1998 BUICK REGAL Engine And Engine Cooling Problems

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 1998 BUICK REGAL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING INTO THE DRIVEWAY AT ABOUT 5 MPH, THERE WAS SMOKE EMITTING FROM UNDERNEATH THE HOOD, WITHOUT ANY WARNING. THE CONTACT LIFTED THE HOOD AND THE ENGINE IMMEDIATELY BURST INTO FLAMES. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT ATTEMPTED TO EXTINGUISH THE FIRE HOWEVER, THE FLAMES WERE EXCESSIVE AND THE VEHICLE BURNED COMPLETELY. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED AND THERE WERE NO INJURIES REPORTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN IMPOUND LOT AND DEEMED DESTROYED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER THE FIRE, SHE RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V701000 THE (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT PROVIDED. UPDATED 03/16/16*LJ;05/11/18*JB *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 BUICK REGAL. THE CONTACT SMELLED AN ODOR OF BURNING RUBBER. THE VEHICLE WAS COMPLETELY ENGULFED IN FLAMES WITHIN 15 MINUTES. THE DRIVER AND PASSENGERS WERE ABLE TO EXIT THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 65,000. THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE WAS RECALLED IN NOVEMBER 2011 FOR A POSSIBLE ENGINE FIRE. SHORTLY AFTER RECEIVING THE NOTICE, THE CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER TO HAVE THE POTENTIAL PROBLEM FIXED. UPDATED 07/06/15. *JB

Mileage: 65,000

I REC'D A RECALL NOTICE ON MY VEHICLE IN NOV. 2011 AND HAVE BEEN TRYING TO MAKE ARRANGEMENTS TO GET IT IN TO A DEALER TO HAVE THE RECALL FIXED WHEN THIS FIRE STARTED IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT WHILE I WAS ON MY WAY HOME FROM PICKING UP MY SON, AND MY DAUGHTER WAS IN THE VEHICLE AS WELL, I HAVE NO OTHER MEANS OF TRANSPORTATION TO GET TO AND FROM WORK, AND MY WORK IS 30 MILES AWAY. IN CONTACTING GM THEY TOLD ME THAT THEY WILL ONLY FIX THE RECALL PART ANY OTHER DAMAGE WILL NOT BE COVERED, I DO NOT HAVE THE EXTRA MONEY TO FIX THIS VEHICLE AT THIS TIME AND I HAVE ALREADY MISSED 3 DAYS OF WORK, AND HAVE NO MORE PERSONAL PAID DAYS OFF TO TAKE. I AM THE MAIN BREADWINNER OF MY HOUSEHOLD AND MY HUSBAND IS USING A BORROWED VEHICLE TO GET BACK AND FORTH TO WORK AS WELL. I FEEL THAT IT IS TRULY UNFAIR GM CAN'T OR WONT HELP OUT A MOTHER OF 3 WITH FIXING THIS VEHICLE SO THAT I MAY CONTINUE TO PROVIDE FOR MY FAMILY. *TR

1998 BUICK REGAL W/ 3.8L ENGINE. HAD RECALL ISSUE FIXED MARCH 2011. VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE AFTER DRIVING UP TO OUR LOCAL MOUNTAINS. FIRE BEGAN AFTER VEHICLE WAS TURNED OFF, AS WE WERE GETTING OUR CHILDREN OUT OF THE CAR. THE FIRE BEGAN AT THE SPARK PLUG WIRES, CONTINUED UP THE WIRE ASSEMBLY TO THE FUEL LINES AND BURNED THROUGH FUEL LINES. IMMEDIATELY HAD TO DISCONNECT BATTERY, SINCE FUEL LINES WERE SPEWING GAS AT THE FIRE. WE WERE ABLE TO PUT FIRE OUT WITH SNOW ON THE BRUSHY HILLSIDE WE WERE PARKED BESIDE. FILED CLAIM WITH GM. THEY DENIED IT DUE TO CAR'S AGE, AND CLAIMED THEY HAVE NO RESPONSIBILITY AFTER THE CAR IS 4 YEARS OLD. THEIR RECALL FIX DID NOT WORK. THE CAR STILL CAUGHT ON FIRE ANYWAY WITH MY FAMILY INSIDE. *KB

Mileage: 130,000

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 BUICK REGAL. THE CONTACT NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM THE ENGINE INTERMITTENTLY. THE CONTACT DID NOT NOTIFY THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT HER VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL ASSOCIATED WITH NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 08V118000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING) AND OFFERED NO FURTHER ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A PRIVATE MECHANIC WHO INFORMED HER THAT THE LOWER INTAKE MANIFOLD WAS LEAKING AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. NO REPAIRS WERE PERFORMED. THE CURRENT AND THE FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 130,000.

Mileage: 130,000

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 BUICK REGAL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN ENGINE OIL WAS ADDED TO THE VEHICLE, SOME OF THE OIL SPILLED ON TOP OF THE MANIFOLD AND THE VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 100,000.

Mileage: 100,000

1998 BUICK REGAL. CONSUMER SEEKS REIMBURSEMENT FOR REPAIRS DONE RELATED TO RECALL *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE DUE TO AN OIL LEAK, WHICH RESULTED IN A FAULTY GASKET. IT IN TURN SHORTED OUT THE BATTERY AND THE STARTER. THE GASKET LEAKED, BLOWING OIL IN THE STARTER, AND CAUSED A FIRE UNDER THE HOOD. THE CONSUMER IS SEEKING REIMBURSEMENT FOR THE REPAIRS THAT WERE DIRECTLY RELATED TO THE RECALL. *JB

I OWN A 1998 BUICK REGAL. WHILE DRIVING I APPROACHED A STOP LIGHT AND APPLIED MY BRAKES. I SMELLED A BURNING OIL SMELL AND STARTED TO SEE A BLACK SMOKE UNDER THE HOOD. MY CAR WAS DAMAGED PAST THE POINT OF REPAIR. I BROUGHT MY CAR IN TO BE REPAIRED PRIOR TO THE INCIDENT ONLY TO BE TOLD THE PARTS TO FIX THE RECALL PROBLEM WILL HAVE TO BE ORDERED. I WAS NEVER NOTIFIED THAT THE PARTS WERE AVAILABLE. *TR

Mileage: 204,000

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 BUICK REGAL. THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED WHEN IT UNEXPECTEDLY CAUGHT FIRE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS CALLED TO THE SCENE AND EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE. THE FAILURE ORIGINATED FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT PRIOR TO THE FAILURE, WHEN ENGAGING THE BRAKES, HE SMELLED A BURNING OIL ODOR. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THE TECHNICIAN WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS PREVIOUSLY REPAIRED FOR NHTSA RECALL CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 09V116000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REMEDY REPAIR WAS INSUFFICIENT. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 97,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

Mileage: 97,000

1998 BUICK REGAL LS V6 CAR WAS DRIVEN APPROXIMATELY 4 MILES AND PARKED IN A OUTSIDE PUBLIC PARKING LOT. ENGINE CAUGHT FIRE. NOW WE FIND OUT IT WAS A PUBLISHED DEFECT. FRICKIN GM GETS BAILED OUT BUT WHAT ABOUT US? *TR

Mileage: 130,000

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 BUICK REGAL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER WAS DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, WHEN THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY CAUGHT FIRE UNDER THE HOOD. THE DRIVER WAS ABLE TO CONTAIN THE FIRE WITHOUT NOTIFYING THE FIRE DEPARTMENT. SHE WAS UNABLE TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE WHEN THE COMPLAINT WAS FILED. PRIOR TO THE FIRE, THE CONTACT HAD TO CHANGE THE OIL MORE FREQUENTLY DUE TO AN OIL LEAK. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR THE ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING COMPONENTS A MONTH PRIOR TO THE FAILURE (RECALL 09V116000, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING AND RECALL 08V118000). SHE CALLED THE MANUFACTURER FOR ASSISTANCE BUT WAS TOLD THAT THEY COULD NOT OFFER HER ANY ASSISTANCE SINCE HER WARRANTY HAD EXPIRED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURES MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 180,000.

Mileage: 180,000

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 BUICK REGAL. WHILE DRIVING LESS THAN 35 MPH, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO SHUTTER AND LOST COMPLETE POWER. THE CONTACT SMELLED A CHEMICAL ODOR AND MANEUVERED THE VEHICLE OFF THE ROAD. THE NEXT MORNING, HE DISCOVERED THAT HALF OF THE ENGINE MANIFOLD AND THE SPARK PLUG RETENTION WIRES WERE MELTED. THE DEALER HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED AND COULD NOT DETERMINE HOW THE FIRE ORIGINATED. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE DEALER IS WAITING TO SPEAK WITH THE MANUFACTURER. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE LESS THAN 96,000. REMAILED 10/20/09

Mileage: 96,000

ABOUT TWO YEARS AGO MY 98 BUICK REGAL BEGAN STALLING WHILE DRIVING. IT HAS STALLED ON THE INTERSTATE NUMEROUS TIMES AS WELL AS IN INTERSECTIONS. ALSO AT TIMES IT WILL SIMPLY NOT START. I HAVE HAD A FULL TUNE UP AND GET THE CAR SERVICED REGULARLY, BUT 4 DIFFERENT MECHANICS, EVEN A BUICK MECHANIC CAN'T DETERMINE THE PROBLEM. THIS IS AN INCREDIBLE SAFETY PROBLEM AND I AM VERY SURPRISED NO RECALL HAS BEEN SET UP BECAUSE WITH A QUICK SEARCH YOU CAN LOCATE HUNDREDS OF COMPLAINTS WITH THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM. THIS NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED AND FIXED BY BUICK AND NHTSA. *TR

Mileage: 90,000

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 BUICK REGAL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE AFTER THE STARTER AND COOLANT BRACKET WERE REPLACED. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS CALLED TO EXTINGUISH THE FIRE. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE CONTACT BELIEVED THAT THE INDEPENDENT MECHANIC MAY HAVE PERFORMED SOME FAULTY REPAIRS. THE FAILURE WAS INVESTIGATED AND THE MECHANIC WAS NOT AT FAULT. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 09V116000 AFTER THE FIRE OCCURRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 132,800.

Mileage: 132,800

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 BUICK REGAL. THE CONTACT NOTICED OIL LEAKING FROM THE FRONT VALVE COVER GASKET ONTO THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD. THE FAILURE PREVIOUSLY CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO CATCH FIRE. GM RECALL NUMBER 90047 AND NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 09V116000 WILL NOT CORRECT THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT WILL TAKE THE VEHICLE IN FOR REPAIR. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 140,000.

Mileage: 140,000

BUICK SAFETY RECALL 07035 ON 1998 BUICK REGAL. CONSUMER STATES THAT HE ASKED FOR REIMBURSEMENT FOR EXPENSES RELATED TO CORRECTING THE SAFETY DEFECT BUT WAS REFUSED. *NJ THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE SMOKED AND HAD AN ODOR. THE CONSUMER STATED THE RECALL INDICATED A NEW FRONT ROCKER COVER GASKET WOULD BE INSTALLED WITH AN IMPROVED DESIGN AND REPLACE THE SPARK PLUG WIRE CHANNEL WITH NEW RETAINERS. GM SENT THE CONSUMER A DENIAL LETTER THAT STATED 1 OF 3 REASONS WHY HE WAS DENIED. THE CONSUMER WAS INFORMED THE VALVE COVER GASKET WAS LEAKING OIL ONTO THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD. THE CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE BACK TO THE DEALER AND INFORMED THEM THAT HE HAD THE VALVE COVER GASKETS REPLACED. THEY TOLD HIM THE GASKETS USED WERE NOT THE CORRECT ONES AND THE BRACKETS WERE NOT CHANGED. SO, THE DEALER WENT AHEAD AND REPLACED THE GASKETS.*JB

OUR 1998 BUICK REGAL CAUGHT FIRE IN THE ENGINE BACK IN APRIL OF 2006. THE FIRE STARTED ABOUT 5-10 MINUTES AFTER THE CAR WAS PUT PARKED IN THE LOT AT WORK. OBVIOUSLY, I AM JUST LEARNING ABOUT THE RECALL. THIS EVENT WAS NOT OTHERWISE REPORTED TO BUICK. THE ENTIRE FRONT OF THE CAR WAS ENGULFED IN FLAMES PRIOR TO THE FIRE DEPARTMENT ARRIVING TO EXTINGUISH THE FIRE. IT WAS A FRIGHTENING EXPERIENCE. I JUST THOUGHT I SHOULD REPORT IT SO THERE IS A MORE ACCURATE REPORT ON HOW FREQUENTLY THIS TYPE OF THING OCCURRED. *TR

Mileage: 95,000

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 BUICK REGAL. WHEN THE CONTACT STARTED THE VEHICLE, THE ENGINE BLEW AND BEGAN TO BURN. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS NOT CALLED TO THE SCENE. THE INSURANCE COMPANY WOULD NOT INVESTIGATE THE CAUSE OF THE FIRE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 135,000.

Mileage: 135,000

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 BUICK REGAL. WHILE PARKED IN A PUBLIC PARKING LOT, THE VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE UNEXPECTEDLY. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS CALLED TO THE SCENE AND A REPORT WAS FILED. THE FIRE REPORT INDICATED THAT THE FIRE ORIGINATED IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. THE VEHICLE WAS COMPLETELY DESTROYED AND TOWED TO THE COLLISION CENTER. THE INSURANCE COMPANY AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE, BUT COULD NOT DETERMINE THE CAUSE. AFTER THE FIRE, THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 08V118000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING), IN WHICH THE VIN WAS INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 120,000. UPDATED 04/02/09. *JB

Mileage: 120,000

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 BUICK REGAL. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, THE CONTACT NOTICED SMOKE UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE. HE OPENED THE HOOD AND NOTICED FLAMES. A FIRE EXTINGUISHER WAS USED TO DOUSE THE FIRE. THROUGH ONLINE RESEARCH, HE FOUND A RECALL FOR HIS VEHICLE REGARDING THE ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING. THE VIN AND NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER WERE UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 170,000.

Mileage: 170,000

MY SISTER BOUGHT NEW THE 1998 BUICK REGAL; IN 2002 SHE DIED AND WILLED HER CAR TO ME. IT HAS BEEN A GREAT CAR EXCEPT: IN SEPT. 2007, AFTER A SHORT DRIVE, I PARKED THE CAR IN OPEN DRIVEWAY, AND WALKED TO HOUSE; MINUTES LATER MY HUSBAND, NEARBY, SAW SMOKE COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD. HE OPENED IT AND POURED WATER TO EXTINGUISH THE VISIBLE FIRE ON THE MANIFOLD. IT TOOK OVER A MONTH FOR THE NEAREST MECHANIC - WE LIVE IN A RURAL AREA AN HOUR FROM THE NEAREST REPUTABLE BUICK DEALER - TO REPAIR. HE HAD TO TRY EVERYTHING BECAUSE IT WAS NOT APPARENT WHY THE FIRE STARTED (REPLACED SPARK PLUGS AND WIRES THAT WERE BURNED, CHANGED COOLANT JUST IN CASE, CHECKED EVERYTHING, ETC). THEN IN APRIL I RECEIVED THE RECALL NOTICE FROM BUICK STATING EXACTLY THIS PROBLEM. I DID WHAT THEY SAID: SENT IN ALL RECEIPTS FOR REIMBURSEMENT, ASKING FOR THE COST OF REPAIRS ONLY TOTALING $677. MEANWHILE, I ALSO WENT TO THE DEALER 1 HOUR AWAY AND THEY REPLACED THE FAULTY GASKET. NOW THEY SAY THEY WILL GIVE ME $300 MAX (SAYING THAT SOME STATUE OF LIMITATIONS HAS RUN OUT AND THEY ARE ONLY DOING THIS AS A COURTESY, NOT AN OBLIGATION). I AM WONDERING IF I HAVE ANY OTHER RECOURSE TO GETTING THE FULL COMPENSATION, AS THEY HAD PROMISED IN THE RECALL NOTICE. AS I SEE FROM OTHERS ON YOUR WEBSITE, THE FIRE COULD HAVE BEEN FAR WORSE, AND IT ALSO COULD HAVE HAPPENED AGAIN. DOESN'T GM TAKE A LITTLE MORE RESPONSIBILITY FOR ENDANGERING PEOPLE'S LIVES, THAN A MERE $300? AWAITING YOUR REPLY. GLORIA MCLEAN, ANDES, NY. *TR

Mileage: 127,967

MY VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE IN NOVEMBER 2007, THE FIRE WAS STARTED IN THE ENGINE ON THE MANIFOLD. THE FIRE DEPT RESPONDED TO THE FIRE AND CALLED THE VEHICLE A TOTAL LOSS. A FIRE REPORT WAS WRITTEN AT THAT TIME AS TO THE EVENTS LEADING TO THE FIRE ETC. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A LOCAL SALVAGE YARD AND SCRAPED FOR METAL. I ONLY HAD LIABILITY INSURANCE SO THE VEHICLE WAS NOT COVERED. THE VEHICLE WAS BURNT SO BADLY THAT I HAD TO GET IT OFF THE STREET DIRECTLY AFTER THAT,MARCH 2008 I RECEIVED A SAFETY RECALL STATING IF I HAD 98 BUICK REGAL GS THAT IT WASN'T SAFE TO DRIVE BECAUSE THE ENGINES WERE CATCHING FIRE DUE TO FAULTY GASKETS ON THE MANIFOLD. I CALLED GM AND TOLD THEM THAT HAD HAPPENED TO MY VEHICLE AND ASKED IF THEY WOULD BE RESPONSIBLE? GM TOLD ME TO SEND THEM THE FIRE REPORT AND A LETTER STATING WHO TOWED THE BURNT CAR AND WHERE IT WENT SO I DID WHAT THEY ASKED. ONCE GM GOT THE FIRE REPORT PROVING THAT IS WHERE THE FIRE STARTED THEN THEY TOLD ME THEY NEEDED PICS OF THE BURNT ENGINE WHICH THEY KNEW I COULDN'T PROVIDE BECAUSE I NO LONGER HAVE THE CAR AND AT THE TIME IT BURNT I WASN'T AWARE OF THE RECALL SO I DIDN'T TAKE PICS OR SAVE THE CAR FOR VIEWING. GM ISN'T GOING TO COMPENSATE ME FOR MY LOSS AND ITS THEIR FAULT. THE FIRE REPORT PROVES THEIR RECALL IS WHY I NO LONGER HAVE A CAR. PLEASE HELP ME! *TR

Mileage: 100,000

1998 BUICK REGAL SAFETY RECALL THAT COULD RESULT IN A FIRE. CONSUMER STATES THAT SHE WOULD LIKE REIMBURSEMENT FOR RENTING A CAR TO GO ON VACATION, WHILE HER CAR WAS IN THE SHOP FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. *KB THE DEALER DID NOT HAVE THE PARTS AVAILABLE. *JB

THIS CAR HAS HAD NUMEROUS PROBLEMS, NOTED BY MANY OWNERS. RUSTED PAINT OVER REAR WHEEL WELLS. I CANNOT COUNT THE NUMBER OF TIMES I HAVE HAD TO GET THE TURN SIGNALS FIXED. I HAD TO REPLACE THE ABS SYSTEM THIS SPRING. NOW I AM TOLD I HAVE A CRACKED MANIFOLD. THE HEATING DISPLAY ON THE DASHBOARD HAS NOT WORKED FOR THREE YEARS: WE MANIPULATE THE HEAT/ AIR BY TRIAL AND ERROR. I HAD A "CHECK ENGINE SOON" LIGHT PROBLEM THAT REQUIRED NUMEROUS COMPUTER SCANS, AND WOULD ONLY BE FIXED FOR A MONTH OR TWO AT A TIME. THE WINDOW BUTTONS ARE FAILING. THE CAR DRIVES WELL, BUT HOW MUCH MORE MONEY IS IT REASONABLE TO PUT INTO? IT HAS 138, 00 MILES, AND HAS BEEN SERVICED EVERY 3000 MILES. IT SHOULD BE GOOD FOR ANOTHER 60, 000 MILES. AFTER READING THE COMPLAINTS, IT SEEMS I WILL ONLY BE WASHING MY MONEY. IS THE CRACKED MANIFOLD RELATED TO THE REPORTED FIRES?

1998 BUICK REGAL LS (3.8 NON-SUPERCHARGED) WAS DRIVEN ABOUT 5-10 MILES FOR THE FIRST TIME TODAY. CAR WAS THEN PARKED, DRIVER ENTERED DESTINATION ESTABLISHMENT, THEN QUESTIONED IF CAR WAS THEIRS, AND WITHIN 10 MINUTES OF CAR BEING SHUT OFF, A FIRE ENGULFED THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. FIRE WAS PUT OUT BY LOCAL FIRE DEPARTMENT AND POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. NO INJURIES AND NO OTHER BY STANDING VEHICLE DAMAGE. THERE IS A POSSIBILITY THAT THIS IS RELATED TO THE 3.8 SUPERCHARGED GRAND PRIX & REGAL RECALL THAT IS ONLINE AT NHTSA (08V-118). VEHICLE IS NOT REPAIRABLE. VEHICLE HAD 166,000 MILES AND 1500 SINCE LAST OIL CHANGE. RECALL SHOULD BE EXTENDED TO INCLUDE NON-SUPERCHARGED 3.8L ENGINES OF SAME TYPE. *TR

Mileage: 166,000

I BOUGHT A BUICK REGAL GS IN 1998 BRAND NEW AND PAID $26,000.00 FOR IT. I WAS THE SOLE OWNER OF THIS VEHICLE AND IT WAS IN VERY GOOD CONDITION AS OF LAST YEAR. ON AUGUST 22 MY SON AND I ARRIVED AT HOME AND PARKED THE CAR ON THE DRIVEWAY OF OUR RESIDENCE. ABOUT 15 MINUTES LATER THE CAR BURST INTO FLAMES UNDER THE HOOD. IT DAMAGED THE GARAGE AND DRIVEWAY AND COULD HAVE BEEN MUCH WORSE IF THE FIRE DEPARTMENT HADN'T ARRIVED WHEN IT DID, AS THE CARS GAS TANK WAS FULL. THE CAR WAS DAMAGED BEYOND REPAIR. MY INSURANCE DID COVER THE CAR AND THE AMOUNT THEY GAVE WAS PITIFUL. I NOW OWN A 2002 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX 30TH ANNIVERSARY EDITION AND IS THAT BEING RECALLED FOR THE SAME THING? IS THERE SOME COMPENSATION FOR ME? I'VE ALWAYS BOUGHT GM VEHICLES AND I WILL CONTINUE TO DEPENDING ON YOUR RESPONSE TO THIS EMAIL. *TR

Mileage: 99,000

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 BUICK REGAL. WHILE DRIVING 1-5 MPH, THE VEHICLE WOULD CONSTANTLY STALL. IN ADDITION, THE VEHICLE STALLED WHILE DRIVING IN REVERSE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD SHUT OFF WHEN THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE AFTER IT STALLED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 92,900 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 92,988. UPDATED 02/15/08. *LJ THE CONSUMER HAS EXPERIENCED OTHER PROBLEMS WITH THE VEHICLE SUCH AS STEERING GEAR FAILURE, WHICH THE RACK AND PINION WAS REPLACED. AIR CONDITION FAILURE, TRANSMISSION TORQUE CONVERTER, WHICH THE ENTIRE TRANSMISSION WAS OVERHAULED. THE IGNITION SWITCH SHORTED OUT. THE RIGHT FRONT WINDOW REGULATOR WAS REPLACED. UPDATED

Mileage: 91,000

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING LOW SPEEDS ON A STREET, THERE WAS A LOSS OF ALL POWER STEERING WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP, WHO DETERMINED THE SERPENTINE BELT FRACTURED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. AFTER THE REPLACEMENT, THE MECHANIC PERFORMED A TEST DRIVE, AND WHILE ATTEMPTING TO MAKE A SHARP LEFT HAND TURN AT LOW SPEEDS, THE STEERING RACK AND PINION FRACTURED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP WHERE THE STEERING RACK AND PINION AS WELL AS THE BUSHINGS WAS REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS ALERTED.

Mileage: 70,000

CONSUMER COMPLAINT CONCERNING 1998 BUICK REGAL'S COMPUTER MALFUNCTIONING. *TS THE CONSUMER HAS HAD A NEW COMPUTER INSTALLED AND THE COMPUTER FLASHED. NOW THE VEHICLE IS EXHIBITING SIGNS OF COMPUTER FAILURE AGAIN. *NM

CAR COMPLETELY LOST POWER ON 3 SEPARATE LEFT-HAND TURNS. HAD TO HAVE THE VEHICLE TOWED TO MY MECHANIC. *JB

Mileage: 53,313

CRACKED INTAKE MANIFOLD (PLASTIC) RESULTING IN $700 REPAIR BILL. THIS PART SHOULD NOT HAVE BEEN PLASTIC - CANNOT WITHSTAND PRESSURES!*JB

Mileage: 106,101

COMPLAINT RECEIVED VIA E-MAIL. INTAKE MANIFOLD WAS CAUSING LEAKAGE OF THE ANTIFREEZE THAT EVENTUALLY LEAKED OUT THE EXHAUST PIPE. THIS LED TO OTHER REPAIRS THAT NEEDED TO BE FIXED.*AK

NUMEROUS FAILURES - POWER WINDOWS(SAME WINDOW 2X), HEATER/AC BLOWER MOTOR, TURN SIGNALS (SAME DIRECTION 3X), ALTERNATOR, WATER PUMP, ENGINE STRUT BRACKETS, LEAKY GASKET VALVE COVERS. CURRENT UNRESOLVED PROBLEM - FAILURE TO START ALTHOUGH BATTERY IS FINE. REPLACED IGNITION SWITCH AND STARTER YET STILL FAILS REGULARLY. NEXT REPAIR, REPLACE A WIRE IN STEERING COLUMN THAT CONTACTS THE CHIP IN THE KEY???*JB

Mileage: 90,000

PLENUM INTAKE GASKET LEAK ON SECOND ENGINE. 1998 REGAL WITH 2000 REGAL ENGINE. $750.00 TO FIX!*AK

Mileage: 166,500

GRINDING AND STEERING PROBLEMS. *PH THE CONSUMER RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE REGARDING A DEFECTIVE RACK AND PINION. THE VEHICLE HAD OTHER PROBLEMS SUCH AS COOLANT, OIL AND TIMING COVER GASKET LEAKS. *JB

I JUST PURCHASED THE CAR USED EXACTLY A LITTLE OVER A YEAR AGO. THE BRAKE LIGHT ON THE DASH BOARD CAME ON FOR A COUPLE SECONDS AND WENT OFF. THEN NEXT DAY AFTER THE BRAKE LIGHT SITUATION THE CHECK ENGINE AND ENTIRE DASHBOARD CAME ON WHILE DRIVING IN A RESIDENTIAL AREA. AND CAUSED THE CAR TO STALL. WHICH THANKFULLY I WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER AND DID NOT CAUSE AN ACCIDENT. THE VEHICLE DID START BACK UP. AND I TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP WHERE I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE THEY COULD NOT FIND ANYTHING ON THE CODES FOR THE BRAKE OR ENGINE PROBLEM ( WHICH I HAD TO PAY $112) . I SAID THERE HAS TO BE A REASON EVEN THOUGH THE CODES AREN'T SHOWING. SO THEY LOOKED AT THE FUEL PUMP SYSTEM, FLUIDS, AND CHECKED MY BRAKE PADS. AND STILL FOUND NO PROBLEMS. THEY COULD NOT OFFER ANY OTHER SOLUTION. SO THE NEXT DAY I DROVE THE CAR IN THE SAME AREA AND THE CAR ONCE AGAIN STALLED AND GOOD THING I DIDN'T CAUSE AN ACCIDENT WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER. SO THE PROBLEM STILL REMAINS. I SEE MANY COMPLAINTS REGARDING THIS STALLING SITUATION I DO BELIEVE THIS SHOULD BE A DEFECT FOR INVESTIGATION IN ORDER TO RECALL. AS IT IT CAN CAUSE SERIOUS POTENTIAL ACCIDENTS.*AK

Mileage: 1

CONSUMER STATES THAT WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED AND WITHOUT WARNING VEHICLE WILL SHUT OFF, CAUSING CONSUMER TO PULL OVER. DEALER NOTIFIED.*AK

THE CONSUMER HEARD A LOUD SOUND IN WHICH THE ENGINE HAD CAUGHT FIRE. *MR *SCC

THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING, THE DEALER STATED THE CRACK SENSOR AND THE FUEL SENSOR WERE THE PROBLEM. *JB

Mileage: 33,000

MY CAR'S RADIATOR COOLING LIGHT CAME ON, AND I DISCOVERED THAT THE OVERFLOW TANK WAS EMPTY. SINCE IT WAS ZERO DEGREES OUT, I WAS AFRAID THE ENGINE WOULD FREEZE. MY LOCAL REPAIR SHOP FOUND THE UPPER MANIFOLD LEAKING AND CHARGED ME OVER $900 TO REPLACE IT AND REFILL THE COOLING SYSTEM. I NOW DISCOVER THAT THIS WAS IN TWO PREVIOUS MFG BULLETINS. BUICK REFUSES TO REIMBURSE ME SAYING I HAD TO DRIVE IT TO THEIR DEALER (A DISTANCE AWAY). I FEEL THIS IS UNFAIR. IT IS A DEFECT THAT I DISCOVERED THEY HAVE RECTIFIED IN RECENT MODELS.

Mileage: 35,050

ON ABOUT 6 OCCASIONS WHILE TRYING TO ACCELERATE FROM A DEAD STOP, ENGINE STOPS DEAD WHILE DASH LIGHTS AND ACCESORIES SUCH AS AIR CONDITIONING AND RADIO REMAIN FUNCTIONAL. ENGINE IS ABLE TO BE RESTARTED EACH THIS HAPPENS. DEALER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED AND COULD NOT FIND ANY FAULT NOR COULD THEY DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. GM WAS ALSO NOTIFIED BUT SAID THEY HAD NEVER HEARD OF THIS PROBLEM, YET THERE ARE 13 SUCH PROBLEMS REPORTED TO NHTSA. IF PROBLEM WERE TO OCCUR WHILE TRYING TO NAVIGATE AN INTERSECTION IN HEAVY TRAFFIC, SEVER ACCIDENT COULD RESULT. MR

WHILE TRAVELING AT 55 TO 60 MPH ENGINE DIED. NO POWER BRAKES AND NO STEERING IT WAS IMPOSSIBLE TO GET OFF THE ROAD. TOOK VEHICLE TO BUICK, AND THEY DUPLICATED THE PROBLEM, BUT COULDN'T FIX IT. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK

THE CAR'S PROBLEM IS THAT IT STOPS AT ANY TIME. BECAUSE OF THIS PROBLEM, MY SON AND MY WIFE, WHO DRIVES THE CAR, HAD MANY TIMES THE POSIBILITIES TO BE INVOLVED IN THE TRAFFIC ACCIDENT.

VEHICLE STALLS WITH NO PRIOR WARNING. DEALERSHIP TOLD CONSUMER THAT PROBLEM HAS BEEN RESOLVED. BUT PROBLEM STILL EXISTS. *AK

ENGINE STALLS AFTER ACCELERATING FROM DEAD STOP. YH

CAR STALLS AFTER COMING TO A STOP AND THEN PUSHING GAS PEDAL. DEALER CLAIMS THAT A WIRING HARNESS NEEDED TO BE RE-ROUTED. READING THE COMPLAINT DATABASE I SEE THIS IS A MORE COMMON PROBLEM THAN WAS TOLD. IF IT IS THE WIRING HARNESS, THEN OKAY AND THE DEFECT SHOULD BE RECALLED. IF THIS IS NOT THE CAUSE OF THE STALLING THEN I DON'T KNOW WHAT I WILL DO.

FROM STANDING STOP, CAR EITHER HESITATES VIOLENTLY OR STALLS. DEALERS CANNOT DUPLICATE AND HAVE NOT EVEN ATTEMPTED REPAIR.

INTERMITTENTLY IN COLD CLIMATES, WINDSHIELD WIPERS MALFUNCTION, CAUSING VISUAL DIFFICULTY WHICH MAY RESULT IN A CRASH. ALSO THE HORN WILL MALFUNCTION/FUMES FROM EXHAUST SYSTEM WILL ENTER THE VEHICLE, CAUSING THE OCCUPANT TO FEEL SICK. DEALER CANNOT DETERMINE THE CAUSES. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION AND VIN#. *AK

VEHICLE EXPERIENCES CONTINUED PROBLEMS WITH STALLING. MJS

CRANK SHAFT SENSOR.

CAR MAKES MANY ODD NOISES. BODY IS VERY SHARP AROUND DOORS. THE ENGINE IS TOO POWERFUL FOR THE BODY, MAKING IT PRONE TO PEELING OUT AND FISHTAILING.

VEHICLE CONTINUES TO STALL AFTER STOPS EVEN AFTER FUEL PUMP RELAY AND RESISTORS HAVE BEEN REPLACED. NLM

STARTED ENGINE OK; DROVE 2 BLOCKS TO MAJOR INTERSECTION; ACCELERATED FROM STOP SIGN INTO 35 MPH TRAFFIC TO MERGE WITH TRAFFIC; ENGINE STOPPED WHILE MERGING; ALL DASH LIGHTS CAME ON; COULD NOT RESTART ENGINE; COASTED TO STOP BLOCKING LANE AND INTERSECTION; COULD NOT RESTART; HAD TO BE TOWED TO DEALER; AFTER SEVERAL DAYS, DEALER INDICATED THAT FUEL PUMP FUSE HAD OPENED; DEALER DECIDED TO REPLACE FUSE AND INSTALL NEW PUMP, BUT DID NOT KNOW REAL CAUSE OF OPEN FUSE; ORDERED PUMP; VEHICLE STILL DISABLED AFTER 5 DAYS.

ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS VEHICLE WOULD NOT START. *YC

WHEN APPLYING GAS AFTER MAKING A COMPLETE STOP, ENGINE WILL SHUT ITSELF OFF,CONSUMER MUST RESTART VEHICLE .THIS DEFECT COULD RESULT IN AN ACCIDENT. DEALER HAS REPLACED IGNITIONS MODULE AND COIL. ALSO CRANK CASE SENSOR. DEFECT IS STILL OCCURRING, DEALER CANNOT DUPLICATE DEFECT. A TRADE ASSIST HAS SINCE BEEN ACCOMPLISHED, VEHICLE REPURCHASED BY BUICK. *AK *ML