7.9

pretty bad
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
5,400 miles

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problem #1

Sep 132003

Regal 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 5,400 miles
I brought my car into the dealership because of a throttle problem. They sprayed something on it (aluminum type spray) and sent us on our way until they ordered a new part. It was the wrong part and a month went by without a further call regarding any new part coming in. On September 13th I headed into anchorage on the busiest highway in the state of Alaska. The throttle spring let go. I found myself clutching the steering wheel with the brake pedal to the floor. I was on the highway at 70 mph and the brakes wouldn't work. I tried downshifting but that didn't even cause a blip of reaction in the car's speed. Not knowing what would happen by applying the emergency brake while going at least 70 miles per hour, I had no choice and pushed on the emergency brake. That didn't work at all. As I rushed down the road with the park brake on, I also pressed on the regular brakes and that finally worked enough that I could slow down to approximately 50 mph. I drove onto the shoulder and turned the ignition off. Smoke rose all around the car. I stayed calm and took into consideration that it would be best to be in the right lane if I rolled the car. Luckily the Saturday morning traffic was light enough, initially, that I didn'R rear end any vehichle, I didn't roll, and I didn't lose control. I have not, and will never again drive it. I have been without a car since 9-13-03. I am a 10 year customer of Buick. They are doing a buy back of that car and I will be out about $3000 when all is said and done. Pretty easy "out" for a company that could have been sued if I had been killed in their vehicle. My own driving skill resulted in my not having a fatal outcome in this incident. If this had happened on a weekday morning, there would have been a traffic jam in my path. If it had happened on snow or ice, I wouldn't be around to tell you of this. I am reporting this so others are aware of the throttle problem.

- Chugiak, AK, USA