1988 Buick REGAL problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
90 owner complaints analyzed
10 distinct recall campaigns
86,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1988 model year. Data snapshot: . 7 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc:Caliper is the most frequently named component, appearing in 24 of 90 complaints (26.7%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 50 | 55.6% |
| Transmission and shifting | 6 | 6.7% |
| Steering behavior | 4 | 4.4% |
| Engine operation | 1 | 1.1% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 1 | 1.1% |
| Fuel system concerns | 1 | 1.1% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc:Caliper | 24 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc | 19 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc:Rotor | 11 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Drum | 11 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc:Pads | 7 |
| Power Train:Automatic Transmission | 6 |
| Structure | 5 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine | 4 |
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc:Caliper: 24; Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc: 19; Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc:Rotor: 11; Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Drum: 11; Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc:Pads: 7; Power Train:Automatic Transmission: 6; Structure: 5; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine: 4
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 0 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 1 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 2 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 1 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 0 |
| 150,000 and above | 3 |
Under 25,000: 0; 25,000 to 49,999: 1; 50,000 to 74,999: 2; 75,000 to 99,999: 1; 100,000 to 149,999: 0; 150,000 and above: 3
150,000 and above miles has the most reports with usable mileage (3). 83 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 1995 | 50 |
| 1996 | 15 |
| 2000 | 7 |
| 2001 | 5 |
| 2002 | 4 |
| 2003 | 4 |
| 2004 | 2 |
| 2007 | 1 |
| 2008 | 1 |
| 2009 | 1 |
1995: 50; 1996: 15; 2000: 7; 2001: 5; 2002: 4; 2003: 4; 2004: 2; 2007: 1; 2008: 1; 2009: 1
Pattern summary
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc:Caliper leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 50 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 6 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 4 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10029671 · 2003-07-18 (July 18, 2003)
WOULD HAVE NO REAR SIGNAL LIGHT UNLESS THE SIGNAL SWITCH IS HELD IN A CERTAIN WAY AND POSITION. THIS WOULD ALSO EFFECT THE BRAKE LIGHTS. TRANSMISSION FAILS TO SHOW PROPER GEAR WHILE DRIVING. WHEN DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH OR MORE, THE GEAR SHOWS IT'S IN REVERSE INSTEAD OF THE DRIVE POSITION.*AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10029671 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10031317 · 2003-08-28 (August 28, 2003)
LTR ON BEHALF OF ELLE KELLY (NJ) CONCERNED THAT SOME 1988-1993 CHEVROLET LUMINA, BUICK REGAL PONTIAC GRAND PRIX, OLDSMOBILE CUTLASS VEHICLES WITH DEFECTIVE BRAKES WERE STILL ON THE ROAD. *MR *SCC *JB *JB
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10031317 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10048716 · 2003-11-26 (November 26, 2003)
THE TRANSMISSION FAILED WITHIN 3 MONTHS OF OWNERSHIP. THE CAUSE HAS YET TO BE DETERMINED. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. *NLM
Owner-reported narrative. 172,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10048716 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10105182 · 2004-12-21 (December 21, 2004)
CONSUMER RECEIVED RECALL 97V058000 CONCERNING CRADLE BOLTS. WHILE PULLING OUT OF A PARKING LOT AT 5 MPH VEHICLE SUDDENLY LOST STEERING CONTROL. VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A REPAIR SHOP, AND MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT THE VEHICLE LOST CRADLE BOLT SUPPORT. CONSUMER CONTACTED THE DEALER, WHO INFORMED CONSUMER THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NO LONGER COVERED UNDER THAT RECALL. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. 166,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10105182 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 8010345 · 2002-05-22 (May 22, 2002)
FRONT END FRAME SNAPPED, CAUSING IT TO BE TOO MUCH WEIGHT ON ENGINE AND TRANSMISSION.*AK FRONT CRADLE BOLTS BROKE PRIOR TO RECEIVING RECALL NOTICE 00V189000. HOWEVER DEALER WOULD NOT FIX STATING THAT THE FRAME CRADLE WAS BROKE DUE TO RUST (NOT DUE TO THE CRADLE BOLTS) AND DROPPED 2 INCHES CAUSING THE STEERING GEAR TO SEPARATE FROM THE STEERING SHAFT CAUSING LOSS OF CONTROL. IGNITION MODULE AND COIL PACK HAD TO BE REPLACED. FUEL INJECTORS REPLACED TWICE. DOOR HINGE REPLACED TWICE. *TT
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 8010345 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 480545 · 1995-01-19 (January 19, 1995)
VEHICLE STALLED;UPON RESTARTING, VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 480545 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10186858 · 2007-03-28 (March 28, 2007)
TL*- THE CONTACT OWNS A 1988 BUICK REGAL WHICH SHE PURCHASED RECENTLY. THE ODOMETER ON THE VEHICLE DID NOT WORK. THE CONTACT CLAIMED THAT THE DEALER DID NOT INSPECT THE VEHICLES BEFORE THEY SOLD THEM. THEY REPAIRED THE REAR BRAKES, AND THE DRIVER'S SIDE FRONT BRAKES, BUT THE BRAKES WERE STILL NOT OPERATING PROPERLY. THE VEHICLE COULD NOT PASS AN INSPECTION, AND NOW THE VEHICLE DID NOT START. THE MECHANIC BELIEVED THAT THE FAILURE MAY BE IN THE FUEL FILTER, FUEL PUMP OR SOMETHING ELSE. THE VEHICLE WOULD TURN OVER, BUT WOULD NOT START. …
Owner-reported narrative. 155,925 miles reported. Look up ODI 10186858 at NHTSA ↗