Owner-reported complaints naming the brake system, filed with NHTSA
Data refreshed
Brakes reportsComplaints 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.
71
Latest Jan 22, 2009
Share of all reportsThis category as a share of every owner report on file for this model year. One report can name more than one component, so the categories overlap.
58%
of 123 total
Crash or fire reportedReports in this category whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. The reporter's own answer on the NHTSA form, not a verified finding.
3
Injuries or deaths reportedTotals the submitters entered on their own reports in this category. Not verified by NHTSA and not a casualty statistic.
5
What this page shows
Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake. Every record below is an owner-reported complaint about the 1988 Buick Regal submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 71 reports on file name it.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
Owner reports naming brake
The 25 most recent of 71, in the owner's own words
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1988 BUICK REGAL. WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE VEHICLE STRUCK A GUARDRAIL AND WAS DESTROYED. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED NECK INJURIES AND A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. SHE THOUGHT THE VEHICLE HAD ANTILOCK BRAKES, BUT REALIZED IT DID NOT AFTER THE CRASH OCCURRED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER SHOULD HAVE A PERMANENT LABEL TO INDICATE THAT THE VEHICLE HAS ANTILOCK BRAKES SINCE IT IS AN OPTIONAL FEATURE. SHE FURTHER STATED THAT IT COULD CAUSE NUMEROUS FATAL CRASHES BECAUSE THE BRAKES HAVE TO BE APPLIED A CERTAIN WAY DEPENDING ON THE ANTILOCK BRAKE SYSTEM. THE DEALER INFORMED HER THAT SHE HAD ANTILOCK BRAKES. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000.
NHTSA ID
10255953
Incident
Dec 21, 2008
Mileage
60,000 mi
BrakesElectricalFuel system+1 more
Filed Mar 28, 2007
TL*- THE CONTACT OWNS A 1988 BUICK REGAL WHICH SHE PURCHASED RECENTLY. THE ODOMETER ON THE VEHICLE DID NOT WORK. THE CONTACT CLAIMED THAT THE DEALER DID NOT INSPECT THE VEHICLES BEFORE THEY SOLD THEM. THEY REPAIRED THE REAR BRAKES, AND THE DRIVER'S SIDE FRONT BRAKES, BUT THE BRAKES WERE STILL NOT OPERATING PROPERLY. THE VEHICLE COULD NOT PASS AN INSPECTION, AND NOW THE VEHICLE DID NOT START. THE MECHANIC BELIEVED THAT THE FAILURE MAY BE IN THE FUEL FILTER, FUEL PUMP OR SOMETHING ELSE. THE VEHICLE WOULD TURN OVER, BUT WOULD NOT START. WHEN SHE TRIED TO TURN ON THE IGNITION SHE COULD SMELL GAS FUMES. THE WIRING WAS CUT BY THE PREVIOUS OWNER AND THE POWER LOCKS DID NOT WORK. THE DEALER REFUSED TO GIVE THE CONTACT THE RECEIPT FOR PARTS PURCHASED TO REPAIR THE BRAKES, AND REFUSED TO MAKE ANY FURTHER REPAIRS ON THE VEHICLE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGE WERE 155,925 . *AK
NHTSA ID
10186858
Incident
Mar 20, 2007
Mileage
155,925 mi
Brakes
Filed Aug 28, 2003
LTR ON BEHALF OF ELLE KELLY (NJ) CONCERNED THAT SOME 1988-1993 CHEVROLET LUMINA, BUICK REGAL PONTIAC GRAND PRIX, OLDSMOBILE CUTLASS VEHICLES WITH DEFECTIVE BRAKES WERE STILL ON THE ROAD. *MR *SCC *JB *JB
NHTSA ID
10031317
BrakesExterior lightingTransmission
Filed Jul 18, 2003
WOULD HAVE NO REAR SIGNAL LIGHT UNLESS THE SIGNAL SWITCH IS HELD IN A CERTAIN WAY AND POSITION. THIS WOULD ALSO EFFECT THE BRAKE LIGHTS. TRANSMISSION FAILS TO SHOW PROPER GEAR WHILE DRIVING. WHEN DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH OR MORE, THE GEAR SHOWS IT'S IN REVERSE INSTEAD OF THE DRIVE POSITION.*AK
NHTSA ID
10029671
Brakes
Filed Sep 28, 2001
BRAKE PADS AND ROTORS ARE TOO CLOSE TOGETHER, CAUSING PREMATURE WEARING, AND BRAKES TO LOCK. PLEASE GIVE ANY FURTHER DETAILS.*AK
NHTSA ID
897008
Brakes
Filed Mar 21, 2001
WHILE DRIVING COULD HERE A GRINDING NOISE, AND SMOKE COMING OUT BACK NEAR CALIPER.*AK
NHTSA ID
883621
Incident
Jan 1, 2000
Brakes
Filed Oct 3, 2000
BRAKE CALIPERS KEEP FAILING PREMATURLEY , CALIPIERS WILL ONLY LAST 1 YEAR. DO NOT LAST THROUGH WINTER, POSSIBLE DUE TO POOR QUALITY. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK
NHTSA ID
872138
Brakes
Filed May 1, 2000
REAR CALIPERS FAILED SINCE PURCHASING THE VEHICLE. YH
NHTSA ID
552033
BrakesEngineExterior lighting+1 more
Filed Oct 15, 1999
DRIVER'S SIDE DOES NOT PULL IN FAR ENOUGH FOR GOOD VISIBILITY. YH
NHTSA ID
549037
Brakes
Filed Sep 23, 1999
WHEN APPLYING BRAKES CAR STOPS ON THE FRONT 2 WHEELS ONLY. THE REAR WHEELS KEEP GOING. DEALER REBUILT REAR CALIPERS TWICE, BUT PROBLEM KEEPS REOCCURRING. ORIGINAL AND REPLACEMENT PARTS KEEP FAILING, MECHANIC SAID IT IS A DESIGN PROBLEM. *AK *ML
NHTSA ID
845898
Incident
Jul 1, 1992
Brakes
Filed Nov 6, 1998
THE CONSUMER HAS BEEN EXPERIENCING PROBLEMS WITH REAR BRAKES. CALIPER ASSEMBLY FREEZES UP, WHICH CAUSES THE ROTORS TO RUST. THE DEFECTS ARE DESCRIBED IN INVESTIGATION NUMBERS 1555EA94041 AND 2823PE94063. *AK
NHTSA ID
830316
Incident
Nov 6, 1998
Brakes
Filed Dec 15, 1997
UNDER NORMAL WEATHER CONDITIONS WHEN THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED, BRAKE PEDAL TO THE FLOOR, THE BRAKES RESISTED, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO KEEP ON GOING. THE DEALER WAS NOT ABLE TO LOCATE THE PROBLEM. *AK
NHTSA ID
817826
Incident
Mar 30, 1997
Brakes
Filed Nov 18, 1997
1 injury reported1 death reported
POWER BOOSTER FAILED, CAUSING ACCIDENT, RESULTING IN INJURY AND DEATH.
NHTSA ID
524797
Brakes
Filed Nov 10, 1997
1 injury reported
BRAKES CONTINUED TO FAIL RESULTING IN VEHICLE COLLISION, DUE TO FAILURE OF THE VACCUM INTAKE MANIFOLD TO THE COMPRESSOR.
NHTSA ID
524881
Incident
May 30, 1997
BrakesDriver assistance
Filed Sep 17, 1997
CRUISE CONTROL ENGAGED SUDDENLY AFTER THE BRAKES WERE RELEASED. ALSO BRAKE LIGHTS MALFUNCTIONED. *AK
NHTSA ID
523264
Incident
Aug 1, 1997
Brakes
Filed Jun 13, 1997
THE FRONT AND REAR BRAKES CONSTANTLY GO OUT AND DO NOT STOP THE CAR. THE OWNER HAS REPLACED THEM EVERY 15 MONTHS. HE HAS TO CHANGE THE CALIPERS AND ROTORS ALSO. *AK
NHTSA ID
813065
Incident
Jun 12, 1990
Brakes
Filed Oct 30, 1996
PREMATURE WEAR OF FRONT BRAKE PADS, CAUSING VIBRATION; ALSO, FRONT BRKES WARPED CAUSED BY OVERHEATING AND CALIPERS FAILED. *AK
NHTSA ID
510697
Incident
Oct 29, 1996
Brakes
Filed Oct 21, 1996
BRAKE CALIPERS FAILED.
NHTSA ID
510294
Incident
Oct 14, 1996
Brakes
Filed Jun 6, 1996
REAR BRAKES RUSTED/STICK.
NHTSA ID
505117
Incident
May 24, 1996
Brakes
Filed May 10, 1996
REAR BRAKES FAILED, CAUSING EXCESSIVE WEAR TO FRONT BRAKES. *DSH
NHTSA ID
504093
Incident
Sep 7, 1995
Brakes
Filed Apr 11, 1996
THE REAR CALIPERS ARE CORRODED AND IT CAUSES THE FRONT BRAKES ONLY TO STOP THE CAR WHICH INCREASES STOPPING DISTANCES. PLEASE DESCRIBE. *AK
NHTSA ID
982641
Incident
Apr 8, 1996
Brakes
Filed Apr 10, 1996
FAILURE ON THE REAR DISC BRAKES CORRODED REAR DISC BRAKE PE94-063. *AK
NHTSA ID
982554
Incident
Apr 9, 1996
Brakes
Filed Apr 2, 1996
ROTORS WARPED/RUSTED. *SD
NHTSA ID
503073
Incident
Feb 1, 1995
Brakes
Filed Feb 26, 1996
ALL FOUR BRAKE CALIPERS REPLACED. *SD
NHTSA ID
501874
Incident
Oct 1, 1990
Brakes
Filed Feb 20, 1996
Crash reported1 injury reported
VEHICLE ACCELERATES FROM SITTING AT A STOP LIGHT OR SIGN WITH FOOT PRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL WHEN ENGAGING IN DRIVE POSITION, ALMOST RAN OVER THE OWNER. TT
NHTSA ID
979412
Incident
Jul 3, 1991
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.
Other components reported on this vehicle
Categories with enough reports to have a page of their own