2002 Buick Regal Engine cooling Problems
- Complaints
- 17about this part
- Share
- 15%of 117 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 85,486miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 17 complaints about the engine cooling of the 2002 Buick Regal, 15% of the 117 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 85,486 miles. 5 a fire, according to the filers. 3 recall campaigns on record are filed under a similar system.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“Complaint received via e-mail. On a trip from florida to pennsylvania super charger belt broke on I-95 south. Onstar directed me to a dealership for repair service. Serpentine belt idler pulley bearing seized. Replaced drive belt, super charger belt and pulley. Also, battery had to be replaced because of leaking acid from positive battery. This problem was not caused by belt failure.”
NHTSA complaint #10099373, filed 2004-11, 36,477 miles“2002 Buick Regal.. Went to the store came home and the whole engine was on fire. Car was just paid off this month after 5 years and we need advice. Who can help us? Who can we call? Updated 05/07/09”
NHTSA complaint #10267561, filed 2009-05, 95,000 miles“Loss of engine power, engine stopped running, damage to various engine components. Catalytic converter plugged shut and heat damage to various engine components. Near engine fire. Catalytic converter, manifold, iac value, gasket, fuel line, fuel regulator, evap hose from engine to fuel tank all replaced. Buick has partially reimbursed for repairs and replacements. Two items still pending.”
NHTSA complaint #10168763, filed 2006-09, 51,489 miles“The contact owns a 2002 Buick Regal. While the vehicle was parked for ten minutes, the engine caught fire. The contact attempted to extinguish the fire and received burns to his hands. The police and fire report numbers were unavailable. The fire department towed the vehicle to a tow yard. The current and failure mileages were 62,148.”
NHTSA complaint #10256323, filed 2009-01, 62,148 miles“The contact owns a 2002 Buick Regal. The contact stated that the vehicle lost power, back fired and then stalled out when he was driving at approximately 20 MPH. The contact had the catalytic converter replaced to fix the problem. The manufacturer offered an extended warranty for the catalytic converter that changed from 80,000 miles to 120,000 miles. The failure mileage was 86,971. The current mileage was approximately 103,000.”
NHTSA complaint #10324080, filed 2010-04, 86,971 milesRelated recalls
- 15V701000Oct 26, 2015General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 1998-1999 Chevrolet Lumina and Oldsmobile Intrigue, 1997-2004 Buick Regal and Pontiac Grand Prix…Covers: Buick Regal 1997–2004, Pontiac Grand Prix 1997–2004, Chevrolet Monte Carlo 1998–2004 +3 more
- 09V116000Apr 8, 2009General 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…Covers: Buick Regal 1997–2003, Pontiac Grand Prix 1997–2003, Chevrolet Monte Carlo 1998–2003 +3 more
- 08V118000Mar 12, 2008Gm 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…Covers: Buick Regal 1997–2003, Pontiac Grand Prix 1997–2003
Related service bulletins
- 10251890Mar 13, 2024This 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…
- 10250775Feb 22, 2024This service bulletin provides service information to technicians on guidelines to replace Oil Cooler, Oil Cooler Lines and Oil Tank if the engine was replaced where large…
- 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…
- 10242262Aug 24, 2023This service bulletin provides graphics, information and guidelines for engine component wear to assist service personnel as a guideline to perform necessary engine repairs and…
- 10236164Apr 24, 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…
- 10235802Apr 24, 2023This diagnostic tip bulletin provides additional information on how to diagnose a possible valve, lifter or camshaft issue.
- 10234141Mar 23, 2023This diagnostic tip bulletin provides additional information on how to diagnose a possible valve, lifter or camshaft issue.
- 10234110Mar 17, 2023This service bulletin provides service information on new torque specification and installation procedure for ACDelco Spin-On Oil Filters.
- 10228888Dec 14, 2022This service bulletin provides diagnostic tips/steps on testing for possible EVAP leaks in the system to correct a customer concern of an MIL Illuminated with DTCs P0442 and/or…
Engine cooling: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2016 | 1 | 2% |
| 2013 | 1 | 1% |
| 2011 | 4 | 1% |
| 2004 | 8 | 12% |
| 2003 | 10 | 10% |
| 2002 | 17 | 15% |
| 2001 | 34 | 18% |
| 2000 | 35 | 19% |
| 1999 | 43 | 17% |
| 1998 | 55 | 18% |
| 1997 | 30 | 22% |
| 1996 | 36 | 18% |
| 1995 | 19 | 11% |
| 1994 | 12 | 11% |
| 1993 | 7 | 8% |
| 1992 | 8 | 6% |
| 1991 | 15 | 8% |
| 1990 | 6 | 8% |
| 1989 | 11 | 10% |
| 1988 | 9 | 7% |
| 1987 | 2 | 8% |
| 1986 | 2 | 17% |
| 1985 | 3 | 33% |
| 1984 | 1 | 17% |
Other parts of the 2002 Buick Regal
36 complaintsEngine
33 complaintsBrakes
7 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
7 complaintsExterior lighting
6 complaintsFuel system
5 complaintsSeats
5 complaintsOther or unknown
4 complaintsSteering
4 complaintsWheels
4 complaintsBody and structure
3 complaintsSuspension
3 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2002 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