IllustrationELECTRICAL SYSTEMS CONTROLLED BY SIGNAL LEVER DO NOT WORK EXCEPT BY HOLDING LEVER IN CERTAIN POSITIONS: I.E. BRAKE LIGHTS, SIGNAL LEVER L UP, TURN SIGNALS SWITCH LEVER UP, HIGH BEAMS NO GO ETC. ALL THE TIME.
1990 Buick Regal
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
Similar to other model years
Owner complaints for the 1990 Buick Regal do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 29.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Regal years →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: 2 of 77 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 42 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 6 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Structure. Review the 6 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
7 crash reports1 fire reports7 injury reports
Electrical System complaints
4 reportsNOT STARTING (ENGINE TRIES TO START BUT JUST WON'T CATCH) AND STALLING WHILE IDLING. #1 OF 6: TOOK CAR FROM HOME, DROVE ABOUT 15 MILES, TURNED IT OFF FOR OVER AN HOUR, DROVE ABOUT 1/10 MILE, TURNED IT OFF FOR OVER AN HOUR, WOULDN'T START. LEFT IT SIT FOR 30 MINUTES. STARTED UP JUST FINE. #2 OF 6: TOOK CAR FROM HOME, DROVE …
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NOT STARTING (ENGINE TRIES TO START BUT JUST WON'T CATCH) AND STALLING WHILE IDLING. #1 OF 6: TOOK CAR FROM HOME, DROVE ABOUT 15 MILES, TURNED IT OFF FOR OVER AN HOUR, DROVE ABOUT 1/10 MILE, TURNED IT OFF FOR OVER AN HOUR, WOULDN'T START. LEFT IT SIT FOR 30 MINUTES. STARTED UP JUST FINE. #2 OF 6: TOOK CAR FROM HOME, DROVE ABOUT 5 MILES, TURNED IT OFF FOR 2 HOURS, DROVE ABOUT 1/2 MILE, TURNED IT OFF FOR ABOUT 15 MINUTES, WOULDN'T START. LEFT IT SIT FOR 10 MINUTES. STARTED UP FINE, ALTHOUGH I FOLLOWED PROCEDURE FOR FLOODED ENGINE. STOPPED ABOUT 2 BLOCKS AGAIN TO GET GAS. STARTED UP FINE AGAIN. #3 OF 6: TOOK CAR FROM HOME, DID A LOT OF START/STOP DRIVING THAT MORNING. LATER THAT AFTERNOON DROVE ABOUT 10 MILES, TURNED IF OFF FOR OVER AN HOUR, STARTED UP FINE, DROVE ABOUT 1/2 MILE, HAD TO STOP AT STOP LIGHT. WHILE IDLING, STALLED OUT. WOULDN'T START FOR ABOUT 10 MINUTES. AT THIS POINT I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER. THE DEALER REPLACED THE PROM AND IDLE AIR CONTROL VALVE. #4 OF 6: 2 DAYS AFTER DEALER REPLACED THE ABOVE, IT STALLED AFTER FILLING THE GAS TANK AND DRIVING JUST A SHORT DISTANCE. HOWEVER, UNLIKE ALL OTHER TIMES IT STARTED UP WITHIN A MINUTE. (IT WAS RAINY THAT EVENING.) TOOK BACK TO DEALER. HE SEALED THE CONNECTIONS - THOUGHT MAYBE THEY GOT WET. #5 OF 6: ABOUT 5 WEEKS LATER WE WENT ON A LONG TRIP AND ALL WAS WELL UNTIL WE WENT TO A STORE AND BACK AND THEN ABOUT 30 MINUTES LATER IT WOULD NOT START. #6 OF 6: DROVE HOME FROM WORK (14 MILES), STOPPED FOR GAS ABOUT 1 MILE FROM HOME, FILLED TANK, DROVE HOME, LEFT CAR SIT FOR 45 MINUTES, DROVE ABOUT 3 MILES, LEFT CAR SIT FOR 1 AND 1/4 HOURS, WOULDN'T START. HAD RAINED EARLIER IN THE DAY, BUT THE ROADS WERE FAIRLY DRY. THIS HAPPENED TONIGHT. TOMORROW I WILL PHONE THE DEALER. DOES THIS HAPPEN TO OTHER REGAL OWNERS AND WHAT HAS BEEN DONE TO CORRECT IT? I AM ALMOST SCARED TO DRIVE ANYMORE. DEPENDING WHERE IT STALLS, THIS COULD CAUSE AN ACCIDENT. MIGHT I ADD THAT I HAVEN'T HAD ANY MAJOR PRO
ELECTRIC FUEL PUMP FAILED.
ELECTRONIC CONTROL MODULE FAILED, CAUSING VEHICLE TO STALL.
Official recalls
800V189000 · 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.
91V005000 · Seat Belts
Oct 2, 1991
FRONT SHOULDER SAFETY BELT WEBBING MAY SEPARATE AT FRONT BELT UPPER GUIDE LOOPS ON EITHER SIDE OF THE FRONT SEAT.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: WEBBING SEPARATION COULD OCCUR WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING ANDINCREASE THE RISK OF INJURY TO BELTED FRONT OUTBOARD OCCUPANTS IN A HIGH ENERGYCRASH.
Remedy: INSTALL A CONTROLLED ROTATION BRACKET ON DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE FRONT SEAT BELT GUIDE LOOPS.
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.
90V112000 · Seat Belts:front:webbing
Jun 6, 1990
OWNERS MANUALS DID NOT FULLY EXPLAIN HOW FRONT SHOULDER BELT COMFORT FEATURE WORKS.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: CARS WOULD NOT COMPLY WITH FMVSS 208, AND INCORRECT USE OF SAFETY RESTRAINTS COULD LEAD TO PERSONAL INJURY TO OCCUPANTS IF AN ACCIDENTSHOULD OCCUR.
Remedy: INSERT STICKER THAT PROVIDES MISSING INFORMATION IN OWNERS MANUALS.
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
10RP01001 · 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
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
EA91049 · Jack Failure
Opened Nov 26, 1991 · Closed Oct 28, 1992
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Equipment
===
PE91107 · Jack Failure
Opened Aug 1, 1991 · Closed Nov 26, 1991
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Equipment
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