Reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers, shown in full
Data refreshed
Complaints on fileComplaints 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.
123
Latest Jan 22, 2009
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.
11
Filed in the last 12 monthsReports filed with NHTSA in the trailing 365 days. Recent volume reflects attention and vehicle age as much as anything else.
0
Reports on file since Jan 19, 1995
What this page shows
Our database holds 123 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 1988 Buick Regal. Each one is a report filed by an owner or driver and published by NHTSA without most of them being verified. A complaint is not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. Narratives are shown exactly as filed.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
Complaints, most recent first
Showing 1–25 of 123 · page 1 of 5
Brakes
Filed Jan 22, 2009
Crash reported1 injury reported
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
Body & structure
Filed Sep 5, 2008
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1988 BUICK REGAL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO BE INSPECTED AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE REAR FRAME WAS ROTTED. SHE WAS FURTHER INFORMED NOT TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 49,600.
NHTSA ID
10241017
Incident
Sep 3, 2008
Mileage
49,600 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
Body & structure
Filed Dec 21, 2004
CONSUMER RECEIVED RECALL 97V058000 CONCERNING CRADLE BOLTS. WHILE PULLING OUT OF A PARKING LOT AT 5 MPH VEHICLE SUDDENLY LOST STEERING CONTROL. VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A REPAIR SHOP, AND MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT THE VEHICLE LOST CRADLE BOLT SUPPORT. CONSUMER CONTACTED THE DEALER, WHO INFORMED CONSUMER THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NO LONGER COVERED UNDER THAT RECALL. *AK
NHTSA ID
10105182
Incident
Nov 30, 2004
Mileage
166,000 mi
Body & structure
Filed Oct 15, 2004
WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE FRONT CRADLE FRAME DROPPED. THE CONSUMER MANAGED TO PULLOVER AND HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED. THE DEALERSHIP WAS NOTIFIED, BUT DID NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. PLEASE PROVIDE MORE INFORMATION. *NM
NHTSA ID
10096939
Incident
Sep 8, 2004
Mileage
86,000 mi
Transmission
Filed Nov 26, 2003
THE TRANSMISSION FAILED WITHIN 3 MONTHS OF OWNERSHIP. THE CAUSE HAS YET TO BE DETERMINED. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. *NLM
NHTSA ID
10048716
Incident
Nov 25, 2003
Mileage
172,000 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
Tires & wheels
Filed Jan 8, 2003
Crash reported1 injury reported
WHILE IN MOTION THE TREAD SEPARATED FROM THE RIGHT FORNT TIRE CAUSING CONSUMER TO CRASH. THIS RESULTED IN CONSUMER SUSTAINING SEVERAL INJURIES. *JG *JB
NHTSA ID
10001485
Incident
Mar 18, 2001
Mileage
74,618 mi
Body & structureElectricalFuel system
Filed May 22, 2002
FRONT END FRAME SNAPPED, CAUSING IT TO BE TOO MUCH WEIGHT ON ENGINE AND TRANSMISSION.*AK FRONT CRADLE BOLTS BROKE PRIOR TO RECEIVING RECALL NOTICE 00V189000. HOWEVER DEALER WOULD NOT FIX STATING THAT THE FRAME CRADLE WAS BROKE DUE TO RUST (NOT DUE TO THE CRADLE BOLTS) AND DROPPED 2 INCHES CAUSING THE STEERING GEAR TO SEPARATE FROM THE STEERING SHAFT CAUSING LOSS OF CONTROL. IGNITION MODULE AND COIL PACK HAD TO BE REPLACED. FUEL INJECTORS REPLACED TWICE. DOOR HINGE REPLACED TWICE. *TT
NHTSA ID
8010345
Incident
May 14, 2002
Suspension
Filed Apr 19, 2002
THE RIGHT REAR STRUT ARM DETACHED FROM THE BODY OF CAR DUE TO CORROSION OF THE FRAME PARTS IT WAS ATTACHED TO. *JG
NHTSA ID
565270
Electrical
Filed Mar 12, 2002
KEY IN THE IGNITION SWTICH WOULD NOT START VEHICLE. KEY WOULD KEEP ON TURNING. DEALER WAS NOT NOTIFIED AT THIS TIME. FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK
NHTSA ID
8005403
Incident
Oct 15, 2001
Powertrain (other)
Filed Mar 12, 2002
DRIVESHAFT WOULD THUMP OR JERK WHEN ENGAGED. DEALER WAS NOTIFIED. FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK
NHTSA ID
8005398
Incident
Sep 15, 2001
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
Tires & wheels
Filed Sep 18, 2001
1 injury reported
WHILE DRIVING THE RIGHT FRONT TIRE BLEWOUT DAMAGING THE FENDER WELL AND SUSPENSION, IT APPEARS THAT THE TREAD CAME OFF CAUSING THE TIRE TO FAIL (COOPER TRENDSETTER TIRE 205.70.14 WITH ONLY 1000 MILES. NLM
NHTSA ID
563116
Incident
Jun 18, 2001
Body & structure
Filed Jun 25, 2001
RECALL 00V189000/ MANUFACTURER'S RECALL 00061/65. CONTACTED DEALER. DEALER STATED CANNOT PERFORM RECALL, AND WILL GET BACK IN TOUCH. CONSUMER HEARD NOTHING. *AK
NHTSA ID
891144
Incident
Jun 8, 2001
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
Body & structureEngine
Filed Feb 12, 2001
OIL WAS LEAKING FROM THE VEHICLE DUE TO FAULTY CRANKSHAFT. NLM
NHTSA ID
559604
Body & structure
Filed Dec 20, 2000
VEHICLE EXPERIENCED FAILURE OF THE RECALL (00V-189) COMPONENT PRIOR TO RECALL NOTIFICATION, CONSUMER IS REQUESTING REIMBURSEMENT. *MJS
NHTSA ID
558000
Body & structure
Filed Oct 17, 2000
CRADLE BOLTS FAILED PRIOR TO RECALL NOTICE 00V-189 CAUSING LOSS OF CONTROL AND AND ACCIDENT. NLM
NHTSA ID
556701
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
Tires & wheels
Filed Sep 8, 2000
PE00 020; CONSUMER WAS TRAVELING ABOUT 20MPH AND VEHICLE FELT LIKE IT WAS TO GETTING AWAY FROM HIM. ALSO, STEERING WHEEL JERKED. RIGHT FRONT TIRES BLEWOUT. THEY WERE FIRESTONE#P, 21570R15. HE CALLED FIRESTONE.*AK
NHTSA ID
870008
Incident
Jul 1, 2000
Engine
Filed Aug 11, 2000
WHILE DRIVING ENGINEMOUNTS BROKE, CAUSING THE ENGINE AND TRANSMISSION TO FALL. CONSUMER COULD NO LONGER CONTROL STEERING. THE DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED.*AK
NHTSA ID
867568
Incident
Jul 29, 2000
Brakes
Filed May 1, 2000
REAR CALIPERS FAILED SINCE PURCHASING THE VEHICLE. YH
NHTSA ID
552033
Suspension
Filed Apr 21, 2000
THERE IS NOISE COMING FROM UNDERNEATH VEHICLE, A SQEAKING AND THUMPING NOISE.*AK
NHTSA ID
860735
Incident
Jun 11, 1999
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.
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Categories with enough reports to have a page of their own