RoadVitals

1985 Buick Regal

Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data

Data refreshed

Owner complaintsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
9
Latest May 3, 2001
Safety recallsA safety recall is issued when a manufacturer or NHTSA determines that a vehicle has a safety-related defect or does not comply with a federal motor vehicle safety standard. Recall repairs are free. Whether a specific vehicle is covered depends on its VIN — a recall listed for a model year does not necessarily apply to every vehicle of that year.
9
Latest May 19, 2006
InvestigationsNHTSA opens an investigation to examine whether a safety defect may exist. An open investigation is not a determination that a defect exists, and many investigations close without a recall. Investigations can, however, lead to one.
6
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
1

Overview

Our database contains 9 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 1985 Buick Regal, most frequently naming the brakes, engine and driver assistance categories. 9 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; and 6 NHTSA investigations name it.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

What owners report

Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded

  • Brakes333.3%
  • Engine333.3%
  • Driver assistance111.1%
  • Electrical111.1%
  • Steering111.1%

Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.

Safety recalls

9 campaigns cover this model year

View all 9

Recalls apply to specific vehicles, not to every vehicle of a model year. Check your VIN with NHTSA or your manufacturer's dealer to confirm whether a recall affects your vehicle.

Check a VIN on NHTSA.gov
06E043000

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

May 19, 2006
88,303 units potentially affected
The 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.
The 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.
The 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).
HONEYWELL INTERNATIONAL, INC.View on NHTSA.gov
88V014000

EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS:SWITCH

Jan 8, 1988
179,390 units potentially affected
The defect: UNDER EXTENDED HEADLAMP USAGE, CIRCUITRY IN THE HEADLAMP SWITCH PANEL MIGHT EXPERIENCE INCREASED RESISTANCE AND EXCESSIVE HEAT BUILDUP.
The risk: HEADLIGHTS WOULD CYCLE ON AND OFF. SUDDEN LOSS OFHEADLIGHTS UNDER SEVERE WEATHER OR NIGHTIMER DRIVING CONDITIONS COULD RESULTIN A VEHICLE CRASH.
The remedy: REPLACE HEADLIGHT SWITCH WITH MODIFIED SWITCH.
GENERAL MOTORS CORP.View on NHTSA.gov
87V124000

STRUCTURE

Aug 10, 1987
261,171 units potentially affected
The defect: SMALL CRACKS MAY DEVELOP IN THE BODY PILLAR AROUND THE DOOR STRIKER BOLT HOLE.
The risk: CRACKS WOULD INCREASE LEADING TO DIFFICULTY IN CLOSINGTHE DOOR AND MIGHT ALLOW DOOR TO COME OPEN DURING A CRASH, INCREASINGLIKELIHOOD OF INJURY TO OCCUPANTS.
The remedy: INSTALL INNER AND OUTER REINFORCEMENT PLATE ON BOTH LEFT AND RIGHT BODY PILLARS.
GENERAL MOTORS CORP.View on NHTSA.gov

Safety investigations

NHTSA inquiries naming this vehicle. An investigation is not a finding of a defect.

PE90014ClosedPreliminary Evaluation

CRUISE CONTROL FAILURE

Opened Oct 31, 1989
Closed Feb 28, 1990

There is no summary currently available

EQUIPMENT
PE89145ClosedPreliminary Evaluation

PARKING BRAKE CABLE

Opened Jul 21, 1989
Closed Sep 22, 1989

===

PARKING BRAKE
PE89104ClosedPreliminary Evaluation

JAMMED STEERING MECHANISM

Opened Mar 17, 1989
Closed May 12, 1989

SUMMARY: THE OIL FILL TUBE MAY BECOME LOOSE, CAUSING IT TO FALL ANDPOSSIBLY BECOME LODGED NEAR THE STEERING GEAR.THIS MAY CAUSE THESTEERING MECHANISM TO BECOME JAMMED, RESULTING IN A LOSS OF VEHICLECONTROL.===

STEERING
C89001ClosedInvestigation

THROTTLE NON-RETURN

Opened Mar 6, 1989
Closed Jan 16, 1990

There is no summary currently available

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:LINKAGES

Recent owner complaints

Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words

View all 9
Brakes
Filed May 3, 2001

WHILE TRAVELING AND WHEN DEPRESSING BRAKE PEDAL IT WILL NOT TRAVEL TO FLOORBOARD. CONUMER HAS TO APPLY FORCE. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK

NHTSA ID
887368
Engine
Filed Dec 5, 2000

CARBON MANOXIDE IS GETTING INTO PASSENGER'S COMPARTMENT WHEN HEAT IS IN USE. DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED.*AK DUE TO DESIGN DEFECT CARBON MONOXIDE ENTERS PASSENGER AND DRIVER COMPARTMENT WHEN HEAT IS TURNED ON. SPECIFICALLY, CARBON MONOXIDE ENTERS AT THE POINT WHERE THE HEATER HOSE IS CONNECTED TO THE HEATER CORE. *YH

NHTSA ID
875970
Engine
Filed Apr 21, 1999

NEED SOLUTIONS ON PROBLEMS. NO MENTION OF SAFETY DEFECT. *AK

NHTSA ID
705848
Brakes
Filed Mar 9, 1999

LEFT FRONT BRAKES ELECTRONIC MOTOR FAILED. YY

NHTSA ID
782013
Engine
Filed Mar 13, 1998

ENGINE FAILURE, CAUSING LOSS OF CONTROL.(OHIO TURNPIKE POLICE REPORT).

NHTSA ID
532569
Incident
Feb 3, 1998
Steering
Filed Nov 15, 1996

DRIVING HOME COULDN'T TURN LEFT OR RIGHT , SO SHE LEFT THE CAR BECAUSE SHE FELT THE STEERING WAS OFF. *AK *JB

NHTSA ID
805090
Incident
Nov 4, 1996
Electrical
Filed Feb 12, 1996

PHOTO CELL DEFECTIVE FOR HEADLIGHTS, GO OFF AT NIGHT WHILE DRIVING. *SD

NHTSA ID
501588
Incident
Feb 12, 1996
Driver assistance
Filed Nov 21, 1995
Crash reported

RECALL RELATED, 86V030000, THROTTLE WENT INTO OPEN POSITION AFTER PUT THE VEHICLE IN REVERSE,IMPACT 6:00 POSITION AND 12:00 POSITION. TT

NHTSA ID
975240
Incident
Nov 19, 1995

Compare model years

Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model

Buick Regal by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2020220—
2019183039.3
2018193162.9
2017200037.8
2016411034.9
2015330035.7
2014382047.9
2013916262.0
2012927257.9
20112794049.9
2010100—
2009100—
2008100—
2005400—
2004664045.0
20031015055.9
20021175263.8
20011878267.5
200018410366.7
19992468366.4
19983027666.0
19971368665.3
19962044665.9
19951738160.0
19941103049.2
1993852260.5
19921442258.7
199120071064.0
19907791066.8
198910681166.1
1988123111266.9
1987253662.1
1986125570.0
1985Viewing996—
1984653—
1983410—
1982121—
1981031—
1980061—
1979351—
1978172—
1977040—
1976020—
1975020—
1974020—
1973010—

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers. Older model years have had longer for reports to accumulate.