1989 Buick REGAL problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
68 owner complaints analyzed
7 distinct recall campaigns
80,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1989 model year. Data snapshot: . 1 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc:Caliper is the most frequently named component, appearing in 14 of 68 complaints (20.6%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 36 | 52.9% |
| Engine operation | 5 | 7.4% |
| Steering behavior | 4 | 5.9% |
| Transmission and shifting | 3 | 4.4% |
| Fuel system concerns | 1 | 1.5% |
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 | 14 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc | 13 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components | 7 |
| Structure | 7 |
| Electrical System:Ignition | 4 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine | 4 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc:Pads | 4 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc:Rotor | 4 |
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc:Caliper: 14; Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc: 13; Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components: 7; Structure: 7; Electrical System:Ignition: 4; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine: 4; Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc:Pads: 4; Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc:Rotor: 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 | 0 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 0 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 1 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 0 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 0; 25,000 to 49,999: 0; 50,000 to 74,999: 0; 75,000 to 99,999: 1; 100,000 to 149,999: 0; 150,000 and above: 0
75,000 to 99,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (1). 67 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 | 38 |
| 1996 | 9 |
| 2000 | 8 |
| 2001 | 5 |
| 2002 | 6 |
| 2004 | 1 |
| 2006 | 1 |
1995: 38; 1996: 9; 2000: 8; 2001: 5; 2002: 6; 2004: 1; 2006: 1
Pattern summary
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc:Caliper leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 36 complaint narratives. Engine operation appears in 5 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 478359 · 1995-01-01 (January 1, 1995)
REAR CALIPERS FROZE TWICE, CAUSING BRAKE FLUID TO BOIL DUE TO FRICTION AND MASTER CYLINDER TO FAIL, RESULTING IN LOSS OF CONTROL/ONE ACCIDENT/INJURY. *SKD
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 478359 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 480605 · 1995-01-18 (January 18, 1995)
BRAKE STOP LAMP FAILS TO ILLUMINATE WHEN BRAKING DUE TO FAULTY BRAKE STOP LAMP SWITCH. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 480605 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 488622 · 1995-09-08 (September 8, 1995)
IGNITION COIL MODULE FAILED, CAUSING VEHICLE TO STALL. *DSH
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 488622 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 755788 · 2001-12-18 (December 18, 2001)
AFTER TRAVELING 35 MILES, ON FREEWAY, STALLED OUT GOING DOWN OFF RAMP,ON RAMP, APROX 20 MPH.WAS TO TOWED TO GARAGE. STARTED RIGHT UP AFER COOLED DOWN FOR 1HOUR. DAUGHTERS 1989 OLDS DOES SAME THING.IS THERE A RECALL OF SOME KIND I SHOULD KNOW ABOUT? CRUISE CONTROL DOESNT WORK. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 755788 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 561283 · 2001-05-22 (May 22, 2001)
THE REAR CRABLE BOLTS SHEARED OFF THE VEHICLE WHILE DRIVING CAUSING THE FRAME OF THE VEHICLE TO FALL TO THE GROUND WHICH ALSO DAMAGED THE OIL PAN AND SEPARATED THE STEERING SHAFT, THE DRIVER LOST THE ABILITY TO STEER AND BRAKE, THE CRADLE BOLTS WERE PREVIOUSLY RECALLED AND REPLACED IN 1997 (97V-058).
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 561283 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 867136 · 2000-08-08 (August 8, 2000)
WHILE TRAVELING AND WITHOUT INDICATION VEHICLE ENGINE DROPPED, AND CONSUMER LOST ALL STEERING AND BRAKE POWER. *AK TRANSMISSION ALSO DROPPED TO THE GROUND CAUSING LOSS OF STEERING AND BRAKE POWER, MUFFLER BREAKING AND WATER PUMP LEAK. *YH
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 867136 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 553730 · 2000-08-14 (August 14, 2000)
CONSUMER WAS DRIVING WHEN THE MOTOR SUDDENLY DROPPED TO THE STREET ALONG WITH THE TRANSMISSION. NLM
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 553730 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 717951 · 2000-01-27 (January 27, 2000)
2 OCCURRENCES OF SUDDEN ACCELERATION. FIRST REPORTED TO GM DEALER 2/13/92. DEALER STATED DEFECTIVE ECM AND REPLACED ECM. NO PROBLEMS TILL RECENTLY. WHEN SHIFTING FROM PARK TO REVERSE CAR ACCELERATED WITH FULL RPM. CAR CRASHED INTO ROW OF TRESS, TOTALLED VEHICLE AND INJURING DRIVER. WOULD NOW LIKE TO KNOW RECOURSE WITH GM.*AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 717951 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10094546 · 2004-09-28 (September 28, 2004)
VEHICLE SMELLED OF GAS, THERE WAS GAS ON THE GROUND ALL THE TIME. THE GAS TANK WAS DEFECTIVE AS STATED IN RECALL 88V188000. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10094546 at NHTSA ↗