1990 Buick REGAL: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
56 owner complaints analyzed
8 distinct recall campaigns
125,538 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1990 model year. Data snapshot: . 2 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc is the most frequently named component, appearing in 9 of 56 complaints (16.1%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 35 | 62.5% |
| Steering behavior | 6 | 10.7% |
| Transmission and shifting | 1 | 1.8% |
| Engine operation | 1 | 1.8% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 1 | 1.8% |
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 | 9 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components | 8 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc:Caliper | 8 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Drum | 6 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip | 4 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc:Pads | 4 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc:Rotor | 4 |
| Structure | 4 |
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc: 9; Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components: 8; Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc:Caliper: 8; Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Drum: 6; Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip: 4; Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc:Pads: 4; Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc:Rotor: 4; Structure: 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 | 0 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 2 |
| 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: 0; 100,000 to 149,999: 2; 150,000 and above: 0
100,000 to 149,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (2). 54 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 | 29 |
| 1996 | 9 |
| 2000 | 6 |
| 2001 | 5 |
| 2002 | 2 |
| 2003 | 1 |
| 2004 | 2 |
| 2007 | 1 |
| 2017 | 1 |
1995: 29; 1996: 9; 2000: 6; 2001: 5; 2002: 2; 2003: 1; 2004: 2; 2007: 1; 2017: 1
Pattern summary
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 35 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 6 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 1 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 10015824 · 2003-04-14 (April 14, 2003)
AFTER THE RECALL FOR THE CRADLE BOLTS WAS COMPLETED, THE STEERING FAILED. RECALL #00 V 189 000. *JB AFTER THE RECALL FOR THE CRADLE BOLTS WAS COMPLETED, THE STEERING FAILED. RECALL #00 V 189 000. THERE WAS A CLASS ACTION SUIT ON BRAKES-CONSUMER'S BRAKES FAILED AFTER THE CLASS ACTION SUIT.*MR
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10015824 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10057704 · 2004-02-09 (February 9, 2004)
RIGHT FRONT WHEEL VIBRATED. DRIVER PULLED OVER, PULLED OFF LUGS, AND NOTICED THE RIM WAS CRACKED. DEALER WAS CONTACTED. RECALL 94V041000 WAS ISSUED ON THIS MAKE, MODEL, AND YEAR, BUT THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED UNDER RECALL DUE TO VIN. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10057704 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10081463 · 2004-09-28 (September 28, 2004)
THE REAR CRADLE BOLTS BROKE AND THE CRADLE SEPARATED FROM THE BODY OF THE VEHICLE. THIS CAUSED THE STEERING LINKAGE COUPLERS TO SEPARATE AND FALL OFF, RESULTING IN LOSS OF STEERING. THIS OCCURRED BECAUSE THE CRADLE BOLTS RUSTED. THIS WOULD NOT HAVE OCCURRED IF CORROSIVE RESTRAINT PARTS WERE USED WHEN THE REAR CRADLE BOLT RECALL 97V058000 REPAIRS WERE PERFORMED, PER THE DEALERSHIP.*AK A RECALL WAS ISSUED FOR THE FRONT AND REAR CRADLE BOLTS. THE CONSUMER CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER TO FIND OUT WHEN OR IF THE BOLTS WERE EVER REPLACED. THE R…
Owner-reported narrative. 147,076 miles reported. Look up ODI 10081463 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10209421 · 2007-11-15 (November 15, 2007)
1990 BUICK REGAL HAD EQUIPMENT FAILURE. CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER TO THE SHOULDER UNDER CONTROL WITHOUT ANY PROBLEMS. *KB ACCORDING TO THE POLICE REPORT, UPON INSPECTION OF THE HOOD LATCH AND BRACKET, THE OFFICER DISCOVERED PART OF THE BRACKET AT THE FRONT OF THE ENGINE BAY WAS MISSING. THE BOLT WAS MISSING AS WELL. THE CRASH WAS DUE TO THE HOOD LATCH AND BRACKET COMING APART, WHICH CAUSED THE HOOD TO OPEN AND SLAM AGAINST THE WINDSHIELD. THE CONSUMER WAS INJURED. (OHIO TRAFFIC CRASH REPORT).
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10209421 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11030063 · 2017-09-26 (September 26, 2017)
ELECTRICAL SYSTEMS CONTROLLED BY SIGNAL LEVER DO NOT WORK EXCEPT BY HOLDING LEVER IN CERTAIN POSITIONS: I.E. BRAKE LIGHTS, SIGNAL LEVER L UP, TURN SIGNALS SWITCH LEVER UP, HIGH BEAMS NO GO ETC. ALL THE TIME.
Owner-reported narrative. 104,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11030063 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 483810 · 1995-09-05 (September 5, 1995)
WHEEL BEARINGS REPLACED. *SD
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 483810 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 483892 · 1995-09-09 (September 9, 1995)
REAR BRAKES CORRODED, CAUSING POOR BRAKING PERFORMANCE. *SD
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 483892 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 484548 · 1995-07-27 (July 27, 1995)
REPLACED TRANSMISSION. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 484548 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
8 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 ↗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 ↗90V112000 · Seat Belts:Front:Webbing
Reported: 1990-06-06 (June 6, 1990)
OWNERS MANUALS DID NOT FULLY EXPLAIN HOW FRONT SHOULDER BELT COMFORT FEATURE WORKS.
Consequence: CARS WOULD NOT COMPLY WITH FMVSS 208, AND INCORRECT USE OF SAFETY RESTRAINTS COULD LEAD TO PERSONAL INJURY TO OCCUPANTS IF AN ACCIDENTSHOULD OCCUR.
Remedy: INSERT STICKER THAT PROVIDES MISSING INFORMATION IN OWNERS MANUALS.
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 ↗91V005000 · Seat Belts
Reported: 1991-10-02 (October 2, 1991)
FRONT SHOULDER SAFETY BELT WEBBING MAY SEPARATE AT FRONT BELT UPPER GUIDE LOOPS ON EITHER SIDE OF THE FRONT SEAT.
Consequence: WEBBING SEPARATION COULD OCCUR WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING ANDINCREASE THE RISK OF INJURY TO BELTED FRONT OUTBOARD OCCUPANTS IN A HIGH ENERGYCRASH.
Remedy: INSTALL A CONTROLLED ROTATION BRACKET ON DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE FRONT SEAT BELT GUIDE LOOPS.
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 ↗