The 1997 Buick Regal has 5 recalls, the most serious being two overlapping issues: a brake line that can wear through against the power steering assembly and an engine oil leak that can drip onto a hot exhaust manifold and start a fire.
The brake pipe concern affects the right front brake line, which sits close enough to the power steering assembly that the two can rub together over time. Once the line wears through, brake fluid escapes and the vehicle loses roughly half its stopping power with no advance warning. The fire risk applies to vehicles with a 3.8L naturally aspirated engine, where the front valve cover gasket can degrade and allow oil to seep out. Under hard braking, that oil can drip onto the exhaust manifold, where the heat is enough to ignite it. On the visibility side, the windshield wiper drive pin can separate from the crank arm assembly, causing the wipers to stop mid-sweep. This is most likely to happen when the wipers are working hard against snow or ice buildup, which is also the exact moment reduced visibility raises the risk of a crash.
At a glance
What can fail
Engine oil may leak onto the hot exhaust manifold through the front valve cover gasket, creating a fire risk. Previous repair attempts did not fully eliminate this problem.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the front valve cover and gasket to stop the oil leak and eliminate the fire risk.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
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At a glance
What can fail
The front rocker cover gasket can wear out and leak engine oil. During hard braking, oil may drip onto the hot exhaust manifold and ignite, potentially spreading fire to nearby plastic components and the engine compartment.
What the fix does
The dealer will remove the spark plug wire retention channel and install two new spark plug wire retainers.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The windshield wiper motor's crank arm can separate internally, causing wipers to stop working, particularly after clearing snow or ice. This can reduce visibility and increase crash risk in bad weather.
What the fix does
Dealer will replace the crank arm, add reinforcements to the park mechanism, install a water deflector, and apply additional sealing to prevent water damage.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
On Regal Gran Sport models, the right front brake pipe may rub against the power steering assembly, wearing through and leaking brake fluid, which could cause partial brake system failure.
What the fix does
Brake lines will be inspected for clearance, repositioned and secured. Damaged lines will be replaced and properly routed.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The right front brake pipe may contact the power steering assembly, causing the brake line to wear through.
What the fix does
Dealers will inspect clearance between the brake line and power steering assembly, reposition out-of-place assemblies, secure them properly, and replace any damaged brake lines.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
