2001 Buick Regal Transmission and drivetrain Problems
- Complaints
- 11about this part
- Share
- 6%of 187 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 69,638miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 11 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 2001 Buick Regal, 6% of the 187 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 69,638 miles.
Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“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“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. The shop said the planetary gear and the clutch disks were broken with metal fragment is the pan. …”
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“2001 Buick Regal automatic transmission failed. While driving, the consumer noticed the vehicle have a slight lurch, a weak thud and it kicked down from drive to third gear. The consumer pulled over to a rest stop and when he was getting ready to leave, the vehicle would not move in reverse, first or second gear. It would only lurch forward when in drive. The vehicle was taken to a repair facility where it was determined the planetary had a broken gear, some damaged clutch disks and metal fragments in the pan. …”
NHTSA complaint #10165815, filed 2006-08, 40,300 miles“Transmission had been sounding rough and slightly slipping going up hill in driveway soon after purchasing car as used. Car was said to have passed gmc 100+ point inspection. Transmission completely failed after about one week of ownership at 25,000 miles. Dealership and Buick responded very satisfactorily. Repairs completed under warranty. Repairs took about one week though a second attempt had to be made after transmission continued to slip slightly when going up hills, more noticeable at higher speeds and after a stop and turning left. Dealership reported the following on initial repairs: . …”
NHTSA complaint #10060548, filed 2004-03, 25,000 milesRelated service bulletins
- 11006421Jul 24, 2024GM is receiving damaged (cracked or broken) transmission cores returned to the reman facilities. The damage is being caused either in the removal process by the technician, or…
- 10249579Jan 12, 2024This PI bulletin advises the technician on the proper way to install the pistons in an engine.
- 10242843Sep 1, 2023The service bulletin advises the tech of a normal transmission shift condition and the delay in throttle response when the throttle plate is opened rapidly and advises the…
- 10224273Sep 1, 2022This 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…
- 10220319Sep 1, 2022This diagnostic tip advises the tech not to separate the flexplate from the torque convertor or damage my occur if the engine is started while diagnosing for noise from the…
Transmission and drivetrain: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | 6 | 30% |
| 2018 | 2 | 11% |
| 2017 | 2 | 10% |
| 2016 | 5 | 12% |
| 2015 | 1 | 3% |
| 2014 | 6 | 16% |
| 2013 | 9 | 10% |
| 2012 | 7 | 8% |
| 2011 | 39 | 14% |
| 2004 | 3 | 5% |
| 2003 | 7 | 7% |
| 2002 | 3 | 3% |
| 2001 | 11 | 6% |
| 2000 | 4 | 2% |
| 1999 | 10 | 4% |
| 1998 | 12 | 4% |
| 1997 | 7 | 5% |
| 1996 | 9 | 4% |
| 1995 | 14 | 8% |
| 1994 | 6 | 5% |
| 1992 | 19 | 13% |
| 1991 | 7 | 4% |
| 1990 | 3 | 4% |
| 1989 | 5 | 5% |
| 1988 | 10 | 8% |
| 1986 | 1 | 8% |
Other parts of the 2001 Buick Regal
52 complaintsEngine cooling
34 complaintsElectrical system
32 complaintsSteering
14 complaintsVehicle speed control
13 complaintsBrakes
12 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 29, 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