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#BS-2004-BUIREG-3BA12004 Buick Regal
Based on reports from 94 owners and 4 recalls for this exact model.
Preliminary Verdict
Proceed with Caution
Based on 94 complaints, 0 crashes, 2 fires, and 4 recalls.
Top reported problems
power window failure
4 complaints β’ Severity 8.5/10
overheating
1 complaints β’ Severity 6/10
intake manifold gasket failure
1 complaints β’ Severity 10/10
Preview: What's in your full report
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Mechanic Inspection Checklist
31 owners reported electrical issues β failures commonly reported around 95K miles.
Failure Timeline by Mileage
Peak failure range: 90β120K miles (20 reports) β’ Median: 95K miles
30,000-Mile Cost Projection
Best Case
Most Likely
Worst Case
Top cost driver: Electrical (31 reports).
Also in your report
Owner Intelligence
AI-synthesized themes from real complaints
Buyer Lot Checklist
Questions, test drive checks, walk-away triggers
Negotiation Talking Points
Data-backed dollar deductions
Buy / Skip Verdict
Final recommendation with conditions
Where the complaints fall
2004 Buick Regal: Known Issues & Problem Areas
Electrical Issues
Electrical complaints account for 33% of all reports filed for the 2004 Buick Regal, with 31 owners filing complaints with NHTSA. The median mileage at time of complaint is 95,000 miles, suggesting issues tend to surface around the 95K-mile mark.
Engine Issues
Engine complaints account for 26% of all reports filed for the 2004 Buick Regal, with 24 owners filing complaints with NHTSA. Owners should pay attention to engine-related symptoms during test drives and pre-purchase inspections.
Stability Control Issues
Stability Control complaints account for 5% of all reports filed for the 2004 Buick Regal, with 5 owners filing complaints with NHTSA. Owners should pay attention to stability control-related symptoms during test drives and pre-purchase inspections.
Steering Issues
Steering complaints account for 5% of all reports filed for the 2004 Buick Regal, with 5 owners filing complaints with NHTSA. Owners should pay attention to steering-related symptoms during test drives and pre-purchase inspections.
Data sourced from NHTSA owner complaints and community reports. The full report analyzes severity, repair costs, and failure patterns for each category.
Complaint trend by year
Complaints filed with NHTSA by year for the 2004 Buick Regal. Recent trend: increasing.



Don't negotiate blind β know what this car costs to own
Repair costs β’ Negotiation scripts β’ Mechanic checklist β’ Buy/skip verdict
Recall History (4 recalls)
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.
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.
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 June 23, 2003. On May 18, 2015, GM expanded the recall to cover an additional 49,751 2004 Pontiac Grand Prix vehicles manufactured January 6, 2003, to June 25, 2004. In the affected vehicles, the valve cover gasket may leak.
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. 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.
Recall severity analysis & seller scripts
The full report rates each recall's severity and gives you scripts for asking the seller about recall completion.
The worst model year for the Buick Regal is the 2012 β worth knowing if you're cross-shopping years. The biggest problem area is engine.
2004 Buick Regal vs. Class Average (Midsize Cars)
This vehicle
94
Class avg
266
Below the class average β fewer complaints than typical midsize cars vehicles. A good sign.
Complaint counts correlate with sales volume β popular vehicles naturally generate more reports. The full report normalizes for this.
About this data
NHTSA Complaints
Federal database of owner-filed safety complaints. 94 records for this vehicle.
NHTSA Recalls
Manufacturer-issued safety recalls. 4 recalls found for this vehicle.
Repair Cost Data
Real-world repair costs from owner reports and independent databases.
Other Buick Regal Model Years
2004 Buick Regal: Frequently Asked Questions
What is the most common problem with the 2004 Buick Regal?
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Does the 2004 Buick Regal have any recalls?
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Whatβs in the full report?
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Get the Full 2004 Buick Regal Report
10 sections of AI analysis based on 94 owner reports. Know before you buy.