1996 Buick Regal: problems, recalls and reliability
4 recalls and 204 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is service brakes, hydraulic (18% of complaints); the 1994 model year looks more trouble-free.
Data updated weekly · latest recall Mar 2007
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 204 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“Drivers side door does not open from inside or outside. The door does not work with key either. Lock seems to working but door does not open. The car only has 60,000 miles on it. This is a very common problem with this car and should be a recall.”Owner report · Structure · Feb 2016
“My car started to not start after being driven and shortly after did not want to start in a simple idle. Somehow fuel has been getting trapped in a pressurized line and I'm having to release the fuel out. Oil leaked into the spark plugs caused a pilot flame. I have read multiple accounts of this happening to that specific make and year as well a few of the other 90 models. Every account says it is a flaw in the engine and fuel system. *tr”Owner report · Engine · Mar 2015
“1996 buick regal. Consumer stated the power steering was not crimped properly. The ball bearing went through the gear box which caused the driver to lose control of the vehicle and crashed. The consumer discovered there was a recall, on the steering. However, he was informed his vehicle was not included in the recall. *jb”Owner report · Steering · Feb 2015
Show 7 more owner reports
“Tl* the contact owns a 1996 buick regal. The contact stated that as the vehicle was started, the air bags deployed erroneously. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer for inspection or repair. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure and current mileage was 55,035.”Owner report · Air Bags · Jun 2012
“Tl*the contact owns a 1996 buick regal. The contact was driving approximately 30 mph, wen the front driver side air bag deployed inadvertently without impact to the vehicle. The contact sustained abrasions to the left forearm. The vehicle was driven with caution to his residence. The contact was in the process of notifying the manufacturer. The vehicle had not been diagnosed or repaired at the time of the complaint. The failure mileage was 182,000. Updated 10/20/10 *bf updated 10/26/10*jb”Owner report · Air Bags · Jul 2010
“Tl* the contact owns a 1996 buick regal le. The contact stated there was an unusual loud explosion immediately after the vehicle was started. She opened the hood to further investigate and was exhumed with thick smoke emitting from the engine. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic where it was discovered that the top manifold melted. The mechanic replaced the manifold, injectors, sensor wires, pcv valves, and hoses. The approximate failure mileage was 130,000. The approximate current mileage was 130,000.”Owner report · Engine And Engine Cooling · Feb 2010
“On engine start, loud explosion in engine compartment. Inspection reveled engine cover broken, upper intake manifold (plenum) split in two pieces. Smell of gas, broken vacuum and fuel lines. Must replace upper intake manifold, fuel rail, 2 injectors, various lines. Old parts are available. *tr”Owner report · Engine And Engine Cooling · Feb 2010
“Tl*the contact owns a 1996 buick regal. After inserting the key into the ignition, the driver's side frontal air bag spontaneously deployed without an impact or crash. He is in the process of notifying the dealer to determine the cause of the failure. The failure and current mileages were 157,000.”Owner report · Air Bags · Dec 2008
“Tl*the contact owns a 1996 buick regal. The contact noticed that the vehicle sporadically experienced a no-start condition. There was also a backfire that occurred when the vehicle was started. The upper intake manifold failed prior to the upper intake manifold. The dealer stated that his VIN was excluded from NHTSA campaign id number 96v116000 (fuel system, gasoline:fuel injection system). The contact would not assume responsibility for the repair. The vehicle has not been repaired. The failure and current mileages were 78,117. Updated 02/05/09. *lj coolant was found in the oil when repairs were made on the manifold. Updated 02/10/09. *jb”Owner report · Engine And Engine Cooling · Nov 2008
“Vehicle back fire through the intake and smoke rolls out from under the hood when trying to start the vehicle, normally start good after sitting over night, but go to start it again it will back fire or the engine idle is very erratic before it will smooth out. I replace spark plug, spark plug wires, cam sensor, pcv valve, fuel filter check battery connection. *tr”Owner report · Fuel System, Gasoline · Nov 2008
When filing, owners marked a crash in 14 of these complaints and injuries in 21 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 4 campaigns
CERTAIN DELPHI FUEL PRESSURE REGULATORS, P/NOS. FP10020-11B1, FP10026-11B1, AND FP10027-11B1, SOLD AFTER JANUARY 9, 2007, AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. THE UNIVERSAL PRESSURE REGULATORS (UPR) WERE PRODUCED WITHOUT AN O'RING AND RETAINER.
Remedy: DELPHI WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE UPR FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 23, 2007. OWNERS CAN CONTACT DELPHI AT 877-411-8770.
A BACKFIRE DURING ENGINE STARTING CAN CAUSE BREAKAGE OF THE UPPER INTAKE MANIFOLD.
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.
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.
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.
THE LEFT FRONT BRAKE LINE CAN CONTACT THE TRANSAXLE MOUNTING BRACKET OR ATTACHMENT BOLT.
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.
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 1996 Buick Regal reliable?
NHTSA has 204 owner complaints and 4 recall campaigns on record for the 1996 Buick Regal. The most complained-about area is service brakes, hydraulic (18% of complaints).
At what mileage do 1996 Buick Regal problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 87,500 miles or less.
Does the 1996 Buick Regal have open recalls?
4 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning fuel system, other:storage:tank assembly:pressure relief devices. 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.