Known Recalls

Model year record

1986 Buick Regal

4 recall campaigns on file for this model year. 14 owner complaints on file.

Recalls

Recall campaignNHTSA 89V102000

Vehicle speed control

Component
Vehicle speed control
Manufacturer
GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
Vehicles affected
1,755,897
Reported to NHTSA
1989-06-16
Owners notified
1989-07-20

Defect description

A SMALL NYLON BUSHING IN THE CRUISE CONTROL SERVO BAIL MAY SLIP OUT OF PLACE, CAUSING INTERMITTENT AND UNEXPECTED INCREASES IN ENGINE SPEED OR DIESELING (ENGINE RUN ON WITH IGNITION OFF).

Safety risk

SERVO ROD ASSEMBLY COULD CATCH ON ENGINE COMPONENTS ANDRESULT IN A STUCK THROTTLE WITH POTENTIAL FOR A VEHICLE CRASH.

Manufacturer remedy

INSTALL A NEW BUSHING IN CRUISE CONTROL SERVO BAIL.

Recall campaignNHTSA 88V014000

Exterior lighting: headlights: switch

Component
Exterior lighting: headlights: switch
Manufacturer
GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
Vehicles affected
179,390
Reported to NHTSA
1988-01-08
Owners notified
1988-02-11

Defect description

UNDER EXTENDED HEADLAMP USAGE, CIRCUITRY IN THE HEADLAMP SWITCH PANEL MIGHT EXPERIENCE INCREASED RESISTANCE AND EXCESSIVE HEAT BUILDUP.

Safety risk

HEADLIGHTS WOULD CYCLE ON AND OFF. SUDDEN LOSS OFHEADLIGHTS UNDER SEVERE WEATHER OR NIGHTIMER DRIVING CONDITIONS COULD RESULTIN A VEHICLE CRASH.

Manufacturer remedy

REPLACE HEADLIGHT SWITCH WITH MODIFIED SWITCH.

Recall campaignNHTSA 87V124000

Structure

Component
Structure
Manufacturer
GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
Vehicles affected
261,171
Reported to NHTSA
1987-08-10
Owners notified
1987-08-27

Defect description

SMALL CRACKS MAY DEVELOP IN THE BODY PILLAR AROUND THE DOOR STRIKER BOLT HOLE.

Safety risk

CRACKS WOULD INCREASE LEADING TO DIFFICULTY IN CLOSINGTHE DOOR AND MIGHT ALLOW DOOR TO COME OPEN DURING A CRASH, INCREASINGLIKELIHOOD OF INJURY TO OCCUPANTS.

Manufacturer remedy

INSTALL INNER AND OUTER REINFORCEMENT PLATE ON BOTH LEFT AND RIGHT BODY PILLARS.

Recall campaignNHTSA 86V093000

Seat belts: front: anchorage

Component
Seat belts: front: anchorage
Manufacturer
GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
Vehicles affected
2,223
Reported to NHTSA
1986-07-14
Owners notified
1986-09-26

Defect description

LEFT HANDED DRIVER'S SIDE SHOULDER BELT ANCHOR PLATE MAY BE UPSIDE DOWN IN LOCK PILLAR SO THAT THE UNTHREADED SLOT OF THE PLATE ALIGNED WITH THE HOLE IN THE LOCK PILLAR. THIS RESULTED IN THE ANCHOR BOLT BEING DRIVEN INTO THE SLOT INSTEAD OF THE THREADED HOLE OF THE ANCHOR PLATE. CONSEQUENCE OF DEFECT: IN A VEHICLE CRASH, BELT ANCHOR BOLT MAY PULL LOOSE FROM ANCHOR PLATE, THUS FAILING TO COMPLY WITH FMVSS 210, SEAT BELT ASSEMBLY ANCHORAGES, AND INCREASES LIKELIHOOD OF INJURY TO OCCUPANT.

Manufacturer remedy

INSTALL A BOLT ANCHOR PLATE REINFORCEMENT AND NEW BOLT, AS NECESSARY.

Owner complaints

A complaint is one person's report to a federal agency. It is not a finding.

ComponentComplaintsMedian mileage
Vehicle speed control3—
Engine and engine cooling: engine1—
Engine and engine cooling: engine: gasoline1—
Power train: automatic transmission1—
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components1—
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: caliper1—
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: rotor1—
Structure1—
Structure: frame and members1—
Tires1—
Vehicle speed control: linkages1—
Wheels1—

The 1985 model has about 1.5 times as many complaints as this one. The 1987 model has about half as many complaints as this one. These figures reflect raw complaint counts, not failure rates. Higher-selling model years naturally receive more complaints.

Safety recall repairs are provided free of charge by franchised dealers, regardless of vehicle age or mileage. This page displays aggregated data for the model year. To check recall status for a specific vehicle, search its VIN at nhtsa.gov.