Just as the current gm recall my buick regal suddenly loses all power while driving. The 1st time this occurred I was on the interstate going 60 MPH at night, 1st all the dash lights flashed on, then my headlights, power steering, all electronics and engine died! Luckily I was able to make it to the emergency lane! Once, I was able to pull my frightened self together, the car started right back up and I was able to get off the interstate and make it home very cautiously. In the days following, I tested it just driving very close to home and continuously had the same problem, somewhat seeming to occur more often when I used my turn signal, these incidences of total power failure occurred @ speeds of 0-35 MPH, since I was unwilling to put it back on the interstate. When performing a simple internet search for a solution to this problem, I quickly found that I was not the only to have this problem, some with a 1998 buick regal just as myself, and others with a similar make & model (still gm) and close to the same year, well before 2003. After taking the car to a mechanic & getting a new alternator and blower motor, the car died yet again before I even made it out of the parking lot. It was suggested to me to try the new alternator before replacing the ignition and related parts which are quite pricey on this vehicle which has 1 of those chips in the key. This problem has yet to be solved and I wonder if the current recall is even more overdue than thought. Please help! Do not wait until myself, my children or others suffer fatal consequences! This vehicle is new to me, has very low mileage and is in otherwise in great condition and also has a satisfactory carfax report. My sincerest thanks!
1998 Buick Regal: engine failure
5 of the 302 complaints about the 1998 Buick Regal describe engine failure.
- owner complaints
- 5
- of this car's complaints
- 2%
- recalls
- 3
Engine failure by model year
What owners say
Tl*the contact owns a 1998 buick regal. When the contact started the vehicle, the engine blew and began to burn. The vehicle was destroyed. The fire department was not called to the scene. The insurance company would not investigate the cause of the fire. The current and failure mileages were 135,000.
Engine failed while driving down the street. It cut off numerous times while trying to get to my destination each time I turned on the turn signals. Replaced battery & tested alternator before taking to dealership for repair. They diagnosed ignition switch failure & replaced. No longer have problem with it cutting off but the security light now goes on & off on a regular basis. Also sluggish when making left turns.
While driving and applying the turn signal the engine failed without warning. The cause has yet to be determined. Please provide any additional information.
While traveling at 55 to 60 MPH engine died. No power brakes and no steering it was impossible to get off the road. Took vehicle to buick, and they duplicated the problem, but couldn't fix it. Please provide any further information.
Service bulletins that may apply
- Expanded Availability for Remanufacture and Return (R&R) Electronic Control Modules
- L67 engine oil smell or odor, leak at left or front valve cover (replace valve cover gasket, gromments and...
- Engine coolant consumption or coolant leak (inspect for material degradation/replace intake manifolds) tt...
- New upper intake manifold and gasket kits. tt
- New rear main seal and special tool for installation. tt
- Some vehicles built prior to VIN breakpoint 1F136536 may exhibit intermittent malfunction indicator lamp /...
- Some owners may comment on a repeat engine oil pan leak. tt
- Subject regarding various driveability symptoms, malfunction indicator lamp illuminates intermittently,...
Related recalls
Engine and engine cooling: engine
- What is wrong
- 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.
- Risk
- Engine oil that drips onto the hot surface of the exhaust manifold may result in a fire.
- 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 engines 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 number 15V701000 · Recall details
Engine and engine cooling
- What is wrong
- 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.
- 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.
- Remedy
- Dealers will replace the engines front valve cover and front-valve-cover gasket with new parts of an improved design and remove the engines 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 number 09V116000 · Recall details
Engine and engine cooling
- What is wrong
- 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.
- 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.
- Remedy
- Dealers will replace the engines front valve cover and front-valve-cover gasket with new parts of an improved design and remove the engines 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 http://www.gmownercenter.com .
Recall number 08V118000 · Recall details
Questions about the 1998 Buick Regal engine failure
Is engine failure a common problem on the 1998 Buick Regal?
5 of 302 owner complaints about the 1998 Buick Regal (2%) mention engine failure. The model year with the most reports is 2011.
Is there a recall or service bulletin for this on the 1998 Buick Regal?
There are 3 recalls and 10 service bulletins for the same area of the car. Check them below with your VIN.
Other symptoms on the 1998 Buick Regal
Fire or smoke 31Stalling 25Headlights 14Power steering loss 9ABS 8Wipers 8Loss of power 6Power windows 6Check engine light 5Fuel pump 5Premature wear 5Steering lock-up 5Tire blowout 5
VIN decoder
See the problems and recalls for an exact car
Buying a used 1998 Buick Regal?
Check the exact car before you pay: accidents, salvage or flood titles, odometer readings and previous owners.
Check its history