IllustrationBRAKES IN THE REAR ARE CORRODED. ROTORS IN THE REAR ARE NOT WORKING AT ALL. BRAKES WOULD MAKE NOISES WHEN APPLIED, LIKE METAL TO METAL. ALSO, THEY WOULD LOCK UP IN AN OPEN OR CLOSED POSITION. OVER 2 1/2 YEARS AGO, THE ENTIRE BRAKE SYSTEM WAS OVERHAULED. *AK
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 reportsTWO MONTHS AGO WHEN I USED MY TURN SIGNAL SMOKE BEGAN TO COME FROM THE STEERING COLUMN. ANYTIME I USE THE TURN SIGNAL NOW IT SMOKES. WE HAVE CONTACTED THE DEALER AND TRIED TO GET THE PART BUT EVERYONE HAS TOLD US THAT IT WILL MOST LIKELY TAKE 6 MONTHS. I DO NOT WANT TO PUT MY FAMILIES SAFETY ON THE LINE LIKE THAT. GM SEEMS T…
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TWO MONTHS AGO WHEN I USED MY TURN SIGNAL SMOKE BEGAN TO COME FROM THE STEERING COLUMN. ANYTIME I USE THE TURN SIGNAL NOW IT SMOKES. WE HAVE CONTACTED THE DEALER AND TRIED TO GET THE PART BUT EVERYONE HAS TOLD US THAT IT WILL MOST LIKELY TAKE 6 MONTHS. I DO NOT WANT TO PUT MY FAMILIES SAFETY ON THE LINE LIKE THAT. GM SEEMS TO NOT BE TAKING THE STITUATION AS SERIOUSLY AS THEY SHOULD BE.
THE ODOMETER HAS NOT WORKED SINCE 75,000 MILES (1993). THE DEALER TOLD ME IT WOULD COST AROUND $200.00 AND SINCE I DIDN'T REALLY KNOW JUST HOW MANY MILES I HAD PUT ON IT SINCE IT QUIT, I THOUGHT "WHAT'S THE USE?" SO ANY AND ALL MILEAGE QUOTES FROM NOW ON ARE GUESSES.... THE TAPE PLAYER WILL NOT PLAY ANY TAPES, IT JUST EJECTS EVE…
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THE ODOMETER HAS NOT WORKED SINCE 75,000 MILES (1993). THE DEALER TOLD ME IT WOULD COST AROUND $200.00 AND SINCE I DIDN'T REALLY KNOW JUST HOW MANY MILES I HAD PUT ON IT SINCE IT QUIT, I THOUGHT "WHAT'S THE USE?" SO ANY AND ALL MILEAGE QUOTES FROM NOW ON ARE GUESSES.... THE TAPE PLAYER WILL NOT PLAY ANY TAPES, IT JUST EJECTS EVERYTHING... THE TRIM KEEPS FALLING OFF AND I HAVE A STRIP OF CHROME IN THE BACK FLOORBOARD AS I TYPE THIS....BOTH THE FRONT AND REAR STRUTS HAVE HAD TO BE REPLACED....AND JUST LAST WEEK MY HUSBAND HAD TO BOLT THE DRIVER'S SEAT TO THE FRAME.
THE CRUISE CONTROL KEPT ON GOING OUT ON US ON OUR TRIP THROUGH NEW MEXICO, ARIZONA. IT WAS REALLY ANNOYING AND COULD HAVE BEEN DANGEROUS IF THERE HAD BEEN MORE TRAFFIC. I HAD TO KEEP AN EYE ON THE ODOMETER OR SPEEDOMETER AS CLOSELY AS I COULD. I FELT THAT THIS COULD HAVE REALLY BEEN DANGEROUS. I TALKED TO A MECHANIC IN A GAS…
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THE CRUISE CONTROL KEPT ON GOING OUT ON US ON OUR TRIP THROUGH NEW MEXICO, ARIZONA. IT WAS REALLY ANNOYING AND COULD HAVE BEEN DANGEROUS IF THERE HAD BEEN MORE TRAFFIC. I HAD TO KEEP AN EYE ON THE ODOMETER OR SPEEDOMETER AS CLOSELY AS I COULD. I FELT THAT THIS COULD HAVE REALLY BEEN DANGEROUS. I TALKED TO A MECHANIC IN A GAS STATION AND HE TOLD ME THAT IT POSSIBLY COULD BE COMPRESSION. HE COULD NOT HELP ME. WE TRAVELED EXTENSIVELY THROUGH THE AREAS OF ARIZONA AND NEW MEXICO, AND I THOUHT THAT MAYBE IT WAS DUE TO ELEVATION THAT WOULD BE CAUSING SOME OF THE PROBLEMS. WHEN RETURNING TO OUR HOME IN INDIANAPOLIS THOUGH, WHILE GOING THROUGH THE FLATLANDS OF KANSAS, AND SOME OF THE OTHER PLACES WHERE IT WAS FLAT, IT DID THE SAME THING. I WOULD SET THE CRUISE, IT WOULD WORK FOR A WHILE, THEN IT WOULD FAIL BY SLOWING DOWN TREMENDOUSLY, AS I DID NOT HAVE MY FOOT ON THE GAS PEDAL, THINKING ALL ALONG THAT IT WOULD WORK IN THESE AREAS. THERE WERE NO HILLS, SO WHAT WAS I TO LOSE. EXCEPT I DID LOSE THE POWER OF THE CRUISE CONTROL. ALSO THE AIR CONDITIONER SEEM TO BE AFFECTED ALSO. I WOULD LOSE SOME POWER FROM THE AIR CONDITIONER. EVEN NOW WHILE TRAVELING AROUND THE HIGHWAYS HERE IN INDY IT HAPPENS ALSO.
SHOULDER BELT GUIDE LOOP ATTACHED TO DOOR HAS A CRACKED COVER. THIS CAUSES THE SHOULDER BELT TO BE LOOSE AND NOT RETRACTING PROPERLY.*AK
THE AIR COMPRESSOR WILL NOT COME ON EVEN THOUGH THE FREON LEVEL IS WHERE IT SHOULD BE ACCORDING TO A MECHANIC. HE HAS CHECKED THE RELAYS AND EVERYTHING LOOKS FINE BUT THE AIR CONDITIONER WILL NOT COME ON. *AK
BOTH FENDERS HAVE RUSTED THROUGH IN THE EXACT SAME SPOT ON BOTH SIDES , POSSIBLE PROBLEMS WITH THE PAINT ITSELF OR THE METAL USED FOR THE FENDERS. IT DOESN'T SEEMS AS THOUGH THIS SHOULD HAPPENED TO A VEHICLE WITH THAT FEW MILES ON IT. ALWAYS BEEN TAKEN CARE OFF.*AK
THE CAR WAS TAKEN IN FOR SERVICE AND WE WERE TOLD THAT THE PROBLEM WAS DUE TO THE ENGINE BOLTS WERE NOT SECURE. WHILE BROWSING THE NET I FOUND THAT THE 91 BUICK REGAL WAS BEING RECALLED BECAUSE OF THIS AND I WANT TO KNOW WHAT STEPS NEED TO BE TAKEN IN ORDER TO CORRECT THIS PROBLEM. THE CAR WAS TAKEN TO PEP BOYS FOR TIRES WHEN …
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THE CAR WAS TAKEN IN FOR SERVICE AND WE WERE TOLD THAT THE PROBLEM WAS DUE TO THE ENGINE BOLTS WERE NOT SECURE. WHILE BROWSING THE NET I FOUND THAT THE 91 BUICK REGAL WAS BEING RECALLED BECAUSE OF THIS AND I WANT TO KNOW WHAT STEPS NEED TO BE TAKEN IN ORDER TO CORRECT THIS PROBLEM. THE CAR WAS TAKEN TO PEP BOYS FOR TIRES WHEN I WAS INFORMED OF A NEED FOR THE THE REAR BRAKE ASSEMBLY (DRUMS, ROTORS, CALIPERS, ETC.) TO BE REPAIRED AND I FOUND THAT BUICK WAS HAVING A PROBLEM WITH THESE PARTS AS WELL AS THE SUSPENSION. I ALSO FOUND THAT CHEVY WAS HAVING A SIMILAR PROBLEM WITH THE LUMINA. AT THIS POINT I AM JUST TRYING TO FIND A WAY TO GET IN CONTACT WITH BUICK TO GET SOME OF THESE ISSUES RESOLVED. THANKS IN ADVANCE, ERICA JONES. *AK
DIRECTIONAL LIGHT ASSEMBLY CRACKED, CAUSING LOSS OF TURN SIGNALS. PARTS HAVE BEEN ON BACK ORDER SINCE DECEMBER. NO FUTURE DATE WAS GIVEN. *AK
BOTH REAR STRUTS FAILED CAUSING A CLUNKING NOISE IN THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE AND THE FRONT AND REAR SUSPENSION IS OUT OF ALIGNMENT. NLM
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