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According to Au7o's research across NHTSA recalls, manufacturer TSBs, and owner forum reports, the 1998 Buick Regal has 2 documented known issues, with 2 rated critical. The most serious are 3.8L V6 Valve Cover Oil Leak onto Exhaust Manifold — Fire Recall 09V116000 and Front Rocker Cover Gasket Oil Seepage Can Ignite on the Exhaust Manifold (Recall 08V118000). DIY maintenance guides at au7o.io.
All 2 Known Issues
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On the 1997-2003 Buick Regal, buick Regals from 1997 through 2003 equipped with the 3.8L naturally aspirated V6 fall under GM recall 09V116000. The defect is an oil leak path that lets drops of engine oil land on the exhaust manifold when the car is braked hard. Should the manifold be hot enough and the oil run underneath the heat shield, the oil can ignite into a small flame. From there the fire can travel to the plastic spark plug wire channel and beyond, which is what makes an otherwise ordinary oil weep a fire hazard rather than just a mess. This is one of the longest year spans in the campaign — nearly every 3.8L naturally aspirated Regal of that generation is in scope. Supercharged Regal GS models are not covered by this campaign, which is specific to the naturally aspirated 3.8L. NHTSA lists 1,497,516 vehicles for the campaign as a whole, spanning all the GM models involved.
Common Symptoms
Burning oil odor, often noticed after hard braking
Smoke rising from the engine bay
Oil residue on or around the front valve cover and exhaust manifold area
How to Fix
Correction is free at a Buick/GM dealer. The dealer fits a redesigned front valve cover and front valve cover gasket, and takes off the engine's plastic cover and the plastic oil fill tube extension — removing both the leak source and the nearby plastic that could carry a flame. Given the age of these cars, verify the recall's status by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls before booking, since a prior owner may have already had it done.
On the 1997-2003 Buick Regal, gM recalled Buick Regals built for the 1997-2003 model years that came with the supercharged 3.8L V-6 — in the Regal line that is the GS-style supercharged car, not the naturally aspirated version. On these engines the front rocker (valve) cover gasket runs at higher temperatures than normal, so the gasket can degrade earlier than expected and begin letting engine oil seep out. NHTSA's consequence statement is the serious part: oil that seeps or is spilled at the front of the engine can be flung onto the exhaust manifold, and hard braking is specifically called out as the motion that deposits those drops. If the manifold is hot enough and the oil runs down below the heat shield, it can ignite into a small flame and, in some cases, a larger underhood fire. The campaign covers 207,542 vehicles in total across every model included in the recall — that figure is campaign-wide and is not a count of Regals. GM advised owners not to wait for symptoms: until the remedy was performed, the recommendation was to have any oil seepage taken seriously rather than treated as a normal old-car leak.
Common Symptoms
Engine oil seepage from the front rocker (valve) cover area
Oil dripping onto the exhaust manifold, sometimes noticed after hard braking
Burning oil smell or smoke from under the hood
In some cases a small flame or underhood fire
How to Fix
Take the Regal to a Buick/GM dealer — the recall repair is free regardless of the car's age or mileage. The dealer replaces the front valve cover and the front valve cover gasket with redesigned parts, and also removes the engine's plastic cover, the plastic oil-fill-tube extension, and the 1-3-5 spark plug wire retainers, all of which are part of the fix rather than optional extras. Because this is a fire-risk campaign on a car that is now decades old, confirm the work was actually done: enter the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether recall 08V118000 is still listed as open for that specific vehicle. If it shows open, book the dealer visit and in the meantime treat any oil smell, smoke, or fresh seepage at the front of the engine as urgent.
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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.
Campaign #15V70100026/10/2015
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
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.
Campaign #09V11600008/04/2009
STEERING
DORMAN PRODUCTS IS RECALLING 3,900 INTERMEDIATE STEERING SHAFTS DORMAN PART NOS. 425-151, 425-152, AND 425-153, (SOLD UNDER DORMAN'S "OE SOLUTIONS" BRAND NAME), BALKAMP #'S 7-3057, 7-3058, 7-3059 (SOLD UNDER THE "NAPA" BRAND NAME), AND PLATINUM PARTS #'S 2425151, 2425152, AND 2425153 MANUFACTURED DURING THE MONTH OF SEPTEMBER 2007. THESE REPLACEMENT STEERING SHAFTS CAN BE USED ON THE VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. THE WELD CONNECTING THE INNER TUBE TO THE OUTER TUBE MAY BE DEFECTIVE.
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According to Au7o's research across NHTSA recalls, manufacturer TSBs, and owner forum reports, the 1998 Buick Regal has 2 documented issues. The most frequently reported are: 3.8L V6 Valve Cover Oil Leak onto Exhaust Manifold — Fire Recall 09V116000, Front Rocker Cover Gasket Oil Seepage Can Ignite on the Exhaust Manifold (Recall 08V118000). Of these, 2 are rated critical and should be addressed promptly.
Is the Buick Regal reliable?
The 1998 Buick Regal has 2 known issues compiled from NHTSA recalls, manufacturer TSBs, and owner forum reports. 2 issues are rated critical: 3.8L V6 Valve Cover Oil Leak onto Exhaust Manifold — Fire Recall 09V116000 and Front Rocker Cover Gasket Oil Seepage Can Ignite on the Exhaust Manifold (Recall 08V118000). Prospective buyers should inspect for these issues and factor potential repair costs into their purchase decision. Regular maintenance following the manufacturer's schedule helps prevent many common problems.
What is the 1997-2003 Buick Regal 3.8L V6 Valve Cover Oil Leak onto Exhaust Manifold — Fire Recall 09V116000?
Buick Regals from 1997 through 2003 equipped with the 3.8L naturally aspirated V6 fall under GM recall 09V116000. The defect is an oil leak path that lets drops of engine oil land on the exhaust manifold when the car is braked hard. Should the manifold be hot enough and the oil r… Severity: high.
What is the 1997-2003 Buick Regal Front Rocker Cover Gasket Oil Seepage Can Ignite on the Exhaust Manifold (Recall 08V118000)?
GM recalled Buick Regals built for the 1997-2003 model years that came with the supercharged 3.8L V-6 — in the Regal line that is the GS-style supercharged car, not the naturally aspirated version. On these engines the front rocker (valve) cover gasket runs at higher temperatures… Severity: high.
Content on this page was compiled with AI assistance using NHTSA complaints, TSBs, owner reports, and public automotive data. While we strive for accuracy, this information may contain errors. Always verify repair procedures and specifications with your vehicle's service manual or a qualified mechanic.
Campaign #08E06300017/10/2008
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
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.
Campaign #08V11800012/03/2008
STEERING
DORMAN IS RECALLING 979 STEERING KNUCKLES, DORMAN P/NOS. 697-902 AND 697-903, SOLD UNDER DORMAN'S "OE SOLUTIONS<SUP>TM</SUP>" 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.
