2004 Buick Regal Problems

What owners report

Complaints about this model year cluster around the ignition switch and its wiring: owners describe the engine quitting without warning while driving or at a stop, dash warning lights flashing, and the key sometimes sticking or failing to turn. Next most common are engine oil leaks near the exhaust manifold and cooling-system leaks involving the intake manifold gaskets. Most reports arrive between roughly 45,000 and 130,000 miles, and many are tied to the two exhaust/engine-oil recalls issued for this vehicle.

1. 1
   Electrical system

   Engine stalls and dash lights flash (ignition switch)

   • 28 complaints (42%)
   • median 95,000 mi at 10.9 yrs old (25 state mileage)
   • owner-quoted repair $387 (median of 5 quotes)
   • filed 2008–2020

   Owners describe the engine cutting out without warning at speeds from parking-lot pace to highway, sometimes on deceleration, at a stop light, or when a turn signal is used. Along with the stall they report flashing or fully lit instrument panel lights, loss of power steering and power brakes, and occasionally not being able to restart. Several say a mechanic or dealer diagnosed the ignition switch, ignition module, or engine wiring harness and replaced it; some report the symptom returned after the first repair. Reports span roughly 24,000 to 150,000 miles, with most between about 45,000 and 120,000 miles.

   What to check: Ask whether the ignition switch or ignition module has ever been replaced and whether the key can be removed smoothly. A test drive that includes stopping, turning signals and restarting helps show whether the stall returns.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “First time my car stalled and had the ignition switch replaced was 15 months after purchasing it from a Buick dealer. Beginning 9/2011 car began stalling at many and various times. I attempted to have this repaired - taking to my Buick dealer on many occasions and to my local auto mechanic making repairs as suggested and still my car continued to stall, most recent time of stalling - oct. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10578984, filed 2014-04, 24,524 miles

   “My 2004 Buick Regal ls, just recently started to shut off or won't turn on, but at the same time all the lights in the instrumental panel would be flashing on and off repeatedly nonstop. As I would turn on my Buick by turning the ignition switch, it wouldn't turn on but also all the lights would be flickering on and off rapidly. I would have to keep turning the ignition switch on and off for about 10-20 times until finally my Buick would turn on. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10629270, filed 2014-08, 118,324 miles
2. 2
   Engine

   Engine oil leaking onto exhaust (oil drip, burning smell)

   • 10 complaints (15%)
   • median 106,500 mi at 12.1 yrs old (6 state mileage, few)
   • 1 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2016–2018

   Complaints describe oil dripping from the engine, a burning smell, and sometimes smoke, often noticed while parked or after braking. Some owners link the leak to the exhaust manifold area and to the recalls covering oil dripping onto hot exhaust parts; several say they were told the correct parts were not yet available or made repeated trips for a repair. Others were told by a mechanic that the leak was from engine gaskets or the sending unit and was not urgent. Reported from roughly 9,000 up to 208,000 miles, with many reports in the 70,000 to 140,000 mile range.

   Recall 15V701000Recall 15V201000

   What to check: With the engine cold, check the oil level and look for drips or dark residue around the exhaust manifold, and ask whether recall 15V201000 or 15V701000 was completed on this vehicle.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “How long does the NHTSA allow GM to fix recall 15757? It appears that GM is just waiting consumers out because of the age of vehicles, I.e., affected units are probably being taken out of service and the longer GM waits, more of their responsibility naturally goes away. I called the Buick recall hotline and they stated that they had no idea when a fix would be issued.”

   NHTSA complaint #10836306, filed 2016-02, 140,000 miles

   “My 2004 Buick Regal always had oil dripping from the engine since I bought it. The car ran beautifully for the 1st year with regular maintence. During a snow storm I noticed oil was leaking worse and starting to smell and smoke. Immediately I took it to get repaired. At this service the oil sending unit was replaced along with someother maintence on the fuel injectors I was also informed that oil was dripping from my engine gaskets and causing the smell. He informed me that it wasnt a problem for now and ill be ok. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10817359, filed 2016-01, 208,000 miles
3. 3
   Engine

   Recall repair not completed / parts unavailable

   • 25 complaints (38%)
   • median 97,000 mi at 11.8 yrs old (14 state mileage)
   • 2 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • owner-quoted repair $387 (median of 5 quotes)
   • filed 2014–2018

   A number of complaints are about the recall process itself rather than a new failure: owners received notice of the engine and exhaust-manifold recalls but were told the parts were unavailable, that no repair date could be given, or that the dealer could not yet perform the work. Several state that they had not yet experienced a failure, while others report an existing oil leak worsening while they waited. Most of these reports were filed in late 2015 and 2016, usually without a stated mileage.

   Recall 15V201000Recall 15V701000

   What to check: Check the vehicle's recall status by VIN with a dealer and get written confirmation that any open engine recall has been completed before purchase.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “2004 Buick Regal. Consumer writes in regards to engine oil deposit leaking onto the exhaust manifold during hard braking and recall notice repairs. The consumer attached the recall notice.”

   NHTSA complaint #10838288, filed 2016-01

   “The contact owns a 2004 Buick Regal. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 15v701000 (engine and engine cooling). The contact stated that there was a progressive oil leak but the recall repair parts were not available in order to repair the vehicle. The contact was unable to determine when the parts would become available to receive the recall repair appointment. The manufacturer was unable to provide a specific time frame that the part would be supplied to the dealer. The approximate failure mileage was 98,000. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10850178, filed 2016-03, 98,000 miles

Buying note. A pre-purchase inspection that concentrates on the ignition switch and wiring, engine oil leaks near the exhaust, and coolant leaks around the intake manifold is worthwhile on this model year, and confirm by VIN that any open engine recall has actually been completed. Records showing the ignition switch and intake gaskets already replaced reduce the guesswork.

Summary written with AI from a sample of 60 NHTSA complaints for this model year (picked at random, with complaints that state a mileage and recent ones taken first), then checked automatically against the source records. Where a problem shows a complaint count, every complaint for this model year was matched with fixed keyword rules (written with AI and tested against the sample), and the mileage, age and repair figures are calculated from those complaints; owners' figures are as stated, not verified. Other counts refer to the sample. The excerpts come from NHTSA's public complaint records and are unverified; capitalisation is normalised, NHTSA staff notes are removed, and shortened text ends with “…”. Something wrong? Request a correction.