Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (engine, cooling system, oil leaks, timing chain, exhaust).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 1996 Buick Regal owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
While merging onto the freeway, I was taking my car to be smogged. At speed, I noticed a little white puff of smoke emit from the right side of the engine bay. As I proceeded to start moving to the shoulder, this puff had turned into a gray plume. As I finally reached the shoulder, the entire front of the engine bay was billowing black smoke. As I tried to stop, the brake pedal went to the floor, so it seemed the fire had burnt through a brake line. I managed to engage the emergency brake slowly and managed to stop on the shoulder. Opening the hood, I found a small fire burning at the rear of the engine, but in front of the firewall. I had nothing with me, so I called the fire department and it was extinguished. However, by the time they got there, the entire engine compartment was totaled beyond extensive repair.
My car started to not start after being driven and shortly after did not want to start in a simple idle. Somehow fuel has been getting trapped in a pressurized line and I'm having to release the fuel out. Oil leaked into the spark plugs caused a pilot flame. I have read multiple accounts of this happening to that specific make and year as well a few of the other 90 models. Every account says it is a flaw in the engine and fuel system.
Tl* the contact owns a 1996 Buick Regal le. The contact stated there was an unusual loud explosion immediately after the vehicle was started. She opened the hood to further investigate and was exhumed with thick smoke emitting from the engine. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic where it was discovered that the top manifold melted. The mechanic replaced the manifold, injectors, sensor wires, pcv valves, and hoses. The approximate failure mileage was 130,000. The approximate current mileage was 130,000.
After turning the ignition to start the vehicle there was an explosion, the engine was on fire. The fire department was called, and the fire was extinguished. This vehicle was not included in the intake manifold NHTSA recall 96V116000. The EGR valve was inoperative and on another occasion the vehicle had to be jump started.
On engine start, loud explosion in engine compartment. Inspection reveled engine cover broken, upper intake manifold (plenum) split in two pieces. Smell of gas, broken vacuum and fuel lines. Must replace upper intake manifold, fuel rail, 2 injectors, various lines. Old parts are available.
Tl contact owns a 1996 Buick Regal. The contact's vehicle caught fire after being parked for approximately fifteen minutes. The current and failure mileages were 186,000. Updated 02-01-08. Updated 02/19/10. Updated 09/2810
Buick Regal 1996.engine and engine cooling:cooling system hortly after just 72,000 miles, a leak developed near the upper intake manifold, causing excessive coolant loss (up to 1 gallon per week). I believe this to be a saftey hazard resulting from a design flaw. The owner's manual includes several warnings that coolant contains ethylene glycol that will burn if it comes in contact with hot engine parts. I am also concerned this problem May have caused engine damage that will manifest itself later. I believe GM should address this as a safety hazard before someone is killed or seiously injured by an engine fire. Thank you. Djs
Tl contact owns a 1996 Buick Regal. The contact noticed that the vehicle sporadically experienced a no-start condition. There was also a backfire that occurred when the vehicle was started. The upper intake manifold failed prior to the upper intake manifold. The dealer stated that his VIN was excluded from NHTSA campaign id number 96V116000 (fuel system, gasoline:fuel injection system). The contact would not assume responsibility for the repair. The vehicle has not been repaired. The failure and current mileages were 78,117. Updated 02/05/09. Coolant was found in the oil when repairs were made on the manifold. Updated 02/10/09.
My 1996 Buick Regal has had two intake manifold gasket failures--one at 52,000 miles, and the most recent, at 111,000 miles. In the first instance, the local Buick dealership refunded half my money of the cost of the $607 repairs because they agreed that it was highly unusual for a gasket to fail at such low mileage. My son, who did the most recent repai andr is a materials science engineer, inspected the most recent failure and found several places on the gasket where it was deformed and had let antifreeze escape. His opinion was that it was badly designed, with inferior materials.
Vehicle back fire through the intake and smoke rolls out from under the hood when trying to start the vehicle, normally start good after sitting over night, but go to start it again it will back fire or the engine idle is very erratic before it will smooth out. I replace spark plug, spark plug wires, cam sensor, pcv valve, fuel filter check battery connection.
NHTSA investigations
Engine compartment fires
Engine complaints in other Regal years
Frequently asked questions
How common are engine problems on the 1996 Buick Regal?
NHTSA has 38 complaints about the engine & cooling of the 1996 Buick Regal, 19% of the model year's 204 complaints. The component named most often is engine (11 mentions).
Is there a recall for 1996 Buick Regal engine problems?
No. NHTSA lists no engine & cooling recall for the 1996 Buick Regal, though it has 3 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 1996 Buick Regal engine problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 90,000 miles, and 6% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 0 crashes, 7 fires and 0 injuries to engine & cooling problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.