2004 Buick REGAL: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
66 owner complaints analyzed
2 distinct recall campaigns
90,963 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2004 model year. Data snapshot: . 45 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Electrical System is the most frequently named component, appearing in 31 of 66 complaints (47.0%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Steering behavior | 11 | 16.7% |
| Engine operation | 10 | 15.2% |
| Braking behavior | 8 | 12.1% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 7 | 10.6% |
| Transmission and shifting | 3 | 4.5% |
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 |
|---|---|
| Electrical System | 31 |
| Engine | 18 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling | 6 |
| Electronic Stability Control (Esc) | 5 |
| Steering | 5 |
| Power Train | 3 |
| Unknown Or Other | 3 |
| Electrical System:Ignition:Switch | 2 |
Electrical System: 31; Engine: 18; Engine And Engine Cooling: 6; Electronic Stability Control (Esc): 5; Steering: 5; Power Train: 3; Unknown Or Other: 3; Electrical System:Ignition:Switch: 2
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 3 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 3 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 9 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 17 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 11 |
| 150,000 and above | 2 |
Under 25,000: 3; 25,000 to 49,999: 3; 50,000 to 74,999: 9; 75,000 to 99,999: 17; 100,000 to 149,999: 11; 150,000 and above: 2
75,000 to 99,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (17). 21 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 |
|---|---|
| 2004 | 1 |
| 2005 | 4 |
| 2006 | 1 |
| 2008 | 1 |
| 2009 | 3 |
| 2011 | 1 |
| 2012 | 1 |
| 2014 | 14 |
| 2015 | 10 |
| 2016 | 20 |
| 2017 | 3 |
| 2018 | 3 |
| 2019 | 2 |
| 2020 | 2 |
2004: 1; 2005: 4; 2006: 1; 2008: 1; 2009: 3; 2011: 1; 2012: 1; 2014: 14; 2015: 10; 2016: 20; 2017: 3; 2018: 3; 2019: 2; 2020: 2
Pattern summary
Electrical System leads the component reports. Steering behavior appears in 11 complaint narratives. Engine operation appears in 10 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 8 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.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10089610 · 2004-08-24 (August 24, 2004)
WHILE DRIVING AT LOWER SPEED CONSUMER HEARD A NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT END. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP, AND MECHANIC REPLACED THE BUSHINGS, AND GREASED THE RACK AND PINION.*AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10089610 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10106269 · 2005-01-13 (January 13, 2005)
FRONT DEFROSTER INEFFECTIVE. WITH THE ENGINE AT OPERATING TEMPS, IF CAR TURNED OFF TO GO INTO A STORE, WHEN RETURNED THE WINDOWS ARE FOGGED AND IT TAKES ANYPLACE FROM 5 TO 20 MINUTES TO DEFROST ( THE ENGINE IS STILL AT OPERATING TEMPS.). COMPLAINTS TO THE DEALER SAYS THAT IT IS A GM DESIGN AND THERE IS NOTHING THEY CAN DO ABOUT IT. *NM
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10106269 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10111663 · 2005-02-16 (February 16, 2005)
WHILE DRIVING IN INCLEMENT WEATHER THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS FAILED TO COME ON. DRIVER CONTACTED AND DROVE TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION, AND MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT THE WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10111663 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10119514 · 2005-05-26 (May 26, 2005)
THE INSIDE OF THE REAR ROTORS RUSTED AND AS A RESULT THE CAR WOULDN'T STOP. THIS IS THE CONSUMERS FIFTH VEHICLE FROM GM. WHEN THE REAR ROTORS RUSTED IT CAUSED THE FRONT ROTORS TO OVERWORK AND RESULTED IN THE FRONT ROTORS WARPING. THE ROTORS ARE NOT YET REPAIRED. *AK *SB *NM
Owner-reported narrative. 21,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10119514 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10138819 · 2005-09-29 (September 29, 2005)
COMPLAINT REGARDING AIR BAG LIGHT & LOW TIRE LIGHT CAME ON SEVERAL TIMES CONSUMER HAD VEHICLE SERVICE AND ONCE OFF THE SERVICE LOT ALL DASH LIGHTS CAME ON. *TS THE TRUN SIGNAL AND WIPER MOTOR HAD TO BE REPLACED. THE HUB ASSEMBLT HARNESS HAD TO BE REPALCED. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED ALONG WITH THE NO TRAC AND ABS LIGHT. *NM
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10138819 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10149702 · 2006-02-08 (February 8, 2006)
COMMENTS: SAFETY ISSUE: IN AN EMERGENCY SITUATION WHERE I NEED MY HORN TO SOUND, I HAVE DIFFICULTY FINDING THE "RIGHT" SPOT ON MY STEERING WHEEL TO SOUND THE HORN, AS THE WHEEL MAY NOT BE STRAIGHT AT THAT TIME, BUT TURNED RIGHT OR LEFT. ALSO, I MAY BE MORE CONCERNED TO SEE THE TRAFFIC SITUATION AND CANNOT SAFELY LOOK DOWN FOR THE HORN SYMBOL. ON OLDER CARS BEFORE AIR BAGS, THAT WAS NOT A PROBLEM. I PLACED A SMALL STICKER OVER THE HORN SYMBOLS ON MY TWO CARS. NOW, AT A GLANCE, I CAN SEE EXACTLY WHERE TO PRESS THE STEERING WHEEL FOR THE HORN TO S…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10149702 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10215827 · 2008-01-23 (January 23, 2008)
2004 BUICK REGAL STOPS WHILE DRIVING. KEY WAS STUCK IN IGNITION AND REPAIRED AT LOCAL DEALER IN MACON. VEHICLE NOW SHUTS OFF WHILE DRIVING AT SPEED AT 45 MPH OR MORE. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 67,129 miles reported. Look up ODI 10215827 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10267640 · 2009-05-04 (May 4, 2009)
I AM COMPLAINING ABOUT THE RIMS ON MY BUICK. I CONSTANTLY HAVE FLAT OR LOW TIRES. I HAD A FEW MECHANICS LOOK AT MY TIRES AND THEY SAID THE ALUMINUM ON THE RIM IS PEELING OFF. SO THAT MEANS THAT I NEED TO BUY NEW RIMS AND THAT IS EXPENSIVE. IT STARTED OUT ONCE IN A WHILE BUT NOW I FILL UP MY TIRES EVERY THREE OR FOUR DAYS. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10267640 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
2 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
15V201000 · Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine
Reported: 2015-04-06 (April 6, 2015)
General Motors LLC (GM) notified the agency on April 2, 2015, that they are is recalling certain model year 2004 Buick Regal vehicles manufactured April 9, 2003, to June 1, 2003, 2004 Chevrolet Impala vehicles manufactured April 8, 2003, to June 23, 2003, and 2004 Chevrolet Monte Carlo vehicles manufactured April 7, 2003, to June 23, 2003. On May 18, 2015, GM expanded the recall to cover an additional 49,751 2004 Pontiac Grand Prix vehicles manufactured January 6, 2003, to June 25, 2004. In the affected vehicles, the valve cover gasket may leak.
Consequence: The leaking engine oil can drip onto the hot surface of the exhaust manifold, increasing the risk of a fire.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will remove the plastic cover and plastic oil fill tube extension and replace the front valve cover and gasket. These repairs will be done free of charge. The recall began on April 24, 2015. Owners may contact Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300, Pontiac customer service at 1-800-762-2737 or Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is 14574.
NHTSA campaign record ↗15V701000 · Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System:Manifold/Header/Muffler/Tail Pipe | Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine
Reported: 2015-10-26 (October 26, 2015)
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, 09V-116, and 15V-201 to address the possibility that engine oil may drip onto the hot exhaust manifold.
Consequence: Engine oil that drips onto the hot surface of the exhaust manifold may result in a fire.
Remedy: The remedy applied under recalls 08V-118, 09V-116, and 15V-201 did not adequately remove the safety risk. Under the improved remedy, dealers will replace the engines front valve cover and gasket. Vehicles that are covered by recalls 08V-118, 09V-116, or 15V-201 that have not yet received the original remedy will instead receive the improved remedy under the original recall number. The recall began on February 19, 2016. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300, Oldsmobile customer service at 1-800-442-6537 and Pontiac customer service at 1-800-458-8006. GM's number for this recall is 15757. Note: Until the improved remedy has been applied, owners are advised to park their vehicle outside since the fire risk exists even when the vehicle is unattended.
NHTSA campaign record ↗