BUICK REGAL · model year

2001 BUICK REGAL

229 NHTSA complaints, 7 crash reports, and 8 active recalls for this specific cohort.

NHTSA overall rating

Not crash-tested

New Car Assessment Program

The 2001BUICKREGAL carries 229 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 7 crashes, 55 fires, 9 injuries, and 0 fatalities. No NCAP 5-star crash-test rating is available for this model year in the federal database.

Component-level analysis is where model-year complaints become actionable: the top complaint category for the 2001 REGAL is engine with 52 filings, followed by engine and engine cooling (23) and electrical system (21). Concentration in one or two component groups is the classic signature of a systemic defect; a flat distribution usually reflects normal aging, warranty complaints, or isolated build-plant variability. This model year has 8 active recall campaigns, which means the manufacturer is obligated to remedy the covered defect at no charge for the life of the vehicle — the full NHTSA campaign numbers are listed below.

NHTSA currently has 1 investigation file overlapping the 2001 REGAL. Owners comparing this cohort against neighboring years should pair the counters above with the complaint-by-year trend on the parent model page — a spike in a single year often tracks to a platform refresh, a new transmission supplier, or an updated ECU calibration. Use the related-complaint feed below to read raw owner narratives before deciding whether any pattern here affects your specific use case.

229
Complaints
7
Crashes
55
Fires
9
Injuries
0
Deaths

Total Complaints

229 filings

Crashes Reported

7 reports

Source

NHTSA ODI

Federal complaints database

Complaints vs. fleet median (215)

Above median complaint volume — review patterns below.

Complaints by Component

ComponentCount
ENGINE52
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING23
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM21
STEERING11
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION9
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL9
UNKNOWN OR OTHER8
AIR BAGS6
VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS6
TIRES5
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR4
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:CRUISE CONTROL4
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL4
STRUCTURE:BODY4
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM4

Recalls (8)

15V70100026/10/2015

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

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,

08E06300017/10/2008

STEERING

DORMAN PRODUCTS IS RECALLING 3,900 INTERMEDIATE STEERING SHAFTS DORMAN PART NOS. 425-151, 425-152, AND 425-153, (SOLD UNDER DORMAN'S "OE SOLUTIONS" BRAND NAME), BALKAMP #'S 7-3057, 7-3058, 7-3059 (SOLD UNDER THE "NAPA" BRAND NAME), AND PLATINUM PARTS #'S 2425151, 2425152, AND 2425153 MANUFACTURED DU

09E00500017/02/2009

STEERING

DORMAN IS RECALLING 979 STEERING KNUCKLES, DORMAN P/NOS. 697-902 AND 697-903, SOLD UNDER DORMAN'S "OE SOLUTIONS<SUP>TM</SUP>" BRAND NAME, AND NAPA P/NOS. 7-8502 AND 7-8503 WHICH WERE SOLD FOR REPLACEMENT USE ON THE VARIOUS VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. A POTENTIAL MATERIAL OR DESIGN DEFECT COULD RESULT IN

00V37100013/11/2000

AIR BAGS:SIDE/WINDOW

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. SOME OF THESE VEHICLES EXHIBIT A CONDITION IN WHICH THE DRIVER SIDE IMPACT AIR BAG INFLATOR SEPARATES FROM THE AIR BAG MODULE DURING DEPLOYMENT.

08V11800012/03/2008

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

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.

09V11600008/04/2009

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

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 DROP

00V22800307/08/2000

SEAT BELTS

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES, LIGHT DUTY TRUCKS, SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, AND MINI VANS EQUIPPED WITH TRW SEAT BELT BUCKLE ASSEMBLIES. THE BUCKLE BASE OF THESE SEAT BELT ASSEMBLIES WERE NOT PROPERLY HEAT TREATED AND THEREFORE DO NOT PASS THE LOAD BEARING REQUIREMENT OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHI

01V10900006/04/2001

SEAT BELTS

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, EQUIPPED WITH SUNVISOR LOCATED AIR BAG LABELS, FAIL TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLES SAFETY STANDARD NO. 208, "OCCUPANT CRASH PROTECTION." THESE VEHICLES HAVE A MESSAGE AREA LESS THAN 30 CM WHICH DOES NOT MEET THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE STANDARD.

Recent Complaints

20240201FireENGINE

On [XXX], my son drove the car to Wendy’s to get lunch around 12:30 pm. He returned, parked the car in the driveway. My son entered the house and while we were eating lunch the doorbell rang, it was the police informing us that my car was on fire in the driveway. The fire department was called and they eventually extinguished the fire which started under the hood of the car. The jaws of life were used to cut the hood of the car loose to fully extinguish the fire. The car is destroyed. There is no fixing it. Marion, Virginia Fire Department extinguished the fire and stated that a report could be obtained but they were positive the fire started in the engine. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

20220419UNKNOWN OR OTHER

I have a buick.regal go 3.8 was just notified about recall for under hood fire I have not had this happen yet but I have been a mechanic for.8 years and from what I've seen with my 3.8 and others I have worked on it's not just only the front valve cover and gasket I have noticed that on mine I had oil pooling from lower intake manifold onto transmission also same thing on right hand side of engine the intake leaks oil were the factory uses the silicone form a gasket when sealant goes bad the oil pools on top of transmission and on right the oil pools on top of the timing cover /water pump housing so I think just replacing the front valve cover is not an adequate fix when you have two ends of lower intake leaking oil and also rear valve cover leaking the rear may not be as big of fire hazard but those intake leaks were they pool could very well poor that pooled oil onto front exuast manifold and or crossover pipe when a had break is applied to vehicle

20220419ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

The 2001 buick regal that we have has very inadequate head lights as far as im concerned it is a wiring problem dims are so dim that it's like you have no head lights at all bright are just bright enough to almost see 50 to 100 feet in front of vehicle also this buick is not the only gm vehicle I have experienced this on the 98 buick century's have same head light problem some what worse though also our 2002 chevy venture van has same extremely dim dims on all three vehicles brights are substituted for dims I have tried to rimity the problem by cleaning oxidation from lenses also replacing head lamp bulbs on one vehicle lenses had condensation inside lenses replaced both lenses but the results were same extremely dim dims and still had to substitute brights for dims to see also thought batterie might be getting weak both van and buick have new batteries and alternator on Both are charging strong and to specification so after all that still have head lamp problem no worse no better

20211115FireSTRUCTURE:BODY

My car lit on fire under the hood

20211115FireFUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

My car lit on fire under the hood

20211115FireENGINE

My car lit on fire under the hood

20200918CrashAIR BAGS

HAD A FRONT TIRE BLOW OUT CAR WENT ACROSS THE ROAD DOWN INTO SMALL DITCH AND STOPPED TO HIT A MAILBOX RESULTING IN THE AIRBAGS DEPLOYING THE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG CAME OUT SO HARD THAT IT BROKE THE WINDSHIELD DRIVER SIDE AIRBAG CAME OUT AND RESULTED IN IT BREAKING MY SPINE I'VE HAD TO HAVE ONE SURGERY SINCE THEN AND MAYBE MORE

Mileage: 178,000

20200430FireELECTRICAL SYSTEM

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2001 BUICK REGAL. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IDLING FLAMES APPEARED FROM UNDER THE HOOD. NO INJURIES WERE REPORTED. THE CAUSE WAS UNDETERMINED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE PARKED WITH THE ENGINE ON FLAMES WERE SUDDENLY PRESENT COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD OF THE VEHICLE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS CALLED TO THE SCENE AND EXTINGUISHED THE FLAMES. A FIRE DEPARTMENT AND POLICE DEPARTMENT REPORTS WERE TAKEN AT THE SCENE. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT DETERMINED. THE MANUFACTURER AND LOCAL DEALER WERE NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN LOOK UP INDICATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN THE NHTSA RECALL CAMPAIGN: 15V701000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). THE CONTACT INDICATED THAT THE VEHICLE HAD EXPERIENCED THE SAME FAILURE LISTED IN THE RECALL. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000.

Mileage: 100,000

20200430FireENGINE

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2001 BUICK REGAL. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IDLING FLAMES APPEARED FROM UNDER THE HOOD. NO INJURIES WERE REPORTED. THE CAUSE WAS UNDETERMINED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE PARKED WITH THE ENGINE ON FLAMES WERE SUDDENLY PRESENT COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD OF THE VEHICLE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS CALLED TO THE SCENE AND EXTINGUISHED THE FLAMES. A FIRE DEPARTMENT AND POLICE DEPARTMENT REPORTS WERE TAKEN AT THE SCENE. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT DETERMINED. THE MANUFACTURER AND LOCAL DEALER WERE NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN LOOK UP INDICATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN THE NHTSA RECALL CAMPAIGN: 15V701000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). THE CONTACT INDICATED THAT THE VEHICLE HAD EXPERIENCED THE SAME FAILURE LISTED IN THE RECALL. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000.

Mileage: 100,000

20200422ENGINE

LOSING OIL NOT VISIBLE, APPEARS TO BE VALVE COVER GASKET, OIL PAN, HOSE. ADDING A QUART A MONTH.

20200422UNKNOWN OR OTHER

LOSING OIL NOT VISIBLE, APPEARS TO BE VALVE COVER GASKET, OIL PAN, HOSE. ADDING A QUART A MONTH.

20200308ENGINE

RECALL FIXED THE FRONT VALVE COVER AND THE REAR ONE SHOULD OF BEEN DONE ALSO DUE TO THE LEAKING OF OIL THAT COULD POTENTIALLY START A FIRE FROM LEAKING ON THE BLOCK AND POSSIBLY BURN ON THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD.

Mileage: 175,000

20191213ENGINE

I WAS DRIVING DOING ALMOST 50 WHEN IT SHUT OFF WITH NO WARNING THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED UP THE BRAKES WERE NOT WORKING. THE FIRST TIME THIS HAPPENED I JUST LET THE CAR COAST TO A STOP, THE SECOND TIME WAS EXACTLY THE SAME EXCEPT I PUT THE CAR IN NEUTRAL WHILE I STILL HAD A GOOD BIT OF SPEED AND CRUNK IT BACK UP. THE CAR ALWAYS CRANK RIGHT BACK UP WITH NO PROBLEM AND DRIVES FINE. I'VE CHANGE MY FUSES AND CERTAIN LIGHTS (LOW TIRE, LOW COOLANT, CHECK ENGINE)ON THE DASHBOARD WON'T GO OFF AND I JUST RECENTLY HAD MY CAR INSPECTED IN WHICH IT PASSED

Mileage: 235,000

20191213POWER TRAIN

I WAS DRIVING DOING ALMOST 50 WHEN IT SHUT OFF WITH NO WARNING THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED UP THE BRAKES WERE NOT WORKING. THE FIRST TIME THIS HAPPENED I JUST LET THE CAR COAST TO A STOP, THE SECOND TIME WAS EXACTLY THE SAME EXCEPT I PUT THE CAR IN NEUTRAL WHILE I STILL HAD A GOOD BIT OF SPEED AND CRUNK IT BACK UP. THE CAR ALWAYS CRANK RIGHT BACK UP WITH NO PROBLEM AND DRIVES FINE. I'VE CHANGE MY FUSES AND CERTAIN LIGHTS (LOW TIRE, LOW COOLANT, CHECK ENGINE)ON THE DASHBOARD WON'T GO OFF AND I JUST RECENTLY HAD MY CAR INSPECTED IN WHICH IT PASSED

Mileage: 235,000

20191213STEERING

I WAS DRIVING DOING ALMOST 50 WHEN IT SHUT OFF WITH NO WARNING THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED UP THE BRAKES WERE NOT WORKING. THE FIRST TIME THIS HAPPENED I JUST LET THE CAR COAST TO A STOP, THE SECOND TIME WAS EXACTLY THE SAME EXCEPT I PUT THE CAR IN NEUTRAL WHILE I STILL HAD A GOOD BIT OF SPEED AND CRUNK IT BACK UP. THE CAR ALWAYS CRANK RIGHT BACK UP WITH NO PROBLEM AND DRIVES FINE. I'VE CHANGE MY FUSES AND CERTAIN LIGHTS (LOW TIRE, LOW COOLANT, CHECK ENGINE)ON THE DASHBOARD WON'T GO OFF AND I JUST RECENTLY HAD MY CAR INSPECTED IN WHICH IT PASSED

Mileage: 235,000

20180204FireSTRUCTURE:BODY

I BOUGHT THIS CAR A YEAR AGO. TODAY I TRIED TO CRANK THE CAR WHILE SITTING IN MY YARD A BIG BOOM HAPPENED AND THE CAR ENGINE CAUGHT ON FIRE. THE PLASTIC COVERING MELTED OFF THE ENGINE AS WELL AS SOME OF THE BACK PART OF THE ENGINE IT WAS ENGULFED IN FLAMES. THE RECALLS ASSOCIATED MANUFACTURER RECALL NUMBERN150757 NHTSA RECALL NUMBER15V701

Mileage: 119,267

20180204FireENGINE

I BOUGHT THIS CAR A YEAR AGO. TODAY I TRIED TO CRANK THE CAR WHILE SITTING IN MY YARD A BIG BOOM HAPPENED AND THE CAR ENGINE CAUGHT ON FIRE. THE PLASTIC COVERING MELTED OFF THE ENGINE AS WELL AS SOME OF THE BACK PART OF THE ENGINE IT WAS ENGULFED IN FLAMES. THE RECALLS ASSOCIATED MANUFACTURER RECALL NUMBERN150757 NHTSA RECALL NUMBER15V701

Mileage: 119,267

20180123SERVICE BRAKES

ON 1997-2004 "W PLATFORM" GM AUTOS, INCLUDING MY REGAL, THE ABS SENSOR DESIGN IS FLAWED IN THAT IT'S WIRING IS LOCATED IN AN EXPOSED LOCATION AT THE INSIDE BOTTOM OF THE WHEEL HUB THAT ANY ROAD DITRITUS CAN IMPACT, CAUSING THE TRACK SYSTEM OFF DASH LIGHT TO COME ON AND ABS BRAKING TO FAIL. I AM NOW ON MY 6TH REPLACEMENT INCIDENT SINCE 2006, WHEN IT HAPPENED THE 1ST TIME. (2 EACH ON THE FRONT WHEEL HUBS AND 1 ON A REAR. DO NOT KNOW AT THIS TIME WHICH WHEEL IS INVOLVED THIS TIME,) EVERY TIME THE LITTLE SENSOR WIRE BREAKS OR GETS CUT & YOU CAN'T JUST FIX THE WIRE, IT REQUIRES A TOTAL REPLACEMENT OF THE WHEEL HUB AND COSTS NEARLY $500 A POP. THE WIRE IS RIDICULOUSLY EASY TO DAMAGE JUST BY DRIVING THROUGH PLOW DRIFT IN THE DRIVEWAY OR HITTING SMALL TREE BRANCH DETRITUS ON THE ROAD THAT BOUNCES OFF THE UNDERCARRIAGE AND SNAGS THE WIRE. MOST COMMONLY IT BREAKS INSIDE THE INSULATION AND INTERMITENTLY SHORTS OUT WHEN IT GETS WET, (& DISAPPEARS WHEN IT DRIES OUT AGAIN) CAUSING THE ABS SYSTEM

Mileage: 135,000

20170908FireENGINE

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2001 BUICK REGAL. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH AND PULLING INTO A PARKING LOT, THE CONTACT NOTICED SMOKE UNDERNEATH THE HOOD. THE CONTACT EXITED THE VEHICLE AND RAN INTO FERRY FACILITY TO CALL THE FIRE DEPARTMENT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT BY THE TIME THE FIRE DEPARTMENT ARRIVED AT THE SCENE, THE VEHICLE WAS ENGULFED IN FLAMES. THE CONTACT WAS NOT SURE WHETHER A FIRE REPORT WAS FILED. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED AND THE REMNANT WAS TOWED AWAY. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER WERE NOT CONTACTED. APPROXIMATELY SEVEN MONTHS LATER, THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V701000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 170,000. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT. *BF *JS

Mileage: 170,000

20170526FireENGINE

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2001 BUICK REGAL. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED ON A LOCAL STREET, IT CAUGHT FIRE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE. A PASSERBY NOTICED THE VEHICLE WAS ON FIRE AND CONTACTED THE FIRE AND POLICE DEPARTMENTS. A FIRE AND A POLICE REPORT WERE FILED. THE CAUSE OF THE FIRE WAS NOT DETERMINED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED AND DEEMED DESTROYED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.

Compare 2001BUICKREGAL to Similar Vehicles

NHTSA Investigations

Frequently Asked Questions

How many complaints does the 2001 BUICK REGAL have?
The 2001 BUICK REGAL has 229 NHTSA complaints, 7 crashes, 55 fires, 9 injuries, and 0 deaths reported.
Are there any recalls for the 2001 BUICK REGAL?
Yes, the 2001 BUICK REGAL has 8 recall(s). The most common affected component is ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE. Recalls are issued by NHTSA and manufacturers must provide a free remedy.
What are the most common problems with the 2001 BUICK REGAL?
The most-complained component for the 2001 BUICK REGAL is ENGINE with 52 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING and ELECTRICAL SYSTEM.
Is the 2001 BUICK REGAL safe to buy?
Review the complaint history, crash and fire reports, safety ratings, and recall status on this page to make an informed decision. No NHTSA crash test rating is available for this model year. Compare with other model years using the links above.
Where does this data come from?
All complaint, recall, and safety rating data is sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Complaints are filed by vehicle owners through NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation.

Vehicle Safety Guides

Data as of 2025. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) complaints database, NHTSA recall campaign API, NHTSA NCAP crash-test ratings, and NHTSA FARS for fatality cross-reference.