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Massive car recall hits home in Lincoln

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By CORY MATTESON / Lincoln Journal Star

Tuesday, Apr 01, 2008 - 12:38:38 am CDT

Due to a potential fire-causing oil leak, General Motors recently recalled 207,542 Buick Regals and Pontiac Grand Prix sedans. Officials warned car owners not to park them in garages until they are fixed.

Lincoln Fire Investigator Chuck Schweitzer figured that out last week — after he investigated his third fire involving a Grand Prix in a 47-day span.

Early March 25, a fire that began in the engine compartment of a 2000 Grand Prix spread through an attached garage at 5310 Rockford Drive.

Story Photo
Due to a potential fire-causing oil leak, General Motors recently recalled 207,542 Buick Regals and Pontiac Grand Prix sedans is part of a massive recall. A 2003 Grand Prix is shown here. (General Motors)

The couple inside the home escaped safely, but the car and a pickup were a total loss. Schweitzer said the house and its contents suffered about $100,000 in damages and loss.

For Schweitzer, the midnight fire seemed similar with two other recent investigations. So he went online and started looking for information on the constant in each — the Grand Prix.

Fire investigators often check on product defects if they’re seeing trends developing at fire scenes, he said.

“We start seeing similarities, we’ll do some digging,” he said. 

The recall affects 1997-2003 Regals and Grand Prix GDP models with 3.8-liter supercharged V-6 engines.

Schweitzer said he has worked three Grand Prix fires since Feb. 8.

That day, a 1999 Grand Prix caught fire in a parking lot at 920 N. 48th St. The fire caused $6,000 damage to the car, but didn’t damage any structures or other vehicles, Schweitzer said.

On March 17, a 2000 Grand Prix caught fire in a garage on 7400 N. 16th St., causing $10,000 to $12,000 damage to the garage and the car.

“We’ve had several fires in Lincoln because of what’s going on in this part recall,” he said.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, the cars are still safe to drive, but oil can leak during hard braking and potentially reach the hot engine valve, causing a fire.

Car owners may contact Buick at (866) 608-8080 or Pontiac at (800) 620-7668 for more information.

Customers also may contact the NHTSA’s vehicle safety line at (888) 327-4236 or go to www.safercar.gov.

Or you can follow Schweitzer’s advice: “Get that darn thing in and get it fixed.”

Reach Cory Matteson at 473-2655 or cmatteson@journalstar.com.


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Really??? wrote on April 1, 2008 7:57 am:
" Still safe to drive... as long as you don't have to brake hard, that almost never happens. "
concerned wrote on April 1, 2008 8:01 am:
" I have one of these vehicles that I bought new. I received a letter from Husker informing me that they were waiting to get a sufficient quantity of parts to fix local cars. Knowing Husker, it will take 6 months to get the parts. "
Jack wrote on April 1, 2008 8:08 am:
" And people wonder why Honda and Toyota are kicking Detroit's butt.......will the big three ever put a product on the street that is reliable again?? "
Nic F wrote on April 1, 2008 9:29 am:
" Just shows how Detroit is losing the car battle. They keep trying to cut corners with cheaper and cheaper parts, and then the parts cause huge problems like this. If the companies would just build reliable cars, people would buy them. That's why I bought a Honda...they'll run forever with regular maintenance. "
Phil W. wrote on April 1, 2008 1:09 pm:
" I don't think that there is a problem with cheap parts on this car. I think there is a seal that can leak oil, and it took 11 years to find that out. It just happens that this oil leaks onto the engine.

For people that love Toyota, you are aware of oil sludge problems that could happen every mid 90's camry. Oil passages built too small and oil doesn't pass through. The whole engine needs replaced. Toyota has also recalled many engines on brand new vehicles. Honda has had some problems. These are 11 year old cars, and at least they found a problem and are going to try to fix it. If it was a huge problem this would have shown up 10 years ago instead of now.

Hopefully this doesn't tarnish their reputation, as GM is building cars that are taking away all the awards from the Accord and the Camry. "
Douglas wrote on April 1, 2008 2:53 pm:
" How is it possible to not smell hot oil leaking on your engine. This is not a problem that shows up one day after 11 years. Time to fix the nut behind the wheel.Oil does have a tendency to burn, you know? I sure wish some one would volunteer to fix the problems on my 11 year old cars! I'll never buy anything but GM, Ford, or Dodge. Go ahead and buy into the global economy crap if you want. I'll just do my part to keep fellow taxpaying Americans out of the unemployment lines. I am not so hard up for money that I need the cheapest price. I value service and offering a recall on 11 year old automobile is top notch service and value. "
Keep Dreaming wrote on April 1, 2008 4:31 pm:
" I to had a pontiac GTP. I took it to husker pontiac 8 times for an oil leak. I was working as a mechanic for another agency at the time and had access to all the service bulletins. At that time they had two bulletins, one for intake manifold oil leak and another for rear main seal leak. After the 8 times at husker and all kinds of make shift "fixes" the factory rep told me to take it to Dillon in Fremont. I rolled in, the tech looked at me and said you have a rear main seal out + probably intake manifold gasket. It was done right and out the door 8 hours later. You get the right dealer if you want it done right. PS I now drive a Lexus "
I wonder wrote on April 1, 2008 4:48 pm:
" Does this somehow make the automaker liable for the damages caused by the fires????

Hmmmm Lawsuit or not. "
honda all the way wrote on April 1, 2008 9:38 pm:
" its amazing that husker is still up and running. with all the negative things that come from them i wish they would just shut there doors. there are other GM dealers in the city, just go to them. thats why i own several hondas. they last forever, the parts are cheap, the service in lincoln is amazing! plus they are all about customer service. most of them have more american made parts on them then the what was the big three. "
Mercedes wrote on April 2, 2008 11:02 am:
" Why is the midwest, and especially Nebraska, the only place where you see General Motors cars? Either coast all you see are Mercedes on the West and Toyota, Honda never a GM. Its like the only place GM has left to dump their junk is here. And folks just keep on buying them? "
CA Jack wrote on April 14, 2008 5:59 pm:
" My sisters car a 98 Buick is in this list. It burned down my garage and my $60 1968 GTO with it. If you or anybody you know has had a fire I am going to lead the charge of a posible lawsuit against GM. So please pass along the hotmail email address. Thanks all. "
Andrew wrote on May 19, 2008 9:52 am:
" I have a 95 pontiac with the same 3.8 liter V6 and supercharger... I have 209000 miles on it and it runs wonderfully. The only problem GM has had is the unions and retirees sucking them dry. Their cars have always been decent and 95 bonnevilles with the mileage that mine has prove that they have made quality and stood behind it for years. Honda and Toyota are kicking Detroits butt only because of the number of retiree's that GM has to support, quality of vehicle is a negligable variable in this equation because every car maker has its lemons, and I for one am impressed that GM is taking intiative and backing up products over 10 years old. "
Detroit wrote on September 15, 2008 7:47 am:
" Aren't GM cars made in Mexico? Tbat way GM can get by with cheap labor and no pensions. Americans with their labor unions and haughty living wages and retirement benefits. Who do they think they are, amigo? "
karwied wrote on September 15, 2008 9:39 am:
" We have purchased two new pickups: one from Husker and one from Duteau.
I have had a small problem with both of the trucks and have had NO problem getting them fixed from either dealer. Quit harping on Husker. They have been very obliging. As far as GM goes, we also have an 89 pickup that has 299,000 plus miles on it with the same motor, transmission, etc. It gets an oil change every 2000 miles. GM products are the best...So, buy your Hondas, Toyotas, Lexus whatever: We will always stick with GM "
CS wrote on September 15, 2008 3:42 pm:
" No vehicle should need an oil change every 2000 miles unless you live in a desert or a dust bowl, or haul heavy loads constantly. While jiffy quick super lube would like you to think that, your owners manual will usually tell you differently. Mobile 1 and Amsoil have oils that have 1 year service intervals-you change your oil once a year. Yes its a little more expensive, but ill take a little pain now over a little sticker in the window that I have to pay 20.00 for every time. "

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