dealer where I had recall service donein May 27, 2016, I explained them all the service light displays but the low coolant light whe engine turned on, they told me that my car need new cluster and it will cost $1009. My car drives smoothly and I have to buy coolant and pour it to radiator myself, check fluid level every day to be safe, this is very stressful and make me nervous to go out and enjoy my life, my car is only 14 years old and 68300 miles driven, I need mere investigation why dealer want me to change the whole cluster instead of little problem of mechanical wire connection " or bulb " I had problem with odor meter between 2013-2015 and dealer told me that it would cost $ 1000,00 but odor meter owner fixed with little charge, I need help! please. The other dealer sent me the check $ $409.23 because investigator told them. I noticed the case number was different in the check, I told investigator about it and he told me it is ok to deposit the check so I did and cashed out.

- Torrance, CA, USA

problem #23

Dec 022015

Regal

  • miles

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

The contact owns a 2002 Buick Regal. The contact received a recall notification of NHTSA campaign number: 15V701000 (engine and engine cooling). The part needed for the repair was not available. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.

- Asheville, NC, USA

problem #22

Jan 162016

Regal

  • 92,000 miles
The contact owns a 2002 Buick Regal. After the vehicle was started, the check engine warning light illuminated intermittently. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the engine oil pan gasket, valve cover gasket set, and spark plugs needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 15V701000 (engine and engine cooling); however, the part to do the repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 92,000. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

- Fort Worth, TX, USA

problem #21

Apr 012016

Regal

  • miles
The contact owns a 2002 Buick Regal. While driving 30 mph, the vehicle decelerated independently without warning. In addition, when the accelerator pedal was depressed, the vehicle failed to respond. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the intake gasket was leaking oil and the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure occurred after the vehicle was serviced under NHTSA campaign number: 15V701000 (engine and engine cooling). The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.

- San Antonio, TX, USA

problem #20

Dec 232015

Regal

  • miles
Leaking oil from engine when stationary.

- Phoenix, AZ, USA

problem #19

Feb 262016

Regal

  • miles
The contact owns a 2002 Buick Regal. The contact received a notification for NHTSA campaign number: 15V701000 (engine and engine cooling). The part needed was not available. The dealer cancelled an appointment twice, stating that the parts were still not available. The manufacturer was made aware of the delay. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.

- Phoenix, AZ, USA

problem #18

Apr 102010

Regal

  • 110,000 miles
The contact owns a 2002 Buick Regal. The contact stated that the rear valve cover gasket had a severe oil leak. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 15V701000 (engine and engine cooling) however, the contact was concerned that the manufacturer was not replacing the rear valve cover gasket and the recall repair would not be sufficient. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 110,000.

- Youngstown, OH, USA

problem #17

Mar 072016

Regal

  • 141,000 miles
The contact owned a 2002 Buick Regal. The contact stated that as soon as the vehicle was parked, it immediately caught on fire. A police and a fire report were filed. The fire department extinguished the fire. The contact did not sustain any injuries. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 15V701000 (engine and engine cooling); however, the parts for the recall repair were not available. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was notified. The vehicle was destroyed. The failure mileage was 141,000. Parts distribution disconnect.

- Anchorage, AK, USA

problem #16

Feb 112016

Regal

  • 170,000 miles
The contact owns a 2002 Buick Regal. After parking the vehicle, smoke and flames were present under the hood. The contact extinguished the flames using a cloth. The cause of the failure was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The VIN was invalid. The failure mileage was 170,000.

- Yadkinbill, NC, USA

problem #15

Feb 242016

Regal

  • 70,000 miles
Recall 15757, only requires GM to repair front valve cover & gasket.this was done at palm Chevy ocala fl. Remedy applied under earlier recalls did not adequately remove safety risk! GM & dealer refuse to repair rear valve cover & gasket leaking oil on engine block! request improved remedy recall before engine fire ignites. Both stated I can pay for repairs? half a recall remedy is not acceptable. Oil accumulates during engine running & in motion.palm cevy 2300 sw college rd ocala fl #352 629 8011.invoice cvs6487,02/24/16. Requesting complete safety repairs on front & rear valve covers due to oil leaks on engine by GM & dealers.GM has received other notifications and aware of this problem by other owners!!

- Ocala, FL, USA

problem #14

Feb 012016

Regal

  • miles
The contact owns a 2002 Buick Regal. The contact received a notification of NHTSA campaign number: 15701000 (engine) however, the part to do the repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. The VIN tool confirms parts not available.

- Santa Cruz, CA, USA

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