Most common 2003 Buick Regal problems
Share of the 101 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 →
2003 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…
What 2003 Buick Regal owners say
Engine & cooling all 35 →
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 Buick Regal. While driving at an unknown speed, the contact noticed smoke coming from the hood of the vehicle. The contact lifted the hood and noticed the engine had caught fire, which destroyed the engine and caused a failure with the cooling fans. The fire department extinguished the fire. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to the contact's residence. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer. The contact was a certified mechanic and stated that the pressure return regulator, spark plug walls, and air conditioning unit were replaced. The vehicle was included in NHTSA campaign number: 15V507000 (engine and engine cooling), which stated that in the case of oil dripping into the hot surface of the exhaust, the vehicle May catch fire. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 175,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 Buick Regal. After driving approximately 5 MPH and parking the vehicle, there was smoke coming from underneath the hood of the vehicle. The hood was opened and there was smoke. Approximately two weeks later while driving at approximately 5 MPH and then parking the vehicle, the contact was alerted that the vehicle was on fire. The fire department extinguished the fire. The vehicle was destroyed. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The contact discovered that the vehicle was included in NHTSA campaign number: 15V701000 (engine and engine cooling). The approximate failure mileage was 200,000. Updated 02/05/16
Electrical system all 35 →
My 03 Buick Regal ls will shutoff sometimes when turning left, or when using the turn signal. I can not find the paperwork, but I remember a recall for this about 5 to 8 years ago. We did have it addressed, but the problem has come back. Today's date is 1/9/17 and my wife had this happen again to her on 1/4/17 while making a left hand curve. She was not turning or using her turn signal. I only had it happen to me once while making a left turn using my turn signal. My mother also has an 03 Regal gs and also experienced this same problem. I contacted the dealer where I purchased the car and they told me there is no current recall nor was there ever one for this problem, but I know we had it addressed about 5 to 8 years ago.
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 Buick Regal. The contact stated that the vehicle was able to be started without the key in the ignition. The failure recurred on several occasions. The contact also stated that it was difficult to unlock the steering wheel on several occasions. 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 made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 72,000.
Brakes
Tl* the contact owned a 2003 Buick Regal. While driving 5 MPH, the brakes malfunctioned and another vehicle struck the passenger side of the contact's vehicle. The air bags did not deploy. A police report was filed. The contact sustained injuries to the back, the entire right side of the body, the foot, and the neck. Medical attention was required. The vehicle was towed to a dealer. The vehicle was destroyed. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The failure mileage and VIN were unknown. Updated 11/29/16 updated 12/13/16.
While traveling at 25 MPH in traffic driver applied the brakes and the brake pedal was very hard. As a result, the driver hit another vehicle. The air bag failed to deploy during the accident. The vehicle sustained $9700 damage but the other vehicle sustained no damage.
2003 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 2003 Buick Regal a good car?
Based on 101 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2003 Regal rates better than average: 56% 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 2003 Buick Regal?
The engine & cooling — 35 complaints, 35% of all complaints for this model year, most often about engine. Next are the electrical system (35) and brakes (10).
How many recalls does the 2003 Buick Regal have?
There are 3 recalls for the 2003 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 2003 Buick Regal problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 98,000 miles; 25% 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.