10.0
really awful- Crashes / Fires:
- 0 / 4
- Injuries / Deaths:
- 0 / 0
- Average Mileage:
- 49,845 miles
About These NHTSA Complaints:
The NHTSA is the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints can be spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem. See the Back button — blue bar at the very top of the page — to explore more.
I drove my 99 Buick Regal to work, parked, went inside, started answering email. Was informed by co workers that my car was burning. My car was engulfed in flames in minutes.
- Lebanon, KY, USA
The contact owns a 1999 Buick Regal. The contact received a recall notice for NHTSA campaign id number 08V118000 (engine and engine cooling). He called an authorized dealer to have the vehicle repaired. Upon arrival, he was informed that they would only install a new front driver's side rocker cover gasket, although the rear gasket was leaking. The vehicle has not been repaired. The manufacturer would not provide any assistance. The failure and current mileages were 65,000.
- Avondale, PA, USA
The contact owns a 1999 Buick Regal. The contact received a safety recall notice for NHTSA campaign id number 08V118000 (engine and engine cooling). She called several GM dealers, but none of them had the part available for the recall repair. The contact is concerned that her vehicle may catch fire. The powertrain was unknown. The current mileage was 108,000.
- Fairport , NY, USA
In December of 2006 my 1999 Buick Regal gse with supercharger caught on fire in engine department 5 to 10 minutes after leaving vehicle. There was a complaint of a 'burnt toast' smell in the area of the vehicle prior to the fire. We did notice a decrease in the mpg indicator (5mpg less )several days prior to the fire. The fire resulted in a total loss of the vehicle. The fire also caused a monetary loss due to the fact that we were responsible for a $500 insurance deductible plus the insurance company only gave us trade-in value instead of replacement value for the vehicle.
- Westfield, MA, USA
Car hesitates and sometimes dies when either blinker is selected. Seems to be an intermittent problem getting worse.
- Humble, TX, USA
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.
- Tampa, FL, USA
[xxx] [xxx] subject: Owner complaint my vehicle: 1999 Buick Regal [xxx] message: On 05/15/04, my car service engine soon indicator came on. The car was running rough and white smoke was coming from the exhaust. I had the car towed to an authorized GM dealer. After $1,226.35 I was told the problem was the upper intake manifold had leaked antifluid into the engine. Upon close inspection, the technician and I notice that the upper intake had corroded badly causing it to leak. The upper intake is made from some kind of black plastic, that layers of it comes off with a slight wipe of my finger. This in my opinion is a design flaw. Now my engine is ruin. The engine service indicator is still on because of internal engine problems caused by the corroded intake manifold. I have only 69,000 miles on the car; therefore this plastic corrosion must have started thousands of miles earlier. I believe General Motors (Buick) should correct this problem as soon as possible and compensate their customers who have had this design flaw problem. If your engineers wish to inspect the corroded intake manifold, please advise and I will send it to them. Please note, GM refused to acknowledge or correct this problem at GM expense. [xxx] [xxx] [xxx] [xxx] [xxx] updated 07/25/2012 information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
- Aberdeen, NC, USA
When driving at any speed check engine light appeared on the dashboard. Consumer took the vehicle to the dealership for inspection, and mechanic determined that engine failed. Consumer will have the mechanic replace the engine. Prior to the engine failure the vehicle was taken to the dealer three times because the consumer noticed that oil was leaking onto her driveway.
- Brentwood, NY, USA
This vehicle frequently stalls. It just stops running. It happens on the freeway, at intersections, and on city streets. It has been doing this for several months. The dealer has had this vehicle on three seperate occasions, and has not been able to fix it.
- Maplewood, MN, USA
Auto design defect is bilking consumers and hurting economy. The engine warning light illuminated without there being a problem. The consumer mentioned the warning lights were not doing their job. Instead of warning the driver, it's costing them money to get them turned off each time. The consumer would like to know what caused the problem and why has it not been fixed yet?
- Coral Gables, FL, USA
There were loud noises coming from the engine. The plastic connecting tube which carried the antifreeze broke and allowed coolant to flow into engine, and destroyed the engine. Also, the dealer replaced the head gaskets, valve seals, flywheel, intake plenum, spark plugs and starter.
- Dewey, IL, USA
The intake manifold failed, which caused the engine to fail. Ph. the engine block and water pump had to be replaced.
- Corning, NY, USA
The vehicle swayed left to right while driving, and the steering wheel was hard to control. There was a clunk in the steering wheel which caused by the undertorqued steering gear bolts. The steering shaft was loose and was replaced by the dealer.(see annotation - M. jordan). Also the engine failed to turn over, the dealer replaced the alternator and found the no voltage on the battery, the transmission jumped when it was put into gear, the dealer found the shaft for the 4th gear worn, the vehicle pulled to the side, the rack and pinion was replaced, the oil pan and front motor mount was replaced
- Sylmar, CA, USA
- Toledo, OH, USA