2.1

hardly worth mentioning
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
74,226 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2004 Buick Regal electrical problems

electrical problem

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2004 Buick Regal Owner Comments (Page 1 of 2)

problem #31

Sep 112020

Regal

  • 110,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

All 4 power window motors do not work. They all failed within 6 months of each other. I checked on you tube and found that almost all Buick Regals have this problem of power window motors breaking. There are hundreds of complaints on you tube alone for this issue. I believe this is proof that the power window motors are defective and probably made this way to force owners to make expensive repairs. I am asking you to force Buick to recall their Regal models and have the window motors repaired at Buick's expense.

- Lehigh Acres, FL, USA

problem #30

Nov 242020

Regal

  • 98,296 miles
The first time the car stalled was as I was approaching the stop sign.it stalled and the dash light all came on. I was able to re-start it after putting it in park. It then happened again the same as before I got home. The next day it drove normal for awhile then as I was starting it up again it started with a noise and the lights on the dash a lit up again. It seemed to run normal again. But a bit later as I was slowing down to make a turn into a parking lot it stalled again. I brought it into an independent automotive garage and they hooked up to their tester and could not find anything abnormal with the car.

- Marinette, WI, USA

problem #29

Feb 082019

Regal

  • 85,000 miles
Power windows on this car burn out, 4 mechanics said this is a very common problem, and repairs of the power windows is expensive

- Lehigh Acres, FL, USA

problem #28

Nov 182018

Regal

  • 97,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

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.

- Negaunee, MI, USA

problem #27

Aug 132014

Regal

  • 120,000 miles
The contact owns a 2004 Buick Regal. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 60 mph, the vehicle stalled without warning. After restarting, the vehicle resumed as normal. The failure recurred numerous times. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the ignition switch would need to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 120,000.

- Garland, TN, USA

problem #26

Oct 122015

Regal 6-cyl

  • miles
2004 Buick Regal. Consumer writes in regards to drops of engine oil deposit on exhaust manifold recall notice. According to the repair invoice, the multi-function switch was replaced.

- Statesville, NC, USA

problem #25

Mar 022016

Regal

  • 124,500 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Car died while in motion; everything shut off including power steering which caused me to sit in middle of intersection. Another vehicle came close to running into me. Mechanic checked everything and said it's a faulty ignition switch.

- Blue Springs, MO, USA

problem #24

Jun 102013

Regal 6-cyl

  • 50,000 miles
The contact owns a 2004 Buick Regal. The contact stated that while driving down a hill at 35 mph, the vehicle began to loose power and the engine stalled while all the warning lights illuminated. The failure occurred once. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the ignition switch failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 50,000. Updated 04/22/2016 updated 6/6/18

- Fort Wayne, IN, USA

problem #23

Dec 222015

Regal

  • 93,000 miles
The contact owns a 2004 Buick Regal. The contact stated that while attempting to shut off the vehicle, the ignition key would get jammed. The contact stated after shifting multiple times, the key was able to be removed. The vehicle was taken to the dealer but was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle failure mileage was 93,000.

- Richmond, CA, USA

problem #22

Jan 132016

Regal

  • 43,329 miles
The contact owns a 2004 Buick Regal. The contact stated that while driving at 35 mph, the vehicle stalled without warning. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic. The contact was informed that the ignition switch needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 43,329.

- Sacramento, CA, USA

problem #21

Jan 072016

Regal

  • 132,344 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

I was leaving work one evening and used my turn signals to pull out of the parking lot when the vehicle shut off. The car started back up immediately, but once I used the turn signal again, the car shut off completely. Each time I used a turn signal, the car shut off, though it was able to start back up immediately. After searching online, I found this: www.npr.org/sections/thetwo-way/2014/06/16/322607434/GM-recalls-3-2-million-more-cars-for-faulty-ignition-switches I searched my VIN number and there was no recall for my specific car. I called GM and they told me if there was no recall they would conduct a diagnostic and would go from there. Right or wrong, I was fully convinced the problem would be the ignition switch. I took the car to my mechanic in philadelphia because I trusted him and felt comfortable with him looking at it. He had never seen this before. After doing his own diagnostic, he found that the problem was the ignition switch. I emailed GM about this issue and asked them to reimburse me for the $387 worth of repairs, but they refused, saying the car was too old and it was not because of a defective part: "...our experience has been that a defect attributable to the original manufacturing and assembly process generally makes itself apparent quite early in the life of the vehicle. After a vehicle has been in service for several years, many factors (usage, owner maintenance, age and wear, etc.) can contribute to difficulties that are beyond the control of the vehicle's manufacturer. A point is eventually reached where the manufacturer's responsibility ceases and any additional repairs or expenses become the responsibility of the owner. Because your 2004 Buick Regal has been in service for approximately 12 years and has accumulated 132,344 miles on it, we are unable to participate on your requested reimbursement. "

- Philadelphia, PA, USA

problem #20

Sep 182015

Regal

  • 80,150 miles
The driver's door window master switch became inoperative. I had to replace it. You have a notice on the 2006-07 Buick rainier but the 2004 Regal should be on the list. I think the list involves several more Buick models. This problem occurred when the car was parked or in motion. In my case the window would remain in the open position whenever the ignition switch was on. I was not able to close the window. I replaced the switch myself as I did not know about the recall.

- Sandy, UT, USA

problem #19

Aug 052015

Regal

  • miles
Bought the vehicle 1 year ago one day I was driving and the car never started again my dash board click and flick lights all the light on dashboard the vehicle will not start and the battery drains out. I go on GM website put in my VIN and there are not open recalls on the vehicle I cant get the history of when it was put in or were or by who I can call the automated system and it will tell me that there is an open issue with the vehicle but when I call GM they say there no issue but my ignition is acting up I cant drive my vehicle

- Hazel Crest, IL, USA

problem #18

Apr 292015

Regal 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 61,546 miles
The contact owns a 2004 Buick Regal. While driving at 5 mph, the vehicle stalled. The contact was unable to restart the vehicle and all the lights on the instrument panel illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the ignition switch and the electrical harness needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 61,546. Updated 6/22/15

- Richland , WA, USA

problem #17

Apr 132015

Regal 6-cyl

  • 129,500 miles
The first few times, the vehicle lost power as I was braking for stop signs. The anti-locks activated, the anti-lock warning came on, and then the engine refired, the dash lights went out, and it ran fine. I brought the vehicle in for a complete tune-up. Then it quit on the highway and the ignition would refire. Then it quit on an onramp and I had to shift to neutral to restart it. The last time it failed, I attempted to start it in a parking lot. It took several attempts to keep it running. The last several times that it failed, all of the dash lights would blink on and off until I restarted it. That was the clue that I searched for on the internet. I found this particular website and I also found videos and blogs of my problem. My local mechanic did his own research and we came to the conclusion to replace the ignition contact block. So, I took the old ignition contact block apart. Three contacts were burned. Two were mild, but the third one was severe. I can't tell you what circuit it was for, but it was the last contact away from the circular opening on the side where the red and the orange wires enter the block. Since the repair, the car is running good. Due to the random nature of the problem, I cannot be comfortable quite yet until I put a few more miles on it. I frankly do not understand why GM does not admit that the scope of their ignition switch recall is probably much larger than they already admit to - unless it involves that many more cars. I read an article where they are telling people not to hang any weight on the ignition key until they can get their repairs done. I jiggled and pulled on my key while car was running ok between bouts of failure: It had no effect. This repair cost me $326.54 and I am holding my receipt just in case either the govt. Or GM does the right thing and reimburses me. I think I will look at Ford next time.

- Mountain, WI, USA

problem #16

Feb 012015

Regal 6-cyl

  • 65,000 miles
Ignition switch shut off and engine shut off. Lost power steering, power brakes, electrical power, ABS, and airbags. Attempted restart after pulling off highway, which caused flashing of all dash lights and engine to run erratically. Changed to 2nd ignition key and car started, ran acceptably, and drove home.

- Marshall, TX, USA

problem #15

Jul 032013

Regal

  • 150,000 miles
The ignition switch has failed eventually it will start after about 30 minutes of trying the car will run but shuts down while driving its dangerous to drive I am not safe nor my grandkids in this vehicle I cant buy a new car nor can I afford to have this fixed myself since im on a fixed income I read several others have the same complaint my vehicle is identical to their complaints I think they should have to replace these mine just left me stranded at the doctors office with my little grand-daughter its only 23 degrees outside I eventually got it started after about 30 minutes but I could not stop anywhere before I had to come straight home.

- Whitley City, KY, USA

problem #14

Aug 132014

Regal

  • miles
On Aug 13 I noticed that I was having issues starting my 2004 Buick Regal. On Aug 25 I had my 2004 Buick Regal towed to gateway Buick GMC at 11438 lbj fwy, dallas, tx due to the car immediately shutting off after starting it and shutting off while driving. The mechanics determined that it was due to wiring in the engine harness that shorted out the battery and also damaged the camshaft and the crankshaft sensors. The battery, wires, and sensors were all replaced. On Aug 27 I went and picked up the car and later on that day I tried to start the car and ran into the same issue. I had the car towed back to the dealership on Aug 28 and they determined that it was due to a dead battery. That night Aug 27 when I tried to start the car I noticed that the dashboard lights never shutoff thus killing the battery (wiring done by the mechanic). We got the battery replaced and on Sep 4 we went to pick up the car. On our way home the car shuts off while doing 60 mph on the highway. Later on that night the same issue returned. On Sep 4 we had the car towed back to the dealership.the dealership found that we had an ignition switch problem and they wanted $303. Unfortunately, my VIN number was not included in this official recall. I called GM and spoke with [xxx] (1-866-790-5700 ex. 41026, case #: 71-1361100546) who wasn't helpful. I know that my VIN wasn't included in the recall, but I"?M having the same issues as the other GM brands and models. The only remedy he offered was that I pay for the repair. I would like GM to look into my vehicle being included in the recall and to reimburse me for the repair for my ignition switch totaling $303 since I believe it?"S the same issue that its other models are having. Finally, I would like to be reimbursed for the 3 rental car costs. I incurred a cost of $42.05 from avis, $343.39 from budget, and $89.21 from enterprise totaling $474.65. Information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

- Arlington, TX, USA

problem #13

Jul 102014

Regal

  • 84,000 miles
I was driving home and the engine turned off and I had no power steering and no power brakes; I was lucky enough to slow down and pull car off the street. The ignition switch was replaced.

- Newe Orleans, LA, USA

problem #12

Sep 052014

Regal

  • 84,700 miles
Ignition switch failed. All alarms on instrument panel lit up and the engine died with no power steering or brakes. I was able to pull to the side of the road and had the vehicle towed to the local Chevrolet dealer. The ignition switch was found to be faulty and was replaced. Although I found information on the web page indicating that GM had identified the 2004 - 2005 Buick Regal ls and gs as having ignition switch defaults the local dealer advised that a recall has not been announced as of now.

- Clarksville, VA, USA

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