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1991 Buick Regal

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

More warning signs than most Regal years

Owner complaints for the 1991 Buick Regal are substantially higher than the model-year median of 29.

About this comparison →

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

Limited mileage data: 12 of 200 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 114 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Structure. Review the 20 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 15 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

13 crash reports4 fire reports8 injury reports

Exterior Lighting complaints

8 reports
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Mileage unknown · Mar 8, 2004
Exterior Lighting

FAULTY TURN SIGNAL SWITCH. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10060730

Mileage unknown · Feb 27, 2001
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine CoolingExterior Lighting

CONSUMER HAS EXPERIENCED SEVERAL PROBLEMS WITH THIS VEHICLE, BRAKES HAVE BEEN REPLACED 5 TIMES, MOST RECENTLY THE CONSUMER WAS DRIVING AND NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM THE LEFT FRONT WHEEL, CALIPERS HAD BEEN STICKING AND BINDING. ECM FAILED AND WAS REPLACED. HEATER PIPE WAS LEAKING AND WAS REPLACED. WINDSHIELD WASHER DIDN'T WORK…

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CONSUMER HAS EXPERIENCED SEVERAL PROBLEMS WITH THIS VEHICLE, BRAKES HAVE BEEN REPLACED 5 TIMES, MOST RECENTLY THE CONSUMER WAS DRIVING AND NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM THE LEFT FRONT WHEEL, CALIPERS HAD BEEN STICKING AND BINDING. ECM FAILED AND WAS REPLACED. HEATER PIPE WAS LEAKING AND WAS REPLACED. WINDSHIELD WASHER DIDN'T WORK RIGHT. LEFT AND RIGHT LENS COVERS REPLACED DUE TO WATER ENTERING THEM. POWER DOOR LOCK FAILED AND WAS REPLACED. LEFT SIDE MIRROR WAS REPLACED. OIL SENSOR WAS REPLACED. LEFT WINDOW MOTOR FAILED AND WAS REPLACED. RIGHT FRONT LAMP REPLACED. *SLC

NHTSA ODI #881639

Mileage unknown · Nov 29, 2000
Exterior Lighting

VERY SLIGHT AMOUNT OF SMOKE COMING FROM STEERING COLUMN INFREQUENTLY. DEALER SAYS THIS IS NOT A SAFETY DEFECT BECAUSE NO RECALL HAS BEEN ORDERED. SAYS IT'S THE TURN SIGNAL SWITCH AND WILL NOT CATCH FIRE. I BELIEVE THAT THIS IS A SAFETY DEFECT THAT THE MANUFACTURER SHOULD BE REQUIRED TO REPAIR.

NHTSA ODI #737028

Mileage unknown · May 17, 2000
Exterior Lighting

DIRECTIONAL LIGHT ASSEMBLY CRACKED, CAUSING LOSS OF TURN SIGNALS. PARTS HAVE BEEN ON BACK ORDER SINCE DECEMBER. NO FUTURE DATE WAS GIVEN. *AK

NHTSA ODI #862025

Mileage unknown · Apr 18, 2000
Exterior Lighting

THE BRAKE LIGHT AND TURN SIGNALS WORK WHEN THEY FEEL LIKE IT. IT IS AND ELECTRICAL SWITCH IN THE STEERING COLUMN THAT NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. BUICK IS REVIEWING THE SITUATION AND DECIDING WHAT THEY ARE GOING TO DO. THEY DO NOT HAVE A REPLACEMENT PART MADE AT THIS TIME. IT IS ON NATIONAL BACKORDER AND WILL BE UNTIL THEY HAVE IT…

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THE BRAKE LIGHT AND TURN SIGNALS WORK WHEN THEY FEEL LIKE IT. IT IS AND ELECTRICAL SWITCH IN THE STEERING COLUMN THAT NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. BUICK IS REVIEWING THE SITUATION AND DECIDING WHAT THEY ARE GOING TO DO. THEY DO NOT HAVE A REPLACEMENT PART MADE AT THIS TIME. IT IS ON NATIONAL BACKORDER AND WILL BE UNTIL THEY HAVE IT MANUFACTURED. IT WILL COST LIVES IN THE LONGRUN.

NHTSA ODI #721645

Mileage unknown · Oct 1, 1999
Exterior Lighting

TURN SIGNAL LEVER-SOMETIMES WILL NOT TURN COMPLETELY OFF AFTER COMPLETING TURN(BAD SPRING PREHAPS) SOMETIMES A/C COMPRESSOR WILL NOT TURN ON WHEN A/C BUTTON IS PUSHED BUT IF YOU PLAY AROUND WITH IT WILL EVENTUALLY TURN ON(WE THINK ITS A FAULTY WIRE), 3 OR 4 INTRIGUING INSTANCES WHEN A LITTLE PUFF OF WHITE SMOKE HAS COME UP THRO…

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TURN SIGNAL LEVER-SOMETIMES WILL NOT TURN COMPLETELY OFF AFTER COMPLETING TURN(BAD SPRING PREHAPS) SOMETIMES A/C COMPRESSOR WILL NOT TURN ON WHEN A/C BUTTON IS PUSHED BUT IF YOU PLAY AROUND WITH IT WILL EVENTUALLY TURN ON(WE THINK ITS A FAULTY WIRE), 3 OR 4 INTRIGUING INSTANCES WHEN A LITTLE PUFF OF WHITE SMOKE HAS COME UP THROUGH THE TOP OF THE STEERING COLUM SEAM(THE LITTLE SEAM IN IT THAT ALLOWS THE WHEEL TO TILT) EVERYTHING ATTACHED TO THE STEERING COLUM STILL WORKS, ALSO THE PAINT HAS EXCEVILLY FADED ESPICALLY ON THE BUMPERS AND MIRRORS(THE BUMPERS ARE A SLIGHTLY DIFFERENT COLOR FROM THE BODY WHIC ALSO HAS FADING PAINT) THE CAR IS A DARK RED AND HAS BEEN GARAGE KEPT, ALSO THE PASSENGER SEAT BELT HAD TO BE REPLACED BECAUSE IT WOULDN'T RETRACT, OVERALL IT HAS BEEN THE MOST RELIABLE CAR I HAVE EVER OWNED, BUT THE MAIN REASON I WROTE IS BECAUSE OF THE ODOMETER, PLEASE CONTACT ME IF IT WOULD BE POSSIBLE TO GET IT FIXED DISCOUNTED OR FREE

NHTSA ODI #712644

Mileage unknown · Oct 15, 1998
Exterior Lighting

HEADLIGHT SWITCH IS NOT TURNING OFF HEADLIGHTS PROPERLY. CONSUMER REPORTED PUSHING HEADLIGHT BUTTON BETWEEN 5-10 MIN UNTIL LIGHTS ARE ABLE TO TURN OFF. DEALER NOTIFIED. *AK

NHTSA ODI #828967

Mileage unknown · Apr 21, 1998
Electrical SystemExterior LightingFuel System, Gasoline

ABS OPEN ACCUMULATOR & PRESSURE SWITCH FAILED. MJS

NHTSA ODI #605779

Official recalls

6

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.

95V152000 · Exterior Lighting

Aug 8, 1995

INCORRECT CLEAR FRONT SIDE MARKER BULBS WERE INSTALLED RATHER THAN AMBER BULBS. THIS DOES NOT CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT."

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: CONSEQUENCE OF NON-COMPLIANCE: DURING ILLUMINATION, THE BULBS WILL SHOW CLEAR RATHER THAN AMBER AND COULD MOMENTARILY CONFUSE OTHER DRIVERS.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE CLEAR BULBS WITH THE CORRECT AMBER BULBS.

92V003000 · Seat Belts

Jan 10, 1992

THE FRONT DOOR SHOULDER BELT GUIDE LOOPS MAY BE CRACKED AND ARE NOT IN COMPLIANCE WITH FMVSS 208.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: THE SEAT OCCUPANT FACES INCREASED RISK OF INJURY IN THEEVENT OF A SUDDEN STOP OR ACCIDENT.

Remedy: INSTALL REINFORCING PLATES ON THE CRACKED SHOULDER BELT GUIDES.

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.

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

10

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

PE93039 · Fuel Line Separation

Opened Apr 27, 1993 · Closed Sep 14, 1993

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

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

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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