1999 Buick Regal Problems

What owners report

Owners of this model year most often write about oil and coolant leaks around the upper intake manifold and valve cover gaskets, and about engine fires that several complaints link to oil reaching the exhaust manifold. Steering that loses power assist, most often on left turns, and windows that fall down or stop moving are the other recurring themes. Most reports arrive between roughly 60,000 and 150,000 miles.

1. 1
   Engine

   Oil dripping onto exhaust manifold / engine fire

   • 49 complaints (20%)
   • median 107,000 mi at 13.8 yrs old (29 state mileage)
   • 42 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2000–2021

   Complaints describe smoke or flames from under the hood, sometimes minutes after the car was parked and switched off, and often traced back to engine oil reaching the hot exhaust manifold. Several owners mention a burning-oil or burnt smell beforehand, and some say the vehicle was a total loss. Others describe valve cover gasket leaks, oil pan leaks and repeated oil changes that did not stop the seepage. Reported across a wide mileage range, from roughly 60,000 to 180,000 miles, and often with the engine off after a drive.

   Recall 15V701000Recall 09V116000Recall 08V1180001 related service bulletin

   What to check: Ask whether the rocker cover gasket recalls were done and whether any oil smell or seepage has been noted. Check for fresh oil residue around the front valve cover and on the exhaust manifold.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “In december of 2006 my 1999 Buick Regal gse with supercharger caught on fire in engine department 5 to 10 minutes after leaving vehicle. There was a complaint of a 'burnt toast' smell in the area of the vehicle prior to the fire. We did notice a decrease in the mpg indicator (5mpg less )several days prior to the fire . The fire resulted in a total loss of the vehicle. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10221483, filed 2008-03, 92,000 miles

   “Engine explosion and fire vehicle was in my driveway engine off. When I attempted to start the vehicle there was a loud explosion followed by engine fire. Flames were 20 ft high. Fire dept was called but I was able to extinguish the fire with fire extinguisher and water from my garden hose. When the fire dept arrived the fire was already out. My evaluation is the following: the force of the explosion was so great that it split open/cracked the upper intake manifold (upper planum). …”

   NHTSA complaint #10816262, filed 2015-12, 180,000 miles
2. 2
   Steering

   Power steering loses assist, usually on left turns

   • 27 complaints (11%)
   • median 79,400 mi at 5.3 yrs old (20 state mileage)
   • filed 1999–2018

   Owners describe the steering becoming heavy or losing power assist, most consistently when turning left, and sometimes with a pop or clunk. Many say it is most noticeable on a cold start or when pulling out of a parking space, and one notes shaking the tires at 3 and 9 o'clock. According to the complaints, dealers often replaced the rack and pinion, with some also replacing the pump and pressure hose without curing it. Mostly reported between about 33,000 and 110,000 miles, often on first start or after the car has sat.

   1 related service bulletin

   What to check: On a cold start, turn the wheel fully left in a parking lot and feel for uneven effort or a clunk. Ask whether the rack and pinion or pump has been replaced and check the power steering fluid level.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “My 1999 Buick Regal ls continues to demonstrate an occasional power steering failure. The failure occurs with a first start/cold start or after the vehicle has been sitting for a period of time after being operated. The problem is a lack of power steering when turning to the left, I.e. When pulling out of a parking space in a parking lot and a hard left turn is required. The situation is negated after the steering wheel is returned to a straight position or full right position. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10054668, filed 2004-01, 55,000 miles

   “I am the original owner of a 1999 Buick Regal gs (3.8l super charged) with approx. 85,000 miles. On jan. 12, 2006 I lost power assist when making a left hand turn. This failure only effected the power assist in a left hand turn; right was ok. I pulled into a parking spot after a short drive to work and noticed the steering got tight. I heard a 'pop' when I lost assist. After work I drove home with no assist to the left. The problem is only when the wheel is turned clockwise from straight on position. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10147953, filed 2006-01, 85,000 miles
3. 3
   Electrical system

   Engine stalls or shuts off while driving

   • 21 complaints (9%)
   • median 89,680 mi at 8.2 yrs old (16 state mileage)
   • 1 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2000–2015

   Owners report the engine cutting out unexpectedly at speed or at idle, sometimes restarting on its own, and in some cases cutting out when the turn signals are used. Complaints also describe the key sticking in the ignition in hot weather and the headlights or dash lights going out at the same time. Dealers and mechanics variously pointed to the ignition switch, the electrical control module and wiring. Reported from about 60,000 to 140,000 miles, with no single weather pattern noted.

   2 related service bulletins

   What to check: During a test drive, use the turn signals and check whether the dash lights flicker or the engine stumbles. Ask whether the ignition switch or any control module has been replaced.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “My Buick Regal 3.8 1999 has stalled while running at speed 5 times in the past five days. The deale, thompson Buick, placerville ca said that they could do nothing since it is an intermitant problem. I shift into n and then turn the key to start while still traveling and it usually starts.”

   NHTSA complaint #10020606, filed 2003-05, 61,900 miles

   “I was driving on the freeway when I put my right blinker on to change lanes and my vehicle just completely shut off on me. I pulled to the side of the road my car started back up and continues to do so but every time I hit my blinker right or left my vehicle shuts off.”

   NHTSA complaint #10683125, filed 2015-02, 140,000 miles
4. 4
   Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)

   Power windows fall down or stop moving

   • 10 complaints (4%)
   • median 89,500 mi at 7.8 yrs old (6 state mileage, few)
   • 1 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2004–2010

   Complaints describe windows that drop without warning and will not go back up, or that simply stop working, with the window regulator or window motor identified as the cause. Several owners report the same failure spreading across more than one door over time. Mostly reported between roughly 85,000 and 100,000 miles.

   What to check: Run every window up and down and listen for slow movement, grinding or a window that drifts down. Ask which regulators or motors have already been replaced.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “(1) I noticed about 1 month ago that the left rear window did not go down, upon examining the left rear door I found that the electronics also did not operate the door lock and that door stayed unlocked at all speeds.”

   NHTSA complaint #10127364, filed 2005-07, 88,100 miles

   “The front driver side and passenger doors both have electrical windows, both window motors have gone out, they were stuck down. In june 2010 the back passenger window motor has done the same, it is stuck rolled down.”

   NHTSA complaint #10345871, filed 2010-07, 100,000 miles
5. 5
   Engine cooling

   Upper intake manifold leaks coolant into engine

   Mentioned in 4 of 60 sampled complaints

   Owners describe the check engine light coming on with rough running, white smoke from the exhaust or a temperature gauge going to hot. Complaints say the plastic upper intake manifold had corroded or cracked and let coolant into the engine, sometimes leading to an engine that would not turn over. Dealers typically replaced the manifold. Reported from about 37,000 to 90,000 miles, sometimes while driving at low speed.

   1 related service bulletin

   What to check: Check the coolant level and look for residue or staining at the upper intake manifold, and ask whether the intake gasket or manifold has been replaced.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “When driving at any speed check engine light appeared on the dashboard. Consumer took the vehicle to the dealership for inspection, and mechanic determined that engine failed. Consumer will have the mechanic replace the engine. Prior to the engine failure the vehicle was taken to the dealer three times because the consumer noticed that oil was leaking onto her driveway.”

   NHTSA complaint #10071975, filed 2004-06, 37,111 miles

   “07/25/2021 started the motor, in stationary in personal driveway, in idle it began to puff thick white smoke from the tail pipe and exhaust manifold in the engine compartment. Turned engine off within 15 seconds of starting the engine. Left vehicle off for 24 hrs, and tried to turn the motor back on and the engine seized and would not crank over. Tried 3-5 additional times to start engine, with the same outcome. Since this occurence vehicle has been left undriveable and still remains in personal driveway. Recall number: 240412”

   NHTSA complaint #11387360, filed 2021-01, 86,000 miles

Buying note. Look closely at oil seepage around the valve covers and exhaust area, confirm which open recalls have been completed, and test the steering on a cold start and every power window before buying. Service records showing prior intake manifold or rack and pinion work are worth asking about, since those repairs come up often in these complaints.

Summary written with AI from a sample of 60 NHTSA complaints for this model year (picked at random, with complaints that state a mileage and recent ones taken first), then checked automatically against the source records. Where a problem shows a complaint count, every complaint for this model year was matched with fixed keyword rules (written with AI and tested against the sample), and the mileage, age and repair figures are calculated from those complaints; owners' figures are as stated, not verified. Other counts refer to the sample. The excerpts come from NHTSA's public complaint records and are unverified; capitalisation is normalised, NHTSA staff notes are removed, and shortened text ends with “…”. Something wrong? Request a correction.