1991 Buick Regal

◆ Worse than typical
1991 Buick Regal
BUILT 2026-09-02

This year had 30% to 100% more 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

Complaints per year, Buick Regal Bar chart of distinct NHTSA complaints filed per model year, 1991 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 1990: 77 complaints 1991: 201 complaints 1991 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: 18 complaints 2019 2020: 2 complaints 2020
1991: 201 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
201918
20202

KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS

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

SERVICE BRAKES 77%

77% of complaints: service brakes — 154 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing hydraulic and air.

CRASH INJURY
STRUCTURE 10%

10% of complaints: structure — 20 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing frame and members and door.

CRASH INJURY
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING 9%

9% of complaints: engine and engine cooling — 18 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing engine and gasoline.

FIRE INJURY
Show complaint excerpts

MY 70-YEAR-OLD MOTHERS 1991 BUICK REGAL CAUGHT FIRE FROM THE ORIGINAL EXHAUST PIPE GASES BLOWING AGAINST THE REAR BUMPER CAVITY. THE PLASTIC PARTS CAUGHT ON FIRE AND CAUSED $1,800.00 WORTH OF DAMAGE.

NHTSA ODI report, 20020910

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 8%

8% of complaints: electrical system — 16 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing interior/under dash and starter assembly.

FIRE
SEAT BELTS 7%

7% of complaints: seat belts — 14 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing retractor and buckle assembly.

CRASH INJURY
Show complaint excerpts

FEDERAL AUTHORITIES ARE INVESTIGATING WHETHER GENERAL MOTORS HID AN IGNITION SWITCH DEFECT WHEN IT FILED FOR BANKRUPTCY IN 2009,THE JUSTICE DEPARTMENT'S INVESTIGATION OF THE AUTOMAKER INCLUDES A PROBE OF WHETHER GM COMMITTED BANKRUPTCY FRAUD BY NOT...

NHTSA ODI report, 20140521

Also filed under AIR BAGS and POWER TRAIN

SAFETY TIMELINE

1991 — complaint volume: 201
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 19911126 — EA (closed 19921028)

JACK FAILURE

R 19920131 — seat belts

THE FRONT DOOR SHOULDER BELT GUIDE LOOPS MAY BE CRACKED AND ARE NOT IN COMPLIANCE WITH FMVSS 208.

Remedy: INSTALL REINFORCING PLATES ON THE CRACKED SHOULDER BELT GUIDES.

Campaign 92V003000 — check if this car was fixed

I 19920626 — EA (closed 19940131)

STICKING THROTTLE

I 19930427 — PE (closed 19930914)

FUEL LINE SEPARATION

R 19931119 — fuel system, gasoline

THE FUEL FEED HOSE CAN PULL OUT OF THE CRIMPED COUPLING AT THE ENGINE END OF THE HOSE ASSEMBLY, CAUSING FUEL LEAKAGE.

Remedy: INSTALL A NEW FUEL FEED HOSE.

Campaign 93V145000 — 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 19950907 — exterior lighting

INCORRECT CLEAR FRONT SIDE MARKER BULBS WERE INSTALLED RATHER THAN AMBER BULBS. THIS DOES NOT CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT."

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE CLEAR BULBS WITH THE CORRECT AMBER BULBS.

Campaign 95V152000 — 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

1991 Buick Regal — pre-purchase inspection

  • Test/inspect for service brakes issues (154 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for structure issues (20 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for engine and engine cooling issues (18 reports on file for this year).
  • Verify recall 91V005000 (seat belts) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 92V003000 (seat belts) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 93V145000 (fuel system, gasoline) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 95V152000 (exterior lighting) 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

▲ 2015 ▲ 2014 ▲ 2016

WORST YEARS

■ 1998 ■ 2011 ■ 1999

See all years ranked →

FAQ

Is the 1991 Buick Regal reliable?

Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 1991 Buick Regal is rated "worse than typical".

What are the most common problems with the 1991 Buick Regal?

The most-reported component is service brakes, accounting for 77% of complaints on file.

How many recalls does the 1991 Buick Regal have?

7 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-09-01 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.