NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
What owners actually said
246 reports79,856 miles · Oct 18, 2004
Engine And Engine Cooling
I NOTICED COOLANT IN RESERVOIR WAS DISAPPEARING WITH NO VISIBLE EXTERIOR LEAKING. I FILLED IT AND WATCHED IT CAREFULLY OVER THE NEXT COUPLE DAYS. WITHIN 20 MILES I HAD USED 2 QUARTS OF COOLANT AND THEN MY SES LIGHT CAME ON. I IMMEDIATELY TOOK MY CAR TO THE LOCAL REPAIR SHOP. THE MECHANIC CHECKED IT OUT AND DETERMINED THAT NO…
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I NOTICED COOLANT IN RESERVOIR WAS DISAPPEARING WITH NO VISIBLE EXTERIOR LEAKING. I FILLED IT AND WATCHED IT CAREFULLY OVER THE NEXT COUPLE DAYS. WITHIN 20 MILES I HAD USED 2 QUARTS OF COOLANT AND THEN MY SES LIGHT CAME ON. I IMMEDIATELY TOOK MY CAR TO THE LOCAL REPAIR SHOP. THE MECHANIC CHECKED IT OUT AND DETERMINED THAT NO. 6 CYLINDER WAS TAKING IN COOLANT. AFTER REMOVING THE INTAKE PLENIM HE FOUND A HOLE BURNED THROUGH THE COOLANT JACKET BY THE EGR VALVE. HOPEFULLY, MY ENGINE IS O.K. BUT SEEMS TO HAVE LOST SOME MILEAGE. THIS IS OBVIOUSLY A DEFECTIVE PART AND I SHOULD BE REIMBURSED. MY TOTAL BILL CAME TO ONLY $382.00 INCLUDING THE NEW PLENIM AND GASKET. (LABOR IN TOWN IS A BARGAIN). I HAVE THE OLD PART AND WILL PROVIDE IT IF REQUESTED.*AK
NHTSA ODI #10095984
89,500 miles · Sep 28, 2004
Electrical System
VEHICLE BATTERY FAILED. CONSUMER WAS UNABLE TO EXIT THE VEHICLE. DEALER WAS NOT NOTIFIED AT THIS TIME. *AK THE BATTERY CABLE CAME LOOSE WHILE THE CONSUMER WAS SITTING IN THE VEHICLE. AS A RESULT THE CONSUMER WAS UNABLE TO EXIT THE VEHICLE USING THE POWER DOOR LOCKS. THE CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO EXIT THE VEHICLE BY UNLOCKING THE …
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VEHICLE BATTERY FAILED. CONSUMER WAS UNABLE TO EXIT THE VEHICLE. DEALER WAS NOT NOTIFIED AT THIS TIME. *AK THE BATTERY CABLE CAME LOOSE WHILE THE CONSUMER WAS SITTING IN THE VEHICLE. AS A RESULT THE CONSUMER WAS UNABLE TO EXIT THE VEHICLE USING THE POWER DOOR LOCKS. THE CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO EXIT THE VEHICLE BY UNLOCKING THE DOORS MANUALLY. *NM
NHTSA ODI #10089583
68,000 miles · Sep 15, 2004
Engine And Engine CoolingVehicle Speed Control
ANTI-FREEZE LEAK THROUGH THE UPPER INTAKE MANIFOLD PAST THE EGR VALVE AND THROTTLE BODY, ENGINE RAN HOT, HYDROSTATIC ENGINE LOCK. CAR HAD TO BE TOWED, UPPER INTAKE MANIFOLD HAD TO BE REPLACED, SPARK PLUGS, AND THERMOSTAT. OTAL COST $685.75. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10091084
Mileage unknown · Aug 30, 2004
Fuel System, Gasoline
1998 BUICK PARK AVENUE DEFECTIVE FUEL PRESSURE REGULATOR. *MR (LEAKING FUEL REGULATORS) ON FEBRUARY 11, 2003, THE FUEL PRESSURE REGULATOR WAS REPLACED ON THE VEHICLE. THE CONSUMER FOUND THAT RECALL# 03V473000 WAS ISSUED. THE CONSUMER WAS DENIED REIMBURSEMENT. *SC *JB
NHTSA ODI #10091524
83,460 miles · Aug 27, 2004
Engine And Engine Cooling
THE SEVICE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND WITHIN A DAY OR TWO MY CAR KEPT NEEDING COOLANT. I SCHEDULED AN APPOINTMENT WITH A BUICK DEALER BUT THE NEXT DAY THE CAR WOULDN'T START. I HAD IT TOWED TO THE DEALER AND WITHIN HOURS OF GETTING THERE I WAS TOLD THERE WAS AN UPPER AND LOWER INTERNAL MANIFOLD LEAK. THE SERVICE PERSON TOLD ME THA…
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THE SEVICE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND WITHIN A DAY OR TWO MY CAR KEPT NEEDING COOLANT. I SCHEDULED AN APPOINTMENT WITH A BUICK DEALER BUT THE NEXT DAY THE CAR WOULDN'T START. I HAD IT TOWED TO THE DEALER AND WITHIN HOURS OF GETTING THERE I WAS TOLD THERE WAS AN UPPER AND LOWER INTERNAL MANIFOLD LEAK. THE SERVICE PERSON TOLD ME THAT HE WAS FAMILIAR WITH THE PROBLEM BUT WOULD NOT SAY IT WAS A DESIGN FLAW. WHY WOULD A DEALER CARRY A MANIFOLD THAT IS A NON-MOVING PART BUT A CAST PIECE OF IRON IF THIS WAS NOT CONTINUAL PROBLEM? I WORK IN A FOUNDRY FOR CATERPILLAR THAT MAKES CAST BLOCKS AND HEADS AND WAS TOLD BY AN ENGINEER THIS IS A BAD DESIGN.*AK
NHTSA ODI #10088709
77,327 miles · Aug 20, 2004
Engine And Engine Cooling
THE CONSUMER STATED THAT INTAKE MANIFOLD FAILED, ALLOWING COOLANT TO GET INSIDE THE ENGINE. THIS COST $1200.00 TO REPAIR. THE CONSUMER CALLED THE MANUFACTURER AND SPOKE WITH A REPRESENTATIVE, WHO BASICALLY TOLD HIM THAT THEY COULD NOT HELP. THE CONSUMER CALLED THE BUICK DEALER AND WAS TOLD THAT THIS WAS A COMMON PROBLEM AN…
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THE CONSUMER STATED THAT INTAKE MANIFOLD FAILED, ALLOWING COOLANT TO GET INSIDE THE ENGINE. THIS COST $1200.00 TO REPAIR. THE CONSUMER CALLED THE MANUFACTURER AND SPOKE WITH A REPRESENTATIVE, WHO BASICALLY TOLD HIM THAT THEY COULD NOT HELP. THE CONSUMER CALLED THE BUICK DEALER AND WAS TOLD THAT THIS WAS A COMMON PROBLEM AND BUICK WILL NOT DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT. BUICK SERVICE DEPARTMENT TOLD CONSUMER THEY KEPT A NUMBER OF THEM BECAUSE OF THIS PROBLEM. *AK WHEN THE CONSUMER ATTEMPTED TO START THE ENGINE, THE STARTER HOUSING BROKE. THE MECHANIC FOUND THE ENGINE FULL OF COOLANT AND TRACED THE PROBLEM TO AN UPPER INTAKE FAILURE DUE TO HEAT FROM THE EGR PASSAGE ERODING AWAY THE PLASTIC MANIFOLD CAUSING COOLANT TO LEAK INTO THE ENGINE. THE CONSUMER REQUESTED REIMBURSEMENT. *SC *JB
NHTSA ODI #10081997
Mileage unknown · Aug 19, 2004
Electrical SystemFuel System, Gasoline
VEHICLE'S MANIFOLD IS CRACKED. *MR THE VEHICLE WOULDN'T START AND A NEW BATTERY WAS NEEDED. IT WAS FOUND THAT THE MANIFOLD HAD CRACKED. THE CONSUMER REQUESTED REIMBURSEMENT DUE TO THE FACT THAT THE WARRANTY INSURANCE DENIED COVERAGE. THE CONSUMER RECEIVED A RECALL LETTER SEVERAL MONTHS AFTER THE PROBLEM OCCURRED. *SC …
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VEHICLE'S MANIFOLD IS CRACKED. *MR THE VEHICLE WOULDN'T START AND A NEW BATTERY WAS NEEDED. IT WAS FOUND THAT THE MANIFOLD HAD CRACKED. THE CONSUMER REQUESTED REIMBURSEMENT DUE TO THE FACT THAT THE WARRANTY INSURANCE DENIED COVERAGE. THE CONSUMER RECEIVED A RECALL LETTER SEVERAL MONTHS AFTER THE PROBLEM OCCURRED. *SC THE STARTED HOUSING WAS ALSO CRACKED. THE CONSUMER HAS SINCE TRADED THE VEHICLE. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10089366
Mileage unknown · Jul 29, 2004
Engine And Engine Cooling
WHILE DRIVING AT 40 MPH CONSUMER HEARD ALOUD NOISE COMING FROM THE ENGINE AND VEHICLE STALLED. THIS CAUSED THE LOSS OF STEERING, AND THE BRAKES. DEALER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED. AN INDEPENDENT SHOP DETERMINED THAT ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10083777
Mileage unknown · Jun 23, 2004
Electrical System
1998 BUICK PARK AVENUE ALTERNATOR BEARING FREEZING UP.*MR WHILE DRIVING THE ALTERNATOR BEARING LOCK UP AND THE DRIVE BELT BROKE. THE DRIVER TEMPORARILY LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE BUT WAS ABLE TO REGAIN CONTROL. *NM
NHTSA ODI #10079875
Mileage unknown · Jun 17, 2004
Engine And Engine CoolingFuel System, Gasoline
CONSUMER REQUESTING REIMBURSEMENT FOR REPAIRS MADE TO 1998 BUICK PARK AVENUE. *MR THE ENGINE CRANKED AND THERE WAS A LOUD BANG EXACTLY AS THE RECALL STATED. FOLLOWING THE BANG WAS A LOUD NOISE AND WHITE SMOKE THAT HAD COME FROM THE TAIL PIPE. ANTI FREEZE ENTERED THE ENGINE AND MIXED WITH THE OIL. THE ENGINE WAS RE-MANUFA…
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CONSUMER REQUESTING REIMBURSEMENT FOR REPAIRS MADE TO 1998 BUICK PARK AVENUE. *MR THE ENGINE CRANKED AND THERE WAS A LOUD BANG EXACTLY AS THE RECALL STATED. FOLLOWING THE BANG WAS A LOUD NOISE AND WHITE SMOKE THAT HAD COME FROM THE TAIL PIPE. ANTI FREEZE ENTERED THE ENGINE AND MIXED WITH THE OIL. THE ENGINE WAS RE-MANUFACTURED. THE SERVICE DEALER STATED THAT THE INTAKE MANIFOLD WAS DEFECTIVE. THE FUEL PRESSURE REGULATOR WAS DEFECTIVE AS WELL. *SC *JB
NHTSA ODI #10079532
NHTSA investigations
5RQ03001 · 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.
EA02030 · Engine Compartment Fires
Opened Oct 22, 2002 · Closed Mar 9, 2004
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Fuel System, Gasoline; Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery; Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery:hoses, Lines/piping, And Fittings
EA02-030 IS CLOSED WITH GMEA02-030 IS CLOSED WITH GM?S ACTIONS IN 03V-473 AND 04V-090 RECALLING APPROXIMATELY 529,000 MY 1998-99 C- AND H-BODY VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH DEFECTIVE FUEL PRESSURE REGULATORS.THESE VEHICLES WERE EQUIPPED WITH PLASTIC INTAKE MANIFOLDS THAT ARE UNABLE TO CONTAIN PRESSURES THAT OCCUR IN SOME BACKFIRE EVENTS AND DEFECTIVE FUEL PRESSURE REGULATORS WITH LEAKING DIAPHRAGMS THAT CAN PROVIDE A SOURCE OF FUEL TO PRODUCE A COMBUSTIBLE AIR-FUEL MIXTURE IN THE MANIFOLD.THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY ODI THAT NO SAFETY DEFECT EXISTS IN THE VEHICLES THAT ARE NOT INCLUDED IN GM?S RECALLS.ODI WILL CONTINUE TO MONITOR THE INCIDENCE OF MANIFOLD RUPTURES AND RELATED FIRES IN OTHER MY 1995-2002 GM PASSENGER CARS EQUIPPED WITH THE SUBJECT INTAKE MANIFOLD.FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION, SEE THE ATTACHED CLOSING REPORT.
Additional source detail variants (3)
Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery
EA02-030 IS CLOSED WITH GMEA02-030 IS CLOSED WITH GM?S ACTIONS IN 03V-473 AND 04V-090 RECALLING APPROXIMATELY 529,000 MY 1998-99 C- AND H-BODY VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH DEFECTIVE FUEL PRESSURE REGULATORS.THESE VEHICLES WERE EQUIPPED WITH PLASTIC INTAKE MANIFOLDS THAT ARE UNABLE TO CONTAIN PRESSURES THAT OCCUR IN SOME BACKFIRE EVENTS AND DEFECTIVE FUEL PRESSURE REGULATORS WITH LEAKING DIAPHRAGMS THAT CAN PROVIDE A SOURCE OF FUEL TO PRODUCE A COMBUSTIBLE AIR-FUEL MIXTURE IN THE MANIFOLD.THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY ODI THAT NO SAFETY DEFECT EXISTS IN THE VEHICLES THAT ARE NOT INCLUDED IN GM?S RECALLS.ODI WILL CONTINUE TO MONITOR THE INCIDENCE OF MANIFOLD RUPTURES AND RELATED FIRES IN OTHER MY 1995-2002 GM PASSENGER CARS EQUIPPED WITH THE SUBJECT INTAKE MANIFOLD.FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION, SEE THE ATTACHED CLOSING REPORT.
Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery:hoses, Lines/piping, And Fittings
EA02-030 IS CLOSED WITH GMEA02-030 IS CLOSED WITH GM?S ACTIONS IN 03V-473 AND 04V-090 RECALLING APPROXIMATELY 529,000 MY 1998-99 C- AND H-BODY VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH DEFECTIVE FUEL PRESSURE REGULATORS.THESE VEHICLES WERE EQUIPPED WITH PLASTIC INTAKE MANIFOLDS THAT ARE UNABLE TO CONTAIN PRESSURES THAT OCCUR IN SOME BACKFIRE EVENTS AND DEFECTIVE FUEL PRESSURE REGULATORS WITH LEAKING DIAPHRAGMS THAT CAN PROVIDE A SOURCE OF FUEL TO PRODUCE A COMBUSTIBLE AIR-FUEL MIXTURE IN THE MANIFOLD.THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY ODI THAT NO SAFETY DEFECT EXISTS IN THE VEHICLES THAT ARE NOT INCLUDED IN GM?S RECALLS.ODI WILL CONTINUE TO MONITOR THE INCIDENCE OF MANIFOLD RUPTURES AND RELATED FIRES IN OTHER MY 1995-2002 GM PASSENGER CARS EQUIPPED WITH THE SUBJECT INTAKE MANIFOLD.FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION, SEE THE ATTACHED CLOSING REPORT.
Fuel System, Gasoline
EA02-030 IS CLOSED WITH GMEA02-030 IS CLOSED WITH GM?S ACTIONS IN 03V-473 AND 04V-090 RECALLING APPROXIMATELY 529,000 MY 1998-99 C- AND H-BODY VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH DEFECTIVE FUEL PRESSURE REGULATORS.THESE VEHICLES WERE EQUIPPED WITH PLASTIC INTAKE MANIFOLDS THAT ARE UNABLE TO CONTAIN PRESSURES THAT OCCUR IN SOME BACKFIRE EVENTS AND DEFECTIVE FUEL PRESSURE REGULATORS WITH LEAKING DIAPHRAGMS THAT CAN PROVIDE A SOURCE OF FUEL TO PRODUCE A COMBUSTIBLE AIR-FUEL MIXTURE IN THE MANIFOLD.THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY ODI THAT NO SAFETY DEFECT EXISTS IN THE VEHICLES THAT ARE NOT INCLUDED IN GM?S RECALLS.ODI WILL CONTINUE TO MONITOR THE INCIDENCE OF MANIFOLD RUPTURES AND RELATED FIRES IN OTHER MY 1995-2002 GM PASSENGER CARS EQUIPPED WITH THE SUBJECT INTAKE MANIFOLD.FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION, SEE THE ATTACHED CLOSING REPORT.
PE02050 · Engine Compartment Fires
Opened Jun 13, 2002 · Closed Oct 22, 2002
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Engine And Engine Cooling
No summary supplied.
EA00002 · Front Shoulder Belt Malfunction
Opened Jan 6, 2000 · Closed May 2, 2000
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Seat Belts
There is no summary currently available
PE99056 · Front Shoulder Belt Malfunction
Opened Sep 2, 1999 · Closed Jan 6, 2000
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Seat Belts
There is no summary currently available
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