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2000 Buick Regal Recalls, Problems & Maintenance

The 2000 Buick Regal has no open NHTSA recalls. Owners report 8 recurring issue clusters, led by “Engine recall repair parts unavailable.” Buick uses the GM Oil Life System: an algorithm tracks engine revolutions and temperature, then lights the change-oil message — typically every 7,500 miles in mixed driving, capped at 12 months, using dexos-approved oil. Current Encore GX and Envista run 1.2/1.3L turbo three-cylinders where oil quality matters more than volume drivers expect (the sump is small and turbo-heated). Front-drive models pair to a CVT with a published fluid interval — it is not a lifetime part.

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No open recalls on file. NHTSA lists no unrepaired safety recalls for this year, make and model. A recall can be issued at any time, and a specific car can still have one open — check yours by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Known issues & problems for this vehicle

What drivers and federal regulators have officially reported about the 2000 Buick Regal.

Reported to NHTSA

Engine recall repair parts unavailable

ENGINE

9 NHTSA complaints · 2015-12 → 2016-05

“THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V701000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING) HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10864534
“THE DEALER HAD NOT RECEIVED THE PART FROM THE MANUFACTURER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS UNABLE TO PROVIDE A SPECIFIC TIME FRAME AS TO WHEN THE PARTS WOULD BECOME AVAILABLE”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10824912
“THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTIFICATION FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 015V701000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING) AND STATED THAT THE PART NEEDED WAS UNAVAILABLE TO PERFORM THE RECALL REPAIR”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10849736

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Ignition key stuck in ignition switch

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

8 NHTSA complaints · 2009-09 → 2015-12

“THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE IGNITION KEY WAS DIFFICULT TO REMOVE AND REMAINED STUCK NUMEROUS TIMES”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10811084
“THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE KEY WOULD REMAIN STUCK IN THE IGNITION SWITCH. THE FAILURE OCCURRED INTERMITTENTLY”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10669634
“THE IGNITION GETS STUCK AND IT'S HARD TO GET IT OUT”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10617392

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Power window regulator failure

VISIBILITY

8 NHTSA complaints · 2002-09 → 2008-10

“THE WINDOW REGULATORS ON MY 2000 BUICK REGAL HAVE FAILED. THE DRIVER-SIDE WINDOW AND THE REAR DRIVER SIDE WINDOW HAVE BOTH BROKEN, WITH THE WINDOW FALLING INTO THE DOOR AND THE REGULATOR NOT WORKING”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10234017
“ALL 4 WINDOW REGULATORS BROKE AND HAD TO BE REPLACED AT A COST OF ALMOST 1600$ CANADIAN”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10246019
“ALL 4 POWER WINDOW REGULATORS HAVE FAILED AT DIFFERENT TIMES, LEAVING NO EMERGENCY EXIT-LET ALONE THE INCONVENIECE AT DRIVE-UP WINDOWS”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10116413

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Engine compartment fire and valve cover gasket oil leak

ENGINE

31 NHTSA complaints · 2003-02 → 2023-11

“WHILE DRIVING 15 MPH, THE CONTACT NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10898033
“THE CONSUMER STATED SHE NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD. WHEN SHE RAISED THE HOOD, FLAMES WERE FLARING UP FROM THE OIL CAP”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10838363
“THE CONSUMER STATED THE FIRE STARTED AS A RESULT OF OIL SPILLING ON THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD FROM THE ROCKER COVER GASKET”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10228420

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Engine shutdown with ignition switch or turn signal use

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

15 NHTSA complaints · 2005-10 → 2017-09

“THE CONSUMER STATED HIS WIFE WAS DRIVING, WHEN THE ENGINE SUDDENLY STOPPED. ALL OF THE INSTRUMENT LIGHTS WERE FLASHING”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10582759
“WHILE DRIVING MY 2000 BUICK REGAL I TURNED ON THE TURN SIGNAL AND THE INSTRUMENT PANEL LIGHTS FLASHED AND THE ENGINE TURNED OFF”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10170430
“WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH, THE ENGINE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE FAILURE OCCURRED ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10765066

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Rack and pinion steering assist loss and binding

STEERING

12 NHTSA complaints · 2002-02 → 2009-01

“VEHICLE WOULD NO LONGER TURN TO THE LEFT, HOWEVER TURNED OT THE RIGHT WITHOUT PROBLEM. VEHICLE DIAGNOSIS WAS THAT RACK & PINION STEERING GEAR FAILED”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10098087
“THE CONSUMER STATED THE MORE PRESSURE THAT WAS APPLIED TO THE STEERING, THE MORE IT LOCKED UP. THE RACK AND PINION WAS REPLACED”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10150807
“EXPERIENCE AN INTERMITTENT LOSS OF POWER STEERING ASSIST WHEN MAKING LEFT TURNS,USUALLY AT LOW SPEEDS”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10256266

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Air bag warning light illuminated

AIR BAGS

8 NHTSA complaints · 2001-11 → 2005-06

“WHILE DRIVING THE AIR BAG LIGHT CAME ON ALL THE TIME”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10126452
“AIRBAG LIGHT ON DASHBOARD COMES ON AND OFF INTERMITTENTLY”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10032775
“AFTER STARTING THE IGNITION AIR BAG LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND STAYED ILLUMINATED WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS BEING OPERATED”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10049837

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Air bags not deploying in collision

AIR BAGS

7 NHTSA complaints · 2000-04 → 2005-07

“THE VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A FRONTAL COLLISION, AND THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10015073
“UPON IMPACT, BOTH AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #889416
“UPON IMPACT, FRONT AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #8012266

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Issues on other model years

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI). Complaint data refreshed Sep 20, 2026. Investigation data refreshed Sep 20, 2026.

We display NHTSA's record with attribution; we don't editorialize on what these complaints mean for any specific vehicle.

Raw data + downloads for this vehicle →

Essential maintenance

Critical for safety and preventing major damage

Engine Oil & Filter (Oil Life System)

Every 7,500 mi

Change when the Oil Life System calls it — typically around 7,500 miles, never beyond 12 months. dexos1 0W-20 on modern engines. Small-displacement turbos (Encore GX, Envista): don't stretch the indicator.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$120–$160

Shop

~$85–$115

DIY

~$25–$55

Full synthetic costs more than conventional. 5-quart 0W-20 + filter is the typical bill.

Tire Rotation

Every 7,500 mi

Rotate every 7,500 miles with the oil change — GM pairs the two in its schedule.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$85

Shop

~$60

DIY

Free

Often free at the shop where you bought the tires — worth asking before paying.

Brake Inspection

Every 7,500 mi

Inspect pads, rotors, and lines at every service. Older Centurys: check rear drum adjustment and parking-brake cables, which seize with age.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$85

Shop

~$60

DIY

Free

Most shops do this free as a courtesy with any service. Don't pay separately if you can avoid it.

CVT Fluid (Encore GX / Envista FWD)

Every 45,000 mi

FWD Encore GX and Envista use a CVT: GM schedules fluid replacement around 45,000 miles under severe service — which includes most city commuting. AWD Encore GX uses a 9-speed automatic instead (see transmission fluid).

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$360–$500

Shop

~$255–$355

DIY

~$80–$180

CVT fluid is manufacturer-specific and pricey — do NOT substitute conventional ATF.

Important maintenance

Keeps your vehicle running smoothly and efficiently

Automatic Transmission Fluid

Every 45,000 mi

Conventional automatics (Century's 4T65-E, Regal's Aisin, AWD Encore GX's 9-speed): GM lists 45,000 miles severe / longer normal. Older Buicks respond well to a simple drain-and-fill — avoid pressure flushes on high-mile units.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$330–$500

Shop

~$235–$355

DIY

~$60–$180

Some sealed transmissions have no dipstick — fill is precise and best left to a shop. Many drivers can still DIY drain-and-fill.

Spark Plugs

Every 60,000 mi

Small-turbo three-cylinders (Encore GX, Envista): roughly every 60,000 miles — check the manual. Older 3.1/3.8 V6s: iridium plugs last to 100,000 miles.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$285–$390

Shop

~$200–$275

DIY

~$25–$100

Iridium plugs cost more but last 100k+ miles. V6/V8 access varies wildly — some are tough.

Engine Air Filter

Every 45,000 mi

GM schedules replacement around 45,000 miles; inspect at every oil change in dusty regions.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$60–$95

Shop

~$45–$70

DIY

~$15–$40

5-minute job on most cars; the airbox lid usually has clips, no tools needed.

Serpentine Belt

Every 60,000 mi

Inspect from 60,000 miles; replace on cracking or glazing rather than mileage alone.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$195–$235

Shop

~$135–$165

DIY

~$20–$50

DIY-friendly if you can reach the tensioner. Inspect for cracks rather than swap on a strict mileage interval.

Recommended maintenance

Extends the life of your vehicle and improves comfort

Cabin Air Filter

Every 22,500 mi

Replace roughly every 22,500 miles per GM's schedule — behind the glovebox on modern Buicks.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$60–$95

Shop

~$45–$70

DIY

~$15–$40

Usually behind the glovebox. Shops charge labor for a 10-minute job — easy DIY win.

Coolant Replacement (Dex-Cool)

Every 150,000 mi

Dex-Cool is rated 5 years / 150,000 miles. On older 3.1/3.8 V6s, intake-gasket seepage was the classic failure — check coolant level and condition at every oil change on a Century.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$285–$330

Shop

~$200–$235

DIY

~$25–$60

Use the manufacturer-specified coolant — wrong color/chemistry can damage the cooling system.

Battery Test & Service

Every 25,000 mi

Test annually after year 3. Stop-start-equipped Encore GX/Envista use AGM batteries — replace like-for-like, not with a cheaper flooded battery.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$225–$390

Shop

~$160–$280

DIY

~$130–$250

Most auto-parts stores test and install batteries free with purchase. Skip the dealer markup.

Fatal crash history & reported problems

Occupant deaths in fatal crashes (FARS)

125 crashes 1990–2024

How the 125 occupant deaths break down

90

driver deaths

35

passenger deaths

125

occupant deaths

Crash years covered: 1990–2024 This model year first appears in 1999 crashes. Older models have had more years on the road to appear in these crashes, so a higher count here does not by itself mean a vehicle is less safe.

FARS counts every occupant death in a fatal crash, whatever the cause — it does not mean the vehicle was at fault or defective. Counts are not adjusted for how many of each vehicle are on the road. How to read this number

FARS 2024 data is an annual report file. NHTSA revises these records when the final file is published, so this count can change.

Why we show driver deaths too

Every vehicle has exactly one driver seat, so driver deaths line up fairly when you compare one model to another. Occupant deaths include passengers, so a three row SUV can show a higher number than a two seat car simply because it carries more people.

Both figures are plain counts, not rates. A rate would need to know how many of each vehicle are on the road, and that registration data is not public, so we do not publish rates or scores of any kind.

IIHS publishes driver death rates using this same driver only idea, paired with a registered vehicle years denominator we do not have. Their rates and these counts answer different questions, so do not read either number here as a safety rating.

Owner-reported problem signals

Separate from the federal fatality data above: complaints owners filed with NHTSA about this year and model. These are reports of problems, unverified, and are counted here only as signals.

12

complaints mentioning a crash

30

complaints mentioning a fire

Reviewed known issues for this vehicle

Typical U.S. ranges. Actual quotes vary by shop, parts choice, and vehicle condition.

How we estimate: Dealer = OEM parts × 1.4 + labor × $165/hr. Shop = parts + labor × $115/hr. DIY = parts only.

This maintenance schedule for the 2000 Buick Regal reflects Buick's published service intervals and the GM Oil Life System system. Your actual service needs may vary based on driving conditions, climate, and vehicle usage. Always consult your owner's manual for model-specific recommendations.

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