1999 Buick Regal: problems, recalls and reliability
8 recalls and 246 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is engine (17% of complaints); the 1997 model year looks more trouble-free.
Data updated weekly · latest recall Oct 2015
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 246 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“07/25/2021 started the motor, in stationary in personal driveway, in idle it began to puff thick white smoke from the tail pipe and exhaust manifold in the engine compartment. Turned engine off within 15 seconds of starting the engine. Left vehicle off for 24 hrs, and tried to turn the motor back on and the engine seized and would not crank over. Tried 3-5 additional times to start engine, with the same outcome. Since this occurence vehicle has been left undriveable and still remains in personal driveway. Recall number: 240412”Owner report · Visibility/Wiper · Jul 2020
“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 .”Owner report · Electrical System · Oct 2019
“The engine caught on fire no more than 3minutes after I parked the car. The valve cover recall was repaired in 2016. Car was running fine. I just happened to go back out to the car to get my cell phone when I saw smoke. I open the hood and saw flames. I used a fire extinguisher to out he flame out. Now the car starts but runs too rough to even trust to drive it! Why have the recall if it was going to catch fire anyways!”Owner report · Unknown Or Other · Jan 2017
Show 7 more owner reports
“On 10/28/2016 my wife had drove the car about 3 miles to the store did some shopping for approximately 30 minutes. She returned home the 3 miles parked the car in the driveway in front of the garage and went in side. She was in the garage a few minutes later and saw smoke filling the garage. She went out the back door and around the house and the car was in flames. Neighbors had all ready called 911. It took about ten minutes for the fire department to arrive. The entire engine bay and front of the car was destroyed. The paint was burned off of the garage door and blistered paint and soot on the house. The hood strut exploded and put a hole in the garage door.”Owner report · Engine · Oct 2016
“On 9/1/16, the engine caught on fire while parked, turned off, and unoccupied. Half the car burned--total loss. I learned shortly after that it was under recall for under hood fires--do I have any way to recover my losses from gm? I only had liability coverage, so there won't be any insurance money.”Owner report · Engine · Sep 2016
“1999 buick regal. Consumer writes in regards to engine oil deposited on exhaust manifold can cause engine compartment fire recall notice. Consumer seeks compensation for new vehicle after recalled vehicle caught fire. *smd”Owner report · Engine And Engine Cooling · Jun 2016
“4th engine service recall 15757 was performed at dealership on march 25, 2016. On may 13, 2016, attempted to started car which was parked on suburban street at 5 a.m. The vehicle had not been driven for several days. Loud bang sound. Engine ignited. Flames shot out onto street surface. Driver was able to evacuate and contain flames until police and fire department responded to call. Battery had to be disconnected. Engine casing was blown off top of engine.”Owner report · Engine · May 2016
“I have the recall letter. I have been to duer speet in fremont mi 4 times and to jim winter in jackson mi. Both places told me they would call as soon as the parts came in. I have been waiting to hear from them since feb. It's a safety recall!! Does anybody care that this car should be fixed?”Owner report · Engine · Apr 2016
“Tl* the contact owns a 1999 buick regal. When the engine was in operation, smoke appeared through the air vents. The smoke caused the contact to become dizzy. In addition, the vehicle was losing oil. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 15v701000 (engine and engine cooling) and stated that the part needed for the repair was not available. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 150,000. Parts distribution disconnect.”Owner report · Engine · Mar 2016
“Tl* the contact owns a 1999 buick regal. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 15v701000 (engine); however, the part needed to repair the vehicle was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was notified of the issue. The VIN was unknown. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.”Owner report · Engine · Feb 2016
When filing, owners marked a crash in 8 of these complaints and injuries in 7 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 8 campaigns
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.
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.
DORMAN PRODUCTS IS RECALLING 3,900 INTERMEDIATE STEERING SHAFTS DORMAN PART NOS. 425-151, 425-152, AND 425-153, (SOLD UNDER DORMAN'S "OE SOLUTIONS" BRAND NAME), BALKAMP #'S 7-3057, 7-3058, 7-3059 (SOLD UNDER THE "NAPA" BRAND NAME), AND PLATINUM PARTS #'S 2425151, 2425152, AND 2425153 MANUFACTURED DURING THE MONTH OF SEPTEMBER 2007. THESE REPLACEMENT STEERING SHAFTS CAN BE USED ON THE VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. THE WELD CONNECTING THE INNER TUBE TO THE OUTER TUBE MAY BE DEFECTIVE.
Remedy: DORMAN WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE STEERING SHAFTS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 16, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT DORMAN TOLL FREE AT 1-800-523-2492.
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.
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> .
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.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A GROUND CABLE FROM THE ELECTRONIC BRAKE CONTROL MODULE (EBCM) TO THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT BODY RAIL.
DORMAN IS RECALLING 979 STEERING KNUCKLES, DORMAN P/NOS. 697-902 AND 697-903, SOLD UNDER DORMAN'S "OE SOLUTIONS<SUP>TM</SUP>" BRAND NAME, AND NAPA P/NOS. 7-8502 AND 7-8503 WHICH WERE SOLD FOR REPLACEMENT USE ON THE VARIOUS VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. A POTENTIAL MATERIAL OR DESIGN DEFECT COULD RESULT IN THE STEERING KNUCKLE BREAKING IN THE HUB AREA.
Remedy: DORMAN WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE DEFECTIVE STEERING KNUCKLES FREE OF CHARGE AND REIMBURSE THE REPAIR FACILITY OR OWNER FOR LABOR. THE RECALL BEGAN ON FEBRUARY 23, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT DORMAN'S TOLL-FREE HOTLINE AT 1-800-523-2492 AND PRESS 5.
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.
Remedy: OWNERS WILL BE PROVIDED WITH AN OWNER'S MANUAL INSERT CONTAINING INSTRUCTIONS FOR OPTICALLY AIMING THE HEADLAMPS.
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.
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.
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.
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.
How other years compare
Check your exact Regal by VIN
Recalls and equipment differ between individual vehicles. Decode your VIN to see what applies to yours.
Open VIN decoderFrequently asked questions
Is the 1999 Buick Regal reliable?
NHTSA has 246 owner complaints and 8 recall campaigns on record for the 1999 Buick Regal. The most complained-about area is engine (17% of complaints).
At what mileage do 1999 Buick Regal problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 89,000 miles or less.
Does the 1999 Buick Regal have open recalls?
8 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning engine and engine cooling:engine. Check your specific vehicle by VIN - recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.