Buick

Regal (2001)

2001 · Midsize Sedan ยท 2 engines
Best Engine โŒ Avoid (1.6)
193 NHTSA Complaints
8 Recalls
48 Fire Reports
5 Crash Reports
View all 7 generations of the Buick Regal → ๐Ÿ“‹ Inspection checklist

Engine Reliability Ratings

Buick Regal Unidentified Engine

โŒ Avoid (1.6)
41 complaints 41.0 per year
6 fire reports
View details

Complaint Breakdown

engine
14
other
8
cooling
8
electrical
7
brakes
4

Known Issues

Engine Issues (14 complaints)
Cooling System Issues (8 complaints)
Electrical System Issues (7 complaints)

L36

3.8L 6-cyl
โŒ Avoid (1.1)
152 complaints 126.0 per year
42 fire reports
View details

Complaint Breakdown

engine
73
cooling
27
electrical
26
other
17
steering
10

Known Issues

Engine Issues (73 complaints)
Cooling System Issues (27 complaints)
Electrical System Issues (26 complaints)

Vehicle-Level Issues

These issues affect the Buick Regal regardless of engine variant.

Engine Issues (87 complaints)
engine critical
Cooling System Issues (35 complaints)
cooling critical
Electrical System Issues (33 complaints)
electrical critical
Steering Issues (10 complaints)
steering critical

Recalls (8)

15V701000Oct 25, 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.

09E005000Feb 16, 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.

09V116000Aug 3, 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.

08E063000Oct 16, 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.

08V118000Dec 2, 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.

01V109000Jun 3, 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 12, 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.

00V228003Jul 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."

Alternatives in Midsize Sedan

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the most common 2001-2001 Buick Regal problems?

The 2001-2001 Buick Regal has accumulated 193 NHTSA complaints. The most frequently reported problem areas are Engine, Cooling System, Electrical System. As with any used vehicle, an inspection before buying and a vehicle history report are recommended.

Which Buick Regal engine is most reliable?

The 2001-2001 Buick Regal was offered with 2 engine options. Based on NHTSA complaint data, the 3.8L 6-cyl has the lowest complaint density and is considered the most reliable choice for buyers.

Is the 2001-2001 Buick Regal a good used car?

The 2001-2001 Buick Regal can be a sound used car depending on trim, mileage, and maintenance history. With 193 total NHTSA complaints on record, prospective buyers should review the known problem areas and check for open recalls before buying.

How many NHTSA complaints does the 2001-2001 Buick Regal have?

The 2001-2001 Buick Regal has 193 complaints filed with NHTSA as of our latest data pull. Complaint counts reflect owner-reported issues and do not necessarily indicate defects or safety risks on their own.

What recalls affect the 2001-2001 Buick Regal?

There are 8 NHTSA recalls affecting some 2001-2001 Buick Regal vehicles. Recall status varies by VIN โ€” check the NHTSA recall database at recalls.nhtsa.dot.gov with your specific VIN to confirm which campaigns apply.

What should I check before buying a used Buick Regal?

Before buying a used Buick Regal, verify all open recalls are completed via the NHTSA VIN lookup tool. Pay particular attention to Engine, Cooling System, Electrical System, which are the most commonly reported problem areas. Request maintenance records, have an independent mechanic inspect the vehicle, and run a vehicle history report to check for prior accidents or title issues.

Does the Regal have NHTSA crash test ratings?

NHTSA has not published crash test ratings for the 2001 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. 193 complaints analyzed. Data confidence: high. Last updated: 2026-05-23.

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