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1989 Buick Regal

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

More warning signs than most Regal years

Owner complaints for the 1989 Buick Regal are substantially higher than the model-year median of 29.

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How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

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Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.

What owners reported most

All reported categories

Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

Limited mileage data: 1 of 106 reports include usable mileage. There isn’t enough coverage to show a useful chart.

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Service Brakes, Hydraulic. Review the 51 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Structure. Review the 15 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Electrical System. Review the 14 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

8 crash reports2 fire reports3 injury reports

Structure complaints

15 reports
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80,000 miles · Apr 5, 2006
Structure

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING UNDER 10 MPH, THE ENGINE FELL OUT FROM UNDER THE VEHICLE. THIS OCCURRED IN FRONT OF THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE AND THE CONTACT DETERMINED THE REAR CRADLE BOLT BROKE AND REPAIRED THE VEHICLE. THERE IS A NHTSA RECALL, # 97V058000, REGARDING THE STRUCTURE. THE VEHICLE HAS THE SAME PROBLEMS AS …

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DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING UNDER 10 MPH, THE ENGINE FELL OUT FROM UNDER THE VEHICLE. THIS OCCURRED IN FRONT OF THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE AND THE CONTACT DETERMINED THE REAR CRADLE BOLT BROKE AND REPAIRED THE VEHICLE. THERE IS A NHTSA RECALL, # 97V058000, REGARDING THE STRUCTURE. THE VEHICLE HAS THE SAME PROBLEMS AS INDICATED IN THE RECALL; HOWEVER, IT IS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO THE VIN.

NHTSA ODI #10154623

Mileage unknown · Apr 10, 2002
Structure

CRADLE HAS ROTTED OUT BECAUSE THE CRADLE BOLTS HAVE RUSTED. GMC HAS ISSUED A RECALL 00 V 189 000. DEALER : NEAL BUICK, MEDFORD, NY 631-289-7800 REFUSED TO PERFORM RECALL REPAIRS DUE TO ENGINE CRADLE ROTTING. PLEASE PROVIDE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION.*AK

NHTSA ODI #8007296

Mileage unknown · Mar 21, 2002
Structure

WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, CONSUMER HEARD A NOISE. PULLED OVER AND SAW SUBFRAME HANGING DOWN IN FRONT OF VEHICLE, MOTOR WAS LEANING INTO COOLING FANS AND RADIATORS. *JG *AK

NHTSA ODI #8006134

Mileage unknown · Nov 7, 2001
Structure

CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE INTO DEALER TO HAVE RECALL 00V189000 REPAIRS CONCERNING REAR CRADLE BOLTS. DEALER DENIED RECALL REPAIRS DUE TO VEHICLE BEING DAMAGED/ RUSTED AND HAD TOO MANY MILES. DEALER OFFERED TO BUY BACK VEHICLE. *AK CONSUMER WAS DRIVING VEHICLE AT TIME OF BOLT RETAINER FAILURE, VEHICLE WENT INTO A DITCH. *JB

NHTSA ODI #898848

Mileage unknown · May 22, 2001
Structure

THE REAR CRABLE BOLTS SHEARED OFF THE VEHICLE WHILE DRIVING CAUSING THE FRAME OF THE VEHICLE TO FALL TO THE GROUND WHICH ALSO DAMAGED THE OIL PAN AND SEPARATED THE STEERING SHAFT, THE DRIVER LOST THE ABILITY TO STEER AND BRAKE, THE CRADLE BOLTS WERE PREVIOUSLY RECALLED AND REPLACED IN 1997 (97V-058).

NHTSA ODI #561283

Mileage unknown · Oct 26, 2000
Structure

CONSUMER IS NOT ABLE TO RECEIVE RECALL REPAIR (00V-189) DUE TO LACK OF PARTS, VEHICLE IS EXPERIENCING PROBLEMS DUE TO COMPONENT FAILURE. *MJS

NHTSA ODI #556877

Mileage unknown · Aug 14, 2000
Engine And Engine CoolingStructure

CONSUMER WAS DRIVING WHEN THE MOTOR SUDDENLY DROPPED TO THE STREET ALONG WITH THE TRANSMISSION. NLM

NHTSA ODI #553730

Mileage unknown · Jan 26, 2000
Structure

CONSUMER WAS DENIED RECALL REPAIR 00V-189 DUE TO THE MISSING UPPER BUSHINGS AND UNACCEPTABLE LOWER BUSHINGS, DEALER REFUSED REPAIR UNTIL THE BUSHINGS WERE REPAIRED. NLM

NHTSA ODI #559219

Mileage unknown · Nov 15, 1999
Structure

WHILE DRIVING TO WORK HEARD A LOUD NOISE. PULLED INTO A LOCAL STORE AND STEERING WHEEL WAS HARD TO MOVE. LOOKED UP UNDER THE FRAME, AND SAW THAT FRAME SEPARATED FROM THE BODY OF THE CAR. CONSUMER LOST CONTROL DUE TO THE CRADLE BOLTS PULLING THROUGH THE RUSTED OUT FRAME. *AK

NHTSA ODI #852900

Mileage unknown · Sep 30, 1999
Structure

THE FRONT CRADLE RETAINER WASHER (BOLTS) HAD RUSTED OUT ON THE PASSENGER'S SIDE. THIS CAUSED IT TO ROCK. DRIVER'S SIDE BOLTS HAD RUSTED, BUT HAVE NOT BROKEN THROUGH. YET, THIS CAUSED THE ENGINE TO DROP. WAS CHANGING THE OIL & NOTICED THE CRADLE BOLTS. *AK

NHTSA ODI #849648

Official recalls

7

00V189000 · Structure

Jul 11, 2000

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES ORIGINALLY SOLD OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN THE STATES OF CONNECTICUT, DELAWARE, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, IOWA, MAINE, MARYLAND, MASSACHUSETTS, MICHIGAN, MINNESOTA, MISSOURI, NEW HAMPSHIRE, NEW JERSEY, NEW YORK, OHIO, PENNSYLVANIA, RHODE ISLAND, VERMONT, WEST VIRGINIA, WISCONSIN, AND THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, WHERE ROAD SALT USE IS HEAVY. A CONDITION WHERE ONE OR BOTH FRONT ENGINE CRADLE BOLTS CAN PULL THROUGH THE RETAINERS DUE TO CORROSION OF THE RETAINERS.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: IF BOTH BOLTS PULL THROUGH, THE FRONT OF THE CRADLE WOULD NO LONGER BE SUPPORTED AT THE MOUNTING LOCATIONS AND THE STEERING INTERMEDIATE SHAFT COULD SEPARATE FROM THE STEERING GEAR.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FRONT AND REAR FRAME/CRADLE BOLTS AND RETAINERS.

97V058000 · Structure

Apr 8, 1997

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES AND MINI VANS ORIGINALLY SOLD OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN THE FOLLOWING STATES: CONNECTICUT, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, MAINE, MASSACHUSETTS, MICHIGAN, NEW HAMPSHIRE, NEW JERSEY, NEW YORK, OHIO, PENNSYLVANIA, RHODE ISLAND, VERMONT AND WISCONSIN. THE REAR CRADLE BOLTS PULL THROUGH THE RETAINERS DUE TO CORROSION OF THE RETAINER. IF BOTH BOLTS PULL THROUGH, THE REAR CRADLE WOULD NOT LONGER BE SUPPORTED AT THESE MOUNTING LOCATIONS AND THE STEERING INTERMEDIATE SHAFT CAN SEPARATE FROM THE STEERING GEAR.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: IF THIS WERE TO OCCUR WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION, A VEHICLE CRASH COULD RESULT.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE REAR CRADLE BOLTS AND RETAINERS.

95V115000 · Wheels

Jun 5, 1995

CRACKS DEVELOP IN THE WHEEL MOUNTING SURFACE. IF THESE CRACKS BECOME SEVERE ENOUGH, THE WHEEL WILL COMPLETELY SEPARATE FROM THE VEHICLE.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: IF WHEEL SEPARATION OCCURS WHILE THE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION, LOSS OF STEERING AND BRAKE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE OCCURS, AND A VEHICLE CRASH COULD RESULT WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE MANUFACTURING DATE CODES STAMPED ON EACH WHEEL OF THE VEHICLE AND IF A WHEEL FALLS WITHIN THE SPECIFIED DATE CODE RANGE, THE DEALER WILL REPLACE THAT WHEEL ASSEMBLY.

94V041000 · Wheels

Mar 28, 1995

CRACKS DEVELOP IN THE WHEEL MOUNTING SURFACE. IF THESE CRACKS BECOME SEVERE ENOUGH, THE WHEEL WILL COMPLETELY SEPARATE FROM THE VEHICLE.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: IF WHEEL SEPARATION OCCURS WHILE THE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION, LOSS OF STEERING AND BRAKE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE OCCURS, AND A VEHICLE CRASH COULD RESULT WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE MANUFACTURING CODES STAMPED ON EACH WHEEL OF THE VEHICLE AND IF A WHEEL FALLS WITHIN THE SPECIFIED DATE CODE RANGE, THE DEALER WILL REPLACE THAT WHEEL ASSEMBLY.

90V185000 · Exterior Lighting:brake Lights:switch

Oct 16, 1990

BRAKE STOPLAMPS MAY NOT ILLUMINATE OR, IN SOME CASES, STOPLAMPS WILL NOT STAY ILLUMINATED ALL THE TIME WHEN BRAKES ARE APPLIED DUE TO A FAULTY STOPLAMP SWITCH. ALSO IN VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH CRUISE CONTROL, A FAULTY STOPLAMP SWITCH CAN RESULT IN RESUMPTION OF THE CRUISE CONTROL FUNCTION UPON RELEASE OF THE BRAKE PEDAL.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: A TRAILING VEHICLE MAY NOT RECOGNIZE A BRAKING ACTIONIN TIME TO RESPOND APPROPRIATELY. ALSO, CRUISE CONTROL WILL REENGAGE UPONRELEASE OF THE BRAKE PEDAL AND RESUME THE SET SPEED. IN EITHER CASE, IT COULDRESULT IN A CRASH WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING.

Remedy: INSTALL AN IMPROVED DESIGN STOPLAMP SWITCH.

90V054000 · Seat Belts

Mar 14, 1990

FRONT SHOULDER BELT GUIDE LOOP ATTACHMENT FASTENER MAY PULL THROUGH DOOR MOUNTED ANCHOR PLATE.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: SEAT BELT MAY NOT SUSTAIN LOADS REQUIRED BY FMVSS 210, AND IN A VEHICLE ACCIDENT, THE SEAT BELT MAY NOT PROPERLY RESTRAIN A PASSENGER, RESULTING IN INCREASED RISK OF GREATER INJURY TO AN OCCUPANT.

Remedy: REPLACE FRONT SHOULDER BELT GUIDE LOOP ATTACHMENT NUTS AND INSTALL NEW GUIDE COVER.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

11

RP01001 · Structure

Opened Nov 28, 2001 · Closed Jun 13, 2002

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Structure

There is no summary currently available

EA00011 · Engine Cradle Separation

Opened Apr 10, 2000 · Closed Jan 12, 2001

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Engine And Engine Cooling

THE ENGINE CRADLE FRONT BOLTS AND/OR RETAINERS MAY FAIL, ALLOWING THE FRONT OF THE ENGINE CRADLE TO FALL, POSSIBLY SEPARATING THE STEERING INTERMEDIATE SHAFT FROM THE STEERING GEAR, WITH COMPLETE LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL

RQ99002 · Engine Cradle Separation

Opened Mar 4, 1999 · No close date supplied

Status: open (inferred from source dates) · Engine And Engine Cooling:engine

ON APRIL 1, 1997, GENERAL MOTORS CORPORATION FILED A DEFECT INFORMATION REPORT TO RECALL THE SUBJECT VEHICLES, REGISTERED IN 14 HIGH CORROSION STATES, TO REPLACE THE REAR ENGINE CRADLE BOLTS AND RETAINERS.THE REAR ENGINE CRADLE BOLTS WOULD EITHER FRACTURER OR PULL THROUGH THE RETIANERS DUE TO CORROSION.AS OF SEPTEMBER 1998, THE SIXTH QUARTER, 59.3% OF THE SUBJECT VEHICLES HAD BEEN REPAIRED.IN ADDITION TO THE COMPLAINTS OF FRONT ENGINE CRADLE BOLT FAILURES IN THE ABOVE FAILURE REPORT SUMMARY, ODI HAS RECEIVED SIX REPORTS OF POSSIBLE FRONT ENGINE CRADLE BOLT FAILURES, INCLUDING TWO CRASHES.AN RQ IS WARRANTED TO DETERMINE THE EXTENT OF FAILURES OF THE FRONT ENGINE CRADLE BOLTS AND RETAINERS ON THE SUBJECT VEHICLES.

RQ97017 · Cradle Bolt Failures

Opened Oct 2, 1997 · No close date supplied

Status: open (inferred from source dates) · Structure

There is no summary currently available

PE94063 · Corroded Rear Disk Brakes

Opened Aug 12, 1994 · Closed Dec 21, 1994

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Service Brakes, Hydraulic

There is no summary currently available

PE94048 · SUB-FRAME Absorber Failure

Opened Jun 21, 1994 · Closed Dec 30, 1994

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Engine And Engine Cooling

There is no summary currently available

EA92024 · Sticking Throttle

Opened Jun 26, 1992 · Closed Jan 31, 1994

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Vehicle Speed Control:linkages

There is no summary currently available

EA91055 · W-CAR Hinge Pin Failure

Opened Dec 5, 1991 · Closed Aug 17, 1992

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Structure

There is no summary currently available

PE91133 · W-CAR Hinge Pin Failure

Opened Oct 1, 1991 · Closed Dec 5, 1991

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Structure

There is no summary currently available

PE91072 · Steering Wheel Separation

Opened May 1, 1991 · Closed Jul 8, 1991

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Steering

There is no summary currently available

PE90088 · Failure Stop Lamp Switch

Opened Jun 11, 1990 · Closed Oct 31, 1990

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Exterior Lighting

There is no summary currently available