Recalls


CampaignManufacturerManufacturing dateType# of units affectedDate Owner notified MfgRecall Initiated byManufacturers of recalled vehicles/productsReport Recieved DateRecord Creation DateRegulation Part NumberFMVSS Number
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE - DELIVERY
04V090000GENERAL MOTORS CORP.from 03/01/1997 to 08/31/1998V (Vehicle)91087306/30/2004ODIGENERAL MOTORS CORP.02/24/200403/01/2004
Defect SummaryOn certain passenger vehicles equipped with 3800 v6 (l36) engines and certain delphi fuel pressure regulators, the regulators have a much higher than usual rate of fuel leaks. a leak can allow fuel to enter the intake manifold through a vacuum line. if the engine does not start when cranked, the fuel from the leaking regulator and a mistimed spark can cause a backfire.
Consequence SummaryThe backfire can rupture the intake manifold. the rupture of the intake manifold can displace a fuel line, pulling an injector out of place, and causing a fuel leak and possible fire.
Corrective SummaryDealers will install new fuel pressure regulators with improved diaphragms. the recall will be conducted in phased mailings. phase 1 began on june 30, 2004, and phase 2 began on september 30, 2004. owners should contact buick at 1-866-608-8080, oldsmobile at 1-800-630-6537, or pontiac at 1-800-620-7668.
NotesGm recall no. 03054b.see campaign 03v-473 for additional units.customers can also contact the national highway traffic safety administration

Bulletins


BulletinBulletin dateReplacement BulletinItem no.SummaryAdded
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
10020202/10/2002629785Onwers may encounter one fuel reading after they have finished driving the vehicle then a different reading when restarting the vehicle. *tt04/08/2002
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE - DELIVERY - FUEL PUMP
9802906/01/1998601893Incorrect fuel pump assembly. *yc08/28/1998
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE - STORAGE - TANK ASSEMBLY
838310A09/01/199883-83-10602775Concerns of fuel gauge fluctuates between full and empty when tank is full. *yc01/13/1999
FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER
0120200401/20/200410009096Safety recall, product field action number 03054, higher than usual rate of fuel pressure regulator diaphragm leaks. a leak can allow fuel to enter the intake manifold through a vacuum line. gm voicemail express. *tt09/10/2004
FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER - STORAGE - TANK ASSEMBLY - PRESSURE RELIEF DEVICES
0174101/01/200410006271Supplement to 03054 recall - replacement fuel pressure regulator will not. sit bulletin 1460267. *tt04/27/2004

Investigations


NHTSA IDManufacturerDate openDate closeSubjectRecall campaign
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
EA02030GENERAL MOTORS CORP.10/22/200203/09/2004ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRES04V090000
 Ea02-030 is closed with gmea02-030 is closed with gm
EA02030GENERAL MOTORS CORP.10/22/200203/09/2004ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRES03V473000
 Ea02-030 is closed with gmea02-030 is closed with gm
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE - DELIVERY
EA02030GENERAL MOTORS CORP.10/22/200203/09/2004ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRES03V473000
 Ea02-030 is closed with gmea02-030 is closed with gm
EA02030GENERAL MOTORS CORP.10/22/200203/09/2004ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRES04V090000
 Ea02-030 is closed with gmea02-030 is closed with gm
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE - DELIVERY - HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
EA02030GENERAL MOTORS CORP.10/22/200203/09/2004ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRES03V473000
 Ea02-030 is closed with gmea02-030 is closed with gm
EA02030GENERAL MOTORS CORP.10/22/200203/09/2004ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRES04V090000
 Ea02-030 is closed with gmea02-030 is closed with gm

Consumer Complaints


Fail datemilesoccurencesPurchase date
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
05/05/201142000
 Upon starting the vehicle there was a loud backfire and visible smoke came out from under the hood. further investigation showed that the plastic intake manifold was blown apart. there was a strong odor of raw fuel. i contacted a local buick dealership and was told that there were no open campaigns concerning this vehicle. i had the vehicle towed to a repair facility and have been told that the repair will cost in the range of $2000 - $2500 dollars.
08/01/20051
 1998 buick park avenue had the water pump , fuel pressure regulator, oil pressure switch, left door lock control bezel, tensioner pulley and bearing replaced.***no answer required***.*mr the gas gauge needle jumped past the full mark then all the way back around to empty. the plastic upper intake plenum was replaced because it had warped from the heat and started to leak. *nm
08/13/20031
 Consumer's vehicle didn't qualify for the recall because it came from a different plant. *ph the recall was on the vehicle fuel presssure regulator. *nm
08/01/20041
 1998 buick park avenue defective fuel pressure regulator. *mr (leaking fuel regulators) on february 11, 2003, the fuel pressure regulator was replaced on the vehicle. the consumer found that recall# 03v473000 was issued. the consumer was denied reimbursement. *sc *jb
06/01/20042
 Consumer requesting reimbursement for repairs made to 1998 buick park avenue. *mr the engine cranked and there was a loud bang exactly as the recall stated. following the bang was a loud noise and white smoke that had come from the tail pipe. anti freeze entered the engine and mixed with the oil. the engine was re-manufactured. the service dealer stated that the intake manifold was defective. the fuel pressure regulator was defective as well. *sc *jb
1
 The consumer was denied reimbursement for repairs because the part wasn't covered under recall. *ph the fuel pressure diaphragm leaked which occurred 10 months after the vehicle backfired with smoke coming from under the hood and broke the intake manifold that blew the cap off of the vehicle. the vehicle was repaired but the service dealer had not replaced the fuel pressure regulator. the consumer was told by the mechanic to take the vehicle to an authorized dealer to replace the regulator, which he did. the consumer submitted a claim for damages which he paid for and the claim was denied because the part was not covered by the recall#03v473000. *sc *jb
04/23/200374899
 Consumer denied reimbursement for repairs made prior to receiving recall notice. *ph the recall was for the fuel pressure regulator (03v-473). the manufacturer claimed that the documentation that the consumer provided did not substantiated the request. the consumer resubmitted the claim for reimbursement. *nm
1
 Request reimbursement for repair made prior to learning of recall notice. *ph the vehicle's fuel pressure regulator failed prior to recall notification (03v-473). the consumer submitted all necessary documentation for reimbursement but has not received any correspondence from the manufacturer regarding the status of his reimbursement. *nm
09/15/200360000
 The plastic upper intake manifold developed an internal crack, which leaked coolant into the combustion cylinders. the 3.8l v6 engine shut down and then hydrolocked. it was repaired by a certified buick dealer. the day the vehicle was returned, within 20 miles of driving, the rear main bearing seal failed. the dealer felt it was caused by the coolant mixing with the oil. after this repair, the engine ran approximately 2000 miles and spun a main bearing, due to the coolant/oil mixture. this has been reported to buick. they feel it is not their problem.
03/25/2004111/01/2002
 An independent shop replaced the intake manifold at the owner expense of $ 692.00. the manufacturer denied reimbursement for the recall. consumer will provide a letter from the manufacturer why they denied the reimbursement. *nm *sc *jb
02/19/2004780001
 The consumer's vehicle had problem with the fuel oil pressure. *nm
1
 When the gas tank was filled to high gas spilled over into the engine compartment. the dealer has been contacted. please provide any additional information. *nm
01/18/20011
 Vehicle was sitting overnight when attempting to start it by turning key in ignition, and vehicle exploded and caught on fire in engine comparment. vehicle was not a total loss. fire was caused by an internal fuel leakage. *ak
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE - CARBURETOR SYSTEM
10/09/2002106/01/1998
 Consumer states that the intake manifold is made off plastic, and over a period of time the plastic melts and makes a hole, and sucks the coolant into the engine, which floods the engine. and cause the vehicle stalls out. ts
03/01/2002108/01/1998
 Intake manifold failed, allowing coolant to enter engine cost 1,400 to repair. *ak
12/01/200110/01/1997
 Low coolent light came on while driving. took car in to locate leak ,could not locate the leak. we kept adding water about 1 gallon a week untill starter broke. found water in the heads, due to a failed seal in the upper intake manifoled.*ak
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE - DELIVERY
03/01/2008133485212/07/2001
 Tl*the contact owns a 1998 buick park avenue. while driving 20 mph, the vehicle began to vibrate, run hot, and make sounds as if the vehicle was gulping water. the motor locked up. when the vehicle was turned off, it would not restart. a mechanic explained that the motor locked up because coolant was entering into the motor. the failure has occurred twice in three years. the dealer stated that nothing could be done and informed the contact that he would have to pay for the repair. he paid for the repairs on both occasions. the purchase date, powertrain, and mileages were unknown. updated 03-25-08 *bf the dealer stated performed fuel recall for this vehicle. updated 03/25/08 *tr
01/01/19011
 Consumer denied reimbursement for motor replacement prior to receiving fuel pressure regulator recall. *ph the consumer replaced the vehicle's engine prior to receiving recall notice 03v-473. the recall was for the vehicle's fuel pressure regulator. the consumer contacted the manufacturer but they provided no assistance. *nm
08/01/2004110/01/1998
 Vehicle's manifold is cracked. *mr the vehicle wouldn't start and a new battery was needed. it was found that the manifold had cracked. the consumer requested reimbursement due to the fact that the warranty insurance denied coverage. the consumer received a recall letter several months after the problem occurred. *sc the started housing was also cracked. the consumer has since traded the vehicle. *jb
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE - DELIVERY - FUEL PUMP
105/31/1998
 Fuel pump noisy. yh
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE - FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM
08/19/200333359110/20/1997
 Fuel pressure regulator: the fuel pressure regulator went out on my 1998 buick park avenue 3800 v6 and i had it replaced on 8-19-03 at a cost of $142.79. it has come to my attention that buick has now issued a recall on the buick park avenue (nhtsa campaign #03v473000) for fuel pressure regulators and buick has informed me that my park avenue is not part of this recall. i believe that my car is involved with this problem since i have had the exact problem that buick is now involved in. i believe that if my car is involved that buick should be held responsible for my repair and the cost that i have incurred. i have documents to support the fact that the part was replaced and i paid for the repair. *cb
04/14/2002106/28/2001
 While turning on vehicle, there was an explosion that came from engine, causing cabinet door to blow open. contacted dealer who was not willing to do anything.*ak the fuel regulator was faulty, too much press. *jg
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE - FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM - FUEL RAIL
12/22/2000206/08/1998
 Vehicle problems with start up/ vehicle fire in engine compartment. *mr the battery had gone dead overnight. (prior to the day of the incident, the battery appeared to be charged) the engine exploded as soon as the key was turned on. there was slippage in the transmission. the intake plentium, fuel rail, the ignition wires, 2 injectors, engine cover shield, oil filler cap, map sensor, pcv cover, and the battery all were replaced. *scc *jb
09/24/2002102/22/2000
 '98 park ave 4dr. engine backfired, lucky to get it started it sound like a hot-rod, but did not catch on fire, we replaced the fuel pressure regulator (diaphragm ruptured)$750.00. we also,drove it home about 50 miles. i'd also like to add that we would not have drove it home with our 1 year old son if we knew that it was a potentially dangerous fire hazard. thanks!
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE - FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM - INJECTORS
04/30/200568179102/24/2005
 I purchased 1998 buick park avenue, from sanderson lincoln-mercury dealership, glendale, az 85301, on february 24, 2005. subsequently, i experienced a mechanical break-down on april 30, 2005. hence, i have discerned that there were two recalls issued on february 24, 2004, campaign number 04v0900000 and campaign number 00v17000 on april 18, 2000. i am writing because i have experienced both defects. the former campaign caused me to expend $900. for repairs for a cracked manifold and the latter was recently experience when the front seat passenger could not attach the safety seat belt because it had jammed. please advise as to what my recourses should be? power buick, scottsdale, az, never advise me of a recall that is consistent with the auto's breakdown...but did charge me $887.44 for the repair costs. *nm
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE - STORAGE - TANK ASSEMBLY - FILLER PIPE AND CAP
11/30/19990
 It does not matter if tank is full or empty fuel backs up in neck, and will shut out onto whomever is standing in front of gas nozzle. dealer replaced fuel filler neck. was replaced immediately after fuel filler neck needed replacing again. consumer feels there is a manufacturer's defect. please provide any further information. *ak
FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER
07/01/2001
 Gas guage on instrument panel has malfunctioned and showed no amount of fuel in vehicle. dealership has examined vehicle, and informed consumer that repairs will cost approximately $800.00. please provide any additional information/attachments.*ak
12/01/19981
 Fuel gauge failed. yh
11/23/1998304/01/1998
 Fuel gauge needle fluctuates rapidly from a correct indication of full to pegging empty and flips back and forth rapicly. dealership replaced the dash assembly with a new unit. this did not cure the problem. the fuel gauge continues to intermittently fluctuate from the correct reading to a reading of completely empty. dealership has been unable to locate the problem.
FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER - STORAGE - FUEL GAUGE SYSTEM
10/26/1999110/22/1998
 Fuel sending unit failed. yh
09/01/1998106/03/1998
 Gas tank float failed. *yc
FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER - STORAGE - TANK ASSEMBLY - FILLING/CHARGING
02/01/1998212/01/1997
 Fuel sensor failed. yh