Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (power steering, steering column, rack and pinion).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2000 Buick Regal owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
While driving 20 MPH the steering failed. As a result, the vehicle crashed into a snow bank. The consumer experienced two crashes due to the brakes and the steering locking. The consumer had taken the vehicle to the dealer on three occasions for the steering problem but the locking continued. The dash lights would come on (gas gauge and oil light), the vehicle pulled to the right and the trunk would fly open while the vehicle was in motion.
I was driving my 2000 Buick Regal coming back from work, as I was driving and about ready to go into a steep turn, my stereo system first completely shut off, then everything else in my car failed as well, engine, power steering, etc. I was barely able to get it to the side of the road and when I tried to restart it, it barely turned over. Clearly there is an electrical problem in these vehicles and my car hasn't even reached 100,000 miles even.
Vehicle interior lighting does not work in park, drive or when lights turned on, cluster, gear indicator, climate display, radio lighting does not work at all, when driving at night & windows fog up I have a hard time finding the temp. Buttons while seeing safely out windshield. My son pulled out cluster, noticed missing resistors are the cause. Driver side leather heated seat gets too hot when switched on, fear it could lead to fire. Rear strut snapped from rust/age. Son replaced both rear struts, noticed the strut to frame was rusting out where the welds have been made & was not supporting the vehicles weight properly. If these give out, the rear of the car will drop & loose control of vehicle, possibly puncturing the fuel tank causing leak/fire while steering while is parked or in motion, moving steering wheel 9 to 3 o'clock position is a very loud thud. …
Purchased this car spring 2017 paid in full to prior owner. Asked prior owner when test drove car how come all the service lights up and including air bag warning light on dash collum are lit up? Owners response "not sure but has been like that for as long as can remember we don't think you should worry?" a week later notice the car wants to accelerate on its own? Just bolts on my mom and I ? Within that month both passenger right side doors front & back power windows will no longer work at all? Steering wheel starts making a horrible sound and smell check steering fluid empty replaced fluid only to find out it just poor's out steering will lock up and can't drive most days? Notice same issue with radiator? My far worse experience with this car was not knowing how heavy the trunk was as well as not knowing it will fall back shut on own? …
On or around October 2013, I started experiencing difficulty in turn ignition switch off and removing key. Now its worsen where I spend anywhere 5 mins. To 15 min trying to remove the key. Only way I can do that is by turning the steering wheel or moving the gear selector back an forth till it decides it release the key.I thought it might have been the anti-theft in column that was locking up. I'm scheduled to have a new ignition installed after replacing the old key with a new key. I like to make sure this is covered before I sink anymore money into it. I depend on the car to make to doctor appointments and suck I often am late for because I"m in the parking lot playing spin the wheel. The other factor is steering wheel get extremely hot when driving at times. Where I have to put on gloves to drive. …
Tl contact owns a 2000 Buick Regal. While driving 35 MPH, the contact had difficulty turning the steering wheel to the left. The failure occurred intermittently. The mechanic stated that the cause of failure was the cold weather. The failure became progressively worse in the winter. The mechanic stated that the rack and pinion failed on the driver side. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who stated that there was a lean with the power steering short rack. As of July 6, 2007, the vehicle has not been repaired. The current mileage is 65,000 and failure mileage was 50,000. The consumer stated dealer refused to admit there was a defect but the vehicle was never inspected by the dealer. The consumer stated took the vehicle to another dealer to be repaired and the consumer has the original part. Updated 09/05/07
*** this is a copy of what I submitted to Buick. They have yet to respond. ***I have a 2000 Buick Regal. The car has been trouble-free since I have owned it (since July 2001). I was a mechanic for 10 years prior to getting out of the business. In all my years of fixing cars, I never had to replace steel lines on the rack and pinion unit. On my Regal, I had to replace the longer of the two (not the power steering hoses, but the steel lines on the rack itself). Even the folks at the dealer couldn't believe that I had to replace this particular line. Since my car is out of warranty, has their been any recall on this line? Can I get re-imbursed for my troubles? Sincerely, richard zielenski [email] [email] [phone]
Went to back out of parking spot at doctor's office car made a "banging" noise. The power steering would not work when turning to the left. It does work when turning to the right. I went to a transmission shop because I thought something.happened in the transmission, causing the steering to bind when making a left turn. They told me that the rack was bad an not the transmission. I got on the web to find pricing for a new rack and found a web site that listed over 50 issues. With the rack for GM cars. I called GM and they are not willing to help. After reading the complaints from the web site I feel that someone needs to look at safety issues reguarding such an important part (steering) of the car.
Tl contact owns a 2000 Buick Regal. The contact was unable to steer the vehicle and it was towed to the garage. The belt and pump were replaced. The failure recurred and the dealer replaced the steering rack assembly at the cost of $475.57. The third time, the contact noticed smoke coming from the engine compartment. The dealer diagnosed the cause of the failure as an oil leak. They replaced the seal pump and hoses at the cost of $588.98. The current mileage was 41,286 and failure mileage was 26,729. Updated 12/12/2007 the dealer stated air bag light on. Updated 12/12/07
While backing out of parking space, turned wheel to the left. Heard and felt "clunking" sound from engine compartment. Vehicle would no longer turn to the left, however turned ot the right without problem. Vehicle diagnosis was that rack & pinion steering gear failed. Repair cost of $750.00. Consist of replace steering box, flush power steering system to remove debris, and re-align vehicle. Fortunately failure occured during low speed operation. If failure occured at normal highway speed, it May have resulted in severe injury. Safety dependant on the physical strength of the operator.
Steering complaints in other Regal years
Frequently asked questions
How common are steering problems on the 2000 Buick Regal?
NHTSA has 30 complaints about the steering of the 2000 Buick Regal, 16% of the model year's 184 complaints. The component named most often is rack and pinion (8 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2000 Buick Regal steering problems?
No. NHTSA lists no steering recall for the 2000 Buick Regal, though it has 8 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2000 Buick Regal steering problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 53,000 miles, and 11% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 1 crash, 0 fires and 3 injuries to steering problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.