Known Recalls

Model year record

2002 Buick Regal

3 recall campaigns on file for this model year. 150 owner complaints on file.

Recalls

Recall campaignNHTSA 15V701000

Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: manifold/header/muffler/tail pipe

Component
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: manifold/header/muffler/tail pipe
Manufacturer
General Motors LLC
Vehicles affected
1,003,556
Reported to NHTSA
2015-10-26
Owners notified
2016-02-19

Defect description

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.

Safety risk

Engine oil that drips onto the hot surface of the exhaust manifold may result in a fire.

Manufacturer 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. Vehicles that are covered by recalls 08V-118, 09V-116, or 15V-201 that have not yet received the original remedy will instead receive the improved remedy under the original recall number. The recall began on February 19, 2016. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300, Oldsmobile customer service at 1-800-442-6537 and Pontiac customer service at 1-800-458-8006. GM's number for this recall is 15757. Note: Until the improved remedy has been applied, owners are advised to park their vehicle outside since the fire risk exists even when the vehicle is unattended.

Recall campaignNHTSA 09V116000

Engine and engine cooling

Component
Engine and engine cooling
Manufacturer
GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
Vehicles affected
1,497,516
Reported to NHTSA
2009-04-08
Owners notified
2009-04-09

Defect description

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.

Safety risk

IF THE MANIFOLD IS HOT ENOUGH AND THE OIL RUNS BELOW THE HEAT SHIELD, IT MAY IGNITE INTO A SMALL FLAME AND MAY SPREAD TO THE PLASTIC SPARK PLUG WIRE CHANNEL AND BEYOND INCREASING THE RISK OF AN ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE.

Manufacturer 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. THE RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING MAY 2016. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438, OLDSMOBILE AT 1-800-630-6537, AND PONTIAC AT 1-800-620-7668 OR HTTP://WWW.PONTIAC.COM OR HTTP:WWW.GMOWNERCENTER.COM.

Recall campaignNHTSA 08V118000

Engine and engine cooling

Component
Engine and engine cooling
Manufacturer
GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
Vehicles affected
207,542
Reported to NHTSA
2008-03-12
Owners notified
2008-04-28

Defect description

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.

Safety risk

CERTAIN UNDERHOOD FIRES MAY BE CAUSED BY DROPS OF ENGINE OIL, FROM SEEPAGE OR SPILLAGE, BEING DEPOSITED ON THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD THROUGH HARD BRAKING. IF THE MANIFOLD IS HOT ENOUGH AND THE OIL RUNS BELOW THE HEAT SHIELD, IT MAY IGNITE INTO A SMALL FLAME AND, IN SOME INSTANCES, THE FIRE MAY SPREAD TO THE PLASTIC SPARK PLUG WIRE CHANNEL AND BEYOND.

Manufacturer 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 PLUG WIRE RETAINERS, FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING MAY 2016. , FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING MAY 2016. UNTIL THE REMEDY IS COMPLETED, GM STRONGLY RECOMMENDS THAT OWNERS OBSERVE THE FOLLOWING IMPORTANT PRECAUTIONS (1) THAT OWNERS DO NOT PARK THEIR VEHICLE IN A GARAGE, CAR PORT, OR OTHER STRUCTURE; (2) IF OWNERS NOTICE A BURNING ODOR, THEY SHOULD HAVE THEIR DEALER INSPECT THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER WILL INSPECT THE VEHICLE WITHOUT CHARGE; (3) USE PREMIUM FUEL (91 OCTANE OR HIGHER) IN THE VEHICLE AS RECOMMENDED IN THE VEHICLE'S OWNER MANUAL. OWNERS MAY CONTACT BUICK AT 1-866-608-8080 OR PONTIAC AT 1-800-620-7668, OR THROUGH THEIR WEBSITE AT <A HREF=HTTP://WWW.GMOWNERCENTER.COM>HTTP://WWW.GMOWNERCENTER.COM</A> .

Owner complaints

A complaint is one person's report to a federal agency. It is not a finding.

ComponentComplaintsMedian mileage
Engine33135,000 mi
Electrical system2487,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling1084,000 mi
Electrical system: ignition577,500 mi
Electrical system: ignition: switch592,847 mi
Seats: front assembly: seat heater/cooler483,700 mi
Unknown or other489 mi
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: emission control: catalytic convertor386,971 mi
Exterior lighting3109,000 mi
Fuel system, gasoline344,333 mi
Vehicle speed control3107,000 mi
Wheels: rim332,100 mi
Electrical system: instrument cluster/panel286,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: engine290,000 mi
Power train2—
Service brakes2—
Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip210,550 mi
Structure: body2135,000 mi
Suspension: front: wheel bearing256,000 mi
Air bags1135,000 mi
Electrical system: 12V/24V/48V battery136,477 mi
Electrical system: ignition: module1142,000 mi
Electrical system: wiring: fuses and circuit breakers1154,360 mi
Electrical system: wiring: interior/under dash1—
Electronic stability control (ESC)1148,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: engine: gasoline1—
Engine and engine cooling: engine: gasoline: belts and associated pulleys136,477 mi
Equipment: appliance: air conditioner156,000 mi
Exterior lighting: headlights177,500 mi
Exterior lighting: tail lights1154,360 mi
Exterior lighting: turn signal145 mi
Fuel system, gasoline: fuel injection system: injectors165,500 mi
Fuel system, other129,489 mi
Power train: automatic transmission165,500 mi
Seat belts: front144,000 mi
Seat belts: front: buckle assembly1—
Seats: front assembly: head restraint1—
Service brakes, air: drum: shoes/linings129,489 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic16,696 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: rotor130,800 mi
Steering: gear box: shaft sector129,489 mi
Steering: hydraulic power assist system158,892 mi
Steering: linkages: tie rod assembly195,359 mi
Steering: rack and pinion157,000 mi
Structure: body: door156,000 mi
Suspension1130,646 mi
Tires132,100 mi
Visibility185,000 mi
Visibility: defroster/defogger/hvac system156,000 mi
Visibility: glass, side/rear139,500 mi
Visibility: rearview mirrors/devices1—
Visibility: rearview mirrors/devices: exterior176,000 mi
Visibility: windshield1—
Visibility: windshield wiper/washer1605 mi
Wheels1138,000 mi

The 2001 model has about half as many complaints as this one. The 2003 model has roughly the same number of complaints as this one. These figures reflect raw complaint counts, not failure rates. Higher-selling model years naturally receive more complaints.

Safety recall repairs are provided free of charge by franchised dealers, regardless of vehicle age or mileage. This page displays aggregated data for the model year. To check recall status for a specific vehicle, search its VIN at nhtsa.gov.