1979 Buick REGAL: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
3 owner complaints analyzed
4 distinct recall campaigns
84,009 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1979 model year. Data snapshot: . 1 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Tires:Tread/Belt is the most frequently named component, appearing in 3 of 3 complaints (100.0%). A complaint can name multiple components.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Tires:Tread/Belt | 3 |
Tires:Tread/Belt: 3
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). 2 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 |
|---|---|
| 2003 | 1 |
| 2004 | 2 |
2003: 1; 2004: 2
Pattern summary
Tires:Tread/Belt leads the component reports. 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.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10031941 · 2003-08-01 (August 1, 2003)
WHIHLE DRIVNG THE TREAD OF THE PASSENGER SIDE FRONT TIRE SEPARATED FROMTHE TIRE. THE TIRE DENTED THE RIGHT FENDER AND RIGHT FRONT DOOR. *MR *CB *NLM
Owner-reported narrative. 84,009 miles reported. Look up ODI 10031941 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10073751 · 2004-07-06 (July 6, 2004)
WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH A LOUD KNOCKING NOISE WAS HEARD FROM THE REAR. CONSUMER PULLED OVER, AND NOTICED THAT THE RIGHT PASSENGER SIDE TIRE TREAD SEPARATED FROM THE WHEEL. CONSUMER CALLED ROAD SIDE ASSISTANT TO CHANGE THE TIRE. FIRESTONE FR480, SIZE P215/70R14, DOT W2HY1MD519. *AK THE TIRE BLOWOUT CAUSED DAMAGE TO THE VEHICLE'S RIGHT FRONT FENDER AND DOOR. *NM
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10073751 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10089960 · 2004-08-27 (August 27, 2004)
WHILE DRIVING CONSUMER HEARD A LOUD KNOCKING NOISE COMING FROM THE REAR. CONSUMER PULLED OVER, AND NOTICED THAT THE TREAD SEPARATED FROM THE SIDEWALL ON PASSENGER'S SIDE TIRE. THIS CAUSED DAMAGES TO THE UNDER CARRIAGE/FENDER; AND DOOR. CONSUMER CALLED ROAD SIDE ASSISTANCE AND VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER. FIRESTONE FR480, P215/70R14 #DOT W2HY1MD519. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10089960 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
4 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
79V142000 · Exterior Lighting:Brake Lights:Switch
Reported: 1979-06-06 (June 6, 1979)
ON THE INVOLVED VEHICLES THE BRAKE STOPLIGHT AND CRUISE CONTROL SWITCH WHICH IS OPERATED BY THE BRAKE PEDAL MAY HAVE BEEN ASSEMBLED WITH AN INCORRECT LUBRICANT ON THE ACTUATING PLUNGER. THIS CAN CAUSE THE REAR BRAKE STOPLIGHTS TO BECOME INOPERATIVE AND THE CRUISE CONTROL, IF ACTIVATED, TO STAY ELECTRICALLY ENGAGED.
Remedy: DEALER WILL INSPECT AND, IF NECESSARY, REPLACE THE BRAKE STOPLIGHT AND CRUISE CONTROL SWITCH AT NO COST TO OWNER.
NHTSA campaign record ↗79V214000 · Power Train:Automatic Transmission:Lever And Linkage:Floor Shift
Reported: 1979-09-18 (September 18, 1979)
THE SHIFT CABLE RETAINING CLIP MAY HAVE BEEN INSTALLED BACKWARDS OR NOT AT ALL. THE PURPOSE OF THIS SPRING CLIP IS TO SECURE THE LOWER END OF THE SHIFT CABLE HOUSING TO THE TRANSMISSION. IF THE CLIP IS BACKWARD OR MISSING, THE CONSOLE SHIFT LEVER MAY NOT SHIFT THE TRANSMISSION AND/OR THE TRANSMISSION RANGE INDICATOR MAY INDICATE THAT THE TRANSMISSION IS IN THE "PARK" OR "P" POSITION WHEN IT IS NOT.
Remedy: THE DEALER WILL INSPECT AND IF NECESSARY CORRECT THE SHIFT CABLE RETAINING CLIP INSTALLATION AT NO CHARGE.
NHTSA campaign record ↗81V025000 · Suspension:Rear
Reported: 1981-02-25 (February 25, 1981)
THE BOLTS THAT ATTACH THE LOWER REAR CONTROL ARM TO THE FRAME MAY FRACTURE. THE REAR CONTROL ARM SUPPORTS AND POSITIONS THE REAR AXLE. FRACTURE OF THE BOLTS WOULD ALLOW THE CONTROL ARM TO DROP FREE.
Remedy: BOTH REAR CONTROL ARM ATTACHMENT BOLTS WILL BE REPLACED WITHOUT CHARGE.
NHTSA campaign record ↗84V149000 · Power Train:Axle Assembly:Axle Shaft
Reported: 1984-11-24 (November 24, 1984)
REAR AXLE ASSEMBLY MAY HAVE AXLES THAT WERE IMPROPERLY MANUFACTURED. THIS CONDITION MAY RESULT IN SEPARATION OF THE AXLE SHAFT AND WHEEL ASSEMBLY FROM THE VEHICLE.
Remedy: THE DEALER WILL INSPECT THE REAR AXLE TO DETERMINE WHETHER IT WAS MANUFACTURED AT THE BUFFALO PLANT. IF SO, THEY WILL MAKE AXLE MEASUREMENTS AND IF NECESSARY REPLACE OR MODIFY AFFECTED AXLE COMPONENTS WITHOUT CHARGE.
NHTSA campaign record ↗