1990 Buick Regal: problems, recalls and reliability
9 recalls and 77 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is service brakes, hydraulic (48% of complaints).
Data updated weekly · latest recall May 2006
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 77 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“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 report · Electrical System · Sep 2016
“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 report · Latches/Locks/Linkages · Oct 2007
“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 representative indicated that there were no outstanding recall on the vehicle but could not tell the consumer when the recall were done. *nm”Owner report · Structure · Jul 2004
Show 7 more owner reports
“While applying brakes at 20 mph brake pedal went to the floor ,and vehicle continue on before stopping. Dealer contacted. Feel free to provide any further information.*aki”Owner report · Service Brakes, Hydraulic · Jun 2002
“Consumers son was in operation of the vehicle when suddenly all steering was lost. The vehicle was towed and it was explained that the frame had separated from the chassis and had dropped, disengaging the steering assembly. The cause was the cradle bolts had pulled through the retainers due to corrosion. Buick sent consumer a recall notice shortly after regarding the same problem. Buick told consumer to send the repair bill to them for reimbursement. Consumer has not heard from them since. *jg”Owner report · Structure · Feb 2002
“While making a turn heard a loud noise coming from left side of car. Took to dealer, and put on front cradle bolts and washer, but never did rear. Consumer felt like rear has gone bad, and they may loose steering.*ak”Owner report · Structure · Mar 2001
“Consumer was traveling at 65mph on expressway and another vehicle made a sudden u-turn in middle of street, and hit consumer's vehicle from side of car. Upon impact, air bags failed to deploy. *ak”Owner report · Air Bags · Dec 2000
“Vehicles steering failed suddenly while pulling out of a parking lot, consumer took the vehicle to the dealer to see if it was covered under recall 00v-189 but the dealer was not very cooperative. Nlm”Owner report · Structure · Nov 2000
“While driving down the road vehicle was sounding like something was rattling and it was jerking. Also, consumer saw a lot of smoke, then vehicle cut off.*ak”Owner report · Engine And Engine Cooling · Jul 2000
“While traveling and depressing the brakes vehicle stalled/surged and idled to high rpms. Consumer stated brakes have to be depressed most of traveling. *ak *ml”Owner report · Engine And Engine Cooling · Mar 2000
When filing, owners marked a crash in 7 of these complaints and injuries in 11 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 9 campaigns
FRONT SHOULDER SAFETY BELT WEBBING MAY SEPARATE AT FRONT BELT UPPER GUIDE LOOPS ON EITHER SIDE OF THE FRONT SEAT.
Remedy: INSTALL A CONTROLLED ROTATION BRACKET ON DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE FRONT SEAT BELT GUIDE LOOPS.
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.
Remedy: INSTALL AN IMPROVED DESIGN STOPLAMP SWITCH.
CERTAIN REPLACEMENT FUEL FILTERS, FRAM BRAND NAME P/N G3727, WITH DATE CODES X52911 THROUGH X60801 SEQUENTIALLY OR X600141 AND A MEXICO COUNTRY OR ORIGIN MARKING ON THE FUEL FILTER HOUSING MANUFACTURED FROM OCTOBER 18, 2005, THROUGH MARCH 21, 2006, SOLD FOR USE ON THE VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE AND ON CERTAIN SCHOOL BUSES. (TO SEE THE SCHOOL BUS ENGINE SIZES, CLICK ON "DOCUMENT SEARCH" AND THEN "BUS APPLICATIONS"). THE CONNECTOR ON THE FUEL FILTER WAS NOT MANUFACTURED TO HONEYWELL'S SPECIFICATION. AS A RESULT, THE O-RING MAY NOT SEAT CORRECTLY ON THE FUEL LINE.
Remedy: HONEYWELL WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE FUEL FILTERS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 18, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FRAM CUSTOMER SERVICE AT 1-800-890-2075 (OPTION 1).
CRACKS DEVELOP IN THE WHEEL MOUNTING SURFACE. IF THESE CRACKS BECOME SEVERE ENOUGH, THE WHEEL WILL COMPLETELY SEPARATE FROM THE VEHICLE.
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.
FRONT SHOULDER BELT GUIDE LOOP ATTACHMENT FASTENER MAY PULL THROUGH DOOR MOUNTED ANCHOR PLATE.
Remedy: REPLACE FRONT SHOULDER BELT GUIDE LOOP ATTACHMENT NUTS AND INSTALL NEW GUIDE COVER.
CRACKS DEVELOP IN THE WHEEL MOUNTING SURFACE. IF THESE CRACKS BECOME SEVERE ENOUGH, THE WHEEL WILL COMPLETELY SEPARATE FROM THE VEHICLE.
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.
OWNERS MANUALS DID NOT FULLY EXPLAIN HOW FRONT SHOULDER BELT COMFORT FEATURE WORKS.
Remedy: INSERT STICKER THAT PROVIDES MISSING INFORMATION IN OWNERS MANUALS.
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.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FRONT AND REAR FRAME/CRADLE BOLTS AND RETAINERS.
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.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE REAR CRADLE BOLTS AND RETAINERS.
How other years compare
Check your exact Regal by VIN
Recalls and equipment differ between individual vehicles. Decode your VIN to see what applies to yours.
Open VIN decoderFrequently asked questions
Is the 1990 Buick Regal reliable?
NHTSA has 77 owner complaints and 9 recall campaigns on record for the 1990 Buick Regal. The most complained-about area is service brakes, hydraulic (48% of complaints).
At what mileage do 1990 Buick Regal problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 125,538 miles or less.
Does the 1990 Buick Regal have open recalls?
9 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning seat belts. Check your specific vehicle by VIN - recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.