1996 Buick Regal Problems

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 BUICK REGAL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKE AND ABS WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT FACILITY FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING AND FAILURE CODES: C1265 (REAR ABS MOTOR CIRCUIT SHORTED TO GROUND) AND C1286 (EBCM/EBTCM FAILED TO ILLUMINATE THE RED BRAKE WARNING INDICATOR) WERE LOCATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER (DON BROWN CHEVROLET, 2244 S KINGS HIGHWAY BLVD, ST. LOUIS, MO 63110, (314) 282-7887) WHERE IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE CODES INDICATED THAT THERE WAS A REAR MOTOR SHORT TO THE GROUND AND THE ELECTRIC BRAKE CONTROL MODULE ACTIVATED THE BRAKE WARNING INDICATORS. FURTHER DIAGNOSTIC TESTING WOULD BE PERFORMED BY THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

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.

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.

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. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 BUICK REGAL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKE AND ABS WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT FACILITY FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING AND FAILURE CODES: C1265 (REAR ABS MOTOR CIRCUIT SHORTED TO GROUND) AND C1286 (EBCM/EBTCM FAILED TO ILLUMINATE THE RED BRAKE WARNING INDICATOR) WERE LOCATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER (DON BROWN CHEVROLET, 2244 S KINGS HIGHWAY BLVD, ST. LOUIS, MO 63110, (314) 282-7887) WHERE IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE CODES INDICATED THAT THERE WAS A REAR MOTOR SHORT TO THE GROUND AND THE ELECTRIC BRAKE CONTROL MODULE ACTIVATED THE BRAKE WARNING INDICATORS. FURTHER DIAGNOSTIC TESTING WOULD BE PERFORMED BY THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

FAILURE OF BOTH BRAKE LIGHTS AND TURN SIGNALS. EMERGENCY FLASHERS OPERATE SO BULBS AND WIRING ARE OK. FUSES CHECKED. NOT REPAIRED YET BUT WAS TOLD IT PROBABLY IS A SWITCH/COMPONENT IN THE STEERING COLUMN. *JB

ON JULY 17, 2019 AT 8:40AM, I GOT INTO MY CAR IN MY DRIVEWAY. I TURNED THE KEY IN THE IGNITION AND THE AIRBAG EXPLODED. (THE CAR WAS NOT STARTED.) THE AIRBAG SOUNDED LIKE A SHOTGUN BEING FIRED AND A POWDER LIKE SUBSTANCE IMMEDIATELY FILLED THE CAR. THE AIRBAG ITSELF HIT ME IN THE ABDOMINAL AREA. I FOUND THE DOOR HANDLE, OPENED THE DOOR, AND ROLLED OUT OF THE CAR ONTO THE GROUND. AT THIS TIME, I YELLED FOR MY SON. MY SON PICKED ME UP OFF THE GROUND AND CALLED AN AMBULANCE DUE TO ME BEING IN A SEVERE AMOUNT OF PAIN AND IN SHOCK. I WAS TAKEN TO THE HOSPITAL VIA AMBULANCE AND OBSERVED FOR THE REMAINDER OF THE DAY. I HAD SEVERAL FOLLOW-UP APPOINTMENTS THAT CONTINUE TO THIS DAY. INSURANCE CAME TO LOOK AT CAR, FILLED OUT PAPERWORK, AND SAID THEY WERE GOING TO TOTAL THE VEHICLE. THE CAR HAS NOT BEEN MOVED SINCE THIS INCIDENT.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 BUICK REGAL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AS THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED, THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED ERRONEOUSLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION OR REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 55,035.

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.

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. *TR

1996 BUICK REGAL. CONSUMER STATED THE POWER STEERING WAS NOT CRIMPED PROPERLY. THE BALL BEARING WENT THROUGH THE GEAR BOX WHICH CAUSED THE DRIVER TO LOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND CRASHED. THE CONSUMER DISCOVERED THERE WAS A RECALL, ON THE STEERING. HOWEVER, HE WAS INFORMED HIS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. *JB

THERE IS A SEVERE PROBLEM WITH THE STEERING. WE BROUGHT THE VEHICLE TO A GARAGE AND WE WERE TOLD THAT THERE IS A RECALL ON THE VEHICLE TO CORRECT THE RACK AND PINION STEERING. WE CALLED BUICK AND WERE TOLD THAT THE RECALL IS VIN SPECIFIC AND THAT OUR VIN WAS NOT RECALLED. WE WERE ADVISED BY BUICK THAT IT WAS JUST A COINCIDENCE THAT OUR VEHICLE WAS THE SAME YEAR, MAKE AND MODEL AS THE RECALL AND HAD THE SAME PROBLEM AND THAT WE WOULD HAVE TO PAY ONE OF THEIR DEALERS TO LOOK AT IT. *TR

THE CONSUMER WAS HAVING A PROBLEM WITH HIS VEHICLE MAKING A DRAGGING/SPINNING TYPE NOISE. HE STATED IT SOUNDED AS IF IT WAS NOT CONNECTING WITH SOMETHING IN THE DRIVE LINE. HE ALSO STATED HE WENT TO THE COMPUTER AND LOOKED HIS TYPE VEHICLE UP AND READ THAT THIS YEAR VEHICLE HAS A PROBLEM WITH THE BRAKE LINE AND THE LEFT WHEEL, WHICH CAN CAUSE WEAR AND TEAR ON THE BRAKE LINE. HE SAYS ALSO THAT WHEN HE TAKES OFF HE HEARS A WHINING NOISE AND IT GETS LOUDER WITH INCREASED SPEED. HE TOOK HIS VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND THEY WERE NOT SURE WHAT THE PROBLEM WAS. BUT SAYS IT WILL COST APPROX. $85.00 PER HOUR FOR THEM TO CHECK IT OUT. HE SAYS THIS IS TOO COSTLY. THEN HE SAYS HE IS TOLD THAT IT COULD COST HIM $2300.00 NOT INCLUDING LABOR. *JB *TC

BALL JOINTS NEED TO BE REPLACED. 2 DIFFERENT AUTO REPAIR SHOPS INFORMED ME THAT THEY WERE IN BAD SHAPE, AND WILL RESULT IN WHEELS TO FALL HALF WAY OVER. IF DRIVING WHEN THIS HAPPENS IT CAN CAUSE AN ACCIDENT.*AK

DRIVERS SIDE DOOR DOES NOT OPEN FROM INSIDE OR OUTSIDE. THE DOOR DOES NOT WORK WITH KEY EITHER. LOCK SEEMS TO WORKING BUT DOOR DOES NOT OPEN. THE CAR ONLY HAS 60,000 MILES ON IT. THIS IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS CAR AND SHOULD BE A RECALL.

I PURCHASED MY CAR IN 1998 AND SOON AFTER THAT THE PAINT STARTED TO PEEL. IN ABOUT 2000 I FINALLY RESEARCHED IT ONLINE AND FOUND OUT TO LOOK AT MY VIN NUMBER, AND IF THE 11TH NUMBER WAS A '1' THAT IT WAS PAINTED IN CANADA AND THAT THEY TROUBLE WITH BAD PRIMER UP THERE. A LOT OF PEOPLE HAD SUED FOR A NEW PAINT JOB. GM CLOSED THAT PLANT DOWN. I WENT TO MAACO HERE AND WAS TOLD THAT SINCE THE PRIMER WAS BAD, THEY WOULD HAVE TO STRIP THAT ALL OFF TOO, AND THE WHOLE JOB WAS MORE THAN I COULD AFFORD. ALSO, EVER SINCE I'VE HAD THE CAR, THE BRAKES HAVE MADE A HORRIBLE NOISE ON STOPPING, MAINLY IN WARM WEATHER. ALL MECHANICS THINK IT IS VERY ODD AND HAVE TRIED TO FIX IT SEVERAL TIMES. TWO MECHANICS HAVE ACTUALLY STOPPED THE NOISE BUT IT RETURNS PROMPTLY. IT DOESN'T SEEM TO IMPAIR THE BRAKING ABILITY. IT'S A GOOD OLD CAR AND NOW HAS 93,000 MILES WITHOUT OTHER COMPLAINTS, BUT IS EMBARRASSING TO DRIVE WITH 1/2 OF ITS PAINT MISSING. IT LOOKS LIKE A COW. *TR

MY SEATBEALTS DON'T HOLD YOU AT ALL . IF THERE WAS A ACCIDENT LIKE THE ONE WE HAD IN OUR TOYOTA.THE OUTCOME COULD BE TRAGIC!!!! I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW WHAT TO DO, AND WHERE TO GO ?? I,M AFRAID TO DRIVE FOR FEAR OF BEING IN ANOTHER ACCIDENT . PLEASE ADVISE ME WHAT TO DO . THANKS, ROSAMOND BENNETT

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

MY VEHICLE CONTINUED TO ACCELLERATE UPON ENTERING HIGHWAY. I COULD NOT SLOW THE CAR DOWN. I LOST CONTROL OF THE CAR. I PULLED ONTO THE SHOULDER, SHIFTED TO NUETRAL, AND TURNED OFF THE IGNITION. THE BRAKES WERE SMOKING AND BURNT OUT. VEHICLE WAS DISABLED, I HAD TO HAVE IT TOWED.*AK

WHILE DRIVING AT 60MPH, AND IN THE PROCESS OF PASSING ANOTHER VEHICLE, TRANSMISSION SLIPPED OUT OF GEAR AND WENT INTO NEUTRAL, AND ENGINE ACCELERATED. CONTACTED DEALER, AND WAS TOLD THAT THEY COULDN'T FIND THE CAUSE. *AK

THE CONSUMER IS EXPERIENCING PROBLEMS WITH THE GEAR SHIFT. CHANGING GEARS ARE VERY DIFFICULT. WHEN GOING FROM PARK TO DRIVE THE CONSUMER MUST APPLY A LOT OF PRESSURE FOR THE GEARS TO SHIFT. THE OWNER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER, WHERE GREASE WAS APPLIED TO THE DEFECTIVE PART, HOWEVER, THE PROBLEM RECURRED. *AK THE GEAR SHIFT WAS HARD TO MOVE FORM PARK TO DRIVE. THE CABLES WERE FOUND DRY. *SC

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

CONSUMER NOTICED ANTIFREEZE LEAKING ON GARAGE FLOOR. TOOK TO DEALER. DEALER SAYS UPPER INTAKE MANIFOLD NEEDS REPLACING. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION. TS

EXTREMELY LOUD NOISE FROM THE BRAKES WHEN BACKING OUT FROM A PARKED POSITION WHILE APPLYING THE BRAKES. WINDSHIELD LEAKS AT THE LOCATION OF THE REAR MIRROR LIGHT WIRES, AND DRIPS ON THE GEAR SHIFT AREA. THE PASSENGER SIDE MIRROR AND THE DRIVER SIDE MIRROR ARE TWO DIFFERENT COLORS, WHICH MIGHT INDICATE THE VEHICLE WAS IN A WRECK. I WAS GIVEN NO HISTORY OF REPAIRS ON THIS AUTOMOBILE . AN "ALAMO" STICKER WAS ATTACHED TO THE INSIDE OF THE TRUNK LID.

WHILE BACKING OUT OF THE DRIVEWAY DRIVER'S SEAT COLLAPSED BACKWARDS WITHOUT WARNING. *AK

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

VEHICLE HAS EXPERIENCED SEVERAL BRAKING PROBLEMS AND FAILURES, DEALER HAS REPLACED WORN BRAKE PADS, FRONT ROTORS, AND BRAKE HOSES, ON ONE OCCASION, THE HYDRAULIC SYSTEM COMPLETELY FAILED, CONSUMER HAS LOST CONTROL OF VEHICLE DUE TO BRAKE FAILURE AND HAS HAD PROPERTY DAMAGE TO VEHICLE DUE TO RUNNING OFF THE ROAD.(DAUGHTER ON BEHALF OF MOTHER) *SLC

WHILE DRIVING FRONT TIRE EXPLODED, THEN DROVE OFF THE ROAD WHERE TREAD SEPARATED FROM TIRE, AND CONSUMER KEPT CONTROL OF VEHICLE. FIRESTONE TIRES 205/70R 15. *AK

EXTERIOR LIGHTS, TAIL LIGHTS LEAKS, CAUSING BULBS TO CONSTENTLY HAVE TO BE REPLACED.*AK

WATER IS GETTING INTO TAIL LIGHT, CAUSING THE TAIL LIGHT TO BECOME INOPERATIVE. *AK

REAR BEARINGS HAVE FAILED, AND THE ROTORS WERE WARPED. DEALER HAS REPLACED THE REAR BEARING.*AK

MY DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING THE 1996 BUCK REGAL ON I-77 NORTH NEAR CHELYAN, WV ANOTHER DAUGHTER WAS IN THE PASSENGER SEAT. THE REAR DRIVER'S SIDE WHEEL BROKE FROM THE HUB, CAUSING THE CAR TO VEER AND EVENTUALLY HIT THE CONCRETE MEDIAN. THE CRASH SEVERELY DAMAGED THE FRONT LEFT SIDE OF THE CAR; IT WA STOTALLED. THE CRASH RESULTED IN INJURIES TO BOTH OF MY DAUGHTERS - THE DRIVER SUSTAINE D A BUMP ON HER FOREHEAD, AND THE PASSENGER HASD A SWOLEN LEFT ANKLE - PRELIMINARY REVIEW OF THE X-RAYS WERE NEGATIVE FOR A BREAK/FRACTURE. THE CAR WAS TOWED TO A GARAGE. *AK