2001 Buick Regal

◆ Worse than typical
2001 Buick Regal
RENDERED 2026-08-02T13:27:20.616Z

This year had 30% to 100% more complaints than this model's typical year.

This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.

How is this computed?

COMPLAINTS PER YEAR

Complaints per year, Buick Regal Bar chart of distinct NHTSA complaints filed per model year, 2001 highlighted. 1980: 0 complaints 1980 1981: 0 complaints 1982: 1 complaints 1983: 4 complaints 1984: 6 complaints 1985: 9 complaints 1985 1986: 12 complaints 1987: 25 complaints 1988: 123 complaints 1989: 106 complaints 1990: 77 complaints 1990 1991: 200 complaints 1992: 144 complaints 1993: 85 complaints 1994: 110 complaints 1995: 173 complaints 1995 1996: 204 complaints 1997: 136 complaints 1998: 302 complaints 1999: 246 complaints 2000: 184 complaints 2000 2001: 187 complaints 2001 2002: 117 complaints 2003: 101 complaints 2004: 66 complaints 2005: 4 complaints 2005 2008: 1 complaints 2009: 1 complaints 2010: 1 complaints 2011: 279 complaints 2012: 91 complaints 2012 2013: 91 complaints 2014: 38 complaints 2015: 33 complaints 2016: 41 complaints 2017: 20 complaints 2017 2018: 19 complaints 2019: 18 complaints 2020: 2 complaints 2020
2001: 187 complaints
View as data table
YearComplaints
19800
19810
19821
19834
19846
19859
198612
198725
1988123
1989106
199077
1991200
1992144
199385
1994110
1995173
1996204
1997136
1998302
1999246
2000184
2001187
2002117
2003101
200466
20054
20081
20091
20101
2011279
201291
201391
201438
201533
201641
201720
201819
201918
20202

KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS

ENGINE 28%

28% of complaints: engine — 52 distinct reports on file.

FIRE INJURY
Show complaint excerpts

On [XXX], my son drove the car to Wendy’s to get lunch around 12:30 pm. He returned, parked the car in the driveway.

NHTSA ODI report, 20240201

I BOUGHT THIS CAR A YEAR AGO. TODAY I TRIED TO CRANK THE CAR WHILE SITTING IN MY YARD A BIG BOOM HAPPENED AND THE CAR ENGINE CAUGHT ON FIRE.

NHTSA ODI report, 20180204

AFTER RETURNING HOME FROM SHOPPING, ROUGHLY 20 MILE DRIVE, I PARKED THE CAR IN OUR ATTACHED 3 CAR GARAGE. I WENT INSIDE, VISITED BRIEFLY WITH MY HUSBAND, FIXED A SALAD AND WAS EATING WHEN I HEARD A NOISE.

NHTSA ODI report, 20130206

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING 12%

12% of complaints: engine and engine cooling — 23 distinct reports on file.

FIRE
Show complaint excerpts

I WENT ON LUNCH, ON MY FIRST DAY OF WORK NONE THE LESS, BUT I PARKED MY CAR IN THE PARKING GARAGE AFTER GOING TO THE LOCAL MCDONALDS AND WENT IN AND ATE.

NHTSA ODI report, 20120403

I RETURNED HOME FROM A SHORT TRIP TO THE STORE ON 9/3/05, TURNED OFF THE CAR, AND PARKED MY 2001 BUICK REGAL GS IN THE DRIVEWAY. ABOUT 5-10 MINUTES LATER, MY HUSBAND SAID HE SMELLED SOMETHING BURNING.

NHTSA ODI report, 20050906

AFTER STARTING THE VEHICLE, A FIRE STARTED UNDERNEATH THE HOOD. THE CONSUMER PUT THE OUT THE FIRE AND HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED. PLEASE PROVIDE MORE INFORMATION. *JB

NHTSA ODI report, 20041014

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 11%

11% of complaints: electrical system — 21 distinct reports on file.

FIRE
Show complaint excerpts

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2001 BUICK REGAL. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IDLING FLAMES APPEARED FROM UNDER THE HOOD. NO INJURIES WERE REPORTED. THE CAUSE WAS UNDETERMINED.

NHTSA ODI report, 20200430

STEERING 6%

6% of complaints: steering — 11 distinct reports on file.

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL 5%

5% of complaints: vehicle speed control — 9 distinct reports on file.

SAFETY TIMELINE

R 20000824 — seat belts

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES, LIGHT DUTY TRUCKS, SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, AND MINI VANS EQUIPPED WITH TRW SEAT BELT BUCKLE ASSEMBLIES. THE BUCKLE BASE OF THESE SEAT BELT ASSEMBLIES WERE NO

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE VEHICLE'S SAFETY BELT BUCKLE ASSEMBLY DATE CODES AND, IF NECESSARY, WILL REPLACE ANY SAFETY BELT BUCKLE ASSEMBLY.

Campaign 00V228003 — check if this car was fixed

R 20001116 — air bags

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. SOME OF THESE VEHICLES EXHIBIT A CONDITION IN WHICH THE DRIVER SIDE IMPACT AIR BAG INFLATOR SEPARATES FROM THE AIR BAG MODULE DURING DEPLOYMENT.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE SIDE IMPACT AIR BAG MODULE.

Campaign 00V371000 — check if this car was fixed

2001 — complaint volume: 187
R 20010504 — seat belts

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, EQUIPPED WITH SUNVISOR LOCATED AIR BAG LABELS, FAIL TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLES SAFETY STANDARD NO. 208, "OCCUPANT CRASH PROTECTION." THESE

Remedy: GM WILL MAIL A NEW BILINGUAL AIR BAG LABEL WITH INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS. HOWEVER, THE CUSTOMER MAY BRING THE LABEL TO THEIR DEALER FOR INSTALLATION FREE OF CHARGE. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN MAY 4,

Campaign 01V109000 — check if this car was fixed

I 20021022 — EA (closed 20040309)

ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRES

I 20070612 — EA (closed 20080501)

ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE

R 20080428 — engine and engine cooling

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, CREAT

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE ENGINE’S FRONT VALVE COVER AND FRONT-VALVE-COVER GASKET WITH NEW PARTS OF AN IMPROVED DESIGN AND REMOVE THE ENGINE’S PLASTIC COVER AND PLASTIC OIL-FILL-TUBE EXTENSION, ALONG

Campaign 08V118000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20081016 — steering

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 (SOL

Remedy: 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.

Campaign 08E063000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20090223 — steering

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 REPLACEM

Remedy: 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 D

Campaign 09E005000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20090409 — engine and engine cooling

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 EQUIPP

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE ENGINE’S FRONT VALVE COVER AND FRONT-VALVE-COVER GASKET WITH NEW PARTS OF AN IMPROVED DESIGN AND REMOVE THE ENGINE’S PLASTIC COVER AND PLASTIC OIL-FILL-TUBE EXTENSION, FREE

Campaign 09V116000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20160219 — engine and engine cooling

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.

Remedy: 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 engine’s front valve cover and gasket.

Campaign 15V701000 — check if this car was fixed

BUY-SMART CHECKLIST

2001 Buick Regal — pre-purchase inspection

  • Test/inspect for engine issues (52 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for engine and engine cooling issues (23 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for electrical system issues (21 reports on file for this year).
  • Verify recall 00V228003 (seat belts) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 00V371000 (air bags) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 01V109000 (seat belts) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 08V118000 (engine and engine cooling) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 08E063000 (steering) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 09E005000 (steering) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 09V116000 (engine and engine cooling) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 15V701000 (engine and engine cooling) has been completed.

OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL

BEST YEARS

▲ 2015 ▲ 2014 ▲ 2016

WORST YEARS

■ 1998 ■ 2011 ■ 1999

See all years ranked →

FAQ

Is the 2001 Buick Regal reliable?

Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2001 Buick Regal is rated "worse than typical".

What are the most common problems with the 2001 Buick Regal?

The most-reported component is engine, accounting for 28% of complaints on file.

How many recalls does the 2001 Buick Regal have?

8 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-07-11 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.