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1999 Buick Park Avenue

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

More warning signs than most Park Avenue years

Owner complaints for the 1999 Buick Park Avenue are substantially higher than the model-year median of 40.5.

About this comparison →

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

59 reports with mileage · 81 unknown

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 39 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Seat Belts. Review the 17 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Electrical System. Review the 16 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

2 crash reports22 fire reports1 injury reports

What owners actually said

140 reports
90,000 miles · Mar 26, 2006
Latches/locks/linkages

OUTSIDE DOOR HANDLES ON RF, RR, AND LR FAILED. MECHANISM INSIDE OF DOOR BROKE MAKING IT IMPOSSIBLE TO OPEN FROM THE OUTSIDE OF THE VEHICLE. EMPHASIZE THAT ONLY THE LF DOOR COULD BE OPENED FROM THE OUTSIDE. IN THE EVENT OF AN ACCIDENT, IT WOULD HAVE BEEN NECESSARY TO USE EXTRAORDINARY MEASURES TO REACH OCCUPANTS. RF, RR, AND …

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OUTSIDE DOOR HANDLES ON RF, RR, AND LR FAILED. MECHANISM INSIDE OF DOOR BROKE MAKING IT IMPOSSIBLE TO OPEN FROM THE OUTSIDE OF THE VEHICLE. EMPHASIZE THAT ONLY THE LF DOOR COULD BE OPENED FROM THE OUTSIDE. IN THE EVENT OF AN ACCIDENT, IT WOULD HAVE BEEN NECESSARY TO USE EXTRAORDINARY MEASURES TO REACH OCCUPANTS. RF, RR, AND LR DOOR HANDLES ALL FAILED IN THE EXACT SAME MANNER (PLASTIC COMPONENT ON DOOR HANDLE CRACKED/FATIGUED). CONDITION WAS CORRECTED BY REPLACING DOOR HANDLES. NO OBVIOUS DESIGN ENHANCEMENTS WERE OBSERVED ON REPLACEMENT PARTS. FAILED PARTS ARE AVAILABLE BY REQUEST.*JB

NHTSA ODI #10153729

Mileage unknown · Jan 26, 2006
Seat Belts

1999 BUICK PARK AVE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT BELT BECAME STUCK IN THE LOWER RETRACTION SYSTEM. *TS A RECALL WAS ISSUED, HOWEVER THE CONSUMER'S MODEL YEAR WAS NOT INCLUDED. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10149727

Mileage unknown · Jan 18, 2006
Seat Belts

ON 12/28/2005, THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT BELT BECAME STUCK IN THE LOWER RETRACTION SYSTEM ON OUR 1999 BUICK PARK AVENUE. I ASSUME THE BELT BECAME TWISTED AS IT WAS RETRACTING, BUT I AM UNSURE. THE FAILURE & POSSIBLE CONSEQUENCES FOR THIS SEAT BELT FAILURE WOULD BE THE INJURY AND/OR DEATH OF A PASSENGER IN THE FRONT LEFT PAS…

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ON 12/28/2005, THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT BELT BECAME STUCK IN THE LOWER RETRACTION SYSTEM ON OUR 1999 BUICK PARK AVENUE. I ASSUME THE BELT BECAME TWISTED AS IT WAS RETRACTING, BUT I AM UNSURE. THE FAILURE & POSSIBLE CONSEQUENCES FOR THIS SEAT BELT FAILURE WOULD BE THE INJURY AND/OR DEATH OF A PASSENGER IN THE FRONT LEFT PASSENGER SEAT. I CALLED OUR LOCAL DEALER (GIUFFRE BUICK) & THEY SAID IT WOULD NOT BE COVERED BY THE FACTORY WARRANTY SINCE IT IS OVER 3 YEARS OLD. TO VERIFY THIS STATEMENT, I CONTACTED BUICK CORPORATE DIRECTLY VIA EMAIL & THEY SAID THE SAME THING. I DID SOME FURTHER RESEARCH VIA THIS SITE & FOUND THE FOLLOWING INFO UNDER THE ODI DEFECT INVESTIGATION SEARCH: NHTSA RECALL CAMPAIGN NUMBER 00V117000. ALTHOUGH THE RECALL IS FOR 1997 & 1998 IT DID MENTION THE SAME TYPE OF SEAT BELT FAILURES ON 784 OUT OF 55,960 VEHICLES ON MODEL YEAR 1999 VEHICLES. I FORWARDED THE DOCUMENT TO MICHAEL REETZ, CUSTOMER RELATIONSHIP MANAGER, BUICK CUSTOMER ASSISTANCE CENTER, TO WHICH HE REPLIED - QUOTE "THANK YOU FOR CONTACTING THE BUICK CUSTOMER ASSISTANCE CENTER. WE APPRECIATE YOU TAKING THE TIME TO WRITE US IN REGARDS TO YOUR FURTHER RESEARCH INTO THE CONCERN WITH YOUR SEAT BELTS. INFORMATION ON THIRD PARTY WEBSITES IN NOT ALWAYS ACCURATE. THERE IS NO RECALL FOR THE 1999 BUICK PARK AVENUE FOR YOUR SEAT BELT CONCERN." I AGREE, THERE IS NOT CURRENTLY A RECALL FOR MY 99' PARK AVENUE, BUT I FEEL THERE SHOULD BE. *NM

NHTSA ODI #10148039

118,061 miles · Jul 25, 2005
Fuel System, Gasoline

RECALL REIMBURSEMENT FOR REPAIRS PERFORMED ON THE 1999 BUICK PARK AVENUE.***NO ANSWER REQUIRED***. *MR THE CONSUMER STATED THE INTAKE MANIFOLD PRIOR TO THE RECALL AND THEREFORE HE REQUESTED REIMBURSEMENT. THE CONSUMER HAS NOT RECEIVED A RESPONSE FROM THE MANUFACTURER. RECALL # 04V090000 *JB

NHTSA ODI #10131308

56,400 miles · Jun 24, 2005
Engine And Engine Cooling

DT: THE 1999 BUICK PARK AVENUE HAS A PLASTIC PLENUM THAT FAILS WHILE THE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION UNANNOUNCED, CAUSING ANTIFREEZE TO ENTER THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT, LOCKING THE ENGINE UP. CONSEQUENTLY, THERE IS A TOTAL POWER FAILURE. POWER STEERING AND POWER BRAKES DO NOT WORK, AND THE CAR HAS NO POWER. CAN'T COAST OR ANYTHING ELS…

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DT: THE 1999 BUICK PARK AVENUE HAS A PLASTIC PLENUM THAT FAILS WHILE THE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION UNANNOUNCED, CAUSING ANTIFREEZE TO ENTER THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT, LOCKING THE ENGINE UP. CONSEQUENTLY, THERE IS A TOTAL POWER FAILURE. POWER STEERING AND POWER BRAKES DO NOT WORK, AND THE CAR HAS NO POWER. CAN'T COAST OR ANYTHING ELSE. CONSUMER HAS BEEN IN CONTACT WITH BUICK, BUT, THERE WAS NO RECALL. CONSUMER CONSIDERED THIS VEHICLE VERY UNSAFE. CAR JUST STOPPED IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD. THIS WAS INSTANTANEOUS, AND WITH NO PRIOR PROBLEMS. CONSUMER TOOK THE CAR TO HIS MECHANIC, AND THEY REPLACED THE PLENUM FROM GM PRODUCTS. *AK *TT *NM

NHTSA ODI #10123939

Mileage unknown · Apr 28, 2005
StructureSuspension

1) CUSTOMER LOST STEERING OF CAR 2) LOWER CONTROL ARM MOUNT BROKE FROM FRAME; MOUNT WAS NOT FULLY WELDED TO FRAME. (HAVE PHOTOS AND OLD FRAME) 3) REPLACE COMPLETE SUB FRAME

NHTSA ODI #10118654

Mileage unknown · Feb 28, 2005
Seat Belts

THE SEAT BELT WILL NOT PULL OUT OF THE RETRACTOR. CONTACTED THE DEALER. HOWEVER, THE PROBLEM RECURRED. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10113138

93,000 miles · Feb 23, 2005
Engine And Engine Cooling

THE VEHICLE WOULD RUN ROUGH, OVER HEAT AND THE ENGINE CHECK LIGHT WOULD ILLUMINATE WHILE DRIVING 45-50 MPH. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE DEALER INFORMED THE CONSUMER THAT THE 3.8L ENGINE HAS BLOWN A HEAD GASKET. THE DEALER MADE THE REPAIR. *JB *NM

NHTSA ODI #10105516

42,000 miles · Jan 23, 2005
Service Brakes, HydraulicWheels

THE COMPLAINT WAS RECEIVED VIA E-MAIL. I WENT TO GOODYEAR TO HAVE MY BRAKES CHECKED WHEN THEY REMOVED THE WHEEL CAP, AND THE PLASTIC SNAPS THAT HOLD THE WHEEL CAPS IN PLACE FELL OFF. THE MECHANIC CALLED ME OVER AND REFUSED TO TAKE ANY MORE CAPS OFF. IT WAS DETERMINED THAT I NEEDED FRONT BRAKES, AND I GAVE HIM PERMISSION TO TA…

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THE COMPLAINT WAS RECEIVED VIA E-MAIL. I WENT TO GOODYEAR TO HAVE MY BRAKES CHECKED WHEN THEY REMOVED THE WHEEL CAP, AND THE PLASTIC SNAPS THAT HOLD THE WHEEL CAPS IN PLACE FELL OFF. THE MECHANIC CALLED ME OVER AND REFUSED TO TAKE ANY MORE CAPS OFF. IT WAS DETERMINED THAT I NEEDED FRONT BRAKES, AND I GAVE HIM PERMISSION TO TAKE THE SECOND CAP OFF. ONE MORE SNAP BROKE OFF. MY CAR IS A 1999 BUICK PARK AVENUE ULTRA OF 42,000 MILES. APPROXIMATELY A YEAR AGO I HAD TO REPLACE A CAP THAT WAS MISSING AT A COST OF $54.00. THESE CAPS ARE POORLY MADE AND CANNOT WITHSTAND THE PROCESS OF HAVING TIRES ROTATED, REPLACED OR WHATEVER CONDITION REQUIRES THAT THE TIRES BE REMOVED. REPLACING THESE CAPS HAS BECOME AN EXPENSIVE PROBLEM NOT ONLY THAT, BUT DANGEROUS AS WELL. THIS IS A FAULTY PRODUCT, AND SHOULD BE LOOKED AT. I HAVE CALLED THE BUICK PEOPLE, AND THEY REFUSED TO REPLACE THESE CAPS. ALSO, WILL NOT ACKNOWLEDGE THE PROBLEM. *AK *SC *JB

NHTSA ODI #10105300

58,500 miles · Dec 13, 2004
Engine And Engine Cooling

THE INTAKE MANIFOLD COVER IS MADE OUT OF PLASTIC, AND HAS BECOME DEFECTIVE FOR A SECOND TIME. THE ANTIFREEZE IS GOING INTO THE ENGINE.*AK..........*AK

NHTSA ODI #10103611

Official recalls

3

04V090000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery

Feb 24, 2004

ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 3800 V6 (L36) ENGINES AND CERTAIN DELPHI FUEL PRESSURE REGULATORS, THE REGULATORS HAVE A MUCH HIGHER THAN USUAL RATE OF FUEL LEAKS. A LEAK CAN ALLOW FUEL TO ENTER THE INTAKE MANIFOLD THROUGH A VACUUM LINE. IF THE ENGINE DOES NOT START WHEN CRANKED, THE FUEL FROM THE LEAKING REGULATOR AND A MISTIMED SPARK CAN CAUSE A BACKFIRE.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: THE BACKFIRE CAN RUPTURE THE INTAKE MANIFOLD. THE RUPTURE OF THE INTAKE MANIFOLD CAN DISPLACE A FUEL LINE, PULLING AN INJECTOR OUT OF PLACE, AND CAUSING A FUEL LEAK AND POSSIBLE FIRE.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL NEW FUEL PRESSURE REGULATORS WITH IMPROVED DIAPHRAGMS. THE RECALL WILL BE CONDUCTED IN PHASED MAILINGS. PHASE 1 BEGAN ON JUNE 30, 2004, AND PHASE 2 BEGAN ON SEPTEMBER 30, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT BUICK AT 1-866-608-8080, OLDSMOBILE AT 1-800-630-6537, OR PONTIAC AT 1-800-620-7668.

99V238000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:power Assist:vacuum

Aug 27, 1999

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE BRAKE BOOSTER TO PEDAL ASSEMBLY ATTACHMENT NUTS MAY BE LOOSE.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: IF THESE NUTS ARE LOOSE, THE BRAKE PEDAL MAY BE LOW, THE ASSEMBLY MAY BE LOOSE, THE BRAKES MAY NOT RELEASE, AND IF THE NUTS BACK COMPLETELY OFF, BRAKING MAY BE LOST. ALSO FUME AND WATER INTRUSION TO THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT CAN OCCUR.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE ANY MISSING BRAKE BOOSTER TO BRAKE PEDAL ASSEMBLY NUTS AND TIGHTEN ALL FOUR (4) NUTS TO SPECIFIED TORQUE.

99V081000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:foundation Components:disc

Apr 14, 1999

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE VEHICLES MAY HAVE BEEN BUILT WITH INCORRECT FRONT BRAKE ROTOR, BRAKE CALIPER ASSEMBLY, BRAKE PADS, AND CALIPER MOUNTING BRACKET ON EITHER THE LEFT OR RIGHT SIDE OF THE VEHICLE.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: A VEHICLE WITH THIS CONDITION CAN PULL TO ONE SIDE DURING A BRAKING MANEUVER. IN ADDITION, VEHICLE STOPPING DISTANCE COULD BE INCREASED.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT FOR CORRECT BRAKE PARTS AND REPLACE ANY INCORRECT ROTORS, CALIPER ASSEMBLIES, BRAKE PADS, AND CALIPER MOUNTING BRACKETS.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

4

EA07008 · Engine Compartment Fire

Opened Jun 12, 2007 · Closed May 1, 2008

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Engine And Engine Cooling

BY LETTER DATED MARCH 12, 2008, GENERAL MOTORS CORP. (GM) HAS NOTIFIED THE AGENCY THAT IT WILL CONDUCT A SAFETY RECALL (IDENTIFIED BY NHTSA RECALL NUMBER 08V-118) TO ADDRESS A DEFECT IN APPROXIMATELY 207,542 MODEL YEAR (MY) 1997-2003 BUICK REGAL GS AND PONTIAC GRAND PRIX GTP VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH THE L67 SUPERCHARGED VERSION OF GM'S 3800 SERIES II V6 ENGINE.THE RECALLED REGAL GS VEHICLES WERE BUILT FROM AUGUST 1996 TO JUNE 2003 AND THE GRAND PRIX GTP FROM MARCH 1996 THROUGH JANUARY 2003.ACCORDING TO GM, OIL MAY ESCAPE PAST THE VALVE COVER GASKET ON THE FRONT CYLINDER BANK (CYLINDERS 1-3-5) AND DEPOSIT ONTO HOT EXHAUST SYSTEM COMPONENTS.UNDER CERTAIN CONDITIONS, IT IS POSSIBLE FOR THIS OIL TO IGNITE A SMALL PILOT FLAME, WHICH MAY SPREAD TO THE ADJACENT PLASTIC SPARK PLUG WIRE CHANNEL, THE SPARK PLUG WIRES THEMSELVES, THE PLASTIC ENGINE COVER, AND OTHER UNDER HOOD COMPONENTS.REPORTS INDICATE THIS MOST OFTEN OCCURS ON HIGHER-MILEAGE VEHICLES SHORTLY AFTER THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN DRIVEN AND THEN PARKED.TYPICALLY, THE FIRE WAS DISCOVERED WITHIN 5 TO 15 MINUTES AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED.DURING THIS TIME WINDOW, UNDER HOOD TEMPERATURES MAY BECOME ELEVATED.SUCH ELEVATED TEMPERATURES COMBINED WITH A LACK OF AIRFLOW THROUGH THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT MAY PERMIT A SMALL PILOT FLAME TO PROPAGATE AND IGNITE OTHER FUEL SOURCES.TO CORRECT THE SAFETY DEFECT, GM WILL INSTALL AN IMPROVED DESIGN FRONT VALVE COVER GASKET AND SPARK PLUG WIRE RETAINER.THIS REMEDY WILL BE SUPPLIEDFREE OF CHARGE FOR ALL RECALLED VEHICLES.UNTIL SUFFICIENT PARTS BECOME AVAILABLE TO REPAIR ALL OF THE AFFECTED VEHICLES, GM STRONGLY RECOMMENDS THAT OWNERS OBSERVE THE FOLLOWING IMPORTANT PRECAUTIONS: (1) THEY STRONGLY RECOMMEND THAT OWNERS DO NOT PARK THEIR VEHICLE IN A GARAGE, CARPORT, OR OTHER STRUCTURE; (2) IF OWNERS NOTICE A BURNING ODOR, THEY SHOULD HAVE THEIR DEALER INSPECT THE VEHICLE - THE DEALER WILL INSPECT THE VEHICLE WITHOUT CHARGE; AND (3) USE PREMIUM FUEL (91 OCTANE OR HIGHER) IN THE VEHICLE AS RECOMMENDED IN THE VEHICLE'S OWNER MANUAL.THE ACTION TAKEN BY GM IS SUFFICIENT TO RESOLVE THE ISSUES RAISED BY THIS INVESTIGATION.THE SUBJECT FIRE INCIDENT RATE ON THE C-, G-, AND H-PLATFORM SUBJECT VEHICLES IS LOW.THE AGENCY WILL CONTINUE TO MONITOR THIS ISSUE AND RESERVES THE RIGHT TO TAKE FURTHER ACTION IF WARRANTED BY THE CIRCUMSTANCES.ACCORDINGLY, THIS INVESTIGATION IS CLOSED.SEE DOCUMENT FILE FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION REGARDING THIS RESUME.

Additional source detail variants (2)

Engine And Engine Cooling

BY LETTER DATED MARCH 12, 2008, GENERAL MOTORS CORP. (GM) HAS NOTIFIED THE AGENCY THAT IT WILL CONDUCT A SAFETY RECALL (IDENTIFIED BY NHTSA RECALL NUMBER 08V-118) TO ADDRESS A DEFECT IN APPROXIMATELY 207,542 MODEL YEAR (MY) 1997-2003 BUICK REGAL GS AND PONTIAC GRAND PRIX GTP VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH THE L67 SUPERCHARGED VERSION OF GM'S 3800 SERIES II V6 ENGINE.THE RECALLED REGAL GS VEHICLES WERE BUILT FROM AUGUST 1996 TO JUNE 2003 AND THE GRAND PRIX GTP FROM MARCH 1996 THROUGH JANUARY 2003.ACCORDING TO GM, OIL MAY ESCAPE PAST THE VALVE COVER GASKET ON THE FRONT CYLINDER BANK (CYLINDERS 1-3-5) AND DEPOSIT ONTO HOT EXHAUST SYSTEM COMPONENTS.UNDER CERTAIN CONDITIONS, IT IS POSSIBLE FOR THIS OIL TO IGNITE A SMALL PILOT FLAME, WHICH MAY SPREAD TO THE ADJACENT PLASTIC SPARK PLUG WIRE CHANNEL, THE SPARK PLUG WIRES THEMSELVES, THE PLASTIC ENGINE COVER, AND OTHER UNDER HOOD COMPONENTS.REPORTS INDICATE THIS MOST OFTEN OCCURS ON HIGHER-MILEAGE VEHICLES SHORTLY AFTER THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN DRIVEN AND THEN PARKED.TYPICALLY, THE FIRE WAS DISCOVERED WITHIN 5 TO 15 MINUTES AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED.DURING THIS TIME WINDOW, UNDER HOOD TEMPERATURES MAY BECOME ELEVATED.SUCH ELEVATED TEMPERATURES COMBINED WITH A LACK OF AIRFLOW THROUGH THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT MAY PERMIT A SMALL PILOT FLAME TO PROPAGATE AND IGNITE OTHER FUEL SOURCES.TO CORRECT THE SAFETY DEFECT, GM WILL INSTALL AN IMPROVED DESIGN FRONT VALVE COVER GASKET AND SPARK PLUG WIRE RETAINER.THIS REMEDY WILL BE SUPPLIEDFREE OF CHARGE FOR ALL RECALLED VEHICLES.UNTIL SUFFICIENT PARTS BECOME AVAILABLE TO REPAIR ALL OF THE AFFECTED VEHICLES, GM STRONGLY RECOMMENDS THAT OWNERS OBSERVE THE FOLLOWING IMPORTANT PRECAUTIONS: (1) THEY STRONGLY RECOMMEND THAT OWNERS DO NOT PARK THEIR VEHICLE IN A GARAGE, CARPORT, OR OTHER STRUCTURE; (2) IF OWNERS NOTICE A BURNING ODOR, THEY SHOULD HAVE THEIR DEALER INSPECT THE VEHICLE - THE DEALER WILL INSPECT THE VEHICLE WITHOUT CHARGE; AND (3) USE PREMIUM FUEL (91 OCTANE OR HIGHER) IN THE VEHICLE AS RECOMMENDED IN THE VEHICLE'S OWNER MANUAL.THE ACTION TAKEN BY GM IS SUFFICIENT TO RESOLVE THE ISSUES RAISED BY THIS INVESTIGATION.THE SUBJECT FIRE INCIDENT RATE ON THE C-, G-, AND H-PLATFORM SUBJECT VEHICLES IS LOW.THE AGENCY WILL CONTINUE TO MONITOR THIS ISSUE AND RESERVES THE RIGHT TO TAKE FURTHER ACTION IF WARRANTED BY THE CIRCUMSTANCES.ACCORDINGLY, THIS INVESTIGATION IS CLOSED.SEE DOCUMENT FILE FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION REGARDING THIS RESUME.

Engine And Engine Cooling

BY LETTER DATED MARCH 12, 2008, GENERAL MOTORS CORP. (GM) HAS NOTIFIED THE AGENCY THAT IT WILL CONDUCT A SAFETY RECALL (IDENTIFIED BY NHTSA RECALL NUMBER 08V-118) TO ADDRESS A DEFECT IN APPROXIMATELY 207,542 MODEL YEAR (MY) 1997-2003 BUICK REGAL GS AND PONTIAC GRAND PRIX GTP VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH THE L67 SUPERCHARGED VERSION OF GM'S 3800 SERIES II V6 ENGINE.THE RECALLED REGAL GS VEHICLES WERE BUILT FROM AUGUST 1996 TO JUNE 2003 AND THE GRAND PRIX GTP FROM MARCH 1996 THROUGH JANUARY 2003.ACCORDING TO GM, OIL MAY ESCAPE PAST THE VALVE COVER GASKET ON THE FRONT CYLINDER BANK (CYLINDERS 1-3-5) AND DEPOSIT ONTO HOT EXHAUST SYSTEM COMPONENTS.UNDER CERTAIN CONDITIONS, IT IS POSSIBLE FOR THIS OIL TO IGNITE A SMALL PILOT FLAME, WHICH MAY SPREAD TO THE ADJACENT PLASTIC SPARK PLUG WIRE CHANNEL, THE SPARK PLUG WIRES THEMSELVES, THE PLASTIC ENGINE COVER, AND OTHER UNDER HOOD COMPONENTS.REPORTS INDICATE THIS MOST OFTEN OCCURS ON HIGHER-MILEAGE VEHICLES SHORTLY AFTER THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN DRIVEN AND THEN PARKED.TYPICALLY, THE FIRE WAS DISCOVERED WITHIN 5 TO 15 MINUTES AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED.DURING THIS TIME WINDOW, UNDER HOOD TEMPERATURES MAY BECOME ELEVATED.SUCH ELEVATED TEMPERATURES COMBINED WITH A LACK OF AIRFLOW THROUGH THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT MAY PERMIT A SMALL PILOT FLAME TO PROPAGATE AND IGNITE OTHER FUEL SOURCES.TO CORRECT THE SAFETY DEFECT, GM WILL INSTALL AN IMPROVED DESIGN FRONT VALVE COVER GASKET AND SPARK PLUG WIRE RETAINER.THIS REMEDY WILL BE SUPPLIEDFREE OF CHARGE FOR ALL RECALLED VEHICLES.UNTIL SUFFICIENT PARTS BECOME AVAILABLE TO REPAIR ALL OF THE AFFECTED VEHICLES, GM STRONGLY RECOMMENDS THAT OWNERS OBSERVE THE FOLLOWING IMPORTANT PRECAUTIONS: (1) THEY STRONGLY RECOMMEND THAT OWNERS DO NOT PARK THEIR VEHICLE IN A GARAGE, CARPORT, OR OTHER STRUCTURE; (2) IF OWNERS NOTICE A BURNING ODOR, THEY SHOULD HAVE THEIR DEALER INSPECT THE VEHICLE - THE DEALER WILL INSPECT THE VEHICLE WITHOUT CHARGE; AND (3) USE PREMIUM FUEL (91 OCTANE OR HIGHER) IN THE VEHICLE AS RECOMMENDED IN THE VEHICLE'S OWNER MANUAL.THE ACTION TAKEN BY GM IS SUFFICIENT TO RESOLVE THE ISSUES RAISED BY THIS INVESTIGATION.THE SUBJECT FIRE INCIDENT RATE ON THE C-, G-, AND H-PLATFORM SUBJECT VEHICLES IS LOW.THE AGENCY WILL CONTINUE TO MONITOR THIS ISSUE AND RESERVES THE RIGHT TO TAKE FURTHER ACTION IF WARRANTED BY THE CIRCUMSTANCES.ACCORDINGLY, THIS INVESTIGATION IS CLOSED.SEE DOCUMENT FILE FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION REGARDING THIS RESUME.

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