RoadVitals

1994 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.
110
Latest May 17, 2017
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.
3
Latest Feb 11, 1997
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.
0
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
7 injuries, 0 deaths reported

Overview

Our database contains 110 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 1994 Buick Regal, most frequently naming the brakes, electrical and visibility categories. 3 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; and 40 manufacturer communications are on file.

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

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

3 campaigns cover this model year

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
97V017000

VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:SWITCH/WIRING

Feb 11, 1997
349,331 units potentially affected
The defect: SOME OF THESE VEHICLES HAVE A STRAINED OR SEPARATED WASHER/WIPER SWITCH POWER FEED WIRE.
The risk: THIS CAN CAUSE THE WINDSHIELD WASHER/WIPER TO WORK INTERMITTENTLY AND COULD ULTIMATELY RESULT IN INOPERATIVE WIPERS. IF THIS WERE TO OCCUR IN A SEVERE WEATHER SITUATION, DRIVER VISIBILITY COULD BE REDUCED, INCREASING THE RISK OF A VEHICLE CRASH.
The remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND REPLACE THE OLD DESIGNED WASHER/WIPER SWITCHES WITH A NEWLY DESIGNED SWITCH.
GENERAL MOTORS CORP.View on NHTSA.gov
95V152000

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

Aug 8, 1995
83,247 units potentially affected
The defect: INCORRECT CLEAR FRONT SIDE MARKER BULBS WERE INSTALLED RATHER THAN AMBER BULBS. THIS DOES NOT CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT."
The risk: CONSEQUENCE OF NON-COMPLIANCE: DURING ILLUMINATION, THE BULBS WILL SHOW CLEAR RATHER THAN AMBER AND COULD MOMENTARILY CONFUSE OTHER DRIVERS.
The remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE CLEAR BULBS WITH THE CORRECT AMBER BULBS.
GENERAL MOTORS CORP.View on NHTSA.gov
95V061000

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS

Mar 22, 1995
199,572 units potentially affected
The defect: THE REAR WHEEL BRAKE HOSE(S) CAN CONTACT THE REAR SUSPENSION COMPONENTS CAUSING THE BRAKE HOSE(S) TO WEAR THROUGH.
The risk: THIS CONDITION CAN CAUSE LOSS OF BRAKE FLUID AND EVENTUAL LOSS OF THE VEHICLE BRAKING SYSTEM INCREASING THE POTENTIAL FOR A VEHICLE ACCIDENT.
The remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT FOR PROPER BRAKE HOSE POSITION AND REPLACE THOSE HOSES IN AN INCORRECT POSITION WITH NEW HOSES AND CORRECTLY ROUTED.
GENERAL MOTORS CORP.View on NHTSA.gov

Recent owner complaints

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

View all 110
Engine
Filed May 17, 2017

1984 BUICK REGAL WITH 3800L V6. THE VALVE COVERS ARE LEAKING EXCESSIVE OIL ON THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD WHICH COULD START FIRE WHEN DRIVING, WHEN PARKED, WHEN THE ENGINE IS HOT! THE 97 THROUGHT 2004 BUICK REGALS WERE RECALLED FOR THIS EXACT SITUATION. WHY WAS THE 94 NOT RECALLED? HAS IT DUE TO AGE?

NHTSA ID
10986156
Incident
May 1, 2004
Mileage
48,975 mi
Airbags
Filed Jul 22, 2013

AT APPROXIMATELY 7:00AM FRIDAY JULY 19, MY SON AND I GOT INTO THE CAR WHICH WAS PARKED IN OUR GARAGE. I PROCEEDED TO PLACE THE KEY INTO THE IGNITION AND STARTED THE CAR. IMMEDIATELY THE DRIVER'S AIRBAG DEPLOYED HITTING ME IN THE FACE AND CHEST BREAKING MY GLASSES AND THERE WAS SOME TYPE OF SOLVENT OR PARTICLES IN THE FORM OF SMOKE THAT WAS IN THE AIR AFTER THE EXPLOSION. I'M CALLING IT AN EXPLOSION BECAUSE WE WERE NOT IN AN ACCIDENT, BUT ONLY GOING ABOUT OUR DAILY ROUTINE OF ACTIVITIES. I KNOW THIS IS NOT TYPICAL OF AN AIRBAG, SO I WOULD LIKE TO CONTACT BUICK TO SEE IF I HAVE ANY GROUNDS FOR COMPENSATION. AS A RESULT OF THIS INCIDENT, I HAVE RINGING IN MY EARS, MY CHEST HAS BEEN VERY SORE NOW FOR THE LAST 2 DAYS AND I HAVEN'T HAD THE BAG REPLACED OR REMOVED. *TR

NHTSA ID
10526158
Incident
Jul 19, 2013
Visibility
Filed Oct 27, 2008

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1994 BUICK REGAL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS DO NOT WORK. THE WASHER/WIPER SWITCH POWER FEED WIRE CAUSES THE WIPERS TO WORK INTERMITTENTLY AND BECOME INOPERATIVE. THE FAILURE HAS OCCURRED IN RAINY CONDITIONS. BUICK STATED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 97V017000 (VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:SWITCH/WIRING). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 47,000. UPDATED 12/10/08 *CN THE DEALER SHOWED THE CONSUMER THE TWO WIRES THAT WER BROKEN ON THE WINDSHIELD WIPER SWITCH. UPDATED 12/16/08. *JB

NHTSA ID
10246878
Incident
Mar 15, 2008
Mileage
47,000 mi
Exterior lightingSteering
Filed Apr 23, 2008

LOSS OF HEADLIGHTS WHEN DIMMER SWITCHED USED TO DIM BRIGHT LIGHTS RESULTING IN NO LIGHTS TRIPPING IT SEVERAL TIMES BROUGHT LIGHTS BACK AND LEFT THEM ON DIM UNTIL I COULD GET IT SERVICED AT COST OF APPROX 400.00 THIS WAS ABOUT FOUR YEARS AGO. RECENTLY TILT COLUMN HAS BEEN DIFFICULT TO OPERATE NOW WILL NOT LOCK IN POSITION AND LIGHTS WILL NOT WORK WHEN COLUMN IS TILTED DOWN. IS THIS A KNOWN PROBLEM WITH MY VEHICLE. I BOUGHT IT NEW IN 94 AND AM THE ONLY DRIVER. I AM AFRAID THE STEERING COLUMN WILL SHIFT UNAFFECTEDLY AND CAUSE ME TO WRECK OR CAUSE THE MOTOR TO STALL AND LOCK STEERING AND CAUSE A WRECK. IS THERE A RECALL FOR THIS? *TR

NHTSA ID
10225540
Incident
Apr 23, 2008
Mileage
74,000 mi
Engine
Filed May 21, 2007

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1994 BUICK REGAL. THE CONTACT WENT TO THE DEALER TO HAVE THE CONDITION OF HER VEHICLE INSPECTED AND FOR A NEW PAINT JOB. APPROXIMATELY THREE TO FOUR DAYS LATER, THE VEHICLE SHUT OFF AT A STOP LIGHT. SHE COULD NOT ROLL DOWN THE WINDOWS OR EXIT THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE WAS A RESULT OF A BUTTON BEING PUSHED INSIDE THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT WAS STUCK INSIDE THE VEHICLE FOR HALF AN HOUR ON A HOT DAY. THE # OF CYLINDERS AND ENGINE SIZE WERE UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 100,000.

NHTSA ID
10191313
Incident
May 17, 2007
Mileage
100,000 mi
Visibility
Filed Oct 12, 2006

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, WHO UPON INSPECTION, DETERMINED THAT THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AND THERE WAS A RECALL ON THAT SAME COMPONENT. THE DEALER WAS CONTACTED, AND EXPRESSED THAT THEY WERE NOT AWARE OF ANY RECALL FOR THIS ISSUE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS ALSO CONTACTED, AND DETERMINED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO THE VIN. THE VEHICLE HAD THE SAME ISSUES STATED IN THE RECALL # 97V017000 REGARDING VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER:SWITCH/WIRING.

NHTSA ID
10170654
Incident
Oct 10, 2006
Mileage
20,000 mi
Electrical
Filed Apr 12, 2006

WHILE DRIVING, MY HORN INTERMITTENTLY SOUNDS WITHOUT TOUCHING IT. WHILE PARKED ON THE STREET ON A SUNNY DAY, THE HORN WILL BLARE WITH NO ONE IT. IT HAS ALMOST CAUSED ACCIDENTS ON THREE OCCASIONS. 1) WHILE DRIVING THE HORN SOUNDED AND VEHICLES STOPPED SUDDENLY IN AN INTERSECTION AND HAD TO DODGE EACH OTHER AND NEARLY HAD A REAR END COLLISION. 2) WHILE I WAS DRIVING, THE HORN SOUNDED AND I THOUGHT THAT IT WAS ANOTHER CAR AND SWERVED INSTINCTIVELY, 3) WHILE PARKED IN THE STREET IN THE SUN, THE HORN WENT OFF AND CAUSED A KID TO FALL OFF OF HIS BIKE. I SEARCHED THE INTERNET AND APPARENTLY THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH REGALS AND LESEBRES AND GM WANTS ABOUT $1,000 TO FIX A POORLY DESIGNED HORN SWITCH. THIS IS CLEARLY A MANUFACTURING DEFECT AS EVIDENCED BY THE DEARTH OF COMPLAINTS ON THE INTERNET AND INTERMITTENT HORN SOUNDING IS CLEARLY A SAFETY ISSUE. I AM THEREFORE REQUESTING THAT YOU TAKE ACTION. *JB

NHTSA ID
10155132
Incident
Apr 8, 2005
Mileage
105,000 mi
BrakesExterior lighting
Filed Jan 10, 2006

MULTI FUNCTION SWITCH FOR TURN SIGNAL WHICH FEEDS BRAKE LIGHTS CAUSES BRAKE LIGHTS TO FAIL TO COME ON WHEN BRAKE PEDAL IS DEPRESSED. IN SEARCHING WEB FOUND TO BE COMMON PROBLEM IN THIS VEHICLE. *JB

NHTSA ID
10147384
Incident
Jan 1, 2006

Manufacturer communications

A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.

PIC4696E

EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:ANTI-THEFT DEVICES; EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:RADIO/TAPE DECK/CD ETC.

This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician on how to unlock radios that are Delco TheftLock. Technician will use the radio to get the scrambled code. Technician will need to contact the radio unlock center to retrieve the unlock code from the scrambled code.  The PI update to version D is to advise the unlock procedure is temporarily unavailable.  E version update is to add administrative details.

PIC4696D

EQUIPMENT

This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician on how to unlock radios that are Delco TheftLock. Technician will use the radio to get the scrambled code. Technician will need to contact the radio unlock center to retrieve the unlock code from the scrambled code.  The PI update to version D is to advise the unlock procedure is temporarily unavailable.

PIC4696C

EQUIPMENT; EQUIPMENT ADAPTIVE/MOBILITY; EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:RADIO/TAPE DECK/CD ETC.

This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician on how to unlock radios that are Delco Theft Lock. Technician will use the radio to get the scrambled code. Technician will need to contact the radio unlock center to retrieve the unlock code from the scrambled code.

130089009

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:ENGINE CONTROL MODULE (ECU/ECM)

Expanded Availability for Remanufacture and Return (R&R) Electronic Control Modules

010601002A

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

REVISED PISTON PIN REMOVAL / INSTALLATION PROCEDURE. *TT

990730030A

POWER TRAIN:AXLE ASSEMBLY

OWNERS OF SOME VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH HYDRA-MATIC 3T40, 4T60, 4T60-E OR 4T65-E TRANSAXLES MAY COMMENT ON A GRINDING AND / OR GROWLING NOISE THAT IS NOTICEABLE WHEN STANDING IN PARK ON A HILL OR SLOPE WITH THE ENGINE RUNNING AND THE PARKING BRAKE NOT APPLIED. *TT

Manufacturers file copies of the bulletins they send to dealers with NHTSA. These often describe diagnostic or repair procedures for a known condition. They are not recalls: repairs described in a bulletin are usually only free if the vehicle is still under warranty or the manufacturer has extended coverage.

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
1994Viewing1103049.2
1993852260.5
19921442258.7
199120071064.0
19907791066.8
198910681166.1
1988123111266.9
1987253662.1
1986125570.0
1985996—
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.