1991 Buick Regal Problems
Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component
Data refreshed
What this page shows
Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 1991 Buick Regal, grouped by the component NHTSA recorded on the report. These are not confirmed defects, and they are not recalls. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a category with more reports in it is not evidence that a part is defective.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
Reports by component
Ranked by how many owner reports name each component category
- Brakes11848.4%
- Body & structure208.2%
- Engine156.1%
- Seat belts145.7%
- Steering124.9%
- Electrical93.7%
- Interior & seats83.3%
- Other / unspecified83.3%
- Exterior lighting72.9%
- Suspension62.5%
- Fuel system62.5%
- Driver assistance52.0%
- Transmission41.6%
- Powertrain (other)31.2%
- Heating & air conditioning31.2%
- Tires & wheels31.2%
- Visibility20.8%
- Airbags10.4%
Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.
Each component in detail
What the reports in each category say, in the owners' own words
Brakes
Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake.
From owner reports, verbatim
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1991 BUICK REGAL. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE ANTILOCK BRAKING SYSTEM WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. HE ALSO STATED THAT THE BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOORBOARD WHEN DEPRESSED AND NOTICED BRAKE FLUID LEAVING FROM THE VEHICLE. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE MASTER CYLINDER WAS DEFECTIVE AND WAS UNABLE TO REPLACE THE PART BECAUSE IT WAS NO LONGER IN STOCK. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 59,000.
1991 BUICK REGAL SUFFERED ROLL BACK WHILE TRYING TO EXIT PARKING SPACE ON INCLINE LOST CONTROL. *MR THE CONSUMER HAD NO CONTROL AND THE VEHICLE BACKED INTO A FENCE. THERE WAS AN INTERMITTENT BRAKE PROBLEM WITH IT GOING TO THE FLOOR AND LEAKING. THE EMERGENCY BRAKE HAD AN INTERMITTENT SLIP AND WOULD HAVE TO BE DEPRESSED TWICE. *SC *JB
Body & structure
Reports naming the vehicle structure, frame, body panels, doors, hood and trim.
From owner reports, verbatim
FEDERAL AUTHORITIES ARE INVESTIGATING WHETHER GENERAL MOTORS HID AN IGNITION SWITCH DEFECT WHEN IT FILED FOR BANKRUPTCY IN 2009,THE JUSTICE DEPARTMENT'S INVESTIGATION OF THE AUTOMAKER INCLUDES A PROBE OF WHETHER GM COMMITTED BANKRUPTCY FRAUD BY NOT DISCLOSING THE IGNITION PROBLEM, A PERSON BRIEFED ON THE INQUIRY, AUTHORITIES ARE ALSO INVESTIGATING WHETHER GM UNDERSTATED THE DEFECT TO FEDERAL SAFETY REGULATORS,UNDER THE TREAD ACT OR THE FED RECALL ACT,THE MANUFACTURER IS TO REPLACE THE FAULTY CAR,WHEN WILL MY CAR BE REPLACED WHAT ABOUT THE FRAME CRADLE BOLT RECALL, I HAD A ROLL OVER ACCIDENT IN A BUICK AND GM DID NOTHING , NEVER REPLACED ,REPAIRED , OR REIMBURSED ME . MY AIR BAG NEVER DEPLOYED , MY SEAT BELT WAS ALSO DEFECTED , YET DURING THIS RECALL GM GAVE CONGRESS OVER $300 MILLION IN ELECTION FUNDS TO LOOK THE OTHER WAY? $35 MILLION FINE IS A JOKE IF SOMEONE GAVE YOU $50 BILLION,THE $35 MILLION SHOULD BE 10 X THAT AMOUNT OR AT LEAST PAY FOR MY CAR , PAY FOR MY MEDICAL BILLS ($100,000 AND CLIMBING) LOOK AT FORD , THEY ARE RECALLING CARS TODAY FOR STEERING ISSUES YET GM COMES UP WITH A KEY FRAUD TO HIDE THE FRAME CRADLE BOLT ISSUE SEE PICTURES,MY AIRBAG NEVER WENT OFF AND MY SEAT BELT WAS ALSO FAULTY GM CUSTOMER CARE [XXX], I AM SORRY TO HEAR THAT YOU EXPERIENCED THIS WITH YOUR BUICK. I AM HAPPY TO HEAR THAT YOU ARE OKAY! I BELIEVE I HAVE LOCATED YOUR PREVIOUS CASE WITHIN OUR SYSTEM. IF THERE IS ANYTHING I CAN LOOK INTO FOR YOU, PLEASE PRIVATE MESSAGE ME YOUR VIN OR CASE NUMBER TO OUR GM CUSTOMER CARE PAGE. [XXX] GM CUSTOMER CARE IF GM IS LOOKING INTO 10+ YEAR OLD RECALLS IT CAN LOOK INTO MINE,ITS NOT ABOUT KEY RECALL ,THIS IS ABOUT ANY GM RECALL,MY CASE IS ON THE NHTSA WEB SITE HTTPS://WWW.FACEBOOK.COM/[XXX]/POSTS/10202966721162013 INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
WAS TRAVELING ON A CURVE WHEN IN SPLIT SECOND LOSS STEERING AND ENDED OFF ROADWAY UPSIDE DOWN ,IT WAS AFTER ABOUT A YEAR I STARTED GETTING RECALL NOTICES THAT SAID THIS SAME THING WOULD HAPPEN ,THESE RECALLS STARTED IN 2000,AND 2001 ,AND THAT'S WHEN I STARTED TO THINK THAT INFACT THE BOLTS FAILING CAUSED MY ACCIDENT OR CONTRIBUTED TO IT . I MADE CALLS TO BUICK AND WAS EVEN SENT A RECALL LIST POST DATED 12-20-2000, TODAY LOOKING ONLINE SEEMS ALOT OF TROUBLE WITH BOLTS WERE OCCURRING 96 + 97 BUT I WAS NEVER NOTICED UNTIL IT WAS TOO LATE ,I CALLED BUICK LAST YEAR AND THEY NOW SAY THEY HAVE NO INFO ON MY PRIOR YEARS CALLS TO THEM ,AND TO DATE I HAVE NOT BEEN REIMBURSED FOR MY LOSSES ,NO OFFER TO REPAIR ,REFUND ECT . MY ONLY THOUGHT THAT THESE NEED TO BE BETTER NOTICED TO CONSUMERS FOR SAFETY REASONS, AS WITH TOYOTA RECALL I'M NOT SURE THE PUBLIC IS OR HAS BEEN MADE AWARE THAT THEY SHOULD REPORT ANY THING ABOUT A CAR TO THE NHTSA WEB SITE AND LET IT WORK OUT ITSELF THRU THE DATABASE, I DID NOT HAVE A COMPUTER BACK THEN TO ACCESS THE 10 FOLD INFO ON SUCH RECALLS TO PROTECT THE PUBLIC ,MY MAIN CONCERN TODAY IS WHAT IS BUICK GOING TO DO FOR MY LOSSES? THANK YOU *TR
Engine
Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.
From owner reports, verbatim
THE CONSUMER OBSERVED SOMETHING LEAKING FROM UNDERNEATH HER VEHICLE. THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED BUT WAS UNABLE TO SERVICE THE VEHICLE AT THAT TIME. *NLM
MY 70-YEAR-OLD MOTHERS 1991 BUICK REGAL CAUGHT FIRE FROM THE ORIGINAL EXHAUST PIPE GASES BLOWING AGAINST THE REAR BUMPER CAVITY. THE PLASTIC PARTS CAUGHT ON FIRE AND CAUSED $1,800.00 WORTH OF DAMAGE. SHE WAS ON EAST BOUND I94 GOING 60MPH SAW THE FIRE AND WENT TO THE NEXT EXIT WHERE AN SUPER AMERICA GAS STATION ATTENDANT HAD A FIRE EXTINGUISHER. THIS WILL HAPPEN AGAIN AND SOME ONE WILL NOT BE AS LUCKY. GM COMPLAINT # 1-20438510. GM DECLINES ANY ASSISTANCE AT THIS TIME.*AK
Seat belts
Reports naming seat belts, buckles, retractors and pretensioners.
From owner reports, verbatim
FEDERAL AUTHORITIES ARE INVESTIGATING WHETHER GENERAL MOTORS HID AN IGNITION SWITCH DEFECT WHEN IT FILED FOR BANKRUPTCY IN 2009,THE JUSTICE DEPARTMENT'S INVESTIGATION OF THE AUTOMAKER INCLUDES A PROBE OF WHETHER GM COMMITTED BANKRUPTCY FRAUD BY NOT DISCLOSING THE IGNITION PROBLEM, A PERSON BRIEFED ON THE INQUIRY, AUTHORITIES ARE ALSO INVESTIGATING WHETHER GM UNDERSTATED THE DEFECT TO FEDERAL SAFETY REGULATORS,UNDER THE TREAD ACT OR THE FED RECALL ACT,THE MANUFACTURER IS TO REPLACE THE FAULTY CAR,WHEN WILL MY CAR BE REPLACED WHAT ABOUT THE FRAME CRADLE BOLT RECALL, I HAD A ROLL OVER ACCIDENT IN A BUICK AND GM DID NOTHING , NEVER REPLACED ,REPAIRED , OR REIMBURSED ME . MY AIR BAG NEVER DEPLOYED , MY SEAT BELT WAS ALSO DEFECTED , YET DURING THIS RECALL GM GAVE CONGRESS OVER $300 MILLION IN ELECTION FUNDS TO LOOK THE OTHER WAY? $35 MILLION FINE IS A JOKE IF SOMEONE GAVE YOU $50 BILLION,THE $35 MILLION SHOULD BE 10 X THAT AMOUNT OR AT LEAST PAY FOR MY CAR , PAY FOR MY MEDICAL BILLS ($100,000 AND CLIMBING) LOOK AT FORD , THEY ARE RECALLING CARS TODAY FOR STEERING ISSUES YET GM COMES UP WITH A KEY FRAUD TO HIDE THE FRAME CRADLE BOLT ISSUE SEE PICTURES,MY AIRBAG NEVER WENT OFF AND MY SEAT BELT WAS ALSO FAULTY GM CUSTOMER CARE [XXX], I AM SORRY TO HEAR THAT YOU EXPERIENCED THIS WITH YOUR BUICK. I AM HAPPY TO HEAR THAT YOU ARE OKAY! I BELIEVE I HAVE LOCATED YOUR PREVIOUS CASE WITHIN OUR SYSTEM. IF THERE IS ANYTHING I CAN LOOK INTO FOR YOU, PLEASE PRIVATE MESSAGE ME YOUR VIN OR CASE NUMBER TO OUR GM CUSTOMER CARE PAGE. [XXX] GM CUSTOMER CARE IF GM IS LOOKING INTO 10+ YEAR OLD RECALLS IT CAN LOOK INTO MINE,ITS NOT ABOUT KEY RECALL ,THIS IS ABOUT ANY GM RECALL,MY CASE IS ON THE NHTSA WEB SITE HTTPS://WWW.FACEBOOK.COM/[XXX]/POSTS/10202966721162013 INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
WAS TRAVELING ON A CURVE WHEN IN SPLIT SECOND LOSS STEERING AND ENDED OFF ROADWAY UPSIDE DOWN ,IT WAS AFTER ABOUT A YEAR I STARTED GETTING RECALL NOTICES THAT SAID THIS SAME THING WOULD HAPPEN ,THESE RECALLS STARTED IN 2000,AND 2001 ,AND THAT'S WHEN I STARTED TO THINK THAT INFACT THE BOLTS FAILING CAUSED MY ACCIDENT OR CONTRIBUTED TO IT . I MADE CALLS TO BUICK AND WAS EVEN SENT A RECALL LIST POST DATED 12-20-2000, TODAY LOOKING ONLINE SEEMS ALOT OF TROUBLE WITH BOLTS WERE OCCURRING 96 + 97 BUT I WAS NEVER NOTICED UNTIL IT WAS TOO LATE ,I CALLED BUICK LAST YEAR AND THEY NOW SAY THEY HAVE NO INFO ON MY PRIOR YEARS CALLS TO THEM ,AND TO DATE I HAVE NOT BEEN REIMBURSED FOR MY LOSSES ,NO OFFER TO REPAIR ,REFUND ECT . MY ONLY THOUGHT THAT THESE NEED TO BE BETTER NOTICED TO CONSUMERS FOR SAFETY REASONS, AS WITH TOYOTA RECALL I'M NOT SURE THE PUBLIC IS OR HAS BEEN MADE AWARE THAT THEY SHOULD REPORT ANY THING ABOUT A CAR TO THE NHTSA WEB SITE AND LET IT WORK OUT ITSELF THRU THE DATABASE, I DID NOT HAVE A COMPUTER BACK THEN TO ACCESS THE 10 FOLD INFO ON SUCH RECALLS TO PROTECT THE PUBLIC ,MY MAIN CONCERN TODAY IS WHAT IS BUICK GOING TO DO FOR MY LOSSES? THANK YOU *TR
Steering
Reports naming the steering system — racks, columns, power-steering assist and steering linkage.
From owner reports, verbatim
ABRUPT, TOTAL LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL: AS THE VEHICLE ROLLED TO A STOP AT A TRAFFIC SIGNAL, AND LOUD "BANG" WAS HEARD AND FELT COMING FROM THE FRONT END OF THE CAR. CAUTIOUSLY MOVING OFF FROM THE STOP, THERE WAS A COMPLETE LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL; THE STEERING WHEEL JUST SPUN FREELY, WHILE THE VEHICLE TRACKED ALMOST STRAIGHT AHEAD. SINCE THERE WAS STILL POWER AND BRAKING, THE DRIVER WAS ABLE TO ROLL TO A STOP ON THE RIGHT SHOULDER OF THE ROAD. (IF THE LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL HAD OCCURRED THREE MINUTES LATER, IT WOULD HAVE BEEN AT 65 MPH ... WITH POSSIBLY FATAL CONSEQUENCES.) IN THIS VEHICLE THE ENGINE, TRANSMISSION, FRONT SUSPENSION, AND STEERING RACK ARE MOUNTED ON A SUBFRAME. THE SUBFRAME, IN TURN, IS ATTACHED TO THE PRIMARY STRUCTURAL FRAME OF THE VEHICLE WITH FOUR BOLTS M12X1.25 BOLTS; THE ATTACHMENTS INCLUDE RUBBER BUSHINGS TO PROVIDE SOME SHOCK ISOLATION BETWEEN THE SUBFRAME AND THE REST OF THE VEHICLE. THERE IS A STEEL SLEEVE WHICH INSERTS INTO THE INNER BORE OF THE ISOLATION BUSHINGS, AND THROUGH WHICH THE MOUNTING BOLT IS INSERTED. (SEE ILLUSTRATION FROM GENERAL MOTORS "1991 BUICK REGAL SERVICE MANUAL," P. 10.3.3, FIGURE 1.) THERE APPEARS TO HAVE BEEN NO CORROSION PROTECTION PROVIDED OR APPLIED TO THESE SUBFRAME ATTACH COMPONENTS DURING VEHICLE ASSEMBLY. UPON INSPECTION, THE CAUSE OF THE INCIDENT WAS DETERMINED TO BE FAILURE OF BOTH REAR SUBFRAME ATTACHMENT BOLTS AND/OR ISOLATION BUSHINGS DUE TO SEVERE CORROSION IN SERVICE. IMMEDIATELY FOLLOWING THE BOLT FAILURES, THE FRONT SUSPENSION SPRINGS FORCED THE REAR OF THE SUBFRAME DOWNWARD, RESULTING IN THE STEERING COLUMN SHAFT DISCONNECTING ENTIRELY FROM THE STEERING RACK ASSEMBLY.
WAS TRAVELING ON A CURVE WHEN IN SPLIT SECOND LOSS STEERING AND ENDED OFF ROADWAY UPSIDE DOWN ,IT WAS AFTER ABOUT A YEAR I STARTED GETTING RECALL NOTICES THAT SAID THIS SAME THING WOULD HAPPEN ,THESE RECALLS STARTED IN 2000,AND 2001 ,AND THAT'S WHEN I STARTED TO THINK THAT INFACT THE BOLTS FAILING CAUSED MY ACCIDENT OR CONTRIBUTED TO IT . I MADE CALLS TO BUICK AND WAS EVEN SENT A RECALL LIST POST DATED 12-20-2000, TODAY LOOKING ONLINE SEEMS ALOT OF TROUBLE WITH BOLTS WERE OCCURRING 96 + 97 BUT I WAS NEVER NOTICED UNTIL IT WAS TOO LATE ,I CALLED BUICK LAST YEAR AND THEY NOW SAY THEY HAVE NO INFO ON MY PRIOR YEARS CALLS TO THEM ,AND TO DATE I HAVE NOT BEEN REIMBURSED FOR MY LOSSES ,NO OFFER TO REPAIR ,REFUND ECT . MY ONLY THOUGHT THAT THESE NEED TO BE BETTER NOTICED TO CONSUMERS FOR SAFETY REASONS, AS WITH TOYOTA RECALL I'M NOT SURE THE PUBLIC IS OR HAS BEEN MADE AWARE THAT THEY SHOULD REPORT ANY THING ABOUT A CAR TO THE NHTSA WEB SITE AND LET IT WORK OUT ITSELF THRU THE DATABASE, I DID NOT HAVE A COMPUTER BACK THEN TO ACCESS THE 10 FOLD INFO ON SUCH RECALLS TO PROTECT THE PUBLIC ,MY MAIN CONCERN TODAY IS WHAT IS BUICK GOING TO DO FOR MY LOSSES? THANK YOU *TR
Electrical
Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.
From owner reports, verbatim
WHILE DRIVING AND GOING DOWN A HILL CONSUMER SMELLED HOT FUEL SMELL. GAUGES LOOKED FINE. THEN, A COUPLE OF MINUTES LATER CHECKED IT AGAIN, AND BATTERY GAUGE WAS LOW. CONSUMER KEPT DRIVING, AS APPROACHING INTERSECTION VEHICLE DIED. CONSUMER COASTED TO RIGHT AND SAW SMOKE. THEN, COSUMER LEFT CAR, AND THERE WAS AN EXPLOSION WITH FLAMES.*AK
CONSUMER HAS EXPERIENCED SEVERAL PROBLEMS WITH THIS VEHICLE, BRAKES HAVE BEEN REPLACED 5 TIMES, MOST RECENTLY THE CONSUMER WAS DRIVING AND NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM THE LEFT FRONT WHEEL, CALIPERS HAD BEEN STICKING AND BINDING. ECM FAILED AND WAS REPLACED. HEATER PIPE WAS LEAKING AND WAS REPLACED. WINDSHIELD WASHER DIDN'T WORK RIGHT. LEFT AND RIGHT LENS COVERS REPLACED DUE TO WATER ENTERING THEM. POWER DOOR LOCK FAILED AND WAS REPLACED. LEFT SIDE MIRROR WAS REPLACED. OIL SENSOR WAS REPLACED. LEFT WINDOW MOTOR FAILED AND WAS REPLACED. RIGHT FRONT LAMP REPLACED. *SLC
Interior & seats
Reports naming seats, latches, locks, linkages and interior fittings.
From owner reports, verbatim
THE ODOMETER HAS NOT WORKED SINCE 75,000 MILES (1993). THE DEALER TOLD ME IT WOULD COST AROUND $200.00 AND SINCE I DIDN'T REALLY KNOW JUST HOW MANY MILES I HAD PUT ON IT SINCE IT QUIT, I THOUGHT "WHAT'S THE USE?" SO ANY AND ALL MILEAGE QUOTES FROM NOW ON ARE GUESSES.... THE TAPE PLAYER WILL NOT PLAY ANY TAPES, IT JUST EJECTS EVERYTHING... THE TRIM KEEPS FALLING OFF AND I HAVE A STRIP OF CHROME IN THE BACK FLOORBOARD AS I TYPE THIS....BOTH THE FRONT AND REAR STRUTS HAVE HAD TO BE REPLACED....AND JUST LAST WEEK MY HUSBAND HAD TO BOLT THE DRIVER'S SEAT TO THE FRAME.
BOTH REAR STRUTS FAILED CAUSING A CLUNKING NOISE IN THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE AND THE FRONT AND REAR SUSPENSION IS OUT OF ALIGNMENT. NLM
Other / unspecified
Reports whose component NHTSA recorded as unknown, or that do not map to one of the categories above.
From owner reports, verbatim
ON APPROXIMATELY JULY 5, 2006 I HEARD A NOISE COMING FROM THE LEFT FRONT OF MY 1991 BUICK REGAL [XXX]. AS I AM A CERTIFIED MECHANIC, I REMOVED THE WHEEL AND TIRE IN ORDER TO INSPECT THE FRONT END COMPONENTS FOR A PROBLEM. I FOUND THAT THE STEEL WHEEL HAD A LARGE CRACK THAT WRAPPED ABOUT TWO THIRDS OF THE AREA AROUND THE LUG HOLES. THIS CRACK APPEARED TO BE CAUSED BY METAL FATIGUE. I THEN REMOVED THE OTHER WHEELS ON THE VEHICLE AND FOUND SMALLER CRACKS AROUND TWO OF THE REMAINING THREE WHEELS. I REPORTED THE PROBLEM TO BOTH GENERAL MOTORS AND MY DEALERSHIP. THIS VEHICLE WAS ORIGINALLY PURCHASED BY MY WIFE AND HAS NEVER BEEN ABUSED OR WRECKED. SINCE THERE ARE MANY THOUSANDS OF VEHICLES WHICH ARE USING THESE WHEELS, I FEEL THAT THERE IS A SIGNIFICANT SAFETY RISK WITH ALL VEHICLES USING THESE WHEELS. I HAVE PHOTOGRAPHED THESE CRACKS FOR RECORD KEEPING PURPOSES, AND I WILL BE HAPPY TO SEND THEM IN WITH THIS COMPLAINT. THIS COULD BE THE BEGINNING OF A REAL PROBLEM AND PEOPLE COULD BE SERIOUSLY INJURED. *NM UPDATED 07/12/2012 *JS INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
WHILE DRIVING THE CONSUMER'S LEFT REAR TIRE FELL OFF. THE TIRE TRAVELED OVER THE MEDIAN WALL AND STRUCK A MOVING VEHICLE (OHIO TRAFFIC CRASH REPORT). *PH *NM
Exterior lighting
Reports naming headlights, tail lights, turn signals and other exterior lighting.
From owner reports, verbatim
FAULTY TURN SIGNAL SWITCH. *AK
CONSUMER HAS EXPERIENCED SEVERAL PROBLEMS WITH THIS VEHICLE, BRAKES HAVE BEEN REPLACED 5 TIMES, MOST RECENTLY THE CONSUMER WAS DRIVING AND NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM THE LEFT FRONT WHEEL, CALIPERS HAD BEEN STICKING AND BINDING. ECM FAILED AND WAS REPLACED. HEATER PIPE WAS LEAKING AND WAS REPLACED. WINDSHIELD WASHER DIDN'T WORK RIGHT. LEFT AND RIGHT LENS COVERS REPLACED DUE TO WATER ENTERING THEM. POWER DOOR LOCK FAILED AND WAS REPLACED. LEFT SIDE MIRROR WAS REPLACED. OIL SENSOR WAS REPLACED. LEFT WINDOW MOTOR FAILED AND WAS REPLACED. RIGHT FRONT LAMP REPLACED. *SLC
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Suspension
Reports naming suspension components — springs, struts, shocks, control arms and related hardware.
From owner reports, verbatim
ABRUPT, TOTAL LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL: AS THE VEHICLE ROLLED TO A STOP AT A TRAFFIC SIGNAL, AND LOUD "BANG" WAS HEARD AND FELT COMING FROM THE FRONT END OF THE CAR. CAUTIOUSLY MOVING OFF FROM THE STOP, THERE WAS A COMPLETE LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL; THE STEERING WHEEL JUST SPUN FREELY, WHILE THE VEHICLE TRACKED ALMOST STRAIGHT AHEAD. SINCE THERE WAS STILL POWER AND BRAKING, THE DRIVER WAS ABLE TO ROLL TO A STOP ON THE RIGHT SHOULDER OF THE ROAD. (IF THE LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL HAD OCCURRED THREE MINUTES LATER, IT WOULD HAVE BEEN AT 65 MPH ... WITH POSSIBLY FATAL CONSEQUENCES.) IN THIS VEHICLE THE ENGINE, TRANSMISSION, FRONT SUSPENSION, AND STEERING RACK ARE MOUNTED ON A SUBFRAME. THE SUBFRAME, IN TURN, IS ATTACHED TO THE PRIMARY STRUCTURAL FRAME OF THE VEHICLE WITH FOUR BOLTS M12X1.25 BOLTS; THE ATTACHMENTS INCLUDE RUBBER BUSHINGS TO PROVIDE SOME SHOCK ISOLATION BETWEEN THE SUBFRAME AND THE REST OF THE VEHICLE. THERE IS A STEEL SLEEVE WHICH INSERTS INTO THE INNER BORE OF THE ISOLATION BUSHINGS, AND THROUGH WHICH THE MOUNTING BOLT IS INSERTED. (SEE ILLUSTRATION FROM GENERAL MOTORS "1991 BUICK REGAL SERVICE MANUAL," P. 10.3.3, FIGURE 1.) THERE APPEARS TO HAVE BEEN NO CORROSION PROTECTION PROVIDED OR APPLIED TO THESE SUBFRAME ATTACH COMPONENTS DURING VEHICLE ASSEMBLY. UPON INSPECTION, THE CAUSE OF THE INCIDENT WAS DETERMINED TO BE FAILURE OF BOTH REAR SUBFRAME ATTACHMENT BOLTS AND/OR ISOLATION BUSHINGS DUE TO SEVERE CORROSION IN SERVICE. IMMEDIATELY FOLLOWING THE BOLT FAILURES, THE FRONT SUSPENSION SPRINGS FORCED THE REAR OF THE SUBFRAME DOWNWARD, RESULTING IN THE STEERING COLUMN SHAFT DISCONNECTING ENTIRELY FROM THE STEERING RACK ASSEMBLY.
THE ODOMETER HAS NOT WORKED SINCE 75,000 MILES (1993). THE DEALER TOLD ME IT WOULD COST AROUND $200.00 AND SINCE I DIDN'T REALLY KNOW JUST HOW MANY MILES I HAD PUT ON IT SINCE IT QUIT, I THOUGHT "WHAT'S THE USE?" SO ANY AND ALL MILEAGE QUOTES FROM NOW ON ARE GUESSES.... THE TAPE PLAYER WILL NOT PLAY ANY TAPES, IT JUST EJECTS EVERYTHING... THE TRIM KEEPS FALLING OFF AND I HAVE A STRIP OF CHROME IN THE BACK FLOORBOARD AS I TYPE THIS....BOTH THE FRONT AND REAR STRUTS HAVE HAD TO BE REPLACED....AND JUST LAST WEEK MY HUSBAND HAD TO BOLT THE DRIVER'S SEAT TO THE FRAME.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Fuel system
Reports naming fuel storage or delivery — tanks, pumps, lines, injectors and fuel leaks.
From owner reports, verbatim
WHILE TRAVELING AT 20 MPH VEHICLE SLOWED DOWN. CONSUMER NOTICED THE GAS TANK WAS LOW, AND DROVE INTO THE GAS STATION FOR GAS, AND ANOTHER CONSUMER YELLED THAT VEHICLE WAS LEAKING GAS. CONSUMER NOTICED GASOLINE ALL OVER THE STREET. VEHICLE HAD TO BE TOWED. GAS TANK AND FUEL LINE WERE REPLACED. ALSO, CONSUMER WAS CONCERNED, THAT SEAT BELTS CUT ACROSS THE PASSENGERS' THROAT, AND NEEDED TO BE REDESIGNED.*AK
THE CRIMPED COUPLING OF THE FUEL FEED HOSE IS LEAKING GASOLINE AT THE FUEL FILTER INLET.*AK
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Driver assistance
Reports naming forward-collision avoidance, lane keeping, back-over prevention, cruise control and related electronic driver-assistance systems.
From owner reports, verbatim
1991 BUICK REGAL SUFFERED ROLL BACK WHILE TRYING TO EXIT PARKING SPACE ON INCLINE LOST CONTROL. *MR THE CONSUMER HAD NO CONTROL AND THE VEHICLE BACKED INTO A FENCE. THERE WAS AN INTERMITTENT BRAKE PROBLEM WITH IT GOING TO THE FLOOR AND LEAKING. THE EMERGENCY BRAKE HAD AN INTERMITTENT SLIP AND WOULD HAVE TO BE DEPRESSED TWICE. *SC *JB
THE CRUISE CONTROL KEPT ON GOING OUT ON US ON OUR TRIP THROUGH NEW MEXICO, ARIZONA. IT WAS REALLY ANNOYING AND COULD HAVE BEEN DANGEROUS IF THERE HAD BEEN MORE TRAFFIC. I HAD TO KEEP AN EYE ON THE ODOMETER OR SPEEDOMETER AS CLOSELY AS I COULD. I FELT THAT THIS COULD HAVE REALLY BEEN DANGEROUS. I TALKED TO A MECHANIC IN A GAS STATION AND HE TOLD ME THAT IT POSSIBLY COULD BE COMPRESSION. HE COULD NOT HELP ME. WE TRAVELED EXTENSIVELY THROUGH THE AREAS OF ARIZONA AND NEW MEXICO, AND I THOUHT THAT MAYBE IT WAS DUE TO ELEVATION THAT WOULD BE CAUSING SOME OF THE PROBLEMS. WHEN RETURNING TO OUR HOME IN INDIANAPOLIS THOUGH, WHILE GOING THROUGH THE FLATLANDS OF KANSAS, AND SOME OF THE OTHER PLACES WHERE IT WAS FLAT, IT DID THE SAME THING. I WOULD SET THE CRUISE, IT WOULD WORK FOR A WHILE, THEN IT WOULD FAIL BY SLOWING DOWN TREMENDOUSLY, AS I DID NOT HAVE MY FOOT ON THE GAS PEDAL, THINKING ALL ALONG THAT IT WOULD WORK IN THESE AREAS. THERE WERE NO HILLS, SO WHAT WAS I TO LOSE. EXCEPT I DID LOSE THE POWER OF THE CRUISE CONTROL. ALSO THE AIR CONDITIONER SEEM TO BE AFFECTED ALSO. I WOULD LOSE SOME POWER FROM THE AIR CONDITIONER. EVEN NOW WHILE TRAVELING AROUND THE HIGHWAYS HERE IN INDY IT HAPPENS ALSO.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Transmission
Reports naming the automatic or manual transmission, including shifting behaviour, shudder, slipping and transmission control modules.
From owner reports, verbatim
2 OPEN FUEL INJECTORS.MJS
AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION FAILURE, SHIFTS OUT OF GEAR FROM OVERDRIVE TO NEUTRAL. TT
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Powertrain (other)
Powertrain reports that are not specifically the engine or transmission — driveshafts, axles, transfer cases and differentials.
From owner reports, verbatim
FEDERAL AUTHORITIES ARE INVESTIGATING WHETHER GENERAL MOTORS HID AN IGNITION SWITCH DEFECT WHEN IT FILED FOR BANKRUPTCY IN 2009,THE JUSTICE DEPARTMENT'S INVESTIGATION OF THE AUTOMAKER INCLUDES A PROBE OF WHETHER GM COMMITTED BANKRUPTCY FRAUD BY NOT DISCLOSING THE IGNITION PROBLEM, A PERSON BRIEFED ON THE INQUIRY, AUTHORITIES ARE ALSO INVESTIGATING WHETHER GM UNDERSTATED THE DEFECT TO FEDERAL SAFETY REGULATORS,UNDER THE TREAD ACT OR THE FED RECALL ACT,THE MANUFACTURER IS TO REPLACE THE FAULTY CAR,WHEN WILL MY CAR BE REPLACED WHAT ABOUT THE FRAME CRADLE BOLT RECALL, I HAD A ROLL OVER ACCIDENT IN A BUICK AND GM DID NOTHING , NEVER REPLACED ,REPAIRED , OR REIMBURSED ME . MY AIR BAG NEVER DEPLOYED , MY SEAT BELT WAS ALSO DEFECTED , YET DURING THIS RECALL GM GAVE CONGRESS OVER $300 MILLION IN ELECTION FUNDS TO LOOK THE OTHER WAY? $35 MILLION FINE IS A JOKE IF SOMEONE GAVE YOU $50 BILLION,THE $35 MILLION SHOULD BE 10 X THAT AMOUNT OR AT LEAST PAY FOR MY CAR , PAY FOR MY MEDICAL BILLS ($100,000 AND CLIMBING) LOOK AT FORD , THEY ARE RECALLING CARS TODAY FOR STEERING ISSUES YET GM COMES UP WITH A KEY FRAUD TO HIDE THE FRAME CRADLE BOLT ISSUE SEE PICTURES,MY AIRBAG NEVER WENT OFF AND MY SEAT BELT WAS ALSO FAULTY GM CUSTOMER CARE [XXX], I AM SORRY TO HEAR THAT YOU EXPERIENCED THIS WITH YOUR BUICK. I AM HAPPY TO HEAR THAT YOU ARE OKAY! I BELIEVE I HAVE LOCATED YOUR PREVIOUS CASE WITHIN OUR SYSTEM. IF THERE IS ANYTHING I CAN LOOK INTO FOR YOU, PLEASE PRIVATE MESSAGE ME YOUR VIN OR CASE NUMBER TO OUR GM CUSTOMER CARE PAGE. [XXX] GM CUSTOMER CARE IF GM IS LOOKING INTO 10+ YEAR OLD RECALLS IT CAN LOOK INTO MINE,ITS NOT ABOUT KEY RECALL ,THIS IS ABOUT ANY GM RECALL,MY CASE IS ON THE NHTSA WEB SITE HTTPS://WWW.FACEBOOK.COM/[XXX]/POSTS/10202966721162013 INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
BOTH REAR STRUTS FAILED CAUSING A CLUNKING NOISE IN THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE AND THE FRONT AND REAR SUSPENSION IS OUT OF ALIGNMENT. NLM
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Heating & air conditioning
Reports naming the heating, ventilation and air-conditioning system.
From owner reports, verbatim
THE AIR COMPRESSOR WILL NOT COME ON EVEN THOUGH THE FREON LEVEL IS WHERE IT SHOULD BE ACCORDING TO A MECHANIC. HE HAS CHECKED THE RELAYS AND EVERYTHING LOOKS FINE BUT THE AIR CONDITIONER WILL NOT COME ON. *AK
BOTH REAR STRUTS FAILED CAUSING A CLUNKING NOISE IN THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE AND THE FRONT AND REAR SUSPENSION IS OUT OF ALIGNMENT. NLM
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Tires & wheels
Reports naming tires, wheels, hubs, or the tire-pressure monitoring system.
From owner reports, verbatim
THE LEFT FRONT TIRE EXPERIENCED TREAD SEPARATION, WHICH CAUSED THE TIRE TO BLOW OUT. *JB
3 WHEELS ON VEHICLE ARE FRACTURED. MR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Visibility
Reports naming windshields, glass, wipers, defrosters and mirrors.
From owner reports, verbatim
WHILE DRIVING DRIVER'S SEAT BROKE AND COLLAPSED BACKWARDS WHEN IMPACTED WITH ANOTHER VEHICLE THAT RAN STOP SIGN. DRIVER SUFFERED SHOULDER INJURY, BUT NO EMERGENCY ROOM TREATMENT.*AK
CONSUMER HAS EXPERIENCED SEVERAL PROBLEMS WITH THIS VEHICLE, BRAKES HAVE BEEN REPLACED 5 TIMES, MOST RECENTLY THE CONSUMER WAS DRIVING AND NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM THE LEFT FRONT WHEEL, CALIPERS HAD BEEN STICKING AND BINDING. ECM FAILED AND WAS REPLACED. HEATER PIPE WAS LEAKING AND WAS REPLACED. WINDSHIELD WASHER DIDN'T WORK RIGHT. LEFT AND RIGHT LENS COVERS REPLACED DUE TO WATER ENTERING THEM. POWER DOOR LOCK FAILED AND WAS REPLACED. LEFT SIDE MIRROR WAS REPLACED. OIL SENSOR WAS REPLACED. LEFT WINDOW MOTOR FAILED AND WAS REPLACED. RIGHT FRONT LAMP REPLACED. *SLC
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Airbags
Reports naming the air-bag system — deployment behaviour, inflators, sensors and warning lights.
From owner reports, verbatim
FEDERAL AUTHORITIES ARE INVESTIGATING WHETHER GENERAL MOTORS HID AN IGNITION SWITCH DEFECT WHEN IT FILED FOR BANKRUPTCY IN 2009,THE JUSTICE DEPARTMENT'S INVESTIGATION OF THE AUTOMAKER INCLUDES A PROBE OF WHETHER GM COMMITTED BANKRUPTCY FRAUD BY NOT DISCLOSING THE IGNITION PROBLEM, A PERSON BRIEFED ON THE INQUIRY, AUTHORITIES ARE ALSO INVESTIGATING WHETHER GM UNDERSTATED THE DEFECT TO FEDERAL SAFETY REGULATORS,UNDER THE TREAD ACT OR THE FED RECALL ACT,THE MANUFACTURER IS TO REPLACE THE FAULTY CAR,WHEN WILL MY CAR BE REPLACED WHAT ABOUT THE FRAME CRADLE BOLT RECALL, I HAD A ROLL OVER ACCIDENT IN A BUICK AND GM DID NOTHING , NEVER REPLACED ,REPAIRED , OR REIMBURSED ME . MY AIR BAG NEVER DEPLOYED , MY SEAT BELT WAS ALSO DEFECTED , YET DURING THIS RECALL GM GAVE CONGRESS OVER $300 MILLION IN ELECTION FUNDS TO LOOK THE OTHER WAY? $35 MILLION FINE IS A JOKE IF SOMEONE GAVE YOU $50 BILLION,THE $35 MILLION SHOULD BE 10 X THAT AMOUNT OR AT LEAST PAY FOR MY CAR , PAY FOR MY MEDICAL BILLS ($100,000 AND CLIMBING) LOOK AT FORD , THEY ARE RECALLING CARS TODAY FOR STEERING ISSUES YET GM COMES UP WITH A KEY FRAUD TO HIDE THE FRAME CRADLE BOLT ISSUE SEE PICTURES,MY AIRBAG NEVER WENT OFF AND MY SEAT BELT WAS ALSO FAULTY GM CUSTOMER CARE [XXX], I AM SORRY TO HEAR THAT YOU EXPERIENCED THIS WITH YOUR BUICK. I AM HAPPY TO HEAR THAT YOU ARE OKAY! I BELIEVE I HAVE LOCATED YOUR PREVIOUS CASE WITHIN OUR SYSTEM. IF THERE IS ANYTHING I CAN LOOK INTO FOR YOU, PLEASE PRIVATE MESSAGE ME YOUR VIN OR CASE NUMBER TO OUR GM CUSTOMER CARE PAGE. [XXX] GM CUSTOMER CARE IF GM IS LOOKING INTO 10+ YEAR OLD RECALLS IT CAN LOOK INTO MINE,ITS NOT ABOUT KEY RECALL ,THIS IS ABOUT ANY GM RECALL,MY CASE IS ON THE NHTSA WEB SITE HTTPS://WWW.FACEBOOK.COM/[XXX]/POSTS/10202966721162013 INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
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.
Elsewhere on this vehicle
Data sources
- NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation — owner-reported complaints and the components recorded on them
Data on this page last refreshed .