IllustrationTHE LEFT FRONT TIRE EXPERIENCED TREAD SEPARATION, WHICH CAUSED THE TIRE TO BLOW OUT. *JB
1991 Buick Regal
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
More warning signs than most Regal years
Owner complaints for the 1991 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: 12 of 200 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 114 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Structure. Review the 20 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 15 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
13 crash reports4 fire reports8 injury reports
What owners actually said
200 reportsWHEN APPLYING THE BRAKES THE BRAKE PEDAL WILL GO TO THE FLOOR CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO HAVE EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE. DEALER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED. PH
3 WHEELS ON VEHICLE ARE FRACTURED. MR
MY 70-YEAR-OLD MOTHERS 1991 BUICK REGAL CAUGHT FIRE FROM THE ORIGINAL EXHAUST PIPE GASES BLOWING AGAINST THE REAR BUMPER CAVITY. THE PLASTIC PARTS CAUGHT ON FIRE AND CAUSED $1,800.00 WORTH OF DAMAGE. SHE WAS ON EAST BOUND I94 GOING 60MPH SAW THE FIRE AND WENT TO THE NEXT EXIT WHERE AN SUPER AMERICA GAS STATION ATTENDANT HAD A FI…
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MY 70-YEAR-OLD MOTHERS 1991 BUICK REGAL CAUGHT FIRE FROM THE ORIGINAL EXHAUST PIPE GASES BLOWING AGAINST THE REAR BUMPER CAVITY. THE PLASTIC PARTS CAUGHT ON FIRE AND CAUSED $1,800.00 WORTH OF DAMAGE. SHE WAS ON EAST BOUND I94 GOING 60MPH SAW THE FIRE AND WENT TO THE NEXT EXIT WHERE AN SUPER AMERICA GAS STATION ATTENDANT HAD A FIRE EXTINGUISHER. THIS WILL HAPPEN AGAIN AND SOME ONE WILL NOT BE AS LUCKY. GM COMPLAINT # 1-20438510. GM DECLINES ANY ASSISTANCE AT THIS TIME.*AK
OO V 189 000/CRADLE BOLTS: DEALER: SUBURBAN BUICK IN ROCHESTER, MI. PHONE# 248/643-0070 IS REFUSING TO HONOR RECALL BECAUSE THEY STATED THAT REPAIRS WOULD COST MORE THEN VEHICLE WAS WORTH. FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK
CONSUMER STATES THE BRAKES ON THE VEHICLE HAD BECOME CORRODED DUE TO THE DESIGN OF THE BRAKE SYSTEM, CONSUMER IS REQUESTING THAT THE MANUFACTURER REMIBURSE HER FOR HALF OF THE REPAIR.*JB
WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKES THE PEDAL GETS HARD AND THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCES EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE. THE VEHICLE HAS TO BE GRADUALLY SLOWED DOWN. THIS HAPPENS INTERMITTENTLY. DEALER SAYS THAT THE MASTER BRAKE CYLINDER NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. *NLM ALSO CONSUMER STATES THAT ABS LIGHT COMES ON. *YD
CONSUMER WAS PULLING AWAY FROM A STREET LIGHT AND HEARD A NOISE, FRAME TO VEHICLE FELL OUT, AND STEERING WHEEL WAS SPINING.*AK CONSUMER STATS THAT ENGINE CRADLE VENDER, ENGINE FRAME, FELL DOWN TO GROUND, FRAME BOLTS STILL IN BODY BUT RETAINERS RUSTED OUT ALLOWING FRAME SECTION TO FALL THROUGH, STEERING COLUMN SEPARATED FROM …
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CONSUMER WAS PULLING AWAY FROM A STREET LIGHT AND HEARD A NOISE, FRAME TO VEHICLE FELL OUT, AND STEERING WHEEL WAS SPINING.*AK CONSUMER STATS THAT ENGINE CRADLE VENDER, ENGINE FRAME, FELL DOWN TO GROUND, FRAME BOLTS STILL IN BODY BUT RETAINERS RUSTED OUT ALLOWING FRAME SECTION TO FALL THROUGH, STEERING COLUMN SEPARATED FROM RACK AND PINION AND STEERING WHEEL SPINS FREELY. *YD
REAR BRAKES FREEZE UP, CAUSING VEHICLE TO FISHTAIL AND HAVE NO CONTROL WHEN BRAKING. INDEPENDENT MECHANIC CONFIRMED THAT DIRT AND RUST FORM AROUND IN THE PIN THAT OPERATES THE CALIPERS. TWICE VEHICLE HAS HAD THE PROBLEM. *AK
MY SON PURCHASED THIS CAR IN NOV. OF 2001. HE WAS COMING UP TO A RED LIGHT AND HE HEARD A LOUD "POP". WHEN HE PROCEEDED FROM THE LIGHT , THE CAR WOULDN"T STEER. WHEN HE GOT OUT AND LOOKED , HIS ENGINE CRADLE WAS SITTING ON THE GROUND. WE CALLED A TOW TRUCK AND THE DRIVER TOLD US THAT ISSUE WAS A RECALL ITEM. I WENT UP THE ROAD T…
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MY SON PURCHASED THIS CAR IN NOV. OF 2001. HE WAS COMING UP TO A RED LIGHT AND HE HEARD A LOUD "POP". WHEN HE PROCEEDED FROM THE LIGHT , THE CAR WOULDN"T STEER. WHEN HE GOT OUT AND LOOKED , HIS ENGINE CRADLE WAS SITTING ON THE GROUND. WE CALLED A TOW TRUCK AND THE DRIVER TOLD US THAT ISSUE WAS A RECALL ITEM. I WENT UP THE ROAD TO A BUICK DEALER AND THE TECH. TOLD ME "YES " IT WAS A RECALL AND TO HAVE THE CAR TOWED THERE. THE TECH. SAID IT WOULD BE ABOUT $1,000. TO FIX. 2 DAYS LATER THE DEALER SHIP CALLS MY SON AND ASKED HIM HOW MUCH HE PAID FOR HIS CAR , BECAUSE THE DAMAGES COULD BE MORE THAN THE VALUE OF THE CAR. THE NEXT DAY THE DEALER SHIP CALLS MY SON AND SAID THE BROKEN ENGINE CRADLE BOLTS AREN"T A RECALL ISSUE AND IT WILL COST HIM MORE THAN $800. OUT OF HIS POCKET. MY SON HASN"T GIVEN THE DEALER SHIP THE OK TO START WORKING ON THE CAR NOW BECAUSE IT SOUNDS LIKE THEIR TRYING TO DOUBLE-DIP ON THIS RECALL ISSUE. *AK
Official recalls
600V189000 · 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.
95V152000 · Exterior Lighting
Aug 8, 1995
INCORRECT CLEAR FRONT SIDE MARKER BULBS WERE INSTALLED RATHER THAN AMBER BULBS. THIS DOES NOT CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT."
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: CONSEQUENCE OF NON-COMPLIANCE: DURING ILLUMINATION, THE BULBS WILL SHOW CLEAR RATHER THAN AMBER AND COULD MOMENTARILY CONFUSE OTHER DRIVERS.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE CLEAR BULBS WITH THE CORRECT AMBER BULBS.
93V145000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery:hoses, Lines/piping, And Fittings
Sep 3, 1993
THE FUEL FEED HOSE CAN PULL OUT OF THE CRIMPED COUPLING AT THE ENGINE END OF THE HOSE ASSEMBLY, CAUSING FUEL LEAKAGE.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: IF THE COUPLING WERE TO SEPARATE AND AN IGNITION SOURCEIS PRESENT, AN ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE COULD OCCUR.
Remedy: INSTALL A NEW FUEL FEED HOSE.
92V003000 · Seat Belts
Jan 10, 1992
THE FRONT DOOR SHOULDER BELT GUIDE LOOPS MAY BE CRACKED AND ARE NOT IN COMPLIANCE WITH FMVSS 208.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THE SEAT OCCUPANT FACES INCREASED RISK OF INJURY IN THEEVENT OF A SUDDEN STOP OR ACCIDENT.
Remedy: INSTALL REINFORCING PLATES ON THE CRACKED SHOULDER BELT GUIDES.
91V005000 · Seat Belts
Oct 2, 1991
FRONT SHOULDER SAFETY BELT WEBBING MAY SEPARATE AT FRONT BELT UPPER GUIDE LOOPS ON EITHER SIDE OF THE FRONT SEAT.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: WEBBING SEPARATION COULD OCCUR WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING ANDINCREASE THE RISK OF INJURY TO BELTED FRONT OUTBOARD OCCUPANTS IN A HIGH ENERGYCRASH.
Remedy: INSTALL A CONTROLLED ROTATION BRACKET ON DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE FRONT SEAT BELT GUIDE LOOPS.
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
10RP01001 · Structure
Opened Nov 28, 2001 · Closed Jun 13, 2002
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Structure
There is no summary currently available
EA00011 · Engine Cradle Separation
Opened Apr 10, 2000 · Closed Jan 12, 2001
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Engine And Engine Cooling
THE ENGINE CRADLE FRONT BOLTS AND/OR RETAINERS MAY FAIL, ALLOWING THE FRONT OF THE ENGINE CRADLE TO FALL, POSSIBLY SEPARATING THE STEERING INTERMEDIATE SHAFT FROM THE STEERING GEAR, WITH COMPLETE LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL
RQ99002 · Engine Cradle Separation
Opened Mar 4, 1999 · No close date supplied
Status: open (inferred from source dates) · Engine And Engine Cooling:engine
ON APRIL 1, 1997, GENERAL MOTORS CORPORATION FILED A DEFECT INFORMATION REPORT TO RECALL THE SUBJECT VEHICLES, REGISTERED IN 14 HIGH CORROSION STATES, TO REPLACE THE REAR ENGINE CRADLE BOLTS AND RETAINERS.THE REAR ENGINE CRADLE BOLTS WOULD EITHER FRACTURER OR PULL THROUGH THE RETIANERS DUE TO CORROSION.AS OF SEPTEMBER 1998, THE SIXTH QUARTER, 59.3% OF THE SUBJECT VEHICLES HAD BEEN REPAIRED.IN ADDITION TO THE COMPLAINTS OF FRONT ENGINE CRADLE BOLT FAILURES IN THE ABOVE FAILURE REPORT SUMMARY, ODI HAS RECEIVED SIX REPORTS OF POSSIBLE FRONT ENGINE CRADLE BOLT FAILURES, INCLUDING TWO CRASHES.AN RQ IS WARRANTED TO DETERMINE THE EXTENT OF FAILURES OF THE FRONT ENGINE CRADLE BOLTS AND RETAINERS ON THE SUBJECT VEHICLES.
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
PE93039 · Fuel Line Separation
Opened Apr 27, 1993 · Closed Sep 14, 1993
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Vehicle Speed Control:linkages
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
EA91049 · Jack Failure
Opened Nov 26, 1991 · Closed Oct 28, 1992
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Equipment
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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