Recalls (2)
NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns for the 2004 Buick Regal. Check whether yours was repaired with NHTSA's free VIN lookup ↗
Only NHTSA and your automaker know whether your specific car was repaired. PlainVIN shows every recall campaign listed for a model year, with the official text and how many cars have been fixed so far.
Check on NHTSA ↗Engine Oil Dripping On Manifold may Cause Fire
- Summary
- 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.
- Consequence
- Engine oil that drips onto the hot surface of the exhaust manifold may result in a fire.
- Remedy
- 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 engines front valve cover and gasket. Vehicles that are covered by recalls 08V-118, 09V-116, or 15V-201 that have not yet received the original remedy will instead receive the improved remedy under the original recall number. The recall began on February 19, 2016. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300, Oldsmobile customer service at 1-800-442-6537 and Pontiac customer service at 1-800-458-8006. GM's number for this recall is 15757. Note: Until the improved remedy has been applied, owners are advised to park their vehicle outside since the fire risk exists even when the vehicle is unattended.
Engine Oil Dripping On Manifold may Cause Fire
- Summary
- 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.
- Consequence
- The leaking engine oil can drip onto the hot surface of the exhaust manifold, increasing the risk of a fire.
- Remedy
- GM will notify owners, and dealers will remove the plastic cover and plastic oil fill tube extension and replace the front valve cover and gasket. These repairs will be done free of charge. The recall began on April 24, 2015. Owners may contact Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300, Pontiac customer service at 1-800-762-2737 or Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is 14574.
PlainVIN shows public government records for education. It isn't a vehicle inspection or legal advice. Check your own VIN with NHTSA or your dealer.
Owner complaints (66)
66 complaints filed with NHTSA (owner reports, not verified findings). The electrical system is mentioned most often.
As reported by owners in their complaints. These are reports, not NHTSA findings.
Most-reported components
| Component | Complaints | % of 66 |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical system | 35 | 53% |
| Engine | 18 | 27.3% |
| Engine and engine cooling | 8 | 12.1% |
| Steering | 6 | 9.1% |
| Electronic stability control | 5 | 7.6% |
| Service brakes | 4 | 6.1% |
| Power train | 3 | 4.5% |
| Unknown or other | 3 | 4.5% |
| Suspension | 2 | 3% |
| Vehicle speed control | 2 | 3% |
How 2004 compares with other Regal years
Best and worst Regal years →| Model year | Complaints | Recall campaigns |
|---|---|---|
| 2000 | 184 | 8 |
| 2001 | 187 | 6 |
| 2002 | 117 | 3 |
| 2003 | 101 | 3 |
| 2004 | 66 | 2 |
| 2005 | 4 | 0 |
| 2008 | 1 | 0 |
| 2009 | 1 | 0 |
| 2010 | 1 | 0 |
| 2011 | 280 | 4 |
Counts are owner reports, not failure rates. Higher sales years tend to draw more reports. Owners are still filing reports for recent model years, so these counts will grow. Source: NHTSA ODI, retrieved Oct 6, 2026.
Fuel economy: up to 21 mpg combined
- EPA annual fuel cost
- $3,200
- CO₂ tailpipe
- 423 g/mi
- EPA class
- Midsize Cars
What it costs you to run
Miles ÷ 21 mpg × $4.354 (EIA US average regular, week of Oct 5, 2026, all taxes included). Source: EPA · EIA.
EPA label estimates from lab tests; your mileage will vary.
Specs by configuration
| Engine · transmission | Drive | City / Hwy / Comb | EPA $/yr | CO₂ g/mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.8 L 6-cyl · 4-speed automatic | Front-Wheel Drive | 18 / 28 / 21 | $3,200 | 423 |
| 3.8 L 6-cyl · 4-speed automatic | Front-Wheel Drive | 16 / 26 / 20 | $4,100 | 444 |
Source: EPA fuel economy data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026. Configurations are listed when EPA and NHTSA records match.
Looking at a 2004 Regal for sale?
Print a one-page buyer's checklist: each recall campaign with a box to tick when the seller shows proof of repair, the top complaint areas to inspect, crash stars, MPG, and a link back to this page.
Where to next
2004 Buick Regal FAQ
How many recalls does the 2004 Buick Regal have?
NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns: 15V701000 (engine), 15V201000 (engine). Use NHTSA's VIN lookup to see whether a specific car was repaired.
What are the most common 2004 Buick Regal problems?
Owners filed 66 complaints with NHTSA. Electrical system (35), Engine (18), Engine and engine cooling (8) are mentioned most. These are owner reports, not verified findings.
What mpg does the 2004 Buick Regal get?
EPA rates the 3.8 L 6-cyl · 4-speed automatic version at 18 city, 28 highway and 21 combined mpg. Other configurations are listed in the fuel economy section.
How does the 2004 Regal compare with other years?
Among the 2000–2011 Buick Regal model years at least five years old, the 2008 drew the fewest complaints (1) and the 2011 the most (280). The 2004 drew 66. Counts are owner reports, not failure rates.
How this page was madeSources, processing, limits, review and changes
Data sources
- NHTSA recalls by vehicle
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - US DOT recall completion rates (data.transportation.gov)
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - NHTSA ODI owner complaints
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - NHTSA NCAP 5-Star Safety Ratings
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - EPA fuel economy data (licence confirmation pending)
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - EIA weekly retail gasoline prices
Weekly, all taxes included
Processing
- Complaints are counted per component. One complaint can list several, so component totals add up to more than the total.
- Fuel cost = miles per year ÷ EPA combined mpg × EIA weekly price for your region.
Limitations
- Complaint counts are owner reports, not verified findings or failure rates. There is no sales denominator.
- Recall campaigns are listed for the model year. Only NHTSA and the automaker know whether a specific car was repaired.
- Recent model years are still collecting reports.
Review
Data compiled automatically from the official files listed here.
Changelog
- 2026-10-06 Data refreshed from the official files.