NHTSA lists 4 safety recalls and 66 owner complaints for the 2004 Buick Regal. Most complaints involve electrical system (35) and engine (18). The EPA rates it 20–21 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 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.
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 |
“ALL 4 POWER WINDOW MOTORS DO NOT WORK. THEY ALL FAILED WITHIN 6 MONTHS OF EACH OTHER. I CHECKED ON YOU TUBE AND FOUND THAT ALMOST ALL BUICK REGALS HAVE THIS PROBLEM OF POWER WINDOW MOTORS BREAKING. THERE ARE HUNDREDS OF COMPLAINTS ON YOU TUBE ALONE FOR THIS ISSUE. I BELIEVE THIS IS PROOF THAT THE POWER WINDOW MOTORS ARE DEFECTIVE AND PROBABLY MADE THIS WAY TO FORCE OWNERS TO MAKE EXPENSIVE REPAIRS. I AM ASKING YOU TO FORCE BUICK TO RECALL THEIR REGAL MODELS AND HAVE THE WINDOW MOTORS REPAIRED AT BUICK'S EXPENSE.”
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 BUICK REGAL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ENGINE WOULD SHUT OFF WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IN OPERATION. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO RESTART BY USING THE KEY FOB, BUT WOULD SHUT BACK OFF WHEN THE KEY WAS INSERTED IN THE IGNITION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC TO BE DIAGNOSED, BUT A FAILURE WAS NOT FOUND. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 97,000.”
“2004 BUICK REGAL. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO DROPS OF ENGINE OIL DEPOSIT ON EXHAUST MANIFOLD RECALL NOTICE. *LD ACCORDING TO THE REPAIR INVOICE, THE MULTI-FUNCTION SWITCH WAS REPLACED. *JB”
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 | 18 | 28 | 21 | $2,950 | 423 |
| Regal Auto 4-spd, 6 cyl, 3.8 L, Sup Charg · Front-Wheel Drive | 16 | 26 | 20 | $3,850 | 444 |
| 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 |
4 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 66 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are electrical system (35), engine (18), engine and engine cooling (8). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.
The EPA rates the 2004 Buick Regal at 20–21 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (2 versions rated).