RoadVitals

1994 Buick Regal Brakes Problems

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.
29
Latest Jan 10, 2006
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.
26%
of 110 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.
2
Injuries or deaths reportedTotals the submitters entered on their own reports in this category. Not verified by NHTSA and not a casualty statistic.
1

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 1994 Buick Regal submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 29 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 29, in the owner's own words

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
BrakesElectricalEngine+1 more
Filed Apr 1, 2004

WHILE DRIVING, THE CONSUMER SMELLED AN ODOR COMING THROUGH THE VENTS. THE CONSUMER PULLED TO THE SHOULDER AND NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM UNDERNEATH THE HOOD. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION, AND THE MECHANIC INFORMED THE CONSUMER THAT CERTAIN PARTS WERE NOT UNDER WARRANTY. *AK THE VEHICLE HAD AN ELECTRICAL PROBLEM WHERE THE VEHICLE FELT AS IF IT WERE GOING TO DIE OUT. THE VOLTAGE READINGS WERE ALWAYS LOW. THE VEHICLE HAD PROBLEMS GETTING OUT OF GEAR. THE CONSUMER WAS TOLD THAT THE INITIAL PROBLEM WAS WITH THE UPPER INTAKE MANIFOLD. THE BRAKES WERE BAD AND THE MUFFLER HAD A BIG HOLE IN IT. ALSO, COOLANT LEAKED FROM THE INTAKE MANIFOLD. *SC *JB

NHTSA ID
10059827
Incident
Feb 25, 2004
BrakesElectricalEngine+1 more
Filed Feb 9, 2004

HAD INTAKE UPPER INTAKE MANIFOLD REPLACED DUE TO A COOLING PROBLEM. WAGAMON BROTHERS SAID THERE WAS NOTHING I COULD HAVE DONE TO PREVENT IT. VOLTAGE GAUGE READING 18. REPLACED ALTERNATOR/GENERATOR. PROBLEM STILL EXISTED. CHECKED BATTERY. BATTERY FAILED. REPLACED BATTERY. VOLTAGE GAUGE STILL READ 18. DROVE CAR. CAR DIED IN MIDDLE OF THE FREEWAY. SMELL OF BURNT WIRES. TOWED CAR TO GARAGE. FIANCE WAS ABLE TO START CAR AND NOTICED GAUGES STILL LIT WHEN SHOULD HAVE BEEN NOT LIT. FIGURES ELECTRICAL UNDER DASH OR IN WIRING HARNESS.

NHTSA ID
10056887
Incident
Feb 9, 2004
Mileage
120,394 mi
Brakes
Filed Aug 15, 2002

THIS IS HAPPENING ALOT TO THESE TYPE OF CARS. IT ALMOST GOT MY FAMILY IN AN ACCIDENT!! NO SAFETY DEFECT LISTED. *AK

NHTSA ID
765716
Incident
Apr 1, 2002
Brakes
Filed Sep 21, 2000

REAR BRAKE CALIPER FROZE UP, CAUSING A GRINDING SIGN. CALIPER HAD DUG INTO THE ROTOR AT LEAST AN INCH DEEP. ROTORS, AND CALIPERS HAD TO BE REPLACED REPAIR CENTER. *AK

NHTSA ID
871164
Incident
Jul 20, 2000
BrakesInterior & seats
Filed Sep 1, 2000

WAS RIDING THROUGH SHOPPING CENTER WITH SMOOTH PAVEMENT WHEN DRIVER SEAT ALL OF A SUDDEN BROKE LOOSE AND STARTED TO TIP REARWARD, WENT TO BUICK DEALER (HUDSON BUICK POGHKEEPSIE, NY) ABOUT A HALF MILE AWAY WHERE I GOT A SERVICE TECHNICIAN TO LOOK AT IT. HE IMMEDIATELY WENT UNDER THE SEAT LIKE HE HAS SEEN THE PROBLEN A NUMBER OF TIMES BEFORE AND TOLD ME THAT THE LEFT FRONT SEAT MOUNT TO THE SEAT RAIL IS SNAPPED AND THE LEFT SEAT RAIL MUST BE REPLACED. WHEN I EXAMINED THE PART BY LOOKING UNDER THE SEAT IT APPEARS THAT THE SEAT MOUNT HAD THE RIPPLED APPEARANCE OF METAL FATIGUE. (WHAT GOOD ARE SEAT BELTS AND AIR BAGS IF THE SEAT IS GOING TO FALL OUT!) THIS CAR IS A LITTLE OVER 6 YEARS OLD, HAS UNDER 42000 MILES. INDOOR GARAGED AND HAS NEVER BEEN INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT.. THE MASTER CYLINDER: I WAS DRIVING ON RT 52 WEST WHEN THE BRAKES FAILED. I WAS ABLE TO GET IT STOPPED AND THEN I SLOWLY PROCEEDED TO A NEARBY MIDAS MUFFLER WHO TOLD ME THE MASTER CYLINDER HAD FAILED. THEY TOLD ME TO TAKE IT TO A DEALER BECAUSE OF THE ANTI LOCK BRAKES. I DID AND CONTACTED BUICK WHO AGREED TO HAVE THE DEALER REPLACE THE PART FOR FREE WITH ME PAYING FOR THE LABOR. THE WORK WAS DONE AT COLANDREA BUICK RT 17K NEWBURGH, NY SINCE I WAS TOO FAR FROM THE DEALER THAT SOLD THE CAR AND THEY WERE LOCAL. ALMOST A YEAR LATER THE BRAKES FAILED AGAIN WHILE I WAS RIDING ON RT 17K WEST IN NEWBURGH, NY AND I WAS SLOWLY ABLE TO LIMP IT TO THE DEALER. THEY LOOKED AT THE BRAKES AND REPLACED THE MASTER CYLINDER FOR THE SECOND TIME. THE MASTER CYLINDER SEENS ALL RIGHT NOW BUT I HAVE NO IDEA IF IT WILL FAIL AGAIN LIKE IT DID 10000 MILES AGO AND ABOUT 8000 MILES BRFORE THAT.

NHTSA ID
729818
Incident
Apr 26, 1998
Brakes
Filed Jun 27, 2000

EXCESSIVE ROTOR CORROSION REQUIRED REPLACEMENT. THIS IS THE SECOND OR THIRD TIME I'VE HAD PROBLEMS WITH ROTOR CORROSION. *AK

NHTSA ID
724646
Incident
Mar 13, 2000
Brakes
Filed Nov 18, 1999

NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK

NHTSA ID
714970
Brakes
Filed Oct 20, 1999

WHEN DRIVING AND APPLYING BRAKES VEHICLE LOCKS UP AND MAKES LOUD NOISES. ABS REAR SENSOR AND HARNESS HAD TO BE REPLACED, WATER DAMAGE HAD CORRODED SENSOR AND WIRING. *AK *SLC

NHTSA ID
851220
Incident
Jul 9, 1999
Brakes
Filed Aug 31, 1999

THE ABS BRAKE WARNING LIGHT CAME ON. THIS INDICATES A BRAKE FAILURE WHICH CAUSES EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE. WHEN BRAKE PEDAL IS APPLIED IT MAKES A LOUD CLUNKING NOISE AND KEEPS ON ROLLING, THE PEDAL GOES ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR. IF DRIVER STEPS HARD ON THE BRAKES, AS IF THEY WERE IN AN EMERGENCY SITUATION, THEY RESPOND PERFECTLY. DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED. *AK

NHTSA ID
846196
AirbagsBrakesSeat belts
Filed Jul 26, 1999
Crash reported1 injury reported

WHILE DRIVING 25MPH APPLIED BRAKES AND WAS NOT ABLE TO STOP. STRUCK VEHICLE IN FRONT. UPON IMPACT, AIR BAGS DIDN'T DEPLOY, AND SEAT BELT DIDN'T RETRACT AS QUICKLY AS NEEDED, CAUSING CONSUMER TO HIT HEAD AND LEFT HAND ON WINDSHIELD, SUSTAINING INJURIES. CONSUMER CONTACTED MANUFACTURER AND DEALER. *AK

NHTSA ID
843441
Incident
Jul 23, 1999
Brakes
Filed May 26, 1999

WHEN DRIVING ABOVE 45 MPH, AND APPLYING BRAKES, BRAKE PEDAL IS HARD, AND BRAKES AREN'T STOPPING THE VEHICLE. CONSUMER HAS TO PUMP THE BRAKES, AND VEHICLE WILL SLOW DOWN. THEN WILL APPLY BRAKES IN LOW SPEED, AND VEHICLE WILL COME TO A STOP. DEALER CAN'T DETERMINE THE PROBLEM AND THE VEHICLE IS IN SHOP. *AK

NHTSA ID
838458
Incident
May 23, 1999
Brakes
Filed Nov 9, 1998

MOTOR KIT WITHIN ABS HAS BEEN REPLACED 4 TIMES.THIS DEFECT COULD CAUSE LOSS OF BRAKES WHICH COULD RESULT IN AN ACCIDENT. *AK

NHTSA ID
830361
Incident
Sep 10, 1997
Brakes
Filed Jun 3, 1998

BRAKE CALIPERS FROZE UP CAUSING EXTENSIVE DAMAGE TO PADS AND ROTORS.

NHTSA ID
536211
Incident
Apr 25, 1998
BrakesPowertrain (other)
Filed Feb 25, 1998

THE TRANSMISSION FAILED NUMEROUS TIMES AT DIFFERENT SPEEDS. THE VEHICLE WOULD BE IN DRIVE AND POP OUT OF GEAR CAUSING LOSS OF POWER.

NHTSA ID
531404
BrakesPowertrain (other)
Filed Feb 25, 1998

THE VEHICLE JERKS WHEN BRAKES (ABS) ARE APPLIED.

NHTSA ID
531402
Brakes
Filed Jan 15, 1998

COMPUTER CHIP ON ABS FAILED, CAUSING TOTAL LOSS OF BRAKES. HAS CAUSED $2600 FO DAMAGE TO FRONT END IN ONE ACCIDENT, AND SECOND ACCIDENT SCRAPPED VEHICLE IN FRONT. DEALER SAID NEW COMPUTER NEEDS TO BE INSTALLED IN VEHICLE. *AK

NHTSA ID
820656
Brakes
Filed Oct 28, 1997
Crash reported

DRIVER ATTEMPTED TO MAKE A SUDDEN STOP AND THE VEHICLE DID NOT STOP. APPLIED THE BRAKES AND THE VEHICLE DID NOT STOP VEHICLE KEPT ON GOING, CAUSING AN ACCIDENT. *AK *SLC

NHTSA ID
817770
Incident
Apr 12, 1997
Brakes
Filed Sep 11, 1997

ANTI-LOCK BRAKE SYSTEM FAILED 4 TIMES. *AK

NHTSA ID
523208
Incident
Mar 1, 1997
Brakes
Filed Aug 19, 1997

BRAKES SOUND LIKE TIN CANS BANGING TOGETHER WHEN THEY ARE NEEDED TO STOP SUDDENLY.

NHTSA ID
521140
Brakes
Filed May 6, 1997

ABS, WHEN BRAKES ARE APPLIED VIBRATION IN THE FRONT END, CAUSING A LOSS CONTROL OF VEHICLE. *AK

NHTSA ID
810760
Incident
Jun 1, 1996
BrakesElectricalExterior lighting+1 more
Filed Nov 6, 1996

ABS BRAKES FAILED FOUR TIMES; ALSO ALTERNATOR/TURN SIGNAL/WINDSHIELD WIPER/FUSE BOX MALFUNCTIONED. *AK

NHTSA ID
511077
Brakes
Filed Aug 27, 1996

REAR BRAKE CALIPERS SEIZED OPEN/ROTORS RUSTED AND WARPED.

NHTSA ID
507970
Incident
Aug 21, 1996
Brakes
Filed Oct 27, 1995

ABS, BRAKE FAILURE REPLACEMENT OF HOSES, SENSORS REPLACED TWICE AND WIRING FOR ABS SYSTEMS REPLACED IN FOR REPAIR. TT ALSO ABS LIGHT WAS COMING ON, AND ALSO WHEN APPLYING BRAKES THERE IS A GRINDING NOISE, BUT COULD NOT BE DUPLICATED BY DEALER.*JB

NHTSA ID
974095
Incident
Apr 1, 1995
BrakesDriver assistance
Filed Oct 23, 1995

WHEN CONSUMER PLACE AUTO IN REVERSE IT SURGED BACKWARDS WHILE FOOT WAS STILL ON BRAKES. TT

NHTSA ID
973867

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

Elsewhere on this vehicle

Data sources

Data on this page last refreshed .