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1999 Buick Regal problems

The most common problem on the 1999 Buick Regal is engine and cooling, typically around 102,000 miles. It has 6.5 times the complaints of a typical Regal model year.

Typical year6.5x the typical complaints
Owner complaints
246
Recalls
6
Service bulletins
101
Worst area
Engine
Fuel economy
19-21mpg

The worst 1999 Buick Regal problems

Ranked by number of owner complaints. Mileage and cost come from what owners wrote.

Problems by type

Tap a problem to see which part fails, at what mileage and in which other years.

Specific symptoms reported on the 1999 Buick Regal

Fire or smoke 39Stalling 12Check engine light 11ABS 9Headlights 9Brake failure 8Power windows 7Power steering loss 6Ball joint 5Engine failure 5Harsh shifting 5Loss of power 5Seat belt 5

Recalls 6

Engine and engine cooling: engineReported October 26, 2015 · 1,003,556 vehicles affected
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 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 number 15V701000 · Recall details

Engine and engine coolingReported April 8, 2009 · 1,497,516 vehicles affected
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 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 number 09V116000 · Recall details

Engine and engine coolingReported March 12, 2008 · 207,542 vehicles affected
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 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 http://www.gmownercenter.com .

Recall number 08V118000 · Recall details

Exterior lighting: headlightsReported August 10, 2004 · 199,793 vehicles affected
What is wrong
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.
Risk
Less illumination may reduce the ability of the driver to read overhead signs when driving at night.
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 number 04V375000 · Recall details

Exterior lighting: headlightsReported December 17, 1999 · 411,880 vehicles affected
What is wrong
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.
Risk
Driver visibility may be impaired increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy
Owners will be provided with an owner's manual insert containing instructions for optically aiming the headlamps.

Recall number 99V356000 · Recall details

Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slipReported July 9, 1999 · 168,559 vehicles affected
What is wrong
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.
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.
Remedy
Dealers will install a ground cable from the electronic brake control module (ebcm) to the engine compartment body rail.

Recall number 99V170000 · Recall details

See all 6 recalls for the 1999 Buick Regal

Defect investigations

Engine compartment fireOpened June 12, 2007, closed May 1, 2008

By letter dated march 12, 2008, general motors corp. (gm) has notified the agency that it will conduct a safety recall (identified by the federal safety agency recall number 08v‑118) to address a defect in approximately 207,542 model year (my) 1997-2003 buick regal gs and pontiac grand prix gtp vehicles equipped with the l67 supercharged version of gm's 3800 series ii v6 engine.the recalled regal gs vehicles were built from august 1996 to june 2003 and the grand prix gtp from march 1996 through january 2003.according to gm, oil may escape past the valve cover gasket on the front cylinder bank (cylinders 1-3-5) and deposit onto hot exhaust system components.under certain conditions, it is possible for this oil to ignite a small pilot flame, which may spread to the adjacent plastic spark plug wire channel, the spark plug wires themselves, the plastic engine cover, and other under hood components.reports indicate this most often occurs on higher-mileage vehicles shortly after the vehicle has been driven and then parked.typically, the fire was discovered within 5 to 15 minutes after the vehicle was parked.during this time window, under hood temperatures may become elevated.such elevated temperatures combined with a lack of airflow through the engine compartment may permit a small pilot flame to propagate and ignite other fuel sources.to correct the safety defect, gm will install an improved design front valve cover gasket and spark plug wire retainer.this remedy will be suppliedfree of charge for all recalled vehicles.until sufficient parts become available to repair all of the affected vehicles, gm strongly recommends that owners observe the following important precautions: (1) they strongly recommend that owners do not park their vehicle in a garage, carport, 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; and (3) use premium fuel (91 octane or higher) in the vehicle as recommended in the vehicle's owner manual.the action taken by gm is sufficient to resolve the issues raised by this investigation.the subject fire incident rate on the c-, g-, and h-platform subject vehicles is low.the agency will continue to monitor this issue and reserves the right to take further action if warranted by the circumstances.accordingly, this investigation is closed.see document file for additional information regarding this resume.

EA07008

Engine compartment firesOpened October 22, 2002, closed March 9, 2004

Ea02-030 is closed with gmea02-030 is closed with gm?s actions in 03v‑473 and 04v‑090 recalling approximately 529,000 my 1998-99 c- and h-body vehicles equipped with defective fuel pressure regulators.these vehicles were equipped with plastic intake manifolds that are unable to contain pressures that occur in some backfire events and defective fuel pressure regulators with leaking diaphragms that can provide a source of fuel to produce a combustible air-fuel mixture in the manifold.the closing of this investigation does not constitute a finding by odi that no safety defect exists in the vehicles that are not included in gm?s recalls.odi will continue to monitor the incidence of manifold ruptures and related fires in other my 1995-2002 gm passenger cars equipped with the subject intake manifold.for additional information, see the attached closing report.

EA02030

Engine compartment firesOpened June 13, 2002, closed October 22, 2002

PE02050

Technical service bulletins for the 1999 Buick Regal 101

Bulletins tell dealers how to fix known problems. A warranty extension means the manufacturer pays for that repair for longer.

See all 101 bulletins for the 1999 Buick Regal

1999 Buick Regal fuel economy

Official EPA estimates in miles per gallon (MPGe for electric). Ranges cover trims that share the same engine.

EngineDriveCityHighwayCombined
3.8L 6‑cylFWD16-1725-2719-21

What 1999 Buick Regal owners say

Most recent owner complaints, unedited.

Filed Jan 10, 2021 · Acceleration, Engine · 86,000 miles · UT

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

Filed Dec 17, 2019 · Electrical, Engine · CA

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 .

Filed Jan 28, 2019 · Airbags · 120,000 miles · OR

Passenger air bag light stays on all the time. Takata inflators

Filed Sep 11, 2018 · Steering · 162,000 miles · WA

August 2017', the steering began to pull very slightly left and right at all speeds but more noticeable at low speeds or when turning the wheels at a stop with a very slight clunk noise that got louder over the year. Visible inspection at my repair shop during a flat rear tire repair did not find anything worn out or damaged but suggested maybe a ball joint could be getting old enough to need replaced as it did have about 158,000 or so miles on it but they couldn't indicate if it was a ball joint specifically as there was no unusual movement or noise from one. I also checked and found no issues with any component underneath. No leaks and power steering fluid was good.then september 7, 2018', while driving around town the steering made a loud clunk steering left and really began to pull especially left. I got it home 3 miles later and put it on ramps and had someone work the steering wheel back and forth and I found the clunk is coming from the drivers side of the rack and pinion assembly. You can literally see it jump when it clunks. After this stationary test the steering was much worse, the car was not drivable f the block with out heavy effort on the steering wheel so it is parked until it can get fixed. Complaint history for this issue with gm vehicles in this +/- 2 year range is alarming.

Filed Oct 5, 2017 · Transmission · 80,000 miles · CA

Tl* the contact owns a 1999 buick regal. While attempting to place the gear shifter in drive, the vehicle jerked and began to shake. While the vehicle was on an incline, it failed to properly accelerate and started to shake. All of the warning indicators illuminated on the instrument panel. The vehicle was taken to penske chevrolet of cerritos (18605 studebaker rd, cerritos, ca 90703 (562) 924-1676). But no diagnostic failure codes were found and the failure could not be replicated. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that the vehicle was taken to boulevard buick gmc (2800 cherry ave, signal hill, ca 90755 (562) 492-1000) where it was diagnosed that the oil needed to be changed. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure recurred. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and provided a case number. The approximate failure mileage was 80,000.

Filed Feb 28, 2017 · Engine · DE · fire

Tl* the contact owned a 1999 buick regal. After driving and parking the vehicle, smoke and flames appeared. The vehicle was destroyed and towed. There were no injuries and a police report was not filed. The vehicle was not diagnosed by a dealer. There was a recall regarding the failure, but the contact received the notification too late. The recall information and failure mileage were unknown.

Filed Feb 10, 2017 · Engine · TX · fire · 1 injury

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!

Filed Oct 30, 2016 · Engine · 100,000 miles · OR · fire

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.

Filed Sep 22, 2016 · Transmission · CA · crash · 1 injury

Tl* the contact owns a 1999 buick regal. When the vehicle was placed in park and the contact exited, the vehicle suddenly reversed backwards. The driver attempted to re-enter the vehicle, but was unable to stop the vehicle and was dragged backwards. The driver sustained injuries to the legs and chest. The vehicle crashed into the stairs of an apartment building and then crashed into a railing. A police report was filed. The driver received on the spot medical attention from ambulatory care, but did not go to a hospital for further treatment. The vehicle was driven back to the contact's residence by another individual who assisted the contact. The insurance company was notified of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed yet to determine the cause of the failure. The manufacturer was not notified. The failure mileage was not available.

Filed Sep 16, 2016 · Engine · 175,000 miles · WI · fire

Tl* the contact owned a 1999 buick regal. The vehicle caught fire while the contact was parking in front of his house. There were no warning indicators illuminated. The vehicle was engulfed in flames before the police and fire departments arrived. Police and fire reports were filed. There were no injuries. The vehicle was destroyed. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The contact received notification of the federal safety agency campaign numbers: 09v116000 (engine and engine cooling) and 04v375000 (exterior lighting). The failure mileage was approximately 175,000.

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Questions about the 1999 Buick Regal

Is the 1999 Buick Regal reliable?

Owners have filed 246 complaints about the 1999 Buick Regal, 6.5 times a typical Regal model year.

What is the most common problem with the 1999 Buick Regal?

Engine and cooling, with 91 complaints, typically around 102,000 miles. Next is electrical (42).

How many recalls does the 1999 Buick Regal have?

6 recalls, covering engine and engine cooling, exterior lighting and service brakes, hydraulic.

Was there a recall on the 1999 Buick Regal engine?

Yes, 3 recalls: 15V701000, 09V116000, 08V118000. Check your VIN to see if your car still needs the free repair.

What year does the Buick Regal have bad engine?

The Buick Regal model years with the most engine complaints are 2011 (111 complaints), 1999 (91 complaints) and 2001 (86 complaints).

What gas mileage does the 1999 Buick Regal get?

Official estimates for the 1999 Buick Regal range from 19 to 21 mpg combined. The most efficient version (3.8L 6-cyl, FWD) gets 16-17 city and 25-27 highway.

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