Known Recalls

Model year record

1988 Buick Regal

10 recall campaigns on file for this model year. 181 owner complaints on file.

Recalls

Recall campaignNHTSA 00V189000

Structure

Component
Structure
Manufacturer
GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
Vehicles affected
713,435
Reported to NHTSA
2000-07-11
Owners notified
2000-09-28

Defect description

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.

Safety risk

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.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FRONT AND REAR FRAME/CRADLE BOLTS AND RETAINERS.

Recall campaignNHTSA 97V058000

Structure

Component
Structure
Manufacturer
GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
Vehicles affected
676,535
Reported to NHTSA
1997-04-08
Owners notified
1997-06-11

Defect description

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.

Safety risk

IF THIS WERE TO OCCUR WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION, A VEHICLE CRASH COULD RESULT.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE REAR CRADLE BOLTS AND RETAINERS.

Recall campaignNHTSA 95V115000

Wheels

Component
Wheels
Manufacturer
GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
Vehicles affected
22,361
Reported to NHTSA
1995-06-05
Owners notified
1995-06-14

Defect description

CRACKS DEVELOP IN THE WHEEL MOUNTING SURFACE. IF THESE CRACKS BECOME SEVERE ENOUGH, THE WHEEL WILL COMPLETELY SEPARATE FROM THE VEHICLE.

Safety risk

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.

Manufacturer 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.

Recall campaignNHTSA 94V041000

Wheels

Component
Wheels
Manufacturer
GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
Vehicles affected
198,163
Reported to NHTSA
1995-03-28
Owners notified
1994-05-05

Defect description

CRACKS DEVELOP IN THE WHEEL MOUNTING SURFACE. IF THESE CRACKS BECOME SEVERE ENOUGH, THE WHEEL WILL COMPLETELY SEPARATE FROM THE VEHICLE.

Safety risk

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.

Manufacturer 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.

Recall campaignNHTSA 90V054000

Seat belts

Component
Seat belts
Manufacturer
GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
Vehicles affected
673,000
Reported to NHTSA
1990-03-14
Owners notified
1990-07-23

Defect description

FRONT SHOULDER BELT GUIDE LOOP ATTACHMENT FASTENER MAY PULL THROUGH DOOR MOUNTED ANCHOR PLATE.

Safety risk

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.

Manufacturer remedy

REPLACE FRONT SHOULDER BELT GUIDE LOOP ATTACHMENT NUTS AND INSTALL NEW GUIDE COVER.

Recall campaignNHTSA 88V109000

Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings

Component
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings
Manufacturer
GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
Vehicles affected
8,328
Reported to NHTSA
1988-07-06
Owners notified
1988-07-26

Defect description

TWISTED COMPONENTS COULD ALLOW THE LEFT FRONT BRAKE HOSE TO CONTACT THE FENDER LINING/RAIL AREA; OVER TIME THE BRAKE HOSE COULD WEAR THROUGH.

Safety risk

THIS COULD RESULT IN A LOSS OF BRAKE FLUID AND A PARTIALLOSS OF BRAKING CAPABILITY WHICH COULD RESULT IN AN ACCIDENT.

Manufacturer remedy

INSPECT LEFT FRONT BRAKE HOSE FOR PROPER INSTALLATION AND REPLACE, AS NECESSARY.

Recall campaignNHTSA 88V066000

Suspension: front: control arm: lower ball joint

Component
Suspension: front: control arm: lower ball joint
Manufacturer
GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
Vehicles affected
3,221
Reported to NHTSA
1988-04-18
Owners notified
1988-04-29

Defect description

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.

Safety risk

CONTINUED OPERATION OF CAR WITH EITHER CONDITION COULDRESULT IN SEPARATION OF THAT JOINT AND POSSIBLE LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL AND ANACCIDENT.

Manufacturer remedy

REPLACE BOTH LOWER CONTROL ARMS; ALSO, CHECK TIE ROD BALL STUD NUT TORQUE.

Recall campaignNHTSA 88V065000

Latches/locks/linkages: hood: latch

Component
Latches/locks/linkages: hood: latch
Manufacturer
GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
Vehicles affected
12,457
Reported to NHTSA
1988-04-18
Owners notified
1988-04-22

Defect description

THE SECONDARY HOOD LATCH MAY NOT PROPERLY ENGAGE.

Safety risk

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.

Manufacturer remedy

REPLACE SECONDARY LATCH WITH A NEW LATCH.

Recall campaignNHTSA 88V045000

Power train: manual transmission: column shift assembly

Component
Power train: manual transmission: column shift assembly
Manufacturer
GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
Vehicles affected
17,745
Reported to NHTSA
1988-03-28
Owners notified
1988-04-15

Defect description

AN INTERFERENCE BETWEEN THE TRANSMISSION SHIFT CABLE AND THE BELLCRANK CLIP IN THE STEERING COLUMN CAN RESULT IN DISENGAGEMENT OF THE TRANSMISSION CABLE.

Safety risk

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.

Manufacturer remedy

A NEWLY DESIGNED BELLCRANK CLIP WILL BE INSTALLED.

Recall campaignNHTSA 88V040000

Exterior lighting: brake lights: switch

Component
Exterior lighting: brake lights: switch
Manufacturer
GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
Vehicles affected
9,661
Reported to NHTSA
1988-03-24
Owners notified
1988-04-13

Defect description

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.

Safety risk

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.

Manufacturer remedy

THE ROTARY SOPLAMP SWITCH WILL BE REPLACED ON ALL INVOLVED VEHICLES.

Owner complaints

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

ComponentComplaintsMedian mileage
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: caliper29—
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc19155,925 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: rotor13—
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: drum11155,925 mi
Structure: frame and members986,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: pads8—
Engine and engine cooling: engine7—
Power train: automatic transmission6172,000 mi
Structure6—
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components4—
Tires: tread/belt474,618 mi
Electrical system: ignition3—
Seat belts: front: webbing3—
Suspension: front3—
Wheels3—
Engine and engine cooling: engine: gasoline2—
Exterior lighting: brake lights2—
Fuel system, gasoline: storage: tank assembly2—
Fuel system, other2—
Power train: automatic transmission: gear position indication (PRNDL)2—
Seat belts: front: buckle assembly2—
Service brakes, hydraulic260,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip2—
Structure: body: door: hinge and attachments2—
Suspension2—
Tires2—
Vehicle speed control2—
Vehicle speed control: linkages2—
Electrical system: ignition: module1—
Electrical system: ignition: switch1—
Electrical system: wiring1155,925 mi
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: emission control: gas recirculation valve (EGR valve)1—
Equipment: mechanical: accessory scissor/screw/bottle jack/lift1—
Exterior lighting: back up lights1—
Exterior lighting: brake lights: switch1—
Exterior lighting: turn signal: switch1—
Fuel system, gasoline1155,925 mi
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery: fuel pump1—
Fuel system, gasoline: fuel injection system: injectors1—
Latches/locks/linkages: doors: latch1155,925 mi
Parking brake: conventional: mechanical1—
Power train1—
Power train: driveline: driveshaft1—
Power train: manual transmission: shift pattern indicator1—
Seat belts: front: anchorage1—
Service brakes, hydraulic: power assist1—
Service brakes, hydraulic: power assist: vacuum1—
Steering: steering wheel/handle bar1—
Steering: hydraulic power assist system1—
Structure: body1—
Visibility: defroster/defogger/hvac system1—
Visibility: power window devices and controls1—
Visibility: rearview mirrors/devices1—
Visibility: windshield1—
Wheels: hub1—

The 1987 model has 6 times as many complaints as this one. The 1989 model has roughly the same number of complaints as this one. These figures reflect raw complaint counts, not failure rates. Higher-selling model years naturally receive more complaints.

Open investigations

An investigation is not a recall. It indicates that NHTSA is currently evaluating an alleged defect but has not reached a final determination.

RQ97017CRADLE BOLT FAILURES

Structure

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.