Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (battery, alternator, wiring, ignition, instrument cluster, infotainment).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 1998 Buick Regal owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
On my way home from purchasing the vehicle, the car began to lose power and i noticed black smoke though the rear view mirror. Another driver signaled me down, so I pulled over and realized my car was on fire. The fire was in the engine compartment from what appeared to be the exhaust manifold. Since i was in a residential area, i grabbed a water hose and began to diffuse the fire. The fire department arrived and forced my hood open to reassure the fire was out. Luckily i was able to make it out safe. But i strongly believe my life and the lives of other drivers were definitely in danger
The contact owns a 1998 Buick Regal. The contact stated that the vehicle would not start. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 317,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 1998 Buick Regal. While driving 15 MPH, another vehicle crashed into the contact's vehicle. The contact sustained neck injuries that required medical attention. The front passenger also sustained chest injuries that required medical attention. A police report was not filed. The vehicle was driven to the contact's residence. Prior to the crash, the contact's vehicle was leaking oil. After the crash, the lights on the instrument panel failed to illuminate. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 15V701000 (engine and engine cooling). The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 150,000.
1998 Buick Regal w/ 3.8l engine. Had recall issue fixed March 2011. Vehicle caught fire after driving up to our local mountains. Fire began after vehicle was turned off, as we were getting our children out of the car. The fire began at the spark plug wires, continued up the wire assembly to the fuel lines and burned through fuel lines. Immediately had to disconnect battery, since fuel lines were spewing gas at the fire. We were able to put fire out with snow on the brushy hillside we were parked beside. Filed claim with GM. They denied it due to car's age, and claimed they have no responsibility after the car is 4 years old. Their recall fix did not work. The car still caught on fire anyway with my family inside.
Driving home and car wouldn't go over 5 miler per hr and the check engine light came on, then the temperature gage went to hot so pulled over and smoke came thru the vent in the car and out from the gear shifter. Once I got out I heard a loud pop and oil starting leaking then the car caught on fire. Fire department and police came. I had received a recall on spark plugs back in the beginning of the year and had the dealership replacement them but never received any notification about any further recalls.
Tl* the contact owns a 1998 Buick Regal. While driving approximately 45 MPH, the vehicle caught fire. The contact extinguished the fire. No police or fire reports were filed and there were no injuries. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the wiring harness needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The VIN and failure mileage were unknown.
I used my turn signals to make a right hand turn and my car turned off. No lights, turn signals, dash lights, brakes were soft, and steering was hard. If I had been on the freeway when this happened I would have been in a car accident. This has happened two times now and I am now unable to start my car at all at this point in time. What is this all about? And why haven't anyone found a fix? Help me please.
Tl* the contact owns a 1998 Buick Regal. While driving at an unknown speed, the instrument panel lights and tail lights blew out. In addition, the ignition key was running hot. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where the failure was undetermined. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 212,500.
Parked and turned the vehicle off; was informed approximately 5 minutes later that the vehicle was on fire. The engine was engulfed in flames by that time. Fire dept unable to put out the fire with extinguishers, the truck had to be brought in and the car hosed down. Was told that it was an electrical fire. The vehicle was totaled by the insurance company.
Every time I turn on my left or right turn signal it shorts out.... Took to a mechanic and he did some re wiring and it worked for a little bit then started to happen again.... I don't want to spend a bunch of money on it anymore. What should I do?
Electrical complaints in other Regal years
Frequently asked questions
How common are electrical problems on the 1998 Buick Regal?
NHTSA has 51 complaints about the electrical system of the 1998 Buick Regal, 17% of the model year's 302 complaints. The component named most often is ignition › switch (5 mentions).
Is there a recall for 1998 Buick Regal electrical problems?
No. NHTSA lists no electrical system recall for the 1998 Buick Regal, though it has 6 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 1998 Buick Regal electrical problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 94,000 miles, and 3% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 1 crash, 7 fires and 2 injuries to electrical system 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.