IllustrationWHILE DRIVING 35 MPH WHITE SMOKE EMITTED FROM UNDER THE HOOD. THE CONSUMER WAS INFORMED THAT COOLANT WAS IN THE ENGINE OIL AND BLEW OUT A HEAD GASKET. THE ENGINE WAS NOT COVER UNDER THE MANUFACTURERS RECALL. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION. *JB
1996 Buick Regal
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
More warning signs than most Regal years
Owner complaints for the 1996 Buick Regal are substantially higher than the model-year median of 29.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Regal years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
50–25K
825–50K
1050–75K
1075–100K
13100–150K
10150K+
56 reports with mileage · 148 unknown
NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.
What to inspect
Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.
- Service Brakes, Hydraulic. Review the 39 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 36 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Electrical System. Review the 24 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
14 crash reports16 fire reports18 injury reports
Engine And Engine Cooling complaints
36 reportsWHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED, THE VEHICLE WOULD INTERMITTENTLY STALL. JUST BEFORE THE VEHICLE STALLED, THE CHECK ENGINE AND BATTERY LIGHT HAD COME ON. THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN TO THE DEALER THREE TIMES FOR THIS PROBLEM, BUT THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. *AK THE STALLING WOULD ALSO OCCUR WHEN MAKING LEFT TURNS.…
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WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED, THE VEHICLE WOULD INTERMITTENTLY STALL. JUST BEFORE THE VEHICLE STALLED, THE CHECK ENGINE AND BATTERY LIGHT HAD COME ON. THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN TO THE DEALER THREE TIMES FOR THIS PROBLEM, BUT THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. *AK THE STALLING WOULD ALSO OCCUR WHEN MAKING LEFT TURNS. *SC
OTHER - OIL LEAK - HAVE BEEN TOLD BY INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOPS THAT IT IS EITHER THE CAM SHAFT TIMING SENCER OR MANIFOLD WITH THE COST RANGING FROM $700.00 TO $1200.00. ALSO THE MOTOR MOUNTS NEED TO BE REPLACED. TAPE PLAYER DOES NOT EJECT TAPE PROPERLY, BEEN A PROBLEM SINCE I GOT THE CAR. BRAKES - HAVE HAD COMPLETE BRAKES REPL…
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OTHER - OIL LEAK - HAVE BEEN TOLD BY INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOPS THAT IT IS EITHER THE CAM SHAFT TIMING SENCER OR MANIFOLD WITH THE COST RANGING FROM $700.00 TO $1200.00. ALSO THE MOTOR MOUNTS NEED TO BE REPLACED. TAPE PLAYER DOES NOT EJECT TAPE PROPERLY, BEEN A PROBLEM SINCE I GOT THE CAR. BRAKES - HAVE HAD COMPLETE BRAKES REPLACED. HAVE BEEN TOLD BUICK REGALS ARE BAD ON BRAKES. AIR CONDITIONUNG COOLING COIL IN FRONT OF RADITOR HAS DEVELOPED A LEAK. ESTIMATED COST TO REPAIR IS $400.00. HAVE NOT TAKEN IT TO DEALER. I GOT THE CAR USED IN 1997 WITH ABOUT 72500 MILES ON IT.
CAR BROKE DOWN 2 DAYS AFTER I BOUGHT IT, IT BROKE DOWN ON THE WAY TO THE SHOP. THEY KEPT THE CAR FOR TWO DAYS TO FIX IT AND I RECEIVED IT BACK. THE NEXT MORNING, THE ENGINE LIGHT WAS ON, AND IT CONTINUES TO BE ON, DAN NELSON NETWORK REFUSES TO TAKE THE CAR BACK, AND EXPECTS FULL PAYMENTS ON A VEHICLE THAT DOES NOT RUN PROPERLY
VEHICLE HAD A DEFECTIVE WATER PUMP, OIL PAN, AND ENGINE'S EMISSION CONTROL. *LA THE ENGINE LIGHT HAD COME ON AND THERE WAS A NOISE WHEN TURNING CORNERS. THE CONSUMER REQUESTED REIMBURSEMENT. *SC *JB
MY 1996 BUICK REGAL HAS HAD TWO INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET FAILURES--ONE AT 52,000 MILES, AND THE MOST RECENT, AT 111,000 MILES. IN THE FIRST INSTANCE, THE LOCAL BUICK DEALERSHIP REFUNDED HALF MY MONEY OF THE COST OF THE $607 REPAIRS BECAUSE THEY AGREED THAT IT WAS HIGHLY UNUSUAL FOR A GASKET TO FAIL AT SUCH LOW MILEAGE. MY SON,…
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MY 1996 BUICK REGAL HAS HAD TWO INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET FAILURES--ONE AT 52,000 MILES, AND THE MOST RECENT, AT 111,000 MILES. IN THE FIRST INSTANCE, THE LOCAL BUICK DEALERSHIP REFUNDED HALF MY MONEY OF THE COST OF THE $607 REPAIRS BECAUSE THEY AGREED THAT IT WAS HIGHLY UNUSUAL FOR A GASKET TO FAIL AT SUCH LOW MILEAGE. MY SON, WHO DID THE MOST RECENT REPAI ANDR IS A MATERIALS SCIENCE ENGINEER, INSPECTED THE MOST RECENT FAILURE AND FOUND SEVERAL PLACES ON THE GASKET WHERE IT WAS DEFORMED AND HAD LET ANTIFREEZE ESCAPE. HIS OPINION WAS THAT IT WAS BADLY DESIGNED, WITH INFERIOR MATERIALS.*AK
WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH VEHICLE STALLED. THEN, VEHICLE RESTARTED WITHOUT ANY PROBLEM.*AK
BUICK REGAL 1996.ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM HORTLY AFTER JUST 72,000 MILES, A LEAK DEVELOPED NEAR THE UPPER INTAKE MANIFOLD, CAUSING EXCESSIVE COOLANT LOSS (UP TO 1 GALLON PER WEEK).*AK I BELIEVE THIS TO BE A SAFTEY HAZARD RESULTING FROM A DESIGN FLAW. THE OWNER'S MANUAL INCLUDES SEVERAL WARNINGS THAT COOLAN…
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BUICK REGAL 1996.ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM HORTLY AFTER JUST 72,000 MILES, A LEAK DEVELOPED NEAR THE UPPER INTAKE MANIFOLD, CAUSING EXCESSIVE COOLANT LOSS (UP TO 1 GALLON PER WEEK).*AK I BELIEVE THIS TO BE A SAFTEY HAZARD RESULTING FROM A DESIGN FLAW. THE OWNER'S MANUAL INCLUDES SEVERAL WARNINGS THAT COOLANT CONTAINS ETHYLENE GLYCOL THAT WILL BURN IF IT COMES IN CONTACT WITH HOT ENGINE PARTS. I AM ALSO CONCERNED THIS PROBLEM MAY HAVE CAUSED ENGINE DAMAGE THAT WILL MANIFEST ITSELF LATER. I BELIEVE GM SHOULD ADDRESS THIS AS A SAFETY HAZARD BEFORE SOMEONE IS KILLED OR SEIOUSLY INJURED BY AN ENGINE FIRE. THANK YOU. DJS
THE ENGINE WAS NOT RUNNING PROPERLY WHICH CAUSED A CRACK IN UPPER INTAKE MANIFOLD FORCING EXCESSIVE COOLANT INTO THE TOP END OF THE ENGINE AND UPPER COMBUSTION CHAMBER. THIS IS AN ON-GOING PROBLEM WITH THE 1996 BUICK REGAL. THIS COULD HAVE RESULTED IN A FIRE AS INDICATED BY THE PREVIOUS RECALL NOTICE FOR THE SAME PROBLEM. AS…
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THE ENGINE WAS NOT RUNNING PROPERLY WHICH CAUSED A CRACK IN UPPER INTAKE MANIFOLD FORCING EXCESSIVE COOLANT INTO THE TOP END OF THE ENGINE AND UPPER COMBUSTION CHAMBER. THIS IS AN ON-GOING PROBLEM WITH THE 1996 BUICK REGAL. THIS COULD HAVE RESULTED IN A FIRE AS INDICATED BY THE PREVIOUS RECALL NOTICE FOR THE SAME PROBLEM. AS A RESULT OF THIS INCIDENT, THE FOLLOWING SERVICE WAS REQUIRED: REPAIR ELECTRICAL FAILURE, CLEAN EXCESSIVE COOLANT FROM UPPER COMBUSTION CHAMBERS, REMOVE COOLANT FROM TOP END OF ENGINE, REPLACE UPPER INTAKE ASSEMBLE AND MANIFOLD, REPLACE SPARK PLUGS, PERFORM INJECTOR SERVICE, REPLACE THE PCV VALVE, OIL AND OIL FILTER. ALTHOUGH I HAVE AN EXTENDED WARRANTY, I WAS STILL CHARGED $557.17 FOR THE REPAIR. DUE TO THE NUMEROUS SERVICE BULLETINS, CONSUMER COMPLAINTS, AND PREVIOUS RECALL NOTICE FOR THE SAME SITUATION, THIS DEFECT SHOULD HAVE BEEN DETECTED ON MARCH 7, 2002. AT THAT TIME, I HAD THE ROUTINE 60,000 MILE SERVICE PERFORMED EVEN THOUGH THE CAR ONLY HAD 50,480 MILES. THE TOTAL COST FOR THE ROUTINE SERVICE WAS $807.00. FOR THESE REASONS, I SHOULD BE ENTITLED TO A REIMBURSEMENT OF THE $557.01 CHARGE. IF NEEDED, I WILL BE MORE THAN HAPPY TO FORWARD A COPY OF MY SERVICE RECORDS FOR YOUR REVIEW. ADDITIONALLY, I AM CONCERNED THIS RECENT EVENT HAS CAUSED DAMAGE TO THE ENGINE AND WILL HAVE LONG TERM EFFECTS ON ENGINE PERFORMANCE REQUIRING ADDITIONAL MAINTENANCE. IT??S HARD TO BELIEVE THIS DID NOT CAUSE DAMAGE TO THE VALVES AND/OR LIFTERS. ONCE THE EXTENDED WARRANTY EXPIRES, I WILL NO LONGER HAVE FINANCIAL PROTECTION FOR REPAIRS RESULTING FROM FAULTY MANUFACTURING. I HOPE THIS SAFETY HAZARD IS RESOLVED BEFORE SOMEONE IS KILLED BY AN ENGINE FIRE. THANK YOU FOR YOUR ASSISTANCE IN THIS MATTER. *NLM
MANIFOLD MAKES NOISE. CRACKED. MR
Official recalls
303V527000 · Steering:rack And Pinion
Dec 11, 2003
CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES HAVE LOWER PINION BEARINGS IN THE POWER RACK AND PINION ASSEMBLY IN WHICH THE RETAINER TABS WERE NOT CRIMPED PROPERLY. THESE RETAINERS COULD FAIL AND PERMIT THE BALL BEARINGS TO ESCAPE.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: IF THIS OCCURS, THE PINION SHAFT CAN BE FORCED UPWARD DURING LEFT TURNS AND BACK DOWN AS THE STEERING WHEEL IS MOVED BACK AND TO THE RIGHT. IF THE PINION SHAFT MOVES FURTHER, THE DRIVER WILL NEED TO EXERT MORE EFFORT TO TURN THE STEERING WHEEL, SIMILAR TO A VEHICLE WITHOUT POWER ASSISTED STEERING. IF THE PINION SHAFT MOVES EVEN FURTHER, THE DRIVER WILL REQUIRE MUCH HIGHER EFFORT TO TURN LEFT AND MAY NOT BE ABLE TO TURN THE WHEEL AS MUCH AS INTENDED. WITH THE MAXIMUM PINION SHAFT MOVEMENT, WHICH REQUIRES INTERNAL GEAR COMPONENT DAMAGE, THE DRIVER CAN ENCOUNTER HIGH RESISTANCE TO TURNING LEFT, FOLLOWED BY UNINTENDED POWER ASSIST TO THE RIGHT. IN ANY OF THESE CONDITIONS, A CRASH COULD OCCUR.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A NEW LOWER PINION BEARING UNLESS INSPECT OF THE EXISTING BEARING INDICATES THAT REPLACEMENT OF THE GEAR ASSEMBLY IS NECESSARY. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON FEBRUARY 5, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT BUICK AT 1-866-608-8080; CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438; OLDSMOBILE AT 1-800-630-6537; OR PONTIAC AT 1-800-620-7668.
96V116000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:fuel Injection System
Jul 1, 1996
A BACKFIRE DURING ENGINE STARTING CAN CAUSE BREAKAGE OF THE UPPER INTAKE MANIFOLD.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THIS CONDITION CAN CAUSE A NO-START CONDITION AND POSSIBLY AN ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL UPDATE THE POWERTRAIN CONTROL MODULE PROGRAMMING. UNTIL THE CAMPAIGN REPAIR IS MADE, THE VEHICLE HOOD SHOULD BE SHUT WHENEVER STARTING THE VEHICLE TO REDUCE THE CHANCE OF PERSONAL INJURY.
96V069000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:foundation Components:hoses, Lines/piping, And Fittings
Apr 19, 1996
THE LEFT FRONT BRAKE LINE CAN CONTACT THE TRANSAXLE MOUNTING BRACKET OR ATTACHMENT BOLT.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THIS CONDITION CAN CAUSE THE BRAKE LINE TO WEAR THROUGH, RESULTING IN LOSS OF BRAKE FLUID AND EVENTUAL LOSS OF ONE-HALF OF THE VEHICLE'S BRAKE SYSTEM, INCREASING THE POTENTIAL FOR A VEHICLE ACCIDENT.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE VEHICLE FOR PROPER BRAKE LINE CLEARANCE AND REPOSITION THOSE BRAKE LINES FOUND TO HAVE LESS THAN MINIMAL CLEARANCE. ADDITIONALLY, THOSE BRAKE LINES FOUND TO HAVE AN INDENTATION CAUSED BY THE CONTACT WILL BE REPLACED AND PROPERLY ROUTED.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA investigations
6EA03019 · Power Rack And Pinion Steering Failure
Opened Sep 15, 2003 · Closed Dec 18, 2003
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Steering; Steering:rack And Pinion
GM'S LETTER TO NHTSA DATED DECEMBER 11, 2003, EXPANDS ITS ORIGINAL RECALL (NHTSA 02V286) TO INCLUDE CERTAIN W-BODY VEHICLES: 96-97 OLDS CUTLASS SUPREME; 98 OLDS INTRIGUE; 97-98 OLDS CUTLASS; 97-98 CHEVY LUMINA, MONTE CARLO AND MALIBU; 96 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX; AND 96-98 BUICK REGAL.THE NUMBER OF VEHICLES RECALLED IS 750,283.GM DETERMINED THAT FAILURE OF THE RACK AND PINION IS RELATED TO DAMAGE OF THE LOWER PINION BEARING AND THE LEVEL OF THE PINION BEARING PRE-LOAD SPRING FORCE.GM STATES, HIGHER RACK PRE-LOAD SPRING FORCE (133 LB.) IS THE DESIGN CHARACTERISTIC MOST CLOSELY ASSOCIATED WITH HIGHER BEARING DAMAGE RATES IN MOST OF THE VEHICLE APPLICATIONS THAT USED THE GENERAL BEARING COMPANY (GBC) BEARING.ALL OF THE VEHICLES COVERED IN THE EXPANDED RECALL HAVE THE 133 LB SPRING FORCE.THE 96 LUMINA/MONTE CARLO AND 97-98 CENTURY W-BODY VEHICLES INCLUDED IN THIS INVESTIGATION UTILIZE A LOWER SPRING FORCE AND ARE NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL.
Additional source detail variants (2)
Steering
GM'S LETTER TO NHTSA DATED DECEMBER 11, 2003, EXPANDS ITS ORIGINAL RECALL (NHTSA 02V286) TO INCLUDE CERTAIN W-BODY VEHICLES: 96-97 OLDS CUTLASS SUPREME; 98 OLDS INTRIGUE; 97-98 OLDS CUTLASS; 97-98 CHEVY LUMINA, MONTE CARLO AND MALIBU; 96 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX; AND 96-98 BUICK REGAL.THE NUMBER OF VEHICLES RECALLED IS 750,283.GM DETERMINED THAT FAILURE OF THE RACK AND PINION IS RELATED TO DAMAGE OF THE LOWER PINION BEARING AND THE LEVEL OF THE PINION BEARING PRE-LOAD SPRING FORCE.GM STATES, HIGHER RACK PRE-LOAD SPRING FORCE (133 LB.) IS THE DESIGN CHARACTERISTIC MOST CLOSELY ASSOCIATED WITH HIGHER BEARING DAMAGE RATES IN MOST OF THE VEHICLE APPLICATIONS THAT USED THE GENERAL BEARING COMPANY (GBC) BEARING.ALL OF THE VEHICLES COVERED IN THE EXPANDED RECALL HAVE THE 133 LB SPRING FORCE.THE 96 LUMINA/MONTE CARLO AND 97-98 CENTURY W-BODY VEHICLES INCLUDED IN THIS INVESTIGATION UTILIZE A LOWER SPRING FORCE AND ARE NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL.
Steering:rack And Pinion
GM'S LETTER TO NHTSA DATED DECEMBER 11, 2003, EXPANDS ITS ORIGINAL RECALL (NHTSA 02V286) TO INCLUDE CERTAIN W-BODY VEHICLES: 96-97 OLDS CUTLASS SUPREME; 98 OLDS INTRIGUE; 97-98 OLDS CUTLASS; 97-98 CHEVY LUMINA, MONTE CARLO AND MALIBU; 96 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX; AND 96-98 BUICK REGAL.THE NUMBER OF VEHICLES RECALLED IS 750,283.GM DETERMINED THAT FAILURE OF THE RACK AND PINION IS RELATED TO DAMAGE OF THE LOWER PINION BEARING AND THE LEVEL OF THE PINION BEARING PRE-LOAD SPRING FORCE.GM STATES, HIGHER RACK PRE-LOAD SPRING FORCE (133 LB.) IS THE DESIGN CHARACTERISTIC MOST CLOSELY ASSOCIATED WITH HIGHER BEARING DAMAGE RATES IN MOST OF THE VEHICLE APPLICATIONS THAT USED THE GENERAL BEARING COMPANY (GBC) BEARING.ALL OF THE VEHICLES COVERED IN THE EXPANDED RECALL HAVE THE 133 LB SPRING FORCE.THE 96 LUMINA/MONTE CARLO AND 97-98 CENTURY W-BODY VEHICLES INCLUDED IN THIS INVESTIGATION UTILIZE A LOWER SPRING FORCE AND ARE NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL.
RQ03001 · Power Rack And Pinion Steering Failure
Opened Jan 2, 2003 · Closed Sep 15, 2003
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Steering; Steering:rack And Pinion
GM CONDUCTED A SAFETY RECALL (NHTSA # 02V286) TO ADDRESS A STEERING DEFECT PERTAINING TO A LOWER PINION BEARING (LPB) WITHIN THE RACK AND PINION STEERING GEAR (R&P). THE RECALL COVERED 1,159,156 MODEL YEAR 1997-1998 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX VEHICLES BUILT BETWEEN MARCH 1, 1996 AND OCTOBER 31, 1997, 1996-1998 PONTIAC TRANS SPORT, CHEVROLET LUMINA APV, CHEVROLET VENTURE, OLDSMOBILE SILHOUETTE MINIVANS, AND CHEVROLET CAVALIER AND PONTIAC SUNFIRE SEDANS BUILT BETWEEN JANUARY 1, 1996 AND OCTOBER 31, 1997.ODI OPENED THIS RQ AFTER RECEIVING REPORTS THAT OTHER VEHICLES WERE EXHIBITING THE SAME SYMPTOMS AS THE RECALLED VEHICLES.BASED ON ODI'S REVIEW OF TECHNICAL AND COMPLAINT DATA COLLECTED DURING THE RQ, THE W-CARS ARE ASSOCIATED WITH EITHER A HIGHER STEERING COMPLAINT RATE OR A HIGHER LPB FAILURE RATE THAN THE OTHER VEHICLES INVESTIGATED UNDER THE RQ AND ARE ABOVE OR NEAR THE RATES FOR THE RECALLED VEHICLES.THUS, ODI WILL FURTHER EXAMINE THE W-CARS (1996-1997 OLDSMOBILE CUTLASS SUPREME, 1996-1998 BUICK REGAL, CHEVROLET LUMINA, CHEVROLET MONTE CARLO, 1997-1998 BUICK CENTURY, AND 1998 OLDSMOBILE INTRIGUE) UNDER A NEW INVESTIGATION, ENGINEERING ANALYSIS (EA)03-019.
Additional source detail variants (2)
Steering
GM CONDUCTED A SAFETY RECALL (NHTSA # 02V286) TO ADDRESS A STEERING DEFECT PERTAINING TO A LOWER PINION BEARING (LPB) WITHIN THE RACK AND PINION STEERING GEAR (R&P). THE RECALL COVERED 1,159,156 MODEL YEAR 1997-1998 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX VEHICLES BUILT BETWEEN MARCH 1, 1996 AND OCTOBER 31, 1997, 1996-1998 PONTIAC TRANS SPORT, CHEVROLET LUMINA APV, CHEVROLET VENTURE, OLDSMOBILE SILHOUETTE MINIVANS, AND CHEVROLET CAVALIER AND PONTIAC SUNFIRE SEDANS BUILT BETWEEN JANUARY 1, 1996 AND OCTOBER 31, 1997.ODI OPENED THIS RQ AFTER RECEIVING REPORTS THAT OTHER VEHICLES WERE EXHIBITING THE SAME SYMPTOMS AS THE RECALLED VEHICLES.BASED ON ODI'S REVIEW OF TECHNICAL AND COMPLAINT DATA COLLECTED DURING THE RQ, THE W-CARS ARE ASSOCIATED WITH EITHER A HIGHER STEERING COMPLAINT RATE OR A HIGHER LPB FAILURE RATE THAN THE OTHER VEHICLES INVESTIGATED UNDER THE RQ AND ARE ABOVE OR NEAR THE RATES FOR THE RECALLED VEHICLES.THUS, ODI WILL FURTHER EXAMINE THE W-CARS (1996-1997 OLDSMOBILE CUTLASS SUPREME, 1996-1998 BUICK REGAL, CHEVROLET LUMINA, CHEVROLET MONTE CARLO, 1997-1998 BUICK CENTURY, AND 1998 OLDSMOBILE INTRIGUE) UNDER A NEW INVESTIGATION, ENGINEERING ANALYSIS (EA)03-019.
Steering:rack And Pinion
GM CONDUCTED A SAFETY RECALL (NHTSA # 02V286) TO ADDRESS A STEERING DEFECT PERTAINING TO A LOWER PINION BEARING (LPB) WITHIN THE RACK AND PINION STEERING GEAR (R&P). THE RECALL COVERED 1,159,156 MODEL YEAR 1997-1998 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX VEHICLES BUILT BETWEEN MARCH 1, 1996 AND OCTOBER 31, 1997, 1996-1998 PONTIAC TRANS SPORT, CHEVROLET LUMINA APV, CHEVROLET VENTURE, OLDSMOBILE SILHOUETTE MINIVANS, AND CHEVROLET CAVALIER AND PONTIAC SUNFIRE SEDANS BUILT BETWEEN JANUARY 1, 1996 AND OCTOBER 31, 1997.ODI OPENED THIS RQ AFTER RECEIVING REPORTS THAT OTHER VEHICLES WERE EXHIBITING THE SAME SYMPTOMS AS THE RECALLED VEHICLES.BASED ON ODI'S REVIEW OF TECHNICAL AND COMPLAINT DATA COLLECTED DURING THE RQ, THE W-CARS ARE ASSOCIATED WITH EITHER A HIGHER STEERING COMPLAINT RATE OR A HIGHER LPB FAILURE RATE THAN THE OTHER VEHICLES INVESTIGATED UNDER THE RQ AND ARE ABOVE OR NEAR THE RATES FOR THE RECALLED VEHICLES.THUS, ODI WILL FURTHER EXAMINE THE W-CARS (1996-1997 OLDSMOBILE CUTLASS SUPREME, 1996-1998 BUICK REGAL, CHEVROLET LUMINA, CHEVROLET MONTE CARLO, 1997-1998 BUICK CENTURY, AND 1998 OLDSMOBILE INTRIGUE) UNDER A NEW INVESTIGATION, ENGINEERING ANALYSIS (EA)03-019.
EA02030 · Engine Compartment Fires
Opened Oct 22, 2002 · Closed Mar 9, 2004
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Fuel System, Gasoline; Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery; Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery:hoses, Lines/piping, And Fittings
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.
Additional source detail variants (3)
Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery
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.
Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery:hoses, Lines/piping, And Fittings
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.
Fuel System, Gasoline
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.
PE02050 · Engine Compartment Fires
Opened Jun 13, 2002 · Closed Oct 22, 2002
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Engine And Engine Cooling
No summary supplied.
EA99026 · Inadvertent Air Bag Deployment
Opened Aug 31, 1999 · Closed Dec 28, 2001
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Air Bags
There is no summary currently available
EA96023 · Inappropriate Air Bag Deployment
Opened Sep 27, 1996 · Closed Feb 13, 1998
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Air Bags
THE FAILURE RATE (1.25/100K) ON THIS ISSUE IS LOW.A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT TREND HAS NOT BEEN IDENTIFIED AT THIS TIME AND FURTHER USE OF THE AGENCY RESOURCES DOES NOT APPEAR TO BE WARRANTED.THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITURE A FINDING BY NHTSA THAT NO SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT EXISTS.ODI WILL CONTINUE TO CLOSELY MONITOR THIS ISSUE.THE AGENCY RESERVES THE RIGHT TO TAKE FURTHER ACTION IF WARRANTED BY THE CIRCUMSTANCES.AN ENGINEERING ANALYSIS CLOSING REPORT IS INCLUDED IN THE PUBLIC FILE.