MYRModel Year Report

1996 Buick Regal

◆ Worse than typical
1996 Buick Regal
BUILT 2026-08-02

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, 1996 highlighted. 1980: 0 complaints 1980 1981: 0 complaints 1982: 1 complaints 1983: 4 complaints 1984: 6 complaints 1985: 9 complaints 1985 1986: 12 complaints 1987: 25 complaints 1988: 123 complaints 1989: 106 complaints 1990: 77 complaints 1990 1991: 200 complaints 1992: 144 complaints 1993: 85 complaints 1994: 110 complaints 1995: 173 complaints 1995 1996: 204 complaints 1996 1997: 136 complaints 1998: 302 complaints 1999: 246 complaints 2000: 184 complaints 2000 2001: 187 complaints 2002: 117 complaints 2003: 101 complaints 2004: 66 complaints 2005: 4 complaints 2005 2008: 1 complaints 2009: 1 complaints 2010: 1 complaints 2011: 279 complaints 2012: 91 complaints 2012 2013: 91 complaints 2014: 38 complaints 2015: 33 complaints 2016: 41 complaints 2017: 20 complaints 2017 2018: 19 complaints 2019: 18 complaints 2020: 2 complaints 2020
1996: 204 complaints
View as data table
YearComplaints
19800
19810
19821
19834
19846
19859
198612
198725
1988123
1989106
199077
1991200
1992144
199385
1994110
1995173
1996204
1997136
1998302
1999246
2000184
2001187
2002117
2003101
200466
20054
20081
20091
20101
2011279
201291
201391
201438
201533
201641
201720
201819
201918
20202

KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC 7%

7% of complaints: service brakes, hydraulic — 14 distinct reports on file.

CRASH INJURY
Show complaint excerpts

LOUD THUMPING NOISE UNDER THE PASSENGER SEAT, THE ABS BRAKE SYSTEM FAILED, RESULTING IN HITTING A POLE. TT

NHTSA ODI report, 19960216

LOUD THUMPING NOISE UNDER THE PASSENGER SEAT, THE ABS BRAKE SYSTEM FAILED, RESULTING IN HITTING A POLE. TT

NHTSA ODI report, 19960216

AIR BAGS 6%

6% of complaints: air bags — 12 distinct reports on file.

CRASH INJURY
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING 5%

5% of complaints: engine and engine cooling — 11 distinct reports on file.

FIRE
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC 4%

4% of complaints: service brakes, hydraulic — 8 distinct reports on file.

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING 4%

4% of complaints: engine and engine cooling — 8 distinct reports on file.

SAFETY TIMELINE

▮ 1996 — complaint volume: 204
R 19960422 — service brakes, hydraulic

THE LEFT FRONT BRAKE LINE CAN CONTACT THE TRANSAXLE MOUNTING BRACKET OR ATTACHMENT BOLT.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE VEHICLE FOR PROPER BRAKE LINE CLEARANCE AND REPOSITION THOSE BRAKE LINES FOUND TO HAVE LESS THAN MINIMAL CLEARANCE. ADDITIONALLY, THOSE BRAKE LINES FOUND TO HAVE AN INDENTATIO

Campaign 96V069000 — check if this car was fixed

R 19960708 — fuel system, gasoline

A BACKFIRE DURING ENGINE STARTING CAN CAUSE BREAKAGE OF THE UPPER INTAKE MANIFOLD.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL UPDATE THE POWERTRAIN CONTROL MODULE PROGRAMMING. UNTIL THE CAMPAIGN REPAIR IS MADE, THE VEHICLE HOOD SHOULD BE SHUT WHENEVER STARTING THE VEHICLE TO REDUCE THE CHANCE OF PERSONAL INJURY.

Campaign 96V116000 — check if this car was fixed

I 19960927 — EA (closed 19980213)

INAPPROPRIATE AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT

I 19990831 — EA (closed 20011228)

INADVERTENT AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT

I 20020613 — PE (closed 20021022)

ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRES

I 20021022 — EA (closed 20040309)

ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRES

I 20030102 — RQ (closed 20030915)

POWER RACK AND PINION STEERING FAILURE

I 20030915 — EA (closed 20031218)

POWER RACK AND PINION STEERING FAILURE

R 20040205 — steering

CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES HAVE LOWER PINION BEARINGS IN THE POWER RACK AND PINION ASSEMBLY IN WHICH THE RETAINER TABS WERE NOT CRIMPED PROPERLY. THESE RETAINERS COULD FAIL AND PERMIT THE BALL BEARI

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A NEW LOWER PINION BEARING UNLESS INSPECT OF THE EXISTING BEARING INDICATES THAT REPLACEMENT OF THE GEAR ASSEMBLY IS NECESSARY. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON FEBRUARY 5, 2004.

Campaign 03V527000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20070427 — fuel system, other

CERTAIN DELPHI FUEL PRESSURE REGULATORS, P/NOS. FP10020-11B1, FP10026-11B1, AND FP10027-11B1, SOLD AFTER JANUARY 9, 2007, AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. THE UNI

Remedy: DELPHI WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE UPR FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 23, 2007. OWNERS CAN CONTACT DELPHI AT 877-411-8770.

Campaign 07E021000 — check if this car was fixed

BUY-SMART CHECKLIST

1996 Buick Regal — pre-purchase inspection

  • Test/inspect for service brakes, hydraulic issues (14 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for air bags issues (12 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for engine and engine cooling issues (11 reports on file for this year).
  • Verify recall 96V069000 (service brakes, hydraulic) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 96V116000 (fuel system, gasoline) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 03V527000 (steering) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 07E021000 (fuel system, other) has been completed.
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL

BEST YEARS

▲ 2015 ▲ 2014 ▲ 2016

WORST YEARS

■ 1998 ■ 2011 ■ 1999

See all years ranked →

FAQ

Is the 1996 Buick Regal reliable?

Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 1996 Buick Regal is rated "worse than typical".

What are the most common problems with the 1996 Buick Regal?

The most-reported component is service brakes, hydraulic:antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip, accounting for 7% of complaints on file.

How many recalls does the 1996 Buick Regal have?

4 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-07-11 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.