NHTSA Complaint #10268601 — 1999 BUICK REGAL

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 BUICK REGAL. THE CONTACT PLACED OIL IN HIS VEHICLE AND TWO DROPS LANDED ON THE MANIFOLD, WHICH CAUSED AN IMMEDIATE FIRE. HE WAS ABLE TO EXTINGUISH THE FIRE WITH A HOSE. THE VEHICLE WAS OPERATING AFTER THE FAILURE, BUT EMITTED A BURNING SMELL WHEN THE ENGINE WAS STARTED. THE DAY BEFORE THE FAILURE, THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 09V116000 AND SCHEDULED A REPAIR APPOINTMENT. HE SPOKE WITH THE DEALER AND ASKED IF THE ODOR WAS A SYMPTOM OF THE RECALL, BUT THE DEALER STATED THAT IT ONLY OCCURRED WHEN THE ENGINE WAS RUNNING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 132,000. UPDATED 06/27/09 *BF THE VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE DUE TO OIL DRIPPING ON THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS OFF. UPDATED 06/24/09.*JB