Owner-reported complaints naming the electrical system, filed with NHTSA
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Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories. Every record below is an owner-reported complaint about the 1999 Buick Regal submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 43 reports on file name it.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
The 25 most recent of 43, in the owner's own words
WEIRD ENGINE NOISE , WHEN SWITCHING THE IGNITION SWITCH SOMETIMES DELAY, ALSO DASH LIGHTS AND HEADLIGHTS ALSO AC DOESN'T WORK AND LOW OIL , LOW AIR , AND LOW COOLANT LIGHTS TURN ON EVEN IF ALL OF THEM ARE FULL AT THE RIGHT LEVEL .
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 1999 BUICK REGAL. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH IN MARCH, SMOKE APPEARED FROM THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS PULLED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND THE CONTACT WALKED HOME TO CALL HER HUSBAND. WHEN THE CONTACT STATED AND HER HUSBAND ARRIVED BACK TO THE VEHICLE, IT HAD CAUGHT FIRE AND BURNED TO THE GROUND. THE POLICE AND THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WERE AT THE SCENE AND REPORTS WERE FILED. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE REMNANT OF THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED AWAY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. ON SEPTEMBER 7, 2016, THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 08V118000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING) AND 99V356000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.
I CALLED A GM MOTORS DEALER AND THEY TELL ME THAT THEIR IS NO RECALLS ON MY CAR, BUT WHEN I LOOKED ON THIS SITE, THEIR IS 8 CODES WITH THE ONE RECALL I JUST GOT DONE NOT LONG AGO!! I WANT MY CAR FIXED!
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 BUICK REGAL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT ENGINE OIL LEAKED ONTO THE MANIFOLD CAUSING SMOKE AND STRONG BURNING ODORS IN THE VEHICLE AS THE INSTRUMENT PANEL ILLUMINATED. THE FAILURE WAS PERSISTENT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER BUT THE FAILURE WAS UNABLE TO BE DETERMINED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 09V116000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING) BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. 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 UNKNOWN.
ENGINE EXPLOSION AND FIRE VEHICLE WAS IN MY DRIVEWAY ENGINE OFF. WHEN I ATTEMPTED TO START THE VEHICLE THERE WAS A LOUD EXPLOSION FOLLOWED BY ENGINE FIRE. FLAMES WERE 20 FT HIGH. FIRE DEPT WAS CALLED BUT I WAS ABLE TO EXTINGUISH THE FIRE WITH FIRE EXTINGUISHER AND WATER FROM MY GARDEN HOSE. WHEN THE FIRE DEPT ARRIVED THE FIRE WAS ALREADY OUT. MY EVALUATION IS THE FOLLOWING: THE FORCE OF THE EXPLOSION WAS SO GREAT THAT IT SPLIT OPEN/CRACKED THE UPPER INTAKE MANIFOLD (UPPER PLANUM). IT ALSO LIFTED THE FUEL RAIL FROM THE ENGINE AND SOME INJECTORS CAME LOOSE, FUEL THEN SPILLED ON THE ENGINE AND FIRE IMMEDIATELY ENSUED. THE PLASTIC FUEL LINES ALSO POPPED OFF THE FUEL INJECTORS RAIL, THIS SPILLED EVEN MORE FUEL AND FED THE FIRE EVEN MORE. I CANNOT BELIEVE BUICK/GM USE PLASTIC INTAKE MANIFOLDS (UPPER PLANUM) AND PLASTIC FUEL LINE INTO THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. I BELIEVE IF THE MANIFOLD AND FUEL LINES HAD BEEN MADE OF METAL, THE EXPLOSION OR BACKFIRE WOULD HAVE BEEN CONTAINED AND MINIMAL DAMAGE WITH NO FIRE WOULD HAVE OCCURRED. THE FIRE CONSUMED THE PLASTIC FUEL LINE WHICH THEN SPILLED EVEN MORE FUEL ONTO THE ON GOING FIRE. I RESEARCHED ON THE INTERNET AND FOUND NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS FROM OTHER PEOPLE WHO EXPERIENCED THE SAME INCIDENT INVOLVING BUICK AND GM VEHICLES. I BELIEVE THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM AND DEFECTS THAT NEEDS TO BE INVESTIGATED. IF THIS INCIDENT HAD HAPPENED IN MY GARAGE MY ENTIRE HOUSE WOULD HAVE CAUGHT FIRE AND THERE COULD HAVE BEEN SERIOUS INJURY OR FATALITIES WITHIN MY FAMILY OR MYSELF. I BELIEVE THIS IS AN ENGINEERING DEFECT THAT NEEDS BE CORRECTED.
MY INSTRUMENT PANEL HAS BEEN REPLACED TWICE(UNDER EXTENDED WARRANTY AND ONCE OUT OF POCKET TO THE TUNE OF $1800). ALL THE GAUGES, MILEAGE, GAS, WATER AND OIL GAUGE, BATTERY, GEAR SHIFT AND OTHERS ARE NOT ILLUMINATED. THIS POSES A SAFETY HAZARD BECAUSE THE DRIVER IS UNAWARE OF THE WARNINGS AND SETTINGS. WHEN GAS GAUGE IS INOPERABLE, A SHUTDOWN ON THE EXPRESSWAY OR ROADWAY IS DANGEROUS AND POSSIBLY DEADLY. CAR CAN OVERHEAT IF GAUGE IS NOT REGISTERING PROPER LEVEL. WINDOW MOTORS FREQUENTLY ARE INOPERABLE CAUSING WATER INTRUSION AND WINDOW FOG WHICH IS DANGEROUS WHILE DRIVING
VEHICLE SHUTS DOWN SUDDENLY WHILE IN TRAFFIC. TRACTION LIGHTS APPEAR.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 BUICK REGAL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE ENGINE BUT THE FAILURE OCCURRED ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE HEADLIGHT KNOB HAD TO BE PULLED IN ORDER TO START THE ENGINE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A PRIVATE MECHANIC, WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE ELECTRICAL CONTROL MODULE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 139,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 BUICK REGAL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A PRIVATE MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS FOUND THAT THE IGNITION SWITCH NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED ABOUT THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE AND VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
WAS DRIVEING DOWN THE HIGHWAY GOING 65 AND WENT TO TURN ON MY TURN SIGNAL AND MY ENGINE STOPED. I NEARLY CRASHED THE CAR. I TRIED TO RESTART THE CAR AND EVERYTIME I USED THE BLINKERS THE CAR WOULD EITHER TURN OFF RESTARTS THE COMPUTER LIKE I JUST STARTED THE CAR. THE ABS LIGHT AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON NOW AND THE DRIVER SIDE HEADLIGHT WONT COME ON. I HAD A FRIEND DRIVE 3 HOURS TO COME AND TOW MY CAR. I ALMOST GOT HIT BY A SEMI TRUCK BECAUSE OF THIS. SOMEONE NEEDS TO GET THIS ISSUE FIXED. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 BUICK REGAL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE WOULD STALL SPORADICALLY AND ON SOME OCCASSIONS, WOULD NOT RESTART. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A LOCAL SHOP WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE STARTER WAS DEFECTIVE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE REMEDY FAILED TO REPAIRED THE PROBLEM. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER WHO STATED THAT THE CHIP IN THE KEY MIGHT HAD BEEN DEFECTIVE AND ADVISED TO SPEAK WITH A LOCKSMITH. THE LOCK SMITH INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND ADVISED THAT THE PROBLEM WAS NOT WITH THE KEY BUT THE ANTI-THEFT SYSTEM. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 150,000.
DASHBOARD CLUSTER STOPPED DISPLAYING ANY INFO. NO SPEEDOMETER, GAS GAUGE, OIL, TEP OR ODOMETER. DISPLAY RETURNED WHEN PRIVATE MECHANIC BEGAN DISASSEMBLE. STOPPED. DISPLAY FAILED AGAIN IN ONE WEEK. GM DEALER SAID CLUSTER WAS BAD AND REPLACED IT. LATER SAID THEY REBUILT IT? FAILED AGAIN IN TWO DAYS. AT DEALER. I HAVE MY DOUBTS THAT THE CLUSTER WAS BAD AT ALL ALTHOUGH THERE ARE HUNDREDS OF ONLINE SITES OFFERING TO SELL AND/OR INSTALL NEW GM CLUSTERS. *TR
WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT TIME, DASH PANEL LIGHTS GO OUT COMPLETELY OR ARE FAINT. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 BUICK REGAL. WHILE DRIVING AT 65 MPH, BLACK SMOKE BEGAN UNEXPECTEDLY BILLOWING FROM UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE AND FROM THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE HAD CAUGHT ON FIRE AND THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO MOVE THE VEHICLE FROM THE ROADWAY AND EXIT. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS ABLE TO EXTINGUISH THE FIRE. THE CONTACT SUFFERED BURNS TO HER ARMS AND HANDS. A FIRE REPORT WAS AVAILABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A LOCAL REPAIR FACILITY WHERE IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT THE ELECTRICAL WIRING OF THE GEAR CONSOLE FAILED AND CAUSED THE FIRE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED IN REGARDS TO THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS LEFT AT THE FACILITY WHERE THE CONTACT WAS AWAITING REPAIRS. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 87,000.
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 BUICK REGAL. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED TWICE WITHOUT WARNING IN JUNE 2008. THE DEALER REPLACED THE STARTER AND IGNITION SWITCH, BUT THE FAILURE STILL PERSISTS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 69,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 77,000. UPDATED 07/14/09 *BF THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE CONTINUES TO STOP SUDDENLY. UPDATED 07/16/09.*JB
KEY WILL NOT DIS-ENGAGE FROM IGNITION, ESPECIALLY WITH HOTTER WEATHER. WITHOUT WARNING ENGINE WILL SHUT OFF WHEN DRIVING, NO MATTER WHAT SPEED OR WEATHER CONDITIONS YOU'RE DRIVING. *TR
CAR JUST RANDOMLY QUITS. I PULL OVER AND IT RESTARTS . ALSO IT IS AT DIFFERENT TIMES. DOESN'T LET THE KEY OUT OF THE IGNITION. *TR
CAR HESITATES AND SOMETIMES DIES WHEN EITHER BLINKER IS SELECTED. SEEMS TO BE AN INTERMITTENT PROBLEM GETTING WORSE. *NM
VEHICLE ENGINE SHUTS OFF INTERMITTENTLY WITH USE OF TURN SIGNALS. HEADLIGHT AND DASH LIGHTS ALSO GO OFF. THIS CONDITION PRESENTS A SEVERE SAFETY HAZARD TO THE DRIVER AND ALL PASSENGERS. *JB
ENGINES SHUTS OFF WHEN TURN SIGNALS ARE USED. CHECK ABS LIGHT COMES ON,CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON, BRAKES PULSATE OCCASIONALLY WHEN DRIVING,ALL DASH LIGHTS COME ON SOMETIMES WHEN CHECK ABS LIGHT COMES ON. HARD TO START AFTER FIRST INITIAL START UP. PROBLEM OCCURS MOST IN WET CONDITIONS. TAKEN TO A DEALER, NO CODES , PROBLEM NOT FOUND. *NM
1999 BUICK REGAL, 3.8L. VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED FROM PRIVATE OWNER WITH ONLY 34K MILES THIS PAST SUMMER. WHILE DRIVING AT CRUISING SPEED, ENGINE SHUTS DOWN. POTENTIALLY, COULD BE REAR-ENDED IF NO PULL-OFF AREA IS AVAILABLE. CAR STARTS/RUNS WHEN PLACED IN PARK. *NM
THE MOTOR DIES WHENEVER THE TURN SIGNALS ARE USED. THE VEHICLE USE TO START RIGHT UP AFTER THIS HAPPENS. BUT NOW INSTEAD OF STARTING RIGHT BACK UP, IT TAKES IT A FEW MINUTES. IT HAS ALSO AFFECTED THE AIRBAG LIGHT SIGNAL ON THE DASH. IT IS OFTEN ON AFTER THE MOTOR HAS STARTED. ALSO, IN THE RESTING POSITION, THE TURN SIGNAL ARM, THE TURN SIGNALS MAKE A FAST FLASHING LIKE NOISE, AND FOR SOME REASON, ALL THE LIGHTS TO THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE FLASH ON AND OFF CONSTANTLY. TO MAKE IT STOP, I HAVE TO RAISE OR LOWER THE TURN SIGNAL ARM ABOUT A HAIR OUT OF IT'S RESTING POSITION. I HAVE SINCE THEN TIED RUBBERBANDS AROUND THE TURN SIGNAL ARM, FROM THE ARM TO THE SIDE OF THE STEERING WHEEL COLUMN TO THE STEERING WHEEL TILT LEVER. I FEEL THAT THE ROOT OF BOTH PROBLEM IS AN ELECTRICAL ISSUE INSIDE THE STEERING WHEEL. NOTHING HAS YET BEEN DONE TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM, BECAUSE IT IS A VEHICLE WITH AN AIR-BAG IN THE STEERING WHEEL. AND THAT PROCEDURE IS VERY EXPENSIVE. *NM
WHEN TRYING TO TURN OFF THE CAR, THE KEY GET STUCK AND UNABLE TO BE PULLED OUT OF THE IGNITION. SOMETIMES MOVING THE STEERING WHEEL LEFT AND RIGHT IT ALLOWS THE KEY TO BE RELEASED, OR AFTER SEVERAL TRIES OF TURNING THE CAR BACK ON AND THEN OFF THE KEY WOULD COME OUT. TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR REGULAR SERVICE, I HAD TOLD THEM OF THE PROBLEM, AND THEY HAD SAID IT WAS FIXED. IT DIDN'T SEEM LIKE ANYTHING WAS DONE TO IT. THE KEY STILL GOT STUCK UP UNTIL NOW, WHERE NOW I CAN'T GET THE CAR TO START. DID SOME RESEARCH ONLINE, FOUND MANY WITH SIMILAR PROBLEM, DON'T KNOW IF I SHOULD CALL LOCKSMITH TO HAVE WHOLE CYLINDER REPLACED. *NM
ENGINE DIES WHEN LEFT OR RIGHT TURN SIGNAL IS APPLIED. CAR DIED AS I WAS TAKING OFF RAMP ON HIGHWAY CAUSING LOSS OF POWER STEERING AND BRAKING. THIS NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED AS THIS CAN CAUSE AN ACCIDENT. *NM
VEHICLE ENGINE SHUTS OFF INTERMITTENTLY WITH USE OF TURN SIGNALS. HEADLIGHT AND DASH LIGHTS ALSO GO OFF. THIS HAS HAPPENED NUMEROUS TIMES IN THE PAST 3 WEEKS. ONE TIME THIS HAPPENED ON AN INTERSTATE. THIS CONDITION PRESENTS A SEVERE SAFETY HAZARD TO THE DRIVER AND ALL PASSENGERS. VEHICLE IS AT DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS. *NM
Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.
Categories with enough reports to have a page of their own
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