Buick · Regal · 2002
5
Recalls
129
Complaints
-
Not Rated
The 2002 Buick Regal has 5 recalls and 129 owner-reported complaints on file with NHTSA. Most reported issue: engine (27 reports).
Source: NHTSA Public Records · Updated Apr 28, 2026
The 2002 Buick Regal page works best as a research starting point. Complaint totals show how much owner-reported activity exists, while recalls and investigations help show whether any of that activity turned into formal safety action.
Because this is a newer-era vehicle page, it usually helps to compare this year against nearby model years before deciding whether a complaint pattern looks isolated or persistent. On this page, the most prominent complaint area is engine with 27 reported complaints.
This page combines three types of NHTSA data: recall campaigns (official manufacturer or government actions), owner complaints (unverified consumer reports), and crash test ratings (where available). A vehicle with many complaints is not necessarily less reliable — complaint volume correlates with sales volume and vehicle age. Recalls indicate identified defects, not overall quality. To compare this model year with others, use the year navigation in the sidebar or return to the model overview page.
If you are researching a used vehicle, start with the complaint categories, compare them against the recall list, and then check nearby model years to see whether the same issue profile repeats. That usually produces a better buying or research signal than treating the raw complaint total as a standalone safety ranking.
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.
Remedy Status
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.
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.
Remedy Status
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.
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.
Remedy Status
DORMAN WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE DEFECTIVE STEERING KNUCKLES FREE OF CHARGE AND REIMBURSE THE REPAIR FACILITY OR OWNER FOR LABOR. THE RECALL BEGAN ON FEBRUARY 23, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT DORMAN'S TOLL-FREE HOTLINE AT 1-800-523-2492 AND PRESS 5.
DORMAN PRODUCTS IS RECALLING 3,900 INTERMEDIATE STEERING SHAFTS DORMAN PART NOS. 425-151, 425-152, AND 425-153, (SOLD UNDER DORMAN'S "OE SOLUTIONS" BRAND NAME), BALKAMP #'S 7-3057, 7-3058, 7-3059 (SOLD UNDER THE "NAPA" BRAND NAME), AND PLATINUM PARTS #'S 2425151, 2425152, AND 2425153 MANUFACTURED DURING THE MONTH OF SEPTEMBER 2007. THESE REPLACEMENT STEERING SHAFTS CAN BE USED ON THE VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. THE WELD CONNECTING THE INNER TUBE TO THE OUTER TUBE MAY BE DEFECTIVE.
Remedy Status
DORMAN WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE STEERING SHAFTS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 16, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT DORMAN TOLL FREE AT 1-800-523-2492.
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.
Remedy Status
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 <A HREF=HTTP://WWW.GMOWNERCENTER.COM>HTTP://WWW.GMOWNERCENTER.COM</A> .
Dealership sold car knowing there’s recalls and never fixed
TL* THE CONTACT'S SON OWNED A 2002 BUICK REGAL. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, SHE SAW SMOKE EXITING THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED NO WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT STATED SHE PARKED THE VEHICLE ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND WHEN SHE OPENED THE ...
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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...
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MY CAR AS A ENGINE ISSUE EVERY YEAR AROUND OR NEAR FEB CRAZY BUT TRUE I HAVE HAD MY CAR SAFTEY RECALL FIXED BUT NOT PROPERLY STATED ANOTHER DEALERSHIP IN SUNNYVALE DURING INVESTIGATION FROM GM BUT NOTHING WAS DONE ABOUT IT ONCE AGAIN I HAD ANOTHER FIRE FROM COVER AND STILL NOTHIN...
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MY CAR WAS IN DRIVING MODE ON THE ROAD IN NEWARK CALIFORNIA AND SPEED LIMIT 35 MPH ALL OF THE SUDDEN MY CAR WITHOUT WARNING WITHOUT ANY ISSUES PRIOR TO THIS JUST STOPPED LOCKED UP BRAKES LOCKED UP STEERING WHEEL CAR STILL RUNNING BUT WON'T LET ME ACCELERATE CAR RADIOS ON TOAST ON...
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WAS DRIVING ON A TRIP BACK AND FORTH FROM MISSISSIPPI, WAS DRIVING ON FIRESTONE INFINITY TIRES SIZEP215.7015, HAD 2 BLOW OUTS ON THE CAR. THE SAID TIRES DIDN'T HAVE BUT 23K MILES ON THEM THE LEFT FRONT WENT 1ST CAUSING BOUT 2000 WORTH OF DAMAGE, THE 2ND ONE BLEW OUT COMING BACK, ...
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SECOND TIME AROUND MY BUICK REGAL CAUGHT ON FIRE AS IT SAT IN DRIVEWAY MY CAR HAS BEEN A VIN THAT FIT THE SAFTEY RECALL SINCE 2007 3RD OR 4TH ONE SINCE I BOUGHT MY CAR FROM DEALERSHIP MY CAR HAS 5 RECALLS WHICH 3 ARE RECALL CAMPAIGN SO DEALER FIXED ONLY PART OF THE RECALL IN FEB ...
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 BUICK REGAL. WHILE STATIONARY, THE VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE UNDER THE BEAUTY COVER WHERE OIL HAD LEAKED ONTO THE INTAKE MANIFOLD. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE CONTACT EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE THE FIRST TIME. THE FIRE OCCURRED A SECOND TIME WITHIN THE SAM...
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 BUICK REGAL. WHILE REFUELING THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. UPON FURTHER INSPECTION, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT CAUGHT FIRE. THE CONTACT EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FIL...
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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...
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Showing 10 recent complaints from 129 total
View Full Complaint LogThe strongest comparison flow is usually: exact vehicle-year page, then nearby years of the same model, then other 2002 Buick models. That sequence helps separate one-off year spikes from broader make-wide patterns.
The 2002 Buick Regal has 5 recalls recorded by NHTSA.
NHTSA has received 129 owner-reported complaints for the 2002 Buick Regal.
NHTSA has not published a safety rating for the 2002 Buick Regal.
The most commonly reported complaint categories for the 2002 Buick Regal are engine (27 reports), electrical system (27 reports), engine and engine cooling (14 reports).
Yes. NHTSA has 5 recalls on record for the 2002 Buick Regal. Scroll up to review the published recall summaries, consequences, and remedies. To check for unrepaired recalls on your specific vehicle, use your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Look up recalls and complaints for any year, make, and model.
This page summarizes publicly available data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Complaint counts reflect reports submitted to NHTSA by vehicle owners and do not by themselves prove defect severity or vehicle safety. Safety ratings may not be available for all vehicle-years. This site is not affiliated with NHTSA or any vehicle manufacturer. For official information, visit the official NHTSA page for this vehicle.