Buick have higher front rocker cover gasket temperatures, creating the potential for earlier degradation of the front rocker cover gasket and eventual oil seepage.
The short version
GENERAL MOTORS CORP. reported a problem with the engine and engine cooling. Here is what owners need to know.
GM IS RECALLING 207,542 MY 1997-2003 BUICK REGAL AND PONTIAC GRAND PRIX VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH A 3.8L SUPERCHARGED V-6 ENGINE. THESE VEHICLES HAVE HIGHER FRONT ROCKER COVER GASKET TEMPERATURES, CREATING THE POTENTIAL FOR EARLIER DEGRADATION OF THE FRONT ROCKER COVER GASKET AND EVENTUAL OIL SEEPAGE.
CERTAIN UNDERHOOD FIRES MAY BE CAUSED BY DROPS OF ENGINE OIL, FROM SEEPAGE OR SPILLAGE, BEING DEPOSITED ON THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD THROUGH HARD BRAKING. IF THE MANIFOLD IS HOT ENOUGH AND THE OIL RUNS BELOW THE HEAT SHIELD, IT MAY IGNITE INTO A SMALL FLAME AND, IN SOME INSTANCES, THE FIRE MAY SPREAD TO THE PLASTIC SPARK PLUG WIRE CHANNEL AND BEYOND.
DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE ENGINES FRONT VALVE COVER AND FRONT-VALVE-COVER GASKET WITH NEW PARTS OF AN IMPROVED DESIGN AND REMOVE THE ENGINES PLASTIC COVER AND PLASTIC OIL-FILL-TUBE EXTENSION, ALONG WITH THE 1-3-5 SPARK PLUG WIRE RETAINERS, FREE OF CHARGE.
Affected vehicles
These model years are included in NHTSA campaign 08V-118.
| YEAR RANGE | MODEL |
|---|---|
| 2000–2003 | Buick Regal |
| 2000–2003 | Pontiac Grand Prix |
What changed
Newest first. The record shows both when the recall began and what has changed since.
- Recall reported to NHTSA. LATEST
Drive one of these? Check your VIN to see if your specific vehicle is affected.
Check your VINWhat this record means
Data from the NHTSA recall database. A clean VIN check means no open federal recalls for that vehicle — not that it never had one.
Not affiliated
MyAutoRecalls is not affiliated with GENERAL MOTORS CORP. or the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.