1998 Buick Regal Engine Problems

On my way home from purchasing the vehicle, the car began to lose power and i noticed black smoke though the rear view mirror. Another driver signaled me down, so I pulled over and realized my car was on fire. The fire was in the engine compartment from what appeared to be the exhaust manifold. Since i was in a residential area, i grabbed a water hose and began to diffuse the fire. The fire department arrived and forced my hood open to reassure the fire was out. Luckily i was able to make it out safe. But i strongly believe my life and the lives of other drivers were definitely in danger

NHTSA ID

11455963

Incident

Mar 4, 2022

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 1998 BUICK REGAL. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE HER HUSBAND WAS IDLE AT A GUARD SHAFT, WHEN SHE SAW SMOKE COMING FROM THE HOOD OF THE VEHICLE. THE DRIVER MOVED FORWARD AWAY FROM THE GUARD SHAFT AND PARKED THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED NO WARNING LIGHTS WERE ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT STATED HER HUSBAND OPENED THE HOOD AND SAW FIRE COMING FROM THE ENGINE. THE CONTACT STATED THE GUARD PROVIDED A FIRE EXTINGUISHER TO HER HUSBAND TO EXTINGUISH THE FIRE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS CONTACTED AND A COMPLAINT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO IMPOUND LOT. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED AS OF YET. THE CONTACT STATED SHE RECEIVED RECALL LETTER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 09V116000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING) AFTER THE FAILURE. A DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER HAD BEEN INFORMED OF FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.

NHTSA ID

11240685

Incident

Jul 5, 2019

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 BUICK REGAL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR CONTINUED TO RANDOMLY FLASH. ALSO, ONCE THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED, THE ENGINE WOULD MISFIRE AND THE VEHICLE WOULD OVERHEAT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED BY A DEALER. THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 09V116000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING) AND 99V356000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING), BUT THE CONTACT WAS UNCERTAIN IF THE FAILURES WERE RELATED TO THE RECALLS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURES. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ID

11098814

Incident

Feb 1, 2016

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 BUICK REGAL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT OIL WAS LEAKING ONTO THE REAR EXHAUST MANIFOLD AND SPARK PLUGS. THERE WAS NO WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE DEALER WAS NOT CALLED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 135,000.

NHTSA ID

11082173

Incident

Aug 16, 2016

Mileage

135,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 BUICK REGAL. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS UNDERGOING SCHEDULED MAINTENANCE, THE MECHANIC NOTICED AN OIL LEAK EMERGING FROM THE REAR VALVE COVER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED APPROXIMATELY ONE YEAR AGO FOR THE FRONT VALVE COVER PER A RECALL, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE RECALL DETAILS WERE UNKNOWN. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 84,000.

NHTSA ID

10948891

Incident

Jan 28, 2017

Mileage

84,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 BUICK REGAL. WHILE PARKING THE VEHICLE IN THE GARAGE, THE CONTACT NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM THE HOOD. THE ENGINE CAUGHT ON FIRE WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE WITH A FIRE EXTINGUISHER. THERE WERE NO INJURIES AND A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 133,000.

NHTSA ID

10917366

Incident

Oct 18, 2016

Mileage

133,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 1998 BUICK REGAL. THE CONTACT PARKED THE VEHICLE AND NOTICED SMOKE. SHE ATTEMPTED TO START THE IGNITION AND WAS INFORMED BY OTHERS THAT THE VEHICLE WAS ON FIRE. THE FAILURE WAS DUE TO AN OIL LEAK IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE AND FILED A REPORT. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 09V116000 (ENGINE). THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 128,000.

NHTSA ID

10910222

Incident

Jul 27, 2016

Mileage

128,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 BUICK REGAL. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V701000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING); HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE RECALL REPAIR WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS EVIDENCE OF AN OIL LEAK UNDER THE VEHICLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50,000. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.

NHTSA ID

10855542

Incident

Dec 1, 2015

Mileage

50,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 BUICK REGAL. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V701000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING); HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.

NHTSA ID

10854322

Incident

Feb 5, 2016

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 BUICK REGAL. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V701000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING); HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.

NHTSA ID

10853997

Incident

Dec 11, 2015

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 BUICK REGAL. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 15V701000 (ENGINE) AND 00099V356 (VISIBILITY); HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE.

NHTSA ID

10849727

Incident

Feb 27, 2016

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 BUICK REGAL. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V701000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING); HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.

NHTSA ID

10840362

Incident

Mar 7, 2016

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 BUICK REGAL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT ENGINE OIL WAS LEAKING PROFUSELY ON THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT A QUART OF OIL WAS PROVIDED WEEKLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER:15V701000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 200,000.

NHTSA ID

10839771

Incident

Feb 16, 2016

Mileage

200,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 BUICK REGAL THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V701000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING); HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.

NHTSA ID

10836653

Incident

Feb 17, 2016

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 1998 BUICK REGAL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE THE VEHICLE PARKED AND UNOCCUPIED, THE VEHICLE IGNITED INTO FLAMES. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT EXTINGUISHED THE FLAMES AND INFORMED THAT THE FIRE ORIGINATED IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS DEEMED AS DESTROYED AND TOWED TO A SAVAGE FACILITY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 122,000.

NHTSA ID

10825140

Incident

Feb 6, 2016

Mileage

122,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 BUICK REGAL. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V701000 (ENGINE); HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ID

10824480

Incident

Dec 7, 2015

NOTIFIED OF SAFETY RECALL ENGINE DESIGN FLAW BY GM. RECALL #15V701. NO PARTS AVAILABLE/UNKNOWN WHEN PARTS WILL BE AVAILABLE/KEEP ENGINE OUT OF GARAGE DUE TO FIRE POSSIBILITY. MY ENGINE SMOKES LIGHTLY BUT CONTINUALLY WHEN RUNNING AND CONTINUES FOR A SHORT TIME AFTER IGNITION TURNED OFF. VARIOUS MECHANICS COULD NOT DIAGNOSE CAUSE BUT SAID THERE WAS OIL EVERYWHERE ON THE ENGINE. DIDN'T TRUST THE VEHICLE TO DRIVE OUTSIDE CITY BUT ENGINE ALWAYS RESPONDED DEPENDABLY EXCEPT FOR OIL LEAK. FINALLY GET THE CAUSE BUT IT CAN'T BE REPAIRED BECAUSE OF PARTS NOT AVAILABLE AND NO INDICATION AS TO WHEN PARTS WILL BE AVAILABLE. I CAN'T SELL OR TRADE IN THIS VEHICLE DUE TO SAFETY RECALL. CAN'T DRIVE IT LONG DISTANCES. CAN'T GET INFORMATION AS TO WHEN PARTS, IF EVER, WILL BE AVAILABLE. IF VEHICLE DOES CATCH FIRE, INSURANCE WON'T PAY OFF DUE TO SAFETY RECALL INDICATING PROBLEM. I REALIZE IT'S A 20YEAR OLD VEHICLE BUT IT ONLY HAS 150,000 MILES. AT LEAST I'M NOT WORRIED ABOUT IT TAKING MY LIFE....YET. I'VE ALREADY CONTACTED EVERYONE THAT I'VE BEEN TOLD TO BUT NO RESOLUTION YET. ANY SUGGESTIONS?

NHTSA ID

10823583

Incident

Jan 1, 2000

Mileage

30,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 BUICK REGAL. WHILE DRIVING 15 MPH, ANOTHER VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED NECK INJURIES THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE FRONT PASSENGER ALSO SUSTAINED CHEST INJURIES THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. PRIOR TO THE CRASH, THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE WAS LEAKING OIL. AFTER THE CRASH, THE LIGHTS ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL FAILED TO ILLUMINATE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V701000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 150,000.

NHTSA ID

10821289

Incident

Sep 18, 2015

Mileage

150,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 1998 BUICK REGAL. WHILE THE CONTACT'S DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, SHE SMELLED A STRONG BURNING ODOR. THE VEHICLE WAS PULLED OVER AND CAUGHT FIRE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V701000 (ENGINE). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 135,000.

NHTSA ID

10816549

Incident

Sep 3, 2015

Mileage

135,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 1998 BUICK REGAL. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED OUTSIDE OF THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE, IT CAUGHT FIRE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE. A FIRE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V701000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING) AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED DUE TO THE FIRE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.

NHTSA ID

10810992

Incident

Dec 10, 2010

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 BUICK REGAL. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V701000 (ENGINE) HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ID

10810704

Incident

Dec 16, 2015

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 1998 BUICK REGAL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE WHILE PARKED WITH THE ENGINE OFF. THE CONTACT HAD DRIVEN THE VEHICLE FOR APPROXIMATELY ONE HOUR PRIOR TO THE FAILURE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS ABLE TO EXTINGUISH THE FIRE AND A FIRE REPORT WAS FILED. NO INJURIES WERE REPORTED. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V701000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 110,000.

NHTSA ID

10810549

Incident

Dec 13, 2014

Mileage

110,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 BUICK REGAL. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V701000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). THE DEALER WAS NOT YET NOTIFIED OF THE RECALL. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER AND THEY WERE UNABLE TO DETERMINE WHEN THE PARTS AND THE PERMANENT REMEDY FOR THIS CONDITION WOULD BECOME AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE WHEN THE RECALL REPAIR WOULD BE COMPLETED. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ID

10810481

Incident

Oct 21, 2015

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 1998 BUICK REGAL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING INTO THE DRIVEWAY AT ABOUT 5 MPH, THERE WAS SMOKE EMITTING FROM UNDERNEATH THE HOOD, WITHOUT ANY WARNING. THE CONTACT LIFTED THE HOOD AND THE ENGINE IMMEDIATELY BURST INTO FLAMES. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT ATTEMPTED TO EXTINGUISH THE FIRE HOWEVER, THE FLAMES WERE EXCESSIVE AND THE VEHICLE BURNED COMPLETELY. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED AND THERE WERE NO INJURIES REPORTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN IMPOUND LOT AND DEEMED DESTROYED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER THE FIRE, SHE RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V701000 THE (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT PROVIDED. UPDATED 03/16/16*LJ;05/11/18*JB *TR

NHTSA ID

10810085

Incident

Jun 15, 2015

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 BUICK REGAL. THE CONTACT SMELLED AN ODOR OF BURNING RUBBER. THE VEHICLE WAS COMPLETELY ENGULFED IN FLAMES WITHIN 15 MINUTES. THE DRIVER AND PASSENGERS WERE ABLE TO EXIT THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 65,000. THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE WAS RECALLED IN NOVEMBER 2011 FOR A POSSIBLE ENGINE FIRE. SHORTLY AFTER RECEIVING THE NOTICE, THE CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER TO HAVE THE POTENTIAL PROBLEM FIXED. UPDATED 07/06/15. *JB

NHTSA ID

10671841

Incident

Jan 2, 2015

Mileage

65,000 mi