1997 Buick Regal: Recalls, Problems & MPG
Here are the deets on the 1997 Buick Regal: 7 recalls, 136 owner complaints and up to 21 mpg combined.
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Recalls
7 vehicle recalls from the manufacturer, plus 1 equipment/tire recall that can apply. Repairs are free. Check your VIN to see if one is still open on your car.
Brakes (hydraulic) Vehicle recall #97V223000 · 1997 · 4,387 vehicles
What's wrong: The right front brake pipe can contact the piower steering assembly causing the brake line to wear through.
Why it matters: This condition can result in the loss of brake fluid and eventual loss of half of the vehicle brake system.
The fix: Dealers will inspect for proper clearance between the brake line and power steering assembly. Assemblies found to be out of position will be repositioned and all assemblies secured to maintain proper clearances. Additionally, those brake lines found to have been damaged will be replaced and…
Exterior lights Vehicle recall #98V102000 · 1998 · 149,342 vehicles
What's wrong: The owner manuals do not contain the requirement information pertaining to the vehicle headlamp aiming device. This does not comply with requirements of fmvss no. 108, "lamps, reflective devices, and associated equipment."
Why it matters: If the headlamp assemblies are replaced, customers May not be able to properly aim the headlights.
The fix: Owners will be mailed an owner manual's insert which contains the appropriate information.
Visibility (wipers, glass) Vehicle recall #99V348000 · 1999 · 155,149 vehicles
What's wrong: The windshield wipers May stop working due to a separation between the drive pin and crescent in the crank arm assembly.
Why it matters: Driver visibility could be reduced, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will inspect these vehicles for the presence of a plastic water deflector and, if necessary, replace the wiper motor crank arm and install a water deflector. On vehicles receiving a replacement crank arm and new water deflector, dealers will also apply additional sealing material to improve…
Steering Vehicle recall #03V527000 · 2003 · 750,283 vehicles
What's wrong: Certain passenger vehicles have lower pinion bearings in the power rack and pinion assembly in which the retainer tabs were not crimped properly. These retainers could fail and permit the ball bearings to escape.
Why it matters: If this occurs, the pinion shaft can be forced upward during left turns and back down as the steering wheel is moved back and to the right. If the pinion shaft moves further, the driver will need to exert more effort to turn the steering wheel, similar to a vehicle without power assisted steering.…
The fix: Dealers will install a new lower pinion bearing unless inspect of the existing bearing indicates that replacement of the gear assembly is necessary. Owner notification began on February 5, 2004. Owners should contact Buick at 1-866-608-8080; Chevrolet at 1-800-630-2438; Oldsmobile at…
Engine & cooling Vehicle recall #08V118000 · 2008 · 207,542 vehicles
What's wrong: 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.
Why it matters: 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 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…
Engine & cooling Vehicle recall #09V116000 · 2009 · 1,497,516 vehicles
What's wrong: 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.
Why it matters: 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.
The 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.
Engine & cooling, Engine & cooling Vehicle recall #15V701000 · 2015 · 1,003,556 vehicles
What's wrong: 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.
Why it matters: Engine oil that drips onto the hot surface of the exhaust manifold May result in a fire.
The 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…
1 aftermarket equipment / tire recall replacement parts sold to fit this car, not the car itself
Steering Equipment recall #09E005000 · 2009 · 979 vehicles
What's wrong: 697-902 and 697-903, sold under dorman's "oe solutionstm" brand name, and napa p/nos. 7-8502 and 7-8503 which were sold for replacement use on the various vehicles listed above. A potential material or design defect could result in the steering knuckle breaking in the hub area.
Why it matters: A broken steering knuckle could result in loss of steering control and a possible crash without warning.
The fix: Dorman will notify owners and replace the defective steering knuckles free of charge and reimburse the repair facility or owner for labor. The recall began on February 23, 2009.
Most-reported problems
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component. One complaint can list several components. 19 mention a fire, 2 injuries and 0 deaths were reported.
What owners describe
- Steering (37): the most common themes are steering problems (34).
- Engine & cooling (30): the most common themes are fire / smoke (11), leaks (7), stalls / loses power (7).
- Electrical (18): the most common themes are stalls / loses power (9), electrical failure (5).
- Visibility (wipers, glass) (11): no single recurring theme in the descriptions.
The 1997 Buick Regal has 136 owner complaints, ranking #10 of 29 Regal model years for complaints (about average; the typical year has 103). Complaints peaked in 1999 (17 filed that year). The typical problem showed up when the car was about 7 years old, at a median of 105,771 miles. Neighboring years: 1996 (204 complaints, 3 recalls), 1998 (302 complaints, 6 recalls).
Engines & fuel economy (EPA)
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.1 L 6-cyl | Automatic 4-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 18 | 26 | 21 | Regular |
| 3.8 L 6-cyl | Automatic 4-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 17 | 27 | 20 | Regular |
| 3.8 L 6-cyl | Automatic 4-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 16 | 26 | 19 | Premium |
Want the full repair deets? Get the factory manual.
Recall and complaint data tells you what goes wrong. A service manual tells you how to fix it: torque specs, wiring diagrams, fluid capacities and step-by-step procedures for the 1997 Buick Regal.
Closest thing to the factory manual for most years. Pay once, keep it.
Most $25–$78, one-timePro-shop repair procedures, wiring diagrams and TSBs for your exact car.
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FAQ
Does the 1997 Buick Regal have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists 7 vehicle recalls for the 1997 Buick Regal, plus 1 equipment or tire recalls that can apply. Recall repairs are free at any dealer, no matter how old the car is. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What are the most common 1997 Buick Regal problems?
Owners have filed 136 complaints with NHTSA. The most-reported areas are steering (37), engine & cooling (30), electrical (18).
What gas mileage does the 1997 Buick Regal get?
EPA ratings run up to 21 mpg combined (3.1 L, Automatic 4-spd), across 3 engine and transmission combos.
Where can I get a 1997 Buick Regal repair manual?
eManualOnline sells downloadable manuals, Mitchell 1 DIY and ALLDATAdiy sell online access to factory repair data, and Haynes sells printed guides and online access. Pick a download if you want to keep it, or a subscription for wiring diagrams and TSBs.