2002 Buick Regal Engine Problems
- Complaints
- 33about this part
- Share
- 28%of 117 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 135,500miles
- Trend
- FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 33 complaints about the engine of the 2002 Buick Regal, 28% of the 117 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 135,500 miles. 1 of these say a crash was involved and 15 a fire, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“I have 2002 Buick Regal,had fixed for low coolant light sign problem several time by dealer, last repair was done 1-26-2016 by dealer and do not show any more low coolant sign of light, 20 days later my car stopped in the middle of road, I towed it to same dealer, dealer told me that transmission need to be replaced by verbal, I towed it to transmission shop and repaired and I complainted to state of ca, in feb. …”
NHTSA complaint #10874799, filed 2016-06, 68,300 miles“Eastbound floating bridge road st joe county michigan swerved to miss small animal exited right side of road struck a tree driver taken to hospital cdr system indicated that the driver (me) was not wearing a seat belt I was! Air bags did not deploy driver sustained smashed right shoulder and ankle. …”
NHTSA complaint #10618255, filed 2014-08, 135,000 miles“My car as a engine issue every year around or near feb crazy but true I have had my car saftey recall fixed but not properly stated another dealership in sunnyvale during investigation from GM but nothing was done about it once again I had another fire from cover and still nothing was done due to my lost time and suffer of this reoccurring issue that seems to never be properly fixed or addressed still I suffer from this car all my new 'fix' to that safety recall has a bigger problem still gasket is cracked by looks since the day it was replaced and the plastic retaining clips are melting and…”
NHTSA complaint #11173098, filed 2019-01, 98 miles“Second time around my Buick Regal caught on fire as it sat in driveway my car has been a VIN that fit the saftey recall since 2007 3rd or 4th one since I bought my car from dealership my car has 5 recalls which 3 are recall campaign so dealer fixed only part of the recall in feb 18 2016 I was sent another safety recall letter asking me to go back to get extra work done or newer parts dealer said no so now it's september 25/26 2017 and fire happens again this time was a bigger issue had firedepartment called out all the flames came from under the beauty cover and valve cover leak which was a…”
NHTSA complaint #11030081, filed 2017-09, 89 miles“In dec of 2012, my alternator belt broke, so I had my Buick towed to a mechanic I have been using for this vehicle. I was driving my car afterwards about 2 weeks and the low windshield fluid light came on,...so I lifted the hood and I find my oil cap smoldering and my spark plug wires charred.....even though I took this to the dealership for the recall...the recall didn't address a mechanic changing the wire routing of the car. The issue is oil leaking to the heat shield and catching on fire....not where the spark plugs were situated. I replaced the valve gasket and plugs/wires.”
NHTSA complaint #10497675, filed 2013-02, 160,000 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 2002 Buick Regal
36 complaintsEngine cooling
17 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