1999 Buick Regal

Fatalities reported

Owners filed 246 complaints about this vehicle with federal regulators, most often about the engine. It has been recalled 8 times.

When it fails
020k40k60k90k120k200k
89,000 milesMedian miles at failure

116 complaints record an odometer reading. Failures cluster around 90,000105,000 miles.

What fails
ComponentReportsCrashesFiresInjuries
Engine43
0202
Electrical System23
031
Engine and Engine Cooling19
0130
Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine12
040
Visibility › Power Window Devices and Controls9
001
Steering9
000
Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip9
100
Steering › Rack and Pinion8
000
Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine › Gasoline6
020
Service Brakes, Hydraulic5
000

8 safety recalls

Part 573 reports
Engine and Engine Cooling › Exhaust System › Manifold/Header/Muffler/Tail Pipe15V701000
Filed Oct 26, 20151,003,556 vehiclesGeneral Motors Llc

Defect. 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.

Risk. 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 engine’s 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 and Engine Cooling09V116000
Filed Apr 8, 20091,497,516 vehiclesGeneral Motors Corp.

Defect. GENERAL MOTORS IS RECALLING 1,497,516 MY 1997-2003 BUICK REGAL, MY 1998-2003 CHEVROLET LUMINA, MONTE CARLO AND IMPALA, MY 1998-1999 OLDSMOBILE INTRIGUE, MY 1997-2003 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH A 3.8L 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.

Risk. 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.

Remedy. DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE ENGINE’S FRONT VALVE COVER AND FRONT-VALVE-COVER GASKET WITH NEW PARTS OF AN IMPROVED DESIGN AND REMOVE THE ENGINE’S PLASTIC COVER AND PLASTIC OIL-FILL-TUBE EXTENSION, FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING MAY 2016. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438, OLDSMOBILE AT 1-800-630-6537, AND PONTIAC AT 1-800-620-7668 OR HTTP://WWW.PONTIAC.COM OR HTTP:WWW.GMOWNERCENTER.COM.

Steering09E005000
Filed Feb 17, 2009979 vehiclesDorman Products, Inc.

Defect. DORMAN IS RECALLING 979 STEERING KNUCKLES, DORMAN P/NOS. 697-902 AND 697-903, SOLD UNDER DORMAN'S "OE SOLUTIONS<SUP>TM</SUP>" 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.

Risk. A BROKEN STEERING KNUCKLE COULD RESULT IN LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL AND A POSSIBLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.

Remedy. 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. OWNERS MAY CONTACT DORMAN'S TOLL-FREE HOTLINE AT 1-800-523-2492 AND PRESS 5.

Steering08E063000
Filed Oct 17, 20083,855 vehiclesDorman Products, Inc.

Defect. DORMAN PRODUCTS IS RECALLING 3,900 INTERMEDIATE STEERING SHAFTS DORMAN PART NOS. 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.

Risk. IF THE WELD FAILS, LOSS OF STEERING COULD RESULT, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy. DORMAN WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE STEERING SHAFTS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 16, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT DORMAN TOLL FREE AT 1-800-523-2492.

Engine and Engine Cooling08V118000
Filed Mar 12, 2008207,542 vehiclesGeneral Motors Corp.

Defect. GM IS RECALLING 207,542 MY 1997-2003 BUICK REGAL AND PONTIAC GRAND PRIX VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH A 3.8L 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.

Risk. 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 PLASTIC SPARK PLUG WIRE CHANNEL AND BEYOND.

Remedy. DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE ENGINE’S FRONT VALVE COVER AND FRONT-VALVE-COVER GASKET WITH NEW PARTS OF AN IMPROVED DESIGN AND REMOVE THE ENGINE’S 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 MAY 2016. , FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING MAY 2016. UNTIL THE REMEDY IS COMPLETED, GM STRONGLY RECOMMENDS THAT OWNERS OBSERVE THE FOLLOWING IMPORTANT PRECAUTIONS (1) THAT OWNERS DO NOT PARK THEIR VEHICLE IN A GARAGE, CAR PORT, OR OTHER STRUCTURE; (2) IF OWNERS NOTICE A BURNING ODOR, THEY SHOULD HAVE THEIR DEALER INSPECT THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER WILL INSPECT THE VEHICLE WITHOUT CHARGE; (3) USE PREMIUM FUEL (91 OCTANE OR HIGHER) IN THE VEHICLE AS RECOMMENDED IN THE VEHICLE'S OWNER MANUAL. OWNERS MAY CONTACT BUICK AT 1-866-608-8080 OR PONTIAC AT 1-800-620-7668, OR THROUGH THEIR WEBSITE AT <A HREF=HTTP://WWW.GMOWNERCENTER.COM>HTTP://WWW.GMOWNERCENTER.COM</A> .

Exterior Lighting › Headlights04V375000
Filed Aug 10, 2004199,793 vehiclesGeneral Motors Corp.

Defect. CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES DO NOT CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." SOME OF THESE VEHICLES DO NOT MEET THE OVERHEAD SIGN ILLUMINATION REQUIREMENTS.

Risk. LESS ILLUMINATION MAY REDUCE THE ABILITY OF THE DRIVER TO READ OVERHEAD SIGNS WHEN DRIVING AT NIGHT.

Remedy. DEALERS WILL INSTALL NEW LOW BEAM HEADLAMP BULBS IN BOTH OF THE HEADLAMP ASSEMBLIES. THE RECALL BEGAN ON SEPTEMBER 8, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT BUICK AT 1-866-608-8080. NOTE: IF THE BULB NEEDS REPLACEMENT IN THE FUTURE, GM BULB NUMBER 89024715 IS AVAILABLE FROM A DEALER, OR THE EQUIVALENT SYLVANIA BULB IS 9006HP, WITH ORANGE LETTERING ON THE BULB.

Exterior Lighting › Headlights99V356000
Filed Dec 17, 1999411,880 vehiclesGeneral Motors Corp.

Defect. VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE VEHICLES DO NOT CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THE VERTICAL HEAD LAMP ADJUSTING DEVICE MAY NOT BE CALIBRATED PROPERLY.

Risk. DRIVER VISIBILITY MAY BE IMPAIRED INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy. OWNERS WILL BE PROVIDED WITH AN OWNER'S MANUAL INSERT CONTAINING INSTRUCTIONS FOR OPTICALLY AIMING THE HEADLAMPS.

Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip99V170000
Filed Jul 9, 1999168,559 vehiclesGeneral Motors Corp.

Defect. SOME OF THESE VEHICLES WITH THE KEY IN THE "ON" POSITION, EXHIBIT A CONDITION IN WHICH THE ANTILOCK BRAKE SYSTEM (ABS) MOTOR SHORTS TO ITS CASE AND GROUNDS THROUGH A FLEXIBLE BRAKE FLUID PIPE.

Risk. THIS SHORT CAN CAUSE EXTREME HEATING OF THE FLEXIBLE BRAKE PIPE WHERE IT CAN MELT A NEARBY FLEXIBLE PLASTIC FUEL HOSE, WHICH COULD RESULT IN AN UNDERHOOD FIRE.

Remedy. DEALERS WILL INSTALL A GROUND CABLE FROM THE ELECTRONIC BRAKE CONTROL MODULE (EBCM) TO THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT BODY RAIL.

What owners reported

Newest filings
Engine
Filed Jan 10, 202186,000 milesUT

07/25/2021 STARTED THE MOTOR, IN STATIONARY IN PERSONAL DRIVEWAY, IN IDLE IT BEGAN TO PUFF THICK WHITE SMOKE FROM THE TAIL PIPE AND EXHAUST MANIFOLD IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. TURNED ENGINE OFF WITHIN 15 SECONDS OF STARTING THE ENGINE. LEFT VEHICLE OFF FOR 24 HRS, AND TRIED TO TURN THE MOTOR BACK ON AND THE ENGINE SEIZED AND WOULD NOT CRANK OVER. TRIED 3-5 ADDITIONAL TIMES TO START ENGINE, WITH THE SAME OUTCOME. SINCE THIS OCCURENCE VEHICLE HAS BEEN LEFT UNDRIVEABLE AND STILL REMAINS IN PERSONAL DRIVEWAY. RECALL NUMBER: 240412

Electrical System
Filed Dec 17, 2019CA

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 .

Air Bags
Filed Jan 28, 2019120,000 milesOR

PASSENGER AIR BAG LIGHT STAYS ON ALL THE TIME. TAKATA INFLATORS

Steering
Filed Sep 11, 2018162,000 milesWA

AUGUST 2017', THE STEERING BEGAN TO PULL VERY SLIGHTLY LEFT AND RIGHT AT ALL SPEEDS BUT MORE NOTICEABLE AT LOW SPEEDS OR WHEN TURNING THE WHEELS AT A STOP WITH A VERY SLIGHT CLUNK NOISE THAT GOT LOUDER OVER THE YEAR. VISIBLE INSPECTION AT MY REPAIR SHOP DURING A FLAT REAR TIRE REPAIR DID NOT FIND ANYTHING WORN OUT OR DAMAGED BUT SUGGESTED MAYBE A BALL JOINT COULD BE GETTING OLD ENOUGH TO NEED REPLACED AS IT DID HAVE ABOUT 158,000 OR SO MILES ON IT BUT THEY COULDN'T INDICATE IF IT WAS A BALL JOINT SPECIFICALLY AS THERE WAS NO UNUSUAL MOVEMENT OR NOISE FROM ONE. I ALSO CHECKED AND FOUND NO ISSUES WITH ANY COMPONENT UNDERNEATH. NO LEAKS AND POWER STEERING FLUID WAS GOOD.THEN SEPTEMBER 7, 2018', WHILE DRIVING AROUND TOWN THE STEERING MADE A LOUD CLUNK STEERING LEFT AND REALLY BEGAN TO PULL ESPECIALLY LEFT. I GOT IT HOME 3 MILES LATER AND PUT IT ON RAMPS AND HAD SOMEONE WORK THE STEERING WHEEL BACK AND FORTH AND I FOUND THE CLUNK IS COMING FROM THE DRIVERS SIDE OF THE RACK AND PINION ASSEMBLY. YOU CAN LITERALLY SEE IT JUMP WHEN IT CLUNKS. AFTER THIS STATIONARY TEST THE STEERING WAS MUCH WORSE, THE CAR WAS NOT DRIVABLE F THE BLOCK WITH OUT HEAVY EFFORT ON THE STEERING WHEEL SO IT IS PARKED UNTIL IT CAN GET FIXED. COMPLAINT HISTORY FOR THIS ISSUE WITH GM VEHICLES IN THIS +/- 2 YEAR RANGE IS ALARMING.

Power Train
Filed Oct 5, 201780,000 milesCA

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 BUICK REGAL. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO PLACE THE GEAR SHIFTER IN DRIVE, THE VEHICLE JERKED AND BEGAN TO SHAKE. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS ON AN INCLINE, IT FAILED TO PROPERLY ACCELERATE AND STARTED TO SHAKE. ALL OF THE WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO PENSKE CHEVROLET OF CERRITOS (18605 STUDEBAKER RD, CERRITOS, CA 90703 (562) 924-1676). BUT NO DIAGNOSTIC FAILURE CODES WERE FOUND AND THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE REPLICATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO BOULEVARD BUICK GMC (2800 CHERRY AVE, SIGNAL HILL, CA 90755 (562) 492-1000) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE OIL NEEDED TO BE CHANGED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND PROVIDED A CASE NUMBER. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000.

EngineFire
Filed Feb 28, 2017DE

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 1999 BUICK REGAL. AFTER DRIVING AND PARKING THE VEHICLE, SMOKE AND FLAMES APPEARED. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED AND TOWED. THERE WERE NO INJURIES AND A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED BY A DEALER. THERE WAS A RECALL REGARDING THE FAILURE, BUT THE CONTACT RECEIVED THE NOTIFICATION TOO LATE. THE RECALL INFORMATION AND FAILURE MILEAGE WERE UNKNOWN.

EngineFire1 injured
Filed Feb 10, 2017TX

THE ENGINE CAUGHT ON FIRE NO MORE THAN 3MINUTES AFTER I PARKED THE CAR. THE VALVE COVER RECALL WAS REPAIRED IN 2016. CAR WAS RUNNING FINE. I JUST HAPPENED TO GO BACK OUT TO THE CAR TO GET MY CELL PHONE WHEN I SAW SMOKE. I OPEN THE HOOD AND SAW FLAMES. I USED A FIRE EXTINGUISHER TO OUT HE FLAME OUT. NOW THE CAR STARTS BUT RUNS TOO ROUGH TO EVEN TRUST TO DRIVE IT! WHY HAVE THE RECALL IF IT WAS GOING TO CATCH FIRE ANYWAYS!

EngineFire
Filed Oct 30, 2016100,000 milesOR

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.

Power TrainCrash1 injured
Filed Sep 22, 2016CA

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 BUICK REGAL. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS PLACED IN PARK AND THE CONTACT EXITED, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY REVERSED BACKWARDS. THE DRIVER ATTEMPTED TO RE-ENTER THE VEHICLE, BUT WAS UNABLE TO STOP THE VEHICLE AND WAS DRAGGED BACKWARDS. THE DRIVER SUSTAINED INJURIES TO THE LEGS AND CHEST. THE VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE STAIRS OF AN APARTMENT BUILDING AND THEN CRASHED INTO A RAILING. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE DRIVER RECEIVED ON THE SPOT MEDICAL ATTENTION FROM AMBULATORY CARE, BUT DID NOT GO TO A HOSPITAL FOR FURTHER TREATMENT. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN BACK TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE BY ANOTHER INDIVIDUAL WHO ASSISTED THE CONTACT. THE INSURANCE COMPANY WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED YET TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

EngineFire
Filed Sep 16, 2016175,000 milesWI

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 1999 BUICK REGAL. THE VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE WHILE THE CONTACT WAS PARKING IN FRONT OF HIS HOUSE. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS ENGULFED IN FLAMES BEFORE THE POLICE AND FIRE DEPARTMENTS ARRIVED. POLICE AND FIRE REPORTS WERE FILED. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 09V116000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING) AND 04V375000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 175,000.

Electrical SystemFire
Filed Sep 9, 2016KS

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 1999 BUICK REGAL. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH IN MARCH, SMOKE APPEARED FROM THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS PULLED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND THE CONTACT WALKED HOME TO CALL HER HUSBAND. WHEN THE CONTACT STATED AND HER HUSBAND ARRIVED BACK TO THE VEHICLE, IT HAD CAUGHT FIRE AND BURNED TO THE GROUND. THE POLICE AND THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WERE AT THE SCENE AND REPORTS WERE FILED. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE REMNANT OF THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED AWAY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. ON SEPTEMBER 7, 2016, THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 08V118000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING) AND 99V356000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.

EngineFire
Filed Sep 6, 2016145,000 milesIN

ON 9/1/16, THE ENGINE CAUGHT ON FIRE WHILE PARKED, TURNED OFF, AND UNOCCUPIED. HALF THE CAR BURNED--TOTAL LOSS. I LEARNED SHORTLY AFTER THAT IT WAS UNDER RECALL FOR UNDER HOOD FIRES--DO I HAVE ANY WAY TO RECOVER MY LOSSES FROM GM? I ONLY HAD LIABILITY COVERAGE, SO THERE WON'T BE ANY INSURANCE MONEY.

Engine
Filed Jul 30, 2016MI

I HAVE THE RECALL LETTER. I HAVE BEEN TO DUER SPEET IN FREMONT MI 4 TIMES AND TO JIM WINTER IN JACKSON MI. BOTH PLACES TOLD ME THEY WOULD CALL AS SOON AS THE PARTS CAME IN. I HAVE BEEN WAITING TO HEAR FROM THEM SINCE FEB. IT'S A SAFETY RECALL!! DOES ANYBODY CARE THAT THIS CAR SHOULD BE FIXED?

Electrical System
Filed Jul 13, 2016MO

I CALLED A GM MOTORS DEALER AND THEY TELL ME THAT THEIR IS NO RECALLS ON MY CAR, BUT WHEN I LOOKED ON THIS SITE, THEIR IS 8 CODES WITH THE ONE RECALL I JUST GOT DONE NOT LONG AGO!! I WANT MY CAR FIXED!

Engine and Engine CoolingFire
Filed Jun 2, 2016NC

1999 BUICK REGAL. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO ENGINE OIL DEPOSITED ON EXHAUST MANIFOLD CAN CAUSE ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE RECALL NOTICE. CONSUMER SEEKS COMPENSATION FOR NEW VEHICLE AFTER RECALLED VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE. *SMD

Engine
Filed May 26, 2016MD

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. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.

EngineFire
Filed May 25, 2016FL

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 1999 BUICK REGAL. WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, THE VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE AND SMOKE APPEARED THROUGH THE VENTS AND UNDER THE HOOD. THE DRIVER PULLED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND EXITED THE VEHICLE BEFORE IT BECAME ENGULFED IN FLAMES. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A SALVAGE YARD WHERE IT WAS DEEMED DESTROYED. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V701000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING); HOWEVER, THE PARTS TO DO THE REPAIR WERE NOT AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT PROVIDED. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.

EngineFire
Filed May 23, 201671,000 milesPA

4TH ENGINE SERVICE RECALL 15757 WAS PERFORMED AT DEALERSHIP ON MARCH 25, 2016. ON MAY 13, 2016, ATTEMPTED TO STARTED CAR WHICH WAS PARKED ON SUBURBAN STREET AT 5 A.M. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN DRIVEN FOR SEVERAL DAYS. LOUD BANG SOUND. ENGINE IGNITED. FLAMES SHOT OUT ONTO STREET SURFACE. DRIVER WAS ABLE TO EVACUATE AND CONTAIN FLAMES UNTIL POLICE AND FIRE DEPARTMENT RESPONDED TO CALL. BATTERY HAD TO BE DISCONNECTED. ENGINE CASING WAS BLOWN OFF TOP OF ENGINE.

EngineFire
Filed Apr 28, 2016213,011 milesLA

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 BUICK REGAL. THE CONTACT NOTICED A BURNING ODOR, ABNORMAL POPPING SOUND, AND BLACK SMOKE FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. IN ADDITION THE VEHICLE COULD NOT BE STARTED. THE VEHICLE WAS PLACED INTO NEUTRAL AND PUSHED TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V701000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING); HOWEVER, THE PARTS TO DO THE REPAIR WERE NOT AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 213,011. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.

Engine
Filed Apr 22, 2016CA

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. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.

20 of 246 complaints, reproduced as filed.

Across model years

Worst on record: 1998
YearComplaintsRecallsFiresDeathsAssessment
20202200Routine
201919300Routine
201819300Routine
201720010Routine
201641100Routine
201533010Routine
201438200Routine
201391620Routine
201292720Routine
2011279470Above average
20101000Routine
20091000Routine
20081000Routine
20054000Routine
200466420Routine
20031015140Routine
20021175230High concern
20011878480High concern
200018410300High concern
1999 — this page2468441Fatalities reported
19983027410High concern
19971368190Routine
19962044160Above average
1995173840Routine
1994110320Routine
199385232Fatalities reported
1992144251Fatalities reported
1991200740Above average
199077911Fatalities reported

Compare every Regal year →

Reading this record

1 death reported in complaints filed with NHTSA.

Complaint counts track how many cars were sold and how long they have been on the road as much as they track quality. A common model from 2013 has had a decade to accumulate reports; a rare one from last year has not. The signal worth weighing is in the severity columns, in whether the same component keeps appearing, and in whether the manufacturer eventually opened a recall for it.

Recall repairs are free for as long as the recall stands. Check whether a specific car still has open work at NHTSA's VIN lookup.

Most recent recall on file: Oct 26, 2015. Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.