RoadVitals

1994 Buick Regal Electrical Problems

Owner-reported complaints naming the electrical system, filed with NHTSA

Data refreshed

Electrical 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.
17
Latest Apr 12, 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.
15%
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.
0
Injuries or deaths reportedTotals the submitters entered on their own reports in this category. Not verified by NHTSA and not a casualty statistic.
0

What this page shows

Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories. 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. 17 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 electrical

Shown in the owner’s own words, exactly as filed

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
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
Electrical
Filed Feb 18, 2004

WHILE DRIVING, THE CAR JUST SHUT OFF. NOT ONLY THE ENGINE, BUT EVERYTHING WENT DEAD. NO POWER AT THE IGNITION SWITCH IN ACC. OR ON. THE DOME LIGHT WORKED WITH DOOR OPEN BUT ONLY IF THE KEY WAS IN THE OFF POSITION OR REMOVED. THE BATTERY IS GOOD. DOME LIGHT WOULD GO OUT IF KEY WAS TURNED. POWER CAME BACK ON AFTER REPEATEDLY PLAYING WITH IGNITION SWITCH. CAR HAS DIED TWICE NOW AND "FIXED ITSELF". I DO NOT FEEL THE PROBLEM IS IN THE IGNITION SWITCH. CAR IS NOT SAFE TO DRIVE. I FOUND COMPLAINT ODI #7441655 TO SOUND IDENTICAL TO MY PROBLEM.*AK

NHTSA ID
10058391
Incident
Feb 2, 2004
Mileage
92,945 mi
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
Heating & air conditioningElectrical
Filed Oct 27, 2002

CAR IS HARD TO SHIFT OUT OF NEUTRAL UNLESS THE PARKING BRAKE IS ENGAGED, THEN DIS-ENGAGED. DT

NHTSA ID
768967
Electrical
Filed Oct 9, 2001

AIR BAG ON / OFF SWITCH WAS INSTALLED IN VEHICLE AND WIRE THAT CONNECTS FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM TO COMPUTER WAS CUT. A PRIVATE MECHANIC DIAGNOSED THE PROBLEM. *AK *SLC

NHTSA ID
897493
Incident
Oct 7, 2001
ElectricalSteering
Filed Sep 6, 2001

CAR WONT START, THEN AFTER A TIME IT WILL START. IT HAS BEEN IN FOR SERVICE ON THIS MATTER NUMEROUS TIMES. THEY REMOVED MY ALARM SYSTEM THINKING THAT WAS THE PROBLEM, IT DIDN'T WORK. THEY SAY THEY CAN'T FIND THE PROBLEM, BUT WHEN I TOOK IT TO THEM TODAY, IT DIDN'T START FOR THEM EITHER. IT'S NOT SAFE TO DRIVE WHEN YOU CAN'T COUNT ON IT STARTING. *AK

NHTSA ID
751791
Electrical
Filed Apr 26, 2001

ALTERNATOR FAILED DURING NORMAL OPERATION. ALTERNATOR HAS BEEN REPLACED/WORKED ON THREE TIMES BECAUSE IT WAS HEATING UP DUE TO ITS LOCATION. *AK

NHTSA ID
886859
Incident
Mar 6, 1998
ElectricalInterior & seats
Filed Apr 13, 2001

HEADLIGHTS AND DASHBOARD LIGHTS KEPT FLASHING. MECHANIC SAID IT WAS AN ELECTRICAL PROBLEM.*AK

NHTSA ID
885871
Incident
Jan 1, 2001
Electrical
Filed Feb 27, 2001

VEHICLE STALLED OUT WITHOUT WARNING, ALL ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS ARE INOPERABLE WHEN VEHICLE STALLS, DEALER HAS NOT BEEN ABLE TO DUPLICATE PROB. *AK

NHTSA ID
741655
Incident
Feb 7, 2001
Electrical
Filed Feb 7, 2001

VEHICLE STALLED OUT AND DIED WITH OUT WARNING. ALL OF ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS ARE INOPERABLE WHEN VEHICLE STALLS. DEALER HAS NOT BEEN ABLE TO DUPLICATE PROBLEM.*AK THE CONSUMER WAS CONCERNED ABOUT SAFETY IF THE VEHICLE POSSIBLY STALLS ON HIGHWAY, ESPECIALY AT NIGHT. *YH

NHTSA ID
879985
Incident
Dec 25, 2000
Electrical
Filed Aug 30, 1999

VEHICLE BEEN EXPERIENCING ONGOING / INTERMITTENT PROBLEM SWITH HORN GOING OFF NO MATTER IF VEHICLE IS OFF OR ON. DEALER NOTIFIED AND INFORMED CONSUMER THAT HORN PAD ASSEMBLY NEEDS REPLACING. SEEKING HELP FROM NHTSA IN THIS MATTER. *AK

NHTSA ID
846173
Incident
Aug 17, 1999
Electrical
Filed Feb 19, 1999

CONSUMER EXPERIENCING ONGOING PROBLEM WITH HORN GOING OFF FOR UNKNOWN REASON; VEHICLE BEEN IN DEALER SHOP ON TWO OCCASIONS, AND PROBLEM STILL OCCURRING. *AK

NHTSA ID
835072
Incident
Feb 8, 1999
ElectricalTransmission
Filed Mar 13, 1998

BATTERY FAILED.

NHTSA ID
532594
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
Electrical
Filed May 1, 1995

WHILE DRIVING, ENGINE JUST SHUTS OFF. TT

NHTSA ID
964584
Incident
Apr 28, 1995
Electrical
Filed Jan 31, 1995

CAR STALLS WHILE DRIVING, ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON. REPLACED ECM TO NO AVAIL. TT

NHTSA ID
959368
Incident
Dec 24, 1994

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

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Elsewhere on this vehicle

Data sources

Data on this page last refreshed .