NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Engine And Engine Cooling complaints
22 reportsClear category filterMileage unknown · Aug 14, 2003
Engine And Engine CoolingFuel System, Gasoline
CONSUMER IS HAVING PROBLEMS WITH FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM:INJECTORS. ONE YEAR AGO SHE HAD THEM REPLACED BY THE LOCAL MECHANIC, THEN TWICE THEY WERE CLEANED BY THE DEALER. AFTERWARDS, SHE HAD TO HAVE 3 OF THEM REPLACED. ALL OF THIS BECAUSE THE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON, STATING THAT ENGINE NEEDED TO BE SERVICED SOON. ALL OF T…
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CONSUMER IS HAVING PROBLEMS WITH FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM:INJECTORS. ONE YEAR AGO SHE HAD THEM REPLACED BY THE LOCAL MECHANIC, THEN TWICE THEY WERE CLEANED BY THE DEALER. AFTERWARDS, SHE HAD TO HAVE 3 OF THEM REPLACED. ALL OF THIS BECAUSE THE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON, STATING THAT ENGINE NEEDED TO BE SERVICED SOON. ALL OF THIS STARTED WHEN VEHICLE STARTED TO JERK, AND SHE HAD IT CHECKED. CONSUMER WOULD LIKE TO HAVE HELP WITH ALL OF THIS SERVICING.*AK
NHTSA ODI #10033977
76,020 miles · Feb 22, 2003
Engine And Engine Cooling
I OWN A 1998 BUICK CENTURY CUSTOM. I AM THE ORIGINAL OWNER AND AM VERY GOOD ABOUT PROPER MAINTENANCE. LAST WEEK MY HUSBAND NOTICED A FEW DROPS OF COOLANT ON THE GARAGE FLOOR. HE CLEANED IT UP AND AGIN THE NEXT DAY, A FEW MORE DROPS. HE CHECKED THE HOSE CLAMPS AND HOSE CONDITIONS, THEY WERE FINE. HE CHECKED THE RESERVOIR WHE…
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I OWN A 1998 BUICK CENTURY CUSTOM. I AM THE ORIGINAL OWNER AND AM VERY GOOD ABOUT PROPER MAINTENANCE. LAST WEEK MY HUSBAND NOTICED A FEW DROPS OF COOLANT ON THE GARAGE FLOOR. HE CLEANED IT UP AND AGIN THE NEXT DAY, A FEW MORE DROPS. HE CHECKED THE HOSE CLAMPS AND HOSE CONDITIONS, THEY WERE FINE. HE CHECKED THE RESERVOIR WHERE YOU PUT IN DEXCOOL, IT WAS DRY. HE FILLED THE RESERVIOR AND DROVE THE CAR IMMEDIATELY TO OUR LOCAL MECHANIC SO WE WOULD NOT DO ANY ENGINE DAMAGE. AFTER 2 DAYS AND $800, THE CAR HAS BEEN FIXED. NOW I NOTICE WHEN SEARCHING THE WEB, THERE ARE THOUSANDS OF REPORTS VERY SIMILAR TO MINE. UNFORTUNATELY, I ALSO NOTICED MANY WHERE THERE WERE FIRES OR ACCIDENTS. GM HAS TO FIX THIS AND AT LEAST PARTIALLY REIMBURSE THOSE LIKE ME WHO HAVE HAD TO PAY MAJOR REPAIR BILLS.
NHTSA ODI #10008001
Mileage unknown · Mar 18, 2002
Engine And Engine Cooling
COOLANT USED BY DEALER IS TURNING INTO SLUDGE IN RADIATOR, WHICH CAN GET TO THE ENGINE. DEALER/MANUFACTURER WERE NOTIFIED. *AK *YH
NHTSA ODI #8005812
Mileage unknown · May 25, 2001
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine CoolingFuel System, Gasoline
ENGINE CHECK LIGHT STARTED FLASHING ON DASHBOARD. CONSUMER PARKED VEHICLE, AND DEALERSHIP DETERMINED THAT 5TH FUEL INJECTOR WAS DEFECTIVE, AND A SPARK PLUG WAS INOPERATIVE. ON SECOND OCCURRENCE, WHILE TRAVELING AT APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH, ENGINE STARTED MISFIRING, AND ENGINE CHECK LIGHT CAME ON. THEN, ENGINE SUDDENLY DIE…
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ENGINE CHECK LIGHT STARTED FLASHING ON DASHBOARD. CONSUMER PARKED VEHICLE, AND DEALERSHIP DETERMINED THAT 5TH FUEL INJECTOR WAS DEFECTIVE, AND A SPARK PLUG WAS INOPERATIVE. ON SECOND OCCURRENCE, WHILE TRAVELING AT APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH, ENGINE STARTED MISFIRING, AND ENGINE CHECK LIGHT CAME ON. THEN, ENGINE SUDDENLY DIED, CAUSING CONSUMER TO LOSE POWER STEERING CAPABILITIES. DEALERSHIP EXAMINED VEHICLE, AND FOUND 4TH FUEL INJECTOR TO BE DEFECTIVE. HAD TO CHANGE OIL BECAUSE FUEL LEAKED INTO T CRANK CASE. *AK *SLC
NHTSA ODI #889166
Mileage unknown · Mar 27, 2000
Engine And Engine CoolingUnknown Or Other
ENGINE WAS DAMAGED AND HAD TO BE REPLACED WHEN OIL FILTER FELL(?) OFF THE ENGINE AND CAR WAS DRIVEN 2+ MILES WITH NO OIL IN ENGINE. CAR STALLED AND WAS RESTARTED 3 TIMES. AT NO TIME DID THE OIL WARNING LIGHT INDICATE A PROBLEM! DEALER SAID ENGINE WAS DAMAGED AND MUST BE REPLACED BUT WOULD NOT BE COVERED BY WARRANTY BECAUSE EN…
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ENGINE WAS DAMAGED AND HAD TO BE REPLACED WHEN OIL FILTER FELL(?) OFF THE ENGINE AND CAR WAS DRIVEN 2+ MILES WITH NO OIL IN ENGINE. CAR STALLED AND WAS RESTARTED 3 TIMES. AT NO TIME DID THE OIL WARNING LIGHT INDICATE A PROBLEM! DEALER SAID ENGINE WAS DAMAGED AND MUST BE REPLACED BUT WOULD NOT BE COVERED BY WARRANTY BECAUSE ENGINE HAD BEEN OPERATED WITHOUT OIL. IT COST ME ABOUT $4,000 FOR A NEW ENGINE. ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS THE CAR WILL NOT MOVE WHEN REVERSE OR DRIVE ARE SELECTED UNTIL THE SELECTOR IS MOVED IN AND OUT OF OTHER POSITIONS. THIS HAS BEEN AN ANNOYANCE ONLY. *AK
NHTSA ODI #720654
Mileage unknown · Feb 1, 1999
Engine And Engine Cooling
OXYGEN SENSOR FAILED. YH
NHTSA ODI #608732
Mileage unknown · Dec 21, 1998
Engine And Engine CoolingFuel System, Gasoline
OIL IS LEAKING ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE OF THE ENGINE TOWARDS THE FIREWALL, CAUSE UNKNOWN. DEALER REPLACED THE LEAKING LOWER INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET, AND RESEALED OIL PUMP WHICH HAS NOT REMEDIED THE PROBLEM. PLEASE GIVE ANY FURTHER DETAILS. *AK
NHTSA ODI #832499
Mileage unknown · Nov 27, 1998
Engine And Engine Cooling
VEHICLE HAS ONGOING PROBLEM WITH STALLING. VEHICLE HAS BEEN INSPECTED AND PARTS REPLACED. HOWEVER, STALLING STILL OCCURS. DEALER INFORMED, PROBLEM CANNOT BE FOUND. *AK
NHTSA ODI #831373
Mileage unknown · Nov 27, 1998
Engine And Engine Cooling
VEHICLE HAS ONGOING PROBLEM WITH ENGINE STALLING. VEHICLE HAS BEEN INSPECTED/REPLACED SOME PARTS, AND PROBLEM STILL OCCURS. DEALER INFORMED, THEY CANNOT FIND THE PROBLEM. *AK
NHTSA ODI #831372
Mileage unknown · Aug 28, 1998
Engine And Engine CoolingEquipmentFuel System, Other
BRAKES OVERHEAT ON OCCASIONS.
NHTSA ODI #539421
NHTSA investigations
4EA03019 · Power Rack And Pinion Steering Failure
Opened Sep 15, 2003 · Closed Dec 18, 2003
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Steering; Steering:rack And Pinion
GM'S LETTER TO NHTSA DATED DECEMBER 11, 2003, EXPANDS ITS ORIGINAL RECALL (NHTSA 02V286) TO INCLUDE CERTAIN W-BODY VEHICLES: 96-97 OLDS CUTLASS SUPREME; 98 OLDS INTRIGUE; 97-98 OLDS CUTLASS; 97-98 CHEVY LUMINA, MONTE CARLO AND MALIBU; 96 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX; AND 96-98 BUICK REGAL.THE NUMBER OF VEHICLES RECALLED IS 750,283.GM DETERMINED THAT FAILURE OF THE RACK AND PINION IS RELATED TO DAMAGE OF THE LOWER PINION BEARING AND THE LEVEL OF THE PINION BEARING PRE-LOAD SPRING FORCE.GM STATES, HIGHER RACK PRE-LOAD SPRING FORCE (133 LB.) IS THE DESIGN CHARACTERISTIC MOST CLOSELY ASSOCIATED WITH HIGHER BEARING DAMAGE RATES IN MOST OF THE VEHICLE APPLICATIONS THAT USED THE GENERAL BEARING COMPANY (GBC) BEARING.ALL OF THE VEHICLES COVERED IN THE EXPANDED RECALL HAVE THE 133 LB SPRING FORCE.THE 96 LUMINA/MONTE CARLO AND 97-98 CENTURY W-BODY VEHICLES INCLUDED IN THIS INVESTIGATION UTILIZE A LOWER SPRING FORCE AND ARE NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL.
Additional source detail variants (2)
Steering
GM'S LETTER TO NHTSA DATED DECEMBER 11, 2003, EXPANDS ITS ORIGINAL RECALL (NHTSA 02V286) TO INCLUDE CERTAIN W-BODY VEHICLES: 96-97 OLDS CUTLASS SUPREME; 98 OLDS INTRIGUE; 97-98 OLDS CUTLASS; 97-98 CHEVY LUMINA, MONTE CARLO AND MALIBU; 96 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX; AND 96-98 BUICK REGAL.THE NUMBER OF VEHICLES RECALLED IS 750,283.GM DETERMINED THAT FAILURE OF THE RACK AND PINION IS RELATED TO DAMAGE OF THE LOWER PINION BEARING AND THE LEVEL OF THE PINION BEARING PRE-LOAD SPRING FORCE.GM STATES, HIGHER RACK PRE-LOAD SPRING FORCE (133 LB.) IS THE DESIGN CHARACTERISTIC MOST CLOSELY ASSOCIATED WITH HIGHER BEARING DAMAGE RATES IN MOST OF THE VEHICLE APPLICATIONS THAT USED THE GENERAL BEARING COMPANY (GBC) BEARING.ALL OF THE VEHICLES COVERED IN THE EXPANDED RECALL HAVE THE 133 LB SPRING FORCE.THE 96 LUMINA/MONTE CARLO AND 97-98 CENTURY W-BODY VEHICLES INCLUDED IN THIS INVESTIGATION UTILIZE A LOWER SPRING FORCE AND ARE NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL.
Steering:rack And Pinion
GM'S LETTER TO NHTSA DATED DECEMBER 11, 2003, EXPANDS ITS ORIGINAL RECALL (NHTSA 02V286) TO INCLUDE CERTAIN W-BODY VEHICLES: 96-97 OLDS CUTLASS SUPREME; 98 OLDS INTRIGUE; 97-98 OLDS CUTLASS; 97-98 CHEVY LUMINA, MONTE CARLO AND MALIBU; 96 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX; AND 96-98 BUICK REGAL.THE NUMBER OF VEHICLES RECALLED IS 750,283.GM DETERMINED THAT FAILURE OF THE RACK AND PINION IS RELATED TO DAMAGE OF THE LOWER PINION BEARING AND THE LEVEL OF THE PINION BEARING PRE-LOAD SPRING FORCE.GM STATES, HIGHER RACK PRE-LOAD SPRING FORCE (133 LB.) IS THE DESIGN CHARACTERISTIC MOST CLOSELY ASSOCIATED WITH HIGHER BEARING DAMAGE RATES IN MOST OF THE VEHICLE APPLICATIONS THAT USED THE GENERAL BEARING COMPANY (GBC) BEARING.ALL OF THE VEHICLES COVERED IN THE EXPANDED RECALL HAVE THE 133 LB SPRING FORCE.THE 96 LUMINA/MONTE CARLO AND 97-98 CENTURY W-BODY VEHICLES INCLUDED IN THIS INVESTIGATION UTILIZE A LOWER SPRING FORCE AND ARE NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL.
RQ03001 · Power Rack And Pinion Steering Failure
Opened Jan 2, 2003 · Closed Sep 15, 2003
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Steering; Steering:rack And Pinion
GM CONDUCTED A SAFETY RECALL (NHTSA # 02V286) TO ADDRESS A STEERING DEFECT PERTAINING TO A LOWER PINION BEARING (LPB) WITHIN THE RACK AND PINION STEERING GEAR (R&P). THE RECALL COVERED 1,159,156 MODEL YEAR 1997-1998 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX VEHICLES BUILT BETWEEN MARCH 1, 1996 AND OCTOBER 31, 1997, 1996-1998 PONTIAC TRANS SPORT, CHEVROLET LUMINA APV, CHEVROLET VENTURE, OLDSMOBILE SILHOUETTE MINIVANS, AND CHEVROLET CAVALIER AND PONTIAC SUNFIRE SEDANS BUILT BETWEEN JANUARY 1, 1996 AND OCTOBER 31, 1997.ODI OPENED THIS RQ AFTER RECEIVING REPORTS THAT OTHER VEHICLES WERE EXHIBITING THE SAME SYMPTOMS AS THE RECALLED VEHICLES.BASED ON ODI'S REVIEW OF TECHNICAL AND COMPLAINT DATA COLLECTED DURING THE RQ, THE W-CARS ARE ASSOCIATED WITH EITHER A HIGHER STEERING COMPLAINT RATE OR A HIGHER LPB FAILURE RATE THAN THE OTHER VEHICLES INVESTIGATED UNDER THE RQ AND ARE ABOVE OR NEAR THE RATES FOR THE RECALLED VEHICLES.THUS, ODI WILL FURTHER EXAMINE THE W-CARS (1996-1997 OLDSMOBILE CUTLASS SUPREME, 1996-1998 BUICK REGAL, CHEVROLET LUMINA, CHEVROLET MONTE CARLO, 1997-1998 BUICK CENTURY, AND 1998 OLDSMOBILE INTRIGUE) UNDER A NEW INVESTIGATION, ENGINEERING ANALYSIS (EA)03-019.
Additional source detail variants (2)
Steering
GM CONDUCTED A SAFETY RECALL (NHTSA # 02V286) TO ADDRESS A STEERING DEFECT PERTAINING TO A LOWER PINION BEARING (LPB) WITHIN THE RACK AND PINION STEERING GEAR (R&P). THE RECALL COVERED 1,159,156 MODEL YEAR 1997-1998 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX VEHICLES BUILT BETWEEN MARCH 1, 1996 AND OCTOBER 31, 1997, 1996-1998 PONTIAC TRANS SPORT, CHEVROLET LUMINA APV, CHEVROLET VENTURE, OLDSMOBILE SILHOUETTE MINIVANS, AND CHEVROLET CAVALIER AND PONTIAC SUNFIRE SEDANS BUILT BETWEEN JANUARY 1, 1996 AND OCTOBER 31, 1997.ODI OPENED THIS RQ AFTER RECEIVING REPORTS THAT OTHER VEHICLES WERE EXHIBITING THE SAME SYMPTOMS AS THE RECALLED VEHICLES.BASED ON ODI'S REVIEW OF TECHNICAL AND COMPLAINT DATA COLLECTED DURING THE RQ, THE W-CARS ARE ASSOCIATED WITH EITHER A HIGHER STEERING COMPLAINT RATE OR A HIGHER LPB FAILURE RATE THAN THE OTHER VEHICLES INVESTIGATED UNDER THE RQ AND ARE ABOVE OR NEAR THE RATES FOR THE RECALLED VEHICLES.THUS, ODI WILL FURTHER EXAMINE THE W-CARS (1996-1997 OLDSMOBILE CUTLASS SUPREME, 1996-1998 BUICK REGAL, CHEVROLET LUMINA, CHEVROLET MONTE CARLO, 1997-1998 BUICK CENTURY, AND 1998 OLDSMOBILE INTRIGUE) UNDER A NEW INVESTIGATION, ENGINEERING ANALYSIS (EA)03-019.
Steering:rack And Pinion
GM CONDUCTED A SAFETY RECALL (NHTSA # 02V286) TO ADDRESS A STEERING DEFECT PERTAINING TO A LOWER PINION BEARING (LPB) WITHIN THE RACK AND PINION STEERING GEAR (R&P). THE RECALL COVERED 1,159,156 MODEL YEAR 1997-1998 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX VEHICLES BUILT BETWEEN MARCH 1, 1996 AND OCTOBER 31, 1997, 1996-1998 PONTIAC TRANS SPORT, CHEVROLET LUMINA APV, CHEVROLET VENTURE, OLDSMOBILE SILHOUETTE MINIVANS, AND CHEVROLET CAVALIER AND PONTIAC SUNFIRE SEDANS BUILT BETWEEN JANUARY 1, 1996 AND OCTOBER 31, 1997.ODI OPENED THIS RQ AFTER RECEIVING REPORTS THAT OTHER VEHICLES WERE EXHIBITING THE SAME SYMPTOMS AS THE RECALLED VEHICLES.BASED ON ODI'S REVIEW OF TECHNICAL AND COMPLAINT DATA COLLECTED DURING THE RQ, THE W-CARS ARE ASSOCIATED WITH EITHER A HIGHER STEERING COMPLAINT RATE OR A HIGHER LPB FAILURE RATE THAN THE OTHER VEHICLES INVESTIGATED UNDER THE RQ AND ARE ABOVE OR NEAR THE RATES FOR THE RECALLED VEHICLES.THUS, ODI WILL FURTHER EXAMINE THE W-CARS (1996-1997 OLDSMOBILE CUTLASS SUPREME, 1996-1998 BUICK REGAL, CHEVROLET LUMINA, CHEVROLET MONTE CARLO, 1997-1998 BUICK CENTURY, AND 1998 OLDSMOBILE INTRIGUE) UNDER A NEW INVESTIGATION, ENGINEERING ANALYSIS (EA)03-019.
EA99024 · Windshield Wiper
Opened Aug 20, 1999 · Closed Jan 13, 2000
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Visibility
BY LETTER DATED DECEMBER 12, 1999, GM NOTIFIED NHTSA OF ITS PLANS TO CONDUCT A SAFETY RELATED DEFECT CAMPAIGN TO REMEDY 155,149 OF THE SUBJECT VEHICLES.THE VEHICLE POPULATION FOR THE CAMPAIGN INCLUDES THE 1997 BUICK REGAL/CENTURY AND PONTIAC GRAN PRIX MODELS BUILT DURING THE PERIOD FROM THE START OF PRODUCTION THROUGH MAY 1, 1997.GM DETERMINED THAT THE WIPERS INSTALLED PRIOR TO THIS DATE COULD STOP WORKING, USUALLY DURING HEAVY LOAD CONDITIONS, DUE TO SEPARATION BETWEEN THE DRIVE PIN AND THE CRESCENT IN THE WIPER CRANK ARM ASSEMBLY.EFFECTIVE MAY 1, 1997,GM CORRECTED THIS PROBLEM IN PRODUCTION BY MODIFYING THE DRIVE PIN AND STRENGTHENING THE CRESCENT.THESE SAME IMPROVED PARTS WILL BE INSTALLED IN THE VEHICLES TO BE RECALLED.THE SCOPE OF THE CAMPAIGN WILL INCLUDE ALL VEHICLES PRODUCED PRIOR TO THE MAY 1, 1997 CORRECTION (THE OLDSMOBILE INTRIQUE PRODUCTION DID NOT START UNTIL AFTER MAY 1, 1997, AND IS THEREFORE NOT INCLUDED).VEHICLES WITH THE SCOPE OF THIS INVESTIGATION AND PRODUCED AFTER MAY 1, 1997, CONTAIN THE MORE ROBUST CRESCENT AND IMPROVED PIN DESIGN AND ARE NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL CAMPAIGN.ODI WILL CONTINUE TO MONITOR COMPLAINT REPORTS ON THE VEHICLES PRODUCED AFTER MAY 1, 1997 AND RESERVES THE RIGHT TO TAKE FURTHER ACTION IF WARRANTED BY THE CIRCUMSTANCES.BASED ON GM'S RECALL ACTION (ODI 99V-348) THIS INVESTIGATION IS CLOSED.
PE99028 · Windshield Wiper
Opened Apr 16, 1999 · Closed Aug 20, 1999
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Visibility
INCIDENTS OF WIPER FAILURE (OWNER REPORTS AND WARRANTY) ARE VERY HIGH, AND MANY OF THE REPORTS INDICATE THAT THE FAILURES ARE STILL OCCURRING IN 1999.
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