1999 Buick Regal Problems, Complaints & Recalls
- Compared with other Regal years
- Far more complaints than other years 3rd of 24 for complaints
- Safety recalls
- 6 recalls: check your VIN
- NHTSA crash rating
- Not rated
Owners have filed 246 complaints with NHTSA about the 1999 Buick Regal. That ranks 3rd out of 24 Regal model years for complaints. The most reported problem area is engine (49 complaints, 20%), typically at around 139,000 miles. Complaints mention 8 crashes, 44 fires, 7 injuries. There are 6 safety recalls covering this model year. NHTSA has opened 3 defect investigations involving it.

- 246owner complaints
- 6safety recalls
- 3NHTSA investigations
- 8complaints mentioning a crash
Complaints are unverified owner reports and are not adjusted for sales volume.
Most common 1999 Buick Regal problems
Complaints grouped by the part of the car owners reported, with the median mileage when the problem happened.
| Problem area | Complaints | Share | Median miles | Owners mention most | Typical repair cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 49 | 20% | 139,000 | — | — |
| Engine and Engine Cooling | 43 | 17% | 90,739 | — | — |
| Electrical System | 42 | 17% | 88,080 | — | — |
| Steering | 31 | 13% | 85,000 | — | — |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic | 23 | 9% | 72,000 | — | — |
| Visibility | 20 | 8% | 82,645 | — | — |
| Power Train | 10 | 4% | 84,739 | — | — |
| Seat Belts | 10 | 4% | 135,000 | — | — |
| Equipment | 8 | 3% | 65,000 | — | — |
| Exterior Lighting | 7 | 3% | 97,000 | — | — |
| Suspension | 7 | 3% | 94,089 | — | — |
| Wheels | 7 | 3% | 39,500 | — | — |
| Unknown or Other | 6 | 2% | 120,000 | — | — |
| Tires | 5 | 2% | 89,000 | — | — |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 5 | 2% | 78,000 | — | — |
| Air Bags | 3 | 1% | 120,000 | — | — |
| Fuel System, Gasoline | 3 | 1% | 80,050 | — | — |
| Latches/locks/linkages | 3 | 1% | 88,100 | — | — |
| Structure | 3 | 1% | 45,000 | — | — |
| Fuel/propulsion System | 2 | 1% | 124,000 | — | — |
| Parking Brake | 2 | 1% | 128,484 | — | — |
| Service Brakes | 2 | 1% | 140,000 | — | — |
| Electronic Stability Control (esc) | 1 | 0% | 140,000 | — | — |
| Fuel System, Other | 1 | 0% | 65,500 | — | — |
| Interior Lighting | 1 | 0% | 148,000 | — | — |
| Seats | 1 | 0% | 100,100 | — | — |
| Visibility/wiper | 1 | 0% | 86,000 | — | — |
One complaint can list several problem areas, so shares can add up to more than 100%.
Complaints by year received
1999 Buick Regal recalls (6)
Tap a recall to see the problem, the risk and the fix.
Engine and engine cooling:exhaust system:manifold/header/muffler/tail pipe; engine and engine cooling:engine
Problem: General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 1998-1999 Chevrolet Lumina and Oldsmobile Intrigue, 1997-2004 Buick Regal and Pontiac Grand Prix, 2000-2004 Chevrolet Impala, and 1998-2004 Chevrolet Monte Carlo vehicles. The affected vehicles were previously repaired under recalls 08V-118, 09V-116, and 15V-201 to address the possibility that engine oil may drip onto the hot exhaust manifold.
Risk: Engine oil that drips onto the hot surface of the exhaust manifold may result in a fire.
Fix: The remedy applied under recalls 08V-118, 09V-116, and 15V-201 did not adequately remove the safety risk. Under the improved remedy, dealers will replace the engineÂs front valve cover and gasket. Vehicles that are covered by recalls 08V-118, 09V-116, or 15V-201 that have not yet received the original remedy will instead receive the improved remedy under the original recall number. The recall began on February 19, 2016. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300, Oldsmobile customer service at 1-800-442-6537 and Pontiac customer service at 1-800-458-8006. GM's number for this recall is 15757. Note: Until the improved remedy has been applied, owners are advised to park their vehicle outside since the fire risk exists even when the vehicle is unattended.
Engine and engine cooling
Problem: General 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 1997-2003 pontiac grand prix vehicles equipped with a 3.8l v6 naturally aspirated engine. Some of these vehicles have a condition in which drops of engine oil may be deposited on the exhaust manifold through hard braking.
Risk: If the manifold is hot enough and the oil runs below the heat shield, it may ignite into a small flame and may spread to the plastic spark plug wire channel and beyond increasing the risk of an engine compartment fire.
Fix: Dealers will replace the engineâs front valve cover and front-valve-cover gasket with new parts of an improved design and remove the engineâs plastic cover and plastic oil-fill-tube extension, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin during may 2016. Owners may contact chevrolet at 1-800-630-2438, oldsmobile at 1-800-630-6537, and pontiac at 1-800-620-7668 or http://www.pontiac.com or http:www.gmownercenter.com.
Engine and engine cooling
Problem: Gm 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 front rocker cover gasket temperatures, creating the potential for earlier degradation of the front rocker cover gasket and eventual oil seepage.
Risk: Certain underhood fires may be caused by drops of engine oil, from seepage or spillage, being deposited on the exhaust manifold through hard braking. If the manifold is hot enough and the oil runs below the heat shield, it may ignite into a small flame and, in some instances, the fire may spread to the plastic spark plug wire channel and beyond.
Fix: Dealers will replace the engineâs front valve cover and front-valve-cover gasket with new parts of an improved design and remove the engineâs plastic cover and plastic oil-fill-tube extension, along with the 1-3-5 spark plug wire retainers, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin during may 2016. , free of charge. The recall is expected to begin during may 2016. Until the remedy is completed, gm strongly recommends that owners observe the following important precautions (1) that owners do not park their vehicle in a garage, car port, 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; (3) use premium fuel (91 octane or higher) in the vehicle as recommended in the vehicle's owner manual. Owners may contact buick at 1-866-608-8080 or pontiac at 1-800-620-7668, or through their website at <a href=http://www.gmownercenter.com>http://www.gmownercenter.com</a> .
Exterior lighting:headlights
Problem: Certain passenger vehicles do not conform to the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 108, "lamps, reflective devices, and associated equipment." some of these vehicles do not meet the overhead sign illumination requirements.
Risk: Less illumination may reduce the ability of the driver to read overhead signs when driving at night.
Fix: Dealers will install new low beam headlamp bulbs in both of the headlamp assemblies. The recall began on september 8, 2004. Owners should contact buick at 1-866-608-8080. Note: if the bulb needs replacement in the future, gm bulb number 89024715 is available from a dealer, or the equivalent sylvania bulb is 9006hp, with orange lettering on the bulb.
Exterior lighting:headlights
Problem: Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. These vehicles do not conform to the requirements of fmvss no. 108, "lamps, reflective devices, and associated equipment." the vertical head lamp adjusting device may not be calibrated properly.
Risk: Driver visibility may be impaired increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Owners will be provided with an owner's manual insert containing instructions for optically aiming the headlamps.
Service brakes, hydraulic:antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip
Problem: Some of these vehicles with the key in the "on" position, exhibit a condition in which the antilock brake system (abs) motor shorts to its case and grounds through a flexible brake fluid pipe.
Risk: This short can cause extreme heating of the flexible brake pipe where it can melt a nearby flexible plastic fuel hose, which could result in an underhood fire.
Fix: Dealers will install a ground cable from the electronic brake control module (ebcm) to the engine compartment body rail.
To see whether a specific car still has an open recall, enter its VIN on NHTSA's official recall lookup. You can also decode a VIN here.
NHTSA defect investigations
- Engine compartment fire (EA07008) — opened Jun 12, 2007, closed May 1, 2008, led to recall 08V118000.
- Engine compartment fires (EA02030) — opened Oct 22, 2002, closed Mar 9, 2004, led to recall 04V090000.
- Engine compartment fires (PE02050) — opened Jun 13, 2002, closed Oct 22, 2002.
Recent owner reports
Short excerpts of the latest complaints filed with NHTSA, with personal details removed. Full reports can be searched on NHTSA.gov.
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…
Weird engine noise , when switching the ignition switch sometimes delay, also dash lights and headlights also ac doesn't work and low oil , low air , and low coolant lights turn on even if all of them are full at the right level .
Passenger air bag light stays on all the time. Takata inflators
August 2017', the steering began to pull very slightly left and right at all speeds but more noticeable at low speeds or when turning the wheels at a stop with a very slight clunk noise that got louder over the year. Visible inspection at my repair shop during a flat rear tire repair did not find…
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 BUICK REGAL. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO PLACE THE GEAR SHIFTER IN DRIVE, THE VEHICLE JERKED AND BEGAN TO SHAKE. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS ON AN INCLINE, IT FAILED TO PROPERLY ACCELERATE AND STARTED TO SHAKE. ALL OF THE WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE…
Other Buick Regal years
| Year | Complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 Regal | 2 | 2 |
| 2019 Regal | 19 | 3 |
| 2018 Regal | 19 | 3 |
| 2017 Regal | 20 | 0 |
| 2016 Regal | 41 | 1 |
| 2015 Regal | 33 | 0 |
| 2014 Regal | 38 | 2 |
| 2013 Regal | 91 | 6 |
| 2012 Regal | 92 | 7 |
| 2011 Regal | 280 | 4 |
| 2010 Regal | 1 | 0 |
| 2009 Regal | 1 | 0 |
| 2008 Regal | 1 | 0 |
| 2005 Regal | 4 | 0 |
| 2004 Regal | 66 | 2 |
| 2003 Regal | 101 | 3 |
| 2002 Regal | 117 | 3 |
| 2001 Regal | 187 | 6 |
| 2000 Regal | 184 | 8 |
| 1999 | 246 | 6 |
| 1998 Regal | 302 | 6 |
| 1997 Regal | 136 | 7 |
| 1996 Regal | 204 | 3 |
| 1995 Regal | 173 | 8 |
See all Buick Regal problems by year, every Buick model, or the Buick VIN decoder.
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Frequently asked questions
What are the most common problems with the 1999 Buick Regal?
Owners most often report engine, engine and engine cooling, electrical system problems. The top one, engine, accounts for 49 complaints.
Was there a recall on the 1999 Buick Regal?
Yes, 6 safety recalls. Enter your VIN at NHTSA.gov to check whether the repairs were done on your car.
Was the 1999 Buick Regal a good year?
Complaint data can't fully answer that, because counts aren't adjusted for sales. Compared with other Regal model years, the 1999 has far more complaints than most years. Always get a pre-purchase inspection and check the VIN for open recalls.