Reliability
Buick

Regal (2000)

2000 · Midsize Sedan · 3 engines
186 NHTSA Complaints
10 Recalls
30 Fire Reports
12 Crash Reports
View all 7 generations of the Buick Regal → Inspection checklist

Reliability Score

6.9 / 10

Reliability score

About as many owner complaints as similar midsize sedans

The class average is 7.0. Based on complaints owners filed with NHTSA about the engine, transmission or drivetrain.

Owners filed 69 powertrain complaints. A typical midsize sedan fleet of this size and age would have drawn about 64.

Scores this low have often eased: the three years after looked about 0.8 points better in the typical case.

Breakdown
Complaints overall69 complaints against about 64 for similar vehicles
6.9
Last three years
n/aNot enough data
Engine, transmission or drive unit failed or replaced
n/aNot enough data
Oil consumption, fuel in the oil or overheating
n/aNot enough data

Each line scores one view of the same complaints the same way, so the lines overlap. The mark on each bar is the class average. A line needs 20 expected complaints to show a number.

Similar vehicles are others in the same class, compared at the same age and in the same years. The score counts complaints owners filed with NHTSA, per vehicle built, which is different from the share of vehicles that fail. How the score is worked out

On the record · from NHTSA's files, not reviewed by hand

Engineering analysisEA07008
Engine compartment fire · opened 2007, closed 2008, led to recall 09V116
Engineering analysisEA02030
Engine compartment fires · opened 2002, closed 2004, led to recall 04V090

Complaints by Engine Code

L36

3.8L 6-cyl
98 complaints 98.0 per year
15 fire reports
View details

L67

3.8L 6-cyl
46 complaints 46.0 per year
10 fire reports
View details

Buick Regal Unidentified Engine

41 complaints 41.0 per year
5 fire reports
View details

Complaint Breakdown

engine
13
electrical
11
cooling
8
steering
6
other
5
Show 1 additional engine variant with limited data
These engines appear in fewer than 10 owner complaints. A low count can mean a clean record, and it can also be a VIN-decode anomaly in NHTSA's data.

LD8

4.6L 8-cyl
1 complaint 1.0 per year Gasoline
View details

Owner Complaints by System

Complaints owners filed with NHTSA about the Buick Regal, counted across every engine. A complaint can name more than one system.

Engine: 61 owner complaints
Electrical System: 42 owner complaints
Cooling System: 35 owner complaints
Steering: 29 owner complaints
Safety Systems: 20 owner complaints

What to check on a used 2000 Buick Regal

On a used 2000 Buick Regal, the systems with the most NHTSA owner complaints are the engine (61), the electrical system (42) and the cooling system (35). Each one has an inspection step below, with counts as of 2026-10-12. A complaint is an owner report, not a confirmed defect, and counts rise with sales.

  1. Start the engine cold and listen for the first 30 seconds, then again at idle once it is warm.Costly repair. NHTSA has 61 owner complaints on the 2000 Buick Regal about the engine, all engines combined.
  2. Switch on every electrical item in turn: lights, windows, locks, wipers, climate fan, screen and power outlets.Costly repair. NHTSA has 42 owner complaints on the 2000 Buick Regal about the electrical system.
  3. With the engine cold, check the coolant level and color, then watch the temperature gauge on the drive.Costly repair. NHTSA has 35 owner complaints on the 2000 Buick Regal about the cooling system, all engines combined.
  4. Turn the wheel from lock to lock while parked, then drive straight on a level road with a light grip.Safety. NHTSA has 29 owner complaints on the 2000 Buick Regal about the steering.
  5. Switch the ignition on and watch the airbag light. On the drive, check the backup camera and any collision or lane warning.Safety. NHTSA has 20 owner complaints on the 2000 Buick Regal about the airbags and driver-assist systems.
Open the full inspection checklist for the 2000 Buick Regal

Recalls (10)

15V701000Oct 26, 2015serious
Engine & Cooling

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. The affected vehicles were previously repaired under recalls 08V-118, 09V-116, and 15V-201 to address the possibility that engine oil may drip onto the hot exhaust manifold.

09V116000Apr 8, 2009serious
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. SOME OF THESE VEHICLES HAVE A CONDITION IN WHICH DROPS OF ENGINE OIL MAY BE DEPOSITED ON THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD THROUGH HARD BRAKING.

09E005000Feb 17, 2009serious
Steering

DORMAN IS RECALLING 979 STEERING KNUCKLES, DORMAN P/NOS. 697-902 AND 697-903, SOLD UNDER DORMAN'S "OE SOLUTIONS<SUP>TM</SUP>" BRAND NAME, AND NAPA P/NOS. 7-8502 AND 7-8503 WHICH WERE SOLD FOR REPLACEMENT USE ON THE VARIOUS VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. A POTENTIAL MATERIAL OR DESIGN DEFECT COULD RESULT IN THE STEERING KNUCKLE BREAKING IN THE HUB AREA.

08E063000Oct 17, 2008serious
Steering

DORMAN PRODUCTS IS RECALLING 3,900 INTERMEDIATE STEERING SHAFTS DORMAN PART NOS. 425-151, 425-152, AND 425-153, (SOLD UNDER DORMAN'S "OE SOLUTIONS" BRAND NAME), BALKAMP #'S 7-3057, 7-3058, 7-3059 (SOLD UNDER THE "NAPA" BRAND NAME), AND PLATINUM PARTS #'S 2425151, 2425152, AND 2425153 MANUFACTURED DURING THE MONTH OF SEPTEMBER 2007. THESE REPLACEMENT STEERING SHAFTS CAN BE USED ON THE VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. THE WELD CONNECTING THE INNER TUBE TO THE OUTER TUBE MAY BE DEFECTIVE.

08V118000Mar 12, 2008serious
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.

Show 5 older recalls
01V109000Apr 6, 2001cosmetic
Seat Belts

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, EQUIPPED WITH SUNVISOR LOCATED AIR BAG LABELS, FAIL TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLES SAFETY STANDARD NO. 208, "OCCUPANT CRASH PROTECTION." THESE VEHICLES HAVE A MESSAGE AREA LESS THAN 30 CM WHICH DOES NOT MEET THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE STANDARD.

00V371000Nov 13, 2000serious
Air Bags

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. SOME OF THESE VEHICLES EXHIBIT A CONDITION IN WHICH THE DRIVER SIDE IMPACT AIR BAG INFLATOR SEPARATES FROM THE AIR BAG MODULE DURING DEPLOYMENT.

00V228003Aug 7, 2000serious
Seat Belts

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES, LIGHT DUTY TRUCKS, SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, AND MINI VANS EQUIPPED WITH TRW SEAT BELT BUCKLE ASSEMBLIES. THE BUCKLE BASE OF THESE SEAT BELT ASSEMBLIES WERE NOT PROPERLY HEAT TREATED AND THEREFORE DO NOT PASS THE LOAD BEARING REQUIREMENT OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 209, "SEAT BELT ASSEMBLIES."

00V160000Jun 16, 2000cosmetic
Fuel System

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE CLAMP THAT SECURES THE FLEXIBLE FUEL FILL HOSE TO THE METAL FILL TUBE MAY BE LOOSE AND COULD SEPARATE.

00V143000May 17, 2000serious
Service Brakes

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH REAR DRUM BRAKES. THE BOLT HEAD(S) ON THE REAR SPINDLE ROD CAN SEPARATE.

Alternatives in Midsize Sedan

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the most common 2000-2000 Buick Regal complaints?

Owners have filed 186 complaints with NHTSA about the 2000-2000 Buick Regal. The systems they name most often are the engine, the electrical system and the cooling system.

Is the 2000-2000 Buick Regal a good used car?

That depends on the model year, the mileage and the maintenance history of the car in front of you. Owners have filed 186 complaints with NHTSA about the 2000-2000 Buick Regal. Check which systems they name most often and whether a recall is still open on that car.

How many NHTSA complaints does the 2000-2000 Buick Regal have?

NHTSA has 186 owner complaints on file for the 2000-2000 Buick Regal as of the latest data pull. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect, and counts rise with sales.

What recalls affect the 2000-2000 Buick Regal?

NHTSA lists 10 recalls covering some 2000-2000 Buick Regal vehicles. Which ones apply depends on the VIN: enter it at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see the open campaigns on a specific car.

What should I check before buying a used Buick Regal?

Run the VIN through NHTSA's recall lookup and confirm every open recall has been done. Look hardest at the engine, the electrical system and the cooling system, the systems owners complain about most. Ask for maintenance records, have an independent mechanic inspect the car and run a vehicle history report for prior accidents and title issues.

Does the Regal have NHTSA crash test ratings?

NHTSA has not published crash test ratings for the 2000 Buick Regal. Not all vehicles are tested each year. For the latest NHTSA safety information, visit nhtsa.gov/ratings.

Data from NHTSA federal complaints database. 186 complaints analyzed. Data confidence: high. Last updated: 2026-10-12.

© 2026 The Weekly Driver