1989 Buick REGAL: complaints, problems and recalls
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.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
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 ↗
Owner report 10154623 · 2006-04-05 (April 5, 2006)
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING UNDER 10 MPH, THE ENGINE FELL OUT FROM UNDER THE VEHICLE. THIS OCCURRED IN FRONT OF THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE AND THE CONTACT DETERMINED THE REAR CRADLE BOLT BROKE AND REPAIRED THE VEHICLE. THERE IS A NHTSA RECALL, # 97V058000, REGARDING THE STRUCTURE. THE VEHICLE HAS THE SAME PROBLEMS AS INDICATED IN THE RECALL; HOWEVER, IT IS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO THE VIN.
Owner-reported narrative. 80,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10154623 at NHTSA ↗
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 480693 · 1995-01-22 (January 22, 1995)
EMERGENCY BRAKE IS TOO WEAK TO PROPERLY ADJUST REAR BRAKES AS REQUIRED. *SKD
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 480693 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 480901 · 1995-01-21 (January 21, 1995)
ODOMETER FAILED, GIVING WRONG VEHICLE MILEAGE.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 480901 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 483142 · 1995-08-17 (August 17, 1995)
CORRODED REAR BRAKE CALIPER, CAUSING CALIPERS TO STICK. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 483142 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 484692 · 1995-07-29 (July 29, 1995)
VEHICLE EXPERIENCES EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 484692 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
7 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
00V189000 · Structure
Reported: 2000-07-11 (July 11, 2000)
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES ORIGINALLY SOLD OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN THE STATES OF CONNECTICUT, DELAWARE, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, IOWA, MAINE, MARYLAND, MASSACHUSETTS, MICHIGAN, MINNESOTA, MISSOURI, NEW HAMPSHIRE, NEW JERSEY, NEW YORK, OHIO, PENNSYLVANIA, RHODE ISLAND, VERMONT, WEST VIRGINIA, WISCONSIN, AND THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, WHERE ROAD SALT USE IS HEAVY. A CONDITION WHERE ONE OR BOTH FRONT ENGINE CRADLE BOLTS CAN PULL THROUGH THE RETAINERS DUE TO CORROSION OF THE RETAINERS.
Consequence: IF BOTH BOLTS PULL THROUGH, THE FRONT OF THE CRADLE WOULD NO LONGER BE SUPPORTED AT THE MOUNTING LOCATIONS AND THE STEERING INTERMEDIATE SHAFT COULD SEPARATE FROM THE STEERING GEAR.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FRONT AND REAR FRAME/CRADLE BOLTS AND RETAINERS.
NHTSA campaign record ↗88V188000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:Storage:Tank Assembly:Filler Pipe And Cap
Reported: 1988-12-06 (December 6, 1988)
FUEL RETURN LINES COULD FRACTURE AND ALLOW FUEL TO LEAK IN THE AREA OF THE FUEL TANK.
Consequence: IN PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, THIS CONDITION COULDRESULT IN A FIRE.
Remedy: INSTALL NEW FUEL RETURN PIPE ASSEMBLY.
NHTSA campaign record ↗90V054000 · Seat Belts
Reported: 1990-03-14 (March 14, 1990)
FRONT SHOULDER BELT GUIDE LOOP ATTACHMENT FASTENER MAY PULL THROUGH DOOR MOUNTED ANCHOR PLATE.
Consequence: SEAT BELT MAY NOT SUSTAIN LOADS REQUIRED BY FMVSS 210, AND IN A VEHICLE ACCIDENT, THE SEAT BELT MAY NOT PROPERLY RESTRAIN A PASSENGER, RESULTING IN INCREASED RISK OF GREATER INJURY TO AN OCCUPANT.
Remedy: REPLACE FRONT SHOULDER BELT GUIDE LOOP ATTACHMENT NUTS AND INSTALL NEW GUIDE COVER.
NHTSA campaign record ↗90V185000 · Exterior Lighting:Brake Lights:Switch
Reported: 1990-10-16 (October 16, 1990)
BRAKE STOPLAMPS MAY NOT ILLUMINATE OR, IN SOME CASES, STOPLAMPS WILL NOT STAY ILLUMINATED ALL THE TIME WHEN BRAKES ARE APPLIED DUE TO A FAULTY STOPLAMP SWITCH. ALSO IN VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH CRUISE CONTROL, A FAULTY STOPLAMP SWITCH CAN RESULT IN RESUMPTION OF THE CRUISE CONTROL FUNCTION UPON RELEASE OF THE BRAKE PEDAL.
Consequence: A TRAILING VEHICLE MAY NOT RECOGNIZE A BRAKING ACTIONIN TIME TO RESPOND APPROPRIATELY. ALSO, CRUISE CONTROL WILL REENGAGE UPONRELEASE OF THE BRAKE PEDAL AND RESUME THE SET SPEED. IN EITHER CASE, IT COULDRESULT IN A CRASH WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING.
Remedy: INSTALL AN IMPROVED DESIGN STOPLAMP SWITCH.
NHTSA campaign record ↗94V041000 · Wheels
Reported: 1995-03-28 (March 28, 1995)
CRACKS DEVELOP IN THE WHEEL MOUNTING SURFACE. IF THESE CRACKS BECOME SEVERE ENOUGH, THE WHEEL WILL COMPLETELY SEPARATE FROM THE VEHICLE.
Consequence: IF WHEEL SEPARATION OCCURS WHILE THE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION, LOSS OF STEERING AND BRAKE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE OCCURS, AND A VEHICLE CRASH COULD RESULT WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE MANUFACTURING CODES STAMPED ON EACH WHEEL OF THE VEHICLE AND IF A WHEEL FALLS WITHIN THE SPECIFIED DATE CODE RANGE, THE DEALER WILL REPLACE THAT WHEEL ASSEMBLY.
NHTSA campaign record ↗95V115000 · Wheels
Reported: 1995-06-05 (June 5, 1995)
CRACKS DEVELOP IN THE WHEEL MOUNTING SURFACE. IF THESE CRACKS BECOME SEVERE ENOUGH, THE WHEEL WILL COMPLETELY SEPARATE FROM THE VEHICLE.
Consequence: IF WHEEL SEPARATION OCCURS WHILE THE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION, LOSS OF STEERING AND BRAKE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE OCCURS, AND A VEHICLE CRASH COULD RESULT WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE MANUFACTURING DATE CODES STAMPED ON EACH WHEEL OF THE VEHICLE AND IF A WHEEL FALLS WITHIN THE SPECIFIED DATE CODE RANGE, THE DEALER WILL REPLACE THAT WHEEL ASSEMBLY.
NHTSA campaign record ↗97V058000 · Structure
Reported: 1997-04-08 (April 8, 1997)
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES AND MINI VANS ORIGINALLY SOLD OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN THE FOLLOWING STATES: CONNECTICUT, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, MAINE, MASSACHUSETTS, MICHIGAN, NEW HAMPSHIRE, NEW JERSEY, NEW YORK, OHIO, PENNSYLVANIA, RHODE ISLAND, VERMONT AND WISCONSIN. THE REAR CRADLE BOLTS PULL THROUGH THE RETAINERS DUE TO CORROSION OF THE RETAINER. IF BOTH BOLTS PULL THROUGH, THE REAR CRADLE WOULD NOT LONGER BE SUPPORTED AT THESE MOUNTING LOCATIONS AND THE STEERING INTERMEDIATE SHAFT CAN SEPARATE FROM THE STEERING GEAR.
Consequence: IF THIS WERE TO OCCUR WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION, A VEHICLE CRASH COULD RESULT.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE REAR CRADLE BOLTS AND RETAINERS.
NHTSA campaign record ↗