1990 Buick Regal

▲ Better than typical

1990 Buick Regal
RENDERED 2026-09-17T02:44:32.274Z

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 PER YEAR

1990: 77 complaints

View as data table

Year	Complaints
1980	0
1981	0
1982	1
1983	4
1984	6
1985	9
1986	12
1987	25
1988	125
1989	107
1990	77
1991	201
1992	145
1993	86
1994	119
1995	174
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	92
2013	91
2014	38
2015	33
2016	41
2017	20
2018	19
2019	19
2020	2

KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS

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

SERVICE BRAKES 75%

75% of complaints: service brakes — 58 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing hydraulic and air.

CRASH INJURY

STRUCTURE 8%

8% of complaints: structure — 6 distinct reports on file, 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, 20030414

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, 20021210

SUSPENSION 8%

8% of complaints: suspension — 6 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing wheel bearing and macpherson strut.

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING 8%

8% of complaints: engine and engine cooling — 6 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing gasoline and belts and associated pulleys.

FIRE

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 5%

5% of complaints: electrical system — 4 distinct reports on file, 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, 20170926

SAFETY TIMELINE

I 19900611 — PE (closed 19901031)

FAILURE STOP LAMP SWITCH

R 19900703 — seat belts

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

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

R 19910222 — seat belts

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

I 19910501 — PE (closed 19910708)

STEERING WHEEL SEPARATION

I 19910801 — PE (closed 19911126)

JACK FAILURE

I 19911126 — EA (closed 19921028)

JACK 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 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