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 1999 Buick Regal owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
Engine explosion and fire vehicle was in my driveway engine off. When I attempted to start the vehicle there was a loud explosion followed by engine fire. Flames were 20 ft high. Fire dept was called but I was able to extinguish the fire with fire extinguisher and water from my garden hose. When the fire dept arrived the fire was already out. My evaluation is the following: the force of the explosion was so great that it split open/cracked the upper intake manifold (upper planum). It also lifted the fuel rail from the engine and some injectors came loose, fuel then spilled on the engine and fire immediately ensued. The plastic fuel lines also popped off the fuel injectors rail, this spilled even more fuel and fed the fire even more. I cannot believe Buick/GM use plastic intake manifolds (upper planum) and plastic fuel line into the engine compartment. …
Tl* the contact owned a 1999 Buick Regal. While driving approximately 20 MPH in March, smoke appeared from the front end of the vehicle without warning. The vehicle was pulled to the side of the road and the contact walked home to call her husband. When the contact stated and her husband arrived back to the vehicle, it had caught fire and burned to the ground. The police and the fire department were at the scene and reports were filed. There were no injuries. The remnant of the vehicle was towed away. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. On September 7, 2016, the contact received notification of NHTSA campaign numbers: 08V118000 (engine and engine cooling) and 99V356000 (exterior lighting). The failure mileage was unknown.
Tl* the contact owns a 1999 Buick Regal. While driving at 65 MPH, black smoke began unexpectedly billowing from underneath the vehicle and from the instrument panel. The vehicle had caught on fire and the contact was able to move the vehicle from the roadway and exit. The fire department was able to extinguish the fire. The contact suffered burns to her arms and hands. A fire report was available. The vehicle was towed to a local repair facility where it was discovered that the electrical wiring of the gear console failed and caused the fire. The manufacturer was not contacted in regards to the failure. The vehicle was left at the facility where the contact was awaiting repairs. The failure and current mileages were 87,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 1999 Buick Regal. The contact stated that engine oil leaked onto the manifold causing smoke and strong burning odors in the vehicle as the instrument panel illuminated. The failure was persistent. The vehicle was taken to a dealer but the failure was unable to be determined. The vehicle was repaired under NHTSA campaign number: 09V116000 (engine and engine cooling) but the failure recurred. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 15V701000 (engine and engine cooling). The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.
My instrument panel has been replaced twice(under extended warranty and once out of pocket to the tune of $1800). All the gauges, mileage, gas, water and oil gauge, battery, gear shift and others are not illuminated. This poses a safety hazard because the driver is unaware of the warnings and settings. When gas gauge is inoperable, a shutdown on the expressway or roadway is dangerous and possibly deadly. Car can overheat if gauge is not registering proper level. Window motors frequently are inoperable causing water intrusion and window fog which is dangerous while driving
Tl* the contact owns a 1999 Buick Regal. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle would stall sporadically and on some occassions, would not restart. The vehicle was towed to a local shop who diagnosed that the starter was defective and needed to be replaced. The remedy failed to repaired the problem. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer who stated that the chip in the key might had been defective and advised to speak with a locksmith. The lock smith inspected the vehicle and advised that the problem was not with the key but the anti-theft system. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure and current mileage was 150,000.
The vehicle swayed left to right while driving, and the steering wheel was hard to control. There was a clunk in the steering wheel which caused by the undertorqued steering gear bolts. The steering shaft was loose and was replaced by the dealer.(see annotation - m. Jordan) also the engine failed to turn over, the dealer replaced the alternator and found the no voltage on the battery, the transmission jumped when it was put into gear, the dealer found the shaft for the 4th gear worn, the vehicle pulled to the side, the rack and pinion was replaced, the oil pan and front motor mount was replaced
Tl* the contact owns a 1999 Buick Regal. The contact stated that while driving approximately 50 MPH, the vehicle stalled without warning. The contact was able to restart the engine but the failure occurred on several occasions. The contact also stated that the headlight knob had to be pulled in order to start the engine. The vehicle was taken to a private mechanic, who diagnosed that the electrical control module needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 139,000.
Was driveing down the highway going 65 and went to turn on my turn signal and my engine stoped. I nearly crashed the car. I tried to restart the car and everytime I used the blinkers the car would either turn off restarts the computer like I just started the car. The ABS light and check engine light comes on now and the driver side headlight wont come on. I had a friend drive 3 hours to come and tow my car. I almost got hit by a semi truck because of this. Someone needs to get this issue fixed.
Dashboard cluster stopped displaying any info. No speedometer, gas gauge, oil, tep or odometer. Display returned when private mechanic began disassemble. Stopped. Display failed again in one week. GM dealer said cluster was bad and replaced it. Later said they rebuilt it? Failed again in two days. At dealer. I have my doubts that the cluster was bad at all although there are hundreds of online sites offering to sell and/or install new GM clusters.
Electrical complaints in other Regal years
Frequently asked questions
How common are electrical problems on the 1999 Buick Regal?
NHTSA has 42 complaints about the electrical system of the 1999 Buick Regal, 17% of the model year's 246 complaints. The component named most often is ignition › switch (7 mentions).
Is there a recall for 1999 Buick Regal electrical problems?
No. NHTSA lists no electrical system recall for the 1999 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 1999 Buick Regal electrical problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 88,000 miles, and 5% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 0 crashes, 4 fires and 1 injury 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.