10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 1
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
73,663 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

The NHTSA is the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints can be spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem. See the Back button — blue bar at the very top of the page — to explore more.

Get notified about new defects, investigations, recalls & lawsuits for the 2002 Buick Regal:

Unsubscribe any time. We don't sell/share your email.

problem #24

Aug 202023

Regal

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

- Wheaton, IL, USA

problem #23

Jul 152016

Regal 6-cyl

  • 148,000 miles
Since the recall on the valve cover(s) been having ignition problems. The car 's engine stops running probably due to electrical problem or some other problem, eg ignition switch. Then it is difficult or impossible to start the car. After a start, have a hard time getting the car home. Right mow the vehicle is not drivable and in the garage.

- Colorado Springs, CO, USA

problem #22

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 #21

Jun 122015

Regal 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 166,000 miles
The contact owns a 2002 Buick Regal. While driving approximately 55 mph, the vehicle suddenly shut off. 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 notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 166,000. Updated 09/08/15 updated 10/25/2017

- Snow Hill, NC, USA

problem #20

Jul 012014

Regal

  • miles
2002 Buick Regal. Consumer writes in regards to vehicle electrical problems. The consumer stated the vehicle stalled while driving, in traffic. Also, the dash lights illuminated and when the turn signals were activated, the vehicle stalled, too.

- Lake Oswego, OR, USA

problem #19

Jun 262014

Regal 6-cyl

  • 125,000 miles
Car shuts down at any giving time, leaving us with out control. Cause for serious accident. We have found out its the ignition switch.

- Oshkosh, WI, USA

problem #18

Jan 082014

Regal

  • 95,000 miles
The contact owns a 2002 Buick Regal. The contact stated that while driving 25 mph, the vehicle stalled. The contact was able to restart the vehicle and on the way to the dealer the vehicle stalled five times. The technician diagnosed the ignition switch was defective and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the problem. The approximate failure mileage was 95,000. Updated 8/11/14

- Pueblo, CO, USA

problem #17

Jan 072014

Regal

  • 153,000 miles
The contact owns a 2002 Buick Regal. The contact stated that whenever he made a turn, the vehicle would stall intermittently and without warning. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where the technician diagnosed that the ignition switch was defective and needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The vehicle was repaired. The failure mileage was 153,000 and the current mileage was 155,000.

- Clarkston , MI, USA

problem #16

Mar 112013

Regal 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
The contact owns a 2002 Buick Regal. The contact stated that when the vehicle was shut off, the engine would resume. The contact had to disconnect the battery cable in order to prevent the engine from operating independently. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who was unable to diagnose the vehicle. The manufacturer was notified of the problem. The approximate failure mileage was unknown. The VIN was not available. Updated 06/17/14 updated 08/

- Augusta, GA, USA

problem #15

Feb 182014

Regal

  • miles
2002 Buick Regal. Consumer writes in regards to ignition switch recall problems. The consumer stated over the last several months, the vehicle had to be re-started when it stalled. When the vehicle stalled, the braking and steering capabilities were lost. The dealer determined the issue by putting specific pressure on the steering column while turning the ignition switch.

- Vancouver, WA, USA

problem #14

Aug 112004

Regal 6-cyl

  • miles
The contact owns a 2002 Buick Regal. The contact stated while driving approximately 60 mph the engine stalled without warning. The vehicle was coasted to the side of the road. Upon restarting, the vehicle resumed normally. The failure recurred intermittently. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer where the ignition switch was replaced. The manufacturer was notified of the problem. The failure mileage was unavailable.

- Virginia Beach , VA, USA

problem #13

Mar 052003

Regal

  • 15,000 miles
The contact owns a 2002 Buick Regal. The contact stated that while driving approximately 60 mph, the engine stalled without any warning. The vehicle restarted and resumed in operation. The failure recurred four times. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer where the ignition switch was replaced. The manufacturer was notified of the problem. The approximate failure mileage was 15,000. The VIN was unavailable.

- Virginia Beach, VA, USA

problem #12

Jun 012011

Regal

  • 89,000 miles
The contact owns a 2002 Buick Regal. The contact stated that while traveling 65 mph, all of the lights on the instrument panel failed. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure and current mileage was 89,000.

- Lordsburg, NM, USA

problem #11

Nov 272011

Regal

  • 139,000 miles
Security light comes on issuing other problems gauges on dash not working. Blinking on and off anti theft light on. Security light stays on. As a result on research this automobile has this issue and no one has done anything about it it's clear that there should be a recall for GM automobiles with electrical issues. This usually occurs when raining or humid. Also results on not being able to start car. Until it dries or sun comes out.

- Columbus , OH, USA

problem #10

Jun 072011

Regal 6-cyl

  • 154,360 miles
Loss of lighting on instrument cluster and real tail lights. During vehicle start it was noticed that the instrument cluster was not receiving electrical power. The fuse box was inspected and the 15 amp fuse was blown. Immediate replacement resulted in repetitive blown fuses. Replaced rear running light lamp bulbs also did not solve problem. Removed two rear running lamp bulbs and instrument cluster remains powered with no recurring blown fuses. Problem affects interior and exterior lighting.

- Shalimar, FL, USA

problem #9

Oct 062010

Regal 6-cyl

  • 122,500 miles
Turning on the night lights is not turning on the lights on the dashboard and the back of the car. The brake lights, emergency and the signals are working fine.

- Toronto, 00, USA

problem #8

Mar 012010

Regal

  • 85,000 miles
The contact owns a 2002 Buick Regal. The contact was driving approximately 40 mph at night with the headlights on and all of lights on the instrument panel shut off. The contact pulled over and restarted the vehicle. After doing so, some of the lights on the instrument panel were illuminated and the headlights were also functioning. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer where the contact was informed that the marginal for the instrument panel needed to be replaced. The vehicle was taken to another dealer where the contact was informed that the tail lights had also failed. The dealer observed wires cut in the trunk and stated that could have caused the failure to occur. The dealer also repaired the tail lights but could not duplicate the failure on the instrument panel and the headlights. Some of the lights on the instrument panel began to illuminate; however, a month later, they shut off again. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer who repaired the marginal a second time. While driving the vehicle with the high beams on, the lights shut off. The contact manually engaged the light switch and the lights came on. The vehicle was taken to a local repair shop where the high beam switch was replaced. The failure mileage was approximately 85,000. The current mileage was approximately 91,000.

- Middletown, MD, USA

problem #7

Nov 272008

Regal 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 87,000 miles
The contact owns a 2002 Buick Regal. While driving approximately 45 mph, smoke appeared from the dashboard and the driver's side door. The contact pulled the vehicle over to the side of the road, turned off the engine, and the smoke dissipated. The vehicle was driven to his residence, but there was no interior power. The vehicle was driven to the dealer a week later and they stated that a number of wire insulations, the fuse box, and breakers were burnt. The manufacturer stated that they were not liable for the repairs. The current and failure mileages were 87,000. Updated 02/02/09. The electrical cable bundle burned in the drivers side door under the dashboard. Terminal block and fuse burned the switch in the door. Updated 02/03/09.

- Aliquippa, PA, USA

problem #6

Sep 022008

Regal

  • 76,352 miles
I drove my car earlier today (during the day time) and everything was okay... as soon as it was dark my headlights, lights in the dash will not come on. The mileage is incorrect.

- Manassas, VA, USA

problem #5

Aug 012008

Regal

  • 73,000 miles
Problem started 2 weeks ago with keys getting stuck in the ignition. Happened a couple time a day. Now you can put the keys in but can not turn on the car. Has to be towed to the shop to be fixed.

- Kearney, NE, USA

Read the next 4 complaints »