1985 Buick Regal
Only 9 complaints on file — too few for a fair verdict.
This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.
Only 9 complaints on file — too few for a fair verdict. The data below is complete but unranked.
COMPLAINTS PER YEAR
View as data table
| Year | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 1980 | 0 |
| 1981 | 0 |
| 1982 | 1 |
| 1983 | 4 |
| 1984 | 6 |
| 1985 | 9 |
| 1986 | 12 |
| 1987 | 25 |
| 1988 | 123 |
| 1989 | 106 |
| 1990 | 77 |
| 1991 | 200 |
| 1992 | 144 |
| 1993 | 85 |
| 1994 | 110 |
| 1995 | 173 |
| 1996 | 204 |
| 1997 | 136 |
| 1998 | 302 |
| 1999 | 246 |
| 2000 | 184 |
| 2001 | 187 |
| 2002 | 117 |
| 2003 | 101 |
| 2004 | 66 |
| 2005 | 4 |
| 2008 | 1 |
| 2009 | 1 |
| 2010 | 1 |
| 2011 | 279 |
| 2012 | 91 |
| 2013 | 91 |
| 2014 | 38 |
| 2015 | 33 |
| 2016 | 41 |
| 2017 | 20 |
| 2018 | 19 |
| 2019 | 18 |
| 2020 | 2 |
KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS
Only 9 complaints on file for this model year -- too few to rank by share. Raw counts only, below.
3 of 9 total reports mention: service brakes, hydraulic.
Show complaint excerpts
DURING SUDDEN PEDAL APPLICATION NO RESPONSE FROM BRAKING SYSTEM. TT
NHTSA ODI report, 19950118
2 of 9 total reports mention: engine and engine cooling.
1 of 9 total reports mentions: vehicle speed control.
CRASHShow complaint excerpts
RECALL RELATED, 86V030000, THROTTLE WENT INTO OPEN POSITION AFTER PUT THE VEHICLE IN REVERSE,IMPACT 6:00 POSITION AND 12:00 POSITION. TT
NHTSA ODI report, 19951121
RECALL RELATED, 86V030000, THROTTLE WENT INTO OPEN POSITION AFTER PUT THE VEHICLE IN REVERSE,IMPACT 6:00 POSITION AND 12:00 POSITION. TT
NHTSA ODI report, 19951121
1 of 9 total reports mentions: steering.
1 of 9 total reports mentions: engine and engine cooling.
SAFETY TIMELINE
THE TIE RODS ARE PART OF THE STEERING LINKAGE AND TRANSMIT TURNING MOVEMENTS TO THE WHEELS. THE BOLTS THAT FASTEN THE TIE RODS TO THEIR ADJUSTERS MAY NOT BE TIGHT ENOUGH. THIS COULD ALLOW THE TIE ROD
Remedy: THE TIE ROD END BOLTS WILL BE TIGHTENED WITHOUT COST TO THE OWNER.
Campaign 84V124000 — check if this car was fixed
THE VEHICLES WERE ASSEMBLED WITH FRONT SEAT BELT RETRACTORS WHICH MAY NOT PERFORM ADEQUATELY DURING A COLLISION.
Remedy: THE DEALER WILL REPLACE THE LEFT AND RIGHT FRONT SEAT BELT RETRACTORS FREE OF CHARGE.
Campaign 84V154000 — check if this car was fixed
A LOSS OF BONDING ADHESION BETWEEN THE PAINT AND THE WINDSHIELD OPENING AREA COULD ALLOW THE WINDSHIELD TO SEPARATE DURING A 30 MILE PER HOUR FRONTAL BARRIER TEST REQUIRED BY FMVSS 212, WINDSHIE
Remedy: REMOVE AND REINSTALL WINDSHIELD IF A LACK OF PAINT BONDING IS EVIDENT.
Campaign 85V047000 — check if this car was fixed
THE CERTIFICATION LABEL LOCATED ON THE LEFT FRONT DOOR DID NOT INCLUDE A REQUIRED FEDERAL CERTIFICATION STATEMENT.
Remedy: LABELS CONTAINING CORRECT INFORMATION ARE BEING MAILED AND SHOULD BE INSTALLED ON THE LEFT FRONT DOOR.
Campaign 85V114000 — check if this car was fixed
THE THROTTLE RETURN SPRING ASSEMBLY MAY FAIL PREVENTING THE THROTTLE FROM RETURNING TO THE CLOSED (IDLE) POSITION WHEN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL IS RELEASED.
Remedy: REPLACE THROTTLE RETURN SPRING.
Campaign 86V030000 — check if this car was fixed
WINDSHIELD WIPERS
SMALL CRACKS MAY DEVELOP IN THE BODY PILLAR AROUND THE DOOR STRIKER BOLT HOLE.
Remedy: INSTALL INNER AND OUTER REINFORCEMENT PLATE ON BOTH LEFT AND RIGHT BODY PILLARS.
Campaign 87V124000 — check if this car was fixed
HEADLAMP SWITCH FAILURE
UNDER EXTENDED HEADLAMP USAGE, CIRCUITRY IN THE HEADLAMP SWITCH PANEL MIGHT EXPERIENCE INCREASED RESISTANCE AND EXCESSIVE HEAT BUILDUP.
Remedy: REPLACE HEADLIGHT SWITCH WITH MODIFIED SWITCH.
Campaign 88V014000 — check if this car was fixed
THROTTLE NON-RETURN
JAMMED STEERING MECHANISM
PARKING BRAKE CABLE
CRUISE CONTROL FAILURE
CERTAIN REPLACEMENT FUEL FILTERS, FRAM BRAND NAME P/N G3727, WITH DATE CODES X52911 THROUGH X60801 SEQUENTIALLY OR X600141 AND A MEXICO COUNTRY OR ORIGIN MARKING ON THE FUEL FILTER HOUSING MANUFACTURE
Remedy: HONEYWELL WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE FUEL FILTERS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 18, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FRAM CUSTOMER SERVICE AT 1-800-890-2075 (OPTION 1).
Campaign 06E043000 — check if this car was fixed
THE REAR BUMPER MAY FRACTURE DURING A REAR END COLLISION, PUNCTURE THE FUEL TANK, AND CAUSE A FUEL LEAK.
Remedy: REPLACE THE REAR BUMPER BRACKETS AND THE "L" SHAPED REINFORCEMENT WITH A "U" SHAPED FULL REINFORCEMENT.
Campaign 85V049000 — check if this car was fixed
BUY-SMART CHECKLIST
1985 Buick Regal — pre-purchase inspection
- Test/inspect for service brakes, hydraulic issues (3 reports on file for this year).
- Test/inspect for engine and engine cooling issues (2 reports on file for this year).
- Test/inspect for vehicle speed control issues (1 reports on file for this year).
- Verify recall 85V049000 (structure) has been completed.
- Verify recall 84V124000 (steering) has been completed.
- Verify recall 84V154000 (seat belts) has been completed.
- Verify recall 85V047000 (visibility) has been completed.
- Verify recall 85V114000 (equipment) has been completed.
- Verify recall 86V030000 (vehicle speed control) has been completed.
- Verify recall 87V124000 (structure) has been completed.
- Verify recall 88V014000 (exterior lighting) has been completed.
- Verify recall 06E043000 (fuel system, gasoline) has been completed.
OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL
BEST YEARS
WORST YEARS
FAQ
Is the 1985 Buick Regal reliable?
There isn't enough NHTSA complaint data on file yet to give this model year a verdict.
What are the most common problems with the 1985 Buick Regal?
The most-reported component is service brakes, hydraulic:foundation components, accounting for 33% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 1985 Buick Regal have?
9 recalls on file for this model year.
Data updated 2026-07-11 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.