Buick Regal Complaints (1997)

136 consumer complaints on file.

#10228516May 22, 2008
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
1997 BUICK REGAL DIED WHILE DRIVING AND CAUGHT FIRE. CONSUMER STATES THAT SHE WAS THEN INFORMED OF A RECALL AND BELIEVES THAT BUICK SHOULD COMPENSATE HER SO SHE CAN PURCHASE A NEW VEHICLE. *KB THE CONSUMER RECEIVED A RECALL LETTER IN THE MAIL 1 MONTH AFTER THE FIRE. RECALL # 08V118000 *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10226590May 4, 2008
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
1997 BUICK REGAL GS ON THURSDAY MAY 1, 2008 I RECEIVED IN THE MAIL A RECALL LETTER FROM GM. IN THIS LETTER IT EXPLAINS THAT THESE VEHICLES HAVE HIGHER ROCKER COVER GASKET TEMPS. IN SHORT, THIS COULD LEAD TO VEHICLE FIRE AND SURROUNDING PROPERTY. ON FRIDAY, MAY 2, 2008, MY DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING THIS VEHICLE AND PARKED AT A FRIENDS HOUSE. WHILE THE CAR WAS PARKED AND ENGINE OFF, THE CAR CAUGHT FIRE IN THE ENGINE AREA. THE VEHICLE AND CONTENTS WERE TOTALLY DESTROYED. DAMAGE WAS ALSO CAUSED TO THE FRIENDS HOUSE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10218945February 23, 2008
STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS
ENGINE CRADLE FELL OUT OF CAR WHEN WIFE WAS DRIVING KIDS HOME FROM SCHOOL. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10213062December 28, 2007
STEERING:RACK AND PINION:RACK
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 BUICK REGAL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT IT WAS DIFFICULT TO TURN THE STEERING WHEEL AND REQUIRES A LOT OF EFFORT. HE FEELS IT IS A SAFETY HAZARD BECAUSE HE IS UNABLE TO STEER PROPERLY. GENERAL MOTORS STATED THAT NOTHING COULD BE DONE BECAUSE HIS VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 03V527000 (STEERING:RACK AND PINION), EVEN THOUGH THE FAILURES ARE IDENTICAL. THE GM RECALL NUMBER IS 03062. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 128,281. UPDATED 02-14-08. *KB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10160380June 21, 2006
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH
UNABLE TO REMOVE KEY FROM IGNITION. THE SAFETY MECHANISM THAT PREVENTS THE IGNITION KEY FROM BEING REMOVED FROM THE IGNITION SWITCH WHILE DRIVING HAS MALFUNCTIONED, THUS KEEPING THE IGNITION KEY CAPTIVE WHEN DRIVER IS READY TO EXIT THE VEHICLE. WHEN VEHICLE SHIFTED INTO "PARK" THE DOORS UNLOCK AS EXPECTED (CONFIRMING PROPER OPERATION OF THE PARK SWITCH), BUT THE IGNITION SWITCH DOES NOT ALLOW THE KEY TO BE ROTATED TO THE EXTRACTION POSITION. AFTER A SEEMINGLY RANDOM AMOUNT OF TIME AFTER PUTTING THE VEHICLE IN PARK, A SMALL CLICK IS HEARD IN THE STEERING COLUMN, THE KEY CAN THEN BE ROTATED TO THE EXTRACTION POSITION, AND THE KEY CAN BE REMOVED FROM THE IGNITION SWITCH. THE COLDER THE TEMPERATURE, THE LONGER THE DRIVER MUST WAIT FOR THE KEY TO BE RELEASED. TYPICAL WAIT TIMES BEFORE THE KEY CAN BE REMOVED FROM THE IGNITION SWITCH ARE BETWEEN 1 SECOND TO 10 MINUTES. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10157866May 19, 2006
STEERING:RACK AND PINION
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING AT LOW SPEEDS THE VEHICLE WAS DIFFICULT TO STEER LEFT AND RIGHT. THIS OCCURRED INTERMITTENTLY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS ALERTED. THERE IS A NHTSA RECALL, # 03V527000, REGARDING THE STEERING RACK AND PINION. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. UPDATED 7/25/2006 - *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10153807March 27, 2006
STEERING:RACK AND PINION
MY WIFE IS COMPLAINING OF A HARD LEFT STEER ON HER 1997 BUICK REGAL. THE PROBLEM DOES NOT OCCUR ON EACH TURN AT THIS TIME, BUT COULD RESULT IN LOSS OF STEERING. BUICK'S CUSTOMER HOT LINE IS REFUSING TO MAKE THE REPAIR ON HER CAR. THEY CLAIM THAT THIS CAR IS NOT INVOLVED WITH THE RECALL # 03062. YET THE RECALL SHOWS THIS RECALL COVERS THE BUICK REGAL MODEL BUILT BETWEEN 08-01-96 THROUGH 07-31-97. THIS CAR WAS BUILT IN THIS TIME FRAME. THIS COULD CAUSE MY WIFE TO HAVE AN ACCIDENT WITH THE POTENTIAL OF FATAL INJURIES. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10147499January 11, 2006
STEERING:RACK AND PINION
I NOTICED THAT I WAS HAVING PROBLEMS STEERING WHILE TURNING LEFT AND RIGHT - VERY STIFF AND HARD TO MANIPULATE STEERING WHEEL WHILE AT LOW SPEEDS. I CHECKED TO MAKE SURE THAT THE FLUIDS WERE ALL LEVEL ETC. AND THE TIRES WERE PROPERLY INFLATED. I CONTINUED SEVERAL WEEKS LATER AND AGAIN THE POWER STEERING FLUID WAS LOW (3RD WEEK OF DEC 2003 & 2ND WEEK OF JAN 2004). I PLANNED ON TAKING THE CAR IN FOR MAINTENANCE WHEN I RECEIVED THE RECALL NOTICE DURING THE 3RD WEEK OF FEB 2004. I TOOK THE CAR INTO SIGNAL HILL BUICK IN CALIFORNIA FOR THE RECALL REPAIRS. I WAS MET WITH THE RUDEST SERVICE POSSIBLE, I WAS UNABLE TO GET A RIDE HOME, THE TECHNICIAN I SPOKE TO INITIALLY WOULD NOT EVEN TELL ME WHAT COULD BE THE PROBLEM WITH MY STEERING OTHER THAN THEY WOULD LOOK AT IT AND CORRECT THE PROBLEM. IT WAS NEVER NOTED THAT STEERING SYSTEM WAS DAMAGED AND NEEDED TO BE SERVICED. WHEN I TOOK THE CAR TO HOOMAN BUICK IN CULVER CITY, CA, THEY TOLD ME THAT THE SYSTEM WAS DAMAGED AND NEEDS TO BE REPLACED IN ITS ENTIRETY. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10143810November 28, 2005
STEERING:RACK AND PINION:RACK
UNABLE TO MAKE LEFT TURN WITH EASE. LEFT TURNS ARE VERY HARD AND AT TIMES DOES NOT TURN LEFT AT ALL. STEERING WHEEL DOES NOT AUTOMATICALLY RETURN TO CENTER POSITION. I WAS UNABLE TO MAKE A COMPLETE LEFT HAND TURN, WHICH CAUSED ME TO OVER TURN AND DRIVE OFF THE ROAD. *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10141893November 7, 2005
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
DT: THE CONTACT WAS PULLING OUT OF DRIVEWAY AND THE BRAKES WOULD NOT WORK. WHEN HE APPLIED THE BRAKES THE PEDAL WENT COMPLETELY TO THE FLOOR. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATIONS PRIOR TO THIS INCIDENT. WHEN THE MECHANIC INSPECTED THE VEHICLE HE SAID THE BRAKE LINES WERE CORRODED AND SPLIT. THE VEHICLE WAS ROUTINELY MAINTAINED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED FROM THE MECHANIC TO THE SERVICE DEALER. THE DEALER CONFIRMED THE PROBLEM WITH THE BRAKES. THEY REPLACED THE BRAKE LINES, BUT THE BRAKE LINES WERE STILL LEAKING. THE MANUFACTURER SAID THE BRAKE CORROSION WAS DUE TO THE ENVIRONMENTAL CHANGES.*AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10132635September 16, 2005
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
DT: THE CONSUMER'S VEHICLE WAS STALLING WHILE GOING DOWN A HILL. THE CONSUMER HAD THE CRANK SHAFT SENSOR AND THE IGNITION CONTROL MODULE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS FIXED AT A DEALERSHIP, AND THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN WORKING PROPERLY. 1997, BUICK, REGAL. THE CONSUMER HAD TO PAY $837.00 TO HAVE CRANK SHAFT SENSOR/IGNITION REPLACED. *AK *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10132495August 11, 2005
STEERING:RACK AND PINION:RACK
DT: THE RACK AND PINION STEERING GEAR MALFUNCTIONED. THE CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE TO THE DEALER TO BE REPAIRED , BUT THE CONSUMER DID NOT LIKE THAT THEY WERE GOING TO CHARGE HIM FOR THE REPAIRS.. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT UNDER WARRANTY AND THERE WERE NO RECALLS ON THIS ISSUE. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10119292April 26, 2005
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:PADS, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:ALTERNATOR/GENERATOR/REGULATOR, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
1997 BUICK REGAL SEDAN DEVELOPED VARIOUS PROBLEMS SINCE PURCHASE. *MR THERE WAS A CONTINUOUS OIL LEAK. THE REPAIRS CONSISTED OF THE REPLACEMENT OF THE OIL PAN AND GASKET DUE TO AN OIL LEAK, THE THERMOSTAT, BELT TENSIONER, COOLANT PUMP, COMPLETE FLUSHING OF THE SYSTEM, WIRES AND PLUGS, NEW ALTERNATOR, UPPER AND LOWER INTAKE GASKET REPLACEMENT AND A NEW ENGINE. THE FIRST TIME THE CONSUMER WAS INFORMED THAT A NEW ENGINE WAS NEEDED, THE BEARINGS AND THE PISTONS WERE NOISY. *SC THE FRONT BRAKES WERE REPLACED AND THE ROTORS WERE RESURFACED. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10111806February 18, 2005
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
DRIVER NOTICED THAT THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT APPEARED ON THE DASHBOARD AND REMAINED ON. A LOUD WINDING NOISE WAS COMING FROM THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. THEN, VEHICLE STALLED. DRIVER WAS UNABLE TO RESTART VEHICLE, AND HAD IT TOWED TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10111331February 10, 2005
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE:BELTS AND ASSOCIATED PULLEYS
WHILE DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY AT APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH THE PULLEY WHEEL FROM THE MOTOR CAME OFF. THIS CAUSED THE POWER STEERING TO GO OUT. OWNER HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO THE DEALER, AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE PULLEY WHEEL AND DRIVE TRAIN PULLEY BELT HAD TO BE REPLACED. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10108805December 8, 2004
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE:BELTS AND ASSOCIATED PULLEYS
THE TENSIONER PULLEY FROZE UP AND DISINTEGRATED, CAUSING THE SERPENTINE BELT TO FRAY BADLY. IT RUBBED UP AGAINST AND SCRAPED A HOLE IN THE POWER STEERING PUMP. *BF *TC
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10097117October 19, 2004
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:SENSOR/CONTROL MODULE
THE AIR BAG SENSOR LIGHT CAME ON AND STAYED ON WITHOUT WARNING. THE DEALER STATED THE AIR BAG MODULE NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. PLEASE PROVIDE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10093482October 2, 2004
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
I HAVE A 1997 BUICK REGAL GS [XXX]. THE CAR HAS APPROXIMATELY 94,000 MILES. I BOUGHT IT USED FROM A DEALER IN MAY OF THIS YEAR. I HAVE HAD THE CAR IN THE DEALER (WESTERN MOTORS, GARDEN CITY, KS) 3 TIMES WITH ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS. THE FIRST TIME WAS WHEN THE DRIVERS SIDE ELECTRIC WINDOW DID NOT WORK, THE LAST TWO TIMES I WAS STRANDED WHEN THE CAR WOULDN'T START. THE SECOND TIME WESTERN MOTORS REPLACED THE BATTERY AT COST TO ME. THIS LAST TIME IT IS PRESENTLY IN THE SHOP WHILE THEY ARE TRYING TO FIGURE OUT WHERE THE ELECTRICAL PROBLEM IS. I HAVE RESEARCHED SIMILAR PROBLEMS ON THE INTERNET AND FOUND SEVERAL FORUMS OF OWNERS EXPERIENCING THE SAME TYPE OF ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS WITH LATE 90'S MODEL REGALS. THEY HAVE COMPLAINED OF THE SAME SYMPTOMS AND HAVING THEIR VEHICLE SERVICED SEVERAL TIMES FOR NOT STARTING WITHIN A MATTER OF MONTHS. NEEDLESS TO SAY THIS IS VERY EXPENSIVE FOR THE OWNERS AS THE MECHANICS TRY ONE THING AFTER ANOTHER TO REMEDY THE PROBLEM. IT IS ALSO VERY INCONVENIENT TO BE STRANDED OR JUST TO GET IN THE CAR AND WONDER IF IT WILL START OR NOT. I FEEL THIS IS AN ONGOING PROBLEM THAT GM SHOULD HAVE TO REMEDY WITHOUT EMPTYING THE POCKETS OF THE OWNERS OF THEIR VEHICLES. I REALIZE THIS IS NOT A LIFE THREATENING SAFETY PROBLEM, BUT IT IS SOMETHING THAT OCCURS REPEATEDLY IN MANY CARS AND IS A HUGE FINANCIAL BURDEN TO THE OWNERS.*AK UPDATED 07/26/2012 *JS INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10094371September 27, 2004
STEERING:RACK AND PINION
CONSUMER STATED WHEN TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL IN EITHER DIRECTION POWER STEERING FAILED DUE TO RACK AND PINION MALFUNCTIONING. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10091550September 8, 2004
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER
CONSUMER'S VEHICLE EXPERIENCED THE SAME PROBLEM AS STATED IN NHTSA RECALL 99V348000. THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS MAY STOP WORKING DUE TO A SEPARATION BETWEEN THE DRIVE PIN AND CRESCENT IN THE CRANK ARM ASSEMBLY. DEALERSHIP INDICATED TO THE CONSUMER THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDE DUE TO VIN. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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