2001 Buick Regal Engine Problems
- Complaints
- 52about this part
- Share
- 28%of 187 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 122,500miles
- Trend
- FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 52 complaints about the engine of the 2001 Buick Regal, 28% of the 187 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 122,500 miles. 25 a fire, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“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. As I opened the door from the kitchen to the garage, I found the garage was full of smoke and called 911. I estimate the time from shutting off the car until we called 911 to be 10 to 15 minutes. …”
NHTSA complaint #10496558, filed 2013-02, 120,000 miles“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“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 was driving doing almost 50 when it shut off with no warning the steering wheel locked up the brakes were not working. The first time this happened I just let the car coast to a stop, the second time was exactly the same except I put the car in neutral while I still had a good bit of speed and crunk it back up. The car always crank right back up with no problem and drives fine. I've change my fuses and certain lights (low tire, low coolant, check engine)on the dashboard won't go off and I just recently had my car inspected in which it passed”
NHTSA complaint #11288811, filed 2019-12, 235,000 miles“I drove to little ceasers to get pizza, I turned the car off and went inside, approximately 5 min later and someone came inside and said that someone's car was smoking, I went outside and it was smoking heavily from the front of the car, a witness called 911, by the time the fire department showed up the front of the vehicle was in flames, a tire exploded and the fire dept was able to put it out, the engine compartment is completely burned down, I started doing research and found out that there were recalls mentioning possible fire happening even while the car is unattended, it was not…”
NHTSA complaint #10883004, filed 2016-07, 300,000 milesRelated service bulletins
- 11004761Jun 28, 2024This service bulletin advises of a new fuel injection cleaner kit used for decarbonizing the intake valves to correct conditions of rough idle, Crank no start, extended crank or…
- 10242298Aug 10, 2023This Preliminary information communicates information that will need to be provided to TAC to aid in diagnosing if a vehicle comes in with misfire and DTC Codes P0300 - P0308…
- 10178387Jul 27, 2020This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about finding needle bearings during an oil change. Technician will gain access to the roller…
- 10176326May 21, 2020This Preliminary information communicates information that will need to be provided to TAC to aid in diagnosing if a vehicle comes in with misfire and DTC Codes P0300 - P0308…
- 10176607May 8, 2020This technical bulletin advises of a new fuel injection cleaner kit used for decarbonizing the intake valves to correct conditions of rough idle, Crank no start, extended crank…
- 10167437Oct 14, 2019This Preliminary information communicates to the technician the need to inspect the induction system for potential icing issues in very cold ambient temperatures. To allow the…
- 10160987May 7, 2019This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician to not remove the torque converter bolts and start the engine as this may cause damage to the…
- 10160983May 6, 2019This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about finding needle bearings during an oil change. Technician will gain access to the roller…
- 10144451Aug 8, 2018This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about engine block of possible cylinder bore damage, scoring or out of round as the possible…
- 10129097Jan 25, 2018This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about finding needle bearings during an oil change. Technician will gain access to the roller…
Engine: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | 3 | 15% |
| 2018 | 5 | 26% |
| 2016 | 5 | 12% |
| 2015 | 9 | 27% |
| 2014 | 9 | 24% |
| 2013 | 9 | 10% |
| 2012 | 21 | 23% |
| 2011 | 108 | 39% |
| 2004 | 18 | 27% |
| 2003 | 26 | 26% |
| 2002 | 33 | 28% |
| 2001 | 52 | 28% |
| 2000 | 28 | 15% |
| 1999 | 49 | 20% |
| 1998 | 29 | 10% |
| 1997 | 11 | 8% |
| 1996 | 2 | 1% |
| 1995 | 1 | 1% |
| 1994 | 1 | 1% |
| 1992 | 1 | 1% |
Other parts of the 2001 Buick Regal
34 complaintsElectrical system
32 complaintsSteering
14 complaintsVehicle speed control
13 complaintsBrakes
12 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
11 complaintsAir bags
8 complaintsOther or unknown
8 complaintsFuel system
7 complaintsBody and structure
7 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
7 complaintsExterior lighting
6 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2001 Buick Regal
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.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology