1996 BUICK REGAL

273 complaints filed with NHTSA.

273
Complaints
19
Crashes
22
Fires
25
Injuries
0
Deaths

Complaints by Component

ComponentCount
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP15
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL12
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE11
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE10
UNKNOWN OR OTHER9
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR8
AIR BAGS8
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS8
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING8
STEERING:RACK AND PINION7
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP6
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL6
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM6
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION5
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION5

Recent Complaints

20191002AIR BAGS

ON JULY 17, 2019 AT 8:40AM, I GOT INTO MY CAR IN MY DRIVEWAY. I TURNED THE KEY IN THE IGNITION AND THE AIRBAG EXPLODED. (THE CAR WAS NOT STARTED.) THE AIRBAG SOUNDED LIKE A SHOTGUN BEING FIRED AND A POWDER LIKE SUBSTANCE IMMEDIATELY FILLED THE CAR. THE AIRBAG ITSELF HIT ME IN THE ABDOMINAL AREA. I FOUND THE DOOR HANDLE, OPENED THE DOOR, AND ROLLED OUT OF THE CAR ONTO THE GROUND. AT THIS TIME, I YELLED FOR MY SON. MY SON PICKED ME UP OFF THE GROUND AND CALLED AN AMBULANCE DUE TO ME BEING IN A SEV

Mileage: 102,931

20151028FireSERVICE BRAKES

WHILE MERGING ONTO THE FREEWAY, I WAS TAKING MY CAR TO BE SMOGGED. AT SPEED, I NOTICED A LITTLE WHITE PUFF OF SMOKE EMIT FROM THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE ENGINE BAY. AS I PROCEEDED TO START MOVING TO THE SHOULDER, THIS PUFF HAD TURNED INTO A GRAY PLUME. AS I FINALLY REACHED THE SHOULDER, THE ENTIRE FRONT OF THE ENGINE BAY WAS BILLOWING BLACK SMOKE. AS I TRIED TO STOP, THE BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR, SO IT SEEMED THE FIRE HAD BURNT THROUGH A BRAKE LINE. I MANAGED TO ENGAGE THE EMERGENCY BRAKE SLOWLY

Mileage: 195,000

20151028FireENGINE

WHILE MERGING ONTO THE FREEWAY, I WAS TAKING MY CAR TO BE SMOGGED. AT SPEED, I NOTICED A LITTLE WHITE PUFF OF SMOKE EMIT FROM THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE ENGINE BAY. AS I PROCEEDED TO START MOVING TO THE SHOULDER, THIS PUFF HAD TURNED INTO A GRAY PLUME. AS I FINALLY REACHED THE SHOULDER, THE ENTIRE FRONT OF THE ENGINE BAY WAS BILLOWING BLACK SMOKE. AS I TRIED TO STOP, THE BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR, SO IT SEEMED THE FIRE HAD BURNT THROUGH A BRAKE LINE. I MANAGED TO ENGAGE THE EMERGENCY BRAKE SLOWLY

Mileage: 195,000

20151028FireFUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

WHILE MERGING ONTO THE FREEWAY, I WAS TAKING MY CAR TO BE SMOGGED. AT SPEED, I NOTICED A LITTLE WHITE PUFF OF SMOKE EMIT FROM THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE ENGINE BAY. AS I PROCEEDED TO START MOVING TO THE SHOULDER, THIS PUFF HAD TURNED INTO A GRAY PLUME. AS I FINALLY REACHED THE SHOULDER, THE ENTIRE FRONT OF THE ENGINE BAY WAS BILLOWING BLACK SMOKE. AS I TRIED TO STOP, THE BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR, SO IT SEEMED THE FIRE HAD BURNT THROUGH A BRAKE LINE. I MANAGED TO ENGAGE THE EMERGENCY BRAKE SLOWLY

Mileage: 195,000

20150404FireENGINE

MY CAR STARTED TO NOT START AFTER BEING DRIVEN AND SHORTLY AFTER DID NOT WANT TO START IN A SIMPLE IDLE. SOMEHOW FUEL HAS BEEN GETTING TRAPPED IN A PRESSURIZED LINE AND I'M HAVING TO RELEASE THE FUEL OUT. OIL LEAKED INTO THE SPARK PLUGS CAUSED A PILOT FLAME. I HAVE READ MULTIPLE ACCOUNTS OF THIS HAPPENING TO THAT SPECIFIC MAKE AND YEAR AS WELL A FEW OF THE OTHER 90 MODELS. EVERY ACCOUNT SAYS IT IS A FLAW IN THE ENGINE AND FUEL SYSTEM. *TR

Mileage: 238,256

20150404FireFUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

MY CAR STARTED TO NOT START AFTER BEING DRIVEN AND SHORTLY AFTER DID NOT WANT TO START IN A SIMPLE IDLE. SOMEHOW FUEL HAS BEEN GETTING TRAPPED IN A PRESSURIZED LINE AND I'M HAVING TO RELEASE THE FUEL OUT. OIL LEAKED INTO THE SPARK PLUGS CAUSED A PILOT FLAME. I HAVE READ MULTIPLE ACCOUNTS OF THIS HAPPENING TO THAT SPECIFIC MAKE AND YEAR AS WELL A FEW OF THE OTHER 90 MODELS. EVERY ACCOUNT SAYS IT IS A FLAW IN THE ENGINE AND FUEL SYSTEM. *TR

Mileage: 238,256

20150203CrashSTEERING

1996 BUICK REGAL. CONSUMER STATED THE POWER STEERING WAS NOT CRIMPED PROPERLY. THE BALL BEARING WENT THROUGH THE GEAR BOX WHICH CAUSED THE DRIVER TO LOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND CRASHED. THE CONSUMER DISCOVERED THERE WAS A RECALL, ON THE STEERING. HOWEVER, HE WAS INFORMED HIS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. *JB

20100719AIR BAGS:FRONTAL

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 BUICK REGAL. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, WEN THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYED INADVERTENTLY WITHOUT IMPACT TO THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED ABRASIONS TO THE LEFT FOREARM. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN WITH CAUTION TO HIS RESIDENCE. THE CONTACT WAS IN THE PROCESS OF NOTIFYING THE MANUFACTURER. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED AT THE TIME OF THE COMPLAINT. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 182,000. UPDATED 10/20/10 *BF UPDATED 10/26/10*JB

Mileage: 182,000

20100324FireENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:MANIFOLD/HEADER/MUFFLER/TAIL PIPE

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 BUICK REGAL LE. THE CONTACT STATED THERE WAS AN UNUSUAL LOUD EXPLOSION IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED. SHE OPENED THE HOOD TO FURTHER INVESTIGATE AND WAS EXHUMED WITH THICK SMOKE EMITTING FROM THE ENGINE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT THE TOP MANIFOLD MELTED. THE MECHANIC REPLACED THE MANIFOLD, INJECTORS, SENSOR WIRES, PCV VALVES, AND HOSES. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 130,000. THE APPROXIMATE CURRENT

Mileage: 130,000

20100226FireENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

ON ENGINE START, LOUD EXPLOSION IN ENGINE COMPARTMENT. INSPECTION REVELED ENGINE COVER BROKEN, UPPER INTAKE MANIFOLD (PLENUM) SPLIT IN TWO PIECES. SMELL OF GAS, BROKEN VACUUM AND FUEL LINES. MUST REPLACE UPPER INTAKE MANIFOLD, FUEL RAIL, 2 INJECTORS, VARIOUS LINES. OLD PARTS ARE AVAILABLE. *TR

Mileage: 113,048

20070711CrashWHEELS

MY DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING THE 1996 BUCK REGAL ON I-77 NORTH NEAR CHELYAN, WV ANOTHER DAUGHTER WAS IN THE PASSENGER SEAT. THE REAR DRIVER'S SIDE WHEEL BROKE FROM THE HUB, CAUSING THE CAR TO VEER AND EVENTUALLY HIT THE CONCRETE MEDIAN. THE CRASH SEVERELY DAMAGED THE FRONT LEFT SIDE OF THE CAR; IT WA STOTALLED. THE CRASH RESULTED IN INJURIES TO BOTH OF MY DAUGHTERS - THE DRIVER SUSTAINE D A BUMP ON HER FOREHEAD, AND THE PASSENGER HASD A SWOLEN LEFT ANKLE - PRELIMINARY REVIEW OF THE X-RAYS WERE

Mileage: 150,000

20070523FireENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 BUICK REGAL. THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE AFTER BEING PARKED FOR APPROXIMATELY FIFTEEN MINUTES. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 186,000. UPDATED 02-01-08. *KB UPDATED 02/19/10. *LJ UPDATED 09/2810*JB

Mileage: 186,000

20060410FireFUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE STARTING THE VEHICLE THE PLASTIC UPPER INTAKE MANIFOLD EXPLODED. THERE IS A NHTSA RECALL, # 96V116000, REGARDING THE FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM. THE VEHICLE HAS THE SAME PROBLEMS AS INDICATED IN THE RECALL; HOWEVER IT IS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO THE VIN. UPDATED 5/3/2006 - WHEN THE CONSUMER STARTED THE VEHICLE AN EXPLOSION WAS HEARD. THE CONSUMER EXITED THE VEHICLE AND OPENED THE HOOD TO FIND THE ENGINE ON FIRE. THE CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO EXTINGUISH THE FIRE

Mileage: 113,000

20060121AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE

ON JANUARY 21, 2006 AT 7:10 AM, WHILE I WAS DRIVING ON U.S. 1, A BUSY STREET DURING RUSH-HOUR TRAFFIC, MY DRIVER SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYED. THERE WAS NO CRASH INVOLVED NOR DID MY CAR COME INTO ANY CONTACT WITH ANY OBJECT. I DIDN'T EVEN APPLY THE BRAKES. THERE WAS ABSOLUTELY NO REASON FOR THE AIR BAG TO DEPLOY. WHEN THE AIR BAG DEPLOYED, IT HIT ME IN THE FACE AND BURNED MY HAND. FOR ABOUT FIVE TO SEVEN SECONDS I DID NOT KNOW WHAT HAD HAPPENED. IT WAS LIKE I HEARD AN EXPLOSION AND THEN WHOOSH, THE WH

Mileage: 120,000

20050222FireENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:MANIFOLD/HEADER/MUFFLER/TAIL PIPE

AFTER TURNING THE IGNITION TO START THE VEHICLE THERE WAS AN EXPLOSION, THE ENGINE WAS ON FIRE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS CALLED, AND THE FIRE WAS EXTINGUISHED. THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE INTAKE MANIFOLD NHTSA RECALL 96V116000. *AK THE EGR VALVE WAS INOPERATIVE AND ON ANOTHER OCCASION THE VEHICLE HAD TO BE JUMP STARTED. *SC *JB

Mileage: 29,050

20050222FireFUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM

AFTER TURNING THE IGNITION TO START THE VEHICLE THERE WAS AN EXPLOSION, THE ENGINE WAS ON FIRE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS CALLED, AND THE FIRE WAS EXTINGUISHED. THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE INTAKE MANIFOLD NHTSA RECALL 96V116000. *AK THE EGR VALVE WAS INOPERATIVE AND ON ANOTHER OCCASION THE VEHICLE HAD TO BE JUMP STARTED. *SC *JB

Mileage: 29,050

20050222FireELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY

AFTER TURNING THE IGNITION TO START THE VEHICLE THERE WAS AN EXPLOSION, THE ENGINE WAS ON FIRE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS CALLED, AND THE FIRE WAS EXTINGUISHED. THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE INTAKE MANIFOLD NHTSA RECALL 96V116000. *AK THE EGR VALVE WAS INOPERATIVE AND ON ANOTHER OCCASION THE VEHICLE HAD TO BE JUMP STARTED. *SC *JB

Mileage: 29,050

20041228FireELECTRICAL SYSTEM

WHEN TRYING TO START THE VEHICLE, THERE WAS AN EXPLOSION AND THE VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE. THE FIRE WAS PUT OUT BY THE CONSUMER, HOWEVER, IT WAS NEARLY DESTROYED. *JB

Mileage: 163,000

20041111FireENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

VEHICLE WOULD NOT START, IT WAS TOWED TO REPAIR SHOP SAT FOR ABOUT 24 HOURS, WHEN TRYING TO START IT THE INTAKE MANIFOLD EXPLODED.

Mileage: 181,000

20040220FireELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD

BURNING SMELL, AND SMOKE COMES FROM UNDER THE HOOD OF THE CAR WHEN EVER THE HEAT IS BEING USED. OR I HAVE TRAVELED OVER 50 MILES. A RATTLING SOUND COMES FROM THE STEERING WHEEL OR STEERING COLUMN WHEN EVER I MAKE A TURN. THE SUN ROOF JUST HUMS WHEN EVER THE SWITCH IS PUSHED TO OPEN OR CLOSE IT, IT DOESN'T WORK AT ALL. (CANNOT OPEN SUN ROOF). *AK