It was pouring down rain yesterday. I was driving to work, with my windshield wipers on as usual. Out of nowhere, my left windshield wiper stop working and I lost visual of the road. It was so dangerous, almost had an accident. I couldn't go to work because of the problem. I stop my car nearby until it stop raining. My safety was at risk.
1997 Buick Regal visibility problems
11 complaints (8% of all complaints for this car).
- owner complaints
- 11
- of this car's complaints
- 8%
- crashes
- 0
- recalls
- 1
Which part fails
- Windshield wiper/washer5
- Defroster/defogger/HVAC system: windshield: electrical heating element2
- Windshield wiper/washer: motor1
- Windshield1
- Rearview mirrors/devices1
- Rear window wiper/washer1
- Glass, side/rear1
At what mileage
Complaints by mileage at the time of the problem.
0k-25k
25k-50k
50k-75k
75k-100k
100k-125k
125k-150k
150k-175k
175k-200k
200k+
Buick Regal visibility problems in other years
Specific symptoms reported on the 1997 Buick Regal visibility
Phrases found in the owners' own descriptions, so one complaint can mention several symptoms.
Related recalls
Visibility: windshield wiper/washer: linkages
- What is wrong
- Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. The windshield wipers may stop working due to a separation between the drive pin and crescent in the crank arm assembly.
- Risk
- Driver visibility could be reduced, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- Dealers will inspect these vehicles for the presence of a plastic water deflector and, if necessary, replace the wiper motor crank arm and install a water deflector. On vehicles receiving a replacement crank arm and new water deflector, dealers will also apply additional sealing material to improve water deflection away from the crank arm assembly and will install a reinforcement to improve the performance of the wiper park mechanism.
Recall number 99V348000 · Recall details
Related investigations
Windshield wiper
By letter dated december 12, 1999, gm notified the federal safety agency of its plans to conduct a safety related defect campaign to remedy 155,149 of the subject vehicles.the vehicle population for the campaign includes the 1997 buick regal/century and pontiac gran prix models built during the period from the start of production through may 1, 1997.gm determined that the wipers installed prior to this date could stop working, usually during heavy load conditions, due to separation between the drive pin and the crescent in the wiper crank arm assembly.effective may 1, 1997,gm corrected this problem in production by modifying the drive pin and strengthening the crescent.these same improved parts will be installed in the vehicles to be recalled.the scope of the campaign will include all vehicles produced prior to the may 1, 1997 correction (the oldsmobile intrique production did not start until after may 1, 1997, and is therefore not included).vehicles with the scope of this investigation and produced after may 1, 1997, contain the more robust crescent and improved pin design and are not included in the recall campaign.odi will continue to monitor complaint reports on the vehicles produced after may 1, 1997 and reserves the right to take further action if warranted by the circumstances.based on gm's recall action (odi 99v‑348) this investigation is closed.
EA99024
Windshield wiper
Incidents of wiper failure (owner reports and warranty) are very high, and many of the reports indicate that the failures are still occurring in 1999.
PE99028
What 1997 Buick Regal owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
Consumer's vehicle experienced the same problem as stated in the federal safety agency recall 99v348000. The windshield wipers may stop working due to a separation between the drive pin and crescent in the crank arm assembly. Dealership indicated to the consumer this vehicle was not include due to VIN.
Windshield wiper control arm failed. A recall was issued. However, this vehicle was not included in the recall due to VIN. *ak
The HVAC unit on my 1997.5 buick regal has been replaced twice and its now out again.
My windshield wiper assembly failed during cold weather conditions. I contacted buick customer service about my issue and their response was they were not aware of any problems with the windshield wiper assembly.
The side mirrors both left and right sides should be designed 1/2 inch lower than the present position for better viewing. Yh
When driving the vehicle and the sun is shining there's is a relection that comes off the dashboard, making it hard to see out of the windshield. In addition, when operating windshield wipers during rain, the passenger's side wiper stops and drops accumulated water in driver's vision. When stopped and wipers are on high, the car rocks as if in a wind storm.
0wiper blade assembly gear strips out.
Windshield wipers on passenger side of vehicle failed while driving in a snow storm.
Steering wheel shakes on left hand turns.
Questions about the 1997 Buick Regal visibility
Does the 1997 Buick Regal have visibility problems?
Owners have filed 11 complaints about the visibility of the 1997 Buick Regal, 8% of all its complaints.
At what mileage do 1997 Buick Regal visibility problems start?
Not enough complaints include the mileage to tell.
Was there a recall on the 1997 Buick Regal visibility?
Yes, 1 recall: 99V348000. Check your VIN to see if your car still needs the free repair.
What year does the Buick Regal have the most visibility problems?
The Buick Regal model years with the most visibility complaints are 1998 (28 complaints), 1999 (21 complaints) and 1994 (14 complaints).
Other 1997 Buick Regal problems
Engine 41Steering 37Electrical 18Brakes 11Lights 8Airbags 7Transmission 7Tires 6Fuel system 5Body 4Suspension 3Driver assistance 2Seat belts 2Acceleration 1Seats 1
VIN decoder
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