FaultScore report
Owners have filed 118 complaints about the 1993 Buick Regal with NHTSA between 1995 and 2016. The largest single group is the brakes. Across this model's run it ranks 13 of 21 worst.
FaultScore 52/100
Higher is worse. Measured against the other years of the Buick Regal.
How this is worked out118
Complaints
8
Crashes reported
3
Fires reported
6
Injuries reported
1 complaint reports a death.
The letter says how bad. This says what kind — whether this year drew an unusual number of complaints, unusually dangerous ones, or failures that arrived unusually early.
Click any bar to open that year's report.
Every complaint is filed against a part. Follow any row for the complaints about that part alone.
4 crashes, 0 fires
0 crashes, 1 fires · median 41,000 mi
0 crashes, 1 fires
0 crashes, 1 fires
1 crashes, 0 fires · median 195,000 mi
1 crashes, 0 fires
NHTSA files every complaint against a named sub-assembly, not just a system. This is the difference between knowing it was "the engine" and knowing which part of it — the list to hand a mechanic.
Odometer readings owners gave when they filed. About half of all complaints include one.
The agency crash-tested this model year itself. These are its own photographs and star ratings.
These stars come from the pre-2011 crash test programme. NHTSA rebuilt the programme for the 2011 model year and states that ratings either side of that change are not comparable — so do not read these against a 2011-or-newer car's stars.
| Configuration | Overall | Front | Side | Rollover |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1993 Buick Regal 4-DR. | — | — | — | — |
A spike years after the car went on sale usually means a part wearing out on schedule across the whole fleet — the kind of pattern no single owner can see from inside their own car.
An investigation is the step before a recall: the agency has seen enough complaints to look into a pattern itself. An open one means it thinks something may be wrong and nothing has been fixed yet.
CORRODED REAR DISK BRAKES
FUEL LEAKS
A complaint is one owner's allegation. A recall is the point at which the manufacturer or a regulator agreed the defect is real and dangerous enough to fix for free — however old the car is.
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
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."
Risk: CONSEQUENCE OF NON-COMPLIANCE: DURING ILLUMINATION, THE BULBS WILL SHOW CLEAR RATHER THAN AMBER AND COULD MOMENTARILY CONFUSE OTHER DRIVERS.
SEATS
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.
Risk: THE SEATS MAY RECLINE WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING, RESULTINGIN A HAZARD TO SEAT OCCUPANTS AND POSSIBLE LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL.
Canada runs its own recall programme, and its campaigns do not always mirror the American ones.
Steering
On certain vehicles located in New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Newfoundland and Prince Edward Island, extreme levels of moisture and salt can result in corrosion at or near the engine cradle mounts resulting in possible failure of the mounts. If failures occur at both rear mounts or both front mounts, movement of the cradle can cause separation of the steering intermediate shaft resulting in loss of steering control. Correction: Dealers will install reinforcement plates on repairable cradles, non repairable cradles will be replaced.
Emissions
Certain vehicles may not comply with CMVSS 1105 - Evaporative Emissions. Correction: Dealers will replace the evaporative emission canister purge solenoid valve. Also, the oldsmobile cutlass supreme convertible will have the prom replaced.
Lights And Instruments
NOTE: INCLUDES COUPES ONLY AND DOES NOT INCLUDE 1993 REGAL GRAN SPORT. DEFECT: VEHICLES DO NOT COMPLY WITH C.M.V.S.S. 108 - LIGHTING EQUIPMENT. THESE VEHICLES WERE ASSEMBLED WITH INCORRECT FRONT SIDE-MARKER BULBS WHICH ARE CLEAR INSTEAD OF AMBER. DURING ILLUMINATION, THE BULBS WILL SHOW CLEAR RATHER THAN AMBER. CORRECTION: THE INCORRECT BULBS WILL BE REPLACED WITH THE CORRECT BULBS.
Seats And Restraints
Certain vehicles may not comply with CMVSS 207 - Anchorage of Seats. Front seat back recliner mechanism may not latch properly. Correction: Driver and passenger front seat back recliner machanisms will be replaced.
Recalls cover specific build ranges, so check your own vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or, in Canada, Transport Canada.
Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.
VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS
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
NHTSA complaint #10034597 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD
CONSUMER'S PARENTS WERE DRIVING ALONG THE FREEWAY ALL OF A SUDDEN VEHICLE BEGAN TO SMOKE. THEY GOT OUT, VEHICLE WAS ENGULFED IN FLAMES, AND IT BURNED COMPLETELY, EVEN TIRES EXPLODED. CONSUMER'S PARENTS WERE EMOTIONALLY TRAUMATIZED.
NHTSA complaint #8004616 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TIRES:BEAD
EARLY DEC 2001 AHD SLOW LEAK WENT TO DEALER AND TIRE WAS REPLACED FOR CORD POBLEM WITH ANOTHER MICHELIN X RADILA PLUS. WENT ON LONG TRIP AND HAD BOUNCING EFFECT AND ON RETURN WENT BACK TO DEALER WHERE SAME CORD PROBLEM WAS DISCOVERED ON ONE OF REMAINING TIRES. AGAIN REPLCED WITH X RADIAL PLUS.ON SECOND FAILURE TIRE WAS SERIOUSLY OUT OF ROUND AND COULD HAVE CAUSED A SERIOUS ACCIDENT AT INTERSTATE SPEED OF 65MPH. ALLOWANCE GRANTED BY DEALER(SAMS CLUB) OF 30% TREAD WEAR.WAS ALSO ADVISED BY DEALER THAT TIRE WAS DISCONTINUED WHICH CAUSES CONCERN ABOUT THE TIRE WITH 2 FAIURES IN LESS THA 30 DAYS. WAS THERE A PROBLEM FOR IT TO BE DISCONTINUED.*AK (DOT NUMBER: UNKNOWN TIRESIZE: P225/60R16)
NHTSA complaint #756311 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BACK UP LIGHTS
STOP LIGHT LENS (RED) ABOVE REAR SEAT IN BACK WINDOW MELTED AND THE FABRIC AROUND IT MELTED.
NHTSA complaint #534693 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM
WHEN TRAVELING ON THE HIGHWAY AT 35MPH ENGINE CAUGHT ON FIRE. FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS ON SCENE. DEALER STATED THAT THE FIRE WAS DUE TO DEFECT IN THE FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM.
NHTSA complaint #822468 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
UPON PLACING TRANSMISSION INTO DRIVE WITH FOOT ON BRAKE PEDAL, SUDDENLY ENGINE SURGE THEN ACCELERATED OUT OF CONTROL, RESULTING IN A 4 CAR ACCIDENT,
NHTSA complaint #512373 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
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.
NHTSA complaint #10864670 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
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 # 532762 ABOUT THE SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK. THE FRONT AND REAR BRAKES WERE REPLACED. UPDATED 12/1/06.
NHTSA complaint #10172855 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
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 # 532762 ABOUT THE SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK. THE FRONT AND REAR BRAKES WERE REPLACED. UPDATED 12/1/06.
NHTSA complaint #10172855 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:RECLINER
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
NHTSA complaint #10087943 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SUSPENSION
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.
NHTSA complaint #10057973 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY
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.
NHTSA complaint #10039914 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH
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.
NHTSA complaint #10039914 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS
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
NHTSA complaint #10034597 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
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.
NHTSA complaint #10024904 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS
THERE IS A LEAK ON LEFT HAND ON DRIVER'S SIDE FLOOR NEAR BRAKE PEDAL. DEALER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED ABOUT SITUATION, AND NO ONE CAN FIND OUT WHERE THE LEAK WAS COMING FROM.
NHTSA complaint #8005150 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD
CONSUMER'S PARENTS WERE DRIVING ALONG THE FREEWAY ALL OF A SUDDEN VEHICLE BEGAN TO SMOKE. THEY GOT OUT, VEHICLE WAS ENGULFED IN FLAMES, AND IT BURNED COMPLETELY, EVEN TIRES EXPLODED. CONSUMER'S PARENTS WERE EMOTIONALLY TRAUMATIZED.
NHTSA complaint #8004616 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
WHILE DRIVING NEIGHBORHOOD SPEEDS VEHICLE WILL STALL AND CUT OFF ON AN INTERMITTENT BASIS. DEALER HAS REPLACED INGITION MODULE, BUT THAT HAS NOT REMEDIED PROBLEM. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER DETAILS.
NHTSA complaint #8001991 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
WHILE DRIVING NEIGHBORHOOD SPEEDS VEHICLE WILL STALL AND CUT OFF ON AN INTERMITTENT BASIS. DEALER HAS REPLACED INGITION MODULE, BUT THAT HAS NOT REMEDIED PROBLEM. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER DETAILS.
NHTSA complaint #8001991 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TIRES:BEAD
EARLY DEC 2001 AHD SLOW LEAK WENT TO DEALER AND TIRE WAS REPLACED FOR CORD POBLEM WITH ANOTHER MICHELIN X RADILA PLUS. WENT ON LONG TRIP AND HAD BOUNCING EFFECT AND ON RETURN WENT BACK TO DEALER WHERE SAME CORD PROBLEM WAS DISCOVERED ON ONE OF REMAINING TIRES. AGAIN REPLCED WITH X RADIAL PLUS.ON SECOND FAILURE TIRE WAS SERIOUSLY OUT OF ROUND AND COULD HAVE CAUSED A SERIOUS ACCIDENT AT INTERSTATE SPEED OF 65MPH. ALLOWANCE GRANTED BY DEALER(SAMS CLUB) OF 30% TREAD WEAR.WAS ALSO ADVISED BY DEALER THAT TIRE WAS DISCONTINUED WHICH CAUSES CONCERN ABOUT THE TIRE WITH 2 FAIURES IN LESS THA 30 DAYS. WAS THERE A PROBLEM FOR IT TO BE DISCONTINUED.*AK (DOT NUMBER: UNKNOWN TIRESIZE: P225/60R16)
NHTSA complaint #756311 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS
THE VEHICLE HAS EXPERIENCED MULTIPLE BRAKE SYSTEM FAILURES, THE FRONT AND REAR BRAKE PADS FAILED CAUSING VIBRATION/SHIMMY, THE R/F WHEEL SPEED SENSOR AND REAR CALIPER FAILED. NLM
NHTSA complaint #562380 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP
WHILE PROCEEDING AT APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH MOTOR DIES WITHOUT WARNING AT DEALERS SUGGESTION, REPLACED FUEL PUMP AND FILTER, BUT PROBLEM PERSISTS, DEALER NOW SUGGESTS REPLACING SENSOR THAT CHANGES RPM WHEN DECELERATING.
NHTSA complaint #751024 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
WHILE PROCEEDING AT APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH MOTOR DIES WITHOUT WARNING AT DEALERS SUGGESTION, REPLACED FUEL PUMP AND FILTER, BUT PROBLEM PERSISTS, DEALER NOW SUGGESTS REPLACING SENSOR THAT CHANGES RPM WHEN DECELERATING.
NHTSA complaint #751024 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:ANCHORAGE
SEAT BELT TURNING LOOPS WOULD NOT SUSTAIN STRUCTURAL LOADING IN AN IMPACT. (WEB WOULD CUT).
NHTSA complaint #747900 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STRUCTURE
WHILE IN REVERSE ENGINE CRADLE COLLAPSED DUE TO RUST RESULTING IN LOSS OF STEERING. VEHICLE HAS BEEN REPAIRED BY AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. MANUFACTURER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED. PLEASE PROVIDE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION.
NHTSA complaint #890223 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY
THERE IS A LEAK IN GAS LINE IN ENGINE COMPARTMENT, CAUSING FIRE HAZARD. *AK CONSUMER STATES IT IS AT THE CONNECTION TO METAL PIPE FROM TANK. *SLC
NHTSA complaint #886438 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
THERE IS A LEAK IN GAS LINE IN ENGINE COMPARTMENT, CAUSING FIRE HAZARD. *AK CONSUMER STATES IT IS AT THE CONNECTION TO METAL PIPE FROM TANK. *SLC
NHTSA complaint #886438 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
VEHICLE HAS INCREASED BRAKING DISTANCE DURING ALL KIND OF WEATHER. WHEN APPLYING BRAKES HARD THERE IS A GRINDING SOUND.
NHTSA complaint #882908 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SEAT BELTS
DRIVER SEATBELT WILL NOT LOCK WHEN BRAKING WITH FORCE.
NHTSA complaint #882909 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC
VEHICLE HAS INCREASED BRAKING DISTANCE DURING ALL KIND OF WEATHER. WHEN APPLYING BRAKES HARD THERE IS A GRINDING SOUND.
NHTSA complaint #882908 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SUSPENSION:FRONT:SPRINGS:COIL SPRINGS
WHILE TRAVELING OVER A POTHOLE FRONT END OF VEHICLE DROPPED. CONSUMER HAD VEHICLE SERVICED, TECHNICIAN STATED FRONT COLE SPRING HAD FAILED. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION.
NHTSA complaint #881207 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.