RoadVitals

1995 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.
173
Latest Jul 2, 2014
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.
8
Latest Jul 3, 2000
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.
1
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.
20
14 injuries, 0 deaths reported

Overview

Our database contains 173 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 1995 Buick Regal, most frequently naming the airbags, brakes and engine categories. 8 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; 1 NHTSA investigation names it; and 60 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

8 campaigns cover this model year

View all 8

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
00V171000

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL

Jul 3, 2000
268,146 units potentially affected
The defect: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. CORROSION OF THE AIR BAG INFLATOR'S INTERNAL WIRING, WHICH CAN OCCUR OVER TIME, COULD CAUSE THE INADVERTENT DEPLOYMENT OF THE DRIVER'S AIR BAG. THIS DEPLOYMENT COULD OCCUR DURING VEHICLE START-UP, WHILE THE VEHICLE IS PARKED OR IDLING, OR WHILE IN OPERATION.
The risk: IF THE CONSUMER IS TOO CLOSE TO AN INFLATING AIR BAG, SERIOUS INJURIES COULD OCCUR.
The remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE INFLATORS ON THESE AIR BAGS.
GENERAL MOTORS CORP.Manufacturer number 00058View on NHTSA.gov
98V306000

SEAT BELTS:FRONT:ANCHORAGE

Dec 1, 1998
111,470 units potentially affected
The defect: THE CENTER REAR SEAT BELT ANCHOR PLATE EXHIBITS STRESS CRACKS.
The risk: IN THE EVENT OF A VEHICLE CRASH, THE SEAT BELT SYSTEM CAN FRACTURE, INCREASING THE RISK OF INJURY TO THE SEAT OCCUPANT.
The remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE CENTER REAR SEAT BELT SYSTEM.
GENERAL MOTORS CORP.View on NHTSA.gov
97V065000

SEAT BELTS:FRONT:ANCHORAGE

Apr 18, 1997
50,709 units potentially affected
The defect: THE CENTER REAR SEAT BELT ANCHOR PLATE EXHIBITS STRESS CRACKS.
The risk: IN THE EVENT OF A VEHICLE CRASH, THE SEAT BELT SYSTEM CAN FRACTURE AND INJURY TO THE SEAT OCCUPANT CAN OCCUR.
The remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE CENTER REAR SEAT BELT SYSTEM.
GENERAL MOTORS CORP.View on NHTSA.gov

Safety investigations

NHTSA inquiries naming this vehicle. An investigation is not a finding of a defect.

EA99026ClosedEngineering Analysis

INADVERTENT AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT

Opened Aug 31, 1999
Closed Dec 28, 2001

There is no summary currently available

AIR BAGSLed to recall 00V171000

Recent owner complaints

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

View all 173
Electrical
Filed Jul 2, 2014

1) CAR SHUTS OFF WHILE IN MOTION 2) CAR REFUSES TO START / DOES NOT RECOGNIZE KEY & SIGNALS "ANTI-THEFT" I HAD BEEN DRIVING FOR ABOUT 30 MINUTES. TRAFFIC SLOWED AHEAD FOR A RED LIGHT. APPROACHING THE STOPPED CARS AHEAD I SLOWED MY CAR DOWN TO APPX. 15MPH. THE LIGHT TURNED GREEN. I HIT THE GAS TO CONTINUE AND WHEN NOTHING HAPPENED I REALIZED THAT MY CAR WAS COMPLETELY SHUT OFF. THE POWER STEERING WAS STIFF AND I HAD JUST ENOUGH SPEED LEFT TO MOVE ACROSS TWO LANES IN TO A STORE PARKING LOT. THE CAR SHUTOFF MULTIPLE TIMES AFTER THAT, BOTH WHILE DRIVING AND WHILE ATTEMPTING TO START THE CAR. THE MECHANIC THINKS THAT MY CAR IS NOT RECOGNIZING THE KEY & THAT I NEED A NEW KEY BECAUSE THEIR TESTS ARE SIGNALING THAT THE CAR WILL NOT CRANK DUE TO AN "ANTI-THEFT" ISSUE. I STRONGLY BELIEVE THAT HAS BEEN THE ISSUE THE ENTIRE TIME. THIS ISSUE IS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS & I AM LUCKY NOT TO HAVE WRECKED MY CAR THAT DAY. OVERALL, I HAVE BEEN LEFT STRANDED SEVERAL TIMES, SPENT THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS, AND HAD MY CAR TOWED 3 TIMES IN THE PAST YEAR. *TR

NHTSA ID
10607872
Incident
Jul 1, 2013
Mileage
76,000 mi
BrakesEngineSteering
Filed Mar 12, 2014

WHILE TRAVELING HOME FROM WORK ON A VERY BUSY STREET (HIGHWAY) THE CAR DIED. SINCE THEN I NEVER KNOW WHEN IT'S GOING TO DO IT AGAIN. SOME DAYS IT DIES 5 OR 6 TIMES. I'M A SENIOR RELIANT ON SOCIAL SECURITY INCOME AND ANY EXPENSE IS "UNWELCOME", HOWEVER, I HAVE SPENT NEARLY $1,000 TO NO AVAIL. SEVERAL TIMES AFTER A REPAIR THE CAR DIED A BLOCK FROM THE REPAIR SHOP. THIS USUALLY HAPPENS IN TRAFFIC. I HAVE TRAINED MYSELF TO FLIP THE SHIFT GEAR INTO NEUTRAL & TURN THE KEY ON(CAR USUALLY RESTARTS - IN 2 INSTANCES IT DID NOT AND I WAS ABLE TO NAVIGATE INTO A NEARBY DRIVEWAY USING "ARMSTRONG POWER STEERING"). CHARACTERISTICS ARE THE SAME AS THOSE NOTED IN THE CURRENT (MARCH 2014) GM RECALL. I LOVE THE VEHICLE AND AM NOT IN A POSITION TO BUY ANOTHER, THEREFORE, IT WOULD BE SPLENDID FOR GM TO OFFER TO REPAIR IT. IT IS NOT JUST ME, AN AUTO REPAIR SHOP LOOKED ON-LINE @ WWW.CARCRAZY.COM AND DISCOVERED MANY BUICK REGAL OWNERS AS FAR BACK AS 1993 & 94 HAVE THE SAME ISSUE. *TR

NHTSA ID
10568728
Incident
Nov 1, 2011
Mileage
110,000 mi
Airbags
Filed May 9, 2012

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1995 BUICK REGAL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AS THE ENGINE WAS STARTED, THE DRIVER SIDE AIR BAG EXPLODED HAPHAZARDLY. THE AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT BURNED THE CONTACT'S FACE AND HANDS AS HE WAS TRYING TO STOP THE AIR BAG WITH HIS HANDS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INVOLVED IN A CRASH OR ANY TYPE OF SLIGHT IMPACT. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 190,000.

NHTSA ID
10457884
Incident
May 9, 2012
Mileage
190,000 mi
Engine
Filed Aug 22, 2011

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1995 BUICK REGAL. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 30 MPH WHEN THE SMELL OF FUEL ENTERED THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A LOCAL MECHANIC AND THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THERE WAS AN ISSUE WITH THE EXHAUST SYSTEM. THE CONTACT DID NOT HAVE ANY REPAIRS DONE TO THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE AS 103,000.

NHTSA ID
10420960
Incident
Jan 8, 2010
Mileage
103,000 mi
EngineFuel system
Filed Feb 29, 2008

THE CAR LOST POWER ON FREEWAY, TOWED, REPAIRED=ALTERNATOR AND INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET AND PLENUM REPLACED ($812.80). TWO DAYS LATER, THE CAR LOST POWER ON FREEWAY, TOWED, REPAIRED=BURNT WIRE AND RELAY LEADING TO FUEL PUMP REPLACED, NO CHARGE FOR REPAIR. TWO DAYS LATER, THE CAR LOST POWER ON FREEWAY, TOWED, SPUN CRANKSHAFT BEARING. THIS CAR HAS 74,976.1 ORIGINAL MILES. *TR

NHTSA ID
10219700
Incident
Feb 18, 2008
Mileage
74,976 mi
Engine
Filed Jan 5, 2008

I OWN A 1995 BUICK REGAL. THE ENGINE IS HYDROLOCKED I'VE BEEN TOLD. THE INTAKE WAS LEAKING COOLANT FOR A WHILE AT THE PLASTIC MANIFOLD. I'VE DONE RESEARCH ON THE INTERNET AND SEE THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM. I'VE READ SOMEWHERE THAT GM TAKES RESPONSIBILITY FOR IT AND ISSUED A FIX BY ADDING A PILL ADDITIVE TO THE COOLANT OR SOMETHING. I WASN'T AWARE OF THIS AND MY ENGINE IS TOTALLY SHOT. I'M A POOR SENIOR CITIZEN AND CAN'T AFFORD TO FIX A CAR. I HAVE NO WAY TO GET AROUND. PLEASE FORCE GM TO ENACT A RECALL AND REIMBURSE ALL DAMAGE CAUSED BY THEIR FAULTY ENGINEERING. PLEASE. *CN

NHTSA ID
10213774
Incident
Jan 1, 2008
SteeringSuspension
Filed May 7, 2007

1) NO SPECIFIC EVENT - NOTICED DURING BRAKE INSPECTION 2) ALIGNMENT AND STEERING - REAR TRAILING ARMS RUSTED THROUGH - CAR, UNSAFE TO DRIVE PER SHOP, WOULD NOT ACCEPT RESPONSIBILITY FOR IT IF DRIVEN OFF THE PREMISES. 3) PARTS NEED REPLACEMENT - WILL SAVE OLD PARTS. *AK

NHTSA ID
10190025
Incident
Jan 9, 2007
Mileage
151,950 mi
Electrical
Filed Aug 3, 2006

SECURITY LIGHT CAME ON DASH. DID NOT GO OUT. WAS TOLD IF I DIDN'T GET IT REPAIRED THE CAR WOULD LOSE POWER AND I WOULDN'T BE ABLE TO START IT WITH THE KEYS I PRESENTLY POSSESSED. *JB

NHTSA ID
10164415
Incident
May 29, 2006
Mileage
89,659 mi

Manufacturer communications

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

PIP4723F

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE; SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

This Preliminary Information communicates to the dealer the process for downloading or updating operating software for the Tire Pressure Monitor, Active Fuel Injector tester, multi media tester, PICO Scope, GR8 starting/charging tester  and Vehicle Data Recorder tools, giving website address and step by step instructions to complete the update.

PIP4723D

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

This Preliminary Information communicates to the dealer the process for downloading or updating operating software for the Tire Pressure Monitor, Active Fuel Injector tester, multi media tester, PICO Scope, GR8 starting/charging tester  and Vehicle Data Recorder tools, giving website address and step by step instructions to complete the update.

19NA273

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM; EQUIPMENT

This informational bulletin provides information for dealers/technicians on Procedures to Unlock Delco Radio with Theftlock.

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.

17NA073

EQUIPMENT

This warranty administration bulletin provides information regarding the field action courtesy transportation policy.

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.

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
1995Viewing1738160.0
19941103049.2
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.