Engine explosion and fire vehicle was in my driveway engine off. When I attempted to start the vehicle there was a loud explosion followed by engine fire. Flames were 20 ft high. Fire dept was called but I was able to extinguish the fire with fire extinguisher and water from my garden hose. When the fire dept arrived the fire was already out. My evaluation is the following: the force of the explosion was so great that it split open/cracked the upper intake manifold (upper planum). It also lifted the fuel rail from the engine and some injectors came loose, fuel then spilled on the engine and fire immediately ensued. The plastic fuel lines also popped off the fuel injectors rail, this spilled even more fuel and fed the fire even more. I cannot believe buick/gm use plastic intake manifolds (upper planum) and plastic fuel line into the engine compartment. I believe if the manifold and fuel lines had been made of metal, the explosion or backfire would have been contained and minimal damage with no fire would have occurred. The fire consumed the plastic fuel line which then spilled even more fuel onto the on going fire. I researched on the internet and found numerous complaints from other people who experienced the same incident involving buick and gm vehicles. I believe this is a common problem and defects that needs to be investigated. If this incident had happened in my garage my entire house would have caught fire and there could have been serious injury or fatalities within my family or myself. I believe this is an engineering defect that needs be corrected.
1999 Buick Regal engine complaints
Page 3 of 4: complaints 41 to 70 of 91, newest first, as owners wrote them.
Tl* the contact owns a 1999 buick regal. The contact stated that the key would not turn over to start the vehicle. The contact heard an abnormal noise and the vehicle erupted into flames near the engine compartment. The fire was extinguished by a neighbor upon lifting the hood. The fire department was not notified and there was no police report or fire inspection report. The vehicle was towed to a repair shop. The contact later received notification of the federal safety agency campaign number: 15v701000 (engine and engine cooling) and was waiting on the manufacturer to determine what dealer to tow the vehicle to for inspection and repair. The approximate failure mileage was 104,000. Vin tool confirms parts not available.
Tl* the contact owns a 1999 buick regal. While the vehicle was parked, the contact noticed fire coming from the engine compartment. The contact was able to extinguish the fire. A police report was not filed. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The VIN was included in the federal safety agency campaign number: 15v701000 (engine and engine cooling). The failure mileage was unknown.
Tl* the contact owns a 1999 buick regal. While driving at various speeds, the vehicle overheated and began to produce smoke while the check engine light was constantly illuminated. The failure was persistent. A fire report was not filed and the contact did not see any flames. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the motor failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired several times, but the failure was persistent. The contact received notification of the federal safety agency campaign number: 15v701000 (engine and engine cooling). The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.
Tl* the contact owns a 1999 buick regal. The contact noticed oil leaking from the front and rear of the vehicle, while parked. The failure occurred constantly. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where the oil pan, and valve cover gasket were replaced. In addition, the oil change was performed but the failure reoccurred. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact received a notification of the federal safety agency campaign number: 15v701000 (engine and engine cooling) however, the remedy for the recall was not available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 155,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 1999 buick regal. The contact received notification of the federal safety agency campaign number: 15v701000 (engine and engine cooling) however, the part to do the repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Vin tool confirms parts unavailable. The VIN was not available.
Tl* the contact owns a 1999 buick regal. The contact stated that the vehicle had an abnormal odor due to oil that leaked on the exhaust manifold. The contact received notification of the federal safety agency campaign number: 15v701000 (engine and engine cooling ) however, the part to do the repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 130,000. Vin tool confirms parts are not available. The VIN was not available.
Engine oil leaking on to exhaust manifold through valve cover gaskets-smoking-small fire extinguished-no extensive damage
Tl* the contact owns a 1999 buick regal. While driving at 65 MPH, the vehicle stalled. The driver was able to restart the vehicle. The vehicle was inspected by an independent mechanic, who was unable to diagnose or repair the vehicle. The failure recurred on numerous occasions. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 108,000.
While driving at approx 40 MPH or more the engine suddenly cuts out and the steering locks up and the car violently stops, which could cause a fatal accident. This is very much like the ignition switch problem in the other recalls. After a few tries the car does start again but this is not acceptable. Also there has been smoke pouring from the engine on more than one occasion when the vehicle was not even operating for more than ten minutes, and often the smell of gas permeates the inside of the vehicle.
Tl* the contact owns a 1999 buick regal. The contact stated that while driving approximately 50 MPH, the vehicle stalled without warning. The contact was able to restart the engine but the failure occurred on several occasions. The contact also stated that the headlight knob had to be pulled in order to start the engine. The vehicle was taken to a private mechanic, who diagnosed that the electrical control module needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 139,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 1998 buick regal. The contact stated that while driving 25 MPH, there was smoke coming from under the hood. The vehicle was leaking oil from the front valve cover to the exhaust manifold, causing heavy burning oil smoke. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who stated that the VIN was not included in the recall associated with the federal safety agency campaign id number: 09v116000 (engine and engine cooling). The manufacturer was notified and also stated that the VIN was not included in the recall. They offered no further assistance. The failure mileage was 83,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 1999 buick regal. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, a fire started in the engine. The fire destroyed the vehicle. The contact stated that the fire began from drops of engine oil on the exhaust manifold. The contact received notification of the federal safety agency campaign I.d. Number: 08v118000 (engine and engine cooling) and called the manufacturer. The manufacturer stated to the contact that due to the fire and because the vehicle was pre-owned there was nothing they could do to assist with the failure. The failure mileage was 100,000. Updated 01/20/12*lj updated 01/20/12
This 1999 buick regal serial number [xxx] was parked in front of the garage and no one was in it. The car caught fire in the engine. The car engine became engulfed in flames and set the two cars that were on either side of the car on fire, as well as the garage. Information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6).
In june 2009 I received a recall notice for 1999 buick regal that there have been reported engine fires and they were issuing a recall. I have owned my car for approx. 7 years and though I planned on taking it in to get the recall repaired, I hadn't had a chance to do it yet as of 9/1/09. I had actually called the dealership the prior week to see if I had to make an appointment and they said no, to just come by anytime. I work 6 days a week and taking it was going to be hard for me but I have always gotten it done in the past. Anyway, I drove the car 11 miles from my moms house to my house on the 1st. And when I got home I carried in some groceries and sent my son outside to get the rest. He came back in yelling that my car was on fire! My husband who was home popped up the hood and flames were about a foot high. I had parked right by the house and he grabbed the hose and my sons sweatshirt and together he and my son put the fire out. The burned area is right where the recall described the fire could happen. I called the dealership and they referred me to the buick recall line. I called them and they took my info. 2 weeks later I get a letter that says my "warranty claim" has been denied. I called the number back at the top of the letter but it had been disconnected! I called the recall line number but kept getting a voice mail and no return calls back. Finally on 10/21 I called them and they again told me to call the number on the letter and I said is was not in service and they said the number was printed wrong and gave me the correct number. I called and they told me that "the warranty had expired on the car and that they were under no obligation to fix it after that", even though it was under recall, that it was more of a "suggestion" for repair and that they were not going to repair it. They said under the warranty law, they were no longer responsible for this car....even though its not a warranty situation! The car has not been moved since.
Tl*the contact owns a 1999 buick regal. The contact placed oil in his vehicle and two drops landed on the manifold, which caused an immediate fire. He was able to extinguish the fire with a hose. The vehicle was operating after the failure, but emitted a burning smell when the engine was started. The day before the failure, the contact received a recall notice for the federal safety agency campaign id number 09v116000 and scheduled a repair appointment. He spoke with the dealer and asked if the odor was a symptom of the recall, but the dealer stated that it only occurred when the engine was running. The manufacturer was not notified. The current and failure mileages were approximately 132,000. Updated 06/27/09 *bf the vehicle caught on fire due to oil dripping on the exhaust manifold when the vehicle was off. Updated 06/24/09.
Tl*the contact owns a 1999 buick regal. In 2008, the contact's vehicle caught fire under the hood at a school. The fire department extinguished the fire. The wiring underneath the dashboard and hood were all burned. There were no injuries. The vehicle was towed to the contact's residence and was repaired. Recently, she received a recall notice for gm recall number 90047 and the federal safety agency campaign id number 09v116000 (engine and engine cooling on the engine). The failure and current mileages were unknown. Updated 07/14/09. *lj updated 07/15/09.
On my way to the hospital I stopped by the gas station and filled up. After that I left to go to the hospital, I parked and went inside. Not even 5 minutes after I got inside, my car caught fire. The hospital security and police were trying to extinguish it before the fire truck arrived to keep from spreading to the other cars. Thankfully it didn't. The fire got worst and engulfed the entire front of the car with flames, the fire dept. Managed to put the fire out but not before the car was badly damaged. Fire dept stated that it started in the engine dept. Waiting on tow truck to tow car off. Couldn't save anything. But a couple items in the trunk. I got home a little later and saw that I had a letter for a recall. Stating that engine component or parts can cause fires. The fact of the matter is. I got the recall letter to late. I need this taken care of immediately. Or a new car.
I drove my 99 buick regal to work, parked, went inside, started answering email. Was informed by co workers that my car was burning. My car was engulfed in flames in minutes.
My wife took my 1999 buick regal gs to the dealership to address recall 07035. My car was in perfect working order and running smoothly. Upon return of my vehicle, the A/C no longer worked, the A/C control panel no longer worked, and the car was missing when going up hill and the engine trouble light is now continuously flashing. My wife was in a very rural area and I had to get in my truck to follow her home. Recall repair for 07035 has virtually made my car inoperable and the dealership says it is nothing they did. You don't have to be a mechanic to know they did something wrong when the car goes in working perfectly and comes out with so many problems. What can you do regarding the dealership, or general motors to make my car safe again and operating safely for my wife.
Tl*the contact owns a 1999 buick regal. The contact received a recall notice for the federal safety agency campaign id number 08v118000 (engine and engine cooling). He called an authorized dealer to have the vehicle repaired. Upon arrival, he was informed that they would only install a new front driver's side rocker cover gasket, although the rear gasket was leaking. The vehicle has not been repaired. The manufacturer would not provide any assistance. The failure and current mileages were 65,000.
My 1999 buick regal gs went on fire in a parking lot and is a total loss. It was parked and the engine was off. The car was not occupied. The fire completely totaled one nearby car and caused minor damage to a second.
Tl*the contact owned a 1999 buick regal. In february of 2006, the contact's parked vehicle caught fire and was destroyed. In march of 2008, she received a safety recall notice for the federal safety agency campaign id number 08v118000 (engine and engine cooling). Because she no longer owned the vehicle, the manufacturer would not assist. The failure mileage was 100,000.
Tl*the contact owns a 1999 buick regal. The contact received a safety recall notice for the federal safety agency campaign id number 08v118000 (engine and engine cooling). She called several gm dealers, but none of them had the part available for the recall repair. The contact is concerned that her vehicle may catch fire. The powertrain was unknown. The current mileage was 108,000.
1999 buick regal burned up. I want to the store and then want to town park the car in parking lot walk about four cars away and the car was on fire I have pic if you need to see call fire department and police case number 30-0820618.
In december of 2006 my 1999 buick regal gse with supercharger caught on fire in engine department 5 to 10 minutes after leaving vehicle. There was a complaint of a 'burnt toast' smell in the area of the vehicle prior to the fire. We did notice a decrease in the mpg indicator (5mpg less )several days prior to the fire . The fire resulted in a total loss of the vehicle. The fire also caused a monetary loss due to the fact that we were responsible for a $500 insurance deductible plus the insurance company only gave us trade-in value instead of replacement value for the vehicle.
Engine fire.
Well friday, I went to work in the regal, like always, about 5 minutes after punching in at work someone came running in and said there's a blue regal out there with smoke pouring out the hood, so I went out and sure enough it was me, I popped the latch from the inside, went around the front and peered in * without opening it* and saw flames, I got a fire extinguisher, opened the hood and dowsed it, meanwhile the fire department was called. Since I got to it so quick the damage was contained to the engine compartment. It looks like it somehow started on the front of the engine or possibly by the fuse box, I don't know... Basically all the wires were on fire!, they melted the coolant bottle, some of the fuse box, the front valve cover and oil cap, passenger engine mount, windshield washer reservoir cap, boost bypass valve and the brake fluid container,..spark plug wires were toast as well. The hood has two small spots where the paint just started to bubble as well. I'm so bumbed out. After some research I found out that this is being investigated on 99-02 cars with the l67, after driving and parking the vehicles.. They catch fire!!!! Which is what happened to me. Mine is a 99 buick regal gs with the l67 what do I do, is gm going do anything or am I just screwed?????
Car hesitates and sometimes dies when either blinker is selected. Seems to be an intermittent problem getting worse.
On feb 3, 2007 I drove to a shopping mall in my 1999 buick regal that has a 3800 series v6. I experienced no mechanical difficulties. Ten minutes after I parked the car the entire engine compartment was in flames. The car was totally in flames. The fire dept came and declared it an unknown electrical type fire. Fortunately, no one was injured but many could have been if the care were parked in a different location. I researched this type of incident and discovered that it has occurred quite often in pontiacs and buicks with the 3800 series ii v6 engine. Gm has not issued any warnings or recalls to correct this problem. It will now cost me thousands of dollars to replace my vehicle. I believe compensation and correction is required.
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