1996 Buick Regal
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 PER YEAR
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 | 18 |
| 2020 | 2 |
KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS
Percentages can add to more than 100% -- a complaint can name more than one system.
24% of complaints: service brakes — 48 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing hydraulic and air.
CRASH FIRE INJURYShow complaint excerpts
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 BUICK REGAL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKE AND ABS WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED.
NHTSA ODI report, 20180418
Also filed under ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
18% of complaints: engine and engine cooling — 37 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing engine and gasoline.
FIRE13% of complaints: electrical system — 27 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing ignition and front underhood.
FIREShow complaint excerpts
THE VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE WHILE PARKED, THE FIRE DEPARTMENT STATED THE FIRE WAS CAUSED BY AN ELECTRICAL SHORT.*JB
NHTSA ODI report, 20030227
WHEN AT A STOP AND WITHOUT WARNING VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE UNDER THE HOOD.*AK
NHTSA ODI report, 20030127
11% of complaints: air bags — 22 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing frontal and side/window.
CRASH INJURYShow complaint excerpts
ON JULY 17, 2019 AT 8:40AM, I GOT INTO MY CAR IN MY DRIVEWAY. I TURNED THE KEY IN THE IGNITION AND THE AIRBAG EXPLODED. (THE CAR WAS NOT STARTED.) THE AIRBAG SOUNDED LIKE A SHOTGUN BEING FIRED AND A POWDER LIKE SUBSTANCE IMMEDIATELY FILLED THE CAR.
NHTSA ODI report, 20191002
THE AIR BAG DEPLOYED WITHOUT IMPACT WHILE DRIVING AT 35 MPH. THE DEALER NOTIFIED. *AK PRIOR TO THE INCIDENT, THE AIR BAG LIGHT HAD COME ON.
NHTSA ODI report, 20030815
DUAL AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY UPON FRONT END IMPACT, DRIVER LOST CONTROL, HIT TELEPHONE POLE, SPEED 25 MPH.*AK
NHTSA ODI report, 19960802
10% of complaints: steering — 21 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing rack and pinion and steering wheel/handle bar.
CRASHShow complaint excerpts
1996 BUICK REGAL. CONSUMER STATED THE POWER STEERING WAS NOT CRIMPED PROPERLY. THE BALL BEARING WENT THROUGH THE GEAR BOX WHICH CAUSED THE DRIVER TO LOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND CRASHED.
NHTSA ODI report, 20150203
SAFETY TIMELINE
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
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
INAPPROPRIATE AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT
INADVERTENT AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT
ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRES
ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRES
POWER RACK AND PINION STEERING FAILURE
POWER RACK AND PINION STEERING FAILURE
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
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 issues (48 reports on file for this year).
- Test/inspect for engine and engine cooling issues (37 reports on file for this year).
- Test/inspect for electrical system issues (27 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.
OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL
BEST YEARS
WORST YEARS
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, accounting for 24% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 1996 Buick Regal have?
4 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.