Research · Midsize Cars

2000 Buick RegalRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 10 safety recalls and 196 owner complaints for the 2000 Buick Regal. Most complaints involve electrical system (43) and engine and engine cooling (35). The EPA rates it 19–21 mpg combined.

Combined MPG
19–21mpg
EPA · 2 versions
NHTSA overall
—
Not rated by NCAP
Safety recalls
10campaigns
Latest Oct 2015
Owner complaints
196
Top: electrical system
Fuel cost / yr
$2,950est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

10 NHTSA campaigns · applies to some vehicles, check your VIN

Engine and engine cooling: engine

Free remedy

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.

Engine and engine coolingReported Oct 26, 2015NHTSA 15V701000

Engine and engine cooling

Free remedy

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.

Engine and engine coolingReported Apr 8, 2009NHTSA 09V116000

Steering

Free remedy

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 THE STEERING KNUCKLE BREAKING IN THE HUB AREA.

SteeringReported Feb 17, 2009NHTSA 09E005000
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 9, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

196 complaints filed with NHTSA · Jan 2000 – Nov 2023
  1. Electrical system43
  2. Engine and engine cooling35
  3. Steering31
  4. Engine28
  5. Air bags20
  6. Visibility18
  7. Service brakes, hydraulic13
  8. Suspension9
  9. Exterior lighting7

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.

By model year

Complaints for each Regal model year we’ve synced.

View as table
Model yearNHTSA complaints
1996207
1998312
1999252
2000196
2001194
2002129
2003104
200466
2011280
201292
201391
201438
201533
201641
201720
201819
201920
20202
Crashes reported
12
Fires reported
30
Injuries reported
5
Deaths reported
0
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 9, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Electrical system

43 reports2 crashes3 fires
“IGNITION SWITCH COMPONENT WITH WIRE HARNESS CAUSES ENGINE TO SHUT DOWN.ALL WARNING DISPLAY LITES FLASH ON AND OFF . IF YOU USE THE LEFT OR RIGHT SIGNAL ENGINE POWER CUTS OUT . VERY HAZARDOUSE WHEN DRIVING AT NORMAL HIGHWAY SPEEDS. CAR WILL NOT START WHEN THIS HAPPENS. I CONTACTED DEALERSHIP IN BREMMERTON WASHINGTON THEY STATED THAT MY VEHICAL VIN WAS NOT ON THE RECALL LIST PLEASE ADD THIS VIN TO THE RECALL LIST SO APPROPRIATE REPAIRS CAN BE MADE THIS IS A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION AND COULD BE FATAL TO DRIVERS.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Sep 15, 2017Electrical systemODI 11023689

Engine and engine cooling

35 reports1 crash15 fires
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 BUICK REGAL. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V701000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING) HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. UPDATED 06/29/16*LJ”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled May 12, 2016Engine and engine coolingODI 10864534

Steering

31 reports1 crash
“PURCHASED THIS CAR SPRING 2017 PAID IN FULL TO PRIOR OWNER. ASKED PRIOR OWNER WHEN TEST DROVE CAR HOW COME ALL THE SERVICE LIGHTS UP AND INCLUDING AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ON DASH COLLUM ARE LIT UP? OWNERS RESPONSE "NOT SURE BUT HAS BEEN LIKE THAT FOR AS LONG AS CAN REMEMBER WE DON'T THINK YOU SHOULD WORRY?" A WEEK LATER NOTICE THE CAR WANTS TO ACCELERATE ON ITS OWN? JUST BOLTS ON MY MOM AND I ? WITHIN THAT MONTH BOTH PASSENGER RIGHT SIDE DOORS FRONT & BACK POWER WINDOWS WILL NO LONGER WORK AT ALL? STEERING WHEEL STARTS MAKING A HORRIBLE SOUND AND SMELL CHECK STEERING FLUID EMPTY REPLACED FLUID ONLY TO FIND OUT IT JUST POOR'S OUT STEERING WILL LOCK UP AND CAN'T DRIVE MOST DAYS? NOTICE SAME ISSUE WITH RADIATOR? MY FAR WORSE EXPERIENCE WITH THIS CAR WAS NOT KNOWING HOW HEAVY THE TRUNK WAS AS WELL AS NOT KNOWING IT WILL FALL BACK SHUT ON OWN? THIS HAPPENED TO ME UNLOADING GROCERIES ONE DAY CRASHING DOWN ON MY HEAD SHOULDERS AND MID BACK PINNING ME INSIDE TRUNK DAZED AND HURT UNTIL MY SON SAW ME TRAPPED AND PULLED TRUNK OFF MY BODY? SHOULD OF WENT TO THE E.R. WAS IN ASTRONOMICAL AMOUNT OF PAIN BUT DIDN'T HAVE MEDICAL INSURANCE SO TREATED MYSELF AT HOME? TOOK 2 MONTH'S…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Nov 6, 2018Steering, Air bags, Unknown or otherODI 11149585
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 9, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

2 versions rated by the EPA
EPA class
Midsize Cars
Engines
3.8L 6-cyl · 3.8L 6-cyl supercharged
Transmissions
Automatic 4-spd
Drive
Front-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Regular Gasoline · Premium Gasoline

Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.

Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 9, 2026EPA listing
05 —Fuel economy

EPA fuel economy by version

City / highway / combined, annual fuel cost and CO₂
EPA
VersionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
Regal
Auto 4-spd, 6 cyl, 3.8 L · Front-Wheel Drive
172721$2,950423
Regal
Auto 4-spd, 6 cyl, 3.8 L, Sup Charg · Front-Wheel Drive
162519$4,050468
  • Regal
    Auto 4-spd, 6 cyl, 3.8 L
    17 city · 27 hwy · $2,950/yr
    21
    mpg comb.
  • Regal
    Auto 4-spd, 6 cyl, 3.8 L, Sup Charg
    16 city · 25 hwy · $4,050/yr
    19
    mpg comb.
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 9, 2026 · Fuel cost is EPA’s annual estimate (15,000 mi, 55% city)
06 —Safety

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings

1 tested variant
NHTSA has not published 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2000 Buick Regal as of Nov 9, 2026.
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Nov 9, 2026Vehicle 4141
07 —Maintenance

Maintenance basics

General guidance, not the OEM schedule. Check your owner’s manual.
General guidance
ItemMilesTimeNote
Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi6–12 monthsFollow the oil-life monitor if fitted
Tire rotation5,000–7,500 miEvery oil changeCheck pressure monthly
Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi1–2 yearsSooner in dusty areas
Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi1–2 years
Brake fluid—2–3 yearsAbsorbs moisture over time
Coolant60,000–100,000 mi5–10 yearsLong-life coolants last longer
Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi—Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end
12V battery—3–5 yearsHeat shortens battery life
  • Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi
    6–12 months
  • Tire rotation5,000–7,500 mi
    Every oil change
  • Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Brake fluid—
    2–3 years
  • Coolant60,000–100,000 mi
    5–10 years
  • Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi
    —
  • 12V battery—
    3–5 years
Typical intervals for modern cars. Severe service (towing, short trips, extreme heat or cold) shortens them.
09 —FAQ

2000 Regal questions

How many recalls does the 2000 Buick Regal have?

10 safety recalls as of Nov 9, 2026, according to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at a dealer. Check your VIN to see whether your car is included and whether the repair was done.

What are the most common 2000 Buick Regal problems?

Owners filed 196 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are electrical system (43), engine and engine cooling (35), steering (31). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2000 Buick Regal get?

The EPA rates the 2000 Buick Regal at 19–21 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (2 versions rated).

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Nov 9, 2026