1993 Buick Regal

● Typical for this model
1993 Buick Regal
RENDERED 2026-11-01T15:52:54.564Z

This year's complaint volume is within 30% of 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
86
Recalls
2

Campaigns on file for 1993

Investigations
2

Opened by NHTSA

Top problem
Service brakes

65% of complaints

Complaints per year

1982: 1 complaint 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 1992: 145 complaints 1993: 86 complaints 1993 86 1994: 119 complaints 1995: 174 complaints 1996: 204 complaints 1997: 136 complaints 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 1992: 145 complaints 1993: 86 complaints 1993 86 1994: 119 complaints 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 1991: 201 complaints 1992: 145 complaints 1993: 86 complaints 1993 86 1994: 119 complaints 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

1993: 86 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

65% · 56 reports

Most commonly citing hydraulic.

CRASHINJURY

Engine and engine cooling

12% · 10 reports

Most commonly citing gasoline and engine.

Show complaint excerpts

The metal frame mounts that hold engine up in the vehicle deteriorated, causing the engine to drop to the ground while backing out of a driveway. Cause unknown.

NHTSA ODI report, 2003-06-25

Vehicle speed control

9% · 8 reports

Most commonly citing cruise control.

CRASH
Show complaint excerpts

A/t:while driving forward, foot on brakes, engine started racing and making loud noise; vehicle lurched forward;shifted to reverse; lurched backwards; hit wall.

NHTSA ODI report, 1995-05-31

Cruise control failure. Tt

NHTSA ODI report, 1995-01-31

Electrical system

9% · 8 reports

Most commonly citing alternator/generator/regulator and front underhood.

FIRE
Show complaint excerpts

Tl* the contact owns a 1993 Buick Regal. The contact stated that the door locks failed and remained locked when attempting to operate them. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure.

NHTSA ODI report, 2016-05-12

The battery was dead causing the vehicle not to start. All the doors locked and the manual override froze so that the driver could not exit the vehicle.

NHTSA ODI report, 2003-09-12

Seat belts

8% · 7 reports

Most commonly citing anchorage.

INJURY

Safety timeline

2 recalls · 2 investigations · oldest first

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

  1. R
    1993-03-03Seats93V035000 The driver and passenger front seat manual reclining mechanisms do not comply with the requirements of FMVSS 207, "Seating systems." The seat back mechanisms will not latch under certain conditions.

    Remedy: Replace the manual seat recliner mechanism with a mechanism that complies with FMVSS 207.

  2. I
    1993-07-13Engineering analysisClosed 1994-06-24 Fuel leaks
  3. I
    1994-08-12Preliminary evaluationClosed 1994-12-21 Corroded rear disk brakes
  4. 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.

Buy-smart checklist

1993 Buick Regal — pre-purchase inspection

Inspect

  • Service brakes: 56 reports on file for this year.
  • Engine and engine cooling: 10 reports on file for this year.
  • Vehicle speed control: 8 reports on file for this year.

Verify these recalls were completed

  • Recall 93V035000 · Seats
  • Recall 95V152000 · Exterior lighting

Other years of this model

See all years ranked →

Best years3 years

Worst years3 years

FAQ

Is the 1993 Buick Regal reliable?
Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 1993 Buick Regal is rated "typical".
What are the most common problems with the 1993 Buick Regal?
The most-reported component is service brakes, accounting for 65% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 1993 Buick Regal have?
2 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.