2001 Buick Regal
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.
- Complaints
- 187
- Recalls
- 8
- Investigations
- 2
- Top problem
- Engine
Campaigns on file for 2001
Opened by NHTSA
28% of complaints
Complaints per year
2001: 187 complaints
View as data table
| Year | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 1980 | 0 |
| 1981 | 0 |
| 1982 | 1 |
| 1983 | 4 |
| 1984 | 6 |
| 1985 | 9 |
| 1986 | 12 |
| 1987 | 25 |
| 1988 | 125 |
| 1989 | 107 |
| 1990 | 77 |
| 1991 | 201 |
| 1992 | 145 |
| 1993 | 86 |
| 1994 | 119 |
| 1995 | 174 |
| 1996 | 204 |
| 1997 | 136 |
| 1998 | 302 |
| 1999 | 246 |
| 2000 | 184 |
| 2001 | 187 |
| 2002 | 117 |
| 2003 | 101 |
| 2004 | 66 |
| 2005 | 4 |
| 2008 | 1 |
| 2009 | 1 |
| 2010 | 1 |
| 2011 | 280 |
| 2012 | 92 |
| 2013 | 91 |
| 2014 | 38 |
| 2015 | 33 |
| 2016 | 41 |
| 2017 | 20 |
| 2018 | 19 |
| 2019 | 19 |
| 2020 | 2 |
Known problem areas
Percentages can add to more than 100% — a complaint can name more than one system.
Engine
28% · 52 reportsShow complaint excerpts
On [XXX], my son drove the car to Wendyâs to get lunch around 12:30 pm. He returned, parked the car in the driveway.
NHTSA ODI report, 2024-02-01
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, 2018-02-04
Also filed under Structure
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, 2013-02-06
Engine and engine cooling
18% · 34 reportsMost commonly citing exhaust system and engine.
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, 2012-04-03
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, 2005-09-06
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.
NHTSA ODI report, 2004-10-14
Electrical system
18% · 33 reportsMost commonly citing instrument cluster/panel and ignition.
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, 2020-04-30
Dt*: the contact stated upon exiting the vehicle, there was a smell of plastic burning. The contact dismissed the smell and entered the home. Shortly thereafter, the contact saw smoke coming from outside the garage door.
NHTSA ODI report, 2006-11-14
Steering
7% · 14 reportsMost commonly citing rack and rack and pinion.
Vehicle speed control
7% · 13 reportsMost commonly citing cruise control.
Safety timeline
8 recalls · 2 investigations · oldest first
To check one car, enter its VIN on the NHTSA recall page. Check a VIN →
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R
2000-08-24Seat belts00V228003 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…
Remedy: Dealers will inspect the vehicle's safety belt buckle assembly date codes and, if necessary, will replace any safety belt buckle assembly.
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R
2000-11-16Air bags00V371000 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.
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2001Complaint volume 187 complaints filed for this model year.
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R
2001-05-04Seat belts01V109000 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."…
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…
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I
2002-10-22Engineering analysisClosed 2004-03-09 Engine compartment fires
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I
2007-06-12Engineering analysisClosed 2008-05-01 Engine compartment fire
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2008-04-28Engine and engine cooling08V118000 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…
Remedy: Dealers will replace the engineâs front valve cover and front-valve-cover gasket with new parts of an improved design and remove the engineâs plastic cover and plastic oil-fill-tube extension…
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R
2008-10-16Steering08E063000 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…
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.
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2009-02-23Steering09E005000 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…
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…
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2009-04-09Engine and engine cooling09V116000 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…
Remedy: Dealers will replace the engineâs front valve cover and front-valve-cover gasket with new parts of an improved design and remove the engineâs plastic cover and plastic oil-fill-tube extension…
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R
2016-02-19Engine and engine cooling15V701000 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 engineÂs front valve cover and gasket.
Buy-smart checklist
2001 Buick Regal — pre-purchase inspection
Inspect
- Engine: 52 reports on file for this year.
- Engine and engine cooling: 34 reports on file for this year.
- Electrical system: 33 reports on file for this year.
Verify these recalls were completed
- Recall 00V228003 · Seat belts
- Recall 00V371000 · Air bags
- Recall 01V109000 · Seat belts
- Recall 08V118000 · Engine and engine cooling
- Recall 08E063000 · Steering
- Recall 09E005000 · Steering
- Recall 09V116000 · Engine and engine cooling
- Recall 15V701000 · Engine and engine cooling
Other years of this model
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 2026-10-31 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.