1998 Buick REGAL: complaints, problems and recalls

MY CAR'S RADIATOR COOLING LIGHT CAME ON, AND I DISCOVERED THAT THE OVERFLOW TANK WAS EMPTY. SINCE IT WAS ZERO DEGREES OUT, I WAS AFRAID THE ENGINE WOULD FREEZE. MY LOCAL REPAIR SHOP FOUND THE UPPER MANIFOLD LEAKING AND CHARGED ME OVER $900 TO REPLACE IT AND REFILL THE COOLING SYSTEM. I NOW DISCOVER THAT THIS WAS IN TWO PREVIOUS MFG BULLETINS. BUICK REFUSES TO REIMBURSE ME SAYING I HAD TO DRIVE IT TO THEIR DEALER (A DISTANCE AWAY). I FEEL THIS IS UNFAIR. IT IS A DEFECT THAT I DISCOVERED THEY HAVE RECTIFIED IN RECENT MODELS.

Owner-reported narrative. 35,050 miles reported. Look up ODI 10003511 at NHTSA ↗

CONSUMER IS UNABLE TO MAKE A LEFT TURN. DEALER NOTIFIED.

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10004033 at NHTSA ↗

SYMTONS AND COMPLAINT IDENTICAL TO NHTSA CAMPANIGN #02V286000

Owner-reported narrative. 96,700 miles reported. Look up ODI 10005251 at NHTSA ↗

WINDSHIELD WIPERS DON'T WORK 1/2 THE TIME. THEY SEEM TO GO OFF TRACK--YOU HAVE TO STOP THE CAR, OPEN THE HOOD AND TIGHTEN THE BASE--THE NUT THAT HOLDS THE WIPER ARM ON WORKS LOOSE. THIS HAS BEEN HAPPENING FOR ABOUT 8 MONTHS. *NLM

Owner-reported narrative. 90,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10008393 at NHTSA ↗

ELECTRIC WINDOWS--FRONT PASSENGER CAN ONLY BE USED VIA CONTROLS ON DRIVER'S DOOR AND REAR PASSENGER SIDE WINDOW CAME DOWN AND WILL NOT STAY UP--WE CUT OFF THE POWER TO IT AND IT STILL CREEPS DOWN. IT LACKS ABOUT 2-3" OF BEING SHUT AND HAS TO BE TAPED TO KEEP AIR/WATER OUT. THIS HAPPENED LAST SUMMER. *NLM

Owner-reported narrative. 75,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10008396 at NHTSA ↗

THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING, THE DEALER STATED THE CRACK SENSOR AND THE FUEL SENSOR WERE THE PROBLEM. *JB

Owner-reported narrative. 33,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10012101 at NHTSA ↗

HEADLIGHTS TURNED OFF DURING OPERATION AT NIGHT WHILE DRIVING. LISTED BELOW IS THE TEXT OF MY NOTE TO THE DEALER MORE FULLY DESCRIBING THE PROBLEM. YOU MAY RECALL AFTER REVIEW OF YOUR SERVICE RECORDS THAT I BROUGHT THIS VEHICLE TO YOU DECEMBER 3, 2002 FOR A FAULTY BLOWER MOTOR. AFTER DIAGNOSIS YOU PHONED AND INDICATED THE PROBLEM WAS A RESISTOR, NOT THE MOTOR AND DURING DIAGNOSIS YOU DISCOVERED WIRES UNDER THE HOOD DAMAGED BY AN ANIMAL WHO HAD BUILT A NEST UNDER THE COWLING. I AUTHORIZED REPAIR OF BOTH THE RESISTOR AND THE WIRING. ON …

Owner-reported narrative. 92,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10013667 at NHTSA ↗

POWER WINDOW REGULATOR FAILED ON LEFT REAR DOOR IN MARCH 2002, AND ON THE DRIVER'S DOOR IN MARCH 2003. BOTH FAILURES WERE OF THE PLASTIC RETAINER FOR THE CABLE END WHICH HOLDS THE WINDOW UP. BOTH WINDOWS DROPPED SEVERAL INCHES. THE REAR WINDOW DROPPED WHILE DRIVING, CAUSING DRIVER DISTRACTION. IN BOTH CASES THE WINDOW COULD NOT BE RAISED WITHOUT REMOVING THE DOOR UPHOLSTERY PANEL. THE ONLY REPAIR IS TO REPLACE THE ENTIRE WINDOW REGULATOR ASSEMBLY. LIST PRICE FOR THE DRIVER'S DOOR PARTS ONLY WAS $352. *JB

Owner-reported narrative. 93,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10016800 at NHTSA ↗

Reported: 2003-12-11 (December 11, 2003)

CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES HAVE LOWER PINION BEARINGS IN THE POWER RACK AND PINION ASSEMBLY IN WHICH THE RETAINER TABS WERE NOT CRIMPED PROPERLY. THESE RETAINERS COULD FAIL AND PERMIT THE BALL BEARINGS TO ESCAPE.

Consequence: IF THIS OCCURS, THE PINION SHAFT CAN BE FORCED UPWARD DURING LEFT TURNS AND BACK DOWN AS THE STEERING WHEEL IS MOVED BACK AND TO THE RIGHT. IF THE PINION SHAFT MOVES FURTHER, THE DRIVER WILL NEED TO EXERT MORE EFFORT TO TURN THE STEERING WHEEL, SIMILAR TO A VEHICLE WITHOUT POWER ASSISTED STEERING. IF THE PINION SHAFT MOVES EVEN FURTHER, THE DRIVER WILL REQUIRE MUCH HIGHER EFFORT TO TURN LEFT AND MAY NOT BE ABLE TO TURN THE WHEEL AS MUCH AS INTENDED. WITH THE MAXIMUM PINION SHAFT MOVEMENT, WHICH REQUIRES INTERNAL GEAR COMPONENT DAMAGE, THE DRIVER CAN ENCOUNTER HIGH RESISTANCE TO TURNING LEFT, FOLLOWED BY UNINTENDED POWER ASSIST TO THE RIGHT. IN ANY OF THESE CONDITIONS, A CRASH COULD OCCUR.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A NEW LOWER PINION BEARING UNLESS INSPECT OF THE EXISTING BEARING INDICATES THAT REPLACEMENT OF THE GEAR ASSEMBLY IS NECESSARY. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON FEBRUARY 5, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT BUICK AT 1-866-608-8080; CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438; OLDSMOBILE AT 1-800-630-6537; OR PONTIAC AT 1-800-620-7668.

Reported: 2008-03-12 (March 12, 2008)

GM IS RECALLING 207,542 MY 1997-2003 BUICK REGAL AND PONTIAC GRAND PRIX VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH A 3.8L SUPERCHARGED V-6 ENGINE. THESE VEHICLES HAVE HIGHER FRONT ROCKER COVER GASKET TEMPERATURES, CREATING THE POTENTIAL FOR EARLIER DEGRADATION OF THE FRONT ROCKER COVER GASKET AND EVENTUAL OIL SEEPAGE.

Consequence: CERTAIN UNDERHOOD FIRES MAY BE CAUSED BY DROPS OF ENGINE OIL, FROM SEEPAGE OR SPILLAGE, BEING DEPOSITED ON THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD THROUGH HARD BRAKING. IF THE MANIFOLD IS HOT ENOUGH AND THE OIL RUNS BELOW THE HEAT SHIELD, IT MAY IGNITE INTO A SMALL FLAME AND, IN SOME INSTANCES, THE FIRE MAY SPREAD TO THE PLASTIC SPARK PLUG WIRE CHANNEL AND BEYOND.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE ENGINE’S FRONT VALVE COVER AND FRONT-VALVE-COVER GASKET WITH NEW PARTS OF AN IMPROVED DESIGN AND REMOVE THE ENGINE’S PLASTIC COVER AND PLASTIC OIL-FILL-TUBE EXTENSION, ALONG WITH THE 1-3-5 SPARK PLUG WIRE RETAINERS, FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING MAY 2016. , FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING MAY 2016. UNTIL THE REMEDY IS COMPLETED, GM STRONGLY RECOMMENDS THAT OWNERS OBSERVE THE FOLLOWING IMPORTANT PRECAUTIONS (1) THAT OWNERS DO NOT PARK THEIR VEHICLE IN A GARAGE, CAR PORT, OR OTHER STRUCTURE; (2) IF OWNERS NOTICE A BURNING ODOR, THEY SHOULD HAVE THEIR DEALER INSPECT THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER WILL INSPECT THE VEHICLE WITHOUT CHARGE; (3) USE PREMIUM FUEL (91 OCTANE OR HIGHER) IN THE VEHICLE AS RECOMMENDED IN THE VEHICLE'S OWNER MANUAL. OWNERS MAY CONTACT BUICK AT 1-866-608-8080 OR PONTIAC AT 1-800-620-7668, OR THROUGH THEIR WEBSITE AT <A HREF=HTTP://WWW.GMOWNERCENTER.COM>HTTP://WWW.GMOWNERCENTER.COM</A> .

Reported: 2009-04-08 (April 8, 2009)

GENERAL MOTORS IS RECALLING 1,497,516 MY 1997-2003 BUICK REGAL, MY 1998-2003 CHEVROLET LUMINA, MONTE CARLO AND IMPALA, MY 1998-1999 OLDSMOBILE INTRIGUE, MY 1997-2003 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH A 3.8L V6 NATURALLY ASPIRATED ENGINE. SOME OF THESE VEHICLES HAVE A CONDITION IN WHICH DROPS OF ENGINE OIL MAY BE DEPOSITED ON THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD THROUGH HARD BRAKING.

Consequence: IF THE MANIFOLD IS HOT ENOUGH AND THE OIL RUNS BELOW THE HEAT SHIELD, IT MAY IGNITE INTO A SMALL FLAME AND MAY SPREAD TO THE PLASTIC SPARK PLUG WIRE CHANNEL AND BEYOND INCREASING THE RISK OF AN ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE ENGINE’S FRONT VALVE COVER AND FRONT-VALVE-COVER GASKET WITH NEW PARTS OF AN IMPROVED DESIGN AND REMOVE THE ENGINE’S PLASTIC COVER AND PLASTIC OIL-FILL-TUBE EXTENSION, FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING MAY 2016. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438, OLDSMOBILE AT 1-800-630-6537, AND PONTIAC AT 1-800-620-7668 OR HTTP://WWW.PONTIAC.COM OR HTTP:WWW.GMOWNERCENTER.COM.

Reported: 2015-10-26 (October 26, 2015)

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 1998-1999 Chevrolet Lumina and Oldsmobile Intrigue, 1997-2004 Buick Regal and Pontiac Grand Prix, 2000-2004 Chevrolet Impala, and 1998-2004 Chevrolet Monte Carlo vehicles. The affected vehicles were previously repaired under recalls 08V-118, 09V-116, and 15V-201 to address the possibility that engine oil may drip onto the hot exhaust manifold.

Consequence: Engine oil that drips onto the hot surface of the exhaust manifold may result in a fire.

Remedy: The remedy applied under recalls 08V-118, 09V-116, and 15V-201 did not adequately remove the safety risk. Under the improved remedy, dealers will replace the engine’s front valve cover and gasket. Vehicles that are covered by recalls 08V-118, 09V-116, or 15V-201 that have not yet received the original remedy will instead receive the improved remedy under the original recall number. The recall began on February 19, 2016. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300, Oldsmobile customer service at 1-800-442-6537 and Pontiac customer service at 1-800-458-8006. GM's number for this recall is 15757. Note: Until the improved remedy has been applied, owners are advised to park their vehicle outside since the fire risk exists even when the vehicle is unattended.

Reported: 1998-05-15 (May 15, 1998)

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE OWNER MANUALS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIREMENT INFORMATION PERTAINING TO THE VEHICLE HEADLAMP AIMING DEVICE. THIS DOES NOT COMPLY WITH REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT."

Consequence: IF THE HEADLAMP ASSEMBLIES ARE REPLACED, CUSTOMERS MAY NOT BE ABLE TO PROPERLY AIM THE HEADLIGHTS.

Remedy: OWNERS WILL BE MAILED AN OWNER MANUAL'S INSERT WHICH CONTAINS THE APPROPRIATE INFORMATION.

Reported: 1999-12-17 (December 17, 1999)

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE VEHICLES DO NOT CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THE VERTICAL HEAD LAMP ADJUSTING DEVICE MAY NOT BE CALIBRATED PROPERLY.

Consequence: DRIVER VISIBILITY MAY BE IMPAIRED INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy: OWNERS WILL BE PROVIDED WITH AN OWNER'S MANUAL INSERT CONTAINING INSTRUCTIONS FOR OPTICALLY AIMING THE HEADLAMPS.