2003 Buick Regal Exterior lighting Problems
- Complaints
- 5about this part
- Share
- 5%of 101 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 68,500miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 5 complaints about the exterior lighting of the 2003 Buick Regal, 5% of the 101 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 68,500 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.
“At night if the high beam lights are on, and I meet a vehicle while moving through a right curve, the dimmer switch cannot be activated because it hits the back of the steering wheel. Since this occurs almost every time I drive at night to go home, I'm afraid it could blind another driver and cause an accident. I have gotten bad reactions from other drivers when I can't dim the lights and meet them on the road. (I don't want to be the victim of road rage.) I have experienced this problem since I bought the vehicle in 2004. …”
NHTSA complaint #10597801, filed 2014-06, 45,352 miles“Headlights suddenly went out while driving. Tried the manual dash switch no luck. Lights suddenly came on for 5 seconds, then went out again. Fog lights and bright not operating. On then off again several times, then off until I got home. Next day everything operated correctly. Tried to repeat fault during daylight and at night with no success.”
NHTSA complaint #10255153, filed 2009-01, 102,000 miles“The bright /dim headlight controller hits the back of the steering wheel if the steering wheel is in a position during a right direction curve in the road. This has caused the switch to catch in between settings and the headlights turn off. An example of that use would be going around a curve and need to turn bright lights off due to oncoming traffic. To get the headlights back on, the bright / dim switch has to be activated again. This vehicle was purchased new by myself in 2003 and has been a problem for as long as I can remember since owning the car. …”
NHTSA complaint #11062616, filed 2018-01, 169,900 miles“When turning,the engine quits.2003 Buick Regal I am mechanic found the ignition switch weak and when you engauge turn signal switch the engine stalls.”
NHTSA complaint #10282276, filed 2009-08, 68,500 miles“The contact owns a 2003 Buick Regal. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the headlights failed. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where they advised the contact that the multi function switch experienced an internal short. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was approximately 29,300. Updated 02/15/12”
NHTSA complaint #10443421, filed 2012-01, 29,300 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10249011Jan 12, 2024This informational bulletin provides information for dealers/technicians on Headlamp, Tail Lamp, License Lamp or Fog/Driving Lamp Damage.
- 10232136Feb 15, 2023This service bulletin provides information for dealers/technicians on Exterior Lamp Condensation and Water Leaks and Replacement Guidelines.
- 10200151Jun 21, 2021This service bulletin provides information for dealers/technicians on Exterior Lamp Condensation and Water Leaks and Replacement Guidelines.
- 10169354Nov 12, 2019This informational bulletin provides information for dealers/technicians on Exterior Lamp Condensation and Replacement Guidelines.
- 10155009Dec 13, 2018This informational bulletin provides information for dealers/technicians on Exterior Lamp Condensation and Replacement Guidelines.
- 10116890Feb 12, 2016This informational bulletin provides an out line on Headlamp, Tail Lamp, License Lamp or Fog/Driving Lamp Damage and what should be considered warranty replacement and not
- 10116874Feb 8, 2016This informational bulletin provides information on exterior lamp condinsation and replacement guidelines
Exterior lighting: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2017 | 2 | 10% |
| 2016 | 6 | 15% |
| 2015 | 8 | 24% |
| 2014 | 3 | 8% |
| 2013 | 37 | 41% |
| 2012 | 33 | 36% |
| 2011 | 38 | 14% |
| 2004 | 1 | 2% |
| 2003 | 5 | 5% |
| 2002 | 6 | 5% |
| 2001 | 6 | 3% |
| 2000 | 7 | 4% |
| 1999 | 7 | 3% |
| 1998 | 22 | 7% |
| 1997 | 8 | 6% |
| 1996 | 4 | 2% |
| 1995 | 3 | 2% |
| 1994 | 9 | 8% |
| 1993 | 3 | 4% |
| 1992 | 5 | 3% |
| 1991 | 8 | 4% |
| 1990 | 2 | 3% |
| 1989 | 4 | 4% |
| 1988 | 4 | 3% |
Other parts of the 2003 Buick Regal
35 complaintsEngine
26 complaintsBrakes
10 complaintsEngine cooling
10 complaintsSteering
10 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
7 complaintsWheels
6 complaintsOther or unknown
5 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
4 complaintsAir bags
3 complaintsFuel system
3 complaintsLatches, locks and linkages
2 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2003 Buick Regal
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 30, 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