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.
I have a 1999 Buick Regal in which the intake manifold is leaking. This is not new and recalls have been issued by GM for Park Avenue cars with similar 3.8 L engines. The car was fine until one day all of a sudden, the service engine light along with low coolant, trac off and hot temp lights came on. The GM dealer estimates the cost to be around $700+ and thinks that because of that the gasket may have been corroded.
The plastic intake manifold melted between egr port and water jacket. This allowed coolant to flood the motor. Three weeks after this $1200 repair I spun a rod bearing probably. $2700 later.
On July 31, 2004 I attempted to start my 1999 Buick Regal for the first time that day and immediately noticed a tapping noise coming from under the hood along with a foul odor that did not smell like antifreeze. The low coolant light on, though I had just flushed and refilled the radiator just 3 months before. While attempting to get the car to the repair shop, it died and would not start again. I was later informed that a defect common to this engine had caused the problem; the upper intake manifold is made of plastic and had broke, allowing coolant to enter the engine. Just to replace the manifold is going to cost me $652. And the extent of the engine damage can only be determined afterwards. I do not understand how the manufacturer could build such an expensive, supposedly "luxury" vehicle with such a cheap part that they know will eventually fail without warning and end the life of the vehicle or require very high repair bills. It is just their deceptive way of making their vehicles disposable and ripping off the consumer. This is the 3rd Buick I have owned and I've always praised the Buick name, but they've just lost a customer!! something should be done about their deceptive manufacturing practices.
There were loud noises coming from the engine. The plastic connecting tube which carried the antifreeze broke and allowed coolant to flow into engine, and destroyed the engine. Also, the dealer replaced the head gaskets, valve seals, flywheel, intake plenum, spark plugs and starter.
While traveling at 25 mph the vehicles engine light illuminated and the temperature gauge went to hot. The consumer was able to drive about 8 more blocks before the engine died. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who stated that the upper manifold was defective.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- East Lansing, MI, USA