On the early morning of 03/08/2016 around 5:50am on my way to work, the car lost all power as I was trying to turn left on to a county road. I was able to steer the car out of traffic coming from the opposite direction and almost went down the ditch due to the steering was very hard to turn. I put the car in neutral and restart the car continuing to get to my destination. At the next intersection, this happened again as soon as I used the turn signal (I was turning right this time). I restart the car again after put it in neutral. This problem is now will occur each time I use either turn signal left or right. I consider this is a safety problem because accident can occur if someone didn't know how to react when it happen the 1st time on a busy road.
2003 Buick Regal: sudden loss of power
6 of the 101 complaints about the 2003 Buick Regal describe sudden loss of power.
- owner complaints
- 6
- of this car's complaints
- 6%
- typical mileage
- 97,987
- recalls
- 3
Sudden loss of power by model year
What owners say
About three weeks ago we had to replace a faulty ignition switch in our 2003 buick regal. A week prior to that, it began to experience "strange" problems: the "service engine soon" and "ABS" lights came on intermittently; there were sometimes odd sounds during breaking and when using the turn signal. Then, one morning on my way to work, the car completely lost all power without any warning. Later that day it happened again. The first time it lost power, I had just put the turn signal on and slowed down to go around a car in order to get into my turning lane. If I had not already begun to turn the steering wheel, I would have hit the bumper of the car in the lane to my right. I was able to come to a complete stop and put the car in park. Fortunately--- especially since it was morning rush hour---I was able to restart the car and continue through the intersection. I proceeded on to work without further incident except that most of the dash lights had come on and remained on. When I pulled to end of the driveway as I left work, the car again stopped. I drove home and scheduled an appointment to have the car checked out the next day. The problem was a faulty ignition switch. Thankfully, there were no accidents as a result of the car losing power as I was driving that day, and everything seems to be back to normal since having the switch replaced..
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 buick regal. The contact stated that the vehicle was overheating and would lose power without warning. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where he was informed that the catalytic converter, idle air control valve and the manifold absolute pressure were defective and needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure nor was the vehicle repaired. Updated 12/12/11*lj the consumer stated the exhaust manifold front and rear glowed reed hot. The engine temperature gauge was in the red. Coolant leaked from a hose near the engine and the engine began to emit blue smoke. The vehicle burned one quart of oil excessively. The battery, thermostat, front brakes, transmission oil filter and gasket were all replaced. Also, the driver rear window was inoperative, the windshield washer was sprayer did not work, the catalytic converter needed to be replaced and the heat/AC blower did not operate in all the settings. Updated 12/23/11
2003 buick regal grand sport on sunday june 22, 2008 my husband and I were returning home from chicago, il. While we were driving down interstate 55 I accelerated to go around the vehicle in front of me. When I stepped on the gas to accelerate, the dash lights all went red, and the vehicle stalled. It lost all power. This was very scary and could have cost many lives. I was able to get to the shoulder by coasting there. After sitting there in disbelief of what had just happened. The vehicle was still running so I put it into drive and tried to accelerate again to pull into traffic, but the car would not move. I turned the vehicle off and restarted it. And it started right up, so I pulled into traffic and proceeded home. However the vehicle was running at less power. Even through the speedometer read 65 I was not going 65 I was going more like 55 on the interstate. My husband noticed the difference also. When we reached our home, we unloaded the suitcases and immediately took the vehicle to the dealership where we bought the car and I have my repair work done. (we bought this car new from the dealership) after having the car for days they found nothing wrong with my vehicle. I know there is something wrong with this vehicle, because it happened to me again on the way home from the dealership. We only have a little over 57,000 miles on this vehicle and it is still under the extended warranty we took out on it when we bought it. Please help us with this problem. I would hate to have my young grandchildren in the vehicle if something bad would happen especially if it could be avoided. Thank-you. Sincerely, dave and phylis underwood eureka, il. 57,000 miles
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.
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.
Service bulletins that may apply
- This service bulletin advises of a new fuel injection cleaner kit used for decarbonizing the intake valves...
- This technical bulletin advises of a new fuel injection cleaner kit used for decarbonizing the intake...
- This service bulletin provides service information to technicians on guidelines to replace Oil Cooler, Oil...
- This PI bulletin advises the technician on the proper way to install the pistons in an engine.
- This service bulletin provides graphics, information and guidelines for engine component wear to assist...
- Engine
- This diagnostic tip bulletin provides additional information on how to diagnose a possible valve, lifter...
- This service bulletin provides service information on new torque specification and installation procedure...
Related recalls
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
Questions about the 2003 Buick Regal loss of power
Is sudden loss of power a common problem on the 2003 Buick Regal?
6 of 101 owner complaints about the 2003 Buick Regal (6%) mention sudden loss of power. The model year with the most reports is 2011.
Is there a recall or service bulletin for this on the 2003 Buick Regal?
There are 3 recalls and 71 service bulletins for the same area of the car. Check them below with your VIN.
Other symptoms on the 2003 Buick Regal
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