1993 Buick REGAL: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
56 owner complaints analyzed
2 distinct recall campaigns
75,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1993 model year. Data snapshot: . 3 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip is the most frequently named component, appearing in 8 of 56 complaints (14.3%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 27 | 48.2% |
| Steering behavior | 3 | 5.4% |
| Transmission and shifting | 2 | 3.6% |
| Engine operation | 1 | 1.8% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 1 | 1.8% |
| Fuel system concerns | 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:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip | 8 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc | 6 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc:Caliper | 6 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc:Rotor | 6 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Drum | 4 |
| Seat Belts:Front:Anchorage | 3 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 3 |
| Electrical System:Alternator/Generator/Regulator | 2 |
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip: 8; Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc: 6; Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc:Caliper: 6; Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc:Rotor: 6; Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Drum: 4; Seat Belts:Front:Anchorage: 3; Vehicle Speed Control: 3; Electrical System:Alternator/Generator/Regulator: 2
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 | 0 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 1 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 0 |
| 150,000 and above | 1 |
Under 25,000: 0; 25,000 to 49,999: 1; 50,000 to 74,999: 0; 75,000 to 99,999: 1; 100,000 to 149,999: 0; 150,000 and above: 1
25,000 to 49,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (1). 53 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 | 17 |
| 1996 | 9 |
| 2000 | 11 |
| 2001 | 8 |
| 2002 | 4 |
| 2003 | 3 |
| 2004 | 2 |
| 2006 | 1 |
| 2016 | 1 |
1995: 17; 1996: 9; 2000: 11; 2001: 8; 2002: 4; 2003: 3; 2004: 2; 2006: 1; 2016: 1
Pattern summary
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 27 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 3 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 2 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 10024904 · 2003-06-25 (June 25, 2003)
THE METAL FRAME MOUNTS THAT HOLD ENGINE UP IN THE VEHICLE DETERIORATED, CAUSING THE ENGINE TO DROP TO THE GROUND WHILE BACKING OUT OF A DRIVEWAY. CAUSE UNKNOWN. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. 75,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10024904 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10034597 · 2003-08-15 (August 15, 2003)
VEHICLE POWER WINDOWS ROLLED UP WHILE VEHICLE WAS PARKED TRAPPING 5-YEAR OLD CHILD'S HEAD. *MR WHILE PARKED IN THE DRIVEWAY, THE CONSUMERS FIVE YEAR OLD SONS NECK BECAME STUCK IN THE POWER WINDOW AS IT ROLLED UP. THE CONSUMER WAS UNABLE TO REMOVE THE CHILD FROM THE WINDOW UNTIL THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED. THE CHILD COULDN'T BREATH, EVEN AFTER THE REMOVAL. *SCC *JB
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10034597 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10039914 · 2003-09-12 (September 12, 2003)
THE BATTERY WAS DEAD CAUSING THE VEHICLE NOT TO START. ALL THE DOORS LOCKED AND THE MANUAL OVERRIDE FROZE SO THAT THE DRIVER COULD NOT EXIT THE VEHICLE. AFTER A LENGTH OF TIME, THE DRIVER WAS ABLE TO UNLOCK THE DOORS WITH THE DOOR CONTROLS IN THE VEHICLE. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER DETAILS. *PH
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10039914 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10057973 · 2004-02-11 (February 11, 2004)
WHILE MAKING A LEFT TURN NOISE WAS HEARD COMING FROM STEERING WHEEL. CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION, AND MECHANIC COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM.*AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10057973 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10087943 · 2004-08-30 (August 30, 2004)
WHEN DRIVING, THE CONSUMERS SEAT BACK COLLAPSED. THE CONSUMER WAS CONCERNED THAT HE MAY FALL BACK WITH NO WARNING AND HAVE AN ACCIDENT. THE ANCHOR OF THE SEAT WAS BROKEN. *JB *SC *JB
Owner-reported narrative. 195,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10087943 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10172855 · 2006-11-07 (November 7, 2006)
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE TRAVELING VARIOUS SPEEDS UNDER NORMAL ROAD CONDITIONS, THE VEHICLE HAD PERMANENT TO WORSENING CONDITIONS WITH THE BRAKES. THE BRAKE DESIGN WAS FOUR WHEEL ABS. THE CONTACT STATED THE BRAKE PADS, ROTORS AND CALIPERS HAD BEEN REPLACED TWICE BEFORE, BUT THE PROBLEM PERSISTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO DETERMINED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN A RECALL DUE TO THE VIN AND AGAIN REPLACED THE BRAKE PADS, ROTORS AND CALIPERS. THE VEHICLE STILL HAD THE SAME PROBLEMS AS COMPARED TO NHTSA COMPLAINT # 53…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10172855 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10864670 · 2016-05-12 (May 12, 2016)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1993 BUICK REGAL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DOOR LOCKS FAILED AND REMAINED LOCKED WHEN ATTEMPTING TO OPERATE THEM. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 41,000. UPDATED 06/29/16*LJ UPDATED 08/03/16.*JB UPDATED 11/23/16.*JB
Owner-reported narrative. 41,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10864670 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 482597 · 1995-03-27 (March 27, 1995)
REAR CALIPERS SIEZED.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 482597 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
2 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
93V035000 · Seats
Reported: 1993-03-09 (March 9, 1993)
THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER FRONT SEAT MANUAL RECLINING MECHANISMS DO NOT COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS 207, "SEATING SYSTEMS." THE SEAT BACK MECHANISMS WILL NOT LATCH UNDER CERTAIN CONDITIONS.
Consequence: THE SEATS MAY RECLINE WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING, RESULTINGIN A HAZARD TO SEAT OCCUPANTS AND POSSIBLE LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL.
Remedy: REPLACE THE MANUAL SEAT RECLINER MECHANISM WITH A MECHANISM THAT COMPLIES WITH FMVSS 207.
NHTSA campaign record ↗95V152000 · Exterior Lighting
Reported: 1995-08-08 (August 8, 1995)
INCORRECT CLEAR FRONT SIDE MARKER BULBS WERE INSTALLED RATHER THAN AMBER BULBS. THIS DOES NOT CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT."
Consequence: CONSEQUENCE OF NON-COMPLIANCE: DURING ILLUMINATION, THE BULBS WILL SHOW CLEAR RATHER THAN AMBER AND COULD MOMENTARILY CONFUSE OTHER DRIVERS.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE CLEAR BULBS WITH THE CORRECT AMBER BULBS.
NHTSA campaign record ↗