1990 Buick Regal
This year had at least 30% fewer complaints than 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.
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
14% of complaints: service brakes, hydraulic — 11 distinct reports on file.
CRASH INJURYShow complaint excerpts
REAR BRAKE CALIPER PIN PROBLEM. PLEASE EXPLAIN. TT
NHTSA ODI report, 19950303
13% of complaints: service brakes, hydraulic — 10 distinct reports on file.
10% of complaints: service brakes, hydraulic — 8 distinct reports on file.
9% of complaints: service brakes, hydraulic — 7 distinct reports on file.
8% of complaints: service brakes, hydraulic — 6 distinct reports on file.
SAFETY TIMELINE
FAILURE STOP LAMP SWITCH
OWNERS MANUALS DID NOT FULLY EXPLAIN HOW FRONT SHOULDER BELT COMFORT FEATURE WORKS.
Remedy: INSERT STICKER THAT PROVIDES MISSING INFORMATION IN OWNERS MANUALS.
Campaign 90V112000 — check if this car was fixed
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
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
FRONT SHOULDER SAFETY BELT WEBBING MAY SEPARATE AT FRONT BELT UPPER GUIDE LOOPS ON EITHER SIDE OF THE FRONT SEAT.
Remedy: INSTALL A CONTROLLED ROTATION BRACKET ON DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE FRONT SEAT BELT GUIDE LOOPS.
Campaign 91V005000 — check if this car was fixed
STEERING WHEEL SEPARATION
JACK FAILURE
JACK FAILURE
STICKING THROTTLE
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
SUB-FRAME ABSORBER FAILURE
CORRODED REAR DISK BRAKES
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
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
CRADLE BOLT FAILURES
ENGINE CRADLE SEPARATION
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
STRUCTURE
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
1990 Buick Regal — pre-purchase inspection
- Test/inspect for service brakes, hydraulic issues (11 reports on file for this year).
- Test/inspect for service brakes, hydraulic issues (10 reports on file for this year).
- Test/inspect for service brakes, hydraulic issues (8 reports on file for this year).
- Verify recall 90V112000 (seat belts) has been completed.
- Verify recall 90V054000 (seat belts) has been completed.
- Verify recall 90V185000 (exterior lighting) has been completed.
- Verify recall 91V005000 (seat belts) 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.
OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL
BEST YEARS
WORST YEARS
FAQ
Is the 1990 Buick Regal reliable?
Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 1990 Buick Regal is rated "better than typical".
What are the most common problems with the 1990 Buick Regal?
The most-reported component is service brakes, hydraulic:foundation components:disc:caliper, accounting for 14% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 1990 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.