1996 Buick REGAL: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
124 owner complaints analyzed
3 distinct recall campaigns
87,500 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1996 model year. Data snapshot: . 56 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Air Bags is the most frequently named component, appearing in 8 of 124 complaints (6.5%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 19 | 15.3% |
| Steering behavior | 18 | 14.5% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 9 | 7.3% |
| Fuel system concerns | 8 | 6.5% |
| Engine operation | 4 | 3.2% |
| Transmission and shifting | 2 | 1.6% |
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 |
|---|---|
| Air Bags | 8 |
| Air Bags:Frontal | 8 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling | 8 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine | 8 |
| Steering:Rack And Pinion | 7 |
| Fuel System, Gasoline:Fuel Injection System | 5 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc:Rotor | 5 |
| Electrical System | 4 |
Air Bags: 8; Air Bags:Frontal: 8; Engine And Engine Cooling: 8; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine: 8; Steering:Rack And Pinion: 7; Fuel System, Gasoline:Fuel Injection System: 5; Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc:Rotor: 5; Electrical System: 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 | 5 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 8 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 10 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 10 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 13 |
| 150,000 and above | 10 |
Under 25,000: 5; 25,000 to 49,999: 8; 50,000 to 74,999: 10; 75,000 to 99,999: 10; 100,000 to 149,999: 13; 150,000 and above: 10
100,000 to 149,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (13). 68 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 | 1 |
| 1996 | 7 |
| 2000 | 14 |
| 2001 | 11 |
| 2002 | 16 |
| 2003 | 16 |
| 2004 | 27 |
| 2005 | 7 |
| 2006 | 7 |
| 2007 | 3 |
| 2008 | 4 |
| 2009 | 1 |
| 2010 | 3 |
| 2012 | 1 |
| 2015 | 3 |
| 2016 | 1 |
| 2018 | 1 |
| 2019 | 1 |
1995: 1; 1996: 7; 2000: 14; 2001: 11; 2002: 16; 2003: 16; 2004: 27; 2005: 7; 2006: 7; 2007: 3; 2008: 4; 2009: 1; 2010: 3; 2012: 1; 2015: 3; 2016: 1; 2018: 1; 2019: 1
Pattern summary
Air Bags leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 19 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 18 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 9 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 10004693 · 2003-01-27 (January 27, 2003)
WHEN AT A STOP AND WITHOUT WARNING VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE UNDER THE HOOD.*AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10004693 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10005238 · 2003-02-03 (February 3, 2003)
ON 02/02/03, I NOTICED A LARGE PIECE OF MY HOOD WAS EXPOSED DUE TO PEELING PAINT. (THE GRAY METAL OF THE CAR'S STRUCTURE IS EXPOSED) THE CAR IS A 1996 BUICK REGAL PURCHASED IN 12/99. I AM CONCERNED THAT THE AREAS SURROUNDING THE PEELING PAINT WILL CONTINUE TO PEEL AWAY RESULTING IN NO WHITE PAINT ON THE HOOD. UPON RESEARCHING HOW TO REPAIR THIS, I CAME UPON INFORMATION THAT GM HAD/IS HAVING A CONCEALED, LATENT MANUFACTURING DEFECT. (THE PHOTOS I VIEWED SHOWED THAT I AM HEADING TO BECOMING ANOTHER VICTIM TO GM'S PAINT PROBLEMS) I CONTACTED B…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10005238 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10005927 · 2003-01-29 (January 29, 2003)
WHEN TURNING STEERING WHEEL, IN ANY DIRECTION,THERE'S A "RUBBING" NOISE FROM WITHIN STEERING COLUMN. MECHANIC DIAGNOSED THE CLOCKSPRING WAS RUBBING AGAINST SOME INTERNAL WIRES AND IF THE WIRES SHORT THE AIR BAG MAY DEPLOY WITHOUT WARNING. PH
Owner-reported narrative. 88,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10005927 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10007794 · 2003-02-19 (February 19, 2003)
LEVER THAT CONTROLS THE 'TILT WHEEL' BROKE OFF AT THE STEERING COLUMN. THE AUTO WAS PURCHASED NEW BY ME AND I ONLY HAVE 44,000 MILES ON IT. I CALLED LIVINGSTON MOTORS, BUT WAS TOLD THAT THERE IS NO WARRANTY ON THAT PART..I HAVE BEEN A REGULAR CUSTOMER THERE.
Owner-reported narrative. 43,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10007794 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10009520 · 2003-02-27 (February 27, 2003)
THE VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE WHILE PARKED, THE FIRE DEPARTMENT STATED THE FIRE WAS CAUSED BY AN ELECTRICAL SHORT.*JB
Owner-reported narrative. 90,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10009520 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10013639 · 2003-03-29 (March 29, 2003)
THE ENGINE WAS NOT RUNNING PROPERLY WHICH CAUSED A CRACK IN UPPER INTAKE MANIFOLD FORCING EXCESSIVE COOLANT INTO THE TOP END OF THE ENGINE AND UPPER COMBUSTION CHAMBER. THIS IS AN ON-GOING PROBLEM WITH THE 1996 BUICK REGAL. THIS COULD HAVE RESULTED IN A FIRE AS INDICATED BY THE PREVIOUS RECALL NOTICE FOR THE SAME PROBLEM. AS A RESULT OF THIS INCIDENT, THE FOLLOWING SERVICE WAS REQUIRED: REPAIR ELECTRICAL FAILURE, CLEAN EXCESSIVE COOLANT FROM UPPER COMBUSTION CHAMBERS, REMOVE COOLANT FROM TOP END OF ENGINE, REPLACE UPPER INTAKE ASSEMBLE AND…
Owner-reported narrative. 58,118 miles reported. Look up ODI 10013639 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10015903 · 2003-04-15 (April 15, 2003)
THE VEHICLES SEAT BELTS DID RESTRAIN PROPERLY. THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED. *NLM
Owner-reported narrative. 107,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10015903 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10017870 · 2003-04-30 (April 30, 2003)
THE BRAKES AND ROTORS EXPERIENCED PREMATURE FAILURE. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. 12,900 miles reported. Look up ODI 10017870 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
3 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
03V527000 · Steering:Rack And Pinion
Reported: 2003-12-11 (December 11, 2003)
CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES HAVE LOWER PINION BEARINGS IN THE POWER RACK AND PINION ASSEMBLY IN WHICH THE RETAINER TABS WERE NOT CRIMPED PROPERLY. THESE RETAINERS COULD FAIL AND PERMIT THE BALL BEARINGS TO ESCAPE.
Consequence: IF THIS OCCURS, THE PINION SHAFT CAN BE FORCED UPWARD DURING LEFT TURNS AND BACK DOWN AS THE STEERING WHEEL IS MOVED BACK AND TO THE RIGHT. IF THE PINION SHAFT MOVES FURTHER, THE DRIVER WILL NEED TO EXERT MORE EFFORT TO TURN THE STEERING WHEEL, SIMILAR TO A VEHICLE WITHOUT POWER ASSISTED STEERING. IF THE PINION SHAFT MOVES EVEN FURTHER, THE DRIVER WILL REQUIRE MUCH HIGHER EFFORT TO TURN LEFT AND MAY NOT BE ABLE TO TURN THE WHEEL AS MUCH AS INTENDED. WITH THE MAXIMUM PINION SHAFT MOVEMENT, WHICH REQUIRES INTERNAL GEAR COMPONENT DAMAGE, THE DRIVER CAN ENCOUNTER HIGH RESISTANCE TO TURNING LEFT, FOLLOWED BY UNINTENDED POWER ASSIST TO THE RIGHT. IN ANY OF THESE CONDITIONS, A CRASH COULD OCCUR.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A NEW LOWER PINION BEARING UNLESS INSPECT OF THE EXISTING BEARING INDICATES THAT REPLACEMENT OF THE GEAR ASSEMBLY IS NECESSARY. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON FEBRUARY 5, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT BUICK AT 1-866-608-8080; CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438; OLDSMOBILE AT 1-800-630-6537; OR PONTIAC AT 1-800-620-7668.
NHTSA campaign record ↗96V069000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Hoses, Lines/Piping, And Fittings
Reported: 1996-04-19 (April 19, 1996)
THE LEFT FRONT BRAKE LINE CAN CONTACT THE TRANSAXLE MOUNTING BRACKET OR ATTACHMENT BOLT.
Consequence: THIS CONDITION CAN CAUSE THE BRAKE LINE TO WEAR THROUGH, RESULTING IN LOSS OF BRAKE FLUID AND EVENTUAL LOSS OF ONE-HALF OF THE VEHICLE'S BRAKE SYSTEM, INCREASING THE POTENTIAL FOR A VEHICLE ACCIDENT.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE VEHICLE FOR PROPER BRAKE LINE CLEARANCE AND REPOSITION THOSE BRAKE LINES FOUND TO HAVE LESS THAN MINIMAL CLEARANCE. ADDITIONALLY, THOSE BRAKE LINES FOUND TO HAVE AN INDENTATION CAUSED BY THE CONTACT WILL BE REPLACED AND PROPERLY ROUTED.
NHTSA campaign record ↗96V116000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:Fuel Injection System
Reported: 1996-07-01 (July 1, 1996)
A BACKFIRE DURING ENGINE STARTING CAN CAUSE BREAKAGE OF THE UPPER INTAKE MANIFOLD.
Consequence: THIS CONDITION CAN CAUSE A NO-START CONDITION AND POSSIBLY AN ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL UPDATE THE POWERTRAIN CONTROL MODULE PROGRAMMING. UNTIL THE CAMPAIGN REPAIR IS MADE, THE VEHICLE HOOD SHOULD BE SHUT WHENEVER STARTING THE VEHICLE TO REDUCE THE CHANCE OF PERSONAL INJURY.
NHTSA campaign record ↗