Buick Regal Complaints (1996)

204 consumer complaints on file.

#10040415November 5, 2003
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL, SEAT BELTS:FRONT
WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, THE DRIVER SLAMMED ON THE BRAKES AFTER SEEING A DEER ON THE ROAD. THE VEHICLE HAD GONE OFF THE ROAD AND ROLLED OVER INTO A DITCH. BOTH OF THE FRONT SEAT BELTS FAILED AND THE FRONT AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE PASSENGER'S NOSE WAS BROKEN AND AN ARTERY WAS PUNCTURED IN THIS RIGHT EYE. *AK *SCC *JB
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#10044989October 29, 2003
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH VEHICLE STALLED. THEN, VEHICLE RESTARTED WITHOUT ANY PROBLEM.*AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10044500October 22, 2003
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL, SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY
WHILE DRIVING AT 55 MPH VEHICLE SWERVED TO MISS A DEER AND CONSUMER LOST CONTROL OF VEHICLE. VEHICLE BROKE THROUGH A GUARD RAIL AND DOWN AN EMBANKMENT. THEN, IT FLIPPED TWICE BEFORE COMING TO A REST. BOTH FRONT SEAT BELTS BROKE, AND FRONT AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. CONSUMER SUSTAINED FACIAL BRUISING/ABRASIONS, AND A BROKEN NOSE. *AK
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#10041286October 5, 2003
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION HAS A LOT OF PLASTIC PARTS INSIDE, THEY MELTED DOWN DUE TO VEHICLE OVERHEATING. THIS TRANSMISSION SHOULD BE MADE LIKE THAT OF THE OLD ONES, WITH METAL PARTS TO MAKE IT LAST LONGER. *LA
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10042298October 3, 2003
SEATS
CONSUMER CALLED COMPLAINING ABOUT HAVING PROBLEMS WITH HIS VEHICLES DRIVERS SEAT. THE SEAT BROKE WERE THE MOTOR MOVES THE SEAT FRONT AND BACK. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND STATED THAT THE VEHICLE HAD NO WARRANTY AND THAT IF THE CONSUMER WANTED TO GET IT REPAIRED HE WOULD HAVE TO PAY OUT OF POCKET. *NLM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10034023September 12, 2003
AIR BAGS
THE AIR BAG DEPLOYED WITHOUT IMPACT WHILE DRIVING AT 35 MPH. THE DEALER NOTIFIED. *AK PRIOR TO THE INCIDENT, THE AIR BAG LIGHT HAD COME ON. THE CONSUMER HAD GONE TO TWO SEPARATE SERVICE DEALERS WHO SUGGESTED THAT IT WAS OKAY TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE UNTIL THE REPAIRS COULD BE MADE. THE CONSUMER WAS TOLD THAT THE MODULE COIL AND WIRE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED ALONG WITH THE ENTIRE AIR BAG ASSEMBLY. THE AIR BAG DEPLOYED WHILE THE CONSUMER WAS DRIVING AND CAUSED THE CONSUMER TO LOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. *SCC *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#10038642September 10, 2003
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM
BUICK REGAL 1996.ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM HORTLY AFTER JUST 72,000 MILES, A LEAK DEVELOPED NEAR THE UPPER INTAKE MANIFOLD, CAUSING EXCESSIVE COOLANT LOSS (UP TO 1 GALLON PER WEEK).*AK I BELIEVE THIS TO BE A SAFTEY HAZARD RESULTING FROM A DESIGN FLAW. THE OWNER'S MANUAL INCLUDES SEVERAL WARNINGS THAT COOLANT CONTAINS ETHYLENE GLYCOL THAT WILL BURN IF IT COMES IN CONTACT WITH HOT ENGINE PARTS. I AM ALSO CONCERNED THIS PROBLEM MAY HAVE CAUSED ENGINE DAMAGE THAT WILL MANIFEST ITSELF LATER. I BELIEVE GM SHOULD ADDRESS THIS AS A SAFETY HAZARD BEFORE SOMEONE IS KILLED OR SEIOUSLY INJURED BY AN ENGINE FIRE. THANK YOU. DJS
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10017870April 30, 2003
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
THE BRAKES AND ROTORS EXPERIENCED PREMATURE FAILURE. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10015903April 15, 2003
SEAT BELTS
THE VEHICLES SEAT BELTS DID RESTRAIN PROPERLY. THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED. *NLM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10013639March 29, 2003
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM
THE ENGINE WAS NOT RUNNING PROPERLY WHICH CAUSED A CRACK IN UPPER INTAKE MANIFOLD FORCING EXCESSIVE COOLANT INTO THE TOP END OF THE ENGINE AND UPPER COMBUSTION CHAMBER. THIS IS AN ON-GOING PROBLEM WITH THE 1996 BUICK REGAL. THIS COULD HAVE RESULTED IN A FIRE AS INDICATED BY THE PREVIOUS RECALL NOTICE FOR THE SAME PROBLEM. AS A RESULT OF THIS INCIDENT, THE FOLLOWING SERVICE WAS REQUIRED: REPAIR ELECTRICAL FAILURE, CLEAN EXCESSIVE COOLANT FROM UPPER COMBUSTION CHAMBERS, REMOVE COOLANT FROM TOP END OF ENGINE, REPLACE UPPER INTAKE ASSEMBLE AND MANIFOLD, REPLACE SPARK PLUGS, PERFORM INJECTOR SERVICE, REPLACE THE PCV VALVE, OIL AND OIL FILTER. ALTHOUGH I HAVE AN EXTENDED WARRANTY, I WAS STILL CHARGED $557.17 FOR THE REPAIR. DUE TO THE NUMEROUS SERVICE BULLETINS, CONSUMER COMPLAINTS, AND PREVIOUS RECALL NOTICE FOR THE SAME SITUATION, THIS DEFECT SHOULD HAVE BEEN DETECTED ON MARCH 7, 2002. AT THAT TIME, I HAD THE ROUTINE 60,000 MILE SERVICE PERFORMED EVEN THOUGH THE CAR ONLY HAD 50,480 MILES. THE TOTAL COST FOR THE ROUTINE SERVICE WAS $807.00. FOR THESE REASONS, I SHOULD BE ENTITLED TO A REIMBURSEMENT OF THE $557.01 CHARGE. IF NEEDED, I WILL BE MORE THAN HAPPY TO FORWARD A COPY OF MY SERVICE RECORDS FOR YOUR REVIEW. ADDITIONALLY, I AM CONCERNED THIS RECENT EVENT HAS CAUSED DAMAGE TO THE ENGINE AND WILL HAVE LONG TERM EFFECTS ON ENGINE PERFORMANCE REQUIRING ADDITIONAL MAINTENANCE. IT??S HARD TO BELIEVE THIS DID NOT CAUSE DAMAGE TO THE VALVES AND/OR LIFTERS. ONCE THE EXTENDED WARRANTY EXPIRES, I WILL NO LONGER HAVE FINANCIAL PROTECTION FOR REPAIRS RESULTING FROM FAULTY MANUFACTURING. I HOPE THIS SAFETY HAZARD IS RESOLVED BEFORE SOMEONE IS KILLED BY AN ENGINE FIRE. THANK YOU FOR YOUR ASSISTANCE IN THIS MATTER. *NLM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10009520February 27, 2003
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
THE VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE WHILE PARKED, THE FIRE DEPARTMENT STATED THE FIRE WAS CAUSED BY AN ELECTRICAL SHORT.*JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10007794February 19, 2003
STEERING: STEERING WHEEL/HANDLE BAR, STEERING:COLUMN
LEVER THAT CONTROLS THE 'TILT WHEEL' BROKE OFF AT THE STEERING COLUMN. THE AUTO WAS PURCHASED NEW BY ME AND I ONLY HAVE 44,000 MILES ON IT. I CALLED LIVINGSTON MOTORS, BUT WAS TOLD THAT THERE IS NO WARRANTY ON THAT PART..I HAVE BEEN A REGULAR CUSTOMER THERE.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10005238February 3, 2003
STRUCTURE
ON 02/02/03, I NOTICED A LARGE PIECE OF MY HOOD WAS EXPOSED DUE TO PEELING PAINT. (THE GRAY METAL OF THE CAR'S STRUCTURE IS EXPOSED) THE CAR IS A 1996 BUICK REGAL PURCHASED IN 12/99. I AM CONCERNED THAT THE AREAS SURROUNDING THE PEELING PAINT WILL CONTINUE TO PEEL AWAY RESULTING IN NO WHITE PAINT ON THE HOOD. UPON RESEARCHING HOW TO REPAIR THIS, I CAME UPON INFORMATION THAT GM HAD/IS HAVING A CONCEALED, LATENT MANUFACTURING DEFECT. (THE PHOTOS I VIEWED SHOWED THAT I AM HEADING TO BECOMING ANOTHER VICTIM TO GM'S PAINT PROBLEMS) I CONTACTED BUICK CORPORATION AND WAS TOLD THAT THE WARRANTY FOR THE REPAIRS HAD EXPIRED. I BROUGHT TO THEIR ATTENTION THE DISCOVERY RULE AND THAT IT WAS IMPOSSIBLE FOR ME TO KNOW OF GM'S LATENT DPAINT DEFECT UNTIL THE PAINT LITERALLY STARTED PEELING OFF OF MY VEHICLE. AND I STILL WAS NOT AWARE OF A PROBLEM UNTIL I CONDUCTED A SEARCH ENGINE ON THE INTERNET. APPARENTLY A STORY WAS DONE BY DATELINE NBC IN 11/97 ABOUT THE ISSUE. (ONCE AGAIN, MY CAR WAS PURCHASE 12/99) THE REPRESENTATIVE REPEATED THAT THE WARRANTY HAD EXPIRED AND ENDED THE CONVERSATION. I AM ANGRY BECAUSE I AM ABOUT TO MAKE MY FINAL CAR PAYMENT AND THIS ISSUE WAS NEVER BROUGHT TO MY ATTENTION. DO I HAVE ANY RECOURSE?
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10005927January 29, 2003
AIR BAGS
WHEN TURNING STEERING WHEEL, IN ANY DIRECTION,THERE'S A "RUBBING" NOISE FROM WITHIN STEERING COLUMN. MECHANIC DIAGNOSED THE CLOCKSPRING WAS RUBBING AGAINST SOME INTERNAL WIRES AND IF THE WIRES SHORT THE AIR BAG MAY DEPLOY WITHOUT WARNING. PH
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10004693January 27, 2003
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD
WHEN AT A STOP AND WITHOUT WARNING VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE UNDER THE HOOD.*AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#8024095December 10, 2002
VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM
CONSUMER NOTICED ANTIFREEZE LEAKING ON GARAGE FLOOR. TOOK TO DEALER. DEALER SAYS UPPER INTAKE MANIFOLD NEEDS REPLACING. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION. TS
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#8023226November 25, 2002
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH
CONSUMER STATE AFTER STICKING KEY IN THE IGNITION SWITCH WITHOUT OUT ANY INDICATION VEHICLE AIR BAG DEPLOYS. DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED. PLEASE FURTHER INFORMATION. TS
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#768072October 3, 2002
STRUCTURE:BODY
CAR PAINT PEELED OFF IN SHEETS WHEN CAR WAS ONLY 3 YEARS OLD - CREATED DANGEROUS DRIVING CONDITIONS, AS I WITNESSED DRIVERS BEHIND ME SWERVING TO AVOID WHAT WAS FLYING OFF THE ROOF OF MY CAR. MANUFACTURER'S DEFECT - CERTIFIED BUICK DEALERSHIP 'FIXED' = THEY CAUSED OVER $700 IN DAMAGE! I AM NOT THE ONLY BUICK OWNER OF THAT YEAR TO HAVE THIS PROBLEM & BUICK / GM REFUSES TO ASSIST IN ANY WAY - EVEN AFTER THEIR DEALERSHIP RUINS MY CAR! HAVE 3 CERTIFIED BUICK AUTO BODY REPAIR QUOTES, SHEET OF THE BAD PAINT & CHUNK OF RUBBER WINDOW GASKET HACKED OFF MY CAR - LATER FOUND INSIDE VEHICLE. BUICK KNOWS THEY HAVE A PROBLEM & CONSUMERS ARE PAYING TOP DOLLAR FOR DEFECTIVE MERCHANDISE (FALSE ADVERTISING AT THE VERY LEAST). PLEASE HELP! MR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#567720September 30, 2002
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED AN OIL LEAK AT THE INTAKE MANIFOLD, THE ENGINE ALSO DEVELOPED ROD BEARING AND/OR WRIST PIN NOISE. NLM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#767927September 30, 2002
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM
MANIFOLD MAKES NOISE. CRACKED. MR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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