2002 Buick Regal: Recalls, Problems & MPG
Here are the deets on the 2002 Buick Regal: 3 recalls, 117 owner complaints and up to 20 mpg combined.
Recalls
3 vehicle recalls from the manufacturer, plus 2 equipment/tire recalls that can apply. Repairs are free. Check your VIN to see if one is still open on your car.
Engine & cooling Vehicle recall #08V118000 · 2008 · 207,542 vehicles
What's wrong: 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.
Why it matters: 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 fix: Dealers will replace the engineâs front valve cover and front-valve-cover gasket with new parts of an improved design and remove the engineâs 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…
Engine & cooling Vehicle recall #09V116000 · 2009 · 1,497,516 vehicles
What's wrong: 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.
Why it matters: 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.
The fix: Dealers will replace the engineâs front valve cover and front-valve-cover gasket with new parts of an improved design and remove the engineâs plastic cover and plastic oil-fill-tube extension, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin during May 2016.
Engine & cooling, Engine & cooling Vehicle recall #15V701000 · 2015 · 1,003,556 vehicles
What's wrong: 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.
Why it matters: Engine oil that drips onto the hot surface of the exhaust manifold May result in a fire.
The fix: 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 engineâs front valve cover and gasket. Vehicles that are covered by recalls 08v-118, 09v-116, or 15v-201 that have not yet received the…
2 aftermarket equipment / tire recalls replacement parts sold to fit this car, not the car itself
Steering Equipment recall #08E063000 · 2008 · 3,855 vehicles
What's wrong: 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.
Why it matters: If the weld fails, loss of steering could result, possibly resulting in a vehicle crash.
The fix: Dorman will notify owners and replace the steering shafts free of charge. The recall began on October 16, 2008.
Steering Equipment recall #09E005000 · 2009 · 979 vehicles
What's wrong: 697-902 and 697-903, sold under dorman's "oe solutionstm" 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.
Why it matters: A broken steering knuckle could result in loss of steering control and a possible crash without warning.
The fix: Dorman will notify owners and replace the defective steering knuckles free of charge and reimburse the repair facility or owner for labor. The recall began on February 23, 2009.
Most-reported problems
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component. One complaint can list several components. 23 mention a fire, 3 injuries and 0 deaths were reported.
What owners describe
- Electrical (36): the most common themes are stalls / loses power (14), electrical failure (12), fire / smoke (3).
- Engine (33): the most common themes are fire / smoke (17), leaks (10), warning light on (6).
- Engine & cooling (17): the most common themes are fire / smoke (7), leaks (2), electrical failure (2).
- Visibility (wipers, glass) (7): no single recurring theme in the descriptions.
The 2002 Buick Regal has 117 owner complaints, ranking #11 of 29 Regal model years for complaints (about average; the typical year has 103). Complaints peaked in 2016 (18 filed that year). The typical problem showed up when the car was about 9 years old, at a median of 85,000 miles. Neighboring years: 2001 (187 complaints, 6 recalls), 2003 (101 complaints, 3 recalls).
Engines & fuel economy (EPA)
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.8 L 6-cyl | Automatic 4-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 17 | 27 | 20 | Regular |
| 3.8 L 6-cyl | Automatic 4-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 16 | 25 | 19 | Premium |
Want the full repair deets? Get the factory manual.
Recall and complaint data tells you what goes wrong. A service manual tells you how to fix it: torque specs, wiring diagrams, fluid capacities and step-by-step procedures for the 2002 Buick Regal.
Closest thing to the factory manual for most years. Pay once, keep it.
Most $25–$78, one-timePro-shop repair procedures, wiring diagrams and TSBs for your exact car.
From $19.99/mo · $39.99/yrOEM procedures, specs and recall/TSB info, the same source many shops use.
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FAQ
Does the 2002 Buick Regal have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists 3 vehicle recalls for the 2002 Buick Regal, plus 2 equipment or tire recalls that can apply. Recall repairs are free at any dealer, no matter how old the car is. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What are the most common 2002 Buick Regal problems?
Owners have filed 117 complaints with NHTSA. The most-reported areas are electrical (36), engine (33), engine & cooling (17).
What gas mileage does the 2002 Buick Regal get?
EPA ratings run up to 20 mpg combined (3.8 L, Automatic 4-spd), across 2 engine and transmission combos.
Where can I get a 2002 Buick Regal repair manual?
eManualOnline sells downloadable manuals, Mitchell 1 DIY and ALLDATAdiy sell online access to factory repair data, and Haynes sells printed guides and online access. Pick a download if you want to keep it, or a subscription for wiring diagrams and TSBs.