1988 Buick Regal recalls

Fuel system, gasoline

• Aftermarket equipment: applies only if this part was installed

Summary

Certain replacement fuel filters, fram brand name p/n G3727, with date codes X52911 through X60801 sequentially or X600141 and a mexico country or origin marking on the fuel filter housing manufactured from October 18, 2005, through March 21, 2006, sold for use on the vehicles listed above and on certain school buses. (to see the school bus engine sizes, click on "document search" and then "bus applications"). The connector on the fuel filter was not manufactured to honeywell's specification. As a result, the o-ring may not seat correctly on the fuel line.

Consequence

This condition may cause an inadequate seal at the connection, potentially leading to a fuel leak. In the presence of an ignition source, a fire could occur.

Remedy

Honeywell will notify owners and replace the fuel filters free of charge. The recall began on October 18, 2006. Owners may contact fram customer service at 1-800-890-2075 (option 1).

This recall on nhtsa.gov

Structure

Summary

Vehicle description: passenger vehicles originally sold or currently registered in the states of connecticut, delaware, illinois, indiana, iowa, maine, maryland, massachusetts, michigan, minnesota, missouri, new hampshire, new jersey, new york, ohio, pennsylvania, rhode island, vermont, west virginia, wisconsin, and the district of columbia, where road salt use is heavy. A condition where one or both front engine cradle bolts can pull through the retainers due to corrosion of the retainers.

Consequence

If both bolts pull through, the front of the cradle would no longer be supported at the mounting locations and the steering intermediate shaft could separate from the steering gear.

Remedy

Dealers will replace the front and rear frame/cradle bolts and retainers.

This recall on nhtsa.gov

Structure

Summary

Vehicle description: passenger vehicles and mini vans originally sold or currently registered in the following states: connecticut, illinois, indiana, maine, massachusetts, michigan, new hampshire, new jersey, new york, ohio, pennsylvania, rhode island, vermont and wisconsin. The rear cradle bolts pull through the retainers due to corrosion of the retainer. If both bolts pull through, the rear cradle would not longer be supported at these mounting locations and the steering intermediate shaft can separate from the steering gear.

Consequence

If this were to occur while the vehicle was in motion, a vehicle crash could result.

Remedy

Dealers will replace the rear cradle bolts and retainers.

This recall on nhtsa.gov

Wheels

Summary

Cracks develop in the wheel mounting surface. If these cracks become severe enough, the wheel will completely separate from the vehicle.

Consequence

If wheel separation occurs while the vehicle is in motion, loss of steering and brake control of the vehicle occurs, and a vehicle crash could result without prior warning.

Remedy

Dealers will inspect the manufacturing date codes stamped on each wheel of the vehicle and if a wheel falls within the specified date code range, the dealer will replace that wheel assembly.

This recall on nhtsa.gov

Wheels

Summary

Cracks develop in the wheel mounting surface. If these cracks become severe enough, the wheel will completely separate from the vehicle.

Consequence

If wheel separation occurs while the vehicle is in motion, loss of steering and brake control of the vehicle occurs, and a vehicle crash could result without prior warning.

Remedy

Dealers will inspect the manufacturing codes stamped on each wheel of the vehicle and if a wheel falls within the specified date code range, the dealer will replace that wheel assembly.

This recall on nhtsa.gov

Seat belts

Summary

Front shoulder belt guide loop attachment fastener may pull through door mounted anchor plate.

Consequence

Seat belt may not sustain loads required by FMVSS 210, and in a vehicle accident, the seat belt may not properly restrain a passenger, resulting in increased risk of greater injury to an occupant.

Remedy

Replace front shoulder belt guide loop attachment nuts and install new guide cover.

This recall on nhtsa.gov

Service brakes, hydraulic › Foundation components › Hoses, lines/piping, and fittings

Summary

Twisted components could allow the left front brake hose to contact the fender lining/rail area; over time the brake hose could wear through.

Consequence

This could result in a loss of brake fluid and a partialloss of braking capability which could result in an accident.

Remedy

Inspect left front brake hose for proper installation and replace, as necessary.

This recall on nhtsa.gov

Suspension › Front › Control arm › Lower ball joint

Summary

Lower control arm to ball joint attachment can become loose. Also, certain cars could have tie rod ball stud nuts that were not properly torqued and could loosen.

Consequence

Continued operation of car with either condition couldresult in separation of that joint and possible loss of steering control and anaccident.

Remedy

Replace both lower control arms; also, check tie rod ball stud nut torque.

This recall on nhtsa.gov

Latches/locks/linkages › Hood › Latch

Summary

The secondary hood latch may not properly engage.

Consequence

If primary latch disengages, hood could unexpectedlyopen. If car was in motion, hood could contact the windshield, reduce thedrivers forward vision area, and could result in an accident.

Remedy

Replace secondary latch with a new latch.

This recall on nhtsa.gov

Power train › Manual transmission › Column shift assembly

Summary

An interference between the transmission shift cable and the bellcrank clip in the steering column can result in disengagement of the transmission cable.

Consequence

This condition could allow the transmission to be in agear other than that displayed by the shift indicator. The vehicle could movein an unexpected direction and cause a vehicle crash without prior warning.

Remedy

A newly designed bellcrank clip will be installed.

This recall on nhtsa.gov

Exterior lighting › Brake lights › Switch

Summary

The stop lamp switch may have a loose electrical contact. The loose contact can overheat and melt the surrounding plastic causing the contact to stick open.

Consequence

An open contact would render the brake lights inoperativewhen the brake pedal is depressed. Also, the transmission clutch control andcruise control contacts would remain closed. This condition would result incruise resume upon brake pedal release if the cruise control is in the onposition. Either an unexpected cruise resume or inoperative brake lights couldresult in a vehicle crash without prior warning.

Remedy

The rotary soplamp switch will be replaced on all involved vehicles.

This recall on nhtsa.gov