Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (engine, cooling system, oil leaks, timing chain, exhaust).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2004 Buick Regal owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
Tl* the contact owns a 2004 Buick Regal. The contact stated that the vehicle caught fire while parked. The contact saw smoke escape from underneath the hood of the vehicle as it entered into the cabin of the vehicle. The contact's friends attempted to extinguish the fire, but were unsuccessful. There were no injuries. The fire department extinguished the fire. A police report and a fire report were not filed. The dealer and manufacturer were not made aware of the fire. The contact referenced NHTSA campaign number: 15V701000 (engine and engine cooling) as a potential cause of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 115,000.
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. Months later I noticed the car running and idling rough while parked and accelerating. After inspection I noticed oil again from oil sending unit leaking and antifreeze leaking from the radiator. When I went to drive off the temp gauge was at hot after maybe 5 miles most. I called a tow truck and brought it for repairs. At this time I was informed I had serious problems. …
Tl* the contact owns a 2004 Buick Regal. The contact took the vehicle the dealer (integrity Dodge located on 6025 international dr, chattanooga, tn) for a recall repair. The technician removed the gray cover gasket from the engine and informed the contact that everything was OK with the engine. The vehicle was repaired. In addition, when the vehicle was taken to walmart for service, the technician found a leak coming from the tap of the engine cover and stated that the gasket needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The VIN was included in a recall for the engine and engine cooling. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to NHTSA. The NHTSA campaign number was unknown. The approximate failure mileage was 9,284.
Tl* the contact owns a 2004 Buick Regal. The contact stated that when the vehicle was at a stop, it overheated and the manifold needle fluctuated. When parked, the manifold needle seized at the "f" position. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who diagnosed that a thermostat and manifold needle needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. In addition, the check engine warning light and the thermostat warning lights illuminated. The contact stated that the vehicle was included in NHTSA campaign number: 15V201000 (engine and engine cooling). The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 75,450. .....updated 02/10/16
Tl* the contact owns a 2004 Buick Regal. The contact stated that while in park, the contact noticed engine oil leaking from underneath the vehicle. The failure recurred on numerous occasions. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The VIN was included in NHTSA campaign number: 15V201000 (engine and engine cooling) however, the part needed to repair the vehicle was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 98,000. VIN tool confirms parts not available. Updated 03/28/16.
Tl* 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. Updated 05/03/16 updated 11/30/2017
Tl* the contact owns a 2004 Buick Regal. The contact stated that while driving at 65 MPH, there was a white smoke coming from the engine and the vehicle started to overheat. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed but the details were not available. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer had not been notified of the failure. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 15V201000 (engine) however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The failure mileage was 70,300. ...updated 02/04/16
Tl* the contact owned a 2004 Buick Regal. The contact stated that while driving at 55 MPH, the vehicle caught on fire. The contact stated that prior to the fire, the temperature gauge showed that the engine was overheated. The fire department was able to extinguish the fire. It was unknown if a police report was filed or if any injuries were reported. The vehicle was destroyed. The vehicle was included in NHTSA campaign number: 15V201000 (engine and engine cooling). The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was unavailable.
Tl* the contact owns a 2004 Buick Regal. The contact stated that the engine would shut off while the vehicle was in operation. The vehicle was able to restart by using the key fob, but would shut back off when the key was inserted in the ignition. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic to be diagnosed, but a failure was not found. The dealer and manufacturer were not contacted. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 97,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2004 Buick Regal. The contact stated that while driving 68 MPH, the vehicle stalled without warning due to a short in the ignition. In addition, the contact mentioned that after the failure occurred, the vehicle failed to switch gears. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 73,000. Updated 03/09/16
Related recalls
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 › Engine
General Motors LLC (GM) notified the agency on April 2, 2015, that they are is recalling certain model year 2004 Buick Regal vehicles manufactured April 9, 2003, to June 1, 2003, 2004 Chevrolet Impala vehicles manufactured April 8, 2003, to June 23, 2003, and 2004 Chevrolet Monte Carlo vehicles manufactured April 7, 2003, to…
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will remove the plastic cover and plastic oil fill tube extension and replace the front valve cover and gasket. These repairs will be done free of charge.
Engine complaints in other Regal years
Frequently asked questions
How common are engine problems on the 2004 Buick Regal?
NHTSA has 25 complaints about the engine & cooling of the 2004 Buick Regal, 38% of the model year's 66 complaints. The component named most often is engine (1 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2004 Buick Regal engine problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 15V-701 (manifold/header/muffler/tail pipe, Oct 26, 2015); NHTSA recall 15V-201 (engine, Apr 6, 2015). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2004 Buick Regal engine problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 98,000 miles, and 7% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 0 crashes, 2 fires and 0 injuries to engine & cooling 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.