MYRModel Year Report

1986 Buick Regal

○ Not enough data
1986 Buick Regal
RENDERED 2026-11-01T12:39:52.933Z

Only 12 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 12 complaints on file — too few for a fair verdict. The data below is complete but unranked.

How is this computed?

Complaints
12

Too few to rank

Recalls
5

Campaigns on file for 1986

Investigations
5

Opened by NHTSA

Top problem
—

Not enough data

Complaints per year

1982: 1 complaint 1983: 4 complaints 1984: 6 complaints 1985: 9 complaints 1986: 12 complaints 1986 12 1987: 25 complaints 1988: 125 complaints 1989: 107 complaints 1990: 77 complaints 1991: 201 complaints 1992: 145 complaints 1992 1993: 86 complaints 1994: 119 complaints 1995: 174 complaints 1996: 204 complaints 1997: 136 complaints 1997 1998: 302 complaints 1999: 246 complaints 2000: 184 complaints 2001: 187 complaints 2002: 117 complaints 2002 2003: 101 complaints 2004: 66 complaints 2005: 4 complaints 2008: 1 complaint 2009: 1 complaint 2009 2010: 1 complaint 2011: 280 complaints 2012: 92 complaints 2013: 91 complaints 2014: 38 complaints 2014 2015: 33 complaints 2016: 41 complaints 2017: 20 complaints 2018: 19 complaints 2019: 19 complaints 2019 2020: 2 complaints
1982: 1 complaint 1982 1983: 4 complaints 1984: 6 complaints 1985: 9 complaints 1986: 12 complaints 1986 12 1987: 25 complaints 1988: 125 complaints 1989: 107 complaints 1990: 77 complaints 1991: 201 complaints 1991 1992: 145 complaints 1993: 86 complaints 1994: 119 complaints 1994 1995: 174 complaints 1996: 204 complaints 1997: 136 complaints 1997 1998: 302 complaints 1999: 246 complaints 2000: 184 complaints 2000 2001: 187 complaints 2002: 117 complaints 2003: 101 complaints 2003 2004: 66 complaints 2005: 4 complaints 2008: 1 complaint 2008 2009: 1 complaint 2010: 1 complaint 2011: 280 complaints 2011 2012: 92 complaints 2013: 91 complaints 2014: 38 complaints 2014 2015: 33 complaints 2016: 41 complaints 2017: 20 complaints 2017 2018: 19 complaints 2019: 19 complaints 2020: 2 complaints 2020
1982: 1 complaint 1982 1983: 4 complaints 1984: 6 complaints 1984 1985: 9 complaints 1986: 12 complaints 1986 12 1987: 25 complaints 1988: 125 complaints 1988 1989: 107 complaints 1990: 77 complaints 1990 1991: 201 complaints 1992: 145 complaints 1992 1993: 86 complaints 1994: 119 complaints 1994 1995: 174 complaints 1996: 204 complaints 1996 1997: 136 complaints 1998: 302 complaints 1998 1999: 246 complaints 2000: 184 complaints 2000 2001: 187 complaints 2002: 117 complaints 2002 2003: 101 complaints 2004: 66 complaints 2004 2005: 4 complaints 2008: 1 complaint 2008 2009: 1 complaint 2010: 1 complaint 2010 2011: 280 complaints 2012: 92 complaints 2012 2013: 91 complaints 2014: 38 complaints 2014 2015: 33 complaints 2016: 41 complaints 2016 2017: 20 complaints 2018: 19 complaints 2018 2019: 19 complaints 2020: 2 complaints 2020

1986: 12 complaints

View as data table
YearComplaints
19800
19810
19821
19834
19846
19859
198612
198725
1988125
1989107
199077
1991201
1992145
199386
1994119
1995174
1996204
1997136
1998302
1999246
2000184
2001187
2002117
2003101
200466
20054
20081
20091
20101
2011280
201292
201391
201438
201533
201641
201720
201819
201919
20202

Known problem areas

Only 12 complaints on file for this model year — too few to rank by share. Raw counts only, below.

Vehicle speed control

4 of 12 total reports mention: vehicle speed control, most commonly citing linkages.

CRASHINJURY
Show complaint excerpts

Consumer states that while pulling out of his driveway his vehicle just took off, causing him to hit two trees.

NHTSA ODI report, 1996-09-24

Car was run in park put car in reverse it accelerated and hit four cars. Tt

NHTSA ODI report, 1995-01-04

Service brakes

3 of 12 total reports mention: service brakes, most commonly citing hydraulic.

Structure

2 of 12 total reports mention: structure, most commonly citing frame and members.

Engine and engine cooling

2 of 12 total reports mention: engine and engine cooling, most commonly citing gasoline and engine.

FIRE
Show complaint excerpts

Engine replaced twice, once resulting in engine catching on fire.

NHTSA ODI report, 1997-03-25

Wheels

1 of 12 total reports mentions: wheels.

Safety timeline

5 recalls · 5 investigations · oldest first

To check one car, enter its VIN on the NHTSA recall page. Check a VIN →

  1. R
    1986-09-26Seat belts86V093000 Left handed driver's side shoulder belt anchor plate may be upside down in lock pillar so that the unthreaded slot of the plate aligned with the hole in the lock pillar. This resulted in the…

    Remedy: Install a bolt anchor plate reinforcement and new bolt, as necessary.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  2. R
    1987-08-27Structure87V124000 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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  3. R
    1988-02-11Exterior lighting88V014000 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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  4. I
    1989-03-06CClosed 1990-01-16 Throttle non-return
  5. I
    1989-03-17Preliminary evaluationClosed 1989-05-12 Jammed steering mechanism
  6. R
    1989-07-20Vehicle speed control89V102000 A small nylon bushing in the cruise control servo bail may slip out of place, causing intermittent and unexpected increases in engine speed or dieseling (Engine run on with ignition off).

    Remedy: Install a new bushing in cruise control servo bail.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  7. I
    1989-07-21Preliminary evaluationClosed 1989-09-22 Parking brake cable
  8. I
    1989-10-31Preliminary evaluationClosed 1990-02-28 Cruise control failure
  9. I
    1994-06-21Preliminary evaluationClosed 1994-12-30 Sub-frame absorber failure
  10. R
    2006-10-18Fuel system, gasoline06E043000 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…

    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).

    Check if this car was fixed →

Buy-smart checklist

1986 Buick Regal — pre-purchase inspection

Inspect

  • Vehicle speed control: 4 reports on file for this year.
  • Service brakes: 3 reports on file for this year.
  • Structure: 2 reports on file for this year.

Verify these recalls were completed

  • Recall 86V093000 · Seat belts
  • Recall 87V124000 · Structure
  • Recall 88V014000 · Exterior lighting
  • Recall 89V102000 · Vehicle speed control
  • Recall 06E043000 · Fuel system, gasoline
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

Other years of this model

See all years ranked →

Best years3 years

Worst years3 years

FAQ

Is the 1986 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 1986 Buick Regal?
The most-reported component is vehicle speed control, accounting for 33% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 1986 Buick Regal have?
5 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-10-31 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.