1997 Buick Regal Engine cooling Problems
- Complaints
- 30about this part
- Share
- 22%of 136 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 119,274miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 30 complaints about the engine cooling of the 1997 Buick Regal, 22% of the 136 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 119,274 miles. 11 a fire, according to the filers. 3 recall campaigns on record are filed under a similar system.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“3.8 liter supercharged engine coolant leak - lower intake manifold gasket is leaking coolant. I have read about the recall or class action suit about the coolant leaks on 3.8 liter engines that are not supercharged. I would like to know why they never included superchared engines. I have a 1997 Buick Regal and a 2001 pontiac grand prix that were both at a GM dealership and they have this problem and it needs to be fixed.”
NHTSA complaint #10240198, filed 2008-08, 120,219 miles“1997 Buick Regal gs on thursday may 1, 2008 I received in the mail a recall letter from GM. In this letter it explains that these vehicles have higher rocker cover gasket temps. In short, this could lead to vehicle fire and surrounding property. On friday, may 2, 2008, my daughter was driving this vehicle and parked at a friends house. While the car was parked and engine off, the car caught fire in the engine area. The vehicle and contents were totally destroyed. Damage was also caused to the friends house.”
NHTSA complaint #10226590, filed 2008-05, 125,000 miles“I left work on my break drove a half mile to home got out my car and came in the house for about five minutes. Then a officer was at my door and told me my car was on fire. The flames were very bad under my hood. The police was telling everyone to move there cars and stay in there apartments. It took about ten minutes before the firemen to get there. When they arrive and open the hood a ball of fire shot out. They put it out. The car was burnt up badly. So I call GM and gave a fire report. It was a recall on my engine and GM sent me a letter to go and get it service. …”
NHTSA complaint #10274787, filed 2009-06, 100,458 miles“Dt: the consumer's vehicle was stalling while going down a hill. The consumer had the crank shaft sensor and the ignition control module replaced. The vehicle was fixed at a dealership, and the vehicle has been working properly. 1997, Buick, Regal. The consumer had to pay $837.00 to have crank shaft sensor/ignition replaced.”
NHTSA complaint #10132635, filed 2005-09, 25,000 miles“While driving on the freeway at approximately 65 MPH the pulley wheel from the motor came off. This caused the power steering to go out. Owner had the vehicle towed to the dealer, and was informed that the pulley wheel and drive train pulley belt had to be replaced.”
NHTSA complaint #10111331, filed 2005-02, 98,000 milesRelated recalls
- 15V701000Oct 26, 2015General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 1998-1999 Chevrolet Lumina and Oldsmobile Intrigue, 1997-2004 Buick Regal and Pontiac Grand Prix…Covers: Buick Regal 1997–2004, Pontiac Grand Prix 1997–2004, Chevrolet Monte Carlo 1998–2004 +3 more
- 09V116000Apr 8, 2009General motors is recalling 1,497,516 my 1997-2003 buick regal, my 1998-2003 chevrolet lumina, monte carlo and impala, my 1998-1999 oldsmobile intrigue, my…Covers: Buick Regal 1997–2003, Pontiac Grand Prix 1997–2003, Chevrolet Monte Carlo 1998–2003 +3 more
- 08V118000Mar 12, 2008Gm is recalling 207,542 my 1997-2003 buick regal and pontiac grand prix vehicles equipped with a 3.8l supercharged v-6 engine. These vehicles have higher…Covers: Buick Regal 1997–2003, Pontiac Grand Prix 1997–2003
Related service bulletins
- 10246631Sep 1, 2013Expanded Availability for Remanufacture and Return (R&R) Electronic Control Modules
- 10024787Apr 1, 2008L67 engine oil smell or odor, leak at left or front valve cover (replace valve cover gasket, gromments and spark plug wire retainers for cylinders 1-3-5). *nj updated 7/25/2008
- 10012148Jun 1, 2004New rear main seal and special tool for installation.
Engine cooling: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2016 | 1 | 2% |
| 2013 | 1 | 1% |
| 2011 | 4 | 1% |
| 2004 | 8 | 12% |
| 2003 | 10 | 10% |
| 2002 | 17 | 15% |
| 2001 | 34 | 18% |
| 2000 | 35 | 19% |
| 1999 | 43 | 17% |
| 1998 | 55 | 18% |
| 1997 | 30 | 22% |
| 1996 | 36 | 18% |
| 1995 | 19 | 11% |
| 1994 | 12 | 11% |
| 1993 | 7 | 8% |
| 1992 | 8 | 6% |
| 1991 | 15 | 8% |
| 1990 | 6 | 8% |
| 1989 | 11 | 10% |
| 1988 | 9 | 7% |
| 1987 | 2 | 8% |
| 1986 | 2 | 17% |
| 1985 | 3 | 33% |
| 1984 | 1 | 17% |
Other parts of the 1997 Buick Regal
37 complaintsElectrical system
18 complaintsBrakes
11 complaintsEngine
11 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
11 complaintsExterior lighting
8 complaintsAir bags
7 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
7 complaintsTires
6 complaintsFuel system
5 complaintsBody and structure
4 complaintsEquipment
3 complaints
← All problems reported for the 1997 Buick Regal
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology