1995 Buick Regal

Routine

Owners filed 173 complaints about this vehicle with federal regulators, most often about the air bags › frontal. It has been recalled 8 times.

What fails
ComponentReportsCrashesFiresInjuries
Air Bags › Frontal32
806
Air Bags15
000
Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip11
200
Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Foundation Components › Disc › Rotor10
000
Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Foundation Components › Disc7
100
Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine › Gasoline6
010
Visibility › Power Window Devices and Controls5
000
Structure › Body5
000
Seats › Front Assembly › Recliner5
100
Power Train › Automatic Transmission5
000

8 safety recalls

Part 573 reports
Air Bags › Frontal00V171000
Filed Jul 3, 2000268,146 vehiclesGeneral Motors Corp.

Defect. VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. CORROSION OF THE AIR BAG INFLATOR'S INTERNAL WIRING, WHICH CAN OCCUR OVER TIME, COULD CAUSE THE INADVERTENT DEPLOYMENT OF THE DRIVER'S AIR BAG. THIS DEPLOYMENT COULD OCCUR DURING VEHICLE START-UP, WHILE THE VEHICLE IS PARKED OR IDLING, OR WHILE IN OPERATION.

Risk. IF THE CONSUMER IS TOO CLOSE TO AN INFLATING AIR BAG, SERIOUS INJURIES COULD OCCUR.

Remedy. DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE INFLATORS ON THESE AIR BAGS.

Seat Belts › Front › Anchorage98V306000
Filed Dec 1, 1998111,470 vehiclesGeneral Motors Corp.

Defect. THE CENTER REAR SEAT BELT ANCHOR PLATE EXHIBITS STRESS CRACKS.

Risk. IN THE EVENT OF A VEHICLE CRASH, THE SEAT BELT SYSTEM CAN FRACTURE, INCREASING THE RISK OF INJURY TO THE SEAT OCCUPANT.

Remedy. DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE CENTER REAR SEAT BELT SYSTEM.

Seat Belts › Front › Anchorage97V065000
Filed Apr 18, 199750,709 vehiclesGeneral Motors Corp.

Defect. THE CENTER REAR SEAT BELT ANCHOR PLATE EXHIBITS STRESS CRACKS.

Risk. IN THE EVENT OF A VEHICLE CRASH, THE SEAT BELT SYSTEM CAN FRACTURE AND INJURY TO THE SEAT OCCUPANT CAN OCCUR.

Remedy. DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE CENTER REAR SEAT BELT SYSTEM.

Visibility › Windshield Wiper/Washer › Switch/Wiring97V017000
Filed Feb 11, 1997349,331 vehiclesGeneral Motors Corp.

Defect. SOME OF THESE VEHICLES HAVE A STRAINED OR SEPARATED WASHER/WIPER SWITCH POWER FEED WIRE.

Risk. THIS CAN CAUSE THE WINDSHIELD WASHER/WIPER TO WORK INTERMITTENTLY AND COULD ULTIMATELY RESULT IN INOPERATIVE WIPERS. IF THIS WERE TO OCCUR IN A SEVERE WEATHER SITUATION, DRIVER VISIBILITY COULD BE REDUCED, INCREASING THE RISK OF A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy. DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND REPLACE THE OLD DESIGNED WASHER/WIPER SWITCHES WITH A NEWLY DESIGNED SWITCH.

Exterior Lighting95V152000
Filed Aug 8, 199583,247 vehiclesGeneral Motors Corp.

Defect. 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."

Risk. 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.

Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Foundation Components › Hoses, Lines/Piping, and Fittings95V061000
Filed Mar 22, 1995199,572 vehiclesGeneral Motors Corp.

Defect. THE REAR WHEEL BRAKE HOSE(S) CAN CONTACT THE REAR SUSPENSION COMPONENTS CAUSING THE BRAKE HOSE(S) TO WEAR THROUGH.

Risk. THIS CONDITION CAN CAUSE LOSS OF BRAKE FLUID AND EVENTUAL LOSS OF THE VEHICLE BRAKING SYSTEM INCREASING THE POTENTIAL FOR A VEHICLE ACCIDENT.

Remedy. DEALERS WILL INSPECT FOR PROPER BRAKE HOSE POSITION AND REPLACE THOSE HOSES IN AN INCORRECT POSITION WITH NEW HOSES AND CORRECTLY ROUTED.

Steering › Steering Wheel/Handle Bar95V030000
Filed Feb 27, 1995420 vehiclesGeneral Motors Corp.

Defect. THE FOUR (4) STEERING COLUMN SUPPORT BRACKET ATTACHING BOLTS WERE UNDER TORQUED DURING ASSEMBLY.

Risk. INADEQUATE TORQUE CAN CAUSE THESE BOLTS TO VIBRATE, LOOSEN, OR FALL OUT RESULTING IN LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL AND INCREASE THE POTENTIAL FOR A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy. DEALERS WILL RETORQUE THE STEERING COLUMN SUPPORT BRACKET ATTACHING BOLTS TO THE CORRECT SPECIFICATIONS.

Exterior Lighting94V229000
Filed Nov 21, 19941,022 vehiclesGeneral Motors Corp.

Defect. THE VEHICLES WERE ASSEMBLED WITH AN INCORRECT FRONT PARK/TURN SIGNAL BULB WHICH DOES NOT HAVE SUFFICIENT CANDLE POWER. THIS DOES NOT COMPLY WITH FMVSS NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT."

Risk. CONSEQUENCE OF NON-COMPLIANCE: OPERATORS COULD FAIL TO NOTICE AND HEED THE WARNING LABELS. REDUCES CANDLE POWER ON THE PARK/TURN LIGHTS DECREASES THE LIKLIHOOD OF VEHICLE OPERATOR'S INTENT BEING SEEN BY OTHER MOTORISTS.

Remedy. DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE INCORRECT BULB WITH THE CORRECT BULB.

What owners reported

Newest filings
Electrical System
Filed Jul 2, 201476,000 milesSC

1) CAR SHUTS OFF WHILE IN MOTION 2) CAR REFUSES TO START / DOES NOT RECOGNIZE KEY & SIGNALS "ANTI-THEFT" I HAD BEEN DRIVING FOR ABOUT 30 MINUTES. TRAFFIC SLOWED AHEAD FOR A RED LIGHT. APPROACHING THE STOPPED CARS AHEAD I SLOWED MY CAR DOWN TO APPX. 15MPH. THE LIGHT TURNED GREEN. I HIT THE GAS TO CONTINUE AND WHEN NOTHING HAPPENED I REALIZED THAT MY CAR WAS COMPLETELY SHUT OFF. THE POWER STEERING WAS STIFF AND I HAD JUST ENOUGH SPEED LEFT TO MOVE ACROSS TWO LANES IN TO A STORE PARKING LOT. THE CAR SHUTOFF MULTIPLE TIMES AFTER THAT, BOTH WHILE DRIVING AND WHILE ATTEMPTING TO START THE CAR. THE MECHANIC THINKS THAT MY CAR IS NOT RECOGNIZING THE KEY & THAT I NEED A NEW KEY BECAUSE THEIR TESTS ARE SIGNALING THAT THE CAR WILL NOT CRANK DUE TO AN "ANTI-THEFT" ISSUE. I STRONGLY BELIEVE THAT HAS BEEN THE ISSUE THE ENTIRE TIME. THIS ISSUE IS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS & I AM LUCKY NOT TO HAVE WRECKED MY CAR THAT DAY. OVERALL, I HAVE BEEN LEFT STRANDED SEVERAL TIMES, SPENT THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS, AND HAD MY CAR TOWED 3 TIMES IN THE PAST YEAR. *TR

Engine
Filed Mar 12, 2014110,000 milesAZ

WHILE TRAVELING HOME FROM WORK ON A VERY BUSY STREET (HIGHWAY) THE CAR DIED. SINCE THEN I NEVER KNOW WHEN IT'S GOING TO DO IT AGAIN. SOME DAYS IT DIES 5 OR 6 TIMES. I'M A SENIOR RELIANT ON SOCIAL SECURITY INCOME AND ANY EXPENSE IS "UNWELCOME", HOWEVER, I HAVE SPENT NEARLY $1,000 TO NO AVAIL. SEVERAL TIMES AFTER A REPAIR THE CAR DIED A BLOCK FROM THE REPAIR SHOP. THIS USUALLY HAPPENS IN TRAFFIC. I HAVE TRAINED MYSELF TO FLIP THE SHIFT GEAR INTO NEUTRAL & TURN THE KEY ON(CAR USUALLY RESTARTS - IN 2 INSTANCES IT DID NOT AND I WAS ABLE TO NAVIGATE INTO A NEARBY DRIVEWAY USING "ARMSTRONG POWER STEERING"). CHARACTERISTICS ARE THE SAME AS THOSE NOTED IN THE CURRENT (MARCH 2014) GM RECALL. I LOVE THE VEHICLE AND AM NOT IN A POSITION TO BUY ANOTHER, THEREFORE, IT WOULD BE SPLENDID FOR GM TO OFFER TO REPAIR IT. IT IS NOT JUST ME, AN AUTO REPAIR SHOP LOOKED ON-LINE @ WWW.CARCRAZY.COM AND DISCOVERED MANY BUICK REGAL OWNERS AS FAR BACK AS 1993 & 94 HAVE THE SAME ISSUE. *TR

Air Bags
Filed May 9, 2012190,000 milesCT

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1995 BUICK REGAL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AS THE ENGINE WAS STARTED, THE DRIVER SIDE AIR BAG EXPLODED HAPHAZARDLY. THE AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT BURNED THE CONTACT'S FACE AND HANDS AS HE WAS TRYING TO STOP THE AIR BAG WITH HIS HANDS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INVOLVED IN A CRASH OR ANY TYPE OF SLIGHT IMPACT. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 190,000.

Engine and Engine Cooling › Exhaust System
Filed Aug 22, 2011103,000 milesMD

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1995 BUICK REGAL. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 30 MPH WHEN THE SMELL OF FUEL ENTERED THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A LOCAL MECHANIC AND THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THERE WAS AN ISSUE WITH THE EXHAUST SYSTEM. THE CONTACT DID NOT HAVE ANY REPAIRS DONE TO THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE AS 103,000.

Fuel System, Gasoline › Delivery › Fuel Pump
Filed Feb 29, 200874,976 milesCA

THE CAR LOST POWER ON FREEWAY, TOWED, REPAIRED=ALTERNATOR AND INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET AND PLENUM REPLACED ($812.80). TWO DAYS LATER, THE CAR LOST POWER ON FREEWAY, TOWED, REPAIRED=BURNT WIRE AND RELAY LEADING TO FUEL PUMP REPLACED, NO CHARGE FOR REPAIR. TWO DAYS LATER, THE CAR LOST POWER ON FREEWAY, TOWED, SPUN CRANKSHAFT BEARING. THIS CAR HAS 74,976.1 ORIGINAL MILES. *TR

Engine and Engine Cooling › Cooling System
Filed Jan 5, 2008TX

I OWN A 1995 BUICK REGAL. THE ENGINE IS HYDROLOCKED I'VE BEEN TOLD. THE INTAKE WAS LEAKING COOLANT FOR A WHILE AT THE PLASTIC MANIFOLD. I'VE DONE RESEARCH ON THE INTERNET AND SEE THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM. I'VE READ SOMEWHERE THAT GM TAKES RESPONSIBILITY FOR IT AND ISSUED A FIX BY ADDING A PILL ADDITIVE TO THE COOLANT OR SOMETHING. I WASN'T AWARE OF THIS AND MY ENGINE IS TOTALLY SHOT. I'M A POOR SENIOR CITIZEN AND CAN'T AFFORD TO FIX A CAR. I HAVE NO WAY TO GET AROUND. PLEASE FORCE GM TO ENACT A RECALL AND REIMBURSE ALL DAMAGE CAUSED BY THEIR FAULTY ENGINEERING. PLEASE. *CN

Steering
Filed May 7, 2007151,950 milesIN

1) NO SPECIFIC EVENT - NOTICED DURING BRAKE INSPECTION 2) ALIGNMENT AND STEERING - REAR TRAILING ARMS RUSTED THROUGH - CAR, UNSAFE TO DRIVE PER SHOP, WOULD NOT ACCEPT RESPONSIBILITY FOR IT IF DRIVEN OFF THE PREMISES. 3) PARTS NEED REPLACEMENT - WILL SAVE OLD PARTS. *AK

Electrical System › Instrument Cluster/Panel
Filed Aug 3, 200689,659 milesNJ

SECURITY LIGHT CAME ON DASH. DID NOT GO OUT. WAS TOLD IF I DIDN'T GET IT REPAIRED THE CAR WOULD LOSE POWER AND I WOULDN'T BE ABLE TO START IT WITH THE KEYS I PRESENTLY POSSESSED. *JB

Air Bags
Filed Jan 5, 2006114,000 milesCA

DT: THE CONTACT STATES THERE IS NHTSA RECALL CAMPAIGN 00V171000 REGARDING THE AIR BAGS. THIS VEHICLE HAS THE SAME PROBLEMS AS INDICATED IN THE RECALL. ALSO,BOARD. THE AIR BAG LIGHT IS ILLUMINATED IN THE DASHBOARD, HOWEVER, THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO THE VIN.*AK

Steering › Hydraulic Power Assist System
Filed Jun 8, 2005CA

DT: THE CONTACT STATES THAT THE BRAKES ARE NOT WORKING . HAS REPLACED BRAKES AND STILL ARE NOT WORKING CORRECTLY. ALSO, POWER STEERING IS OUT, AND THE HEAD GASKET BLEW OUT. ALSO, TRANSMISSION HAS BEEN REPLACED.*AK

Seat Belts › Rear/Other
Filed Mar 28, 2005140,000 milesMI

THE REAR CENTER SEAT BELT ANCHOR HAS COME OFF. THE CONSUMER MADE CONTACT WITH THE MANUFACTURER, WHO ADVISED THE CONSUMER THAT HIS VEHICLE IS NOT INCLUDED IN THE SEAT BELT RECALL 98V306000. *NM THE CONSUMER STATED THIS RECALL DESCRIBED HIS SITUATION EXACTLY . *BF *NM

Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Foundation Components › Disc › Rotor
Filed Apr 20, 2004WV

I OWN A 1995 BUICK REGAL AND FOR ALL THE TROUBLE I HAVE HAD WITH IT, I STILL LIKE IT. FIRST, THE AIR CONDITIONING WILL QUIT WORKING WHEN IT IS REAL HOT OUTSIDE AND WE ARE GOING UP A HILL. WHERE WE LIVE THAT IS EVERYWHERE. SECOND, THE PAINT STARTED PEELING WHEN THE CAR WAS ONLY 3 YEARS OLD. I CONTACTED THE DEALER WHERE WE PURCHASED THE VEHICLE AND WAS TOLD THAT THERE WAS NOTHING THAT HE COULD DO ABOUT IT WITHOUT CHARGING US FOR A PAINT JOB. ($3500). I THEN CONTACTED ANOTHER DEALER IN ANOTHER TOWN A COUPLE YEARS LATER AND WAS TOLD THAT IF I HAD REPORTED IT SOONER THAT BUICK WOULD HAVE PAINTED IT FOR ME AT NO CHARGE. I HAD MISSED THE CUT-OFF AT THAT TIME BY A COUPLE MONTHS AND A THOUSAND MILES. THIS CAR NOW HAS 114,000 MILES ON IT AND STILL RUNS OK. WE USE IT AS AN EXTRA VEHICLE FOR WINTER DRIVING BUT I WILL NEVER BUY ANOTHER ONE. I WILL NEVER RECOMMEND THE DEALERSHIP WHERE I BOUGHT IT EITHER. FINALLY, THE ROTORS HAVE BEEN REPLACED TWO TIMES AND NEEDS IT AGAIN. I CAN'T SEEM TO GET THEM REPLACED OR TURNED EXCEPT WITH GMC PARTS WHICH IS NOT WORTH IT.

Unknown or Other
Filed Mar 28, 200460,000 milesIL

PAINT ON 1995 BUICK REGAL IS FLAKING OFF IN LARGE SHEETS. *JB

Air Bags
Filed Feb 19, 2004FL

LAWYER REPRESENTING DANIEL DEEN IS REQUESTING A COPY OF MANUFACTURER'S RECALL FOR DEFECTIVE AIR BAGS. *LA *MR

Steering › Rack and Pinion
Filed Feb 10, 200451,927 milesCO

THE POWER STEERING ON THE VEHICLE WENT OUT AT 51,927 MILES. THERE WAS A RECALL ON THE SAID DEFECT, BUT THE VEHICLE MODEL YEAR WASN'T PART OF THE RECALL. *LA THE CONSUMER REQUESTED REIMBURSEMENT. *SC *JB

Seat BeltsCrash2 injured
Filed Dec 10, 200343,000 milesOH

WHILE DRIVING WITH THE CRUISE CONTROL ENGAGED, THE VEHICLE STARTED STEERING ITSELF. WHEN THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED, THE ABS LOCKED UP. THE CONSUMER LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND IMPACTED A GUARD RAIL. *AK THE VEHICLE SPUN AROUND AND BACKED INTO THE GUARD RAIL. THE VEHICLE THEN TURNED AROUND AND FACED THE OTHER SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE AIR BAG(S) DID NOT DEPLOY AND THE SEAT BELTS DID NOT RESTRAIN THE CONSUMER. *SCC *JB

Service Brakes, Hydraulic › FluidCrashFire
Filed Jul 12, 2003IL

ON JAN. 8,2003 I HAD A COMPLETE BRAKE INSPECTIO AND REPAIR DONE BY TUFFY'S AUTO SERVIVE AT 4164 N. MILWAUKEE IN CHICAGO. I NOTICES S SCRAPING SOUND COMING FROM MY LEFT FRONT WHEEL. I RETURNED TO TUFFY'S FIVE (5) TIMES, THE LAST BEING ON OR ABOUT JANUARY 20, 2003. AT THIS TIME, MR JIM JANICEK, THE DISTRICT MANAGER FOR TUFFY'S WAS PRESENT. AGAIN THEY INSPECTED MY BRAKES AND I WAS ASSURED BY MR. JANICEK THAT THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG WITH MY BRAKES. AT THIS TIME, MR. JANICEK, THE DISTRICT MANAGER FOR TUFFY'S STRONGLY SUGGESTED THAT I WAS WASTING HIS TIME AND NOT TO RETURN. ON MAY 29, 2003, ON MY WAY HOME FROM WORK I DEVELOPED A LOUD GRINDING NOISE COMING FROM MY LEFT FRONT WHEEL WITH GREATLY REDUCED BRAKING POWER. ON MAY 30, 2003 I AGAIN WAS CHARGED , THIS TIME FOR TWO (2) CALIPERS TO REPAIR BRAKES. I BELIEVE THE CALIPER FAILURE WAS DUE TO THE THE WORK DONE BY TUFFY'S TO BEGIN WITH.ON JULY 8, ON MY WAY TO THE HOSPITAL, AS MY WIFE MUST GO WEEKLY; TRAVELING AT A RATE OF 30 MPH IN MEDIUM TRAFFIC I HAD COMPLETE BRAKE FAILURE. I PUMPED THE BRAKES AND WAS BARELY ABLE TO AVOID A MAJOR ACCIDENT. DRIVING AT A RATE OF 10 -15 MPH I WAS ABLE TO TAKE MY CAR TO LYNCH BUICK AT 5330 W. IRVING PARK RD. IN CHICAGO. THEY INSPECTED MY BRAKES AND FOUND THERE TO BE A SUBSTANCE THAT WAS NOT BRAKE FLUID IN THE SYSTEM. THE TOTAL COST OF REPAIR WILL BE OVER $1,000.00. TUFFY'S WAS NOTIFIED AND THEY TOOK A SAMPLE OF THE FLUID FROM THE BRAKE MASTER CYLINDER. TUFFY'S STATED THE THE BRAKE SYSTEM HAD ANTI-FREEZE

Structure › Body
Filed Jul 10, 200365,000 milesIL

PAINT PEELING...COMING OFF IN SHEETS FOR LAST FEW YEARS...CONTACTED BOTH GM AND BUICK HOME OFFICES ....WAS TOLD IT WASN'T A DEFECT AND NOTHING COULD BE DONE. IT APPEARS TO BE THE SAME TYPE OF DELAMINATION PROBLEM THAT THEY HAD THE RECALLS ON VEHICLES FOR YEARS JUST AHEAD OF MINE. DIDN'T THEY HAVE TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM??*AK

Unknown or Other
Filed May 20, 2003120,000 milesMI

PAINT IS FLAKING OFF THE CAR SURFACE. *NLM

Engine and Engine Cooling
Filed Mar 18, 2003NC

WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED AND NO WARNING THE VEHICLE STALLED AND WAS DIFFICULT TO RESTART. *NLM

20 of 173 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
1995 — this page173840Routine
1994110320Routine
199385232Fatalities reported
1992144251Fatalities reported
1991200740Above average
199077911Fatalities reported

Compare every Regal year →

Reading this record

No unusual pattern of severe incidents in the complaint record.

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: Jul 3, 2000. Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.