Tl* the contact owns a 2001 buick regal. The contact stated that there was a fuel odor emitted from the front of the vehicle. The contact opened the hood and noticed flames coming from the manifold and the gasket cover. The contact attempted to extinguish the fire. There were no reports filed. The contact took the vehicle to the dealer who replaced the s cover, s retainer, and gasket. The contact stated that the check engine light was illuminated and all the body damage to the vehicle was not repaired. The contact received notification of the federal safety agency campaign number: 15v701000 (engine and engine cooling), which stated that the consequence for the recall could result in a fire. The contact stated that the failure experienced directly related to the failure indicated in the recall notice. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. Parts distribution disconnect. The approximate failure mileage was 154,000.
Buick Regal fuel smell problems
10 of the 2,973 owner complaints about the Buick Regal describe gas smell in the cabin, most of them for the 1995 model year.
- owner complaints
- 10
- worst model year
- 1995
- typical mileage
- 113,048
By model year
- 20111
- 20021
- 20011
- 19992
- 19962
- 19952
- 19911
Often reported together
What owners say
Tl* the contact owns a 2002 buick regal. The contact stated that there was a progressing leak of oil and fumes associated with the engine. The contact notified the dealer more than once and they were not able to provide a remedy to prevent the condition. The contact noticed strong oil and fuel fumes on the exterior and interior of the vehicle. The contact later received notification of the federal safety agency campaign number: 15v701000 (engine and engine cooling). The contact called more than one dealer and they were unable to supply the part within a reasonable time frame to receive the recall remedy. The manufacturer was also unable to provide a reasonable time frame for when the part would be available. The failure mileage was not available. Vin tool confirms parts not available.
When I filled the buick regal with gas and at speeds 45mph and up, you start to smell gas fumes inside the vehicle. It's cold out so the windows are up and on two occasions, after I got to work I was dizzy and light-headed and my heart was pounding. Two co-workers wouldn't leave my side until my head cleared. They thought I was having a heart attack or something, but my heart and head finally cleared. I'm scared to drive it and I work an hour away and may cause an accident.
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 1995 buick regal. The contact was driving 30 MPH when the smell of fuel entered the vehicle. The contact took the vehicle to a local mechanic and the mechanic stated that there was an issue with the exhaust system. The contact did not have any repairs done to the vehicle. The failure mileage as 103,000.
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.
Tl*- the contact was driving about 30 MPH when he smelled gas fumes. The contact stated that vehicle had a cut fuel line back near the firewall. The gas spilled on the engine, there was no fire. The contact took the car to the dealer, and they could not tell him why it had happened. *ak the heated seat relay was replaced. Updated 02/09/07.
At 55mph, fuel line snapped, causing fluid to leak onto the motor. Cause unknown. Dealer notified.*ak the plastic connectors at the motor manifold broke off. Dealer was notified but no call was returned to consumer. The steel tubing from the gas tank is connected to the steel manifold at the motor block with a thin walled plastic tubing. Under the vehicle, the plastic tubing is heat-shrunk to the steel tubing in which no fittings are used. At the motor manifold, plastic fittings are used. The fitting broke, and fuel was spilling onto the hot motor block and formed a puddle of hot fuel, one person inhaled the gas fumes.
While driving and going down a hill consumer smelled hot fuel smell. Gauges looked fine. Then, a couple of minutes later checked it again, and battery gauge was low. Consumer kept driving, as approaching intersection vehicle died. Consumer coasted to right and saw smoke. Then, cosumer left car, and there was an explosion with flames.
Incoming air duct will not close due to design, allowing exhaust fumes from other vehicles to enter.
Related recalls
Fuel system, gasoline: storage: tank assembly: filler pipe and cap
- What is wrong
- Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. The clamp that secures the flexible fuel fill hose to the metal fill tube may be loose and could separate.
- Risk
- This could cause fuel leakage exceeding the permissible amount.
- Remedy
- Dealers will inspect the fuel hose fill neck clamp and, if necessary, reposition and tighten the clamp.
Recall number 00V160000 · Recall details
Fuel system, gasoline: fuel injection system
- What is wrong
- A backfire during engine starting can cause breakage of the upper intake manifold.
- Risk
- This condition can cause a no-start condition and possibly an engine compartment fire.
- Remedy
- Dealers will update the powertrain control module programming. Until the campaign repair is made, the vehicle hood should be shut whenever starting the vehicle to reduce the chance of personal injury.
Recall number 96V116000 · Recall details
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings
- What is wrong
- The fuel feed hose can pull out of the crimped coupling at the engine end of the hose assembly, causing fuel leakage.
- Risk
- If the coupling were to separate and an ignition sourceis present, an engine compartment fire could occur.
- Remedy
- Install a new fuel feed hose.
Recall number 93V145000 · Recall details
Questions about the Buick Regal fuel smell
Which Buick Regal years have gas smell in the cabin problems?
The model years with the most reports are 1995 (2 complaints), 1996 (2 complaints) and 1999 (2 complaints).
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