IllustrationBRAKE CALIPERS KEEP FAILING PREMATURLEY , CALIPIERS WILL ONLY LAST 1 YEAR. DO NOT LAST THROUGH WINTER, POSSIBLE DUE TO POOR QUALITY. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK
1988 Buick Regal
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
More warning signs than most Regal years
Owner complaints for the 1988 Buick Regal are substantially higher than the model-year median of 29.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Regal years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
Limited mileage data: 7 of 123 reports include usable mileage. There isn’t enough coverage to show a useful chart.
NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.
What to inspect
Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.
- Service Brakes, Hydraulic. Review the 67 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Structure. Review the 17 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Power Train. Review the 10 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
10 crash reports1 fire reports7 injury reports
What owners actually said
123 reportsPE00 020; CONSUMER WAS TRAVELING ABOUT 20MPH AND VEHICLE FELT LIKE IT WAS TO GETTING AWAY FROM HIM. ALSO, STEERING WHEEL JERKED. RIGHT FRONT TIRES BLEWOUT. THEY WERE FIRESTONE#P, 21570R15. HE CALLED FIRESTONE.*AK
WHILE DRIVING ENGINEMOUNTS BROKE, CAUSING THE ENGINE AND TRANSMISSION TO FALL. CONSUMER COULD NO LONGER CONTROL STEERING. THE DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED.*AK
REAR CALIPERS FAILED SINCE PURCHASING THE VEHICLE. YH
THERE IS NOISE COMING FROM UNDERNEATH VEHICLE, A SQEAKING AND THUMPING NOISE.*AK
FT BOLTS PULLED THROUGH SUBFRAME (ENGINE CRADLE) LETTING ENGINE FALL TO PAVEMENT AND SEPERATING STEERING SHAFT CAUSING TOTAL LOSS OF STEERING
ONE OF THE REAR CRADLE BOLTS BROKE OFF. AND IF THE OTHER BREAK, THE ENGINE AND TRANSMISSION WILL DROP. FRONT CRADLE BOLTS HAVE BROKEN AND BEEN REPAIRED. *AK
DRIVER'S SIDE DOES NOT PULL IN FAR ENOUGH FOR GOOD VISIBILITY. YH
UPON STARTING VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED, HITTING TWO PARKED CARS AND A WALL BEFORE STOPPING WITH THE ENGINE STILL RACING, CAUSE UNKNOWN. PLEASE GIVE ANY FURTHER DETAILS. *AK
WHEN APPLYING BRAKES CAR STOPS ON THE FRONT 2 WHEELS ONLY. THE REAR WHEELS KEEP GOING. DEALER REBUILT REAR CALIPERS TWICE, BUT PROBLEM KEEPS REOCCURRING. ORIGINAL AND REPLACEMENT PARTS KEEP FAILING, MECHANIC SAID IT IS A DESIGN PROBLEM. *AK *ML
Official recalls
1000V189000 · Structure
Jul 11, 2000
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.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: 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.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FRONT AND REAR FRAME/CRADLE BOLTS AND RETAINERS.
97V058000 · Structure
Apr 8, 1997
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.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: IF THIS WERE TO OCCUR WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION, A VEHICLE CRASH COULD RESULT.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE REAR CRADLE BOLTS AND RETAINERS.
95V115000 · Wheels
Jun 5, 1995
CRACKS DEVELOP IN THE WHEEL MOUNTING SURFACE. IF THESE CRACKS BECOME SEVERE ENOUGH, THE WHEEL WILL COMPLETELY SEPARATE FROM THE VEHICLE.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: 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.
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.
94V041000 · Wheels
Mar 28, 1995
CRACKS DEVELOP IN THE WHEEL MOUNTING SURFACE. IF THESE CRACKS BECOME SEVERE ENOUGH, THE WHEEL WILL COMPLETELY SEPARATE FROM THE VEHICLE.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: 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.
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.
90V054000 · Seat Belts
Mar 14, 1990
FRONT SHOULDER BELT GUIDE LOOP ATTACHMENT FASTENER MAY PULL THROUGH DOOR MOUNTED ANCHOR PLATE.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: 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.
Remedy: REPLACE FRONT SHOULDER BELT GUIDE LOOP ATTACHMENT NUTS AND INSTALL NEW GUIDE COVER.
88V109000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:foundation Components:hoses, Lines/piping, And Fittings
Jul 6, 1988
TWISTED COMPONENTS COULD ALLOW THE LEFT FRONT BRAKE HOSE TO CONTACT THE FENDER LINING/RAIL AREA; OVER TIME THE BRAKE HOSE COULD WEAR THROUGH.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THIS COULD RESULT IN A LOSS OF BRAKE FLUID AND A PARTIALLOSS OF BRAKING CAPABILITY WHICH COULD RESULT IN AN ACCIDENT.
Remedy: INSPECT LEFT FRONT BRAKE HOSE FOR PROPER INSTALLATION AND REPLACE, AS NECESSARY.
88V065000 · Latches/locks/linkages:hood:latch
Apr 18, 1988
THE SECONDARY HOOD LATCH MAY NOT PROPERLY ENGAGE.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: 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.
Remedy: REPLACE SECONDARY LATCH WITH A NEW LATCH.
88V066000 · Suspension:front:control Arm:lower Ball Joint
Apr 18, 1988
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.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: CONTINUED OPERATION OF CAR WITH EITHER CONDITION COULDRESULT IN SEPARATION OF THAT JOINT AND POSSIBLE LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL AND ANACCIDENT.
Remedy: REPLACE BOTH LOWER CONTROL ARMS; ALSO, CHECK TIE ROD BALL STUD NUT TORQUE.
88V045000 · Power Train:manual Transmission:column Shift Assembly
Mar 28, 1988
AN INTERFERENCE BETWEEN THE TRANSMISSION SHIFT CABLE AND THE BELLCRANK CLIP IN THE STEERING COLUMN CAN RESULT IN DISENGAGEMENT OF THE TRANSMISSION CABLE.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: 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.
Remedy: A NEWLY DESIGNED BELLCRANK CLIP WILL BE INSTALLED.
88V040000 · Exterior Lighting:brake Lights:switch
Mar 24, 1988
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.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: 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.
Remedy: THE ROTARY SOPLAMP SWITCH WILL BE REPLACED ON ALL INVOLVED VEHICLES.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA investigations
12RP01001 · Structure
Opened Nov 28, 2001 · Closed Jun 13, 2002
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Structure
There is no summary currently available
RQ97017 · Cradle Bolt Failures
Opened Oct 2, 1997 · No close date supplied
Status: open (inferred from source dates) · Structure
There is no summary currently available
PE94063 · Corroded Rear Disk Brakes
Opened Aug 12, 1994 · Closed Dec 21, 1994
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Service Brakes, Hydraulic
There is no summary currently available
PE94048 · SUB-FRAME Absorber Failure
Opened Jun 21, 1994 · Closed Dec 30, 1994
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Engine And Engine Cooling
There is no summary currently available
EA92024 · Sticking Throttle
Opened Jun 26, 1992 · Closed Jan 31, 1994
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Vehicle Speed Control:linkages
There is no summary currently available
EA91055 · W-CAR Hinge Pin Failure
Opened Dec 5, 1991 · Closed Aug 17, 1992
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Structure
There is no summary currently available
PE91133 · W-CAR Hinge Pin Failure
Opened Oct 1, 1991 · Closed Dec 5, 1991
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Structure
There is no summary currently available
PE91072 · Steering Wheel Separation
Opened May 1, 1991 · Closed Jul 8, 1991
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Steering
There is no summary currently available
EA91005 · Rear Wheel Bearings Fail
Opened Oct 31, 1990 · Closed Dec 31, 1991
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Suspension
There is no summary currently available
PE90088 · Failure Stop Lamp Switch
Opened Jun 11, 1990 · Closed Oct 31, 1990
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Exterior Lighting
There is no summary currently available
PE89145 · Parking Brake Cable
Opened Jul 21, 1989 · Closed Sep 22, 1989
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Parking Brake
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C89001 · Throttle NON-RETURN
Opened Mar 6, 1989 · Closed Jan 16, 1990
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Vehicle Speed Control:linkages
There is no summary currently available