MYRModel Year Report

1998 Buick Regal

■ Significantly worse — known issue year
1998 Buick Regal
BUILT 2026-10-10

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
302
Recalls
7

Campaigns on file for 1998

Investigations
6

Opened by NHTSA

Top problem
Steering

26% 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 1992 1993: 86 complaints 1994: 119 complaints 1995: 174 complaints 1996: 204 complaints 1997: 136 complaints 1998: 302 complaints 1998 302 1999: 246 complaints 2000: 184 complaints 2001: 187 complaints 2002: 117 complaints 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 1992: 145 complaints 1993: 86 complaints 1994: 119 complaints 1994 1995: 174 complaints 1996: 204 complaints 1997: 136 complaints 1998: 302 complaints 1998 302 1999: 246 complaints 2000: 184 complaints 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 1992 1993: 86 complaints 1994: 119 complaints 1994 1995: 174 complaints 1996: 204 complaints 1996 1997: 136 complaints 1998: 302 complaints 1998 302 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

1998: 302 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.

Steering

26% · 78 reports

Most commonly citing rack and pinion and rack.

CRASH

Engine and engine cooling

18% · 55 reports

Most commonly citing gasoline and engine.

FIRE
Show complaint excerpts

I rec'd a recall notice on my vehicle in nov.

NHTSA ODI report, 2012-04-04

Electrical system

17% · 51 reports

Most commonly citing switch and ignition.

CRASHFIREINJURY
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, 2022-03-10

Also filed under Service brakes

Service brakes

11% · 32 reports

Most commonly citing hydraulic and electric.

FIRE

Engine

10% · 29 reports
CRASHFIREINJURY
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, 2019-07-30

The vehicle was involved in an engine compartment fire. Buick admits the recall but refuses to repair damage caused by fire.

NHTSA ODI report, 2012-07-19

Safety timeline

7 recalls · 6 investigations · oldest first

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

  1. ▮
    1998Complaint volume 302 complaints filed for this model year.
  2. R
    1998-05-30Exterior lighting98V102000 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…

    Remedy: Owners will be mailed an owner manual's insert which contains the appropriate information.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  3. I
    1999-04-16Preliminary evaluationClosed 1999-08-20 Windshield wiper
  4. I
    1999-08-20Engineering analysisClosed 2000-01-13 Windshield wiper
  5. R
    2000-07-20Exterior lighting99V356000 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…

    Remedy: Owners will be provided with an owner's manual insert containing instructions for optically aiming the headlamps.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  6. I
    2002-06-13Preliminary evaluationClosed 2002-10-22 Engine compartment fires
  7. I
    2002-10-22Engineering analysisClosed 2004-03-09 Engine compartment fires
  8. I
    2003-01-02Recall queryClosed 2003-09-15 Power rack and pinion steering failure
  9. I
    2003-09-15Engineering analysisClosed 2003-12-18 Power rack and pinion steering failure
  10. R
    2004-02-05Steering03V527000 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…

    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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  11. R
    2008-04-28Engine and engine cooling08V118000 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…

    Remedy: Dealers will replace the engineâ’s front valve cover and front-valve-cover gasket with new parts of an improved design and remove the engineâ’s plastic cover and plastic oil-fill-tube extension…

    Check if this car was fixed →

  12. R
    2009-02-23Steering09E005000 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…

    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…

    Check if this car was fixed →

  13. R
    2009-04-09Engine and engine cooling09V116000 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…

    Remedy: Dealers will replace the engineâ’s front valve cover and front-valve-cover gasket with new parts of an improved design and remove the engineâ’s plastic cover and plastic oil-fill-tube extension…

    Check if this car was fixed →

  14. R
    2016-02-19Engine and engine cooling15V701000 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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

Buy-smart checklist

1998 Buick Regal — pre-purchase inspection

Inspect

  • Steering: 78 reports on file for this year.
  • Engine and engine cooling: 55 reports on file for this year.
  • Electrical system: 51 reports on file for this year.

Verify these recalls were completed

  • Recall 98V102000 · Exterior lighting
  • Recall 99V356000 · Exterior lighting
  • Recall 03V527000 · Steering
  • Recall 08V118000 · Engine and engine cooling
  • Recall 09E005000 · Steering
  • Recall 09V116000 · Engine and engine cooling
  • Recall 15V701000 · Engine and engine cooling
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

Other years of this model

See all years ranked →

Best years3 years

Worst years3 years

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, accounting for 26% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 1998 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.