41 of the
273 complaints about the 1996 Buick Regal are about the
engine — 15% of everything
reported for this model year.
Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before
88,500 miles.
WHILE MERGING ONTO THE FREEWAY, I WAS TAKING MY CAR TO BE SMOGGED. AT SPEED, I NOTICED A LITTLE WHITE PUFF OF SMOKE EMIT FROM THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE ENGINE BAY. AS I PROCEEDED TO START MOVING TO THE SHOULDER, THIS PUFF HAD TURNED INTO A GRAY PLUME. AS I FINALLY REACHED THE SHOULDER, THE ENTIRE FRONT OF THE ENGINE BAY WAS BILLOWING BLACK SMOKE. AS I TRIED TO STOP, THE BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR, SO IT SEEMED THE FIRE HAD BURNT THROUGH A BRAKE LINE. I MANAGED TO ENGAGE THE EMERGENCY BRAKE SLOWLY AND MANAGED TO STOP ON THE SHOULDER. OPENING THE HOOD, I FOUND A SMALL FIRE BURNING AT THE REAR OF THE ENGINE, BUT IN FRONT OF THE FIREWALL. I HAD NOTHING WITH ME, SO I CALLED THE FIRE DEPARTMENT AND IT WAS EXTINGUISHED. HOWEVER, BY THE TIME THEY GOT THERE, THE ENTIRE ENGINE COMPARTMENT WAS TOTALED BEYOND EXTENSIVE REPAIR.
NHTSA complaint #10786585 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 238,256 milesFayetteville, TNFire
ENGINE
MY CAR STARTED TO NOT START AFTER BEING DRIVEN AND SHORTLY AFTER DID NOT WANT TO START IN A SIMPLE IDLE. SOMEHOW FUEL HAS BEEN GETTING TRAPPED IN A PRESSURIZED LINE AND I'M HAVING TO RELEASE THE FUEL OUT. OIL LEAKED INTO THE SPARK PLUGS CAUSED A PILOT FLAME. I HAVE READ MULTIPLE ACCOUNTS OF THIS HAPPENING TO THAT SPECIFIC MAKE AND YEAR AS WELL A FEW OF THE OTHER 90 MODELS. EVERY ACCOUNT SAYS IT IS A FLAW IN THE ENGINE AND FUEL SYSTEM.
NHTSA complaint #10703743 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 130,000 milesRonkonkoma, NYFire
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:MANIFOLD/HEADER/MUFFLER/TAIL PIPE
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 BUICK REGAL LE. THE CONTACT STATED THERE WAS AN UNUSUAL LOUD EXPLOSION IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED. SHE OPENED THE HOOD TO FURTHER INVESTIGATE AND WAS EXHUMED WITH THICK SMOKE EMITTING FROM THE ENGINE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT THE TOP MANIFOLD MELTED. THE MECHANIC REPLACED THE MANIFOLD, INJECTORS, SENSOR WIRES, PCV VALVES, AND HOSES. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 130,000. THE APPROXIMATE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 130,000.
NHTSA complaint #10321739 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 113,048 milesDaphne, ALFire
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
ON ENGINE START, LOUD EXPLOSION IN ENGINE COMPARTMENT. INSPECTION REVELED ENGINE COVER BROKEN, UPPER INTAKE MANIFOLD (PLENUM) SPLIT IN TWO PIECES. SMELL OF GAS, BROKEN VACUUM AND FUEL LINES. MUST REPLACE UPPER INTAKE MANIFOLD, FUEL RAIL, 2 INJECTORS, VARIOUS LINES. OLD PARTS ARE AVAILABLE.
NHTSA complaint #10314670 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 90,000 milesNewhall, IA
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
VEHICLE BACK FIRE THROUGH THE INTAKE AND SMOKE ROLLS OUT FROM UNDER THE HOOD WHEN TRYING TO START THE VEHICLE, NORMALLY START GOOD AFTER SITTING OVER NIGHT, BUT GO TO START IT AGAIN IT WILL BACK FIRE OR THE ENGINE IDLE IS VERY ERRATIC BEFORE IT WILL SMOOTH OUT. I REPLACE SPARK PLUG, SPARK PLUG WIRES, CAM SENSOR, PCV VALVE, FUEL FILTER CHECK BATTERY CONNECTION.
NHTSA complaint #10269816 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 78,117 milesSaint Helena Island, SC
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 BUICK REGAL. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE VEHICLE SPORADICALLY EXPERIENCED A NO-START CONDITION. THERE WAS ALSO A BACKFIRE THAT OCCURRED WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED. THE UPPER INTAKE MANIFOLD FAILED PRIOR TO THE UPPER INTAKE MANIFOLD. THE DEALER STATED THAT HIS VIN WAS EXCLUDED FROM NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 96V116000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM). THE CONTACT WOULD NOT ASSUME RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE REPAIR. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 78,117. UPDATED 02/05/09. *LJ COOLANT WAS FOUND IN THE OIL WHEN REPAIRS WERE MADE ON THE MANIFOLD. UPDATED 02/10/09.
NHTSA complaint #10252849 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 186,000 milesBeattyville, KYFire
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 BUICK REGAL. THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE AFTER BEING PARKED FOR APPROXIMATELY FIFTEEN MINUTES. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 186,000. UPDATED 02-01-08. *KB UPDATED 02/19/10. *LJ UPDATED 09/2810
NHTSA complaint #10191601 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 87,000 milesFarrell, PA
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
I BOUGHT A USED CAR IN BOARDMAN, OHIO AREA AND I NOW HAVE A 1490.00 REPAIR BILL AFTER SALESMAN TOLD ME IT WAS CHECKED OUT. THEY REPLACED A BURNED OUT BULB WITH ANOTHER BURNED OUT BULB WHICH I CAN PROVE. I NEED HELP TO STOP THIS PRACTICE.
NHTSA complaint #10176299 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 29,050 milesFort Lauderdale, FLFire
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:MANIFOLD/HEADER/MUFFLER/TAIL PIPE
AFTER TURNING THE IGNITION TO START THE VEHICLE THERE WAS AN EXPLOSION, THE ENGINE WAS ON FIRE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS CALLED, AND THE FIRE WAS EXTINGUISHED. THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE INTAKE MANIFOLD NHTSA RECALL 96V116000. *AK THE EGR VALVE WAS INOPERATIVE AND ON ANOTHER OCCASION THE VEHICLE HAD TO BE JUMP STARTED. *SC
NHTSA complaint #10112868 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 51,278 milesWichita, KS
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:MANIFOLD/HEADER/MUFFLER/TAIL PIPE
WHILE ATTEMPTING TO START THE VEHICLE THE CONSUMER HEARD AN EXPLOSION. *NM A HOLE WAS DISCOVERED BLOWN THROUGH THE INTAKE MANIFOLD AND A CRACK WAS DISCOVERED A CRACK IN THE DUST COVER. THE CONSUMER REQUESTED REIBURSEMENT.
NHTSA complaint #10101434 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 105,310 milesGary, IN
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
ANTI FREEZE LEAKED INSIDE THE ENGINE DUE TO FAULTY INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKETS WHICH WERE MADE OF PLASTIC. THIS HAPPENED FREQUENTLY, EVEN AFTER ANTIFREEZE WAS REFILLED. *AK FUMES FROM THE ANTIFREEZE OIL MIXTURE WERE ENTERING THE CABIN OF THE VEHICLE FROM THE ENGINE.
NHTSA complaint #10099875 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 181,000 milesGreenwood, INFire
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
VEHICLE WOULD NOT START, IT WAS TOWED TO REPAIR SHOP SAT FOR ABOUT 24 HOURS, WHEN TRYING TO START IT THE INTAKE MANIFOLD EXPLODED.
NHTSA complaint #10098682 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 99,000 milesGary, IN
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH WHITE SMOKE EMITTED FROM UNDER THE HOOD. THE CONSUMER WAS INFORMED THAT COOLANT WAS IN THE ENGINE OIL AND BLEW OUT A HEAD GASKET. THE ENGINE WAS NOT COVER UNDER THE MANUFACTURERS RECALL. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.
NHTSA complaint #10083357 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
DES Moines, IA
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
CAR BROKE DOWN 2 DAYS AFTER I BOUGHT IT, IT BROKE DOWN ON THE WAY TO THE SHOP. THEY KEPT THE CAR FOR TWO DAYS TO FIX IT AND I RECEIVED IT BACK. THE NEXT MORNING, THE ENGINE LIGHT WAS ON, AND IT CONTINUES TO BE ON, DAN NELSON NETWORK REFUSES TO TAKE THE CAR BACK, AND EXPECTS FULL PAYMENTS ON A VEHICLE THAT DOES NOT RUN PROPERLY
NHTSA complaint #10069352 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Fairview Park, OH
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
OTHER - OIL LEAK - HAVE BEEN TOLD BY INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOPS THAT IT IS EITHER THE CAM SHAFT TIMING SENCER OR MANIFOLD WITH THE COST RANGING FROM $700.00 TO $1200.00. ALSO THE MOTOR MOUNTS NEED TO BE REPLACED. TAPE PLAYER DOES NOT EJECT TAPE PROPERLY, BEEN A PROBLEM SINCE I GOT THE CAR. BRAKES - HAVE HAD COMPLETE BRAKES REPLACED. HAVE BEEN TOLD BUICK REGALS ARE BAD ON BRAKES. AIR CONDITIONUNG COOLING COIL IN FRONT OF RADITOR HAS DEVELOPED A LEAK. ESTIMATED COST TO REPAIR IS $400.00. HAVE NOT TAKEN IT TO DEALER. I GOT THE CAR USED IN 1997 WITH ABOUT 72500 MILES ON IT.
NHTSA complaint #10070438 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Holland, MI
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
VEHICLE HAD A DEFECTIVE WATER PUMP, OIL PAN, AND ENGINE'S EMISSION CONTROL. *LA THE ENGINE LIGHT HAD COME ON AND THERE WAS A NOISE WHEN TURNING CORNERS. THE CONSUMER REQUESTED REIMBURSEMENT. *SC
NHTSA complaint #10057355 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Holland, MI
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL:CRANKCASE (PCV)
VEHICLE HAD A DEFECTIVE WATER PUMP, OIL PAN, AND ENGINE'S EMISSION CONTROL. *LA THE ENGINE LIGHT HAD COME ON AND THERE WAS A NOISE WHEN TURNING CORNERS. THE CONSUMER REQUESTED REIMBURSEMENT. *SC
NHTSA complaint #10057355 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 51,750 milesTucson, AZ
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:MANIFOLD/HEADER/MUFFLER/TAIL PIPE
MY 1996 BUICK REGAL HAS HAD TWO INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET FAILURES--ONE AT 52,000 MILES, AND THE MOST RECENT, AT 111,000 MILES. IN THE FIRST INSTANCE, THE LOCAL BUICK DEALERSHIP REFUNDED HALF MY MONEY OF THE COST OF THE $607 REPAIRS BECAUSE THEY AGREED THAT IT WAS HIGHLY UNUSUAL FOR A GASKET TO FAIL AT SUCH LOW MILEAGE. MY SON, WHO DID THE MOST RECENT REPAI ANDR IS A MATERIALS SCIENCE ENGINEER, INSPECTED THE MOST RECENT FAILURE AND FOUND SEVERAL PLACES ON THE GASKET WHERE IT WAS DEFORMED AND HAD LET ANTIFREEZE ESCAPE. HIS OPINION WAS THAT IT WAS BADLY DESIGNED, WITH INFERIOR MATERIALS.
NHTSA complaint #10053227 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 15,000 milesFarmington, MI
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED, THE VEHICLE WOULD INTERMITTENTLY STALL. JUST BEFORE THE VEHICLE STALLED, THE CHECK ENGINE AND BATTERY LIGHT HAD COME ON. THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN TO THE DEALER THREE TIMES FOR THIS PROBLEM, BUT THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. *AK THE STALLING WOULD ALSO OCCUR WHEN MAKING LEFT TURNS.
NHTSA complaint #10050122 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 59,701 milesRockland, MA
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH VEHICLE STALLED. THEN, VEHICLE RESTARTED WITHOUT ANY PROBLEM.
NHTSA complaint #10044989 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 72,000 milesNashua, NH
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
NHTSA complaint #10038642 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 58,118 milesAtlanta, GA
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
NHTSA complaint #10013639 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Arvada, CO
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
NHTSA complaint #567720 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Stover, MO
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM
MANIFOLD MAKES NOISE. CRACKED. MR
NHTSA complaint #767927 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Houston, TX
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
PLASTIC CONNECTION HOSE OF OIL FILTER TO MANIFOLD ON MOTOR BLOCK BROKE OFF.CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE INTO DEALER, AND THEY FIXED THE HOSE.
NHTSA complaint #8010808 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Gold River, CA
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
BOLT IN OIL PAN HAS STRIPPED AND SEPARATED FROM OIL PAN. ENTIRE UNIT HAS TO BE REPLACED.
NHTSA complaint #875010 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Charlotte, NC
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
ENGINE FAILED GOING UPHILL, VALVE FAILURE, REPAIRMAN SAYS NORMAL WITH TYPE OF BUICK. BUICK KNOWS ENGINE IS BAD, RECALLED OTHER ENGINE MODEL FOR THIS YEAR.
NHTSA complaint #726535 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Hackensack, NJ
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
WHILE DRIVING 1100 MILES ALMOST A QUART OF OIL WILL BE GONE. OIL CONSUMPTION IS VERY HIGH. DEALER CLAIMS THIS IS A NORMAL CHARACTERISIC. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION.
NHTSA complaint #864852 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Slidell, LA
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
ENGINE REQUIRED REPLACEMENT DUE TO ACCELERATION PROBLEMS, SEVERAL REPAIR ATTEMPTS PRIOR TO FINAL DIAGNOSIS. MJS
NHTSA complaint #548666 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
LAS Cruces, NM
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
LOUD TICKING NOISE AT STARTUP: CAMSHAFT AND LIFTERS FAILED.
NHTSA complaint #707171 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.