2003 Buick REGAL problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
101 owner complaints analyzed
3 distinct recall campaigns
96,258 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2003 model year. Data snapshot: . 68 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Engine is the most frequently named component, appearing in 26 of 101 complaints (25.7%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 17 | 16.8% |
| Engine operation | 16 | 15.8% |
| Steering behavior | 16 | 15.8% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 9 | 8.9% |
| Transmission and shifting | 7 | 6.9% |
| Fuel system concerns | 1 | 1.0% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Engine | 26 |
| Electrical System | 24 |
| Electrical System:Ignition:Switch | 8 |
| Steering | 8 |
| Service Brakes | 7 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling | 6 |
| Power Train:Automatic Transmission | 5 |
| Unknown Or Other | 5 |
Engine: 26; Electrical System: 24; Electrical System:Ignition:Switch: 8; Steering: 8; Service Brakes: 7; Engine And Engine Cooling: 6; Power Train:Automatic Transmission: 5; Unknown Or Other: 5
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 6 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 11 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 9 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 9 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 14 |
| 150,000 and above | 19 |
Under 25,000: 6; 25,000 to 49,999: 11; 50,000 to 74,999: 9; 75,000 to 99,999: 9; 100,000 to 149,999: 14; 150,000 and above: 19
150,000 and above miles has the most reports with usable mileage (19). 33 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2002 | 1 |
| 2003 | 3 |
| 2004 | 3 |
| 2005 | 3 |
| 2006 | 1 |
| 2007 | 6 |
| 2008 | 4 |
| 2009 | 5 |
| 2010 | 2 |
| 2011 | 5 |
| 2012 | 2 |
| 2013 | 1 |
| 2014 | 23 |
| 2015 | 9 |
| 2016 | 22 |
| 2017 | 5 |
| 2018 | 4 |
| 2020 | 1 |
| 2023 | 1 |
2002: 1; 2003: 3; 2004: 3; 2005: 3; 2006: 1; 2007: 6; 2008: 4; 2009: 5; 2010: 2; 2011: 5; 2012: 2; 2013: 1; 2014: 23; 2015: 9; 2016: 22; 2017: 5; 2018: 4; 2020: 1; 2023: 1
Pattern summary
Engine leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 17 complaint narratives. Engine operation appears in 16 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 16 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10045045 · 2003-10-29 (October 29, 2003)
I BROUGHT MY CAR INTO THE DEALERSHIP BECAUSE OF A THROTTLE PROBLEM. THEY SPRAYED SOMETHING ON IT (ALUMINUM TYPE SPRAY) AND SENT US ON OUR WAY UNTIL THEY ORDERED A NEW PART. IT WAS THE WRONG PART AND A MONTH WENT BY WITHOUT A FURTHER CALL REGARDING ANY NEW PART COMING IN. ON SEPTEMBER 13TH I HEADED INTO ANCHORAGE ON THE BUSIEST HIGHWAY IN THE STATE OF ALASKA. THE THROTTLE SPRING LET GO. I FOUND MYSELF CLUTCHING THE STEERING WHEEL WITH THE BRAKE PEDAL TO THE FLOOR. I WAS ON THE HIGHWAY AT 70 MPH AND THE BRAKES WOULDN'T WORK. I TRIED DOWNSH…
Owner-reported narrative. 5,400 miles reported. Look up ODI 10045045 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10071481 · 2004-06-04 (June 4, 2004)
WHILE TRAVELING AT 25 MPH IN TRAFFIC DRIVER APPLIED THE BRAKES AND THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS VERY HARD. AS A RESULT, THE DRIVER HIT ANOTHER VEHICLE. *AK THE AIR BAG FAILED TO DEPLOY DURING THE ACCIDENT. THE VEHICLE SUSTAINED $9700 DAMAGE BUT THE OTHER VEHICLE SUSTAINED NO DAMAGE. *NM
Owner-reported narrative. 11,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10071481 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10008955 · 2003-02-20 (February 20, 2003)
THE VEHICLE STALLED.*JB
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10008955 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10052190 · 2003-12-31 (December 31, 2003)
WHILE THE CONSUMER WAS DRIVING AT AN UNDETERMINED SPEED. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE DASH AND THE VEHICLE TO STALLED. THE OWNER HAS MADE CONTACT WITH THE DEALER ON TWO SEPARATE OCCASIONS AND THE PROBLEM STILL CONTINUED. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10052190 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10101385 · 2004-12-21 (December 21, 2004)
THE INTERMEDIATE STEERING SHAFT BECAME LOOSE, MAKING IT DIFFICULT TO STEER, ESPECIALLY ON SLOWER SPEED. *AK THE PROBLEM CONTINUED. *SC *JB
Owner-reported narrative. 32,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10101385 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10116424 · 2005-04-05 (April 5, 2005)
I OWNED A 2003 BUICK REGAL WITH 13,000 MILES THAT I PURCHASED NEW AT A DEALER IN INDIANAPOLIS IN JULY OF 2003. AS I WAS DRIVING HOME ON FEBRUARY 4, 2005 FROM RUNNING ERRANDS, MY SEAT HEATER IN THE DRIVER SEAT BECAME SO HOT THAT I HAD TO PULL OVER AND PUT MY WINTER COAT DOWN TO SIT ON IN ORDER TO FINISH THE DRIVE HOME. WHEN I ARRIVED AT MY HOME, I PULLED INTO THE GARAGE AND TURNED THE CAR OFF. A SHORT TIME LATER, I SMELLED SOMETHING BURNING. I COULD NOT FIND ANYTHING IN THE HOUSE THAT WAS ON FIRE. I LOOKED OUT INTO THE GARAGE AND THE INSIDE…
Owner-reported narrative. 15,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10116424 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10396011 · 2011-04-15 (April 15, 2011)
ON MULTIPLE BUT INTERMITTENT OCCASIONS, WHEN THE LEFT TURN SIGNAL IS ENGAGED ALL DASHBOARD WARNING LIGHTS FLASH AND THE VEHICLE STOPS RUNNING. I WAS FORTUNATE IN THAT IT NEVER OCCURRED IN HEAVY TRAFFIC, BUT IT STILL REPRESENTS A SIGNIFICANT DANGER. ON ONE PARTICULAR OCCASION, IT FAILED TO RESTART AND I HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO AN AUTHORIZED GM DEALER WHO KEPT IT FOR SEVEN DAYS BUT FAILED TO FIND OR FIX THE PROBLEM. INSTEAD, THEY REPLACED "BROKEN AND LOOSE CONNECTORS ON THE FUSE BOX." WHEN THE PROBLEM RECURRED TWO DAYS LATER, I RETURNED TO THE …
Owner-reported narrative. 47,104 miles reported. Look up ODI 10396011 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10199425 · 2007-08-13 (August 13, 2007)
LOST POWER STEERING FLUID IN MY 2003 BUICK REGAL DUE TO A HOLE IN THE POWER STEERING RETURN LINE. THE HOLE DEVELOPED AS A RESULT OF THE LINE RUBBING AGAINST TRANSMISSION FILLER TUBE. THIS IS DESIGN FAULT AND IS CONSIDERED A SAFETY ISSUE THAT NEEDS TO BE CORRECTED. THE ODOMETER READING AT THE TIME OF THIS FAILURE WAS 5905. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. 5,905 miles reported. Look up ODI 10199425 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10215050 · 2008-01-15 (January 15, 2008)
2003 BUICK REGAL WITH TRANSMISSION FLUID PROBLEMS. CONSUMER STATES THAT SHE NOTICED AN ODOR. UPON PERSONAL INSPECTION IT WAS FOUND THAT TRANSMISSION FLUID WAS LEAKING ONTO THE ENGINE AND COULD HAVE CAUSED A FIRE. *KB
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10215050 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10201387 · 2007-08-22 (August 22, 2007)
2003 BUICK REGAL WITH DEFECTIVE IGNITION SWITCH CUSTOMER STATES THAT THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS AND A RECALL SHOULD BE DONE**CC THE CONSUMER STATED WHILE DRIVING, THE VEHICLE LOST ALL POWER AND ALL THE DASH LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE CONSUMER STATED THIS DEFECT WAS DUE TO A FAULTY IGNITION SWITCH AND IS A VERY DANGEROUS SAFETY HAZARD. THE CONSUMER STATED A FAULTY FUEL PUMP WAS BAD ENOUGH WITH NO WARNING SIGNS BUT A FAULTY IGNITION SWITCH IS A DANGEROUS DEFECT AND FURTHER STATED HE WOULD LIKE THE DEFECT RECALLED. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 97,987 miles reported. Look up ODI 10201387 at NHTSA ↗