Most common 2002 Buick Regal problems
Share of the 117 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.
Buick Regal complaints by model year
Best Regal years: 2020, 2017, 2018. Years to avoid: 2011, 1998, 1996, 1995, 1999. Compare all years →
2002 Buick Regal recalls (3)
Engine and engine cooling › Exhaust system › Manifold/header/muffler/tail pipe
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 1998-1999 Chevrolet Lumina and Oldsmobile Intrigue, 1997-2004 Buick Regal and Pontiac Grand Prix, 2000-2004 Chevrolet Impala, and 1998-2004 Chevrolet Monte Carlo vehicles.
Remedy: The remedy applied under recalls 08V-118, 09V-116, and 15V-201 did not adequately remove the safety risk. Under the improved remedy, dealers will replace the engine's front valve cover and gasket.
Engine and engine cooling
General 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 1997-2003 Pontiac grand prix vehicles equipped with a 3.8l v6 naturally aspirated engine.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the engine's front valve cover and front-valve-cover gasket with new parts of an improved design and remove the engine's plastic cover and plastic oil-fill-tube extension, free of charge.
Engine and engine cooling
GM 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 front rocker cover gasket temperatures, creating the potential for earlier degradation of the front rocker cover gasket and eventual oil seepage.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the engine's front valve cover and front-valve-cover gasket with new parts of an improved design and remove the engine's plastic cover and plastic oil-fill-tube extension, along with the 1-3-5 spark…
NHTSA defect investigations
Federal safety investigators have looked into 2 possible defects involving the 2002 Buick Regal:
Engine compartment fire
By letter dated March 12, 2008, general motors corp. (GM) has notified the agency that it will conduct a safety recall (identified by NHTSA recall number 08v-118) to address a defect in approximately 207,542 model year (my) 1997-2003 Buick regal gs and Pontiac grand prix gtp vehicles equipped with the l67 supercharged version of GM's 3800 series ii v6 engine.the recalled regal gs vehicles were built from August 1996…
Engine compartment fires
Ea02-030 is closed with gmea02-030 is closed with GM?s actions in 03v-473 and 04v-090 recalling approximately 529,000 my 1998-99 c- and h-body vehicles equipped with defective fuel pressure regulators.these vehicles were equipped with plastic intake manifolds that are unable to contain pressures that occur in some backfire events and defective fuel pressure regulators with leaking diaphragms that can provide a…
What 2002 Buick Regal owners say
Engine & cooling all 49 →
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 recall for several years they fixed with better parts but still have a fire dealership said no get my car out there shop and agm tells me sorry can't do anything for u because my car 2002 old no warranties but it's a saftey recall almost every year since my car was bought no parts available not sure …
Tl* the contact owns a 2002 Buick Regal. While stationary, the vehicle caught fire under the beauty cover where oil had leaked onto the intake manifold. A police report was not filed. The contact extinguished the fire the first time. The fire occurred a second time within the same day and the fire department extinguished the fire. There were no injuries. Fremont Buick GMC in fremont, california was made aware of the fires and requested that the contact pay for a vehicle inspection. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue and stated that the vehicle would be fully inspected. Upon inspection, it was determined that the retainers on the vehicle were installed improperly. The failure mileage was 83,100. Updated 7/26/18
Electrical system all 36 →
Tl* the contact owns a 2002 Buick Regal. While driving approximately 55 MPH, the vehicle suddenly shut off. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the ignition switch was faulty and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 166,000. Updated 09/08/15 updated 10/25/2017
On oct 15, 2006 our Buick Regal with 39,000 miles on it was driven that day approximately 25 miles on flat terrain in a temperature of 75 degrees. Car returned to home and was parked in the driveway and approximately 20-30 minutes later the car spontaneously erupted in fire from under the hood. Fortunately the car was not parked inside the garage..
Brakes
Dt: started having problems with ABS brakes on August 1, 2004. The ABS light/traction control light stayed on. Contacted the dealer, and took vehicle to them about once or twice a month. They have replaced several vbpmv module, bctmb module, and wiring on the wheel sensors, also, they have cleaned wheels speed control. When the ABS light comes on there is extended stopping distance. The consumer has another appointment to take vehicle back to the dealer on September 26, 2005.
Dt: caller complained about rotor problem. The rotors began pitting and started to rust. Caller could feel the brakes not holding. The car would not stop. Caller said both rear rotors were rusted. Caller had rear rotors replaced a few weeks ago and now he needed to replace the front as well. Dealer said it was out of warranty and they could not help . Manufacturer offered no help. Caller took vehicle to another mechanic to have the work done.
2002 Buick Regal engines & fuel economy
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | MPG city / hwy / combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3.8L 6-cyl | 4-speed automatic | FWD | 17 / 27 / 20 |
| 3.8L 6-cyl supercharged | 4-speed automatic | FWD | 16 / 25 / 19 |
EPA ratings. Class: Midsize car.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 2002 Buick Regal a good car?
Based on 117 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2002 Regal rates average: 30% fewer complaints than a typical year of the Regal at the same age. Complaint counts don't account for sales volume or individual maintenance, so have any used car inspected before buying.
What is the most common problem with the 2002 Buick Regal?
The engine & cooling — 49 complaints, 42% of all complaints for this model year, most often about exhaust system › emission control › catalytic convertor. Next are the electrical system (36) and brakes (7).
How many recalls does the 2002 Buick Regal have?
There are 3 recalls for the 2002 Buick Regal, the most recent from October 26, 2015 (manifold/header/muffler/tail pipe). Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer — check whether yours has been done with the VIN recall check.
What are the best and worst years of the Buick Regal?
The best years by complaints, compared at the same age, are 2020, 2017 and 2018. Years to avoid or approach with caution: 2011, 1998, 1996, 1995 and 1999. See the full Buick Regal years comparison.
At what mileage do 2002 Buick Regal problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 85,000 miles; 26% of problems with a recorded mileage started before 50,000 miles.
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.