MYRModel Year Report

1990 Buick Regal

▲ Better than typical
1990 Buick Regal
RENDERED 2026-11-01T12:39:30.459Z

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.

How is this computed?

Complaints
77
Recalls
9

Campaigns on file for 1990

Investigations
10

Opened by NHTSA

Top problem
Service brakes

75% of complaints

Complaints per year

1982: 1 complaint 1982 1983: 4 complaints 1984: 6 complaints 1985: 9 complaints 1986: 12 complaints 1987: 25 complaints 1988: 125 complaints 1989: 107 complaints 1990: 77 complaints 1990 77 1991: 201 complaints 1992: 145 complaints 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 1985 1986: 12 complaints 1987: 25 complaints 1988: 125 complaints 1989: 107 complaints 1990: 77 complaints 1990 77 1991: 201 complaints 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 1987: 25 complaints 1988: 125 complaints 1988 1989: 107 complaints 1990: 77 complaints 1990 77 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

1990: 77 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

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

Service brakes

75% · 58 reports

Most commonly citing hydraulic and air.

CRASHINJURY

Structure

8% · 6 reports

Most commonly citing frame and members.

Show complaint excerpts

After the recall for the cradle bolts was completed, the steering failed. Recall #00 v 189 000. *jb after the recall for the cradle bolts was completed, the steering failed. Recall #00 v 189 000.

NHTSA ODI report, 2003-04-14

Consumers son was in operation of the vehicle when suddenly all steering was lost. The vehicle was towed and it was explained that the frame had separated from the chassis and had dropped, disengaging the steering assembly.

NHTSA ODI report, 2002-12-10

Suspension

8% · 6 reports

Most commonly citing wheel bearing and macpherson strut.

Engine and engine cooling

8% · 6 reports

Most commonly citing gasoline and belts and associated pulleys.

FIRE

Electrical system

5% · 4 reports

Most commonly citing module and ignition.

Show complaint excerpts

Electrical systems controlled by signal lever do not work except by holding lever in certain positions: I.e. Brake lights, signal lever l up, turn signals switch lever up, high beams no go etc. All the time.

NHTSA ODI report, 2017-09-26

Safety timeline

9 recalls · 10 investigations · oldest first

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

  1. I
    1990-06-11Preliminary evaluationClosed 1990-10-31 Failure stop lamp switch
  2. R
    1990-07-03Seat belts90V112000 Owners manuals did not fully explain how front shoulder belt comfort feature works.

    Remedy: Insert sticker that provides missing information in owners manuals.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  3. R
    1990-07-23Seat belts90V054000 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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  4. R
    1990-11-08Exterior lighting90V185000 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…

    Remedy: Install an improved design stoplamp switch.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  5. R
    1991-02-22Seat belts91V005000 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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  6. I
    1991-05-01Preliminary evaluationClosed 1991-07-08 Steering wheel separation
  7. I
    1991-08-01Preliminary evaluationClosed 1991-11-26 Jack failure
  8. I
    1991-11-26Engineering analysisClosed 1992-10-28 Jack failure
  9. I
    1992-06-26Engineering analysisClosed 1994-01-31 Sticking throttle
  10. R
    1994-05-05Wheels94V041000 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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  11. I
    1994-06-21Preliminary evaluationClosed 1994-12-30 Sub-frame absorber failure
  12. I
    1994-08-12Preliminary evaluationClosed 1994-12-21 Corroded rear disk brakes
  13. R
    1995-06-14Wheels95V115000 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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  14. R
    1997-06-11Structure97V058000 Vehicle description: passenger vehicles and mini vans originally sold or currently registered in the following states: Connecticut, Illinois, Indiana, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, new…

    Remedy: Dealers will replace the rear cradle bolts and retainers.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  15. I
    1997-10-02Recall queryOpen Cradle bolt failures
  16. I
    2000-04-10Engineering analysisClosed 2001-01-12 Engine cradle separation
  17. R
    2000-09-28Structure00V189000 Vehicle description: passenger vehicles originally sold or currently registered in the states of Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan…

    Remedy: Dealers will replace the front and rear frame/cradle bolts and retainers.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  18. I
    2001-11-28RPClosed 2002-06-13 Structure
  19. 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

1990 Buick Regal — pre-purchase inspection

Inspect

  • Service brakes: 58 reports on file for this year.
  • Structure: 6 reports on file for this year.
  • Suspension: 6 reports on file for this year.

Verify these recalls were completed

  • Recall 90V112000 · Seat belts
  • Recall 90V054000 · Seat belts
  • Recall 90V185000 · Exterior lighting
  • Recall 91V005000 · Seat belts
  • Recall 94V041000 · Wheels
  • Recall 95V115000 · Wheels
  • Recall 97V058000 · Structure
  • Recall 00V189000 · Structure
  • 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 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, accounting for 75% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 1990 Buick Regal have?
9 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.