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1997 Buick Regal Recalls, Problems & Maintenance

The 1997 Buick Regal has no open NHTSA recalls. Owners report 5 recurring issue clusters, led by “Windshield wiper failure.” Buick uses the GM Oil Life System: an algorithm tracks engine revolutions and temperature, then lights the change-oil message — typically every 7,500 miles in mixed driving, capped at 12 months, using dexos-approved oil. Current Encore GX and Envista run 1.2/1.3L turbo three-cylinders where oil quality matters more than volume drivers expect (the sump is small and turbo-heated). Front-drive models pair to a CVT with a published fluid interval — it is not a lifetime part.

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No open recalls on file. NHTSA lists no unrepaired safety recalls for this year, make and model. A recall can be issued at any time, and a specific car can still have one open — check yours by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Known issues & problems for this vehicle

What drivers and federal regulators have officially reported about the 1997 Buick Regal.

Reported to NHTSA

Windshield wiper failure

VISIBILITY

7 NHTSA complaints · 1998-01 → 2009-08

“CONSUMER'S VEHICLE EXPERIENCED THE SAME PROBLEM AS STATED IN NHTSA RECALL 99V348000. THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS MAY STOP WORKING DUE TO A SEPARATION BETWEEN THE DRIVE PIN AND CRESCENT IN THE CRANK ARM ASSEMBLY. DEALERSHIP INDICATED TO THE CONSUMER THIS VEHICLE WAS”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10091550
“WINDSHIELD WIPER CONTROL ARM FAILED. A RECALL WAS ISSUED. HOWEVER, THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO VIN. *AK *NM”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10072003
“WINDSHIELD WIPERS ON PASSENGER SIDE OF VEHICLE FAILED WHILE DRIVING IN A SNOW STORM”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #528653

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Engine compartment fire

ENGINE

17 NHTSA complaints · 2003-01 → 2019-02

“THE CONTACT OWNED A 1997 BUICK REGAL. WHILE PARKED, THE VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE UNDER THE HOOD. THE FIRE WAS EXTINGUISHED BY THE CONTACT. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V701000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING)”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10864465
“THE CONTACT OWNED A 1997 BUICK REGAL. WHILE PARKED, THE VEHICLE BURST INTO FLAMES. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10839006
“RECALL FIXED AT BUICK GARAGE ... OIL DRIPS ONTO MANIFOLD CAUSING POSSIBLE FIRE. DROVE CAR ABOUT 20 MI. AFTER BEING FIXED AND CAR STARTED ON FIRE. *TR”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10250859

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Steering rack and power steering failure

STEERING

34 NHTSA complaints · 1998-01 → 2016-01

“1997 REGAL BUICK RECALL NO. 03V52700 WAS COMPLETED ON VEHICLE ON 3/18/04 (STEERING RACK AND PINION) VEHICLE HAD ROUGHLY 22,000. SAME PROBLEM HAS OCCURRED AGAIN WITH 54,733 MILES. VEHICLE DRIVEN AROUND TOWN. CAN'T DRIVE HAVE TO HAVE VEHICLE TOWED STEERING”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10259295
“UNABLE TO MAKE LEFT TURN WITH EASE. LEFT TURNS ARE VERY HARD AND AT TIMES DOES NOT TURN LEFT AT ALL. STEERING WHEEL DOES NOT AUTOMATICALLY RETURN TO CENTER POSITION. I WAS UNABLE TO MAKE A COMPLETE LEFT HAND TURN, WHICH CAUSED ME TO OVER TURN AND DRIVE OFF THE ROAD. *NM”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10143810
“WHILE DRIVING AT 65 MPH ON THE INTERSTATE, STEERING LOCKED UP MAKING IT UNABLE TO STEER CAUSING CAR TO HIT CENTER DIVIDER. *LA”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10045282

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Engine stall when turn signal is used

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

6 NHTSA complaints · 2003-12 → 2010-03

“CARS ENGINE WOULD CUT OFF WHEN USING EITHER TURN SIGNAL. ALL DASH LITES WOULD MOMENTARILY COME ON,OR JUST AIR BAG LITE WOULD COME ON BEFORE STALLING. REPLACED IGNITION SWITCH TO CORRECT. MANY OTHER REGAL CUSTOMERS HAVE COMPLAINED ON-LINE,NOTHING DONE ABOUT”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10317310
“OUT OF THE BLUE BY USING THE TURN SIGNAL OUR 1997 BUICK REGAL'S ENGINE WOULD STALL. IN THE MIDDLE OF TRAFFIC, WE HAD NO BRAKES OR POWER STEERING. ALL DASHBOARD LIGHTS WOULD FLASH. OUR CAR WAS TOWED TO THE GM DEALERSHIP AND THE IGNITION SWITCH WAS REPLACED”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10282272
“I WAS DRIVING AND WHEN I WENT TO USE THE TURN SIGNAL THE CAR STALLED AND IT STARTED RIGHT BACK UP AGAIN BUT WHEN I USE MY DIRECTIONALS THE CAR STALLS, NO MATTER WHERE I AM. I THINK IS A DANGEROUS SITUATION BECAUSE WHEN YOUR ON A HIGHWAY AND WANT TO USE YOUR”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10086835

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Brake loss or ABS malfunction

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

8 NHTSA complaints · 2000-03 → 2014-07

“DT: THE CONTACT WAS PULLING OUT OF DRIVEWAY AND THE BRAKES WOULD NOT WORK. WHEN HE APPLIED THE BRAKES THE PEDAL WENT COMPLETELY TO THE FLOOR. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATIONS PRIOR TO THIS INCIDENT. WHEN THE MECHANIC INSPECTED THE VEHICLE HE SAID THE BRAKE”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10141893
“BRAKES FAILED WHILE DRIVING IN TRAFFIC DUE TO A MELTDOWN. MECHANIC SAID THAT BRAKE LIE MELTED DUE TO ENGINE HEAT. NO WARNING. *AK *ML”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #863778
“AT LOW SPEEDS (UNDER BRAKING CONDITIONS), BRAKES MAKE LOUD GRINDING NOISE AND COMPLETELY FAIL TO STOP THE CAR. ABS LIGHT, LOW TRACKING LIGHT AND ENGINE CHECK LIGHT CAME ON/OFF. WE HAVE HAD 14 INSTANCES WHERE THE BRAKES HAVE COMPLETELY FAILED. APPROXIMATELY 5”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #720350

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Issues on other model years

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI). Complaint data refreshed Sep 20, 2026. Investigation data refreshed Sep 20, 2026.

We display NHTSA's record with attribution; we don't editorialize on what these complaints mean for any specific vehicle.

Raw data + downloads for this vehicle →

Essential maintenance

Critical for safety and preventing major damage

Engine Oil & Filter (Oil Life System)

Every 7,500 mi

Change when the Oil Life System calls it — typically around 7,500 miles, never beyond 12 months. dexos1 0W-20 on modern engines. Small-displacement turbos (Encore GX, Envista): don't stretch the indicator.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$120–$160

Shop

~$85–$115

DIY

~$25–$55

Full synthetic costs more than conventional. 5-quart 0W-20 + filter is the typical bill.

Tire Rotation

Every 7,500 mi

Rotate every 7,500 miles with the oil change — GM pairs the two in its schedule.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$85

Shop

~$60

DIY

Free

Often free at the shop where you bought the tires — worth asking before paying.

Brake Inspection

Every 7,500 mi

Inspect pads, rotors, and lines at every service. Older Centurys: check rear drum adjustment and parking-brake cables, which seize with age.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$85

Shop

~$60

DIY

Free

Most shops do this free as a courtesy with any service. Don't pay separately if you can avoid it.

CVT Fluid (Encore GX / Envista FWD)

Every 45,000 mi

FWD Encore GX and Envista use a CVT: GM schedules fluid replacement around 45,000 miles under severe service — which includes most city commuting. AWD Encore GX uses a 9-speed automatic instead (see transmission fluid).

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$360–$500

Shop

~$255–$355

DIY

~$80–$180

CVT fluid is manufacturer-specific and pricey — do NOT substitute conventional ATF.

Important maintenance

Keeps your vehicle running smoothly and efficiently

Automatic Transmission Fluid

Every 45,000 mi

Conventional automatics (Century's 4T65-E, Regal's Aisin, AWD Encore GX's 9-speed): GM lists 45,000 miles severe / longer normal. Older Buicks respond well to a simple drain-and-fill — avoid pressure flushes on high-mile units.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$330–$500

Shop

~$235–$355

DIY

~$60–$180

Some sealed transmissions have no dipstick — fill is precise and best left to a shop. Many drivers can still DIY drain-and-fill.

Spark Plugs

Every 60,000 mi

Small-turbo three-cylinders (Encore GX, Envista): roughly every 60,000 miles — check the manual. Older 3.1/3.8 V6s: iridium plugs last to 100,000 miles.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$285–$390

Shop

~$200–$275

DIY

~$25–$100

Iridium plugs cost more but last 100k+ miles. V6/V8 access varies wildly — some are tough.

Engine Air Filter

Every 45,000 mi

GM schedules replacement around 45,000 miles; inspect at every oil change in dusty regions.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$60–$95

Shop

~$45–$70

DIY

~$15–$40

5-minute job on most cars; the airbox lid usually has clips, no tools needed.

Serpentine Belt

Every 60,000 mi

Inspect from 60,000 miles; replace on cracking or glazing rather than mileage alone.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$195–$235

Shop

~$135–$165

DIY

~$20–$50

DIY-friendly if you can reach the tensioner. Inspect for cracks rather than swap on a strict mileage interval.

Recommended maintenance

Extends the life of your vehicle and improves comfort

Cabin Air Filter

Every 22,500 mi

Replace roughly every 22,500 miles per GM's schedule — behind the glovebox on modern Buicks.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$60–$95

Shop

~$45–$70

DIY

~$15–$40

Usually behind the glovebox. Shops charge labor for a 10-minute job — easy DIY win.

Coolant Replacement (Dex-Cool)

Every 150,000 mi

Dex-Cool is rated 5 years / 150,000 miles. On older 3.1/3.8 V6s, intake-gasket seepage was the classic failure — check coolant level and condition at every oil change on a Century.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$285–$330

Shop

~$200–$235

DIY

~$25–$60

Use the manufacturer-specified coolant — wrong color/chemistry can damage the cooling system.

Battery Test & Service

Every 25,000 mi

Test annually after year 3. Stop-start-equipped Encore GX/Envista use AGM batteries — replace like-for-like, not with a cheaper flooded battery.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$225–$390

Shop

~$160–$280

DIY

~$130–$250

Most auto-parts stores test and install batteries free with purchase. Skip the dealer markup.

Fatal crash history & reported problems

Occupant deaths in fatal crashes (FARS)

41 crashes 1990–2024

How the 41 occupant deaths break down

29

driver deaths

12

passenger deaths

41

occupant deaths

Crash years covered: 1990–2024 This model year first appears in 1998 crashes. Older models have had more years on the road to appear in these crashes, so a higher count here does not by itself mean a vehicle is less safe.

FARS counts every occupant death in a fatal crash, whatever the cause — it does not mean the vehicle was at fault or defective. Counts are not adjusted for how many of each vehicle are on the road. How to read this number

FARS 2024 data is an annual report file. NHTSA revises these records when the final file is published, so this count can change.

Why we show driver deaths too

Every vehicle has exactly one driver seat, so driver deaths line up fairly when you compare one model to another. Occupant deaths include passengers, so a three row SUV can show a higher number than a two seat car simply because it carries more people.

Both figures are plain counts, not rates. A rate would need to know how many of each vehicle are on the road, and that registration data is not public, so we do not publish rates or scores of any kind.

IIHS publishes driver death rates using this same driver only idea, paired with a registered vehicle years denominator we do not have. Their rates and these counts answer different questions, so do not read either number here as a safety rating.

Owner-reported problem signals

Separate from the federal fatality data above: complaints owners filed with NHTSA about this year and model. These are reports of problems, unverified, and are counted here only as signals.

3

complaints mentioning a crash

19

complaints mentioning a fire

Reviewed known issues for this vehicle

Typical U.S. ranges. Actual quotes vary by shop, parts choice, and vehicle condition.

How we estimate: Dealer = OEM parts × 1.4 + labor × $165/hr. Shop = parts + labor × $115/hr. DIY = parts only.

This maintenance schedule for the 1997 Buick Regal reflects Buick's published service intervals and the GM Oil Life System system. Your actual service needs may vary based on driving conditions, climate, and vehicle usage. Always consult your owner's manual for model-specific recommendations.

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