NHTSA lists 5 safety recalls and 129 owner complaints for the 2002 Buick Regal. Most complaints involve electrical system (38) and engine (33). The EPA rates it 19–20 mpg combined.
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.
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.
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.
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.
Complaints for each Regal model year we’ve synced.
| Model year | NHTSA complaints |
|---|---|
| 1996 | 207 |
| 1998 | 312 |
| 1999 | 252 |
| 2000 | 196 |
| 2001 | 194 |
| 2002 | 129 |
| 2003 | 104 |
| 2004 | 66 |
| 2011 | 280 |
| 2012 | 92 |
| 2013 | 91 |
| 2014 | 38 |
| 2015 | 33 |
| 2016 | 41 |
| 2017 | 20 |
| 2018 | 19 |
| 2019 | 20 |
| 2020 | 2 |
“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. *TR”
“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 NHTSA 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 OWNS A 2002 BUICK REGAL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, SMOKE EMITTED FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT WITHOUT WARNING. AFTER INSPECTING THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE ENGINE WAS ENGULFED IN FLAMES. THE CONTACT EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE. NO INJURIES WERE REPORTED. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED AND REPAIRED BY AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND FAILED TO PROVIDE ANY ASSISTANCE UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V701000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING) DUE TO THE VEHICLE BEING PREVIOUSLY REPAIRED BY AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 140,000. *TR”
Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.
| Version | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel / yr | CO₂ g/mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Regal Auto 4-spd, 6 cyl, 3.8 L · Front-Wheel Drive | 17 | 27 | 20 | $3,100 | 444 |
| Regal Auto 4-spd, 6 cyl, 3.8 L, Sup Charg · Front-Wheel Drive | 16 | 25 | 19 | $4,050 | 468 |
| Item | Miles | Time | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine oil & filter | 5,000–10,000 mi | 6–12 months | Follow the oil-life monitor if fitted |
| Tire rotation | 5,000–7,500 mi | Every oil change | Check pressure monthly |
| Engine air filter | 15,000–30,000 mi | 1–2 years | Sooner in dusty areas |
| Cabin air filter | 15,000–25,000 mi | 1–2 years | |
| Brake fluid | — | 2–3 years | Absorbs moisture over time |
| Coolant | 60,000–100,000 mi | 5–10 years | Long-life coolants last longer |
| Spark plugs | 60,000–100,000 mi | — | Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end |
| 12V battery | — | 3–5 years | Heat shortens battery life |
5 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.
Owners filed 129 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are electrical system (38), engine (33), engine and engine cooling (18). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.
The EPA rates the 2002 Buick Regal at 19–20 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (2 versions rated).