2001 Buick Regal Problems

What owners report

Owners of the 2001 Buick Regal most often write about engine-compartment fires or burning-oil smells, often while parked or shortly after starting, and many mention the oil-on-exhaust recalls. Cooling-system failures, stalling and electrical faults, and transmission breakdowns also come up, usually at higher mileages.

1. 1
   Engine

   Engine-compartment fire or burning oil smell

   • 76 complaints (41%)
   • median 100,000 mi at 12.2 yrs old (49 state mileage)
   • 48 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • owner-quoted repair $400 (median of 5 quotes)
   • filed 2001–2024

   Complaints describe smoke, flames or a strong burning-oil odor from under the hood, sometimes while the car sits parked, sometimes shortly after a cold start, and in a few cases while driving. Several owners say the vehicle was destroyed, and many mention receiving or checking recall notices about engine oil reaching the exhaust manifold. Some report being told the recall parts were not available. Reported from about 32,000 to 170,000 miles, with many between 80,000 and 140,000 miles, and several in cold weather or after the car had been parked.

   Recall 15V701000Recall 09V116000Recall 08V118000

   What to check: Ask whether the oil-leak recalls (08V118, 09V116, 15V701) were completed and check the service history for valve-cover gasket work. Look for oil residue on the exhaust manifold and a burning smell after a cold start.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “When I tried to crank car on cold morning to go to church, a loud boom occurred under hood followed by smoke billowing out. I immediately raised the hood and saw flames on top of engine. I ran in house and got baking soda and threw on fire which put it out.”

   NHTSA complaint #10681064, filed 2015-02, 120,000 miles

   “I have a 2001 Buick Regal that has a 3.8 litre supercharged engine. This vehicle was recalled for starting on fire from oil dripping onto the exhaust. I had the recall done over a year ago. I drove the car every day. Recently I left the car parked for two days. When I started driving the car toward work I noticed that it was shuttering slightly and after about four miles I turned around to head back home. On the way back I noticed a burning smell and smoke started coming out from the floor near the shifter. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10376960, filed 2011-01, 150,000 miles
2. 2
   Electrical system

   Stalling, no-start and ignition switch/key problems

   • 18 complaints (10%)
   • median 81,402 mi at 10.3 yrs old (17 state mileage)
   • filed 2003–2019

   Owners describe the engine quitting at speed or at idle, sometimes with the whole dash lighting up or gauges jumping, and sometimes with no warning at all; several say it restarted after a wait and others had it towed. Complaints also cover the key sticking in the ignition so the car cannot be shut off, with repairs ranging from a new ignition switch to starter and anti-theft work that did not always fix it. Reported across a wide range, often between about 37,000 and 120,000 miles, with some over 150,000 miles.

   2 related service bulletins

   What to check: Test that the key turns freely and comes out easily, and ask whether the ignition switch has been replaced. Note any dash lights or stalling on a test drive, and have the charging and ignition systems checked.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Takata recall... While driving in our city all instrument panel light went to flashing and the gauges were quivering, bells went off and my car died right there in the traffic while going 25 MPH. I had my daughter and grandson in the car with me and by the grace of god we avoided an accident. Car wouldn't restart for about 10 minutes but eventually did with the same thing happening with the instrument panel. Daughter got the car off the road. Husband got the car home and left it. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10970912, filed 2017-04, 118,300 miles

   “I have been having stalling problems I. E. Ignition. Going over bumps and turning on the left turn signal seemed to cause it to stall for over a year. I pretty much quit driving the car unless it was less than 3 miles like going to the grocery store or the golf course. I finally took it in to the dealer and they had never seen anything like it. Sept. 17, 2013. Anyway, they repaired it for $556.40. I have only had the keys that came with it, starter and trunk and one house key, 3 total on the key ring. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10572661, filed 2014-03, 93,000 miles
3. 3
   Engine cooling

   Coolant loss, overheating and intake/head gasket leaks

   • 61 complaints (33%)
   • median 106,500 mi at 14.1 yrs old (36 state mileage)
   • 27 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2004–2022

   Complaints describe overheating, coolant loss that returns after refilling, and intake or head gasket replacements. Some owners report repeated coolant-related repairs and a persistent check-engine or low-coolant light, while others mention a loud backfire-like burst on a cold start with intake manifold parts damaged. Mostly reported between roughly 60,000 and 135,000 miles, with a few at lower mileage and some in very cold weather.

   Recall 09V1160004 related service bulletins

   What to check: Check coolant level and color, look for residue around the intake and head gaskets, and ask whether the intake gaskets have been replaced. A cold-start pressure test can reveal a failing intake gasket.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “My 2011 Regal had to have the lower and upper intake gasket replaced as well as the valve cover gaskets.. A week after that the service engine soon light came on and the mechanic said it was the throttle body gasket. I then got it replaced and then a week after that the service engine soon light came on again. It was pulling up a code for a vacuum leak. Wtf! My boyfriend turned the light off and it hasn't come on since, so I don't know if it was a glitch.”

   NHTSA complaint #10319972, filed 2010-03, 111,000 miles

   “My wife went out to start the vehicle after it had been sitting for 2-3 days in 0-20 degree temperatures. Upon turning the ignition switch she heard a loud explosion sound, saw the hood bulge, and saw smoke billow out from the sides. She immediately removed key, exited the vehicle, and asked me to come out to the vehicle. Upon opening the hood we found pieces of the heat shield, and plastic intake manifold scattered through the engine compartment, along with the oil fill cap, which had been blown off.”

   NHTSA complaint #10221055, filed 2008-03, 118,357 miles
4. 4
   Transmission and drivetrain

   Transmission slipping and loss of gears

   • 9 complaints (5%)
   • median 40,300 mi at 5.8 yrs old (7 state mileage, few)
   • filed 2003–2010

   Complaints describe lurching or slipping while driving, then losing reverse and the lower gears so the car moves only in drive or third. Shops reportedly found broken planetary gears, damaged clutch discs and metal in the pan, with rebuilds costing several thousand dollars; one owner had the transmission replaced under warranty. Typically reported between about 25,000 and 55,000 miles, sometimes with failures on the highway in cruise control.

   2 related service bulletins

   What to check: Check the fluid level and condition and look for a service record of a rebuild or replacement. Drive it through all gears, including reverse, and watch for hesitation or hard shifts.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Our 2001 Buick Regal lost it's a/t at 40,300 miles, locked out of reverse, gears 1 & 2. Only had drive-3. Why does the GM and american cars lose their a/t more so than the japanese cars. We were cursing on I-5 at 70 MPH in cruise control south of stockton, ca, when the car gave a slight lurch, a thud and slowed down. I stopped checked the tires, all ok. Checked the engine oil and a/t fluid, all ok. Proceeded to oxnard, ca had the a/t repaired costing us seniors $3,600--ouch. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10163234, filed 2006-07, 40,300 miles

   “Transmission on my 2001 Buick Regal had problem shifting,to find out transmission totally fell apart after 45000 miles,had to rebuild transmission at considerable cost conveniently 10000 miles or less out of warranty,finding out by this website that other regals have had transmission defects and total failures.”

   NHTSA complaint #10062390, filed 2004-03, 47,276 miles
5. 5
   Steering

   Power steering loss and noise while turning

   • 17 complaints (9%)
   • median 65,000 mi at 4.8 yrs old (13 state mileage)
   • filed 2003–2019

   Owners describe clunking noises and the wheel becoming hard to turn, especially to the left, with some saying the steering locked briefly. Complaints also mention heavy steering in cold weather, looseness over bumps, and power steering fluid leaking after rust corrosion underneath; one dealer could not pinpoint the cause. Mostly reported from about 43,000 to 95,000 miles, with one case as low as 19,000 miles, and some in winter cold.

   What to check: Check power steering fluid level and look for leaks or rust on the lines and rack. Turn the wheel lock to lock while listening for clunks and feeling for binding.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Steering system hard to turn when cold (in winter months) feeling of looseness in steering and road bumps transmitted into steering wheel and sometime brake pedal if braking.repair shop claims that many late model GM products are having similar problems and advise that it may take steering rack replacement.”

   NHTSA complaint #10066241, filed 2004-04, 95,000 miles

   “While driving consumer heard a clanking noise. When trying to turn to the left vehicle continued to go straight. Consumer contacted the dealer, who thought it was the shaft, but was not completely certain. Also, dealership was guessing as to why this defect may occur. When consumer contacted the manufacturer he indicated that vehicle had too many miles and was out of warranty. They will not make any repairs.”

   NHTSA complaint #10105112, filed 2004-12, 67,000 miles

Buying note. Have any 2001 Regal inspected for oil leaks onto the exhaust and confirm the engine-oil recalls were completed. Also check the cooling system, transmission and steering, since those are the areas owners most often write about at higher mileages.

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.