2000 Buick Regal

BY LETTER DATED MARCH 12, 2008, GENERAL MOTORS CORP. (GM) HAS NOTIFIED THE AGENCY THAT IT WILL CONDUCT A SAFETY RECALL (IDENTIFIED BY NHTSA RECALL NUMBER 08V-118) TO ADDRESS A DEFECT IN APPROXIMATELY 207,542 MODEL YEAR (MY) 1997-2003 BUICK REGAL GS AND PONTIAC GRAND PRIX GTP VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH THE L67 SUPERCHARGED VERSION OF GM'S 3800 SERIES II V6 ENGINE.THE RECALLED REGAL GS VEHICLES WERE BUILT FROM AUGUST 1996 TO JUNE 2003 AND THE GRAND PRIX GTP FROM MARCH 1996 THROUGH JANUARY 2003.ACCORDING TO GM, OIL MAY ESCAPE PAST THE VALVE COVER GASKET ON THE FRONT CYLINDER BANK (CYLINDERS 1-3-5) AND DEPOSIT ONTO HOT EXHAUST SYSTEM COMPONENTS.UNDER CERTAIN CONDITIONS, IT IS POSSIBLE FOR THIS OIL TO IGNITE A SMALL PILOT FLAME, WHICH MAY SPREAD TO THE ADJACENT PLASTIC SPARK PLUG WIRE CHANNEL, THE SPARK PLUG WIRES THEMSELVES, THE PLASTIC ENGINE COVER, AND OTHER UNDER HOOD COMPONENTS.REPORTS INDICATE THIS MOST OFTEN OCCURS ON HIGHER-MILEAGE VEHICLES SHORTLY AFTER THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN DRIVEN AND THEN PARKED.TYPICALLY, THE FIRE WAS DISCOVERED WITHIN 5 TO 15 MINUTES AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED.DURING THIS TIME WINDOW, UNDER HOOD TEMPERATURES MAY BECOME ELEVATED.SUCH ELEVATED TEMPERATURES COMBINED WITH A LACK OF AIRFLOW THROUGH THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT MAY PERMIT A SMALL PILOT FLAME TO PROPAGATE AND IGNITE OTHER FUEL SOURCES.TO CORRECT THE SAFETY DEFECT, GM WILL INSTALL AN IMPROVED DESIGN FRONT VALVE COVER GASKET AND SPARK PLUG WIRE RETAINER.THIS REMEDY WILL BE SUPPLIEDFREE OF CHARGE FOR ALL RECALLED VEHICLES.UNTIL SUFFICIENT PARTS BECOME AVAILABLE TO REPAIR ALL OF THE AFFECTED VEHICLES, GM STRONGLY RECOMMENDS THAT OWNERS OBSERVE THE FOLLOWING IMPORTANT PRECAUTIONS: (1) THEY STRONGLY RECOMMEND THAT OWNERS DO NOT PARK THEIR VEHICLE IN A GARAGE, CARPORT, OR OTHER STRUCTURE; (2) IF OWNERS NOTICE A BURNING ODOR, THEY SHOULD HAVE THEIR DEALER INSPECT THE VEHICLE - THE DEALER WILL INSPECT THE VEHICLE WITHOUT CHARGE; AND (3) USE PREMIUM FUEL (91 OCTANE OR HIGHER) IN THE VEHICLE AS RECOMMENDED IN THE VEHICLE'S OWNER MANUAL.THE ACTION TAKEN BY GM IS SUFFICIENT TO RESOLVE THE ISSUES RAISED BY THIS INVESTIGATION.THE SUBJECT FIRE INCIDENT RATE ON THE C-, G-, AND H-PLATFORM SUBJECT VEHICLES IS LOW.THE AGENCY WILL CONTINUE TO MONITOR THIS ISSUE AND RESERVES THE RIGHT TO TAKE FURTHER ACTION IF WARRANTED BY THE CIRCUMSTANCES.ACCORDINGLY, THIS INVESTIGATION IS CLOSED.SEE DOCUMENT FILE FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION REGARDING THIS RESUME.

EA02-030 IS CLOSED WITH GMEA02-030 IS CLOSED WITH GM?S ACTIONS IN 03V-473 AND 04V-090 RECALLING APPROXIMATELY 529,000 MY 1998-99 C- AND H-BODY VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH DEFECTIVE FUEL PRESSURE REGULATORS.THESE VEHICLES WERE EQUIPPED WITH PLASTIC INTAKE MANIFOLDS THAT ARE UNABLE TO CONTAIN PRESSURES THAT OCCUR IN SOME BACKFIRE EVENTS AND DEFECTIVE FUEL PRESSURE REGULATORS WITH LEAKING DIAPHRAGMS THAT CAN PROVIDE A SOURCE OF FUEL TO PRODUCE A COMBUSTIBLE AIR-FUEL MIXTURE IN THE MANIFOLD.THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY ODI THAT NO SAFETY DEFECT EXISTS IN THE VEHICLES THAT ARE NOT INCLUDED IN GM?S RECALLS.ODI WILL CONTINUE TO MONITOR THE INCIDENCE OF MANIFOLD RUPTURES AND RELATED FIRES IN OTHER MY 1995-2002 GM PASSENGER CARS EQUIPPED WITH THE SUBJECT INTAKE MANIFOLD.FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION, SEE THE ATTACHED CLOSING REPORT.

As my daily drive to a shopping location i parked my car at a curb, i turned OFF engine, and i removed the key, i open and exit the car out the driver side door, as i walk a few feet away from my parked car, i then was alerted by people from a nearby business that smoke was coming from the bottom area on my car, i turned and saw dark smoke, and fire began slowly rising from below the bottom front center area of the car, UNKNOWN to me why the car was smoking, and now on fire, this was a fast burning fire, i did not know what to do as more people including a nearby off duty police officer joined in to help, then the fire Department engine truck and crew pulled up in seconds just at the nearby traffic light , as my wife and i stood there and my car was now burning up from the hood area, a blast of foam did not put the fire out, the fire captain, and his crew cut open the hood to put out, in the (Captain words) an electrical fire, they began to cut wires from battery, within the engine area . I've never believed this was happening, so unreal, as i thought about how my wife, and I were just sec. from getting back into the car to continue our day shopping, we thank all who helped. We just drove a short distance away from our home. There were no warning lamps, fire started as people were eating at a outdoor food service business, it was an uncontrolled car fire, my wife and don't know what to do at this point, humiliation towards the car dealer and repair update by (GM Recall )

NHTSA ID

11555350

Incident

Oct 5, 2023

The contact owns a 2000 Buick Regal. The contact stated that after he parked and shut off the vehicle, he walked to the bank. Bystanders then alerted the contact that the vehicle had caught fire. The contact stated that the fire had completely burned the engine. When the police and fire department arrived, the fire department extinguished the fire. Police and fire department reports were filed. The vehicle was towed to a tow yard but was not deemed totaled by the insurance company. The contact stated that prior to the fire, the vehicle was leaking oil onto the ground and lost motive power while driving uphill. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 187,000.

NHTSA ID

11555241

Incident

Oct 5, 2023

Mileage

187,000 mi

PURCHASED THIS CAR SPRING 2017 PAID IN FULL TO PRIOR OWNER. ASKED PRIOR OWNER WHEN TEST DROVE CAR HOW COME ALL THE SERVICE LIGHTS UP AND INCLUDING AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ON DASH COLLUM ARE LIT UP? OWNERS RESPONSE "NOT SURE BUT HAS BEEN LIKE THAT FOR AS LONG AS CAN REMEMBER WE DON'T THINK YOU SHOULD WORRY?" A WEEK LATER NOTICE THE CAR WANTS TO ACCELERATE ON ITS OWN? JUST BOLTS ON MY MOM AND I ? WITHIN THAT MONTH BOTH PASSENGER RIGHT SIDE DOORS FRONT & BACK POWER WINDOWS WILL NO LONGER WORK AT ALL? STEERING WHEEL STARTS MAKING A HORRIBLE SOUND AND SMELL CHECK STEERING FLUID EMPTY REPLACED FLUID ONLY TO FIND OUT IT JUST POOR'S OUT STEERING WILL LOCK UP AND CAN'T DRIVE MOST DAYS? NOTICE SAME ISSUE WITH RADIATOR? MY FAR WORSE EXPERIENCE WITH THIS CAR WAS NOT KNOWING HOW HEAVY THE TRUNK WAS AS WELL AS NOT KNOWING IT WILL FALL BACK SHUT ON OWN? THIS HAPPENED TO ME UNLOADING GROCERIES ONE DAY CRASHING DOWN ON MY HEAD SHOULDERS AND MID BACK PINNING ME INSIDE TRUNK DAZED AND HURT UNTIL MY SON SAW ME TRAPPED AND PULLED TRUNK OFF MY BODY? SHOULD OF WENT TO THE E.R. WAS IN ASTRONOMICAL AMOUNT OF PAIN BUT DIDN'T HAVE MEDICAL INSURANCE SO TREATED MYSELF AT HOME? TOOK 2 MONTH'S BEFORE BRUISING AND SWELLING FINALLY WENT DOWN ? CUT ON MY HEAD TOOK LONGER TO HEAL? THIS HAS ACCURED MORE THAN ONCE AND I'M ABSOLUTELY TERRIFIED TO GO NEAR THE TRUNK AT ALL NOW WITHOUT MY SON TO HELP ME? INTERIOR LIGHT WILL STAY ON UP TO AN HOUR AFTER STARTING AND DRIVING THE CAR MAKING NIGHT DRIVING DANGEROUSLY DIFFICULT AND FEARFUL! PASSENGER FRONT SEAT HAS NEVER WORKED CAN'T ADJUST SEATING AT ALL DUE TO IT BEING POWER SEATS? I'M TERRIFIED EVERY TIME I GET INTO MY CAR WORRIED IT'S GOING TO MALFUNCTION RESULTING IN HURTING MY FAMILY AND I OR ANYONE THAT COULD BE INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT CAUSED BY THIS MONSTER OF A CAR? PLEASE HELP ME? THIS CAR IS SCARY

NHTSA ID

11149585

Incident

Sep 12, 2018

Mileage

100,000 mi

I NO LONGER OWN THIS VEHICLE AND I KEEP GETTING NOTICES FOR A RECALL. HOW DO I MAKE THIS STOP?

NHTSA ID

11079535

Incident

Mar 15, 2018

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 BUICK REGAL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT CAUGHT FIRE WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN THE GARAGE. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED PRIOR TO THE FIRE. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO EXTINGUISH THE FIRE ON HER OWN. A POLICE AND A FIRE REPORT WERE NOT FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVABLE AND WAS TAKEN TO TITUS-WILL CHEVROLET BUICK (2580 N NATIONAL AVE, CHEHALIS, WA 98532) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE ENGINE MANIFOLD FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND STATED THAT THE CONTACT WOULD HAVE TO PAY FOR THE REPAIR. THE CONTACT REFERENCED NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V701000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING) BUT THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE. THE VIN WAS INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 205,000. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.

NHTSA ID

11071982

Incident

Dec 19, 2017

Mileage

205,000 mi

IGNITION SWITCH COMPONENT WITH WIRE HARNESS CAUSES ENGINE TO SHUT DOWN.ALL WARNING DISPLAY LITES FLASH ON AND OFF . IF YOU USE THE LEFT OR RIGHT SIGNAL ENGINE POWER CUTS OUT . VERY HAZARDOUSE WHEN DRIVING AT NORMAL HIGHWAY SPEEDS. CAR WILL NOT START WHEN THIS HAPPENS. I CONTACTED DEALERSHIP IN BREMMERTON WASHINGTON THEY STATED THAT MY VEHICAL VIN WAS NOT ON THE RECALL LIST PLEASE ADD THIS VIN TO THE RECALL LIST SO APPROPRIATE REPAIRS CAN BE MADE THIS IS A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION AND COULD BE FATAL TO DRIVERS.

NHTSA ID

11023689

Incident

Sep 9, 2017

Mileage

160,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 BUICK REGAL. WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, THERE WAS A STRONG ODOR OF SMOKE AND OIL COMING FROM THE REAR VALVE COVER AND THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER (HILEY BUICK GMC, LOCATED AT 3535 W LOOP 820 S, FORT WORTH, TX 76116; (817) 632-8800) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT BOTH OF THE VALVE COVER GASKETS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTIFICATION LETTER ONLY FOR THE FRONT VALVE TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE CONTACT WOULD HAVE TO PAY FOR REPLACING THE REAR VALVE COVER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 135,000.

NHTSA ID

11016211

Incident

Aug 18, 2017

Mileage

135,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 BUICK REGAL. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, IT CAUGHT ON FIRE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TOWED TO THE DEALER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V701000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). THE PARTS TO DO THE REPAIR WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED AND WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 140,000.

NHTSA ID

11004032

Incident

Jul 10, 2017

Mileage

140,000 mi

This Preliminary Information communicates to the dealer the process for downloading or updating operating software for the Tire Pressure Monitor, Active Fuel Injector tester, multi media tester, PICO Scope, GR8 starting/charging tester  and Vehicle Data Recorder tools, giving website address and step by step instructions to complete the update.

This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that the Heater-Vent-Air Conditioning blows warm air. Before calling General Motors Technical Assistance Center technician will need to have high and low pressures, outside temperature, humidity, and vent temperature.

This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that the Heater-Vent-Air Conditioning blows warm air. Before calling General Motors Technical Assistance Center technician will need to have high and low pressures, outside temperature, humidity, and vent temperature.

Vehicle Wide Programming (VWP) is a new process to update software on GM Vehicles. It provides the ability via a single selection within Techline Connect to first identify which modules need updating and then proceed to updating affected modules (with some exceptions). The updating of modules is completed in parallel instead of the technician needing to update one module at a time. This allows a more streamlined approach for dealers and customers.

GM is receiving damaged (cracked or broken) transmission cores returned to the reman facilities. The damage is being caused either in the removal process by the technician, or inadequate packaging or shipping. This bulletin advises the dealers to be more careful not to damage the transmissions during removal and to package the core properly for return.

This service bulletin advises of a new fuel injection cleaner kit used for decarbonizing the intake valves to correct conditions of rough idle, Crank no start, extended crank or misfire, MIL with DTCs, and explains how Top Tier fuels should be used to reduce carbon build-up.