1991 Buick Regal

◆ Worse than typical
1991 Buick Regal
BUILT 2026-10-10

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.

Complaints
201
Recalls
7

Campaigns on file for 1991

Investigations
10

Opened by NHTSA

Top problem
Service brakes

77% 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 1991: 201 complaints 1991 201 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 1988 1989: 107 complaints 1990: 77 complaints 1991: 201 complaints 1991 201 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 1991: 201 complaints 1991 201 1992: 145 complaints 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

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
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

77% · 154 reports

Most commonly citing hydraulic and air.

CRASHINJURY

Structure

10% · 20 reports

Most commonly citing frame and members and door.

CRASHINJURY

Engine and engine cooling

9% · 18 reports

Most commonly citing engine and gasoline.

FIREINJURY
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, 2002-09-10

Electrical system

8% · 16 reports

Most commonly citing interior/under dash and starter assembly.

FIRE

Seat belts

7% · 14 reports

Most commonly citing retractor and buckle assembly.

CRASHINJURY
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, 2014-05-21

Also filed under Air bags and power train

Safety timeline

7 recalls · 10 investigations · oldest first

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

  1. ▮
    1991Complaint volume 201 complaints filed for this model year.
  2. 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.

  3. I
    1991-05-01Preliminary evaluationClosed 1991-07-08 Steering wheel separation
  4. I
    1991-11-26Engineering analysisClosed 1992-10-28 Jack failure
  5. R
    1992-01-31Seat belts92V003000 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.

  6. I
    1992-06-26Engineering analysisClosed 1994-01-31 Sticking throttle
  7. I
    1993-04-27Preliminary evaluationClosed 1993-09-14 Fuel line separation
  8. R
    1993-11-19Fuel system, gasoline93V145000 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.

  9. I
    1994-06-21Preliminary evaluationClosed 1994-12-30 Sub-frame absorber failure
  10. I
    1994-08-12Preliminary evaluationClosed 1994-12-21 Corroded rear disk brakes
  11. R
    1995-09-07Exterior lighting95V152000 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.

  12. 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.

  13. I
    1997-10-02Recall queryOpen Cradle bolt failures
  14. I
    1999-03-04Recall queryOpen Engine cradle separation
  15. I
    2000-04-10Engineering analysisClosed 2001-01-12 Engine cradle separation
  16. 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.

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

Buy-smart checklist

1991 Buick Regal — pre-purchase inspection

Inspect

  • Service brakes: 154 reports on file for this year.
  • Structure: 20 reports on file for this year.
  • Engine and engine cooling: 18 reports on file for this year.

Verify these recalls were completed

  • Recall 91V005000 · Seat belts
  • Recall 92V003000 · Seat belts
  • Recall 93V145000 · Fuel system, gasoline
  • Recall 95V152000 · Exterior lighting
  • Recall 97V058000 · Structure
  • Recall 00V189000 · Structure
  • Recall 06E043000 · Fuel system, gasoline

Other years of this model

See all years ranked →

Best years3 years

Worst years3 years

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 2026-10-09 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.