This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.
So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.
The contact owns a 1998 Buick Regal. While driving approximately 15 mph on normal road conditions, the power steering failed when proceeding to make a turn. The contact exerted more effort to turn the steering wheel. The failure occurred intermittently. There were no warning indicators illuminated on the instrument panel. The authorized dealer was notified. Through research, the technician discovered NHTSA campaign id number 03V527000 (steering;rack and pinion). The contact experienced failures identical to the ones mentioned in the recall. The failure and current mileages were 62,000. The ABS motor failed which prevented the rear brakes from working and also the ignition switch was faulty which caused the vehicle to stall when using the left turn signal. Updated 03/04/09.
The contact stated vehicle shut down, and when he turned it back on, the anti-lock brake and brake light would be on. He took the vehicle to a local mechanic, and he found the ground on the safety brake malfunctioned. He found a recall on web line, but according to Buick, there were no recalls for this vehicle. The vehicle has not been repaired.
The vehicle experiences intermittent noise coming from front end when vehicle is backing up. The consumer stated that the noise appeared to be coming from the ABS. During a test drive the technician also heard the noise but was unable to identify the problem. The dealer contacted the regional service technician who indicated that the ABS noise was normal.
ABS motor burned out, causing ABS brake light on dashboard to come on. Mechanic removed master cylinder, bled hydraulic brakes and replaced ABS. Buick would not pay for repairs.
Severe front brake problem with shake and possible rotor damage reported to and repaired by cavender Buick, under warranty, on June 1999. (note: Your NHTSA site has several complaint entries regarding same). On 12/25/00, on return trip traveling I37 North to san antonio from corpus christi, I applied brakes to make my exit on san antonio loop 410. Immediately after releasing the brake we heard a loud rotating clunk from the front end. I pulled over to the shoulder. I was on the shoulder when the car movement froze and came to a jolting halt. This was at 1630 hrs. Tow truck arrived at 2200 and moved car to nearest GM dealership which was cavender Oldsmobile. Although cavender dealerships are family related they are 2 totally separate dealerships at different locations. They serviced my car the following day and determined that the right front brake caliper had sheared off and jammed somewhere between the rotating wheel and the fixed axle preventing foward movement on the car. Interstate 37 was wet and slick on Dec 25th and I am very very happy that the calipers did not come off while I was traveling the speed limit on that freeway. Otherwise I could have checked off "yes" on your fatality box on this form. It is upsetting to know that you have at this site information regarding problems with the brake system on this vehicle yet they are under "complaints" while you have windshield wipers under "investigations". I would then suggest, with strong urgency, that an immediate investigation be initiated regarding the serious problem with the brake system, design, or materiels used. The shaking maybe causing stress on the bolts that hold the calipers.
- San Antonio, TX, USA
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The ebcm-4 computer that controls the braking system is causing the brakes to make a loud noise when the vehicle is started, and after sitting for a period of time. Dealer has been contacted.
Front rotors were warped at 25,000 miles and required surfacing. The second dealer surfaced rotors correctly. When the rotors are slightly warped the ABS cycled every time the brakes are applied increasing braking distance. Upon parking the car on a slight grade and restarting the ABS cycles. With foot on the brake upon letting up to back out the ABS cycles and releases the brakes. The steeper the slope the farther you roll without brakes. More than eight feet in some instances before the brakes reapply. The dealer and Buick service state that this is normal.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Lakewood, CO, USA