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Buick RegalModel year report

1997 Buick Regal Problems

Complaints
136filed with NHTSA
Median mileage
105,771miles, 59 complaints with mileage
Recalls
7campaigns on record
Trend
StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA crash rating
—overall rating starts with 2011 models
EPA fuel economy
20 mpgcombined, 3.8L 6-cyl FWD · 17 city / 27 hwy

Sources: NHTSA records for the 1997 Buick Regal (complaints, recalls, investigations), EPA fuel economy. Report an error

What owners report

Owner complaints for this model year center on two patterns: steering that becomes hard or binds, especially turning left, and engine-compartment oil leaks that owners often link to the exhaust area. Many reports also describe the engine shutting off when the turn signal is used, which several owners traced to the ignition switch. Mileage in the sample varies widely, from a vehicle with almost no miles to ones past 190,000.

  1. Steering

    Hard or binding steering, often turning left (rack and

    • 26 complaints (19%)
    • median 89,871 mi at 8.0 yrs old (17 state mileage)
    • 1 mention a crash, fire or injury
    • filed 1999–2014

    Owners describe the steering wheel becoming difficult or heavy to turn, most often on left turns, and in some cases the wheel will not return to center or binds near full travel. Complaints commonly mention the rack and pinion assembly, sometimes after a previous recall repair on the steering gear. Several owners say the dealer or manufacturer declined assistance because their vehicle identification number was not included in a recall, and others paid for a replacement themselves. Reported from very low mileage up to about 140,000 miles, at all speeds and often during low-speed turning.

    Recall 03V5270002 related service bulletins

    What to check: Ask whether recall 03V527000 was completed and whether the rack and pinion has been replaced since. During a test drive, make slow full left and right turns in a parking lot and listen for clicking or binding.

    2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

    “Loss of power steering assist when turning to the left. Dealer says power steering rack is binding when turned to the left. Will have to replace, my cost. I see a number of similar complaints on this site. Gm had a recall (11/15/2002) for this problem on same model year for cavalier, sunfire, lumina/venture, silhouette, transport, and grand prix (Regal's sibling). What about Regal?”

    NHTSA complaint #10007673, filed 2003-02, 69,879 miles

    “Unable to make left turn with ease. Left turns are very hard and at times does not turn left at all. Steering wheel does not automatically return to center position. I was unable to make a complete left hand turn, which caused me to over turn and drive off the road.”

    NHTSA complaint #10143810, filed 2005-11, 10 miles
  2. Engine cooling

    Engine compartment oil leaks and fires near the exhaust

    • 16 complaints (12%)
    • median 146,500 mi at 13.3 yrs old (10 state mileage)
    • 15 mention a crash, fire or injury
    • filed 2001–2019

    Complaints describe oil dripping onto hot exhaust components and, in multiple cases, a fire in the engine area while the vehicle was parked or shortly after driving. Several owners mention receiving recall notices for this condition, and some report a fire even after the recall repair was performed. Others describe an oil smell from the front of the vehicle when parking. Reported from roughly 78,000 to 200,000 miles, often while the vehicle was parked or just after being driven.

    Recall 08V118000Recall 09V116000Recall 15V7010001 related service bulletin

    What to check: Ask whether recalls 08V118000, 09V116000 and 15V701000 were completed, and inspect the engine for oil residue around the valve covers and exhaust manifold. Watch for an oil smell after parking.

    2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

    “Fire started in the engine, resulting in the car exploding in about 10 minutes total. Total loss. Caught fire to my friends garage. The car was parked and running while we ran inside to pay for some stuff. Heard an explosion and went to investigate, and saw the hood and dash and the engine on fire. My friend jumped on his tractor and pushed it away from the garage, and started dumping snow on it. Fire dept came and put it out.”

    NHTSA complaint #10837552, filed 2016-02, 150,000 miles

    “I left work on my break drove a half mile to home got out my car and came in the house for about five minutes. Then a officer was at my door and told me my car was on fire. The flames were very bad under my hood. The police was telling everyone to move there cars and stay in there apartments. It took about ten minutes before the firemen to get there. When they arrive and open the hood a ball of fire shot out. They put it out. The car was burnt up badly. So I call GM and gave a fire report. …”

    NHTSA complaint #10274787, filed 2009-06, 100,458 miles
  3. Electrical system

    Engine shuts off when the turn signal is used (ignition

    Mentioned in 10 of 60 sampled complaints

    Owners report the engine stalling or shutting off, sometimes momentarily and sometimes leaving the car unable to start, often at the moment a turn signal is used. Complaints describe dashboard warning lights flashing and a loss of power steering and brakes while the engine is off. Several owners say a dealer replaced the ignition switch and the problem stopped. Reported from about 30,000 to 151,000 miles, at both low speeds and highway speeds.

    2 related service bulletins

    What to check: During a test drive with the engine running, use the turn signals and hazard flashers and watch the gauges and warning lights. Ask whether the ignition switch has been replaced.

    2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

    “Out of the blue by using the turn signal our 1997 Buick Regal's engine would stall. In the middle of traffic, we had no brakes or power steering. All dashboard lights would flash. Our car was towed to the GM dealership and the ignition switch was replaced. Now everything is working fine.”

    NHTSA complaint #10282272, filed 2009-08, 116,611 miles

    “I was driving and when I went to use the turn signal the car stalled and it started right back up again but when I use my directionals the car stalls, no matter where I am. I think is a dangerous situation because when your on a highway and want to use your turn signal your car will just stall out and cause an accident. I have read alot of complaints like mine and I think it should be recalled for that. I think it is the ignition switch.”

    NHTSA complaint #10086835, filed 2004-08, 97,350 miles
  4. Engine cooling

    Coolant leaks and overheating

    • 7 complaints (5%)
    • median 120,219 mi at 11.3 yrs old (5 state mileage, few)
    • 1 mention a crash, fire or injury
    • filed 2004–2016

    Complaints describe coolant loss from the intake manifold gasket area and coolant leaking into the engine, along with rapid temperature gauge rise when idling. Some owners mention the low coolant light flashing and repairs to the intake gaskets or cooling parts; others note the engine had to be replaced. Mostly reported between about 70,000 and 160,000 miles.

    2 related service bulletins

    What to check: Check the coolant level and look for residue or staining around the intake manifold and under the front of the engine. Ask whether the intake manifold gasket has been replaced.

    2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

    “The low coolant light sensor flashes on and off, if the car is idol the temperature gauge moves up rapidly. I have had the coolant and thermostat check, both are fine. My mechanic advised to check this website for engine cooling recall and there is one. I need to know where to take my car to get this issue fixed under the recall.”

    NHTSA complaint #10565816, filed 2014-02, 106,000 miles

    “3.8 liter supercharged engine coolant leak - lower intake manifold gasket is leaking coolant. I have read about the recall or class action suit about the coolant leaks on 3.8 liter engines that are not supercharged. I would like to know why they never included superchared engines. I have a 1997 Buick Regal and a 2001 pontiac grand prix that were both at a GM dealership and they have this problem and it needs to be fixed.”

    NHTSA complaint #10240198, filed 2008-08, 120,219 miles
  5. Air bags

    Airbag warning light stays on

    • 6 complaints (4%)
    • median 101,214 mi at 9.2 yrs old (3 state mileage, few)
    • filed 1997–2010

    Owners report the airbag warning light illuminating and staying on, with dealers attributing it to the airbag module or the instrument panel cluster, and in one case the horn sounding on its own before the airbag system was replaced. Repairs were made in some cases, and one owner reported the same light returning after repeated cluster repairs. Reported from about 45,000 to 101,000 miles.

    What to check: Turn the key to the run position and confirm the airbag light comes on and then goes out; ask whether the airbag module or cluster has been serviced.

    2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

    “Passenger's side airbag console is rising up. Manufacturer has issued TSB for defect. The dealer firts installed a cover for the air bag but the clip holding the cover was removed during second service. The consumer was very much concerned about air bag being exposed because it could cause premature deployment, non deployment or deterioration.”

    NHTSA complaint #876667, filed 2000-12

    “The air bag sensor light came on and stayed on without warning. The dealer stated the air bag module needs to be replaced. Please provide additional information.”

    NHTSA complaint #10097117, filed 2004-10, 101,214 miles

Buying note. On this model year, the most useful checks are steering feel during slow turns, the ignition switch behavior with the turn signals on, and whether the engine oil-leak recalls were completed. Service records showing recent rack and pinion or intake gasket work are worth asking about.

Summary written with AI from a sample of 60 NHTSA complaints for this model year (picked at random, with complaints that state a mileage and recent ones taken first), then checked automatically against the source records. Where a problem shows a complaint count, every complaint for this model year was matched with fixed keyword rules (written with AI and tested against the sample), and the mileage, age and repair figures are calculated from those complaints; owners' figures are as stated, not verified. Other counts refer to the sample. The excerpts come from NHTSA's public complaint records and are unverified; capitalisation is normalised, NHTSA staff notes are removed, and shortened text ends with “…”. Something wrong? Request a correction.

NHTSA recorded 136 consumer complaints for the 1997 Buick Regal. 59 of the complaints include a mileage, and 15% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 105,771 miles. Of all complaints, 3 involved a crash, 19 a fire, 2 an injury, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 7 recall campaigns and 26 technical service bulletins for this model year.

Not compared (before 2008). Model years 2008–2023 of the same vehicle that have at least 25 complaints are compared, and a model needs at least 3 of them.

Which parts are reported most

Complaints can name more than one part, so the counts add up to more than the total. Select a part to see its complaints, recalls and bulletins.

Also reported: Fuel system (5), Body and structure (4), Equipment (3), Suspension (3), Other or unknown (2), Seat belts (2), Electronic stability control (1), Seats (1), Vehicle speed control (1).

Example complaints

Steering: “Was driving my 1997 Buick Regal gs 3.8 when I had my son in the car went to turn left and when in the turn all the lights start to flash and the car shut down .. Had to have it towed later to find out it is the ignition switch now car is sitting will not start all lights flash will not crank or turn over ... Before all that happened when I would make a left turn you could hear a clicking coming from the drivers side tire and the lights would come on ... …”

NHTSA complaint #10818874, filed 2016-01, 145,000 miles

Engine cooling: “1997 Buick Regal gs on thursday may 1, 2008 I received in the mail a recall letter from GM. In this letter it explains that these vehicles have higher rocker cover gasket temps. In short, this could lead to vehicle fire and surrounding property. On friday, may 2, 2008, my daughter was driving this vehicle and parked at a friends house. While the car was parked and engine off, the car caught fire in the engine area. The vehicle and contents were totally destroyed. Damage was also caused to the friends house.”

NHTSA complaint #10226590, filed 2008-05, 125,000 miles

Electrical system: “Cars engine would cut off when using either turn signal. All dash lites would momentarily come on,or just air bag lite would come on before stalling. Replaced ignition switch to correct. Many other Regal customers have complained on-line,nothing done about it!!! Very dangerous situation!!!!.”

NHTSA complaint #10317310, filed 2010-03, 150,000 miles

Brakes: “After taking my car to the mechanic 6 times to repair the service engine soon/ABS light/trac off light coming on, he replaced the left front wheel bearing with a more expensive model and replaced the module on the ABS pump that has the circuit board and pump gears. The problem went away for approx. 1 1/2 weeks and now is back! Am going to the mechanic to see what is going on.”

NHTSA complaint #10653762, filed 2014-11, 141,072 miles

Mileage when problems were reported

15% of the 59 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 80,000 and 140,000 miles.

2%0–102%10–2512%25–507%50–7520%75–10044%100–15014%150+
Share of complaints by mileage when the problem was reported, in thousands of miles (59 complaints with mileage). Red bars: under 50,000 miles. Bucket widths differ. Median: 105,771 miles.

Complaints by year filed

Trend: stable. Complaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.

’9716’00’03’06’09’12’15’19
Complaints by year the complaint was filed with NHTSA. Red bars: the last 3 full calendar years used for the trend. The current year (2026) is partial.

Fuel economy and running cost

EPA ratings for each 1997 Buick Regal version. Annual fuel cost is the EPA's estimate at its current fuel prices for 15,000 miles a year (55% city driving).

VersionEngineTransmissionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yr
Regal/Century FWD3.1L 6-cyl4-speed automatic182621$3,200
Regal/Century FWD3.8L 6-cyl4-speed automatic172720$3,350
Regal/Century FWD3.8L 6-cyl4-speed automatic162619$4,350

Source: U.S. EPA and Department of Energy, fueleconomy.gov. Ratings are for comparing vehicles; real-world mileage varies with driving and conditions.

Recalls and investigations

See all 7 recalls for the 1997 Buick Regal → · Check a VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls

NHTSA investigations

Technical service bulletins

TSBs are manufacturer notes to dealers about known repair procedures. They are not recalls and do not by themselves mean a vehicle has a fault. 26 on record; the latest 10 are shown.

See all 26 bulletins →

Other model years of the Buick Regal

YearComplaintsMedian miRecallsCrash ★MPGScore (50 = typical)Trend
20192030,0003—26—Rising
20181922,0003—26—Stable
20172073,2540524—Falling
20164127,000152424 · FewerFalling
20153329,75005246 · FewerFalling
20143848,864252421 · FewerStable
20139158,000652366 · MoreFalling
20129259,527752276 · MoreFalling
201128066,9004—23100 · MoreFalling
20046690,9632—21Not compared (before 2008)Falling
200310196,2583—20Not compared (before 2008)Stable
200211785,0003—20Not compared (before 2008)Falling
200118791,5006—21Not compared (before 2008)Falling
200018495,8048—21Not compared (before 2008)Rising
199924689,0006—21Not compared (before 2008)Falling
199830292,0006—21Not compared (before 2008)Falling
1997136105,7717—20Not compared (before 2008)Stable
199620487,5003—21Not compared (before 2008)Stable
199517389,6598—20Not compared (before 2008)Stable
199411096,4723—20Not compared (before 2008)Stable
19938575,0002—20Not compared (before 2008)Stable
1992144109,5002—20Not compared (before 2008)Stable
199120094,2106—20Not compared (before 2008)Stable
199077125,5388—20Not compared (before 2008)Stable
198910680,0007—21Not compared (before 2008)Stable
198812386,00010—21Not compared (before 2008)Stable
19872560,0002—18Not compared (before 2008)Stable
198612—4—18—Not enough data
19859—8—18—Not enough data
19846—4—17—Not enough data

All Buick Regal model years · Best and worst years by complaints

Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 1997 Buick Regal?

Owner complaints for this model year center on two patterns: steering that becomes hard or binds, especially turning left, and engine-compartment oil leaks that owners often link to the exhaust area. The issues reported most often: Hard or binding steering, often turning left (rack and; Engine compartment oil leaks and fires near the exhaust; Engine shuts off when the turn signal is used (ignition.

How many NHTSA complaints does the 1997 Buick Regal have?

NHTSA recorded 136 consumer complaints for the 1997 Buick Regal as of Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

What part of the 1997 Buick Regal is reported most often?

Steering is named most often, in 37 complaints (27% of the total), followed by engine cooling with 30.

Has the 1997 Buick Regal been recalled?

NHTSA lists 7 recall campaigns for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What gas mileage does the 1997 Buick Regal get?

The EPA rates the 1997 Buick Regal (Regal/Century, 3.8L 6-cyl) at 20 mpg combined, 17 city and 27 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $3,350 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.

At what mileage are problems with the 1997 Buick Regal reported?

Among the 59 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 105,771 miles and the middle half falls between 80,000 and 140,000 miles; 15% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate. Fuel economy is from the EPA and DOE (fueleconomy.gov).

Complaint counts come from NHTSA’s public complaint database; we count each complaint once. The source records for this vehicle are on nhtsa.gov. Scores and trends are our own summaries of that data, described in the methodology. This page is not legal, safety or repair advice: for a specific vehicle, check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and ask a qualified mechanic. See an error? Tell us.