41 of the 174 complaints about the 1997 Buick Regal are about the engine — 24% of everything reported for this model year. Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before 122,609 miles.
41
Complaints
0
Crashes
17
Fires
0
Injuries
Filed with NHTSA, in their own words.
ENGINE
1997 BUICK REGAL. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARD TO SAFETY RECALL ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE NOTICE . CONSUMER WRITES VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE AND MANUFACTURER STATED THERE WAS NO PROOF FOR CAUSE OF FIRE. *AS
NHTSA complaint #11181851 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 BUICK REGAL. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH AND MAKING A RIGHT TURN, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY SHUT OFF. APPROXIMATELY TEN MINUTES LATER, THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO BE RESTARTED AND OPERATED NORMALLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE LOCAL DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 138,000. THE VIN WAS INVALID. *TT CONSUMER STATED DEALERSHIP IS NOW CLOSED AND WILL BE TAKING IT TO A REPAIR SHOP. UPDATED 12/20/18
NHTSA complaint #11142930 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE
BUICK FIXED 3 RECALLS BUT WON'T FIX ON SAY I HAVE TO PAY FOR ANOTHER PART BEFORE THEY CAN FIX LAST RECALL.
NHTSA complaint #10913968 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 BUICK REGAL. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V701000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING) AND STATED THAT THE PART WAS NOT AVAILABLE WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME FRAME TO SCHEDULE THE RECALL REPAIR FOR SEVERAL MONTHS. THE DEALER DID NOT GIVE A SPECIFIC DATE FOR WHEN THE PART WOULD BECOME AVAILABLE. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE CONTACT WOULD NEED TO WAIT FOR THE SECOND NOTICE. THE MANUFACTURER COULD NOT PROVIDE AN ESTIMATED DATE FOR WHEN THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE WOULD RECEIVE THE RECALL REPAIR. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.
NHTSA complaint #10897709 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
1997 BUICK REGAL. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO DEALERSHIP DENIED REIMBURSEMENT REQUESTS FOR ENGINE OIL DEPOSITED ON THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD RECALL NOTICE. *SMD THE CONSUMER WAS DENIED REIMBURSEMENT, BECAUSE THE REPAIR WAS DONE AFTER THE RECALL WAS MAILED.
NHTSA complaint #10872011 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 1997 BUICK REGAL. WHILE PARKED, THE VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE UNDER THE HOOD. THE FIRE WAS EXTINGUISHED BY THE CONTACT. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V701000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 107,000.
NHTSA complaint #10864465 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 BUICK REGAL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, THE ENGINE OVERHEATED AS AN UNKNOWN WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC ON TWO SEPARATE OCCASIONS WHERE THE ENGINE MASS AIR FLOW SENSOR WAS REPLACED EACH TIME BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED FOR THE THIRD TIME. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.
NHTSA complaint #10850035 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 1997 BUICK REGAL. WHILE PARKED, THE VEHICLE BURST INTO FLAMES. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V701000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). THE FAILURE RECURRED TWO WEEKS AFTER THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 195,000.
NHTSA complaint #10839006 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 BUICK REGAL. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO START THE VEHICLE, IT CAUGHT FIRE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FIRE DEPARTMENT EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE. A FIRE REPORT WAS FILED. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V701000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING) AFTER THE FAILURE OCCURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.
NHTSA complaint #10838664 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE
FIRE STARTED IN THE ENGINE, RESULTING IN THE CAR EXPLODING IN ABOUT 10 MINUTES TOTAL. TOTAL LOSS. CAUGHT FIRE TO MY FRIENDS GARAGE. THE CAR WAS PARKED AND RUNNING WHILE WE RAN INSIDE TO PAY FOR SOME STUFF. HEARD AN EXPLOSION AND WENT TO INVESTIGATE, AND SAW THE HOOD AND DASH AND THE ENGINE ON FIRE. MY FRIEND JUMPED ON HIS TRACTOR AND PUSHED IT AWAY FROM THE GARAGE, AND STARTED DUMPING SNOW ON IT. FIRE DEPT CAME AND PUT IT OUT.
NHTSA complaint #10837552 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 BUICK REGAL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ENGINE CAUGHT FIRE WHILE DRIVING. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE AND STATED THAT THE FIRE ORIGINATED IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. THE CONTACT WAS NOT INJURED. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A NOTICE FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V701000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING) AFTER THE FAILURE OCCURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 190,000.
NHTSA complaint #10819758 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE
THE LOW COOLANT LIGHT SENSOR FLASHES ON AND OFF, IF THE CAR IS IDOL THE TEMPERATURE GAUGE MOVES UP RAPIDLY. I HAVE HAD THE COOLANT AND THERMOSTAT CHECK, BOTH ARE FINE. MY MECHANIC ADVISED TO CHECK THIS WEBSITE FOR ENGINE COOLING RECALL AND THERE IS ONE. I NEED TO KNOW WHERE TO TAKE MY CAR TO GET THIS ISSUE FIXED UNDER THE RECALL.
NHTSA complaint #10565816 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 BUICK REGAL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE ENGINE BEGAN TO OVERHEAT AND EMITTED SMOKE. IN ADDITION, THE ENGINE PLUGS IGNITED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, WHO WAS UNABLE TO LOCATE THE PROBLEM. THERE WERE TWO RECALLS UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBERS 09V116000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING) AND 08V118000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING) HOWEVER, THE CONTACT'S VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE DEFECT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNAVAILABLE. UPDATED 09/05/13*LJ THE HEAD GASKETS AND COILS FAILED. UPDATED 09/05/13
NHTSA complaint #10524119 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
1997 BUICK REGAL. CONSUMER STATES VEHICLE EXPLODED AFTER EXITING. *TGW
NHTSA complaint #10408056 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 BUICK REGAL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE LIGHTS ON THE DASHBOARD SHUT ON AND OFF ALONG WITH THE RADIO AND THE VEHICLE STARTED TO SMOKE. THE CONTACT DROVE ONTO THE EMERGENCY LANE AND WITHIN A FEW MINUTES THE VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE CONTACT WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE RECALL WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED BY THE SALVAGE LOT THAT THERE WAS A RECALL FOR THE ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING BECAUSE OF AN OIL LEAK THAT CAUSED THE FIRE. THE RECALL CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER WAS 08V118000,ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.
NHTSA complaint #10378812 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 1997 BUICK REGAL. SHE STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED AND SUDDENLY CAUGHT FIRE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS ABLE TO EXTINGUISH THE FIRE. A FIRE REPORT WAS AVAILABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN UNDISCLOSED LOCATION. THE CONTACT STATED THE FAILURE WAS DIRECTLY RELATED TO NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 08V118000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). THE MANUFACTURER WOULD NOT PROVIDE ANY ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 78,000.
NHTSA complaint #10339566 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 BUICK REGAL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SHE RECEIVED RECALL NOTICE # 09V116000 (09V116000). THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND REPAIRED ACCORDING TO THE REMEDY REFERENCED IN THE RECALL. HOWEVER SHORTLY AFTER THE REPAIR THE VEHICLE HAD AN ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS ABLE TO EXTINGUISH THE FLAMES. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 158,000.BL
NHTSA complaint #10284118 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 BUICK REGAL. THE CONTACT PLACED OIL IN THE VEHICLE AND NOTICED THAT THE ENGINE WAS ON FIRE ONCE HE ARRIVED HOME. THE VEHICLE QUICKLY BECAME ENGULFED IN FLAMES AND HIS NEIGHBOR EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED BY THE TIME THE FIRE DEPARTMENT ARRIVED. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT FILED A REPORT. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 200,000.
NHTSA complaint #10274708 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM
I LEFT WORK ON MY BREAK DROVE A HALF MILE TO HOME GOT OUT MY CAR AND CAME IN THE HOUSE FOR ABOUT FIVE MINUTES. THEN A OFFICER WAS AT MY DOOR AND TOLD ME MY CAR WAS ON FIRE. THE FLAMES WERE VERY BAD UNDER MY HOOD. THE POLICE WAS TELLING EVERYONE TO MOVE THERE CARS AND STAY IN THERE APARTMENTS. IT TOOK ABOUT TEN MINUTES BEFORE THE FIREMEN TO GET THERE. WHEN THEY ARRIVE AND OPEN THE HOOD A BALL OF FIRE SHOT OUT. THEY PUT IT OUT. THE CAR WAS BURNT UP BADLY. SO I CALL GM AND GAVE A FIRE REPORT. IT WAS A RECALL ON MY ENGINE AND GM SENT ME A LETTER TO GO AND GET IT SERVICE. AND I DID GO TO MIKES BUICK ON 04/09 AND THEY FIX THE RECALL. AND ON 05/25/09 THAT'S WHEN MY CAR CAUGHT ON FIRE. MIKES CAME OUT AND TOWED MY CAR TO THERE SHOP. THEY CALL ME ABOUT FIVE DAYS AFTER THAT AND SAID THEY COULD NOT DO ANY THING FOR ME. NOW I HAVE NO TRANSPORTATION TO WORK THEY JUST DON'T CARE ABOUT THERE MISTAKE. MY CAR WAS PERFECTLY FINE UNTIL THEY WORKED ON IT AND THEN IT JUST BADLY BURNT UP. I REALLY NEED SOME HELP WITH THIS PROBLEM I AM A SINGLE MOTHER OF 5 AND NOW I HAVE NO TRANSPORTATION FOR WORK OR SCHOOL. PLEASE HELP US. THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
NHTSA complaint #10274787 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
TL*THE CONTACT DOES NOT OWN A 1997 BUICK REGAL. THE CONTACT READ AN ARTICLE REGARDING NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 09V116000. THE RECALL WAS ISSUED DUE TO AN OIL LEAK THAT COULD CAUSE THE VEHICLE TO CATCH FIRE. HE BELIEVED THAT THE REMEDY FOR THE RECALL WOULD NOT REPAIR THE FAILURE. GM STATES THAT THEY WILL REMOVE THE SPARK PLUG WIRE RETENTION CHANNEL AND INSTALL TWO NEW PLUG WIRES. HE BELIEVES THAT THIS WILL NOT CORRECT THE FAILURE AND THE VEHICLE COULD STILL CATCH FIRE IN THE FUTURE. THE CONTACT BELIEVES THAT THE LEAKS SHOULD BE REPAIRED AT THE CORE OF THE ISSUE. THERE IS NOT ONE PARTICULAR VEHICLE IN QUESTION, BUT THE RECALL INCLUDES THE 1997-2003 BUICK REGALS, 2000-2003 CHEVROLET IMPALAS, 1998-1999 CHEVROLET LUMINAS, 1998- 2003 CHEVROLET MONTE CARLOS, 1998-1999 OLDSMOBILE INTRIGUES, AND 1997-2003 PONTIAC GRAND PRIXS. THE VIN AND MILEAGES WERE UNKNOWN.
NHTSA complaint #10265115 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM
RECALL FIXED AT BUICK GARAGE ... OIL DRIPS ONTO MANIFOLD CAUSING POSSIBLE FIRE. DROVE CAR ABOUT 20 MI. AFTER BEING FIXED AND CAR STARTED ON FIRE.
NHTSA complaint #10250859 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM
ANTIFREEZE DEXCOOL LEAKS INTO ENGINE. HAD IT FIXED FOR $400+. NOW I FIND OUT THAT MY OTHER CAR IS DOING THE SAME THING.
NHTSA complaint #10250860 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
3.8 LITER SUPERCHARGED ENGINE COOLANT LEAK - LOWER INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET IS LEAKING COOLANT. I HAVE READ ABOUT THE RECALL OR CLASS ACTION SUIT ABOUT THE COOLANT LEAKS ON 3.8 LITER ENGINES THAT ARE NOT SUPERCHARGED. I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW WHY THEY NEVER INCLUDED SUPERCHARED ENGINES. I HAVE A 1997 BUICK REGAL AND A 2001 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX THAT WERE BOTH AT A GM DEALERSHIP AND THEY HAVE THIS PROBLEM AND IT NEEDS TO BE FIXED.
NHTSA complaint #10240198 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
ENGINE LIGHT KEPT COMING ON AND THEN WHEN GO OFF. IT WAS FIXED BY REPLACING THE REAR PURGE SOLENOID ON 11-15-07.
NHTSA complaint #10239419 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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
NHTSA complaint #10228516 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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.
NHTSA complaint #10226590 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
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
NHTSA complaint #10132635 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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.
NHTSA complaint #10119292 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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.
NHTSA complaint #10111806 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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.
NHTSA complaint #10111331 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.