GM Recalls 1.5 Million Buick, Chevrolet, Oldsmobile and Pontiac Vehicles

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The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and General Motors have announced an auto recall for 1,497,517 Buick Regal, Chevrolet Lumina, Chevrolet Impala, Chevrolet Monte Carlo, Oldsmobile Intrigue and Pontiac Grand Prix vehicles.

The vehicles all have GM 3.8 liter engines, which contain a defect that may cause oil to leak and potentially cause a car fire.

The GM recall was reported on April 14, 2009, and registered owners of the affected vehicles are expected to be contacted so that repairs can be made starting in May 2009.

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The model years that will be impacted by the recall include the 1998-2003 Chevrolet Lumina, 1998-2003 Chevrolet Monte Carlo, 1998-2003 Chevrolet Impala, 1998-1999 Oldsmobile Intrigue, 1997-2003 Buick Regal and 1997-2003 Pontiac Grand Prix (with a 3.8L V6).

The problem with the engine involves a defect which could allow drops of oil to leak onto the exhaust manifold during hard breaking. If the manifold is hot and the leaking oil runs under the heat shield, it is possible that a flame could ignite and cause an engine fire.

Owners of the vehicles with GM engines will be asked to contact a dealer service center to arrange repairs. The spark plug wire retention channel at the front and the engine will be removed and replaced with two new spark plug wire retainers at no cost to the owner.

Additional information about the GM recall can be obtained by contacting Chevrolet at (800) 630-2438, Oldsmobile at (800) 630-6537 or Pontiac at (800) 620-7668. Additional information can also be obtained at www.gmownercenter.com.


185 Comments


star
Does anyone know of any recalls or lawsuits going against gm on their 2002 chevy venture? It has left me and my 5 children stranded many times. Overheating, auto doors open while driving, manual sliding door feel off track on my daughter, lost belonings from auto door opening while driving. It could have been one of my kids. Power windows won’t stay on track no matter how many times I have had it fixed. Door locks won’t lock, and I believe I am having major transmission problems.Feels like my van is a death trap for me and my kids. Very unsafe. I need to get rid of it, but I’m very scared to sell it to another family. Its going to kill someone!

dane
2001 chevrolet impala…total loss. Parked for work around 7:20 am, then walked inside. No less than 15 minutes later a co-worker comes around the corner saying “i think your car is on fire”. It took about two or three times before I believed him and ran outside to see black smoke, police, and a swarm of firemen trying to extinguish the engine. The fire appears to have started similarly to the listed recall which I never received a notification of. If the police and firemen weren’t on scene as fast as they were, I would be responsible for a great deal of property damage. I will try small claims court if there is no organized class action forming soon.

Valerie
Share informy daughter bought a 02 Chevy Impala March 4,2012 we have been back and forth to the car lot complaining of mechanical issues with the car. Today my daughter and granddaughter were in the car on there way to an appt and the car caught on fire. The car lot had the car towed to them.and now they are offering her another car and said for her not to file it on her insurance and they would eat the loss. I’m just now reading some of the other comments of people who have had fire issues with GM vehicles..is there a class action law suit involving Gm?

tim
febuary15 2010 went to start my 2000 chevy impalla and intake exploded causing top of engine to catch fire almost lost my garage with to antique cars inside I AM STILL TRAMATIZED BY THIS EXPLOSION AND FIRE GENERAL MOTORS SHOULD BE HELD RESPONSABLE FOR THESE PLASTIC INTAKE ESPLOSIONS. THEY DONT SEEM TO HAVE ANY PROBLEM SENDING OUT RECALLS FOR THEIRPLASTIC SPARK PLUGS RETAINERS WHICH IS A CHEAP FIX SHAME ON THEM. BUT YOUR ENGINE CAN EXPLODE AND CATCH FIRE AND THEY DONT WANT TO HEAR ABOUT IT. SOME DAY SOMEBODY IS GOING TO BE SERIOUSLY INJURED OR KILLED BY THESE PLASTIC INTAKES

level
GOT RECALL WORK DONE AND CAR BURNED UP 3 WKS AGO IAS I WAKED IN STORE FEW MINUTES LATER CARE FIRE UNDER HOOD. CAN I GET ANY $$$$.

eedanzy
I just found this site I just happen to type in 2000 Buick Regal caught fire and this site came up! I loved my car and it caught fire today I am so thankful I was not in it at the time. I had just driven about 25 miles to dr office and got out not 5 to min 10 and they were calling over the intercom Buick on Fire 2 fire trucks and nice cops helped me I am so upset! I bought this car in 2001 and my husband and i know we had one recall that he took it in for but, I am not sure about a 2nd one. I am sorrry for all the people that lost homes I parked this car under our carport all the time. Thank God it happen in town and not at home I live in the country on a lake I hate to think what could of happen.

thillainadesan
i own 2003 BUICK REGAL LS recently they recall installed spark plug installed,today my car start odd smell then heater completly off i dont know what i going to do i thing this munufacture default

Michael
I had recall work done at the end of Aug. 2011 two weeks ago engine compartment caught fire at same location that recall work was suppose to fix.Luckily i noticed smoke pulled over and got a fire extingusher from the local gas station. Saved the car had $1,500.00 worth of damage and all parts are not done. I would like to know if GM is reimbursing affected customers ?

pat
Our Buick 2000 park ave altra.,3.8 liter, in the middle of the night started on fire, a neighbor coming home from work called and asked if we were burning anything. we went out to look and car was in flames. called GM , filed a report I was hoping that they would cover something But to bad to sad. I talked to our insurance man , he told me his Buick started on fire also. Just wondering how many more? is there a problem?

Stephanie
I am looking to find out if any one was sucessful in getting a settlement from GM for this particular recall. My car did catch on fire and I have gotten most of the parts fixed but now after I got the car up and running it went back down on me. Thats when I received the recall letter. My car is currently at a GM dealer and they have given me every excuse to why they wont fix my car and I feel that they are respondsible for the damage. These fires can be very serious thankfully mine wasnt but the point is they should be fixing these car for us if we were not advised of the recall before we had the fire. This fire has ruined my life. I lost my job, missed out on a lot of opportunities because I did not have a vehicle and it was a very devistating and tramatic experience. So once again if anybody knows of a good lawyer or a class action suit about this recall. Please let me know asap. Thanks

Sarah
My car caught on fire in July 2011, I am just hearing back from GMC and they said that the recall from the original owner was 2003, pretty much my car was a total loss and I get nothing. Tomorrow I am searching for a lawyer and I am going to get another car I know this but I know that if you fall for anything, you will stand for nothing and I dont care I will pursue getting a lawyer and I will fight this case until the end. Because I miss my car and I put too much into not to fight for “white chocolate” my car name.

luck
I have a 98 grand prix 3.8 an my shit caught fire in June. it burned up all the wires an my fuel line, I got to it before it got outa control though. I knew nuthn of the recall til now. Is there anything still being done or am I just assed out????

Kristi
I too have a 2001Chevy Monte Carlo SS with electrical problems. It sometimes won’t start. I have to jiggle the key back and forth and eventually it will start. My radio sometimes will go out and a few minutes later come back on. My temperature gage sometimes doesnt work and when this happens, my air won’t work either. My dash lights went completely out, and neither seat warmers are working now. Is there anyone out there with these problems?

annonymous
I was driving my 2001 grand prix and stopped off at a fuel station to buy my son & myself something to drink. When I pulled out from the fuel station, I noticed smoke coming from under my hood. I looked at my temp gage, & it was normal. Then, the car died, & I coasted hoping for a place to get off the road. Luckily, I did find a spot & pulled over. By then, the car was literally up in smoke. I didnt notice any flames, but did see the paint bubbling on the hood on the driver side. I immediately got my 7 year old son & our family dog from the back seat and walked them down the road away from the car in fear it was on fire. I then walked back to the car and leaned inside to get my boyfriends paycheck I had just cashed from the visor & I immediately noticed flames blazing up out of the hood close to the windshield. I grabbed the money & ran back to my son. The car ended up burning beyond recognition in the front end. The flames got so hot it even melted the entire dashboard & scortched the backseat where my son would have been sitting if I hadnt gotten him out. I bought the car from my Mother-in-law a year ago. She told me she was never notified of any recalls so I was shocked to have read of all the recalls on my car. Too bad we learned of them after the car already burned. I am going tomorrow to get the report from the fire department. Hopefully we can get to the bottom of this, because it could have costed our lives.

mike
I was driving home from work today and after turning onto old dayton road my 1999 pontiac grand prix suddenly erupted into flames! What the hell I was afraid for my own life, seconds later the whole front end was engulfed in flames!!! This oil leak recall never reached my mailbox and know I am out a car. I want restitution or my attorney will be taking this matter up with them. I could have died today!!! No wonder they left to another country to build more death traps!!

they should pay
U take ur title to gm and they should pay for the car or get a lawyer. There is enough peoples who cars are burnt and that my people is a class action law suite

dale
i would like to to know what make and years cars use the same fuel pump as the 1998 buick regal supercharged

Vee
My husband and myself were on the way to a car show 2/11/11 when my 08 Saturn Sky died in the fwy doing 35 miles an hour. Called On-Star for a tow and, they did a test on my engine and told me, “The ECS system and rear traction went out.” and said it was ok to drive my car off the fwy. and take her to the closest dealer. We went about 60ft. when the engine blew. The piston rod snapped and put a hole in both sides of her engine. GM is not taking responsibalty because I have a Supercharger stage 3. I called South Carolina and spoke to the owner who installed the charger and, he said there is no way the charger caused this problem. At this point i need an attorney for help. I am getting different stories about what happened to my car. At one point I was told I had over heated the engine, which was impossible.

cathy
i have 2000 mote carlo- that went crazy- the computer said it need a ox. fuel valve that was stuck open-condenser- both replaced-same prob.-comp. says its fine-now it will not start. Anyone same prob.?

steve
For anyone who has an ’03 Impala (seems to be a common topic on this thread) i keep noticing and ive heard such a similar pattern in regards to broken gas gauges, engine oil leaks, but most of all ive noticed so many faulty computer systems in these cars – usually the dashboard lights will come on for no reason (traction, low fuel, check engine.) I just got a recall notice in the mail for “9047 engine compartment fire” and i am having it fixed free of charge at the chevy dealer. all in all it explains alot about my oil leaking and my engine overheating last month.

wayne
I have a 198 oldsmobile bravada it go’s in drive and shifts find but it has no reverse please help

Robert
I have a 1999 Buick LeSabre Limited with 51,200 miles and I experienced a coolant leak which was discovered by Jiffy Lube. They flushed the system and the car ran fine for 3000 miles, then all of a sudden I had engine failure. Mechanic told me that coolant got into the oil, thus into the engine. Now I need a new engine. Is this a recall item by GM and will they pay for the repairs and/or costs for replacement engine due to their failure of the system that controls coolant leaks?

Josh
I’ve had many GM 3.8 engine over the years and the problem is oil leaking from the valve/rocker covers. Keep the valve cover bolts tightened and or have the valve cover gaskets replace if the are too compressed to tighten for a good seal. The superchaged 3.8 motors in the Grand Prix GTP and Regal GS also have issues with leaky fuel injector o rings which have contributed to many of the engine compartment fires in those vehichles. GM has never admitted to that problem though. Both these issues are a cheap and simple fix. The removal of the plastic spark plug wire channel (recall) just prevents the oil from pooling in the plastic channel where it may build up and surge forward down onto exhaust manifold/heat shield cover during spirited driving or hard braking.

Charles T
I have a 1997 Pontiac Grand Prix GTP. It has only 86K miles on it and I take meticulous care of it. I went to the dealer almost a year ago and had the recall repairs made. I even had to replace all my engine gaskets because dexacool ate through them. My car just caught on fire outside the office parking lot. Luckily it was windy so when I opened the hood the wind blew out the fire. I’ll soon hear from the mechanic how bad the damage is but don’t expect the car to be salvageable.

Another Satisfied Customer
Tired of reading about engine fires from a GM car? Well, here’s one more. Last night, 1:00am. Car was on all of 20 mins when I noticed a little smoke. I pulled into an all-night burger joint to let it cool. Then, *billows* of smoke. Check under the hood and sure enough, orange flickers everywhere. I bang on the burger joint’s windows and a guy comes out with a fire extinguisher. I’ll thank him forever for stopping the flames before they spread to adjacent cars. But the engine is toast. Got the recall notice a couple months ago, but the car has been dead for two years, so I couldn’t take it in. ’98 Lumina bought used and ran fine for FIVE YEARS. Then wouldn’t start. Then would. Then wouldn’t. Finally died all together in ’09. In the last week, finally got the registration up to date and back on the road. Replaced the manifold, spark plugs, and radiator cap. Pointless. After a final visit to the mechanic Monday for brakes, up it went last night before I had a chance to take it to a GM dealer so they could probably say, “Eh, not our problem.” Why this isn’t as big a news as the Toyota accelerator/floormat issues (and why GM is thanking their lucky stars)? No deaths. Of ALL these posts I just read, everyone escaped with their life. Their house and a functioning car are another story.

RALPH
I HAVE A 2006 GMC ENVOY XL WITH 40,OOO MILES.I HAVE BEEN A MECHANIC FOR 30 YEARS. I CHECK OUT THE CAR AND IT HAS A FAULTY SENDING UNIT IN THE FUEL TANK.THIS VEHICLE SHOULD NOT HAVE THIS PROBLEM WITH 40,000 MILES ON IT.WHEN I SPOKE TO GENERAL MOTORS THEY SAID I NEEDED TO TAKE IT TO A GENERALS MOTORS DEALER FOR THEM TO TELL ME WHAT WAS WRONG WITH EVEN THOUGH I STATED WHAT THE PROBLEM WAS AND I WAS A MECHANIC WITH A FAMILY OWNED SERVICE STATION. THEY STILL WERE NOT GOING TO PAY FOR IT BECAUCE IT WAS OUT OF WARRANTY.ACCORDING TO GENERAL MOTORS THEY ARE NOT AWARE OF ANY PROBLEM .THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE AND THEY NEED TO STEP UP AND FIX THE PROBLEM.

Ken
I have a 2002 Monte SS.It has 162k on it.It runs perfectly,but has an ongoing problems with the turn signals.I found out this was a common complaint on this model.Quite simply the problem is obvious.The turn signal is intregated with the 4 way switch,and its all buried behind the dash.My question is why Chevy was never made to recall and fix this very serious safety issue ?

Teresa
My car had an engine fire Oct of 2008 and I received the recall notice shortly after. I did file a claim with GMC and they said they were in bankrupcy so I guess this is still in litagation. I did not have full coverage. So now I hired a mechanic who turned out to be dishonest and still dont have it back. I dont know what it would be worth after an engine fire even if it gets fixed.

Erica
I have a 1998 Oldsmobile Intrigue 3.8, bought in 2005 for $5K. It’s 2010, 12yrs old, 180K miles…new brakes, rotors, tires, shocks, a wheel bearing…I like the car, I drive it moderately hard so I hope to keep it a couple more years. Within a couple months of buying in, about November 2005, the intake manifold failed when the separation between the water jacket and the intake failed pulling half my coolant into the engine. Once I got it towed in and diagnosed, I was told this was a mfg defect and the intake manifold needed to be replaced…it’s been fine since. On the DexCool issue and the possible leaking oil into it…I have noticed over the years that the coolant is very dark/brown and sludgy…I think that’s it’s oil now based what I’ve been reading. I wonder what gaskets are leaking and can I replace/fix them. I’d like to keep the car. There isn’t any point in replacing a spark plug wire channel to prevent an oil fire when the problem is leaking oil from a gasket above the exhaust manifold…is there? So, I’ll just ignore the so-called recall and just clean the engine and see if my neighborhood mechanic can look into replacing some gaskets. They make million$ off of us but won’t drop a dime to fix a design problem and support their customers…welcome to the free market in America.

Hollie
I would like to know if there are any recalls on 1999 Oldsmobile Intrique BLOWER FAN IN THE INSIDE that its started growling at me when you put it on high but if you turn it to the 2nd notch its quiet. Well one day it just quit running all together. I have A friend that has the same car as me but hers is A 1998 & hers did the same thing.

Yvonne
My husband and I owned a 1997 Pontiac Grand Prix that was destroyed by fire on the freeway in Ellensburg, WA on Sept. 1, 2010 , on our way back from Wenatchee, WA., We were lucky that a person in the passenger side of a pickup truck was yelling something to us and pointing towards our car. This is when I told my husband that there must be something wrong, then it started smelling like hot wire or something like that. Then I told my husband that it smells like the car is hot, he said that the car doesn’t show that it is hot. When we were slowing down to come to a stop, we could see the flames. We were so lucky to get out of the burning car. We were both really scared. Our car was towed to the nearest wrecking yard where it still is and we signed the title over to the owner of the wrecking yard. A State patrol woman gave us a ride from the location where our car was destroyed by fire to Yakima to a relative’s house. If there is a class action lawsuit against GM, my husband and I would like to be included.

Raymond
On 11/16/10 my 1998 Buick Regal 3.8l engine caught fire outside a restaurant after driving 20 minutes. Fire originated in the engine compartment and like everyone else, I received a recall notice the next day for engine compartment fire. This car has ben nothing but a headache since purchasin g It.

Randy
My step-sons monte carlo ss caught on fire over a month ago in the drive way of his house he rents. GM was suppose to have someone come out and inspect the vehicle, which never happened. After several contacts with a sub-contracting company employed by GM, we were told we had no rights for repairs to the vehicle due to breach of warranty and that it was Illinois lawmakers fault for this situation. A representative for this company is a total ass. If this Is a method of how Gm handals their problems no wonder they went bankrupt. You as a company are as only as good as the product you manufacture and how you stand behind that product and service. I will never purchase another GM vehicle again in my life. The government should have never saved them or maybe the government should take care of us that have been taken advantage of by GM. I hope more people will refrain from purchasing any vehicles from gm in the future.

Sara
Too late for me, recieved recall postcard in mail on 11/16/2010. 2000 Pontiac Grand Prix caught fire on October 18, 2010. My car was paid for and in perfect working condition. Now I have to purchase another car and somehow find money to pay for it.

Michael
How can oil leave the motor during hard breaking? Is not this a sealed and contained unit? If not how does this affect head gaskets seal gaskets ect?

Anthony
I would like to know if GM have a recall on 2001 Impala that has a problem with the air conditioning & heating unit not working I had so much problem with this car after it 5 year mark that I don’t even want to purchase another chevy. (Gaskets to coolant leaking into the engine & etc.)

MARY
RECENTLY MY CAR CAUGHT ON FIRE WHILE I WAS IN IT BUT I MANAGED TO GET OUT SAFETLY I HAD A 2002 CHEVY MONTE CARLO SS 3.8 ENGINE WHEN THE FIRE DEPARTMENT ARRIVALED THEY TRIED TO OPEN THE LATCH BUT IT WOULDN’T OPEN SO THEY HAD TO SAW THE HOOD OFF THEY STARTED TO TELL ME THAT THE CAR LOOKED LIKE IT HAD SOME TYPE OF ENGINE FIRE SO I CALLED THE CHEVY 1800 NUMBER AND I SPOKE TO SOME GUY FROM THE CLAIMS ALLEGATIONS DEPARTMENT AND A GUY BY THE NAME OF TAADEUS SAY THAT SOMEONE FROM THE GM CENTRAL CLAIMS OFFICE WOULD CONTACT ME IN 7-10 BUSINESS DAYS AND I HAVEN’T RECIEVED A CALLED YET MY NEXT STEP IS TO PURSUE THIS MATTER WITH A LAWYER

Gail
I have a 1997 Le Sabre that I bought in June of this year. The car worked great. Loved it. Now I am afraid to drive it because it shuts off at random. Now I am afraid to drive it on the interstate or anywhere because of thisproblem. I called Buck and they said they were not responsible for this problem. I am not employed at this time, and I do not have the $95.00 to get a diagnosis. I have a spouse with a serious heart problem and he doesn’t like being in the car. We alsmost had an accident about a weel ago where it just stopped on the road. When it stops you have no control of the rakes and the steering. I think that Buick should recall these cars so that they can fix the problem. This is a very dangerous safety issue. Thank you for listening

stanley
my family have a 2000 impala and the car began to over heat on a regular basais and we have spent unknown amount of cash trying to resolve this problem and the car continues to over heat so we just left it sitting and it has been collecting dust for a year now, the windows stop working the dash lights come on when they want to (warning lights) this is very sad. I have another chevy a 94 and Im afraid that this will begin to happen to her too. i really like my cars but I had to get a couple honda cars to make do.

David
10/7/10 3.8L Engine fire of ’99 Regal GS. 10/8/10 First learn of the recall from the fire inspector. 10/8/10 Called GM (they’ll call me back withn 2 weeks – yeah right) 10/12/10 Bought a Ford

Seth
I just had my car burn up yesterday morning. I found out about this recall after the fact.

Marshall
I would like to know if GM is going to rrecall the chevrolet Venture for intake gaskets leaking coolent. they introduced a new coolent around 2000 model year. It is called dexcool and it has a problem and gm knows it and refuses to fix it The coolent eats the intake gaskets away and the owner has to pay the bill to replace [700 to 800.00 to do]. I know 5 pople who have it done [v6 3.4 engine].

Crystal
I owned a 2007 Impala. We were driving along the highway over two hours away from home when our car caught in fire. I called 911, but by the time the fire dept. got there (10 min), our car was completely destroyed. GM made it so difficult to look into, that we had to just take the insurance $. We took a $2000 loss on our car. With all the problems/fires these cars have GM will not do a thing about it. I will never by another GM car again for the rest of my life. ONLY FORD FROM NOW ON!

Nathan
I owned a 97 Pontiac Grand Prix that burned up and destroyed my garage and everything inside it. It happened on December 27, 2008. I only had Liability insurance so I didnt get anything for my car. The kicker is that I recieved a recall notice two months later but my insurance company said there was nothing that could be done because the car was already junked and my insurance case was closed! I want to know if there is a class action law suit going on for this problem? I know im not the only one who has had this happen to them!

Mary
I just received the recall for my 98 Intrique. I love the car, and can’t afford a different one right now. The reports above seem to indicate that getting the recall item fixed does not solve the problem. I have only 80,000 on the car. I’m thinking about ignoring the recall. Most of my driving is short distances around town. Also, this is a twelve year old car. How long has GM been aware of these problems if the recall was only sent out recently.

verdine
My 2001 Pontiac Grand Ptrix GTP. Caught on fire on August 09,2010 in the parking lot at work. I had just park the car and get out of it, saw smoke coming for under the hood. I haven’t recieve a recall letter from GM. My son recieved a recall letter about his car.

Verdine
My 2001 Pontiac Grand Prix GTP. Caught on fire on August 9, 2010 in the parking lot at work. I had just parked my car. Thank God, for his favor.I haven’t ercieve a recall from GM. My son recieve a recall letter about his car.

Willia
I am th owner of a 2002 Buick Lesabre. I know yoy are aware of the fact that these cars have defected automatic window motors. All four(4) of my windows have ceased working. This is a very expensive procedure. This repair, per window is only a few dollars short of $500.00. Why was this not a recall? I know several owners who can complain of the same problem. Cars are too expensive to have to also pay to remake them. I feel I should be offered som aide from your company because I bought this product in good faith.

Glenn
Does anyone know where the actual oil leak is? I’m assuming it must be either valve cover gaskets or intake manifold gaskets.

Tessa
My 1998 Buick Regal caught on fire in the parking garage of the college I attend….. not only was it nearly impossible for the fire fighters to get there but it caused damage to all the cars around mine…. I got a whole 90$ from the scrap yard and most of that went to the cost of towing it. Now GM keeps giving me the run around….. I’m pissed. Anyone out there suing the pants off them??

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