1996 Buick Regal

Defect. CERTAIN DELPHI FUEL PRESSURE REGULATORS, P/NOS. FP10020-11B1, FP10026-11B1, AND FP10027-11B1, SOLD AFTER JANUARY 9, 2007, AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. THE UNIVERSAL PRESSURE REGULATORS (UPR) WERE PRODUCED WITHOUT AN O'RING AND RETAINER.

Risk. FUEL MAY LEAK, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A FIRE.

Remedy. DELPHI WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE UPR FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 23, 2007. OWNERS CAN CONTACT DELPHI AT 877-411-8770.

Defect. CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES HAVE LOWER PINION BEARINGS IN THE POWER RACK AND PINION ASSEMBLY IN WHICH THE RETAINER TABS WERE NOT CRIMPED PROPERLY. THESE RETAINERS COULD FAIL AND PERMIT THE BALL BEARINGS TO ESCAPE.

Risk. IF THIS OCCURS, THE PINION SHAFT CAN BE FORCED UPWARD DURING LEFT TURNS AND BACK DOWN AS THE STEERING WHEEL IS MOVED BACK AND TO THE RIGHT. IF THE PINION SHAFT MOVES FURTHER, THE DRIVER WILL NEED TO EXERT MORE EFFORT TO TURN THE STEERING WHEEL, SIMILAR TO A VEHICLE WITHOUT POWER ASSISTED STEERING. IF THE PINION SHAFT MOVES EVEN FURTHER, THE DRIVER WILL REQUIRE MUCH HIGHER EFFORT TO TURN LEFT AND MAY NOT BE ABLE TO TURN THE WHEEL AS MUCH AS INTENDED. WITH THE MAXIMUM PINION SHAFT MOVEMENT, WHICH REQUIRES INTERNAL GEAR COMPONENT DAMAGE, THE DRIVER CAN ENCOUNTER HIGH RESISTANCE TO TURNING LEFT, FOLLOWED BY UNINTENDED POWER ASSIST TO THE RIGHT. IN ANY OF THESE CONDITIONS, A CRASH COULD OCCUR.

Remedy. DEALERS WILL INSTALL A NEW LOWER PINION BEARING UNLESS INSPECT OF THE EXISTING BEARING INDICATES THAT REPLACEMENT OF THE GEAR ASSEMBLY IS NECESSARY. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON FEBRUARY 5, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT BUICK AT 1-866-608-8080; CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438; OLDSMOBILE AT 1-800-630-6537; OR PONTIAC AT 1-800-620-7668.

Defect. A BACKFIRE DURING ENGINE STARTING CAN CAUSE BREAKAGE OF THE UPPER INTAKE MANIFOLD.

Risk. THIS CONDITION CAN CAUSE A NO-START CONDITION AND POSSIBLY AN ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE.

Remedy. DEALERS WILL UPDATE THE POWERTRAIN CONTROL MODULE PROGRAMMING. UNTIL THE CAMPAIGN REPAIR IS MADE, THE VEHICLE HOOD SHOULD BE SHUT WHENEVER STARTING THE VEHICLE TO REDUCE THE CHANCE OF PERSONAL INJURY.

Defect. THE LEFT FRONT BRAKE LINE CAN CONTACT THE TRANSAXLE MOUNTING BRACKET OR ATTACHMENT BOLT.

Risk. THIS CONDITION CAN CAUSE THE BRAKE LINE TO WEAR THROUGH, RESULTING IN LOSS OF BRAKE FLUID AND EVENTUAL LOSS OF ONE-HALF OF THE VEHICLE'S BRAKE SYSTEM, INCREASING THE POTENTIAL FOR A VEHICLE ACCIDENT.

Remedy. DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE VEHICLE FOR PROPER BRAKE LINE CLEARANCE AND REPOSITION THOSE BRAKE LINES FOUND TO HAVE LESS THAN MINIMAL CLEARANCE. ADDITIONALLY, THOSE BRAKE LINES FOUND TO HAVE AN INDENTATION CAUSED BY THE CONTACT WILL BE REPLACED AND PROPERLY ROUTED.

ON JULY 17, 2019 AT 8:40AM, I GOT INTO MY CAR IN MY DRIVEWAY. I TURNED THE KEY IN THE IGNITION AND THE AIRBAG EXPLODED. (THE CAR WAS NOT STARTED.) THE AIRBAG SOUNDED LIKE A SHOTGUN BEING FIRED AND A POWDER LIKE SUBSTANCE IMMEDIATELY FILLED THE CAR. THE AIRBAG ITSELF HIT ME IN THE ABDOMINAL AREA. I FOUND THE DOOR HANDLE, OPENED THE DOOR, AND ROLLED OUT OF THE CAR ONTO THE GROUND. AT THIS TIME, I YELLED FOR MY SON. MY SON PICKED ME UP OFF THE GROUND AND CALLED AN AMBULANCE DUE TO ME BEING IN A SEVERE AMOUNT OF PAIN AND IN SHOCK. I WAS TAKEN TO THE HOSPITAL VIA AMBULANCE AND OBSERVED FOR THE REMAINDER OF THE DAY. I HAD SEVERAL FOLLOW-UP APPOINTMENTS THAT CONTINUE TO THIS DAY. INSURANCE CAME TO LOOK AT CAR, FILLED OUT PAPERWORK, AND SAID THEY WERE GOING TO TOTAL THE VEHICLE. THE CAR HAS NOT BEEN MOVED SINCE THIS INCIDENT.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 BUICK REGAL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKE AND ABS WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT FACILITY FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING AND FAILURE CODES: C1265 (REAR ABS MOTOR CIRCUIT SHORTED TO GROUND) AND C1286 (EBCM/EBTCM FAILED TO ILLUMINATE THE RED BRAKE WARNING INDICATOR) WERE LOCATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER (DON BROWN CHEVROLET, 2244 S KINGS HIGHWAY BLVD, ST. LOUIS, MO 63110, (314) 282-7887) WHERE IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE CODES INDICATED THAT THERE WAS A REAR MOTOR SHORT TO THE GROUND AND THE ELECTRIC BRAKE CONTROL MODULE ACTIVATED THE BRAKE WARNING INDICATORS. FURTHER DIAGNOSTIC TESTING WOULD BE PERFORMED BY THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

DRIVERS SIDE DOOR DOES NOT OPEN FROM INSIDE OR OUTSIDE. THE DOOR DOES NOT WORK WITH KEY EITHER. LOCK SEEMS TO WORKING BUT DOOR DOES NOT OPEN. THE CAR ONLY HAS 60,000 MILES ON IT. THIS IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS CAR AND SHOULD BE A RECALL.

WHILE MERGING ONTO THE FREEWAY, I WAS TAKING MY CAR TO BE SMOGGED. AT SPEED, I NOTICED A LITTLE WHITE PUFF OF SMOKE EMIT FROM THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE ENGINE BAY. AS I PROCEEDED TO START MOVING TO THE SHOULDER, THIS PUFF HAD TURNED INTO A GRAY PLUME. AS I FINALLY REACHED THE SHOULDER, THE ENTIRE FRONT OF THE ENGINE BAY WAS BILLOWING BLACK SMOKE. AS I TRIED TO STOP, THE BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR, SO IT SEEMED THE FIRE HAD BURNT THROUGH A BRAKE LINE. I MANAGED TO ENGAGE THE EMERGENCY BRAKE SLOWLY AND MANAGED TO STOP ON THE SHOULDER. OPENING THE HOOD, I FOUND A SMALL FIRE BURNING AT THE REAR OF THE ENGINE, BUT IN FRONT OF THE FIREWALL. I HAD NOTHING WITH ME, SO I CALLED THE FIRE DEPARTMENT AND IT WAS EXTINGUISHED. HOWEVER, BY THE TIME THEY GOT THERE, THE ENTIRE ENGINE COMPARTMENT WAS TOTALED BEYOND EXTENSIVE REPAIR.

MY CAR STARTED TO NOT START AFTER BEING DRIVEN AND SHORTLY AFTER DID NOT WANT TO START IN A SIMPLE IDLE. SOMEHOW FUEL HAS BEEN GETTING TRAPPED IN A PRESSURIZED LINE AND I'M HAVING TO RELEASE THE FUEL OUT. OIL LEAKED INTO THE SPARK PLUGS CAUSED A PILOT FLAME. I HAVE READ MULTIPLE ACCOUNTS OF THIS HAPPENING TO THAT SPECIFIC MAKE AND YEAR AS WELL A FEW OF THE OTHER 90 MODELS. EVERY ACCOUNT SAYS IT IS A FLAW IN THE ENGINE AND FUEL SYSTEM. *TR

1996 BUICK REGAL. CONSUMER STATED THE POWER STEERING WAS NOT CRIMPED PROPERLY. THE BALL BEARING WENT THROUGH THE GEAR BOX WHICH CAUSED THE DRIVER TO LOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND CRASHED. THE CONSUMER DISCOVERED THERE WAS A RECALL, ON THE STEERING. HOWEVER, HE WAS INFORMED HIS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. *JB

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 BUICK REGAL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AS THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED, THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED ERRONEOUSLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION OR REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 55,035.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 BUICK REGAL. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, WEN THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYED INADVERTENTLY WITHOUT IMPACT TO THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED ABRASIONS TO THE LEFT FOREARM. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN WITH CAUTION TO HIS RESIDENCE. THE CONTACT WAS IN THE PROCESS OF NOTIFYING THE MANUFACTURER. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED AT THE TIME OF THE COMPLAINT. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 182,000. UPDATED 10/20/10 *BF UPDATED 10/26/10*JB

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 BUICK REGAL LE. THE CONTACT STATED THERE WAS AN UNUSUAL LOUD EXPLOSION IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED. SHE OPENED THE HOOD TO FURTHER INVESTIGATE AND WAS EXHUMED WITH THICK SMOKE EMITTING FROM THE ENGINE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT THE TOP MANIFOLD MELTED. THE MECHANIC REPLACED THE MANIFOLD, INJECTORS, SENSOR WIRES, PCV VALVES, AND HOSES. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 130,000. THE APPROXIMATE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 130,000.

ON ENGINE START, LOUD EXPLOSION IN ENGINE COMPARTMENT. INSPECTION REVELED ENGINE COVER BROKEN, UPPER INTAKE MANIFOLD (PLENUM) SPLIT IN TWO PIECES. SMELL OF GAS, BROKEN VACUUM AND FUEL LINES. MUST REPLACE UPPER INTAKE MANIFOLD, FUEL RAIL, 2 INJECTORS, VARIOUS LINES. OLD PARTS ARE AVAILABLE. *TR

VEHICLE BACK FIRE THROUGH THE INTAKE AND SMOKE ROLLS OUT FROM UNDER THE HOOD WHEN TRYING TO START THE VEHICLE, NORMALLY START GOOD AFTER SITTING OVER NIGHT, BUT GO TO START IT AGAIN IT WILL BACK FIRE OR THE ENGINE IDLE IS VERY ERRATIC BEFORE IT WILL SMOOTH OUT. I REPLACE SPARK PLUG, SPARK PLUG WIRES, CAM SENSOR, PCV VALVE, FUEL FILTER CHECK BATTERY CONNECTION. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 BUICK REGAL. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE VEHICLE SPORADICALLY EXPERIENCED A NO-START CONDITION. THERE WAS ALSO A BACKFIRE THAT OCCURRED WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED. THE UPPER INTAKE MANIFOLD FAILED PRIOR TO THE UPPER INTAKE MANIFOLD. THE DEALER STATED THAT HIS VIN WAS EXCLUDED FROM NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 96V116000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM). THE CONTACT WOULD NOT ASSUME RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE REPAIR. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 78,117. UPDATED 02/05/09. *LJ COOLANT WAS FOUND IN THE OIL WHEN REPAIRS WERE MADE ON THE MANIFOLD. UPDATED 02/10/09. *JB

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 BUICK REGAL. AFTER INSERTING THE KEY INTO THE IGNITION, THE DRIVER'S SIDE FRONTAL AIR BAG SPONTANEOUSLY DEPLOYED WITHOUT AN IMPACT OR CRASH. HE IS IN THE PROCESS OF NOTIFYING THE DEALER TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 157,000.

I PURCHASED MY CAR IN 1998 AND SOON AFTER THAT THE PAINT STARTED TO PEEL. IN ABOUT 2000 I FINALLY RESEARCHED IT ONLINE AND FOUND OUT TO LOOK AT MY VIN NUMBER, AND IF THE 11TH NUMBER WAS A '1' THAT IT WAS PAINTED IN CANADA AND THAT THEY TROUBLE WITH BAD PRIMER UP THERE. A LOT OF PEOPLE HAD SUED FOR A NEW PAINT JOB. GM CLOSED THAT PLANT DOWN. I WENT TO MAACO HERE AND WAS TOLD THAT SINCE THE PRIMER WAS BAD, THEY WOULD HAVE TO STRIP THAT ALL OFF TOO, AND THE WHOLE JOB WAS MORE THAN I COULD AFFORD. ALSO, EVER SINCE I'VE HAD THE CAR, THE BRAKES HAVE MADE A HORRIBLE NOISE ON STOPPING, MAINLY IN WARM WEATHER. ALL MECHANICS THINK IT IS VERY ODD AND HAVE TRIED TO FIX IT SEVERAL TIMES. TWO MECHANICS HAVE ACTUALLY STOPPED THE NOISE BUT IT RETURNS PROMPTLY. IT DOESN'T SEEM TO IMPAIR THE BRAKING ABILITY. IT'S A GOOD OLD CAR AND NOW HAS 93,000 MILES WITHOUT OTHER COMPLAINTS, BUT IS EMBARRASSING TO DRIVE WITH 1/2 OF ITS PAINT MISSING. IT LOOKS LIKE A COW. *TR

THERE IS A SEVERE PROBLEM WITH THE STEERING. WE BROUGHT THE VEHICLE TO A GARAGE AND WE WERE TOLD THAT THERE IS A RECALL ON THE VEHICLE TO CORRECT THE RACK AND PINION STEERING. WE CALLED BUICK AND WERE TOLD THAT THE RECALL IS VIN SPECIFIC AND THAT OUR VIN WAS NOT RECALLED. WE WERE ADVISED BY BUICK THAT IT WAS JUST A COINCIDENCE THAT OUR VEHICLE WAS THE SAME YEAR, MAKE AND MODEL AS THE RECALL AND HAD THE SAME PROBLEM AND THAT WE WOULD HAVE TO PAY ONE OF THEIR DEALERS TO LOOK AT IT. *TR

MY DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING THE 1996 BUCK REGAL ON I-77 NORTH NEAR CHELYAN, WV ANOTHER DAUGHTER WAS IN THE PASSENGER SEAT. THE REAR DRIVER'S SIDE WHEEL BROKE FROM THE HUB, CAUSING THE CAR TO VEER AND EVENTUALLY HIT THE CONCRETE MEDIAN. THE CRASH SEVERELY DAMAGED THE FRONT LEFT SIDE OF THE CAR; IT WA STOTALLED. THE CRASH RESULTED IN INJURIES TO BOTH OF MY DAUGHTERS - THE DRIVER SUSTAINE D A BUMP ON HER FOREHEAD, AND THE PASSENGER HASD A SWOLEN LEFT ANKLE - PRELIMINARY REVIEW OF THE X-RAYS WERE NEGATIVE FOR A BREAK/FRACTURE. THE CAR WAS TOWED TO A GARAGE. *AK

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS 1996 BUICK REGAL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED DURING AN OIL CHANGE. AFTER THE OIL CHANGE, THE ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED AGAIN AND THE CONTACT HAD THE BATTERY CHANGED. SHE DROVE APPROXIMATELY ONE AND A HALF MILES, MADE A RIGHT TURN, AND ATTEMPTED TO MAKE A LEFT TURN WHEN THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED. THE FAILURE OCCURRED WHILE DRIVING 10 MPH. THE CONTACT HAD TO SHIFT THE VEHICLE IN REVERSE IN ORDER TO MOVE THE WHEEL. THE CONTACT REFERENCED NHTSA RECALL # 03V527000 (STEERING:RACK AND PINION). THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 86,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 85,000.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 BUICK REGAL. THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE AFTER BEING PARKED FOR APPROXIMATELY FIFTEEN MINUTES. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 186,000. UPDATED 02-01-08. *KB UPDATED 02/19/10. *LJ UPDATED 09/2810*JB

I BOUGHT A USED CAR IN BOARDMAN, OHIO AREA AND I NOW HAVE A 1490.00 REPAIR BILL AFTER SALESMAN TOLD ME IT WAS CHECKED OUT. THEY REPLACED A BURNED OUT BULB WITH ANOTHER BURNED OUT BULB WHICH I CAN PROVE. I NEED HELP TO STOP THIS PRACTICE. *JB

WHILE MAKING A TURN, THE STEERING IN MY 1996 BUICK REGAL BECAME VERY STIFF AND WOULD NOT RETURN TO NEUTRAL. IT HAS ONLY BEEN TWO DAYS NOW THAT THIS HAS HAPPENED, BUT IT'S DANGEROUS, AS IT GIVES NO WARNING. THE TURN ALMOST PUT ME INTO A TREE! IT HAPPENED TODAY BUT I WAS MORE AWARE THAT IT MIGHT HAPPEN AND ALERT FOR IT. MY 1995 CENTURY HAD THE SAME PROBLEM AND IT WAS THAT THE STEERING RACK GETS TIGHT IN COLDER WEATHER AND AFTER 75000 MILES! *NM

LARGE PIECES OF PAINT CAME OFF THE HOOD OF MY CAR. *JB

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE STARTING THE VEHICLE THE PLASTIC UPPER INTAKE MANIFOLD EXPLODED. THERE IS A NHTSA RECALL, # 96V116000, REGARDING THE FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM. THE VEHICLE HAS THE SAME PROBLEMS AS INDICATED IN THE RECALL; HOWEVER IT IS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO THE VIN. UPDATED 5/3/2006 - WHEN THE CONSUMER STARTED THE VEHICLE AN EXPLOSION WAS HEARD. THE CONSUMER EXITED THE VEHICLE AND OPENED THE HOOD TO FIND THE ENGINE ON FIRE. THE CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO EXTINGUISH THE FIRE WITH A GARDEN HOSE. *NM

CONSUMER WOULD LIKE TO RECEIVE INFORMATION ON THE 1996 BUICK REGAL. *TS *NM

A RECALL WAS ISSUED REGARDING THE RACK AND PINION STEERING ON OUR 1996 BUICK. THE PROBLEM WAS SUPPOSEDLY FIXED BY THE PREVIOUS OWNER OF THE CAR. MY 17 YEAR OLD SON WAS PUT IN SERIOUS DANGER BECAUSE THE 'FIX' DID NOT CORRECT THE PROBLEM. NOW BUICK IS TELLING US THAT THEY WILL NOT STAND BEHIND THE OBVIOUS PROBLEM WITH THEIR VEHICLE. THE CAR WILL NOT TURN TO THE LEFT. BUCIK REPS ARE INCOMPETENT AND RUDE. *NM

ON JANUARY 21, 2006 AT 7:10 AM, WHILE I WAS DRIVING ON U.S. 1, A BUSY STREET DURING RUSH-HOUR TRAFFIC, MY DRIVER SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYED. THERE WAS NO CRASH INVOLVED NOR DID MY CAR COME INTO ANY CONTACT WITH ANY OBJECT. I DIDN'T EVEN APPLY THE BRAKES. THERE WAS ABSOLUTELY NO REASON FOR THE AIR BAG TO DEPLOY. WHEN THE AIR BAG DEPLOYED, IT HIT ME IN THE FACE AND BURNED MY HAND. FOR ABOUT FIVE TO SEVEN SECONDS I DID NOT KNOW WHAT HAD HAPPENED. IT WAS LIKE I HEARD AN EXPLOSION AND THEN WHOOSH, THE WHOLE BAG WAS IN MY FACE. I WAS CRUISING IN THE MIDDLE LANE OF LIGHT TRAFFIC, AND FORTUNATELY, WAS ABLE TO STOP, THEN PULL OVER OUT OF TRAFFIC TO FIND OUT WHAT HAPPENED. I THEN CALLED MY LOCAL BUICK DEALER AND COMPLAINED TO SERVICE WRITER "PAUL." HE TOLD ME TO GET MY CAR TO HIM AT MY COST NEXT TUESDAY, AND HE WANTED TO CHARGE ME FOR DIAGNOSTIC. THIS MEANS I HAVE TO PAY FOR SOMETHING THAT WAS BUICK'S FAULT -- INVESTIGATING A DEFECTIVE PRODUCT. I DO NOT BELIEVE THIS IS ACCEPTABLE CUSTOMER SERVICE. *JB

FAILURE OF BOTH BRAKE LIGHTS AND TURN SIGNALS. EMERGENCY FLASHERS OPERATE SO BULBS AND WIRING ARE OK. FUSES CHECKED. NOT REPAIRED YET BUT WAS TOLD IT PROBABLY IS A SWITCH/COMPONENT IN THE STEERING COLUMN. *JB

HAD AN ELECTRIC FUEL PUMP FAILURE AFTER A PERIOD OF PROBLEMS WITH DIFFICULTY STARTING AND POOR ACCELERATION. WHEN THE FUEL PUMP WAS REMOVED, THERE IS EVIDENCE OF ARCING AT THE CONNECTOR. SEEMS TO BE A FIRE HAZARD, AS THE PUMP IS INSIDE THE FUEL TANK. *NM

DT: THE CONTACT RECEIVED RECALL 03V527000 IN 2-04 REGARDING THE POWER STEERING LOWER PINION BEARING. HE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER ON 2-17-04 FOR RECALL REPAIRS. THE CAR HAD 56,000 MILES ON IT. AFTER THE RECALL REPAIR WORK WAS DONE, THE CONSUMER HEARD A NOISE IN THE POWER STEERING. ON 5-9-05 THEY DISCOVERED A LEAK IN THE POWER STEERING. THEY REPLACED A POWER STEERING HOSE . THEN, AT 64,000 MILES, HE HEARD A HUMMING NOISE, THEY RE-ROUTED THE HOSE, AND TOLD HIM THE NOISE WOULD GO AWAY. ON 6-02-05 HE TOOK VEHICLE BACK BECAUSE THE NOISE WAS STILL THERE. THEY TOLD HIM HE NEEDED A WHOLE NEW POWER STGEERING UNIT. THE CONSUMER STATED THAT EVER SINCE HE HAD THE RECALL REPAIR WORK DONE, WHEN HE TURNED THE STEERING WHEEL TO THE RIGHT THERE WAS A LOUD HUMMING NOISE. IT SEEMED TO BE COMING FROM THE LEFT SIDE.*AK *JB

LEFT HAND RETURN WENT OUT, MY CAR, A 1996 BUICK REGAL, HAS A BULLETIN # 03062 ISSUED FOR THIS PROBLEM AND A RECALL FOR THIS PART, HOWEVER ON NOTIFYING THE BUICK DEALERSHIP AND THE 800 # HAVE BEEN TOLD THAT MY VIN # ISN'T INCLUDED. IT IS OBVIOUS THAT MY CAR DOES HAVE THIS PROBLEM AND IS THE CORRECT YEAR. *NM

MY SEATBEALTS DON'T HOLD YOU AT ALL . IF THERE WAS A ACCIDENT LIKE THE ONE WE HAD IN OUR TOYOTA.THE OUTCOME COULD BE TRAGIC!!!! I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW WHAT TO DO, AND WHERE TO GO ?? I,M AFRAID TO DRIVE FOR FEAR OF BEING IN ANOTHER ACCIDENT . PLEASE ADVISE ME WHAT TO DO . THANKS, ROSAMOND BENNETT

AFTER TURNING THE IGNITION TO START THE VEHICLE THERE WAS AN EXPLOSION, THE ENGINE WAS ON FIRE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS CALLED, AND THE FIRE WAS EXTINGUISHED. THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE INTAKE MANIFOLD NHTSA RECALL 96V116000. *AK THE EGR VALVE WAS INOPERATIVE AND ON ANOTHER OCCASION THE VEHICLE HAD TO BE JUMP STARTED. *SC *JB

THE CONSUMER IS EXPERIENCING PROBLEMS WITH THE GEAR SHIFT. CHANGING GEARS ARE VERY DIFFICULT. WHEN GOING FROM PARK TO DRIVE THE CONSUMER MUST APPLY A LOT OF PRESSURE FOR THE GEARS TO SHIFT. THE OWNER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER, WHERE GREASE WAS APPLIED TO THE DEFECTIVE PART, HOWEVER, THE PROBLEM RECURRED. *AK THE GEAR SHIFT WAS HARD TO MOVE FORM PARK TO DRIVE. THE CABLES WERE FOUND DRY. *SC

WHEN TRYING TO START THE VEHICLE, THERE WAS AN EXPLOSION AND THE VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE. THE FIRE WAS PUT OUT BY THE CONSUMER, HOWEVER, IT WAS NEARLY DESTROYED. *JB

ANTI FREEZE LEAKED INSIDE THE ENGINE DUE TO FAULTY INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKETS WHICH WERE MADE OF PLASTIC. THIS HAPPENED FREQUENTLY, EVEN AFTER ANTIFREEZE WAS REFILLED. *AK FUMES FROM THE ANTIFREEZE OIL MIXTURE WERE ENTERING THE CABIN OF THE VEHICLE FROM THE ENGINE. *NM

EXPERIENCE PROBLEMS WITH PAINT, AS A RESULT WE CAN NOT TRADE OR SELL THE VEHICLE UNLESS VEHICLE IS COMPLETELY PAINTED. *BF *TC

VEHICLE WOULD NOT START, IT WAS TOWED TO REPAIR SHOP SAT FOR ABOUT 24 HOURS, WHEN TRYING TO START IT THE INTAKE MANIFOLD EXPLODED.

WHILE ATTEMPTING TO START THE VEHICLE THE CONSUMER HEARD AN EXPLOSION. *NM A HOLE WAS DISCOVERED BLOWN THROUGH THE INTAKE MANIFOLD AND A CRACK WAS DISCOVERED A CRACK IN THE DUST COVER. THE CONSUMER REQUESTED REIBURSEMENT. *SC

THE CONSUMER WAS HAVING A PROBLEM WITH HIS VEHICLE MAKING A DRAGGING/SPINNING TYPE NOISE. HE STATED IT SOUNDED AS IF IT WAS NOT CONNECTING WITH SOMETHING IN THE DRIVE LINE. HE ALSO STATED HE WENT TO THE COMPUTER AND LOOKED HIS TYPE VEHICLE UP AND READ THAT THIS YEAR VEHICLE HAS A PROBLEM WITH THE BRAKE LINE AND THE LEFT WHEEL, WHICH CAN CAUSE WEAR AND TEAR ON THE BRAKE LINE. HE SAYS ALSO THAT WHEN HE TAKES OFF HE HEARS A WHINING NOISE AND IT GETS LOUDER WITH INCREASED SPEED. HE TOOK HIS VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND THEY WERE NOT SURE WHAT THE PROBLEM WAS. BUT SAYS IT WILL COST APPROX. $85.00 PER HOUR FOR THEM TO CHECK IT OUT. HE SAYS THIS IS TOO COSTLY. THEN HE SAYS HE IS TOLD THAT IT COULD COST HIM $2300.00 NOT INCLUDING LABOR. *JB *TC

VEHICLE STALLED INTERMITTENTLY WHILE DRIVING 30-40 MPH, AND THE WIRING CONNECTED TO THE HORN OVERHEATED AND BECOME INOPERATIVE. DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED.*AK

FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE PINION SHAFT PRODUCED A WHINING NOISE WHEN DRIVING AT ANY SPEED. RECALL 03V527000 WAS ISSUED. HOWEVER THE DEALER STATED THAT WAS NOT THE CAUSE OF THE NOISE, AND CHARGED THE CONSUMER FOR A DIAGNOSTIC TEST.*AK

BOUGHT A 1996 BUICK REGAL IN 1999. THE PAINT HAS BEEN LITTERLY PEELING OFF THE CAR ALL OVER. IS THERE A RECALL FOR THIS OR IS THERE ANYTHING I CAN DO FOR THIS?*AK

OTHER SYSTEM

WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH WHITE SMOKE EMITTED FROM UNDER THE HOOD. THE CONSUMER WAS INFORMED THAT COOLANT WAS IN THE ENGINE OIL AND BLEW OUT A HEAD GASKET. THE ENGINE WAS NOT COVER UNDER THE MANUFACTURERS RECALL. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION. *JB

THERE WAS A SEVERE WINDING NOISE COMING FROM THE STEERING WHEEL THAT INTENSIFIED WHEN TURNING. *AK *SC *JB

WHILE BACKING OUT OF THE DRIVEWAY DRIVER'S SEAT COLLAPSED BACKWARDS WITHOUT WARNING. *AK

UPON STARTING THE VEHICLE THERE WAS A NOISE IN THE STEERING COLUMN THAT BECAME WORSE WHEN STEERING THE WHEEL WAS TURNED. THE MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT THE NOISE WAS CAUSED BY RACK AND PINION FAILURE. THERE WAS A STEERING GEAR BEARING RECALL , BUT THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED DUE TO VIN. *AK *JB

RECALL 03V527000 CONCERNING STEERING GEAR BEARINGS. CONSUMER READ A NEWSPAPER ARTICLE ABOUT THE GMC POWER STEERING RECALL. THE CONSUMER HAD NOT RECEIVED THE NOTICE, BUT CALLED GMC TO GET AUTHORIZATION FOR RECALL REPAIRS. VEHICLE WAS MAKING NOISES WHEN STARTING AND WHEN TURNING, BUT GMC REPRESENTATIVE STATED IT MAY NOT BE A PROBLEM WITH THE STEERING. THE CONSUMER MUST PAY $90.00 FOR A DIAGNOSTIC TEST. *AK *JB

CONSUMER WAS TRYING TO MAKE A LEFT TURN ONTO A STREET WHEN THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME STIFF. THIS MADE IT HARD FOR THE DRIVER TO COMPLETE THE TURN. DEALER WAS CONTACTED, AND DEALER REPLACED THE PINION BEARING. HOWEVER, THAT DIDN'T CORRECT THE PROBLEM. *AK

EXTERIOR LIGHTS, TAIL LIGHTS LEAKS, CAUSING BULBS TO CONSTENTLY HAVE TO BE REPLACED.*AK

BALL JOINTS NEED TO BE REPLACED. 2 DIFFERENT AUTO REPAIR SHOPS INFORMED ME THAT THEY WERE IN BAD SHAPE, AND WILL RESULT IN WHEELS TO FALL HALF WAY OVER. IF DRIVING WHEN THIS HAPPENS IT CAN CAUSE AN ACCIDENT.*AK