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.
77
Latest Sep 26, 2017
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.
8
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 Feb 27, 1995
What this page shows
Our database holds 77 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 1990 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 77 · page 1 of 4
Electrical
Filed Sep 26, 2017
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.
NHTSA ID
11030063
Incident
Sep 25, 2016
Mileage
104,000 mi
Interior & seats
Filed Nov 15, 2007
Crash reported1 injury reported
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).
NHTSA ID
10209421
Incident
Oct 20, 2007
Body & structure
Filed Sep 28, 2004
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
NHTSA ID
10081463
Incident
Jul 6, 2004
Mileage
147,076 mi
Other / unspecified
Filed Feb 9, 2004
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
NHTSA ID
10057704
Body & structure
Filed Apr 14, 2003
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
NHTSA ID
10015824
Body & structure
Filed Nov 26, 2002
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
NHTSA ID
568433
Incident
Feb 15, 2002
Brakes
Filed Jul 9, 2002
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
NHTSA ID
8013481
Incident
Jun 18, 2002
Brakes
Filed Aug 29, 2001
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
NHTSA ID
895395
Brakes
Filed Aug 24, 2001
Crash reported1 injury reported
REAR CALIPERS CONSITANTLY FAILING. *AK
NHTSA ID
751070
Incident
Mar 20, 2001
Brakes
Filed Apr 27, 2001
WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKES PEDAL GOES TO FLOOR, CAUSING EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE. CAUSE UNKNOWN. PLEASE GIVE ANY FURTHER DETAILS.*AK
NHTSA ID
886981
Body & structure
Filed Mar 5, 2001
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
NHTSA ID
882033
Incident
Mar 2, 2001
BrakesTransmission
Filed Jan 28, 2001
NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK
NHTSA ID
740038
Incident
Jan 25, 2001
Airbags
Filed Dec 27, 2000
Crash reported
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
NHTSA ID
877105
Incident
Dec 1, 2000
Body & structure
Filed Nov 20, 2000
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
NHTSA ID
557758
Incident
Nov 8, 2000
Other / unspecified
Filed Oct 17, 2000
CONSUMER CONTACTED DEALER AND THE PART WAS ON ORDER.*AK
NHTSA ID
873119
Incident
Oct 1, 2000
EngineSuspension
Filed Aug 1, 2000
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
NHTSA ID
866472
Incident
Jul 31, 2000
Brakes
Filed Jun 29, 2000
REAR BRAKES FAILED. YH
NHTSA ID
552855
Engine
Filed Apr 25, 2000
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
NHTSA ID
860901
Incident
Mar 1, 2000
Suspension
Filed Oct 25, 1999
CRADLE BOLTS RUSTED AND BROKEN CAUSING FRAME TO COME APART, RESULTING IN LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL. MJS
NHTSA ID
549233
Incident
Sep 1, 1999
Steering
Filed Sep 21, 1999
FRONT CRADLE RUSTED AND FELL DOWN WHILE DRIVING CAUISING LOSS OF STEERINF ABILITY AND LOSS OF CONTROL. *YC
NHTSA ID
548578
Incident
Sep 19, 1999
Brakes
Filed Jul 26, 1999
WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKES PEDAL GOES TO THE FLOOR . OWNER HAS TO USE THE EMERGENCY BRAKE TO STOP. DEALER SAYS NOTHING WRONG WITH VEHICLE. BRAKES ARE COMPLETELY GONE AGAIN. *AK
NHTSA ID
843419
Other / unspecified
Filed Jul 19, 1999
3 injuries reported
LEFT REAR WHEEL FELL OFF OF VEHICLE CAUSING LOSS OF CONTROL AND VEHICLE COLLISION. (OHIO TRAFFIC CRASH REPORT). MJS
NHTSA ID
547434
Incident
Jun 27, 1999
Body & structure
Filed Jun 29, 1999
WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 20MPH FRAME ON VEHICLE BROKE. IT HAPPENED WHERE THE CRADLE BOLTS ARE LOCATED. THE ENGINE DROPPED & BROKE THE STEERING SHAFT. NO STEERING CONTROL. THE CRACKS HAD OCCURRED IN THE FRAME. HAD VEHICLE TOWED TO DEALER TO CHECK. *AK
NHTSA ID
841413
Incident
Apr 4, 1999
Seat belts
Filed Mar 8, 1999
Crash reported3 injuries reported1 death reported
DOOR WAS FORCED OPENED BY THE FORCE, DOOR LATCH PULLED STRIKER FROM DOOR PILLAR AND DOOR OPEN LEAVING THE SEAT BELT USELESS , AS A SAFETY RESTRAINT, AND PASSANGER WAS EJECTED AND KILLED. THE DOOR MOUNTED DESIGN IS TOTALLY USELESS ON DOOR OPENING, SEATBELTS SHOULD STAY ON PELVIS, IN ALL ACCIDENT CONDITIONS, G.M INSTALLED THIS DESIGN IN THOUSANDS OF VEHICLES, THEY SHOULD NOT HAVE BEEN ABLE TO PUT THESE TYPE OF RESTAINT IN THEIR VEHICLES, ANYBODY WITH ANY KIND OF BRAINS SHOULD HAVE SEEN THAT, THEIR ENGINEERS ARE STUPID OR THEY DON'T CARE. THIS TYPE OF SEAT BELT RESTRAINT SYSTEM KILLED MY DAUGHTER, AND THERE WILL BE MANY PEOPLE DYING BECAUSE OF THIS, G.M. SHOULD NOT HAVE BEEN ALLOWED PUT THIS TYPE OF RESTRAINT IN THERE DOOR.
NHTSA ID
704178
Electrical
Filed Nov 10, 1998
NOT STARTING (ENGINE TRIES TO START BUT JUST WON'T CATCH) AND STALLING WHILE IDLING. #1 OF 6: TOOK CAR FROM HOME, DROVE ABOUT 15 MILES, TURNED IT OFF FOR OVER AN HOUR, DROVE ABOUT 1/10 MILE, TURNED IT OFF FOR OVER AN HOUR, WOULDN'T START. LEFT IT SIT FOR 30 MINUTES. STARTED UP JUST FINE. #2 OF 6: TOOK CAR FROM HOME, DROVE ABOUT 5 MILES, TURNED IT OFF FOR 2 HOURS, DROVE ABOUT 1/2 MILE, TURNED IT OFF FOR ABOUT 15 MINUTES, WOULDN'T START. LEFT IT SIT FOR 10 MINUTES. STARTED UP FINE, ALTHOUGH I FOLLOWED PROCEDURE FOR FLOODED ENGINE. STOPPED ABOUT 2 BLOCKS AGAIN TO GET GAS. STARTED UP FINE AGAIN. #3 OF 6: TOOK CAR FROM HOME, DID A LOT OF START/STOP DRIVING THAT MORNING. LATER THAT AFTERNOON DROVE ABOUT 10 MILES, TURNED IF OFF FOR OVER AN HOUR, STARTED UP FINE, DROVE ABOUT 1/2 MILE, HAD TO STOP AT STOP LIGHT. WHILE IDLING, STALLED OUT. WOULDN'T START FOR ABOUT 10 MINUTES. AT THIS POINT I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER. THE DEALER REPLACED THE PROM AND IDLE AIR CONTROL VALVE. #4 OF 6: 2 DAYS AFTER DEALER REPLACED THE ABOVE, IT STALLED AFTER FILLING THE GAS TANK AND DRIVING JUST A SHORT DISTANCE. HOWEVER, UNLIKE ALL OTHER TIMES IT STARTED UP WITHIN A MINUTE. (IT WAS RAINY THAT EVENING.) TOOK BACK TO DEALER. HE SEALED THE CONNECTIONS - THOUGHT MAYBE THEY GOT WET. #5 OF 6: ABOUT 5 WEEKS LATER WE WENT ON A LONG TRIP AND ALL WAS WELL UNTIL WE WENT TO A STORE AND BACK AND THEN ABOUT 30 MINUTES LATER IT WOULD NOT START. #6 OF 6: DROVE HOME FROM WORK (14 MILES), STOPPED FOR GAS ABOUT 1 MILE FROM HOME, FILLED TANK, DROVE HOME, LEFT CAR SIT FOR 45 MINUTES, DROVE ABOUT 3 MILES, LEFT CAR SIT FOR 1 AND 1/4 HOURS, WOULDN'T START. HAD RAINED EARLIER IN THE DAY, BUT THE ROADS WERE FAIRLY DRY. THIS HAPPENED TONIGHT. TOMORROW I WILL PHONE THE DEALER. DOES THIS HAPPEN TO OTHER REGAL OWNERS AND WHAT HAS BEEN DONE TO CORRECT IT? I AM ALMOST SCARED TO DRIVE ANYMORE. DEPENDING WHERE IT STALLS, THIS COULD CAUSE AN ACCIDENT. MIGHT I ADD THAT I HAVEN'T HAD ANY MAJOR PRO
NHTSA ID
700497
Incident
Aug 10, 1998
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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