1999 Buick Regal

These are unverified consumer reports filed with NHTSA, shown as submitted.

• 12/31/2015· ENGINEFire

  TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 BUICK REGAL. WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH, THE CONTACT SMELLED SMOKE COMING FROM THE ENGINE. THE CONTACT HEARD A LOUD POP AND THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO PULL THE VEHICLE OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD FOR FURTHER EXAMINATION AND DETERMINED THAT THE ENGINE WAS ON FIRE. THE FIRE WAS EXTINGUISHED BY AN INNOCENT BYSTANDER. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE AND WAS NOT REPAIRED. THERE WERE NO INJURIES AND A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V701000 (ENGINE). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 117,000.

• 12/30/2015· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

  1999 BUICK REGAL. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO VEHICLE DEFECT AND REPAIR ISSUES. *SMD THE CONSUMER DID NOT STATE WHAT THE ISSUE WAS. *JB THE CONSUMER HAS SINCE SENT IN A RECALL NOTICE, REGARDING THE ENGINE. UPDATED 04/12/16.*JB

• 12/26/2015· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,UNKNOWN OR OTHER,ENGINEFire

  ENGINE EXPLOSION AND FIRE VEHICLE WAS IN MY DRIVEWAY ENGINE OFF. WHEN I ATTEMPTED TO START THE VEHICLE THERE WAS A LOUD EXPLOSION FOLLOWED BY ENGINE FIRE. FLAMES WERE 20 FT HIGH. FIRE DEPT WAS CALLED BUT I WAS ABLE TO EXTINGUISH THE FIRE WITH FIRE EXTINGUISHER AND WATER FROM MY GARDEN HOSE. WHEN THE FIRE DEPT ARRIVED THE FIRE WAS ALREADY OUT. MY EVALUATION IS THE FOLLOWING: THE FORCE OF THE EXPLOSION WAS SO GREAT THAT IT SPLIT OPEN/CRACKED THE UPPER INTAKE MANIFOLD (UPPER PLANUM). IT ALSO LIFTED THE FUEL RAIL FROM THE ENGINE AND SOME INJECTORS CAME LOOSE, FUEL THEN SPILLED ON THE ENGINE AND FIRE IMMEDIATELY ENSUED. THE PLASTIC FUEL LINES ALSO POPPED OFF THE FUEL INJECTORS RAIL, THIS SPILLED EVEN MORE FUEL AND FED THE FIRE EVEN MORE. I CANNOT BELIEVE BUICK/GM USE PLASTIC INTAKE MANIFOLDS (UPPER PLANUM) AND PLASTIC FUEL LINE INTO THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. I BELIEVE IF THE MANIFOLD AND FUEL LINES HAD BEEN MADE OF METAL, THE EXPLOSION OR BACKFIRE WOULD HAVE BEEN CONTAINED AND MINIMAL DAMAGE WITH NO FIRE WOULD HAVE OCCURRED. THE FIRE CONSUMED THE PLASTIC FUEL LINE WHICH THEN SPILLED EVEN MORE FUEL ONTO THE ON GOING FIRE. I RESEARCHED ON THE INTERNET AND FOUND NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS FROM OTHER PEOPLE WHO EXPERIENCED THE SAME INCIDENT INVOLVING BUICK AND GM VEHICLES. I BELIEVE THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM AND DEFECTS THAT NEEDS TO BE INVESTIGATED. IF THIS INCIDENT HAD HAPPENED IN MY GARAGE MY ENTIRE HOUSE WOULD HAVE CAUGHT FIRE AND THERE COULD HAVE BEEN SERIOUS INJURY OR FATALITIES WITHIN MY FAMILY OR MYSELF. I BELIEVE THIS IS AN ENGINEERING DEFECT THAT NEEDS BE CORRECTED.

• 12/26/2006· FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE,SEATS

  TL*- THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING ABOUT 30 MPH WHEN HE SMELLED GAS FUMES. THE CONTACT STATED THAT VEHICLE HAD A CUT FUEL LINE BACK NEAR THE FIREWALL. THE GAS SPILLED ON THE ENGINE, THERE WAS NO FIRE. THE CONTACT TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALER, AND THEY COULD NOT TELL HIM WHY IT HAD HAPPENED. *AK THE HEATED SEAT RELAY WAS REPLACED. UPDATED 02/09/07. *JB

• 12/25/2007· EXTERIOR LIGHTING

  1) WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT WITH THE BRIGHTS ON MY HEADLIGHTS GO OUT (FAIL) AT RANDOM. THE HEADLIGHTS COME BACK ON WHEN THE DIMMER SWITCH IS HIT ~OR~ BY THEMSELVES IF I WAIT IT OUT. 2) THIS HEADLIGHT FAILURE HAS CAUSED SEVERAL NEAR ACCIDENTS. IT'S A DEFINITE SAFETY ISSUE. 3) I HAVE TAKEN MY VEHICLE IN TO BE LOOKED AT TWICE AND NO CORRECTION HAS YET TO BE MADE TO THE PROBLEM. MY MECHANIC NOW BELIEVES THAT IT'S DUE TO A MALFUNCTION IN THE DIMMER SWITCH. *** THIS FAILURE STARTED IN MID NOVEMBER '07 AND HAS BEEN ONGOING EVER SINCE WITH SEVERAL RANDOM INCIDENTS WEEKLY. *TR

• 12/23/2015· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

  MY INSTRUMENT PANEL HAS BEEN REPLACED TWICE(UNDER EXTENDED WARRANTY AND ONCE OUT OF POCKET TO THE TUNE OF $1800). ALL THE GAUGES, MILEAGE, GAS, WATER AND OIL GAUGE, BATTERY, GEAR SHIFT AND OTHERS ARE NOT ILLUMINATED. THIS POSES A SAFETY HAZARD BECAUSE THE DRIVER IS UNAWARE OF THE WARNINGS AND SETTINGS. WHEN GAS GAUGE IS INOPERABLE, A SHUTDOWN ON THE EXPRESSWAY OR ROADWAY IS DANGEROUS AND POSSIBLY DEADLY. CAR CAN OVERHEAT IF GAUGE IS NOT REGISTERING PROPER LEVEL. WINDOW MOTORS FREQUENTLY ARE INOPERABLE CAUSING WATER INTRUSION AND WINDOW FOG WHICH IS DANGEROUS WHILE DRIVING

• 12/23/2011· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLINGFire

  TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 BUICK REGAL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, A FIRE STARTED IN THE ENGINE. THE FIRE DESTROYED THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FIRE BEGAN FROM DROPS OF ENGINE OIL ON THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN I.D. NUMBER: 08V118000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING) AND CALLED THE MANUFACTURER. THE MANUFACTURER STATED TO THE CONTACT THAT DUE TO THE FIRE AND BECAUSE THE VEHICLE WAS PRE-OWNED THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO TO ASSIST WITH THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000. UPDATED 01/20/12*LJ UPDATED 01/20/12

• 12/20/2004· POWER TRAIN

  THE VEHICLE IN QUESTION IS A 1999 BUICK REGAL LSE WITH 63,000 MILES. REGULAR MAINTENANCE HAS BEEN PERFORMED IN A TIMELY MANNER. WHEN BACKING OUT OF A PARKING SPOT WITH THE CAR IN REVERSE AND FOOT LIGHTLY ON THE BRAKE, IT FELT AS THOUGH I HAD BUMPED INTO ANOTHER CAR OR THAT MY WHEEL HAD SLIPPED INTO A POT HOLE. UPON EXAMINATION, NOTHING WAS HIT BY THE BODY OF THE CAR OR THE WHEELS. THIS HAPPENED ONE TIME AND THEN ONE TIME A MONTH LATER. TWO DAYS AFTER THAT, THE INCIDENT REPEATED ITSELF, AND THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT MOVE IN REVERSE WHEN IDLING UNLESS I PRESSED ON THE GAS HARD. AFTER TAKING THE VEHICLE TO A BUICK DEALERSHIP FOR DIAGNOSIS, I HAD THE TRANSMISSION REPLACED.*AK

• 12/18/2007· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLINGFire

  ENGINE FIRE. *TR

• 12/17/2019· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,UNKNOWN OR OTHER,ENGINE

  WEIRD ENGINE NOISE , WHEN SWITCHING THE IGNITION SWITCH SOMETIMES DELAY, ALSO DASH LIGHTS AND HEADLIGHTS ALSO AC DOESN'T WORK AND LOW OIL , LOW AIR , AND LOW COOLANT LIGHTS TURN ON EVEN IF ALL OF THEM ARE FULL AT THE RIGHT LEVEL .

• 12/17/2015· ENGINEFire

  TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 BUICK REGAL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE KEY WOULD NOT TURN OVER TO START THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT HEARD AN ABNORMAL NOISE AND THE VEHICLE ERUPTED INTO FLAMES NEAR THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. THE FIRE WAS EXTINGUISHED BY A NEIGHBOR UPON LIFTING THE HOOD. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS NOT NOTIFIED AND THERE WAS NO POLICE REPORT OR FIRE INSPECTION REPORT. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A REPAIR SHOP. THE CONTACT LATER RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V701000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING) AND WAS WAITING ON THE MANUFACTURER TO DETERMINE WHAT DEALER TO TOW THE VEHICLE TO FOR INSPECTION AND REPAIR. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 104,000. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.

• 12/17/2015· ENGINEFire

  TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 BUICK REGAL. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, THE CONTACT NOTICED FIRE COMING FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO EXTINGUISH THE FIRE. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V701000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.

• 12/16/2004· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

  WHILE PLACING THE KEY INSIDE THE IGNITION SWITCH VEHICLE FAILED TO TURN OFF. CONSUMER DROVE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER, AND MECHANIC SPRAYED LUBRICATION GEL ON THE IGNITION SWITCH AN DIT LOCKED UP. MECHANIC WAS ABLE TO UNLOCK THE IGNITION SWITCH. CONSUMER INFORMED THE MECHANIC THAT THIS PROBLEM OCCURRED MORE THAN ONCE, AND HAD NOT BEEN RESOLVED. *AK

• 12/15/2015· ENGINEFire

  TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 BUICK REGAL. WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE OVERHEATED AND BEGAN TO PRODUCE SMOKE WHILE THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WAS CONSTANTLY ILLUMINATED. THE FAILURE WAS PERSISTENT. A FIRE REPORT WAS NOT FILED AND THE CONTACT DID NOT SEE ANY FLAMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE MOTOR FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED SEVERAL TIMES, BUT THE FAILURE WAS PERSISTENT. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V701000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.

• 12/14/2015· ENGINE

  TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 BUICK REGAL. THE CONTACT NOTICED OIL LEAKING FROM THE FRONT AND REAR OF THE VEHICLE, WHILE PARKED. THE FAILURE OCCURRED CONSTANTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THE OIL PAN, AND VALVE COVER GASKET WERE REPLACED. IN ADDITION, THE OIL CHANGE WAS PERFORMED BUT THE FAILURE REOCCURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V701000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING) HOWEVER, THE REMEDY FOR THE RECALL WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER HAD EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 155,000.

• 12/08/2015· ENGINE

  TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 BUICK REGAL. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V701000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING) HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS UNAVAILABLE. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

• 12/04/2002· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

  CONSUMER CALLED COMPLAINING ABOUT HAVING PROBLEMS WITH HER VEHICLE. CONSUMER WANTED DEALER FIXED HER CAR OR EXCHANGED. PLEASE MS. GONZALES PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. TS

• 12/03/2004· SEAT BELTSCrash

  SAFETY BELT WAS DEFECTIVE. PASSENGER'S SEAT BELT FUNCTIONED. DRIVER' SEAT BELT MALFUNCTIONED AND I FLEW FORWARD HITTING MY HEAD AGAINST STEERING WHEEL. *BF THE RELEASE MECHANISM THAT RELEASES THE HOLDING UNIT WAS LOOSE. THE CONSUEMR WAS REAR ENDED AND THE CONSUMER WAS INJURED AS A RESULT OF THE SEAT BELT FAILURE. *TC *JB

• 12/02/2002· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

  CONSUMER STATED THE TEMPERATURE CONTROL PANEL NO LONGER DISPLAYED THE DIGITAL READOUTS, CONSUMER HAD NO IDEA WHAT THE TEMPERATURE WAS SET ON. TS *JB

• 11/29/2005· SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,VISIBILITY

  (12-06-05) 1999 BUICK REGAL CHECK ENGINE AND ANTI LOCK LIGHT CAME ON. CONSUMER HAD TO REPLACE BRAKE MODULE. *TS ***NO ANSWER REQUIRED*** THE HEATING AND AIR CONDITION DISPLAY WOULD LIGHT UP AND THEN BECOME DARK. THE MECHANIC REPLACED THE CONTROL HEAD. THE CONSUMER EXPERIENCE STARTING PROBLEMS WHICH RESULTED IN A NEW IGNITION SWITCH BEING INSTALLED. *JB

• 11/26/2006· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

  ENGINES SHUTS OFF WHEN TURN SIGNALS ARE USED. CHECK ABS LIGHT COMES ON,CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON, BRAKES PULSATE OCCASIONALLY WHEN DRIVING,ALL DASH LIGHTS COME ON SOMETIMES WHEN CHECK ABS LIGHT COMES ON. HARD TO START AFTER FIRST INITIAL START UP. PROBLEM OCCURS MOST IN WET CONDITIONS. TAKEN TO A DEALER, NO CODES , PROBLEM NOT FOUND. *NM

• 11/26/2006· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

  1999 BUICK REGAL, 3.8L. VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED FROM PRIVATE OWNER WITH ONLY 34K MILES THIS PAST SUMMER. WHILE DRIVING AT CRUISING SPEED, ENGINE SHUTS DOWN. POTENTIALLY, COULD BE REAR-ENDED IF NO PULL-OFF AREA IS AVAILABLE. CAR STARTS/RUNS WHEN PLACED IN PARK. *NM

• 11/25/2003· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

  IGNITION SWITCH FAILURE DURING VEHICLE OPERATION, ON THE ROAD. MULTIPLE TIMES. *LA

• 11/24/2015· ENGINE

  TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 BUICK REGAL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE HAD AN ABNORMAL ODOR DUE TO OIL THAT LEAKED ON THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V701000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING ) HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 130,000. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS ARE NOT AVAILABLE. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

• 11/22/1999· VISIBILITY

  WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE OUTSIDE MIRROR ON DRIVER'S SIDE WOULD FLICKER OR VIBRATES. HAD NO CLEAR VISION OF OTHER VEHICLES IN MIRROR. BEEN TO DEALER TO REPLACE SIDE MIRRORS. NOT SATISFIED. HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM WITH REPLACEMENT MIRRORS. CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE SAID ALL 99 BUICKS MIRRORS ARE LIKE THAT. *AK

• 11/19/2008· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLINGFire

  ON MY WAY TO THE HOSPITAL I STOPPED BY THE GAS STATION AND FILLED UP. AFTER THAT I LEFT TO GO TO THE HOSPITAL, I PARKED AND WENT INSIDE. NOT EVEN 5 MINUTES AFTER I GOT INSIDE, MY CAR CAUGHT FIRE. THE HOSPITAL SECURITY AND POLICE WERE TRYING TO EXTINGUISH IT BEFORE THE FIRE TRUCK ARRIVED TO KEEP FROM SPREADING TO THE OTHER CARS. THANKFULLY IT DIDN'T. THE FIRE GOT WORST AND ENGULFED THE ENTIRE FRONT OF THE CAR WITH FLAMES, THE FIRE DEPT. MANAGED TO PUT THE FIRE OUT BUT NOT BEFORE THE CAR WAS BADLY DAMAGED. FIRE DEPT STATED THAT IT STARTED IN THE ENGINE DEPT. WAITING ON TOW TRUCK TO TOW CAR OFF. COULDN'T SAVE ANYTHING. BUT A COUPLE ITEMS IN THE TRUNK. I GOT HOME A LITTLE LATER AND SAW THAT I HAD A LETTER FOR A RECALL. STATING THAT ENGINE COMPONENT OR PARTS CAN CAUSE FIRES. THE FACT OF THE MATTER IS. I GOT THE RECALL LETTER TO LATE. I NEED THIS TAKEN CARE OF IMMEDIATELY. OR A NEW CAR. *TR

• 11/18/2003· VISIBILITY,WHEELS,EQUIPMENT

  EXTERIOR MIRROR GLASS VIBRATES WHILE DRIVING CAUSING BLURRED VISION. HAD ONE SIDE REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY. 6 MONTHS LATER, BOTH SIDES DO IT. IMPOSSIBLE TO SEE CLEARLY!!! CHROME COATING ON WHEELS PEELING OFF. PIECES WILL STICK TO THE ABS SENSOR CAUSING FAULT. ONE OCCASION IT MADE BRAKES FAIL ALMOST CAUSING ACCIDENT. *LA

• 11/17/2002· AIR BAGS

  AIR BAG SENSING AND DIAGNOSTIC MODULE FAILED. P/N ON ITEM IS16238601 WITH A SERVICE NUMBER OF 09352490. MY REPAIR INVOICE REFERENCES THE FOLLOWING NUMBER: 12209720 MODULE. DUE TO THE IMPORTANCE OF THE ITEM I FELT NHTSA SHOULD BE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. DT

• 11/13/2001· EQUIPMENT

  ELECTRONIC CLIMATE CONTROL DISPLAY TOTALLY BLACK. DISPLAY STARTED TO LOOSE INTENSITY ABOUT 2 MONTHS PRIOR TO BECOMING TOTALLY BLANK. MODULE STILL SEEMS TO WORK FOR NOW. HOWEVER, OTHER THAN BY GUESSING, IT IS IMPOSSIBLE TO DETERMINE TEMPERATURE, AIR FLOW, FAN SPEED. I HAVE NOT YET GONE TO THE DEALER, BUT I AM GUESSING THIS WILL BE A VERY EXPENSIVE REPAIR, SINCE THE ENTIRE MODULE WILL PROBABLY HAVE TO BE REPLACED. *AK

• 11/11/2006· EQUIPMENT

  THE HVAC PANEL LIGHTS HAVE GONE OUT SO I CAN'T TELL WHERE BLOWER IS SET. EVERY TIME IT RAINS I GET WATER ON THE PASSENGER SIDE FLOOR. IT LOOKS LIKE IT COMES IN THE BACK AND MAKES ITS WAY TO THE FRONT IF ENOUGH RAIN ENTERS. *NM

• 11/09/2015· UNKNOWN OR OTHER,ENGINE,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

  ENGINE OIL LEAKING ON TO EXHAUST MANIFOLD THROUGH VALVE COVER GASKETS-SMOKING-SMALL FIRE EXTINGUISHED-NO EXTENSIVE DAMAGE

• 11/09/2007· WHEELS

  1999 BUICK REGAL HAD TIRES REPLACED AT 30,000 MILES. CUSTOMER STATES THAT THE TIRES DO NOT HOLD AIR PRESSURE SO THE WHEELS NEED TO BE REPLACED. *KB THE CONSUMER STATED THE WHEELS WERE MANUFACTURED OUT OF ALUMINUM WITH DEFECTIVE CHROME COATINGS. THE CONSUMER STATED THE TIRES WOULD NOT ADHERE TO THE CHROME PROPERLY. *JB

• 11/09/2006· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

  DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE ANTIFREEZE WAS VANISHING UNDER NORMAL ROAD CONDITIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE SERVICE DEALER, WHO DETERMINED THE MANIFOLD WARPED ALLOWING THE ANTIFREEZE TO ENTER INTO THE ENGINE. THE SAME PROBLEM OCCURRED THREE YEARS AGO. UPDATED 12/05/06. *JB

• 11/08/2010· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLINGFire

  THIS 1999 BUICK REGAL SERIAL NUMBER [XXX] WAS PARKED IN FRONT OF THE GARAGE AND NO ONE WAS IN IT. THE CAR CAUGHT FIRE IN THE ENGINE. THE CAR ENGINE BECAME ENGULFED IN FLAMES AND SET THE TWO CARS THAT WERE ON EITHER SIDE OF THE CAR ON FIRE, AS WELL AS THE GARAGE. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

• 11/07/2002· EXTERIOR LIGHTING

  CONSUMER STATES HEADLIGHTS FAILED WHILE DRIVING. UPON INSPECTION, THE DEALER ADVISED THAT THE MULTIFUNCTION MODULE SWITCH, LOCATED IN VEHICLE'S STEERING COLUMN, HAD FAILED. TS

• 11/05/2003· STEERING

  WHILE MAKING A LEFT TURN AND WITHOUT WARNING, THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED UP, THE AND VEHICLE WOULD NOT TURN AT ALL. THE DRIVER DROVE THE VEHICLE TO DEALERSHIP. THE MECHANIC REPLACED THE RACK AND PINION. *AK (MAKING LEFT TURNS WERE VERY HARD AND STIFF) THE CONSUMER AVOIDED AN ACCIDENT BY TURNING RIGHT. THE RACK AND PINION WAS BINDING AND WAS REPLACED. *SCC *JB

• 10/30/2016· ENGINEFire

  ON 10/28/2016 MY WIFE HAD DROVE THE CAR ABOUT 3 MILES TO THE STORE DID SOME SHOPPING FOR APPROXIMATELY 30 MINUTES. SHE RETURNED HOME THE 3 MILES PARKED THE CAR IN THE DRIVEWAY IN FRONT OF THE GARAGE AND WENT IN SIDE. SHE WAS IN THE GARAGE A FEW MINUTES LATER AND SAW SMOKE FILLING THE GARAGE. SHE WENT OUT THE BACK DOOR AND AROUND THE HOUSE AND THE CAR WAS IN FLAMES. NEIGHBORS HAD ALL READY CALLED 911. IT TOOK ABOUT TEN MINUTES FOR THE FIRE DEPARTMENT TO ARRIVE. THE ENTIRE ENGINE BAY AND FRONT OF THE CAR WAS DESTROYED. THE PAINT WAS BURNED OFF OF THE GARAGE DOOR AND BLISTERED PAINT AND SOOT ON THE HOUSE. THE HOOD STRUT EXPLODED AND PUT A HOLE IN THE GARAGE DOOR.

• 10/30/2007· FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER

  OCCASIONALLY DURING COLD WEATHER STARTS AT 10 DEGREES F OR COLDER STRONG ODOR OF FUEL IS NOTICED. REVIEWED NHTSA ACTION NUMBER EA02030. CAR STARTS WITH NO PROBLEM NO ROUGHNESS. ENGINE RUNS FINE. NO CAUTION LIGHTS ON DASH INDICATORS. I'M IN THE PROCESS OF REPLACING THE FUEL PRESSURE REGULATOR. FUEL LEAKS AND POSSIBLE FIRES CAN BE DEADLY. JUST WANT TO LET YOU KNOW. *TR

• 10/28/2007· EXTERIOR LIGHTING

  1999 BUICK REGAL FRONT TURN SIGNALS KEEP BURNING OUT, I BELIEVE IT IS FROM THE HOUSING THAT HOLDS THE BULBS. IT SEEM LIKE THE PLASTIC AT THE BOTTOM OF THE BULB THAT SNAPS IN TO THE HOUSING SPARKS AND BURNS IT CAUSING THE BULBS TO FAIL. *TR

• 10/26/1999· SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

  WHEN APPYLING BRAKES THEY ARE NOISY DUE TO WARPED REAR ROTORS WHICH HAD TO BE GROUNDED OR QUICKLY FIXED. PLEASE GIVE ANY FURTHER DETAILS. *AK

• 10/25/2014· STEERING,ENGINE,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

  WHILE DRIVING AT APPROX 40 MPH OR MORE THE ENGINE SUDDENLY CUTS OUT AND THE STEERING LOCKS UP AND THE CAR VIOLENTLY STOPS, WHICH COULD CAUSE A FATAL ACCIDENT. THIS IS VERY MUCH LIKE THE IGNITION SWITCH PROBLEM IN THE OTHER RECALLS. AFTER A FEW TRIES THE CAR DOES START AGAIN BUT THIS IS NOT ACCEPTABLE. ALSO THERE HAS BEEN SMOKE POURING FROM THE ENGINE ON MORE THAN ONE OCCASION WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS NOT EVEN OPERATING FOR MORE THAN TEN MINUTES, AND OFTEN THE SMELL OF GAS PERMEATES THE INSIDE OF THE VEHICLE. *TR

• 10/24/2004· STEERING

  ALMOST CAUSED ACCIDENT, POWER STEERING PUMP AND PRESSURE HOSE REPLACED, PROBLEM NOT CORRECTED. STEERING TO LEFT IS VERY DIFFICULT EVEN AFTER PUMP WAS REPLACED, AS IT WAS PRIOR TO PUMP BEING REPLACED.*AK

• 10/23/2002· STEERING

  CONSUMER STATED WHEN TURNING THERE IS A WEIRD NOISE IN THE STEERING COLUMN. TOOK TO DEALER AND RACK MOUNTING BOLTS HAD WORKED LOOSE, CONSUMER FEELS IF BOLTS LOOSEN TO MUCH THEY MAY NOT BE ANY STEERING. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION. MR

• 10/21/2009· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLINGFire

  IN JUNE 2009 I RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR 1999 BUICK REGAL THAT THERE HAVE BEEN REPORTED ENGINE FIRES AND THEY WERE ISSUING A RECALL. I HAVE OWNED MY CAR FOR APPROX. 7 YEARS AND THOUGH I PLANNED ON TAKING IT IN TO GET THE RECALL REPAIRED, I HADN'T HAD A CHANCE TO DO IT YET AS OF 9/1/09. I HAD ACTUALLY CALLED THE DEALERSHIP THE PRIOR WEEK TO SEE IF I HAD TO MAKE AN APPOINTMENT AND THEY SAID NO, TO JUST COME BY ANYTIME. I WORK 6 DAYS A WEEK AND TAKING IT WAS GOING TO BE HARD FOR ME BUT I HAVE ALWAYS GOTTEN IT DONE IN THE PAST. ANYWAY, I DROVE THE CAR 11 MILES FROM MY MOMS HOUSE TO MY HOUSE ON THE 1ST. AND WHEN I GOT HOME I CARRIED IN SOME GROCERIES AND SENT MY SON OUTSIDE TO GET THE REST. HE CAME BACK IN YELLING THAT MY CAR WAS ON FIRE! MY HUSBAND WHO WAS HOME POPPED UP THE HOOD AND FLAMES WERE ABOUT A FOOT HIGH. I HAD PARKED RIGHT BY THE HOUSE AND HE GRABBED THE HOSE AND MY SONS SWEATSHIRT AND TOGETHER HE AND MY SON PUT THE FIRE OUT. THE BURNED AREA IS RIGHT WHERE THE RECALL DESCRIBED THE FIRE COULD HAPPEN. I CALLED THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY REFERRED ME TO THE BUICK RECALL LINE. I CALLED THEM AND THEY TOOK MY INFO. 2 WEEKS LATER I GET A LETTER THAT SAYS MY "WARRANTY CLAIM" HAS BEEN DENIED. I CALLED THE NUMBER BACK AT THE TOP OF THE LETTER BUT IT HAD BEEN DISCONNECTED! I CALLED THE RECALL LINE NUMBER BUT KEPT GETTING A VOICE MAIL AND NO RETURN CALLS BACK. FINALLY ON 10/21 I CALLED THEM AND THEY AGAIN TOLD ME TO CALL THE NUMBER ON THE LETTER AND I SAID IS WAS NOT IN SERVICE AND THEY SAID THE NUMBER WAS PRINTED WRONG AND GAVE ME THE CORRECT NUMBER. I CALLED AND THEY TOLD ME THAT "THE WARRANTY HAD EXPIRED ON THE CAR AND THAT THEY WERE UNDER NO OBLIGATION TO FIX IT AFTER THAT", EVEN THOUGH IT WAS UNDER RECALL, THAT IT WAS MORE OF A "SUGGESTION" FOR REPAIR AND THAT THEY WERE NOT GOING TO REPAIR IT. THEY SAID UNDER THE WARRANTY LAW, THEY WERE NO LONGER RESPONSIBLE FOR THIS CAR....EVEN THOUGH ITS NOT A WARRANTY SITUATION! THE CAR HAS NOT BEEN MOVED SINCE. *TR

• 10/21/2006· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

  WHEN TRYING TO TURN OFF THE CAR, THE KEY GET STUCK AND UNABLE TO BE PULLED OUT OF THE IGNITION. SOMETIMES MOVING THE STEERING WHEEL LEFT AND RIGHT IT ALLOWS THE KEY TO BE RELEASED, OR AFTER SEVERAL TRIES OF TURNING THE CAR BACK ON AND THEN OFF THE KEY WOULD COME OUT. TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR REGULAR SERVICE, I HAD TOLD THEM OF THE PROBLEM, AND THEY HAD SAID IT WAS FIXED. IT DIDN'T SEEM LIKE ANYTHING WAS DONE TO IT. THE KEY STILL GOT STUCK UP UNTIL NOW, WHERE NOW I CAN'T GET THE CAR TO START. DID SOME RESEARCH ONLINE, FOUND MANY WITH SIMILAR PROBLEM, DON'T KNOW IF I SHOULD CALL LOCKSMITH TO HAVE WHOLE CYLINDER REPLACED. *NM

• 10/21/2006· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

  THE MOTOR DIES WHENEVER THE TURN SIGNALS ARE USED. THE VEHICLE USE TO START RIGHT UP AFTER THIS HAPPENS. BUT NOW INSTEAD OF STARTING RIGHT BACK UP, IT TAKES IT A FEW MINUTES. IT HAS ALSO AFFECTED THE AIRBAG LIGHT SIGNAL ON THE DASH. IT IS OFTEN ON AFTER THE MOTOR HAS STARTED. ALSO, IN THE RESTING POSITION, THE TURN SIGNAL ARM, THE TURN SIGNALS MAKE A FAST FLASHING LIKE NOISE, AND FOR SOME REASON, ALL THE LIGHTS TO THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE FLASH ON AND OFF CONSTANTLY. TO MAKE IT STOP, I HAVE TO RAISE OR LOWER THE TURN SIGNAL ARM ABOUT A HAIR OUT OF IT'S RESTING POSITION. I HAVE SINCE THEN TIED RUBBERBANDS AROUND THE TURN SIGNAL ARM, FROM THE ARM TO THE SIDE OF THE STEERING WHEEL COLUMN TO THE STEERING WHEEL TILT LEVER. I FEEL THAT THE ROOT OF BOTH PROBLEM IS AN ELECTRICAL ISSUE INSIDE THE STEERING WHEEL. NOTHING HAS YET BEEN DONE TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM, BECAUSE IT IS A VEHICLE WITH AN AIR-BAG IN THE STEERING WHEEL. AND THAT PROCEDURE IS VERY EXPENSIVE. *NM

• 10/20/1999· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

  THE HORN IS VERY HARD TO PUSH, AND WON'T SOUND WHEN PRESSING THE HORN BUTTONS. *AK

• 10/17/2007· WHEELS

  ALUMINUM WHEELS CAUSED THE TIRES TO LEAK, DUE TO CRACKING & PEELING. BOTH BACK TIRES HAD TO BE REPLACED AT COST OF $400. DEALER REFUSED TO COVER REPAIR. *TR

• 10/15/2006· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLINGFire

  I HAD DRIVEN THE VEHICLE ABOUT AN HOUR'S DISTANCE WITH NO PROBLEMS, AND ONE HALF HOUR STOP ALONG THE WAY. I PARKED THE VEHICLE AND THERE WERE NO WARNING LIGHTS ON AND NO SMELL COMING FROM THE CAR. I WALKED AWAY TO A NEIGHBORS HOUSE FOR ABOUT TEN MINUTES AND WHEN I CAME BACK THE ENTIRE ENGINE COMPARTMENT WAS ON FIRE. THIS QUICKLY SPREAD TO THE INTERIOR OF THE CAR, TOTALLING ABOUT 2/3 OF THE VEHICLE. THE ENTIRE FRONT END WAS JUST METAL, IT MELTED OUT THE WIND SHIELD AND BOTH FRONT WINDOWS, CAUSED SEVERE DAMAGE TO LEATHER INTERIOR, MELTED THE ENTIRE DASHBOARD, MELTED OFF ONE OF MY REAR VIEW MIRRORS. THE LOCAL FIRE DEPARTMENT CAME AND PUT IT OUT, WHICH SAVED THE REAR FENDERS, BUMPER AND TRUNK. ALL FOUR TIRES WERE MELTED OFF, FRONT RIMS DAMAGED BEYOND REPAIR.

• 10/15/2004· SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

  CONSUMER APPLIED THE BRAKES AND PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR. VEHICLE CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE. ABS BRAKING LIGHT APPEARED ON THE DASHBOARD AND REMAINED ON. CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO DRIVE IT TO DEALER FOR INSPECTION, AND MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT WHEEL SPEED SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *AK THE VEHICLE'S TTACTION CONTROL LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATING INTERMITTENTLY. *NM