Model year record

1996 Buick Regal

3 recall campaigns on file for this model year. 273 owner complaints on file.

Recalls

Recall campaignNHTSA 03V527000

Steering: rack and pinion

Component
Steering: rack and pinion
Manufacturer
GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
Vehicles affected
750,283
Reported to NHTSA
2003-12-11
Owners notified
2004-02-05

Defect description

CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES HAVE LOWER PINION BEARINGS IN THE POWER RACK AND PINION ASSEMBLY IN WHICH THE RETAINER TABS WERE NOT CRIMPED PROPERLY. THESE RETAINERS COULD FAIL AND PERMIT THE BALL BEARINGS TO ESCAPE.

Safety risk

IF THIS OCCURS, THE PINION SHAFT CAN BE FORCED UPWARD DURING LEFT TURNS AND BACK DOWN AS THE STEERING WHEEL IS MOVED BACK AND TO THE RIGHT. IF THE PINION SHAFT MOVES FURTHER, THE DRIVER WILL NEED TO EXERT MORE EFFORT TO TURN THE STEERING WHEEL, SIMILAR TO A VEHICLE WITHOUT POWER ASSISTED STEERING. IF THE PINION SHAFT MOVES EVEN FURTHER, THE DRIVER WILL REQUIRE MUCH HIGHER EFFORT TO TURN LEFT AND MAY NOT BE ABLE TO TURN THE WHEEL AS MUCH AS INTENDED. WITH THE MAXIMUM PINION SHAFT MOVEMENT, WHICH REQUIRES INTERNAL GEAR COMPONENT DAMAGE, THE DRIVER CAN ENCOUNTER HIGH RESISTANCE TO TURNING LEFT, FOLLOWED BY UNINTENDED POWER ASSIST TO THE RIGHT. IN ANY OF THESE CONDITIONS, A CRASH COULD OCCUR.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL INSTALL A NEW LOWER PINION BEARING UNLESS INSPECT OF THE EXISTING BEARING INDICATES THAT REPLACEMENT OF THE GEAR ASSEMBLY IS NECESSARY. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON FEBRUARY 5, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT BUICK AT 1-866-608-8080; CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438; OLDSMOBILE AT 1-800-630-6537; OR PONTIAC AT 1-800-620-7668.

Recall campaignNHTSA 96V116000

Fuel system, gasoline: fuel injection system

Component
Fuel system, gasoline: fuel injection system
Manufacturer
GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
Vehicles affected
275,811
Reported to NHTSA
1996-07-01
Owners notified
1996-07-08

Defect description

A BACKFIRE DURING ENGINE STARTING CAN CAUSE BREAKAGE OF THE UPPER INTAKE MANIFOLD.

Safety risk

THIS CONDITION CAN CAUSE A NO-START CONDITION AND POSSIBLY AN ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL UPDATE THE POWERTRAIN CONTROL MODULE PROGRAMMING. UNTIL THE CAMPAIGN REPAIR IS MADE, THE VEHICLE HOOD SHOULD BE SHUT WHENEVER STARTING THE VEHICLE TO REDUCE THE CHANCE OF PERSONAL INJURY.

Recall campaignNHTSA 96V069000

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
43,213
Reported to NHTSA
1996-04-19
Owners notified
1996-04-22

Defect description

THE LEFT FRONT BRAKE LINE CAN CONTACT THE TRANSAXLE MOUNTING BRACKET OR ATTACHMENT BOLT.

Safety risk

THIS CONDITION CAN CAUSE THE BRAKE LINE TO WEAR THROUGH, RESULTING IN LOSS OF BRAKE FLUID AND EVENTUAL LOSS OF ONE-HALF OF THE VEHICLE'S BRAKE SYSTEM, INCREASING THE POTENTIAL FOR A VEHICLE ACCIDENT.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE VEHICLE FOR PROPER BRAKE LINE CLEARANCE AND REPOSITION THOSE BRAKE LINES FOUND TO HAVE LESS THAN MINIMAL CLEARANCE. ADDITIONALLY, THOSE BRAKE LINES FOUND TO HAVE AN INDENTATION CAUSED BY THE CONTACT WILL BE REPLACED AND PROPERLY ROUTED.

Owner complaints

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

ComponentComplaintsMedian mileage
Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip1517,000 mi
Air bags: frontal1298,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: engine11113,048 mi
Engine and engine cooling: engine: gasoline10
Unknown or other9
Air bags855,035 mi
Engine and engine cooling887,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components8
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: rotor8
Steering: rack and pinion778,000 mi
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery: fuel pump6156,000 mi
Fuel system, gasoline: fuel injection system678,117 mi
Vehicle speed control6
Electrical system590,000 mi
Electrical system: ignition530,000 mi
Power train: automatic transmission580,000 mi
Electrical system: wiring: front underhood4
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: manifold/header/muffler/tail pipe451,278 mi
Seat belts: front: anchorage4
Service brakes, hydraulic4
Steering485,000 mi
Structure: body460,000 mi
Electrical system: 12V/24V/48V battery315,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system3
Seats: front assembly: recliner3130,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc317,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings3
Steering: steering wheel/handle bar343,000 mi
Suspension3
Tires3
Electrical system: alternator/generator/regulator2
Electrical system: horn2106,468 mi
Electrical system: ignition: switch2
Electrical system: wiring2106,468 mi
Engine2195,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: cooling system258,118 mi
Equipment: electrical2
Exterior lighting: tail lights2
Exterior lighting: turn signal2
Fuel system, gasoline290,000 mi
Fuel system, gasoline: storage: tank assembly2
Fuel/propulsion system2195,000 mi
Latches/locks/linkages: hood: latch2
Seat belts233,000 mi
Seat belts: front: buckle assembly215,000 mi
Seat belts: front: retractor2
Service brakes2195,000 mi
Service brakes, air: disc: rotor2
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: caliper2
Steering: rack and pinion: pinion shaft259,087 mi
Structure2
Structure: body: door2
Suspension: front2
Suspension: front: control arm: lower ball joint2
Suspension: rear: springs: leaf spring assembly2
Vehicle speed control: accelerator pedal2
Visibility: windshield wiper/washer2
Air bags: frontal: driver side: inflator module1120,000 mi
Air bags: side/window1
Electrical system: wiring: fuses and circuit breakers1
Electrical system: wiring: interior/under dash1
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: emission control: crankcase (PCV)1
Equipment: electrical: radio/tape deck/CD etc.1
Fuel system, gasoline: carburetor system1
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery1
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings1
Fuel system, other: storage: fuel gauge system1
Latches/locks/linkages: trunk lid: lock1
Power train: automatic transmission: gear position indication (PRNDL)142,180 mi
Power train: automatic transmission: lever and linkage: column shift1
Power train: automatic transmission: torque converter1
Power train: axle assembly: axle shaft1
Seat belts: front1
Seats1
Service brakes, air: antilock1
Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip: ABS warning light1
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: drum1
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: drum: drum1
Service brakes, hydraulic: pedals and linkages1
Steering: column143,000 mi
Steering: hydraulic power assist system1
Steering: hydraulic power assist: power steering fluid117,000 mi
Steering: hydraulic power assist: pump156,425 mi
Steering: rack and pinion: rack1
Structure: body: bumpers1
Structure: body: door: hinge and attachments1
Suspension: front: control arm: upper ball joint1
Suspension: front: springs: coil springs1
Suspension: front: springs: torsion bar1
Suspension: rear1
Tires: tread/belt1
Vehicle speed control: springs1
Visibility: defroster/defogger/hvac system1
Visibility: glass, side/rear1
Visibility: power window devices and controls1
Visibility: sun/moon roof assembly1
Visibility: windshield1
Wheels1150,000 mi
Wheels: hub1

The 1995 model has about 1.5 times as many complaints as this one. The 1997 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.

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.