IN DEC OF 2012, MY ALTERNATOR BELT BROKE, SO I HAD MY BUICK TOWED TO A MECHANIC I HAVE BEEN USING FOR THIS VEHICLE. I WAS DRIVING MY CAR AFTERWARDS ABOUT 2 WEEKS AND THE LOW WINDSHIELD FLUID LIGHT CAME ON,...SO I LIFTED THE HOOD AND I FIND MY OIL CAP SMOLDERING AND MY SPARK PLUG WIRES CHARRED.....EVEN THOUGH I TOOK THIS TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR THE RECALL...THE RECALL DIDN'T ADDRESS A MECHANIC CHANGING THE WIRE ROUTING OF THE CAR. THE ISSUE IS OIL LEAKING TO THE HEAT SHIELD AND CATCHING ON FIRE....NOT WHERE THE SPARK PLUGS WERE SITUATED. I REPLACED THE VALVE GASKET AND PLUGS/WIRES. *TR
2002 Buick Regal complaints
Owner reports filed with NHTSA about this vehicle, newest first and reproduced as filed. They are unverified accounts: one proves nothing, and a pattern across many is the thing worth reading. Back to the full 2002 record →
WHILE DRIVING ON A SLIGHTLY BUMPY, SNOW COVERED ROAD IN TOWN, I HEARD A "THUNKING SOUND" WHENEVER I HIT A ROUGH PATCH OF PAVEMENT. AS I LISTENED CLOSER IT ALSO HAPPENED ON CLEAR PAVEMENT. IT SEEMED TO BE COMING FROM THE LEFT FRONT SECTION OF THE CAR. BRAKES AND STEERING WERE FINE. NO RED LIGHTS WERE FLASHING. THE MECHANIC SAID IT WAS A BROKEN SWAY BAR, WHICH BROKE AT THE END WHERE THE METAL WAS CRIMPED. SORRY TO SAY IT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED BY ANOTHER SWAY BAR WITH EXACTLY THE SAME CONSTRUCTION, WHICH WAS PART OF THE PROBLEM - THE NEW ONE WAS ALSO CRIMPED AND EVENTUALLY WOULD PROBABLY BREAK IN THE SAME PLACE. SOUND TO ME LIKE A FLAW IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE SWAY BAR. ISN'T THERE A BETTER WAY TO MAKE THESE SWAY BARS? *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 BUICK REGAL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE TRAVELING 65 MPH, ALL OF THE LIGHTS ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 89,000.
LIGHTS WENT OUT WHILE DRIVING IN THE DARK,LIGHTLIGHTKNOB WAS IN A COUPLE DAYS LATER THE SAME THING HAPPENED , THE LIGHT KNOB WAS PULLED OUT , BOTH TIMES IT WAS ABOUT 15 MILES FROM HOME
EXPERIENCED A HIGH VOLUME FUEL LEAK FROM ABOVE THE ENGINE. HAD CAR TOWED TO FREEDOM CHEVROLET, SAN ANTONIO. THEY REPLACED THE FUEL PRESSURE AND RETURN LINES. *KB
LOSS OF LIGHTING ON INSTRUMENT CLUSTER AND REAL TAIL LIGHTS. DURING VEHICLE START IT WAS NOTICED THAT THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER WAS NOT RECEIVING ELECTRICAL POWER. THE FUSE BOX WAS INSPECTED AND THE 15 AMP FUSE WAS BLOWN. IMMEDIATE REPLACEMENT RESULTED IN REPETITIVE BLOWN FUSES. *TR
I HAVE EXPERIENCED MULTIPLE WIPER FAILURES WITH WIPERS STOPPING IN UPRIGHT POSITION IN DRIVERS VIEW. *TR
SECURITY LIGHT COMES ON ISSUING OTHER PROBLEMS GAUGES ON DASH NOT WORKING. BLINKING ON AND OFF ANTI THEFT LIGHT ON. SECURITY LIGHT STAYS ON. AS A RESULT ON RESEARCH THIS AUTOMOBILE HAS THIS ISSUE AND NO ONE HAS DONE ANYTHING ABOUT IT IT'S CLEAR THAT THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL FOR GM AUTOMOBILES WITH ELECTRICAL ISSUES. THIS USUALLY OCCURS WHEN RAINING OR HUMID. ALSO RESULTS ON NOT BEING ABLE TO START CAR. UNTIL IT DRIES OR SUN COMES OUT. *KB
WHILE TURNING VEHICLE OFF I WAS UNABLE TO REMOVE KEY FROM THE IGNITION CYLINDER. DESPITE ATTEMPTS TO LUBRICATE THE IGNITION KEY CYLINDER AND THE GEAR SELECTOR SWITCH THE KEY STILL REMAINS STUCK IN THE IGNITION CYLINDER. THIS PROBLEM HAS PROGRESSIVELY GROWN WORSE OVER THE PAST YEAR AND KEY REMOVAL FAILURE OCCURS 98% OF THE TIME. *KB
LOSS OF LIGHTING ON INSTRUMENT CLUSTER AND REAL TAIL LIGHTS. DURING VEHICLE START IT WAS NOTICED THAT THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER WAS NOT RECEIVING ELECTRICAL POWER. THE FUSE BOX WAS INSPECTED AND THE 15 AMP FUSE WAS BLOWN. IMMEDIATE REPLACEMENT RESULTED IN REPETITIVE BLOWN FUSES. REPLACED REAR RUNNING LIGHT LAMP BULBS ALSO DID NOT SOLVE PROBLEM. REMOVED TWO REAR RUNNING LAMP BULBS AND INSTRUMENT CLUSTER REMAINS POWERED WITH NO RECURRING BLOWN FUSES. PROBLEM AFFECTS INTERIOR AND EXTERIOR LIGHTING. *KB
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 BUICK REGAL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN THE RECALL ASSOCIATED WITH NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 09V116000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WAS NOTIFIED AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE PARTS NECESSARY TO REMEDY THE FAILURE WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE WAS WAITING FOR APPROXIMATELY THREE MONTHS AND THE PARTS WERE STILL UNAVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 BUICK REGAL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS BEING SERVICED AT A LOCAL REPAIR FACILITY FOR A ROUTINE OIL CHANGE WHEN HE WAS NOTIFIED THAT THE GASKET WOULD NEED REPLACING. THE TECHNICIAN ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT OIL WAS ENTERING THE RADIATOR AND THE RADIATOR WOULD ALSO NEED FLUSHING TO PREVENT FURTHER PROBLEMS. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED ANY FAILURES WITH THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,842.
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 BUICK REGAL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CRUISE CONTROL WAS SET TO 70 MPH AND WHEN THE CONTACT DEPRESSED TO THE BRAKE PEDAL TO CANCEL IT, THE SPEED SUDDENLY INCREASED TO 90 MPH. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO CONTINUE DRIVING AND SO THE CONTACT TURNED THE VEHICLE OFF FOR A FEW MINUTES. AFTER RESTARTING, THE RPMS CONTINUED TO INDICATE A HIGH READING. THE CONTACT HAD A FAMILY MEMBER DISCONNECT THE CRUISE CONTROL SWITCH. ALSO, THE VEHICLE HAD TO BE TAKEN TO A LOCAL REPAIR SHOP TO HAVE THE BRAKES REPAIRED AS THEY WERE WORN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 107,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 109,703.
TURNING ON THE NIGHT LIGHTS IS NOT TURNING ON THE LIGHTS ON THE DASHBOARD AND THE BACK OF THE CAR. THE BRAKE LIGHTS, EMERGENCY AND THE SIGNALS ARE WORKING FINE. *TR
2002 BUICK REGAL. CONSUMER STATES HE HAS RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE ON THIS VEHICLE AND IT HAS BEEN TOTALED *TGW
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 BUICK REGAL. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH AT NIGHT WITH THE HEADLIGHTS ON AND ALL OF LIGHTS ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL SHUT OFF. THE CONTACT PULLED OVER AND RESTARTED THE VEHICLE. AFTER DOING SO, SOME OF THE LIGHTS ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL WERE ILLUMINATED AND THE HEADLIGHTS WERE ALSO FUNCTIONING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE MARGINAL FOR THE INSTRUMENT PANEL NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO ANOTHER DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE TAIL LIGHTS HAD ALSO FAILED. THE DEALER OBSERVED WIRES CUT IN THE TRUNK AND STATED THAT COULD HAVE CAUSED THE FAILURE TO OCCUR. THE DEALER ALSO REPAIRED THE TAIL LIGHTS BUT COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE FAILURE ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL AND THE HEADLIGHTS. SOME OF THE LIGHTS ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL BEGAN TO ILLUMINATE; HOWEVER, A MONTH LATER, THEY SHUT OFF AGAIN. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER WHO REPAIRED THE MARGINAL A SECOND TIME. WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE WITH THE HIGH BEAMS ON, THE LIGHTS SHUT OFF. THE CONTACT MANUALLY ENGAGED THE LIGHT SWITCH AND THE LIGHTS CAME ON. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL REPAIR SHOP WHERE THE HIGH BEAM SWITCH WAS REPLACED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 85,000. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 91,000.
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 BUICK REGAL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE LOST POWER, BACK FIRED AND THEN STALLED OUT WHEN HE WAS DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH. THE CONTACT HAD THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER REPLACED TO FIX THE PROBLEM. THE MANUFACTURER OFFERED AN EXTENDED WARRANTY FOR THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER THAT CHANGED FROM 80,000 MILES TO 120,000 MILES. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 86,971. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 103,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 BUICK REGAL. ON FEBRUARY 10, 2010 THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY CAUGHT FIRE IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT APPROXIMATELY TEN MINUTES AFTER IT WAS DRIVEN AND PARKED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP, BUT THE DEALER WOULD NOT REPAIR THE VEHICLE UNDER THE RELATED RECALL 09V116000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). HE CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER AND FILED A REPORT. HOWEVER, THE MANUFACTURER WOULD NOT ASSIST WITH THE REPAIR COSTS AS THE VEHICLE WAS NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED AT THE TIME OF THE COMPLAINT. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 84,000. UPDATED 05/11/10. *LJ UPDATED 06/03/10*BF UPDATED 06/07/10*JB
2002 BUICK REGAL. CONSUMER STATES VEHICLE HAS A SAFETY HAZARD IN WHICH THE REAR VIEW MIRROR DROPPED OUT AND WAS HANGING ON BY WIRES. CONSUMER STATES THAT THE MIRROR WAS ONLY GLUED ONTO THE WINDSHIELD. *TGW
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 BUICK REGAL. THE CONTACT NOTICED SMOKE UNDER THE VEHICLE WHILE DRIVING LESS THAN 45 MPH. SHE DROVE THE VEHICLE A SHORT DISTANCE TO A SERVICE STATION AND OPENED THE HOOD. SHE NOTICED A SMALL FIRE NEAR THE SPARK PLUGS AND TWO SMALL FIRES ON THE MANIFOLD. THE FIRES WERE EXTINGUISHED. THE CONTACT DROVE TO HER RESIDENCE AT EXTREMELY SLOW SPEEDS. THE MANUFACTURER ADVISED HER TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO THE NEAREST DEALER. THE DEALER INSTRUCTED HER NOT TO BRING THE VEHICLE INTO THE SHOP. THE MANUFACTURER THEN ADVISED HER TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO THE GENERAL MOTORS CLAIMS DEPARTMENT FOR FURTHER INSPECTION. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS UNABLE TO BE ENTERED INTO THE SYSTEM. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE LESS THAN 90,000.
2002 BUICK REGAL.. WENT TO THE STORE CAME HOME AND THE WHOLE ENGINE WAS ON FIRE. CAR WAS JUST PAID OFF THIS MONTH AFTER 5 YEARS AND WE NEED ADVICE. WHO CAN HELP US? WHO CAN WE CALL? *TR UPDATED 05/07/09
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 BUICK REGAL. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED FOR TEN MINUTES, THE ENGINE CAUGHT FIRE. THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO EXTINGUISH THE FIRE AND RECEIVED BURNS TO HIS HANDS. THE POLICE AND FIRE REPORT NUMBERS WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT TOWED THE VEHICLE TO A TOW YARD. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 62,148.
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 BUICK RENDEZVOUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ALUMINUM RIMS ON THE VEHICLE CAUSED ALL FOUR TIRES TO LOSE PRESSURE. SHE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A TIRE CENTER FOR REPAIR AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE ALUMINUM IN THE RIMS WERE PEELING INSIDE. IN ADDITION, THE ALUMINUM WAS PUNCHING THE SIDE OF THE TUBE AND CAUSED THE TIRES TO LOSE PRESSURE. THE REPAIR CENTER STATED THAT THEY HAD TO SAND THE ALUMINUM DOWN TO STOP THE PEELING AND LOSS OF TIRE PRESSURE. THE TIRES ARE THE ORIGINAL TIRES THAT CAME WITH THE VEHICLE. THE RIM MANUFACTURER AND OTHER RELATED INFORMATION WAS UNKNOWN. THE VIN, FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WERE UNAVAILABLE. UPDATED 2/23/09 *CN UPDATED 02/25/09. *JB
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 BUICK REGAL. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, SMOKE APPEARED FROM THE DASHBOARD AND THE DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR. THE CONTACT PULLED THE VEHICLE OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD, TURNED OFF THE ENGINE, AND THE SMOKE DISSIPATED. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO HIS RESIDENCE, BUT THERE WAS NO INTERIOR POWER. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO THE DEALER A WEEK LATER AND THEY STATED THAT A NUMBER OF WIRE INSULATIONS, THE FUSE BOX, AND BREAKERS WERE BURNT. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THEY WERE NOT LIABLE FOR THE REPAIRS. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 87,000. UPDATED 02/02/09. *LJ THE ELECTRICAL CABLE BUNDLE BURNED IN THE DRIVERS SIDE DOOR UNDER THE DASHBOARD. TERMINAL BLOCK AND FUSE BURNED THE SWITCH IN THE DOOR. UPDATED 02/03/09. *JB
I DROVE MY CAR EARLIER TODAY (DURING THE DAY TIME) AND EVERYTHING WAS OKAY... AS SOON AS IT WAS DARK MY HEADLIGHTS, LIGHTS IN THE DASH WILL NOT COME ON. THE MILEAGE IS INCORRECT. *TR
PROBLEM STARTED 2 WEEKS AGO WITH KEYS GETTING STUCK IN THE IGNITION. HAPPENED A COUPLE TIME A DAY. NOW YOU CAN PUT THE KEYS IN BUT CAN NOT TURN ON THE CAR. HAS TO BE TOWED TO THE SHOP TO BE FIXED. *TR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 BUICK REGAL. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 08V118000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING), WHICH STATED THAT A POSSIBLE FIRE COULD OCCUR. GM ISSUED THE RECALL, BUT DID NOT HAVE THE PARTS TO PERFORM THE REPAIR. THERE ALSO WAS NO TEMPORARY REMEDY TO PREVENT THE FIRE. THERE HAD BEEN NO FAILURE TO DATE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 54,000. UPDATED 05/05/08. *LJ UPDATED 05/05/08. *JB
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 BUICK REGAL. WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE CONTACT SMELLED A STRONG ODOR OF FUMES. THE SMELL INTENSIFIED WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS STOPPED. THE CONTACT BELIEVES THAT THE VEHICLE SHOULD BE INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 08V118000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). SHE HAS NOT CONTACTED THE DEALER. THE VIN, ENGINE SIZE, NUMBER OF CYLINDERS, POWERTRAIN, AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 65,000.
IGNITION SWITCH FAILURE. *TR
I HAVE HAD NUMEROUS FLAT TIRES ON THE 2002 BUICK REGAL. I HAVE BEEN INFORMED BY GOODYEAR THE FLAT TIRES WERE DUE TO THE PEALING OF THE CHROME RIMS ON THE VEHICLE. THE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED WHEN THE VEHICLE TIRES WERE LOW AND BECAME FLAT. THERE WEREN'T ANY PARTICULAR ROAD OR WEATHER CONDITIONS WHEN TIRES WENT FLAT. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS ABOUT 60,000 MILES. *TR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 BUICK REGAL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE HEADLIGHTS WOULD SHUT OFF WITHOUT WARNING. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE WAS UNABLE TO START THE VEHICLE BECAUSE THE IGNITION SWITCH WOULD NOT TURN. AS OF JANUARY 30, 2008, THE DEALER HAD NOT INSPECTED THE VEHICLE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 77,500.
IGNITION SWITCH HAD TO BE REPLACED ON CAR WITH ONLY 38,000 MILES ON IT. CAR STALLED OUT IN TRAFFIC. *TR
POOR VISIBILITY FROM THE DRIVER'S SIDE MIRROR BECAUSE THE MIRROR WAS HAZED OVER. THE MIRROR IS ON THE 2002 BUICK REGAL AND WAS HEATED AND DIMMING.*AK
DRIVER'S SIDE MIRROR HAS STARTED TO 'BUBBLE' AND BECOME FOGGY. CAR IS EQUIPPED WITH HEATED ELECTROCHROMATIC POWER MIRRORS. HARD TO USE THE MIRROR TO SEE TRAFFIC BEHIND VEHICLE. HAVE TALKED WITH SOME AREA DEALERS AND REPAIR GARAGES AND THEY INDICATED THIS HAPPENS QUITE OFTEN. *TR
TL*- THE CONTACT STATED HAD NUMEROUS FLAT TIRES ON THE 2002 BUICK REGAL. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED BY THE DEALERSHIP THE FLAT TIRES WERE DUE TO THE PEALING OF THE CHROME RIMS ON THE VEHICLE. THE DEALERSHIP RESEALED THE RIMS ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS. HOWEVER, THEY HAVE NEVER BEEN REPLACED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED WHEN THE VEHICLE TIRES WERE LOW AND BECAME FLAT. THERE WEREN'T ANY PARTICULAR ROAD OR WEATHER CONDITIONS WHEN TIRES WENT FLAT. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGE WERE BOTH 32100.*AK CONSUMER STATES DEALER INFORMED HER RIMS NEED RELINING THAT'S WHY THE TIRES KEEP GOING FLAT, DEALER WILL NOT PAY TO HAVE THE RIMS REPLACED AND CONSUMER FEELS IT THE DEALERS RESPONSIBILITY. *4/17TR
TL*- THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER'S SEAT HEATING ELEMENTS ON THE 2002 BUICK REGAL WERE NOT WORKING PROPERLY, WHEN THE HEAT WAS ON EITHER HIGH OR LOW THE SEAT OVERHEATED. AT TIMES WHEN THE SELECTOR SWITCH WAS SET TO OFF THE SEAT CONTINUED TO OVERHEAT. ON 02/08/07 WHEN THE CONTACT GOT INTO THE VEHICLE IN THE MORNING SHE NOTICED THAT THE DRIVER'S FRONT SEAT HAD A BIG HOLE IN THE MIDDLE OF THE SEAT. CONTACT STATED THAT ONE COULD SMELL THE BURNING OF THE SEAT AS WELL. THE CONTACT HAS PICTURE OF THE BURNT SEAT. THE VEHICLEWAS CURRENTLY AT THE DEALER. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WERE 83700.*AK
2002 BUICK REGAL - PURCHASED NEW 11/02. POWER STEERING GEAR RACK ASSEMBLY FAILED 1/27/04 (19,030 MILES) - GM REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY. 3/10/04 (19,943 MILES). NEW PART FAILED - GM REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY. 1/6/05 (34,388 MILES)REPORTED SAME "SYMPTOMS" TO GM DEALER - GM RESEALED POWER STEERING PUMP UNDER WARRANTY. 10/30/06 (57,650 MILES) REPORTED SAME "SYMPTOMS" - POWER STEERING PUMP SEAL REPLACED AT MY EXPENSE. 12/16/06 (58,892 MILES) REPORTED SAME "SYMPTOMS" - GM SAYS NEW STEERING RACK AGAIN NEEDED - THIS IS FOURTH RACK FOR THIS SAME CAR, INCLUDING ORIGINAL ONE!!!!! I ALSO THINK THE WORK 1/6/05 AND 10/30/06 REGARDING POWER STEERING PUMP MAY HAVE JUST MASKED THE UNDERLYING RACK PROBLEM. OBVIOUSLY, GM HAS A PART FAILURE ON THIS POWER STEERING RACK. THIS CERTAINLY SEEMS LIKE IT COULD BE A SAFETY ISSUE, BUT GM DOES NOT CARE. I WAS REFERRED TO GM/BUICK ASSISTANCE 12/13/06. ASSISTANCE REFUSES TO REPAIR THIS DEFECT. THEY HAVE OFFERED ME A $200 "MAINTENANCE LETTER", BUT AS OF MY CONVERSATION WITH ASSISTANCE TODAY, THIS LETTER IS AT LEAST 4-6 WEEKS AWAY FROM BEING RECEIVED BY ME. *NM
AS PER A PREVIOUS COMPLAINT I REVIEWED ON YOUR WEBSITE, ODI #10142582, I HAD A SIMILAR EXPERIENCE. HOWEVER, MINE INVOLVED THE PASSENGER SEAT HEATING ELEMENT WHICH OVERHEATED/SHORTED AND MELTED MY PASSENGER SIDE LEATHER SEAT. BUICK REFUSED TO REPLACE IT. MY REGAL HAD A VERY SIMILAR VIN TO THE ONE I STATED ABOVE. THESE TWO INCIDENTS SEEM VERY SIMILAR. WHAT ARE MY RECOURSES?*JB
ON OCT 15, 2006 OUR BUICK REGAL WITH 39,000 MILES ON IT WAS DRIVEN THAT DAY APPROXIMATELY 25 MILES ON FLAT TERRAIN IN A TEMPERATURE OF 75 DEGREES. CAR RETURNED TO HOME AND WAS PARKED IN THE DRIVEWAY AND APPROXIMATELY 20-30 MINUTES LATER THE CAR SPONTANEOUSLY ERUPTED IN FIRE FROM UNDER THE HOOD. FORTUNATELY THE CAR WAS NOT PARKED INSIDE THE GARAGE.. *NM
ORIGINAL OWNER OF 2002 REGAL WITH 38,678 MILES. CAR ERUPTED IN FLAMES AFTER BEING PARKED FOR DRIVEN FOR 25 MILES ON A MILD 75 DEGREE DAY. CAR WAS ROUTINELY SERVICE AND HAD NO HISTORY OF PROBLEMS. OWNER BELIEVES THE CAR TO BE A LEMON AND POSSIBLY HAVING A DEFECTIVE FUEL PRESSURE REGULATOR. *NM
LOSS OF ENGINE POWER, ENGINE STOPPED RUNNING, DAMAGE TO VARIOUS ENGINE COMPONENTS. CATALYTIC CONVERTER PLUGGED SHUT AND HEAT DAMAGE TO VARIOUS ENGINE COMPONENTS. "NEAR ENGINE FIRE." CATALYTIC CONVERTER, MANIFOLD, IAC VALUE, GASKET, FUEL LINE, FUEL REGULATOR, EVAP HOSE FROM ENGINE TO FUEL TANK ALL REPLACED. BUICK HAS PARTIALLY REIMBURSED FOR REPAIRS AND REPLACEMENTS. TWO ITEMS STILL PENDING. *JB
ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS ON 2002 BUICK REGAL, $614 TURN SIGNAL SWITCH REPLACED BECAUSE HEADLIGHTS WOULD NOT COME ON ALSO IGNITION SWITCH $250 REPLACED WHICH HAD CAUSED THE SPEED CONTROL AND HEAT AND AIR FAN TO NOT WORK. *NM
CONSUMER REQUESTING INFORMATION ON RECALLS FOR A 2002 BUICK REGAL. *KB *NM
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE WAS RUNNING SLUGGISH. IT WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP , WHO DETERMINED THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER WAS CLOGGED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. PREVIOUSLY, THE DEALERSHIP REPLACED RIGHT FRONT TIE ROD END ON 08/03/2004 AT 61304 MILES. *AK UPDATE 5/30/2006 - *NM
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING AT 60 MPH THE IGNITION SWITCH SHORTED OUT AND CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO LOSE POWER AND STALL. THE VEHICLE RESTARTED BUT STALLED AGAIN LATER. THE VEHICLE WAS DIFFICULT TO START. IT WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL DEALERSHIP, AND THEY SUGGESTED THE IGNITION SWITCH BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE CURRENTLY OPERATES NORMALLY.*AK UPDATED 03/09/06. *JB
RATTLE TRANSMITTED THROUGH THE STEERING COLUMN AT 22,000 MILES. DEALER REPLACED LOWER STEERING SHAFT UNDER WARRANTY. RATTLE CAME BACK AT 57,000 MILES AND I NEEDED THE SAME PART REPLACED AGAIN PLUS I NEEDED A NEW RACK. CAR IS NOT UNDER WARRANTY AND I FELT THESE PARTS SHOULD NOT FAIL AT 57,000 MILES, ESPECIALLY ONE OF THE PARTS FOR A SECOND TIME. COST TO FIX WAS $1400 OF WHICH GM PICKED UP 40%. *NM
DT: THE CONTACT STATED THE DRIVER'S SEAT HEATING ELEMENTS WERE NOT WORKING PROPERLY. HE HAD NOT NOTICED ANY PROBLEMS WITH THE PASSENGER'S SIDE. WHEN PLACED ON HIGH OR LOW THE SEAT GOT VERY HOT. AT TIMES WHEN THE SELECTOR SWITCH WAS SET TO OFF THE SEAT CONTINUED TO OVERHEAT.*AK UPDATED 11/29/2005 - THE CONSUMER PULLED THE FUSE FOR THE SEAT PRIOR TO TAKING IT TO THE DEALER. THE DEALER DETERMINED THAT THE HEATED SEAT MODULE WAS FAULTY. THE IGNITION KEY DOES NOT RELEASE SOMETIMES. *NM
DT: STARTED HAVING PROBLEMS WITH ABS BRAKES ON AUGUST 1, 2004. THE ABS LIGHT/TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT STAYED ON. CONTACTED THE DEALER, AND TOOK VEHICLE TO THEM ABOUT ONCE OR TWICE A MONTH. THEY HAVE REPLACED SEVERAL VBPMV MODULE, BCTMB MODULE, AND WIRING ON THE WHEEL SENSORS, ALSO, THEY HAVE CLEANED WHEELS SPEED CONTROL. WHEN THE ABS LIGHT COMES ON THERE IS EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE. THE CONSUMER HAS ANOTHER APPOINTMENT TO TAKE VEHICLE BACK TO THE DEALER ON SEPTEMBER 26, 2005. *AK *NM
DT: CALLER COMPLAINED ABOUT ROTOR PROBLEM. THE ROTORS BEGAN PITTING AND STARTED TO RUST. CALLER COULD FEEL THE BRAKES NOT HOLDING. THE CAR WOULD NOT STOP. CALLER SAID BOTH REAR ROTORS WERE RUSTED. CALLER HAD REAR ROTORS REPLACED A FEW WEEKS AGO AND NOW HE NEEDED TO REPLACE THE FRONT AS WELL. DEALER SAID IT WAS OUT OF WARRANTY AND THEY COULD NOT HELP . MANUFACTURER OFFERED NO HELP. CALLER TOOK VEHICLE TO ANOTHER MECHANIC TO HAVE THE WORK DONE. *AK
DT: CONSUMER STATES THAT THE DASHBOARD LIGHTS AND THE VEHICLE SHIFT LIGHTS DO NOT WORK. WHEN THESE DO NOT WORK, THE TAIL LIGHTS DO NOT WORK EITHER. THE CONSUMER FOUND OUT WHEN SOMEONE TOLD HIM THE TAIL LIGHTS WERE NOT WORKING. THE DEALERSHIP HAS FIXED THE PROBLEM TWICE, BUT WHEN THIS HAPPENS, IT ONLY WORKS FOR A DAY. THE CONSUMER HAS CONTACTED BUICK. CONSUMER NOTICED THE TAIL LIGHTS WERE NOT WORKING ON SATURDAY, JULY 9, 2005. HE HAD BEEN DRIVING WITHOUT THE DASH BOARD LIGHTS NOT KNOWING THE TAIL LIGHTS WERE NOT WORKING. *NM
Reading these
NHTSA publishes every complaint as the owner wrote it and investigates only a fraction. Spelling, capitalisation and judgement are the filer’s own. What carries weight is repetition: the same component failing the same way across many filings, and whether the manufacturer eventually opened a recall for it.
Full record for the 2002 Buick Regal → · Every Regal year → · How the figures are calculated →