MYRModel Year Report

1989 Buick Regal

● Typical for this model
1989 Buick Regal
RENDERED 2026-09-16T17:56:18.856Z

This year's complaint volume is within 30% of this model's typical year.

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.

How is this computed?

COMPLAINTS PER YEAR

Complaints per year, Buick Regal Bar chart of distinct NHTSA complaints filed per model year, 1989 highlighted. 1982: 1 complaints 1982 1983: 4 complaints 1984: 6 complaints 1985: 9 complaints 1986: 12 complaints 1987: 25 complaints 1987 1988: 125 complaints 1989: 107 complaints 1989 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 complaints 2009: 1 complaints 2009 2010: 1 complaints 2011: 279 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 2020
1989: 107 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
2011279
201292
201391
201438
201533
201641
201720
201819
201919
20202

KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS

Percentages can add to more than 100% -- a complaint can name more than one system.

SERVICE BRAKES 63%

63% of complaints: service brakes — 67 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing hydraulic and air.

CRASH INJURY
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 15%

15% of complaints: electrical system — 16 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing module and ignition.

CRASH FIRE INJURY
STRUCTURE 14%

14% of complaints: structure — 15 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing frame and members and door.

CRASH FIRE
Show complaint excerpts

WHILE DRIVING, CAR FILLED WITH SMOKE COMING INSIDE DOOR WHERE POWER DOOR/WINDOW LOCKS ARE LOCATED; DRIVER INHALED FUMES NEARLY PASSED OUT. TT

NHTSA ODI report, 19950508

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING 10%

10% of complaints: engine and engine cooling — 11 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing engine and gasoline.

CRASH
Show complaint excerpts

CONSUMER STATES WHILE TRAVELING 35 MPH WITHOUT ANY INDICATION VEHICLE ENGINE FAIL FROM UNDER VEHICLE. VEHICLE WAS SERVICE TECHNICIAN NOTICE CRADLE MOUNTS NEED TO BE REPLACED. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. TS

NHTSA ODI report, 20021108

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL 5%

5% of complaints: vehicle speed control — 5 distinct reports on file.

CRASH INJURY
Show complaint excerpts

SUDDEN ACCELERATION WHILE IN REVERSE GEAR, CAUSING ACCIDENT. *TW

NHTSA ODI report, 19940524

SAFETY TIMELINE

R 19890113 — fuel system, gasoline

FUEL RETURN LINES COULD FRACTURE AND ALLOW FUEL TO LEAK IN THE AREA OF THE FUEL TANK.

Remedy: INSTALL NEW FUEL RETURN PIPE ASSEMBLY.

Campaign 88V188000 — check if this car was fixed

I 19900611 — PE (closed 19901031)

FAILURE STOP LAMP SWITCH

R 19900723 — seat belts

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

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

Campaign 90V054000 — check if this car was fixed

R 19901108 — exterior lighting

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 CO

Remedy: INSTALL AN IMPROVED DESIGN STOPLAMP SWITCH.

Campaign 90V185000 — check if this car was fixed

I 19910501 — PE (closed 19910708)

STEERING WHEEL SEPARATION

I 19911001 — PE (closed 19911205)

W-CAR HINGE PIN FAILURE

I 19911205 — EA (closed 19920817)

W-CAR HINGE PIN FAILURE

I 19920626 — EA (closed 19940131)

STICKING THROTTLE

R 19940505 — wheels

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

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.

Campaign 94V041000 — check if this car was fixed

I 19940621 — PE (closed 19941230)

SUB-FRAME ABSORBER FAILURE

I 19940812 — PE (closed 19941221)

CORRODED REAR DISK BRAKES

R 19950614 — wheels

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

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.

Campaign 95V115000 — check if this car was fixed

R 19970611 — structure

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES AND MINI VANS ORIGINALLY SOLD OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN THE FOLLOWING STATES: CONNECTICUT, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, MAINE, MASSACHUSETTS, MICHIGAN, NEW HAMPSHIRE,

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

Campaign 97V058000 — check if this car was fixed

I 19971002 — RQ (open)

CRADLE BOLT FAILURES

I 19990304 — RQ (open)

ENGINE CRADLE SEPARATION

I 20000410 — EA (closed 20010112)

ENGINE CRADLE SEPARATION

R 20000928 — structure

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES ORIGINALLY SOLD OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN THE STATES OF CONNECTICUT, DELAWARE, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, IOWA, MAINE, MARYLAND, MASSACHUSETTS, MICHIGAN, MINNESOTA,

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

Campaign 00V189000 — check if this car was fixed

I 20011128 — RP (closed 20020613)

STRUCTURE

R 20061018 — fuel system, gasoline

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

BUY-SMART CHECKLIST

1989 Buick Regal — pre-purchase inspection

  • Test/inspect for service brakes issues (67 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for electrical system issues (16 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for structure issues (15 reports on file for this year).
  • Verify recall 88V188000 (fuel system, gasoline) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 90V054000 (seat belts) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 90V185000 (exterior lighting) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 94V041000 (wheels) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 95V115000 (wheels) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 97V058000 (structure) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 00V189000 (structure) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 06E043000 (fuel system, gasoline) has been completed.
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL

BEST YEARS

▲ 2015 ▲ 2014 ▲ 2016

WORST YEARS

■ 1998 ■ 2011 ■ 1999

See all years ranked →

FAQ

Is the 1989 Buick Regal reliable?

Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 1989 Buick Regal is rated "typical".

What are the most common problems with the 1989 Buick Regal?

The most-reported component is service brakes, accounting for 63% of complaints on file.

How many recalls does the 1989 Buick Regal have?

8 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-09-16 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.