Wrench.Pro

2001 Buick Regal Recalls, Problems & Maintenance

The 2001 Buick Regal has no open NHTSA recalls. Owners report 8 recurring issue clusters, led by “Recall 15V701000 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.

Save this car as:

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 2001 Buick Regal.

Reported to NHTSA

Recall 15V701000 repair parts unavailable

ENGINE

29 NHTSA complaints · 2015-12 → 2016-07

“THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTIFICATION FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V701000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING) AND STATED THAT THE PART NEEDED WAS UNAVAILABLE TO PERFORM THE RECALL REPAIR”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10873466
“SHE HAS GONE TO HER BUICK DEALER TWICE, BUT THE PART IS NOT YET AVAILABLE. THEY TOLD HER TO KEEP HER CAR OUT OF THE GARAGE”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10821783
“THE CONTACT RECEIVED THE RECALL NOTIFICATION IN DECEMBER OF 2015. THE DEALER ADVISED THAT THEY RECEIVED TWO PACKAGES OF PARTS PER WEEK; THEREFORE, THE REPAIR COULD NOT BE PERFORMED IMMEDIATELY”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10888937

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Power window regulator failure

VISIBILITY

8 NHTSA complaints · 2006-09 → 2009-04

“IN AUGUST OF 2007, WITHIN A SPAN OF THREE WEEKS, THREE OF THE VEHICLE'S WINDOWS COLLAPSED”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10226064
“THE REGULATORS ON THE WINDOWS MOTORS BROKE, ALLOWING THE WINDOWS TO DROP FREELY”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10208514
“THE CONSUMER STATED THE WINDOW WOULD SUDDENLY GO DOWN AND WOULD NOT COME BACK UP WHEN THE BUTTON WAS PRESSED”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10168036

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Cruise control acceleration without driver input

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

9 NHTSA complaints · 2002-04 → 2014-12

“WHILE ON THE INTERSTATE I HAD MY CRUISE CONTROL SET ON 70 MPH AND ALL OF A SUDDEN MY CAR JUMPED TO 90 MPH BEFORE I REALIZED IT”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10059074
“CRUISE CONTROL ONLY WORKS INTERMITTENTLY AND SOMETIMES OPERATES NORMALLY FOR A PERIOD OF TIME THEN ACCELERATES VERY RAPIDLY UNEXPECTEDLY”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10178604
“WHILE DRIVING AT 65 MPH AND ENGAGING THE CRUISE CONTROL VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10059859

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Steering shaft and rack clunk or looseness

STEERING

9 NHTSA complaints · 2003-11 → 2007-11

“THERE WAS A CLUNKING NOISE WHEN THE STEERING WHEEL WAS TURNED IN ANY DIRECTION”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10119395
“SYMPTOMS INCLUDED LOOSENESS IN THE STEERING WHEEL AND A POPPING IN THE BRAKE PEDAL DURING TURNS AT LOW SPEEDS”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10154462
“I HAD THE CAR INTO A BUICK DEALER SEVERAL MONTHS AGO AND THEY PUT A GREASE BUSHING IN THE INTERMEDIATE STEERING SHAFT”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10050643

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Automatic transmission failure

POWER TRAIN

8 NHTSA complaints · 2001-07 → 2008-05

“WHILE DRIVING, THE CONSUMER NOTICED THE VEHICLE HAVE A SLIGHT LURCH, A WEAK THUD AND IT KICKED DOWN FROM DRIVE TO THIRD GEAR”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10165815
“WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH AND APPROACHING AN INCLINE, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO ACCELERATE AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10227890
“OUR 2001 BUICK REGAL LOST IT'S A/T AT 40,300 MILES, LOCKED OUT OF REVERSE, GEARS 1 & 2”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10163234

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Engine compartment fire

ENGINE

39 NHTSA complaints · 2005-02 → 2024-02

“The fire department was called and they eventually extinguished the fire which started under the hood of the car”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11569322
“WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED AND THE ENGINE WAS STARTED, THE VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10928741
“PARKED CAR AFTER DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 70 MILES WITH NO NOTICEABLE PROBLEM. ABOUT FIFTEEN MINUTES LATER, I SAW SMOKE COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD. THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT WAS ENGULFED”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10213722

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Valve cover gasket and intake manifold leaks

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

10 NHTSA complaints · 2004-07 → 2022-04

“RECALL FIXED THE FRONT VALVE COVER AND THE REAR ONE SHOULD OF BEEN DONE ALSO DUE TO THE LEAKING OF OIL THAT COULD POTENTIALLY START A FIRE FROM LEAKING ON THE BLOCK AND POSSIBLY BURN ON THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11316888
“THE CONTACT NOTICED OIL WAS LEAKING FORM UNDER THE VEHICLE WHILE IT WAS PARKED”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10383241
“UPON TURNING THE IGNITION SWITCH SHE HEARD A LOUD EXPLOSION SOUND, SAW THE HOOD BULGE, AND SAW SMOKE BILLOW OUT FROM THE SIDES”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10221055

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Stalling with warning lights and turn signal use

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

16 NHTSA complaints · 2005-04 → 2019-12

“CAR DIES WHILE DRIVING IF TURN SIGNAL LEVER IS MOVED, INTERMITTENT SERVICE ENGINE SOON (SES), ANTI-LOCK BRAKE (ABS) OR TRACTION CONTROL SYSTEM (TCS) LAMP ILLUMINATED, ENGINE NO CRANK/NO START,”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10186630
“THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED AND NO WARNING LAMPS ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10598799
“WE WERE COMING TO A STOP AND LOST ALL POWER STEERING, BRAKES, AND ALL DASH LIGHTS LIT UP”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10625855

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)

106 crashes 1990–2024

How the 106 occupant deaths break down

68

driver deaths

38

passenger deaths

106

occupant deaths

Crash years covered: 1990–2024 This model year first appears in 2001 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.

5

complaints mentioning a crash

48

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 2001 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.

Check another vehicle →