1990 Buick Regal

Fatalities reported

Owners filed 77 complaints about this vehicle with federal regulators, most often about the service brakes, hydraulic › foundation components › disc › caliper. It has been recalled 9 times.

What fails
ComponentReportsCrashesFiresInjuries
Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Foundation Components › Disc9
000
Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Foundation Components › Disc › Caliper8
201
Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Foundation Components8
000
Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Foundation Components › Drum6
000
Structure4
000
Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip4
000
Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Foundation Components › Disc › Rotor3
000
Suspension2
000
Structure › Frame and Members2
000
Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Foundation Components › Disc › Pads2
000

9 safety recalls

Part 573 reports
Fuel System, Gasoline06E043000
Filed May 19, 200688,303 vehiclesHoneywell International, Inc.

Defect. CERTAIN REPLACEMENT FUEL FILTERS, FRAM BRAND NAME P/N G3727, WITH DATE CODES X52911 THROUGH X60801 SEQUENTIALLY OR X600141 AND A MEXICO COUNTRY OR ORIGIN MARKING ON THE FUEL FILTER HOUSING MANUFACTURED FROM OCTOBER 18, 2005, THROUGH MARCH 21, 2006, SOLD FOR USE ON THE VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE AND ON CERTAIN SCHOOL BUSES. (TO SEE THE SCHOOL BUS ENGINE SIZES, CLICK ON "DOCUMENT SEARCH" AND THEN "BUS APPLICATIONS"). THE CONNECTOR ON THE FUEL FILTER WAS NOT MANUFACTURED TO HONEYWELL'S SPECIFICATION. AS A RESULT, THE O-RING MAY NOT SEAT CORRECTLY ON THE FUEL LINE.

Risk. THIS CONDITION MAY CAUSE AN INADEQUATE SEAL AT THE CONNECTION, POTENTIALLY LEADING TO A FUEL LEAK. IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, A FIRE COULD OCCUR.

Remedy. HONEYWELL WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE FUEL FILTERS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 18, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FRAM CUSTOMER SERVICE AT 1-800-890-2075 (OPTION 1).

Structure00V189000
Filed Jul 11, 2000713,435 vehiclesGeneral Motors Corp.

Defect. 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.

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.

Remedy. DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FRONT AND REAR FRAME/CRADLE BOLTS AND RETAINERS.

Structure97V058000
Filed Apr 8, 1997676,535 vehiclesGeneral Motors Corp.

Defect. 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.

Risk. 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.

Wheels95V115000
Filed Jun 5, 199522,361 vehiclesGeneral Motors Corp.

Defect. CRACKS DEVELOP IN THE WHEEL MOUNTING SURFACE. IF THESE CRACKS BECOME SEVERE ENOUGH, THE WHEEL WILL COMPLETELY SEPARATE FROM THE VEHICLE.

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.

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.

Wheels94V041000
Filed Mar 28, 1995198,163 vehiclesGeneral Motors Corp.

Defect. CRACKS DEVELOP IN THE WHEEL MOUNTING SURFACE. IF THESE CRACKS BECOME SEVERE ENOUGH, THE WHEEL WILL COMPLETELY SEPARATE FROM THE VEHICLE.

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.

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.

Seat Belts91V005000
Filed Oct 2, 1991412,792 vehiclesGeneral Motors Corp.

Defect. FRONT SHOULDER SAFETY BELT WEBBING MAY SEPARATE AT FRONT BELT UPPER GUIDE LOOPS ON EITHER SIDE OF THE FRONT SEAT.

Risk. 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.

Exterior Lighting › Brake Lights › Switch90V185000
Filed Oct 16, 1990476,422 vehiclesGeneral Motors Corp.

Defect. 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.

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.

Remedy. INSTALL AN IMPROVED DESIGN STOPLAMP SWITCH.

Seat Belts › Front › Webbing90V112000
Filed Jun 6, 199051,834 vehiclesGeneral Motors Corp.

Defect. OWNERS MANUALS DID NOT FULLY EXPLAIN HOW FRONT SHOULDER BELT COMFORT FEATURE WORKS.

Risk. CARS WOULD NOT COMPLY WITH FMVSS 208, AND INCORRECT USE OF SAFETY RESTRAINTS COULD LEAD TO PERSONAL INJURY TO OCCUPANTS IF AN ACCIDENTSHOULD OCCUR.

Remedy. INSERT STICKER THAT PROVIDES MISSING INFORMATION IN OWNERS MANUALS.

Seat Belts90V054000
Filed Mar 14, 1990673,000 vehiclesGeneral Motors Corp.

Defect. FRONT SHOULDER BELT GUIDE LOOP ATTACHMENT FASTENER MAY PULL THROUGH DOOR MOUNTED ANCHOR PLATE.

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.

Remedy. REPLACE FRONT SHOULDER BELT GUIDE LOOP ATTACHMENT NUTS AND INSTALL NEW GUIDE COVER.

What owners reported

Newest filings
Electrical System
Filed Sep 26, 2017104,000 milesCA

ELECTRICAL SYSTEMS CONTROLLED BY SIGNAL LEVER DO NOT WORK EXCEPT BY HOLDING LEVER IN CERTAIN POSITIONS: I.E. BRAKE LIGHTS, SIGNAL LEVER L UP, TURN SIGNALS SWITCH LEVER UP, HIGH BEAMS NO GO ETC. ALL THE TIME.

Latches/Locks/Linkages › Hood › LatchCrash1 injured
Filed Nov 15, 2007OH

1990 BUICK REGAL HAD EQUIPMENT FAILURE. CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER TO THE SHOULDER UNDER CONTROL WITHOUT ANY PROBLEMS. *KB ACCORDING TO THE POLICE REPORT, UPON INSPECTION OF THE HOOD LATCH AND BRACKET, THE OFFICER DISCOVERED PART OF THE BRACKET AT THE FRONT OF THE ENGINE BAY WAS MISSING. THE BOLT WAS MISSING AS WELL. THE CRASH WAS DUE TO THE HOOD LATCH AND BRACKET COMING APART, WHICH CAUSED THE HOOD TO OPEN AND SLAM AGAINST THE WINDSHIELD. THE CONSUMER WAS INJURED. (OHIO TRAFFIC CRASH REPORT).

Structure › Frame and Members
Filed Sep 28, 2004147,076 milesWI

THE REAR CRADLE BOLTS BROKE AND THE CRADLE SEPARATED FROM THE BODY OF THE VEHICLE. THIS CAUSED THE STEERING LINKAGE COUPLERS TO SEPARATE AND FALL OFF, RESULTING IN LOSS OF STEERING. THIS OCCURRED BECAUSE THE CRADLE BOLTS RUSTED. THIS WOULD NOT HAVE OCCURRED IF CORROSIVE RESTRAINT PARTS WERE USED WHEN THE REAR CRADLE BOLT RECALL 97V058000 REPAIRS WERE PERFORMED, PER THE DEALERSHIP.*AK A RECALL WAS ISSUED FOR THE FRONT AND REAR CRADLE BOLTS. THE CONSUMER CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER TO FIND OUT WHEN OR IF THE BOLTS WERE EVER REPLACED. THE REPRESENTATIVE INDICATED THAT THERE WERE NO OUTSTANDING RECALL ON THE VEHICLE BUT COULD NOT TELL THE CONSUMER WHEN THE RECALL WERE DONE. *NM

Wheels › Rim
Filed Feb 9, 2004NC

RIGHT FRONT WHEEL VIBRATED. DRIVER PULLED OVER, PULLED OFF LUGS, AND NOTICED THE RIM WAS CRACKED. DEALER WAS CONTACTED. RECALL 94V041000 WAS ISSUED ON THIS MAKE, MODEL, AND YEAR, BUT THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED UNDER RECALL DUE TO VIN. *AK

Structure
Filed Apr 14, 2003WI

AFTER THE RECALL FOR THE CRADLE BOLTS WAS COMPLETED, THE STEERING FAILED. RECALL #00 V 189 000. *JB AFTER THE RECALL FOR THE CRADLE BOLTS WAS COMPLETED, THE STEERING FAILED. RECALL #00 V 189 000. THERE WAS A CLASS ACTION SUIT ON BRAKES-CONSUMER'S BRAKES FAILED AFTER THE CLASS ACTION SUIT.*MR

Structure
Filed Nov 26, 2002OH

CONSUMERS SON WAS IN OPERATION OF THE VEHICLE WHEN SUDDENLY ALL STEERING WAS LOST. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED AND IT WAS EXPLAINED THAT THE FRAME HAD SEPARATED FROM THE CHASSIS AND HAD DROPPED, DISENGAGING THE STEERING ASSEMBLY. THE CAUSE WAS THE CRADLE BOLTS HAD PULLED THROUGH THE RETAINERS DUE TO CORROSION. BUICK SENT CONSUMER A RECALL NOTICE SHORTLY AFTER REGARDING THE SAME PROBLEM. BUICK TOLD CONSUMER TO SEND THE REPAIR BILL TO THEM FOR REIMBURSEMENT. CONSUMER HAS NOT HEARD FROM THEM SINCE. *JG

Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Foundation Components
Filed Jul 9, 2002NJ

WHILE APPLYING BRAKES AT 20 MPH BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR ,AND VEHICLE CONTINUE ON BEFORE STOPPING. DEALER CONTACTED. FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.*AKI

Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Foundation Components › Disc
Filed Aug 29, 2001MI

REAR BRAKE CALIPERS WOULD LOCK UP WHEN BRAKES WERE APPLIED. HAD BRAKES REPLACED TWICE DUE TO PADS WEARING EXCESSIVELY. MECHANIC INDICATED CAUSE OF PROBLEM WAS MASTER CYLINDER.*AK

Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Foundation Components › Disc › CaliperCrash1 injured
Filed Aug 24, 2001MI

REAR CALIPERS CONSITANTLY FAILING. *AK

Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip
Filed Apr 27, 2001OH

WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKES PEDAL GOES TO FLOOR, CAUSING EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE. CAUSE UNKNOWN. PLEASE GIVE ANY FURTHER DETAILS.*AK

Structure
Filed Mar 5, 2001NY

WHILE MAKING A TURN HEARD A LOUD NOISE COMING FROM LEFT SIDE OF CAR. TOOK TO DEALER, AND PUT ON FRONT CRADLE BOLTS AND WASHER, BUT NEVER DID REAR. CONSUMER FELT LIKE REAR HAS GONE BAD, AND THEY MAY LOOSE STEERING.*AK

Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed Jan 28, 2001IA

NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK

Air Bags › FrontalCrash
Filed Dec 27, 2000IL

CONSUMER WAS TRAVELING AT 65MPH ON EXPRESSWAY AND ANOTHER VEHICLE MADE A SUDDEN U-TURN IN MIDDLE OF STREET, AND HIT CONSUMER'S VEHICLE FROM SIDE OF CAR. UPON IMPACT, AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. *AK

Structure
Filed Nov 20, 2000NY

VEHICLES STEERING FAILED SUDDENLY WHILE PULLING OUT OF A PARKING LOT, CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER TO SEE IF IT WAS COVERED UNDER RECALL 00V-189 BUT THE DEALER WAS NOT VERY COOPERATIVE. NLM

Wheels › Lugs/Nuts/Bolts/Studs
Filed Oct 17, 2000NY

CONSUMER CONTACTED DEALER AND THE PART WAS ON ORDER.*AK

Suspension › Front
Filed Aug 1, 2000NC

WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD VEHICLE WAS SOUNDING LIKE SOMETHING WAS RATTLING AND IT WAS JERKING. ALSO, CONSUMER SAW A LOT OF SMOKE, THEN VEHICLE CUT OFF.*AK

Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Foundation Components
Filed Jun 29, 2000WI

REAR BRAKES FAILED. YH

Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine › Gasoline
Filed Apr 25, 2000CA

WHILE TRAVELING AND DEPRESSING THE BRAKES VEHICLE STALLED/SURGED AND IDLED TO HIGH RPMS. CONSUMER STATED BRAKES HAVE TO BE DEPRESSED MOST OF TRAVELING. *AK *ML

Suspension
Filed Oct 25, 1999MI

CRADLE BOLTS RUSTED AND BROKEN CAUSING FRAME TO COME APART, RESULTING IN LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL. MJS

Steering
Filed Sep 21, 1999MI

FRONT CRADLE RUSTED AND FELL DOWN WHILE DRIVING CAUISING LOSS OF STEERINF ABILITY AND LOSS OF CONTROL. *YC

20 of 77 complaints, reproduced as filed.

Across model years

Worst on record: 1998
YearComplaintsRecallsFiresDeathsAssessment
20202200Routine
201919300Routine
201819300Routine
201720010Routine
201641100Routine
201533010Routine
201438200Routine
201391620Routine
201292720Routine
2011279470Above average
20101000Routine
20091000Routine
20081000Routine
20054000Routine
200466420Routine
20031015140Routine
20021175230High concern
20011878480High concern
200018410300High concern
19992468441Fatalities reported
19983027410High concern
19971368190Routine
19962044160Above average
1995173840Routine
1994110320Routine
199385232Fatalities reported
1992144251Fatalities reported
1991200740Above average
1990 — this page77911Fatalities reported

Compare every Regal year →

Reading this record

1 death reported in complaints filed with NHTSA.

Complaint counts track how many cars were sold and how long they have been on the road as much as they track quality. A common model from 2013 has had a decade to accumulate reports; a rare one from last year has not. The signal worth weighing is in the severity columns, in whether the same component keeps appearing, and in whether the manufacturer eventually opened a recall for it.

Recall repairs are free for as long as the recall stands. Check whether a specific car still has open work at NHTSA's VIN lookup.

Most recent recall on file: May 19, 2006. Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.