Page 3 of 5 · complaints 101–150 of 246

1999 Buick Regal complaints

Owner reports filed with NHTSA about this vehicle, newest first and reproduced as filed. They are unverified accounts: one proves nothing, and a pattern across many is the thing worth reading. Back to the full 1999 record →

Wheels
Filed Nov 9, 200730,000 milesCT

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

Fuel System, Other › Fuel Injection System
Filed Oct 30, 200765,500 milesAK

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

Exterior Lighting › Turn Signal
Filed Oct 28, 2007PA

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

Wheels
Filed Oct 17, 2007MI

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

Engine and Engine CoolingFire
Filed Oct 13, 2007MI

WELL FRIDAY, I WENT TO WORK IN THE REGAL, LIKE ALWAYS, ABOUT 5 MINUTES AFTER PUNCHING IN AT WORK SOMEONE CAME RUNNING IN AND SAID THERE'S A BLUE REGAL OUT THERE WITH SMOKE POURING OUT THE HOOD, SO I WENT OUT AND SURE ENOUGH IT WAS ME, I POPPED THE LATCH FROM THE INSIDE, WENT AROUND THE FRONT AND PEERED IN * WITHOUT OPENING IT* AND SAW FLAMES, I GOT A FIRE EXTINGUISHER, OPENED THE HOOD AND DOWSED IT, MEANWHILE THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS CALLED. SINCE I GOT TO IT SO QUICK THE DAMAGE WAS CONTAINED TO THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. IT LOOKS LIKE IT SOMEHOW STARTED ON THE FRONT OF THE ENGINE OR POSSIBLY BY THE FUSE BOX, I DON'T KNOW... BASICALLY ALL THE WIRES WERE ON FIRE!, THEY MELTED THE COOLANT BOTTLE, SOME OF THE FUSE BOX, THE FRONT VALVE COVER AND OIL CAP, PASSENGER ENGINE MOUNT, WINDSHIELD WASHER RESERVOIR CAP, BOOST BYPASS VALVE AND THE BRAKE FLUID CONTAINER,..SPARK PLUG WIRES WERE TOAST AS WELL. THE HOOD HAS TWO SMALL SPOTS WHERE THE PAINT JUST STARTED TO BUBBLE AS WELL. I'M SO BUMBED OUT. AFTER SOME RESEARCH I FOUND OUT THAT THIS IS BEING INVESTIGATED ON 99-02 CARS WITH THE L67, AFTER DRIVING AND PARKING THE VEHICLES.. THEY CATCH FIRE!!!! WHICH IS WHAT HAPPENED TO ME. MINE IS A 99 BUICK REGAL GS WITH THE L67 WHAT DO I DO, IS GM GOING DO ANYTHING OR AM I JUST SCREWED????? *JB

Visibility › Rearview Mirrors/Devices › Interior
Filed Oct 11, 2007WI

1999 BUICK REGAL WITH A DEFECTIVE INSIDE REAR VIEW MIRROR. CUSTOMER STATES SOMETHING MELTED INSIDE THE REARVIEW MIRROR CAUSING IT TO DRIP ONTO THE CONSOLE. CONSUMER WOULD LIKE TO BE REIMBURSED FOR THE DAMAGES. THE CONTACT HAS THE PARTS AVAILABLE AS PROOF IF NHTSA WOULD LIKE TO REVIEW THEM. *KB THE DEALER STATED A LIQUID CRYSTAL INSIDE THE MIRROR COULD HAVE POSSIBLY LEAKED OUT. *JB AS A RESULT OF THE LIQUID CRYSTAL LEAKING, IT CAUSED THE REAR VIEW MIRROR NOT TO OPERATE PROPERLY. UPDATED 06/16/09.*JB

Visibility › Power Window Devices and Controls
Filed Sep 18, 200782,645 milesNM

BUICK REGAL..99 ELECTRIC WINOWS FAILING 3 NOW....VERY EXPENSIVE FIX 600 EACH TIME FOR A VERY MINOR PLASTIC PART..GM MAKES YOU BUY 300 DOLLAR ASSEMBLY AND A 200 TO 300 DOLLAR INSTALLATION BECAUSE A VERY COMMON PLASTIC RAINIER FAILURE....THEY SHOULD BE MADE TO DO A FIX AS DESCRIBED ON WEBSITES.... *TR

Visibility › Power Window Devices and Controls
Filed May 14, 200789,000 milesVA

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 BUICK REGAL. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGE WERE 89000 MILES. THE CONTACT STATED THAT BOTH THE DRIVER AND REAR SIDE WINDOW REGULATORS HAVE FAILED ON THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER WILL REPAIR THE VEHICLE ON 5/15/07 FOR THIS FAILURE.

Visibility › Power Window Devices and Controls1 injured
Filed May 3, 2007NC

I PURCHASED A 1999 BUICK REGAL LS NEW. I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE AND REAR DRIVER SIDE POWER DOOR LOCKS IN THE PAST. MY BIGGEST CONCERN IS THAT I CURRENTLY HAVE THE FRONT DRIVERS SIDE AS WELL AS THE REAR PASSENGER WINDOWS FALLING DOWN WITH THE POWER WINDOWS NOT WORKING AT ALL. I ALSO HAVE THE FRONT PASSENGER WINDOW NOT WORKING BUT AT LEAST THAT ONE WINDOW STAYS UP. I FEAR FOR OUR SAFETY DUE TO THE WINDOWS FALLING DOWN AT ANY GIVEN TIME. THIS HAS HAPPENED TO MY WIFE SEVERAL TIMES WHILE DRIVING. MY WIFE AND I ARE OVER AGE 57 WITH NO CHILDREN IN THE HOME. WE HARDLY USE THE WINDOWS. THESE PARTS ARE PREMATURELY FALLING APART AND WE ARE REQUESTING A SURVEY AND SAFETY INVESTIGATION ON THE 1999 BUICK REGAL AND ANY OTHER GM VEHICLES CONTAINING THE SAME OR SIMILAR MECHANISM AND POWER UNITS USED TO SECURE AND MOVE WINDOWS UP AND DOWN. THE WINDOW CAN DROP DOWN AT HIGH SPEEDS CAUSING SERIOUS INJURY DEPENDING ON WEATHER CONDITIONS OR AS A REACTION BY THE DRIVER TO A SUDDEN LOSS OF PRESSURE. PLEASE HELP US. SINCERELY, ROBERT AND PENNY AMRINE. CARY, NC *TR

Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip
Filed Apr 30, 2007MI

THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT, ABS, TRACTION"LIGHTS CONTANTLY COME ON, THE WINDOWS DO NOT ROLL UP OR DOWN. IT STARTED GETTING WORSE AND WORSE THEN ONE DAY THEY JUST WOULDN'T WORK. *AK

Electrical System › Ignition › Module
Filed Apr 28, 2007CA

CAR JUST RANDOMLY QUITS. I PULL OVER AND IT RESTARTS . ALSO IT IS AT DIFFERENT TIMES. DOESN'T LET THE KEY OUT OF THE IGNITION. *TR

Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine
Filed Feb 28, 2007TX

CAR HESITATES AND SOMETIMES DIES WHEN EITHER BLINKER IS SELECTED. SEEMS TO BE AN INTERMITTENT PROBLEM GETTING WORSE. *NM

Engine and Engine CoolingFire
Filed Feb 3, 200772,000 milesNC

ON FEB 3, 2007 I DROVE TO A SHOPPING MALL IN MY 1999 BUICK REGAL THAT HAS A 3800 SERIES V6. I EXPERIENCED NO MECHANICAL DIFFICULTIES. TEN MINUTES AFTER I PARKED THE CAR THE ENTIRE ENGINE COMPARTMENT WAS IN FLAMES. THE CAR WAS TOTALLY IN FLAMES. THE FIRE DEPT CAME AND DECLARED IT AN UNKNOWN ELECTRICAL TYPE FIRE. FORTUNATELY, NO ONE WAS INJURED BUT MANY COULD HAVE BEEN IF THE CARE WERE PARKED IN A DIFFERENT LOCATION. I RESEARCHED THIS TYPE OF INCIDENT AND DISCOVERED THAT IT HAS OCCURRED QUITE OFTEN IN PONTIACS AND BUICKS WITH THE 3800 SERIES II V6 ENGINE. GM HAS NOT ISSUED ANY WARNINGS OR RECALLS TO CORRECT THIS PROBLEM. IT WILL NOW COST ME THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS TO REPLACE MY VEHICLE. I BELIEVE COMPENSATION AND CORRECTION IS REQUIRED. *NM

Steering › Hydraulic Power Assist System
Filed Jan 20, 2007110,000 milesWA

POWER STEERING FAILS WHEN TURNING TO THE RIGHT. UNIT OPERATES CORRECTLY WHEN TURNING TO THE RIGHT, HOWEVER THERE IN INTERMITTENT POWER ASSIST TO THE LEFT. THE UNIT FAILED WHEN TURNING IN A PARKING LOT TO THE LEFT, THERE WAS A POP FOLLOWED BY A COMPLETE LOSS OF POWER ASSIST TO THE LEFT. THE FLUID LEVEL IN THE POWER STEERING RESIVOIR IS NORMAL, HOW A SLIGHT PRESSURE WAS OBSERVED WHEN THE CAP WAS REMOVED. *JB

Electrical System
Filed Jan 17, 2007118,000 milesCA

VEHICLE ENGINE SHUTS OFF INTERMITTENTLY WITH USE OF TURN SIGNALS. HEADLIGHT AND DASH LIGHTS ALSO GO OFF. THIS CONDITION PRESENTS A SEVERE SAFETY HAZARD TO THE DRIVER AND ALL PASSENGERS. *JB

Engine and Engine Cooling › EngineFire
Filed Jan 4, 2007FL

MY CAR STARTED JUMPING FORWARD WHILE IN PARK AND JUMPING WHILE DRIVING. ABOUT A WEEK OR SO AFTER DOING THAT I WAS DRIVING WHEN A HUGE CLOUD OF SMOKE CAME FROM UNDER THE HOOD. AFTER TURNING OFF THE ENGINE AND GETTING OUT OF THE CAR, IT WAS ON FIRE IN A MATTER OF MINUTES. THE FIRE DEPT CAME AND EVENTUALLY PUT THE FIRE OUT. EVERYTHING UNDER THE HOOD IS TOTALED, THE WINDSHIELD CRACKED, THE WHOLE INTERIOR SMELLS OF BURNT RUBBER FROM THE TIRES BEING BURNT AND ALL WIRES THROUGHOUT THE CAR ARE SHOT. *JB

Seats › Front Assembly › Seat Heater/Cooler
Filed Dec 26, 2006100,100 milesIL

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

Electrical System
Filed Nov 26, 200635,440 milesMD

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

Electrical System
Filed Nov 26, 2006MT

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

Equipment
Filed Nov 11, 200665,000 milesWI

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

Engine and Engine Cooling
Filed Nov 9, 2006102,000 milesWI

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

Electrical System
Filed Oct 21, 2006NJ

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

Electrical System › Wiring
Filed Oct 21, 2006KS

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

Engine and Engine CoolingFire
Filed Oct 15, 2006ME

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.

Electrical System
Filed Sep 14, 2006IL

ENGINE DIES WHEN LEFT OR RIGHT TURN SIGNAL IS APPLIED. CAR DIED AS I WAS TAKING OFF RAMP ON HIGHWAY CAUSING LOSS OF POWER STEERING AND BRAKING. THIS NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED AS THIS CAN CAUSE AN ACCIDENT. *NM

Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Foundation Components
Filed Aug 27, 200688,000 milesOR

BRAKES CONTINUALLY OVERHEAT AND CAUSE THE WHEEL COVERS TO BECOME ALMOST TOO HOT TO TOUCH. BRAKES, ROTORS, CALIPERS, PADS AND BRAKE FLUID ON BOTH FRONT AND BACK JUST CHANGED LAST WEEK AND THE PROBLEM PERSISTS. GAS MILEAGE IS DOWN ALMOST 10%. NO WARNING LIGHTS ON. *JB

Seat Belts › Front
Filed Jul 7, 2006IL

THE CAR THAT ME AND MY FIANCE HAVE IS A 1999 BUICK REGAL AND BOTH REAR SEAT BELTS HAVE LOCKED AND WILL NOT UNLOCK. FORCING ME TO PUT MY CHILD IN THE MIDDLE WHICH IS A VERY DANGEROUS SPOT FOR A CHILD IN A CAR SEAT BECAUSE THEY CAN BE THROWN FROM THE CAR. I HAVE READ SEVERAL OTHER SITES AND THERE ARE COMPLAINTS OF THIS SAME ISSUE WITH ONE OR BOTH SEAT BELTS. I FEEL THIS IS A DEFECT IN THE SEAT BELTS. ALSO JUST RECENTLY THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT BELT WILL NOT FASTEN INTO HOLDER BECAUSE THEIR IS A PART THAT WILL NO LONGER ALLOW FOR THE BUCKLE TO BE PUSHED DOWN. I WOULD LIKE YOU ALL TO INVESTIGATE. THE BACK SEAT BELTS HAVE BEEN LOCKED FOR MONTHS AND THERE IS NO WAY SOMEONE COULD HAVE JUST BROKEN THEM THEY ARE STILL INTACT. *JB

Engine and Engine Cooling › Exhaust System › Manifold/Header/Muffler/Tail Pipe
Filed Jun 20, 2006MI

I HAVE A 1999 BUICK REGAL IN WHICH THE INTAKE MANIFOLD IS LEAKING. THIS IS NOT NEW AND RECALLS HAVE BEEN ISSUED BY GM FOR PARK AVENUE CARS WITH SIMILAR 3.8 L ENGINES. THE CAR WAS FINE UNTIL ONE DAY ALL OF A SUDDEN, THE SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT ALONG WITH LOW COOLANT, TRAC OFF AND HOT TEMP LIGHTS CAME ON. THE GM DEALER ESTIMATES THE COST TO BE AROUND $700+ AND THINKS THAT BECAUSE OF THAT THE GASKET MAY HAVE BEEN CORRODED. *JB

Steering
Filed May 13, 20065,000 milesNV

AT LOW SPEEDS (PARKING; TURNING) STEERING LOSS IS EXPERIENCED. COMPLAINED TO DEALER AFTER FIRST PURCHASED. WAS TOLD TO KEEP THE RPMS UP TO ASSIST TURNING. GETS SO BAD I HAVE HAD TO STOP AND BACK UP AND USE ALL MY STRENGTH TO TURN THE WHEEL. *JB

Exterior Lighting › Turn Signal
Filed Apr 17, 200678,134 milesIL

REPEATED FAILURES OF THE PLASTIC BULB SOCKET (GM PART #12456483) ON FRONT TURN SIGNAL -PARKING LIGHT ON 1999 BUICK REGAL. THE BULB, A STANDARD 3157NA, BURNS OUT IN EXACTLY THE SAME FASHION AS BULBS THAT BURN OUT ON OTHER GM MODELS COVERED BY THE NHTSA SAFETY RECALL IS # 04V524. APPARENTLY THE BULB IS NOT SECURELY HELD IN PLACE AND THE ARCING THAT RESULTS BURNS AWAY THE PLASTIC OF THE BULB AND THE BULB SOCKET. THE ABSENCE OF A VISIBLE LEFT TURN SIGNAL IS A SAFETY ISSUE. *JB

Visibility › Power Window Devices and Controls
Filed Apr 3, 2006SC

END OF FEBRUARY 2006, THE LEFT REAR WINDOW FELL DOWN FOR NO APPARENT REASON. TOOK CAR ON MARCH 1, 2006 TO A MECHANIC TO FIX AND ALSO TO FIX RIGHT FRONT PASSENGER WINDOW WHICH HAD BEEN MALFUNCTIONING(FAILURE TO ROLL DOWN). THIS COST ME $800 TO REPAIR BOTH WINDOWS AS THE REAR AND FRONT WINDOW REGULATORS ARE OVER $300 A PIECE. NOW ON APRIL 2, 2006 THE RIGHT REAR PASSENGER WINDOW FELL DOWN WITHOUT ANY APPARENT REASON. A LOUD POP WAS HEARD AND THE WINDOW FELL. 3 WINDOWS FAILING WITHIN A MONTH DOES NOT SOUND REASONABLE. *NM

Engine and Engine CoolingFire
Filed Mar 9, 200688,420 milesOH

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN PARKED FOR 10 MINUTES WHEN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT CAUGHT ON FIRE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT RESPONDED TO EXTINGUISH THE FIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP, BUT NOT INSPECTED. THE INSURANCE COMPANY DEEMED THE VEHICLE A TOTAL LOSS.

Electrical System
Filed Feb 27, 200688,000 milesSC

VEHICLE ENGINE SHUTS OFF INTERMITTENTLY WITH USE OF TURN SIGNALS. HEADLIGHT AND DASH LIGHTS ALSO GO OFF. THIS HAS HAPPENED NUMEROUS TIMES IN THE PAST 3 WEEKS. ONE TIME THIS HAPPENED ON AN INTERSTATE. THIS CONDITION PRESENTS A SEVERE SAFETY HAZARD TO THE DRIVER AND ALL PASSENGERS. VEHICLE IS AT DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS. *NM

Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip
Filed Feb 24, 200625,638 milesIA

1999 BUICK REGAL ABS LIGHT AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COME ON WHEN YOU PRESS ON BRAKE AND INTERMITTENTLY ALL DASH WARNING LIGHTS WILL COME ON. *TS THE BRAKE MODULE, CONNECTOR, HEAT/AIR CONTROL DISPLAY WOULD BECOME BRIGHT AND THEN GO DARK. THE DEALER REPLACED THE CONTROL HEAD. THE IGNITION SWITCH WAS REPLACED. *JB

Steering › Rack and Pinion
Filed Feb 18, 2006FL

I AM THE OWNER OF A 1999 BUICK REGAL LS. I HAVE 70,000 MILES ON MY CAR. IN DECEMBER I NOTICED PROBLEMS MAKING SHARP TURN TO THE RIGHT. I WOULD BE BACKING OUT OF DRIVE WAYS OR MAKING 3-POINT TURNS AND I WOULD HEAR AND FEET A CLINK LIKE SOMETHING IT STUCK AND THEN PUSHES THROUGH WITH PRESSURE. ON FEBRUARY 3, 2006 I DROVE MY CAR AS USUAL AND THERE WAS A VERY STRONG RESISTANCE TO TURN TO THE LEFT. THE STEERING WHEEL WOULD NOT MAKE LEFT TURNS WITHOUT LOTS OF FORCE AND STEPPING OFF THE BRAKE. I LOSE POWER STEERING ASSIST ONLY MAKING LEFT TURNS, THE RIGHT TURN IS JUST FINE. I WOULD HEAR A POP WHEN I WOULD FORCE THE TURN. I HAD THE PROBLEM CHECKED OUT RIGHT AWAY AND WAS SAID TO BE A STEERING RACK AND PINION PROBLEM. I DID SOME RESEARCH AND FOUND OUT THAT MY SAME MODEL WAS RECALLED FOR THE EXACT PROBLEM IN 96' 97' AND 98 MODELS, BUT NOT THE 1999. I CONTACTED GM FOR THEM TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY AND PAY FOR THIS, BUT THEY WILL NOT!!! I WAS FORCED TO TAKE IT TO A GM DEALERSHIP IN TAMPA, FL TO GET THIS FIXED, AS THE CAR WAS UNABLE AND NOT SAFE TO DRIVE AT ALL. THEY INSTALLED A NEW RACK AND PINION AND A TIE ROD, COSTING $1,000.00 FOR THE TOTAL WORK. I AM UPSET WITH THE FACT GM IS NOT TAKING RESPONSIBILITY FOR THIS PROBLEM WHEN THE SAME CAR 3 YEARS BEFORE HAD THE EXACT PROBLEM AND I HAVE FOUND MANY MANY PEOPLE WITH THE SAME PROBLEM AND THE SAME YEAR AND MODEL AS MY CAR AND THEY HAD TO PAY FOR IT THEMSELVES AS WELL. I HAVE A ONE YEAR OR 12,000 WARRANTY ON THE RACK AND PINION AND TIE ROAD. I H

Visibility › Power Window Devices and Controls
Filed Feb 17, 200690,000 milesVA

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE REAR PASSENGER'S SIDE POWER WINDOW FELL DOWN WITHOUT WARNING AND WILL NOT GO BACK UP. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP WERE THE PROBLEM WAS FOUND TO BE THE ELECTRICAL MOTOR IN THE POWER WINDOW. DURING A PERIOD OF TIME THE FRONT PASSENGER'S SIDE WINDOW AND THE REAR DRIVERS SIDE WINDOWS HAVE ALSO MALFUNCTIONED. THE MANUFACTURER HAS BEEN ALERTED HOWEVER, NO REPAIRS HAVE BEEN MADE.

Steering › Rack and Pinion › Rack
Filed Jan 17, 200685,000 milesIL

I AM THE ORIGINAL OWNER OF A 1999 BUICK REGAL GS (3.8L SUPER CHARGED) WITH APPROX. 85,000 MILES. ON JAN. 12, 2006 I LOST POWER ASSIST WHEN MAKING A LEFT HAND TURN. THIS FAILURE ONLY EFFECTED THE POWER ASSIST IN A LEFT HAND TURN; RIGHT WAS OK. I PULLED INTO A PARKING SPOT AFTER A SHORT DRIVE TO WORK AND NOTICED THE STEERING GOT TIGHT. I HEARD A 'POP' WHEN I LOST ASSIST. AFTER WORK I DROVE HOME WITH NO ASSIST TO THE LEFT. THE PROBLEM IS ONLY WHEN THE WHEEL IS TURNED CLOCKWISE FROM STRAIGHT ON POSITION. I HAVEN'T DRIVEN A NON-POWER STEERING CAR IN ABOUT 15 YEARS BUT THIS SEEMED MUCH WORSE (VERY DIFFICULT TO STEER). I CHECKED FOR ANY TYPE OF LEAK OR BELT ISSUE, BUT MY INITIAL THOUGHT IS IF THAT WAS THE PROBLEM I WOULD HAVE THE PROBLEM REGARDLESS OF STEERING DIRECTION. I HAVE SINCE SPOKE TO A DEALER REGARDING THE PROBLEM AND THEY ARE CONFIDENT A REPLACEMENT OF THE STEERING RACK AND PINION IS REQUIRED. THERE IS ACTUALLY A SAFETY RECALL FOR 1996-98 BUICK REGALS FOR THIS IDENTICAL ISSUE. THIS IS A VERY SERIOUS PROBLEM THAT COULD RESULT AN ACCIDENT. *JB

Visibility › Power Window Devices and Controls
Filed Jan 16, 2006114,000 milesTX

3 OUT OF 4 POWER WINDOWS HAVE FAILED. ONE WAS COVERED BY EXTENDED WARRANTY. THE PARTS TO FIX THE WINDOW YOURSELF FROM DEALER IS OVER $300.00. THE COST TO HAVE FIXED AT THE DEALER IS OVER $500.00. WINDOWS HAVE FAILED FOR NO APPARENT REASON. NORMAL USE ONLY. THE DESIGN/MOTORS OF THESE WINDOWS MUST BE FAULTY. *JB

Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip › Control Unit/Module
Filed Nov 29, 2005IA

(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

Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Foundation Components › Hoses, Lines/Piping, and Fittings
Filed Aug 30, 2005153,573 milesWV

DT: CALLER STATED BRAKE LINES AND FUEL LINES WERE RUSTY. CALLER'S WIFE WAS DRIVING AND THE BRAKE LIGHT CAME ON, AND WHEN CALLER CHECKED, THERE WAS NO FLUID IN THE MASTER CYLINDER. THE BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR. CALLER FOUND A HOLE IN THE FRONT BRAKE LINE. CALLER NOTICED THAT THE FUEL LINE WAS RUSTING AS WELL. DEALER AND MANUFACTURER STATED WARRANTY EXPIRED, AND THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO FOR HIM. CALLER WAS TAKING VEHICLE TO A MECHANIC TO GET THE FRONT BRAKE LINE FIXED. *AK *NM

Service Brakes, Hydraulic
Filed Aug 7, 200546,450 milesMO

SEVERELY RUSTED REAR BRAKE ROTORS RESULTING IN CALIPER PINS SEIZING AND PREMATURE WEARING OF BRAKE PADS ON REAR WHEEL BRAKES. VEHICLE IS 6 YEARS OLD WITH ONLY 46,500 MILES. REQUIRED TO REPLACE BRAKE ROTORS, HARDWARE AND PADS. VEHICLE STILL HAS ORIGINAL PADS AND ROTORS ON THE FRONT BRAKES. *NM

Latches/Locks/Linkages › Doors › Latch
Filed Jul 3, 200588,100 milesIL

(1) I NOTICED ABOUT 1 MONTH AGO THAT THE LEFT REAR WINDOW DID NOT GO DOWN, UPON EXAMINING THE LEFT REAR DOOR I FOUND THAT THE ELECTRONICS ALSO DID NOT OPERATE THE DOOR LOCK AND THAT DOOR STAYED UNLOCKED AT ALL SPEEDS.

Wheels › Rim1 killed
Filed Apr 12, 200539,000 milesMA

BOTH REAR RIMS, ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT, ARE EXPERIENCING LOSS OF AIR PRESSURE. CONSUMER REPLACED BOTH RIMS, AND THE PROBLEM APPEARED TO BE CORRECTED AT THIS TIME. DEALER WAS NOTIFIED.*AK

Visibility › Power Window Devices and Controls
Filed Mar 17, 2005LA

THE ELECTRIC MOTOR FOR ALL 4 WINDOWS MALFUNCTIONED, AND COMPLETELY DIED. THE WINDOWS WILL NOT COME DOWN. THE MOTORS BURNED OUT AT DIFFERENT TIMES. CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE INTO THE DEALER. CONSUMER WAS TOLD THAT THESE MOTORS WERE A PROBLEM. *AK

Steering › Rack and Pinion
Filed Mar 7, 200535,611 milesOR

OVER SEVERAL WEEKS TIME I NOTICED THAT WHEN VEHICLE WAS SITTING STILL RIGHT TURN REQUIRED GREATER EFFORT TO TURN STEERING WHEEL, AS THOUGH WHEEL WAS AGAINST CURB. THEN NOTICED THAT I COULD "SHAKE" TIRES IF GRASPED AT 3 AND 9 OCLOCK ALSO COULD HEAR A SLIGTH "CLUNK" TOOK CAR TO DEALER AND WAS TOLD RACK AND PINION WAS DEFECTIVE, WITH VEHICLE ON RACK MECHANIC PIERCED RUBBER BOOT ON RACK AND PINION ASSEMBLY AND FLUID RAN OUT, ALSO TIE ROD END WAS LOOSE. *AK

Equipment › Appliance › Air Conditioner
Filed Mar 7, 2005CA

BUICK REGAL LS 1999, LEAKED WATER FROM UNDERNEATH THE GLOVE COMPARTMENT WHEN IT RAIN. *BF THE DEALER DETERMINED THAT THE TUBES FROM THE EVAP CASE WERE CRACKED CAUSING RAIN WATER TO ENTER THE BLOWER MOTOR AND A RESISTOR WHICH SHORTED OUT THE A/C. THE REPAIR WAS NOT COVERED UNDER THE VEHICLE'S EXTENDED WARRANTY. *NM

Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed Dec 20, 200463,000 milesMI

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

Electrical System › Ignition › Switch
Filed Dec 16, 2004AR

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

Seat Belts › FrontCrash1 injured
Filed Dec 3, 2004IL

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

Steering › Hydraulic Power Assist System
Filed Oct 24, 200490,250 milesWV

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

Reading these

NHTSA publishes every complaint as the owner wrote it and investigates only a fraction. Spelling, capitalisation and judgement are the filer’s own. What carries weight is repetition: the same component failing the same way across many filings, and whether the manufacturer eventually opened a recall for it.

Full record for the 1999 Buick Regal → · Every Regal year → · How the figures are calculated →