Known Recalls

Model year record

1989 Buick Regal

7 recall campaigns on file for this model year. 150 owner complaints on file.

Buick Regal, 1988–1996 generation
Pictured: the 1988–1996 generation. Cutlass, CC0 · Wikimedia Commons

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 90V185000

Exterior lighting: brake lights: switch

Component
Exterior lighting: brake lights: switch
Manufacturer
GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
Vehicles affected
476,422
Reported to NHTSA
1990-10-16
Owners notified
1990-11-08

Defect description

BRAKE STOPLAMPS MAY NOT ILLUMINATE OR, IN SOME CASES, STOPLAMPS WILL NOT STAY ILLUMINATED ALL THE TIME WHEN BRAKES ARE APPLIED DUE TO A FAULTY STOPLAMP SWITCH. ALSO IN VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH CRUISE CONTROL, A FAULTY STOPLAMP SWITCH CAN RESULT IN RESUMPTION OF THE CRUISE CONTROL FUNCTION UPON RELEASE OF THE BRAKE PEDAL.

Safety risk

A TRAILING VEHICLE MAY NOT RECOGNIZE A BRAKING ACTIONIN TIME TO RESPOND APPROPRIATELY. ALSO, CRUISE CONTROL WILL REENGAGE UPONRELEASE OF THE BRAKE PEDAL AND RESUME THE SET SPEED. IN EITHER CASE, IT COULDRESULT IN A CRASH WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING.

Manufacturer remedy

INSTALL AN IMPROVED DESIGN STOPLAMP SWITCH.

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 88V188000

Fuel system, gasoline: storage: tank assembly: filler pipe and cap

Component
Fuel system, gasoline: storage: tank assembly: filler pipe and cap
Manufacturer
GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
Vehicles affected
3,784
Reported to NHTSA
1988-12-06
Owners notified
1989-01-13

Defect description

FUEL RETURN LINES COULD FRACTURE AND ALLOW FUEL TO LEAK IN THE AREA OF THE FUEL TANK.

Safety risk

IN PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, THIS CONDITION COULDRESULT IN A FIRE.

Manufacturer remedy

INSTALL NEW FUEL RETURN PIPE ASSEMBLY.

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: caliper21—
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc13—
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components10—
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: rotor10—
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: pads7—
Structure780,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: engine6—
Electrical system: ignition5—
Electrical system: ignition: module5—
Parking brake: conventional4—
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: drum4—
Structure: frame and members4—
Vehicle speed control4—
Visibility: power window devices and controls4—
Electrical system: alternator/generator/regulator3—
Engine and engine cooling: engine: gasoline3—
Exterior lighting: brake lights: switch3—
Structure: body: door3—
Unknown or other3—
Electrical system: wiring: interior/under dash2—
Engine and engine cooling: engine: gasoline: belts and associated pulleys2—
Exterior lighting: brake lights2—
Fuel system, gasoline: storage: tank assembly2—
Power train2—
Power train: automatic transmission2—
Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip2—
Electrical system: 12V/24V/48V battery1—
Equipment: appliance: air conditioner1—
Fuel system, gasoline: fuel injection system: injectors1—
Latches/locks/linkages: hood: latch1—
Parking brake: conventional: mechanical: linkage and cable1—
Power train: driveline: driveshaft1—
Seat belts: front: buckle assembly1—
Seat belts: front: retractor1—
Service brakes, air: disc: caliper1—
Steering: steering wheel/handle bar1—
Steering: hydraulic power assist system1—
Steering: hydraulic power assist: pump1—
Steering: rack and pinion1—
Structure: body: door: hinge and attachments1—
Suspension: front: wheel bearing1—
Tires1—
Wheels1—

The 1988 model has roughly the same number of complaints as this one. The 1990 model has about 1.5 times as many 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.

RQ99002ENGINE CRADLE SEPARATION

Engine and engine cooling: engine

RQ97017CRADLE BOLT FAILURES

Structure

Other Buick Regal model years

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All Buick Regal recalls by year

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.