MYRModel Year Report

1998 Buick Regal

■ Significantly worse — known issue year
1998 Buick Regal
BUILT 2026-08-02

This year had more than double the complaints 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.

How is this computed?

COMPLAINTS PER YEAR

Complaints per year, Buick Regal Bar chart of distinct NHTSA complaints filed per model year, 1998 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 1997: 136 complaints 1998: 302 complaints 1998 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
1998: 302 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

STEERING 12%

12% of complaints: steering — 36 distinct reports on file.

CRASH
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 11%

11% of complaints: electrical system — 33 distinct reports on file.

CRASH FIRE INJURY
Show complaint excerpts

On my way home from purchasing the vehicle, the car began to lose power and i noticed black smoke though the rear view mirror. Another driver signaled me down, so I pulled over and realized my car was on fire.

NHTSA ODI report, 20220310

ENGINE 10%

10% of complaints: engine — 29 distinct reports on file.

CRASH FIRE INJURY
Show complaint excerpts

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 1998 BUICK REGAL. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE HER HUSBAND WAS IDLE AT A GUARD SHAFT, WHEN SHE SAW SMOKE COMING FROM THE HOOD OF THE VEHICLE. THE DRIVER MOVED FORWARD AWAY FROM THE GUARD SHAFT AND PARKED THE VEHICLE.

NHTSA ODI report, 20190730

THE VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN AN ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE. BUICK ADMITS THE RECALL BUT REFUSES TO REPAIR DAMAGE CAUSED BY FIRE. *TR

NHTSA ODI report, 20120719

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING 9%

9% of complaints: engine and engine cooling — 26 distinct reports on file.

FIRE
Show complaint excerpts

I REC'D A RECALL NOTICE ON MY VEHICLE IN NOV.

NHTSA ODI report, 20120404

STEERING 8%

8% of complaints: steering — 23 distinct reports on file.

CRASH

SAFETY TIMELINE

▮ 1998 — complaint volume: 302
R 19980530 — exterior lighting

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE OWNER MANUALS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIREMENT INFORMATION PERTAINING TO THE VEHICLE HEADLAMP AIMING DEVICE. THIS DOES NOT COMPLY WITH REQUIREMENTS OF FMV

Remedy: OWNERS WILL BE MAILED AN OWNER MANUAL'S INSERT WHICH CONTAINS THE APPROPRIATE INFORMATION.

Campaign 98V102000 — check if this car was fixed

I 19990416 — PE (closed 19990820)

WINDSHIELD WIPER

I 19990820 — EA (closed 20000113)

WINDSHIELD WIPER

R 20000720 — exterior lighting

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE VEHICLES DO NOT CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THE VERTICAL HEAD LAMP ADJUSTING

Remedy: OWNERS WILL BE PROVIDED WITH AN OWNER'S MANUAL INSERT CONTAINING INSTRUCTIONS FOR OPTICALLY AIMING THE HEADLAMPS.

Campaign 99V356000 — check if this car was fixed

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 20080428 — engine and engine cooling

GM IS RECALLING 207,542 MY 1997-2003 BUICK REGAL AND PONTIAC GRAND PRIX VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH A 3.8L SUPERCHARGED V-6 ENGINE. THESE VEHICLES HAVE HIGHER FRONT ROCKER COVER GASKET TEMPERATURES, CREAT

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE ENGINE’S FRONT VALVE COVER AND FRONT-VALVE-COVER GASKET WITH NEW PARTS OF AN IMPROVED DESIGN AND REMOVE THE ENGINE’S PLASTIC COVER AND PLASTIC OIL-FILL-TUBE EXTENSION, ALONG

Campaign 08V118000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20090223 — steering

DORMAN IS RECALLING 979 STEERING KNUCKLES, DORMAN P/NOS. 697-902 AND 697-903, SOLD UNDER DORMAN'S "OE SOLUTIONS<SUP>TM</SUP>" BRAND NAME, AND NAPA P/NOS. 7-8502 AND 7-8503 WHICH WERE SOLD FOR REPLACEM

Remedy: DORMAN WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE DEFECTIVE STEERING KNUCKLES FREE OF CHARGE AND REIMBURSE THE REPAIR FACILITY OR OWNER FOR LABOR. THE RECALL BEGAN ON FEBRUARY 23, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT D

Campaign 09E005000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20090409 — engine and engine cooling

GENERAL MOTORS IS RECALLING 1,497,516 MY 1997-2003 BUICK REGAL, MY 1998-2003 CHEVROLET LUMINA, MONTE CARLO AND IMPALA, MY 1998-1999 OLDSMOBILE INTRIGUE, MY 1997-2003 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX VEHICLES EQUIPP

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE ENGINE’S FRONT VALVE COVER AND FRONT-VALVE-COVER GASKET WITH NEW PARTS OF AN IMPROVED DESIGN AND REMOVE THE ENGINE’S PLASTIC COVER AND PLASTIC OIL-FILL-TUBE EXTENSION, FREE

Campaign 09V116000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20160219 — engine and engine cooling

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 1998-1999 Chevrolet Lumina and Oldsmobile Intrigue, 1997-2004 Buick Regal and Pontiac Grand Prix, 2000-2004 Chevrolet Impala, and 1998-2004 Chevrolet Monte Carlo vehicles.

Remedy: The remedy applied under recalls 08V-118, 09V-116, and 15V-201 did not adequately remove the safety risk. Under the improved remedy, dealers will replace the engine’s front valve cover and gasket.

Campaign 15V701000 — check if this car was fixed

BUY-SMART CHECKLIST

1998 Buick Regal — pre-purchase inspection

  • Test/inspect for steering issues (36 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for electrical system issues (33 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for engine issues (29 reports on file for this year).
  • Verify recall 98V102000 (exterior lighting) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 99V356000 (exterior lighting) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 03V527000 (steering) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 08V118000 (engine and engine cooling) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 09E005000 (steering) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 09V116000 (engine and engine cooling) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 15V701000 (engine and engine cooling) has been completed.
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL

BEST YEARS

▲ 2015 ▲ 2014 ▲ 2016

WORST YEARS

■ 2011 ■ 1999 ◆ 1996

See all years ranked →

FAQ

Is the 1998 Buick Regal reliable?

Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 1998 Buick Regal is rated "significantly worse".

What are the most common problems with the 1998 Buick Regal?

The most-reported component is steering:rack and pinion, accounting for 12% of complaints on file.

How many recalls does the 1998 Buick Regal have?

7 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.