Known Recalls

Model year record

1999 Buick Regal

6 recall campaigns on file for this model year. 301 owner complaints on file.

Recalls

Recall campaignNHTSA 15V701000

Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: manifold/header/muffler/tail pipe

Component
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: manifold/header/muffler/tail pipe
Manufacturer
General Motors LLC
Vehicles affected
1,003,556
Reported to NHTSA
2015-10-26
Owners notified
2016-02-19

Defect description

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 1998-1999 Chevrolet Lumina and Oldsmobile Intrigue, 1997-2004 Buick Regal and Pontiac Grand Prix, 2000-2004 Chevrolet Impala, and 1998-2004 Chevrolet Monte Carlo vehicles. The affected vehicles were previously repaired under recalls 08V-118, 09V-116, and 15V-201 to address the possibility that engine oil may drip onto the hot exhaust manifold.

Safety risk

Engine oil that drips onto the hot surface of the exhaust manifold may result in a fire.

Manufacturer remedy

The remedy applied under recalls 08V-118, 09V-116, and 15V-201 did not adequately remove the safety risk. Under the improved remedy, dealers will replace the engine’s front valve cover and gasket. Vehicles that are covered by recalls 08V-118, 09V-116, or 15V-201 that have not yet received the original remedy will instead receive the improved remedy under the original recall number. The recall began on February 19, 2016. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300, Oldsmobile customer service at 1-800-442-6537 and Pontiac customer service at 1-800-458-8006. GM's number for this recall is 15757. Note: Until the improved remedy has been applied, owners are advised to park their vehicle outside since the fire risk exists even when the vehicle is unattended.

Recall campaignNHTSA 09V116000

Engine and engine cooling

Component
Engine and engine cooling
Manufacturer
GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
Vehicles affected
1,497,516
Reported to NHTSA
2009-04-08
Owners notified
2009-04-09

Defect description

GENERAL MOTORS IS RECALLING 1,497,516 MY 1997-2003 BUICK REGAL, MY 1998-2003 CHEVROLET LUMINA, MONTE CARLO AND IMPALA, MY 1998-1999 OLDSMOBILE INTRIGUE, MY 1997-2003 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH A 3.8L V6 NATURALLY ASPIRATED ENGINE. SOME OF THESE VEHICLES HAVE A CONDITION IN WHICH DROPS OF ENGINE OIL MAY BE DEPOSITED ON THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD THROUGH HARD BRAKING.

Safety risk

IF THE MANIFOLD IS HOT ENOUGH AND THE OIL RUNS BELOW THE HEAT SHIELD, IT MAY IGNITE INTO A SMALL FLAME AND MAY SPREAD TO THE PLASTIC SPARK PLUG WIRE CHANNEL AND BEYOND INCREASING THE RISK OF AN ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE ENGINE’S FRONT VALVE COVER AND FRONT-VALVE-COVER GASKET WITH NEW PARTS OF AN IMPROVED DESIGN AND REMOVE THE ENGINE’S PLASTIC COVER AND PLASTIC OIL-FILL-TUBE EXTENSION, FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING MAY 2016. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438, OLDSMOBILE AT 1-800-630-6537, AND PONTIAC AT 1-800-620-7668 OR HTTP://WWW.PONTIAC.COM OR HTTP:WWW.GMOWNERCENTER.COM.

Recall campaignNHTSA 08V118000

Engine and engine cooling

Component
Engine and engine cooling
Manufacturer
GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
Vehicles affected
207,542
Reported to NHTSA
2008-03-12
Owners notified
2008-04-28

Defect description

GM IS RECALLING 207,542 MY 1997-2003 BUICK REGAL AND PONTIAC GRAND PRIX VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH A 3.8L SUPERCHARGED V-6 ENGINE. THESE VEHICLES HAVE HIGHER FRONT ROCKER COVER GASKET TEMPERATURES, CREATING THE POTENTIAL FOR EARLIER DEGRADATION OF THE FRONT ROCKER COVER GASKET AND EVENTUAL OIL SEEPAGE.

Safety risk

CERTAIN UNDERHOOD FIRES MAY BE CAUSED BY DROPS OF ENGINE OIL, FROM SEEPAGE OR SPILLAGE, BEING DEPOSITED ON THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD THROUGH HARD BRAKING. IF THE MANIFOLD IS HOT ENOUGH AND THE OIL RUNS BELOW THE HEAT SHIELD, IT MAY IGNITE INTO A SMALL FLAME AND, IN SOME INSTANCES, THE FIRE MAY SPREAD TO THE PLASTIC SPARK PLUG WIRE CHANNEL AND BEYOND.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE ENGINE’S FRONT VALVE COVER AND FRONT-VALVE-COVER GASKET WITH NEW PARTS OF AN IMPROVED DESIGN AND REMOVE THE ENGINE’S PLASTIC COVER AND PLASTIC OIL-FILL-TUBE EXTENSION, ALONG WITH THE 1-3-5 SPARK PLUG WIRE RETAINERS, FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING MAY 2016. , FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING MAY 2016. UNTIL THE REMEDY IS COMPLETED, GM STRONGLY RECOMMENDS THAT OWNERS OBSERVE THE FOLLOWING IMPORTANT PRECAUTIONS (1) THAT OWNERS DO NOT PARK THEIR VEHICLE IN A GARAGE, CAR PORT, 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; (3) USE PREMIUM FUEL (91 OCTANE OR HIGHER) IN THE VEHICLE AS RECOMMENDED IN THE VEHICLE'S OWNER MANUAL. OWNERS MAY CONTACT BUICK AT 1-866-608-8080 OR PONTIAC AT 1-800-620-7668, OR THROUGH THEIR WEBSITE AT <A HREF=HTTP://WWW.GMOWNERCENTER.COM>HTTP://WWW.GMOWNERCENTER.COM</A> .

Recall campaignNHTSA 04V375000

Exterior lighting: headlights

Component
Exterior lighting: headlights
Manufacturer
GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
Vehicles affected
199,793
Reported to NHTSA
2004-08-10
Owners notified
2004-09-08

Defect description

CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES DO NOT CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." SOME OF THESE VEHICLES DO NOT MEET THE OVERHEAD SIGN ILLUMINATION REQUIREMENTS.

Safety risk

LESS ILLUMINATION MAY REDUCE THE ABILITY OF THE DRIVER TO READ OVERHEAD SIGNS WHEN DRIVING AT NIGHT.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL INSTALL NEW LOW BEAM HEADLAMP BULBS IN BOTH OF THE HEADLAMP ASSEMBLIES. THE RECALL BEGAN ON SEPTEMBER 8, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT BUICK AT 1-866-608-8080. NOTE: IF THE BULB NEEDS REPLACEMENT IN THE FUTURE, GM BULB NUMBER 89024715 IS AVAILABLE FROM A DEALER, OR THE EQUIVALENT SYLVANIA BULB IS 9006HP, WITH ORANGE LETTERING ON THE BULB.

Recall campaignNHTSA 99V356000

Exterior lighting: headlights

Component
Exterior lighting: headlights
Manufacturer
GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
Vehicles affected
411,880
Reported to NHTSA
1999-12-17
Owners notified
2000-07-20

Defect description

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE VEHICLES DO NOT CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THE VERTICAL HEAD LAMP ADJUSTING DEVICE MAY NOT BE CALIBRATED PROPERLY.

Safety risk

DRIVER VISIBILITY MAY BE IMPAIRED INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Manufacturer remedy

OWNERS WILL BE PROVIDED WITH AN OWNER'S MANUAL INSERT CONTAINING INSTRUCTIONS FOR OPTICALLY AIMING THE HEADLAMPS.

Recall campaignNHTSA 99V170000

Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip

Component
Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip
Manufacturer
GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
Vehicles affected
168,559
Reported to NHTSA
1999-07-09
Owners notified
1999-08-25

Defect description

SOME OF THESE VEHICLES WITH THE KEY IN THE "ON" POSITION, EXHIBIT A CONDITION IN WHICH THE ANTILOCK BRAKE SYSTEM (ABS) MOTOR SHORTS TO ITS CASE AND GROUNDS THROUGH A FLEXIBLE BRAKE FLUID PIPE.

Safety risk

THIS SHORT CAN CAUSE EXTREME HEATING OF THE FLEXIBLE BRAKE PIPE WHERE IT CAN MELT A NEARBY FLEXIBLE PLASTIC FUEL HOSE, WHICH COULD RESULT IN AN UNDERHOOD FIRE.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL INSTALL A GROUND CABLE FROM THE ELECTRONIC BRAKE CONTROL MODULE (EBCM) TO THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT BODY RAIL.

Owner complaints

A complaint is one person's report to a federal agency. It is not a finding.

ComponentComplaintsMedian mileage
Engine49139,000 mi
Electrical system2788,160 mi
Engine and engine cooling19100,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: engine1469,246 mi
Steering1289,477 mi
Visibility: power window devices and controls1090,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip925,638 mi
Steering: rack and pinion873,800 mi
Electrical system: ignition: switch757,454 mi
Engine and engine cooling: engine: gasoline661,900 mi
Power train: automatic transmission689,477 mi
Unknown or other660,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: manifold/header/muffler/tail pipe569,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic584,000 mi
Electrical system: horn4—
Equipment465,000 mi
Seat belts4135,000 mi
Steering: hydraulic power assist system490,250 mi
Steering: rack and pinion: rack469,500 mi
Suspension489,477 mi
Wheels430,000 mi
Equipment: appliance: air conditioner3—
Power train380,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings360,000 mi
Tires3—
Vehicle speed control386,000 mi
Wheels: rim339,000 mi
Air bags2120,000 mi
Exterior lighting: headlights2—
Exterior lighting: turn signal278,134 mi
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings260,000 mi
Fuel/propulsion system2124,000 mi
Latches/locks/linkages: doors: latch288,100 mi
Seat belts: front2—
Seat belts: front: buckle assembly2—
Seat belts: rear/other2—
Service brakes2100,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components288,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: rotor2—
Steering: linkages: tie rod assembly2—
Structure: body245,000 mi
Suspension: front298,700 mi
Vehicle speed control: accelerator pedal270,000 mi
Visibility: defroster/defogger/hvac system245,000 mi
Visibility: defroster/defogger/hvac system: windshield: electrical heating element225,638 mi
Visibility: rearview mirrors/devices: exterior240,000 mi
Visibility: rearview mirrors/devices: interior2—
Visibility: windshield wiper/washer2—
Air bags: frontal1—
Electrical system: instrument cluster/panel1—
Electrical system: alternator/generator/regulator189,477 mi
Electrical system: ignition: module1—
Electrical system: wiring1—
Electronic stability control (ESC)1140,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: cooling system169,246 mi
Equipment: electrical: radio/tape deck/CD etc.1—
Exterior lighting1200,000 mi
Exterior lighting: fog lights1100,000 mi
Exterior lighting: headlights: high/low beam dimmer switch194,000 mi
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery: fuel pump1—
Fuel system, other: fuel injection system165,500 mi
Interior lighting1148,000 mi
Latches/locks/linkages1—
Parking brake1—
Parking brake: driveline: hydraulic: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings1128,484 mi
Power train: automatic transmission: park/neutral start interlock switch1—
Seat belts: front: retractor1—
Seats: front assembly: seat heater/cooler1100,100 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip: control unit/module1—
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc1—
Service brakes, hydraulic: power assist: hydraulic188,000 mi
Steering: hydraulic power assist: pump1—
Structure: body: bumpers1—
Suspension: front: wheel bearing1—
Tires: pressure monitoring and regulating systems189,000 mi
Tires: tread/belt1—
Visibility147,000 mi
Visibility/wiper186,000 mi

The 1998 model has roughly the same number of complaints as this one. The 2000 model has roughly the same number of complaints as this one. These figures reflect raw complaint counts, not failure rates. Higher-selling model years naturally receive more complaints.

Safety recall repairs are provided free of charge by franchised dealers, regardless of vehicle age or mileage. This page displays aggregated data for the model year. To check recall status for a specific vehicle, search its VIN at nhtsa.gov.