Dealership sold car knowing there’s recalls and never fixed
The worst 2002 Buick Regal problems
Ranked by number of owner complaints. Mileage and cost come from what owners wrote.
Problems by type
Tap a problem to see which part fails, at what mileage and in which other years.
- Engine49
- Electrical36
- Brakes7
- Visibility7
- Lights6
- Fuel system5
- Seats5
- Steering4
- Wheels4
- Acceleration3
- Body3
- Suspension3
- Transmission3
- Seat belts2
- Airbags1
- Driver assistance1
- Tires1
Specific symptoms reported on the 2002 Buick Regal
Recalls 3
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: manifold/header/muffler/tail pipe
- What is wrong
- 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.
- Risk
- 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.
Recall number 15V701000 · Recall details
Engine and engine cooling
- What is wrong
- 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 drops of engine oil may be deposited on the exhaust manifold through hard braking.
- Risk
- If the manifold is hot enough and the oil runs below the heat shield, it may ignite into a small flame and may spread to the plastic spark plug wire channel and beyond increasing the risk of an engine compartment fire.
- Remedy
- Dealers will replace the engines front valve cover and front-valve-cover gasket with new parts of an improved design and remove the engines plastic cover and plastic oil-fill-tube extension, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin during may 2016. Owners may contact chevrolet at 1‑800‑630‑2438, oldsmobile at 1‑800‑630‑6537, and pontiac at 1‑800‑620‑7668 or http://www.pontiac.com or http:www.gmownercenter.com.
Recall number 09V116000 · Recall details
Engine and engine cooling
- What is wrong
- 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.
- Risk
- Certain underhood fires may be caused by drops of engine oil, from seepage or spillage, being deposited on the exhaust manifold through hard braking. If the manifold is hot enough and the oil runs below the heat shield, it may ignite into a small flame and, in some instances, the fire may spread to the plastic spark plug wire channel and beyond.
- Remedy
- Dealers will replace the engines front valve cover and front-valve-cover gasket with new parts of an improved design and remove the engines plastic cover and plastic oil-fill-tube extension, along with the 1-3-5 spark plug wire retainers, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin during may 2016. , free of charge. The recall is expected to begin during may 2016. Until the remedy is completed, gm strongly recommends that owners observe the following important precautions (1) that owners do not park their vehicle in a garage, car port, or other structure; (2) if owners notice a burning odor, they should have their dealer inspect the vehicle. The dealer will inspect the vehicle without charge; (3) use premium fuel (91 octane or higher) in the vehicle as recommended in the vehicle's owner manual. Owners may contact buick at 1‑866‑608‑8080 or pontiac at 1‑800‑620‑7668, or through their website at http://www.gmownercenter.com .
Recall number 08V118000 · Recall details
See all 3 recalls for the 2002 Buick Regal
Defect investigations
Engine compartment fire
By letter dated march 12, 2008, general motors corp. (gm) has notified the agency that it will conduct a safety recall (identified by the federal safety agency recall number 08v‑118) to address a defect in approximately 207,542 model year (my) 1997-2003 buick regal gs and pontiac grand prix gtp vehicles equipped with the l67 supercharged version of gm's 3800 series ii v6 engine.the recalled regal gs vehicles were built from august 1996 to june 2003 and the grand prix gtp from march 1996 through january 2003.according to gm, oil may escape past the valve cover gasket on the front cylinder bank (cylinders 1-3-5) and deposit onto hot exhaust system components.under certain conditions, it is possible for this oil to ignite a small pilot flame, which may spread to the adjacent plastic spark plug wire channel, the spark plug wires themselves, the plastic engine cover, and other under hood components.reports indicate this most often occurs on higher-mileage vehicles shortly after the vehicle has been driven and then parked.typically, the fire was discovered within 5 to 15 minutes after the vehicle was parked.during this time window, under hood temperatures may become elevated.such elevated temperatures combined with a lack of airflow through the engine compartment may permit a small pilot flame to propagate and ignite other fuel sources.to correct the safety defect, gm will install an improved design front valve cover gasket and spark plug wire retainer.this remedy will be suppliedfree of charge for all recalled vehicles.until sufficient parts become available to repair all of the affected vehicles, gm strongly recommends that owners observe the following important precautions: (1) they strongly recommend that owners do not park their vehicle in a garage, carport, or other structure; (2) if owners notice a burning odor, they should have their dealer inspect the vehicle - the dealer will inspect the vehicle without charge; and (3) use premium fuel (91 octane or higher) in the vehicle as recommended in the vehicle's owner manual.the action taken by gm is sufficient to resolve the issues raised by this investigation.the subject fire incident rate on the c-, g-, and h-platform subject vehicles is low.the agency will continue to monitor this issue and reserves the right to take further action if warranted by the circumstances.accordingly, this investigation is closed.see document file for additional information regarding this resume.
EA07008
Engine compartment fires
Ea02-030 is closed with gmea02-030 is closed with gm?s actions in 03v‑473 and 04v‑090 recalling approximately 529,000 my 1998-99 c- and h-body vehicles equipped with defective fuel pressure regulators.these vehicles were equipped with plastic intake manifolds that are unable to contain pressures that occur in some backfire events and defective fuel pressure regulators with leaking diaphragms that can provide a source of fuel to produce a combustible air-fuel mixture in the manifold.the closing of this investigation does not constitute a finding by odi that no safety defect exists in the vehicles that are not included in gm?s recalls.odi will continue to monitor the incidence of manifold ruptures and related fires in other my 1995-2002 gm passenger cars equipped with the subject intake manifold.for additional information, see the attached closing report.
EA02030
Technical service bulletins for the 2002 Buick Regal 406
Bulletins tell dealers how to fix known problems. A warranty extension means the manufacturer pays for that repair for longer.
- This PI communicates the requirement to provide a pico file to receive diagnostic assistance from TAC.
- This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that have...
- This Preliminary Information communicates to the dealer the process for downloading or updating operating...
- This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that the...
- Vehicle Wide Programming (VWP) is a new process to update software on GM Vehicles
- GM is receiving damaged (cracked or broken) transmission cores returned to the reman facilities
- This service bulletin advises of a new fuel injection cleaner kit used for decarbonizing the intake valves...
- This bulletin provides information for use on a Product Assistance Claim (PAC), which is formerly known as...
- This service bulletin provides information for dealers/technicians on Service Programming System (SPS)...
- This bulletin provides information for electrical ground repairs using new General Motors replacement...
2002 Buick Regal fuel economy
Official EPA estimates in miles per gallon (MPGe for electric). Ranges cover trims that share the same engine.
| Engine | Drive | City | Highway | Combined |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.8L 6‑cyl | FWD | 16-17 | 25-27 | 19-20 |
What 2002 Buick Regal owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
Tl* 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 the federal safety agency 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.
Tl* 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 the federal safety agency 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.
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
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 !!!
Was driving on a trip back and forth from mississippi, was driving on firestone infinity tires sizep215.7015, had 2 blow outs on the car. The said tires didn't have but 23k miles on them the left front went 1st causing bout 2000 worth of damage, the 2nd one blew out coming back, these tires have a history of blow outs, would recommend against people trusting firestone tires.
Tl* 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. *ln *bf updated 7/26/18
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 the federal safety agency 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 !?
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.
Tl* 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 the federal safety agency campaign number: 15v701000 (engine and engine cooling). The failure mileage was 226,000.
Compare the 2002 Buick Regal
Other model years
19901991199219931994199519961997199819992000200120022003200420052008200920102011201220132014201520162017201820192020
Questions about the 2002 Buick Regal
Is the 2002 Buick Regal reliable?
Owners have filed 117 complaints about the 2002 Buick Regal, 3.1 times a typical Regal model year. It is one of the years we flag to avoid.
What is the 2002 Buick Regal year score?
The 2002 Buick Regal scores 31 out of 100 (poor). The score compares it with the other model years of the Buick Regal: 75 is a typical year, 50 means twice the usual complaints, and serious complaints and recalls lower it.
What is the most common problem with the 2002 Buick Regal?
Engine and cooling, with 49 complaints, typically around 95,000 miles. Next is electrical (36).
How many recalls does the 2002 Buick Regal have?
3 recalls, covering engine and engine cooling.
What gas mileage does the 2002 Buick Regal get?
Official estimates for the 2002 Buick Regal range from 19 to 20 mpg combined. The most efficient version (3.8L 6-cyl, FWD) gets 16-17 city and 25-27 highway.
VIN decoder
See the problems and recalls for an exact car
Buying a used 2002 Buick Regal?
Check the exact car before you pay: accidents, salvage or flood titles, odometer readings and previous owners.
Check its history