The contact owned a 1998 Buick Regal. The contact stated that while driving into the driveway at about 5 mph, there was smoke emitting from underneath the hood, without any warning. The contact lifted the hood and the engine immediately burst into flames. The fire department attempted to extinguish the fire however, the flames were excessive and the vehicle burned completely. A police report was not filed and there were no injuries reported. The vehicle was towed to an impound lot and deemed destroyed. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The contact stated that after the fire, she received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 15V701000 the (engine and engine cooling. The failure mileage was not provided. Updated 03/16/16;05/11/18

- Salisbury, NC, USA

The contact owns a 1998 Buick Regal. The contact smelled an odor of burning rubber. The vehicle was completely engulfed in flames within 15 minutes. The driver and passengers were able to exit the vehicle. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 65,000. The consumer stated the vehicle was recalled in November 2011 for a possible engine fire. Shortly after receiving the notice, the consumer took the vehicle to the dealer to have the potential problem fixed. Updated 07/06/15.

- Easton, PA, USA

I rec'd a recall notice on my vehicle in Nov. 2011 and have been trying to make arrangements to get it in to a dealer to have the recall fixed when this fire started in the engine compartment while I was on my way home from picking up my son, and my daughter was in the vehicle as well, I have no other means of transportation to get to and from work, and my work is 30 miles away. In contacting GM they told me that they will only fix the recall part any other damage will not be covered, I do not have the extra money to fix this vehicle at this time and I have already missed 3 days of work, and have no more personal paid days off to take. I am the main breadwinner of my household and my husband is using a borrowed vehicle to get back and forth to work as well. I feel that it is truly unfair GM can't or wont help out a mother of 3 with fixing this vehicle so that I may continue to provide for my family.

- Citrus Springs, FL, USA

The contact owns a 1998 Buick Regal. The contact noticed smoke coming from the engine intermittently. The contact did not notify the dealer. The manufacturer was contacted and informed the contact that her VIN was not included in the recall associated with NHTSA campaign id number: 08V118000 (engine and engine cooling) and offered no further assistance. The vehicle was taken to a private mechanic who informed her that the lower intake manifold was leaking and needed to be replaced. No repairs were performed. The current and the failure mileages were 130,000.

- Charlotte, NC, USA

The contact owns a 1998 Buick Regal. The contact stated that when engine oil was added to the vehicle, some of the oil spilled on top of the manifold and the vehicle caught on fire. The vehicle was not repaired. The VIN was not available. The failure and the current mileage was 100,000.

- Alexandria, AL, USA

1998 Buick Regal. Consumer seeks reimbursement for repairs done related to recall the consumer stated the vehicle caught fire due to an oil leak, which resulted in a faulty gasket. It in turn shorted out the battery and the starter. The gasket leaked, blowing oil in the starter, and caused a fire under the hood. The consumer is seeking reimbursement for the repairs that were directly related to the recall.

- Dunn, NC, USA

I own a 1998 Buick Regal. While driving I approached a stop light and applied my brakes. I smelled a burning oil smell and started to see a black smoke under the hood. My car was damaged past the point of repair. I brought my car in to be repaired prior to the incident only to be told the parts to fix the recall problem will have to be ordered. I was never notified that the parts were available.

- New Iberia, LA, USA

The contact owns a 1998 Buick Regal. The contact stated the vehicle was parked when it unexpectedly caught fire. The fire department was called to the scene and extinguished the fire. The failure originated from the engine compartment. The contact stated that prior to the failure, when engaging the brakes, he smelled a burning oil odor. The vehicle was towed to an authorized dealer where the technician was unable to determine the cause of failure. The vehicle was previously repaired for NHTSA recall campaign id number 09V116000 (engine and engine cooling). The contact stated that the remedy repair was insufficient. The failure mileage was approximately 97,000. The VIN was unavailable.

- Royal Oak, MI, USA

1998 Buick Regal ls V6 car was driven approximately 4 miles and parked in a outside public parking lot. Engine caught fire. Now we find out it was a published defect. Frickin GM gets bailed out but what about us?

- Sacramento, CA, USA

The contact owns a 1998 Buick Regal. The contact stated that the driver was driving at approximately 30 mph, when the vehicle suddenly caught fire under the hood. The driver was able to contain the fire without notifying the fire department. She was unable to drive the vehicle when the complaint was filed. Prior to the fire, the contact had to change the oil more frequently due to an oil leak. The contact received a recall notice for the engine and engine cooling components a month prior to the failure (recall 09V116000, engine and engine cooling and recall 08V118000). She called the manufacturer for assistance but was told that they could not offer her any assistance since her warranty had expired. The current and failures mileages were approximately 180,000.

- Houston, TX, USA

The contact owns a 1998 Buick Regal. The contact stated that the vehicle caught fire after the starter and coolant bracket were replaced. The fire department was called to extinguish the fire. A police report was filed. The vehicle was destroyed. The contact believed that the independent mechanic may have performed some faulty repairs. The failure was investigated and the mechanic was not at fault. The contact received a recall notice for NHTSA campaign id number 09V116000 after the fire occurred. The failure mileage was 132,800.

- Indianapolis, IN, USA

The contact owns a 1998 Buick Regal. The contact noticed oil leaking from the front valve cover gasket onto the exhaust manifold. The failure previously caused the vehicle to catch fire. GM recall number 90047 and NHTSA campaign id number 09V116000 will not correct the failure. The contact will take the vehicle in for repair. The failure mileage was 140,000.

- Coatesville, PA, USA

Buick safety recall 07035 on 1998 Buick Regal. Consumer states that he asked for reimbursement for expenses related to correcting the safety defect but was refused. The consumer stated the vehicle smoked and had an odor. The consumer stated the recall indicated a new front rocker cover gasket would be installed with an improved design and replace the spark plug wire channel with new retainers. GM sent the consumer a denial letter that stated 1 of 3 reasons why he was denied. The consumer was informed the valve cover gasket was leaking oil onto the exhaust manifold. The consumer took the vehicle back to the dealer and informed them that he had the valve cover gaskets replaced. They told him the gaskets used were not the correct ones and the brackets were not changed. So, the dealer went ahead and replaced the gaskets.

- Jamestown, OH, USA

Our 1998 Buick Regal caught fire in the engine back in April of 2006. The fire started about 5-10 minutes after the car was put parked in the lot at work. Obviously, I am just learning about the recall. This event was not otherwise reported to Buick. The entire front of the car was engulfed in flames prior to the fire department arriving to extinguish the fire. It was a frightening experience. I just thought I should report it so there is a more accurate report on how frequently this type of thing occurred.

- Raleigh, NC, USA

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.

- Orlando , FL, USA

The contact owns a 1998 Buick Regal. While parked in a public parking lot, the vehicle caught fire unexpectedly. The fire department was called to the scene and a report was filed. The fire report indicated that the fire originated in the engine compartment. The vehicle was completely destroyed and towed to the collision center. The insurance company and manufacturer were notified of the failure, but could not determine the cause. After the fire, the contact received a recall notice for NHTSA campaign id number 08V118000 (engine and engine cooling), in which the VIN was included in the recall. The failure and current mileages were 120,000. Updated 04/02/09.

- Seymour, CT, USA

The contact owns a 1998 Buick Regal. While the vehicle was parked, the contact noticed smoke underneath the vehicle. He opened the hood and noticed flames. A fire extinguisher was used to douse the fire. Through online research, he found a recall for his vehicle regarding the engine and engine cooling. The VIN and NHTSA campaign id number were unknown. The failure and current mileages were 170,000.

- Boehell, WA, USA

My sister bought new the 1998 Buick Regal; in 2002 she died and willed her car to me. It has been a great car except: In Sept. 2007, after a short drive, I parked the car in open driveway, and walked to house; minutes later my husband, nearby, saw smoke coming from under the hood. He opened it and poured water to extinguish the visible fire on the manifold. It took over a month for the nearest mechanic - we live in a rural area an hour from the nearest reputable Buick dealer - to repair. He had to try everything because it was not apparent why the fire started (replaced spark plugs and wires that were burned, changed coolant just in case, checked everything, etc). Then in April I received the recall notice from Buick stating exactly this problem. I did what they said: Sent in all receipts for reimbursement, asking for the cost of repairs only totaling $677. Meanwhile, I also went to the dealer 1 hour away and they replaced the faulty gasket. Now they say they will give me $300 max (saying that some statue of limitations has run out and they are only doing this as a courtesy, not an obligation). I am wondering if I have any other recourse to getting the full compensation, as they had promised in the recall notice. As I see from others on your website, the fire could have been far worse, and it also could have happened again. Doesn't GM take a little more responsibility for endangering people's lives, than a mere $300? awaiting your reply. Gloria mclean, andes, NY.

- Andes, NY, USA

My vehicle caught fire in November 2007, the fire was started in the engine on the manifold. The fire dept responded to the fire and called the vehicle a total loss. A fire report was written at that time as to the events leading to the fire etc. The vehicle was towed to a local salvage yard and scraped for metal. I only had liability insurance so the vehicle was not covered. The vehicle was burnt so badly that I had to get it off the street directly after that, March 2008 I received a safety recall stating if I had 98 Buick Regal gs that it wasn't safe to drive because the engines were catching fire due to faulty gaskets on the manifold. I called GM and told them that had happened to my vehicle and asked if they would be responsible? GM told me to send them the fire report and a letter stating who towed the burnt car and where it went so I did what they asked. Once GM got the fire report proving that is where the fire started then they told me they needed pics of the burnt engine which they knew I couldn't provide because I no longer have the car and at the time it burnt I wasn't aware of the recall so I didn't take pics or save the car for viewing. GM isn't going to compensate me for my loss and its their fault. The fire report proves their recall is why I no longer have a car. Please help me!

- Oquawka, IL, USA

1998 Buick Regal safety recall that could result in a fire. Consumer states that she would like reimbursement for renting a car to go on vacation, while her car was in the shop for the recall repair. The dealer did not have the parts available.

- Rawson, OH, USA