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NHTSA recall 08V118000

A recall listed here may apply to a vehicle of this year, make and model. Only the manufacturer can say whether it applies to one vehicle: check the VIN with the official lookups.

Campaign
Published byNHTSA (United States)
Campaign number08V118000
Manufacturer's number07035
ManufacturerGENERAL MOTORS CORP.
Reported2008-03-12
Owners notified2008-04-28
ComponentENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Units potentially affected207542

What is wrong

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.

What can happen

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.

The remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE ENGINE’S FRONT VALVE COVER AND FRONT-VALVE-COVER GASKET WITH NEW PARTS OF AN IMPROVED DESIGN AND REMOVE THE ENGINE’S PLASTIC COVER AND PLASTIC OIL-FILL-TUBE EXTENSION, ALONG WITH THE 1-3-5 SPARK PLUG WIRE RETAINERS, FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING MAY 2016. , FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING MAY 2016. UNTIL THE REMEDY IS COMPLETED, GM STRONGLY RECOMMENDS THAT OWNERS OBSERVE THE FOLLOWING IMPORTANT PRECAUTIONS (1) THAT OWNERS DO NOT PARK THEIR VEHICLE IN A GARAGE, CAR PORT, OR OTHER STRUCTURE; (2) IF OWNERS NOTICE A BURNING ODOR, THEY SHOULD HAVE THEIR DEALER INSPECT THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER WILL INSPECT THE VEHICLE WITHOUT CHARGE; (3) USE PREMIUM FUEL (91 OCTANE OR HIGHER) IN THE VEHICLE AS RECOMMENDED IN THE VEHICLE'S OWNER MANUAL. OWNERS MAY CONTACT BUICK AT 1-866-608-8080 OR PONTIAC AT 1-800-620-7668, OR THROUGH THEIR WEBSITE AT <A HREF=HTTP://WWW.GMOWNERCENTER.COM>HTTP://WWW.GMOWNERCENTER.COM</A> .

Notes

GM RECALL NO. 07035. CUSTOMERS MAY ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), OR GO TO <A HREF=HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV>HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV</A> .

Vehicles this campaign lists
1997 BUICK REGALBuilt 1996-08-01 to 1997-07-31.
1998 BUICK REGALBuilt 1997-04-01 to 1998-08-31.
1999 BUICK REGALBuilt 1998-03-01 to 1999-07-31.
2000 BUICK REGALBuilt 1999-03-01 to 2000-06-30.
2001 BUICK REGALBuilt 2000-05-01 to 2001-06-30.
2002 BUICK REGALBuilt 2001-03-01 to 2002-06-30.
2003 BUICK REGALBuilt 2002-04-01 to 2003-06-30.
1997 PONTIAC GRAND PRIXBuilt 1996-03-01 to 1997-06-30.
1998 PONTIAC GRAND PRIXBuilt 1997-03-01 to 1998-08-31.
1999 PONTIAC GRAND PRIXBuilt 1998-03-01 to 1999-07-31.
2000 PONTIAC GRAND PRIXBuilt 1999-04-01 to 2000-06-30.
2001 PONTIAC GRAND PRIXBuilt 2000-03-01 to 2001-06-30.
2002 PONTIAC GRAND PRIXBuilt 2001-03-01 to 2002-06-30.
2003 PONTIAC GRAND PRIXBuilt 2002-05-01 to 2003-01-31.

A vehicle with no link is not in this site's catalog, which covers cars, multipurpose vehicles and trucks by model year. The campaign is from data as of 2026-10-19.

Investigated as EA07008

This recall followed 1 NHTSA investigation. An investigation is NHTSA looking into a possible defect. It is not a finding that a defect exists, and it does not say that any one vehicle is affected.

NHTSA investigations that led to this recall
EA07008Engineering analysis, opened 2007-06-12, closed 2008-05-01. ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE. ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING.

From NHTSA's investigation file, as of 2026-10-19. The JSON has NHTSA's summary of each.

Bulletins for the same vehicles and component

Bulletins for the same vehicles and component
16-NA-3832024-07-16. Service bulletin. This service bulletin advises of a new fuel injection cleaner kit used for decarbonizing the intake valves to correct conditions of rough idle, Crank no start, extended crank or misfire, MIL with DTCs, and explains how Top Tier fuels should be used to reduce carbon build-up.
16-NA-3832024-03-19. Service bulletin. This technical bulletin advises of a new fuel injection cleaner kit used for decarbonizing the intake valves to correct conditions of rough idle, Crank no start, extended crank or misfire, MIL with DTCs, and explains how Top Tier fuels should be used to reduce carbon build-up.
22-NA-0742024-02-29. Service bulletin. This service bulletin provides service information to technicians on guidelines to replace Oil Cooler, Oil Cooler Lines and Oil Tank if the engine was replaced where large amounts of debris has flowed throughout the oiling system.
PI1394B2024-02-02. Service bulletin. This PI bulletin advises the technician on the proper way to install the pistons in an engine.
1300890092023-12-11. Service bulletin. Expanded Availability for Remanufacture and Return (R&R) Electronic Control Modules
23-NA-1532023-09-26. Service bulletin. The service bulletin advises the tech of a normal transmission shift condition and the delay in throttle response when the throttle plate is opened rapidly and advises the customer that it is normal for the delay.
PIP5628G2023-09-18. Service bulletin. This Preliminary information communicates information that will need to be provided to TAC to aid in diagnosing if a vehicle comes in with misfire and DTC Codes P0300 - P0308 and/or P050D
18-NA-0732023-09-15. Service bulletin. This service bulletin provides graphics, information and guidelines for engine component wear to assist service personnel as a guideline to perform necessary engine repairs and prevent unnecessary engine replacement.
PIP5628F2023-05-15. Service bulletin. This Preliminary information communicates information that will need to be provided to TAC to aid in diagnosing if a vehicle comes in with misfire and DTC Codes P0300 - P0308 and/or P050D
19-NA-2192023-05-06. Service bulletin. This diagnostic tip bulletin provides additional information on how to diagnose a possible valve, lifter or camshaft issue.

A bulletin is the manufacturer's note to its dealers. It is not part of this recall.

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