27 of the
146 complaints about the 1994 Buick Regal are about the
braking system — 18% of everything
reported for this model year.
Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before
120,394 miles.
WHILE DRIVING, THE CONSUMER SMELLED AN ODOR COMING THROUGH THE VENTS. THE CONSUMER PULLED TO THE SHOULDER AND NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM UNDERNEATH THE HOOD. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION, AND THE MECHANIC INFORMED THE CONSUMER THAT CERTAIN PARTS WERE NOT UNDER WARRANTY. *AK THE VEHICLE HAD AN ELECTRICAL PROBLEM WHERE THE VEHICLE FELT AS IF IT WERE GOING TO DIE OUT. THE VOLTAGE READINGS WERE ALWAYS LOW. THE VEHICLE HAD PROBLEMS GETTING OUT OF GEAR. THE CONSUMER WAS TOLD THAT THE INITIAL PROBLEM WAS WITH THE UPPER INTAKE MANIFOLD. THE BRAKES WERE BAD AND THE MUFFLER HAD A BIG HOLE IN IT. ALSO, COOLANT LEAKED FROM THE INTAKE MANIFOLD. *SC
NHTSA complaint #10059827 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 120,394 milesChisago City, MN
SERVICE BRAKES, AIR:ANTILOCK:ABS WARNING LIGHT
HAD INTAKE UPPER INTAKE MANIFOLD REPLACED DUE TO A COOLING PROBLEM. WAGAMON BROTHERS SAID THERE WAS NOTHING I COULD HAVE DONE TO PREVENT IT. VOLTAGE GAUGE READING 18. REPLACED ALTERNATOR/GENERATOR. PROBLEM STILL EXISTED. CHECKED BATTERY. BATTERY FAILED. REPLACED BATTERY. VOLTAGE GAUGE STILL READ 18. DROVE CAR. CAR DIED IN MIDDLE OF THE FREEWAY. SMELL OF BURNT WIRES. TOWED CAR TO GARAGE. FIANCE WAS ABLE TO START CAR AND NOTICED GAUGES STILL LIT WHEN SHOULD HAVE BEEN NOT LIT. FIGURES ELECTRICAL UNDER DASH OR IN WIRING HARNESS.
NHTSA complaint #10056887 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Spring Field, OH
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC
REAR BRAKE CALIPER FROZE UP, CAUSING A GRINDING SIGN. CALIPER HAD DUG INTO THE ROTOR AT LEAST AN INCH DEEP. ROTORS, AND CALIPERS HAD TO BE REPLACED REPAIR CENTER.
NHTSA complaint #871164 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Newburgh, NY
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:MASTER CYLINDER
WAS RIDING THROUGH SHOPPING CENTER WITH SMOOTH PAVEMENT WHEN DRIVER SEAT ALL OF A SUDDEN BROKE LOOSE AND STARTED TO TIP REARWARD, WENT TO BUICK DEALER (HUDSON BUICK POGHKEEPSIE, NY) ABOUT A HALF MILE AWAY WHERE I GOT A SERVICE TECHNICIAN TO LOOK AT IT. HE IMMEDIATELY WENT UNDER THE SEAT LIKE HE HAS SEEN THE PROBLEN A NUMBER OF TIMES BEFORE AND TOLD ME THAT THE LEFT FRONT SEAT MOUNT TO THE SEAT RAIL IS SNAPPED AND THE LEFT SEAT RAIL MUST BE REPLACED. WHEN I EXAMINED THE PART BY LOOKING UNDER THE SEAT IT APPEARS THAT THE SEAT MOUNT HAD THE RIPPLED APPEARANCE OF METAL FATIGUE. (WHAT GOOD ARE SEAT BELTS AND AIR BAGS IF THE SEAT IS GOING TO FALL OUT!) THIS CAR IS A LITTLE OVER 6 YEARS OLD, HAS UNDER 42000 MILES. INDOOR GARAGED AND HAS NEVER BEEN INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT.. THE MASTER CYLINDER: I WAS DRIVING ON RT 52 WEST WHEN THE BRAKES FAILED. I WAS ABLE TO GET IT STOPPED AND THEN I SLOWLY PROCEEDED TO A NEARBY MIDAS MUFFLER WHO TOLD ME THE MASTER CYLINDER HAD FAILED. THEY TOLD ME TO TAKE IT TO A DEALER BECAUSE OF THE ANTI LOCK BRAKES. I DID AND CONTACTED BUICK WHO AGREED TO HAVE THE DEALER REPLACE THE PART FOR FREE WITH ME PAYING FOR THE LABOR. THE WORK WAS DONE AT COLANDREA BUICK RT 17K NEWBURGH, NY SINCE I WAS TOO FAR FROM THE DEALER THAT SOLD THE CAR AND THEY WERE LOCAL. ALMOST A YEAR LATER THE BRAKES FAILED AGAIN WHILE I WAS RIDING ON RT 17K WEST IN NEWBURGH, NY AND I WAS SLOWLY ABLE TO LIMP IT TO THE DEALER. THEY LOOKED AT THE BRAKES AND REPLACED THE MASTER CYLINDER FOR THE SECOND TIME. THE MASTER CYLINDER SEENS ALL RIGHT NOW BUT I HAVE NO IDEA IF IT WILL FAIL AGAIN LIKE IT DID 10000 MILES AGO AND ABOUT 8000 MILES BRFORE THAT.
NHTSA complaint #729818 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Jefferson Hills, PA
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR
EXCESSIVE ROTOR CORROSION REQUIRED REPLACEMENT. THIS IS THE SECOND OR THIRD TIME I'VE HAD PROBLEMS WITH ROTOR CORROSION.
NHTSA complaint #724646 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Midwest City, OK
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
WHEN DRIVING AND APPLYING BRAKES VEHICLE LOCKS UP AND MAKES LOUD NOISES. ABS REAR SENSOR AND HARNESS HAD TO BE REPLACED, WATER DAMAGE HAD CORRODED SENSOR AND WIRING. *AK *SLC
NHTSA complaint #851220 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Hillside, NJ
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
THE ABS BRAKE WARNING LIGHT CAME ON. THIS INDICATES A BRAKE FAILURE WHICH CAUSES EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE. WHEN BRAKE PEDAL IS APPLIED IT MAKES A LOUD CLUNKING NOISE AND KEEPS ON ROLLING, THE PEDAL GOES ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR. IF DRIVER STEPS HARD ON THE BRAKES, AS IF THEY WERE IN AN EMERGENCY SITUATION, THEY RESPOND PERFECTLY. DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED.
NHTSA complaint #846196 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Chicago, ILCrash1 injured
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
WHILE DRIVING 25MPH APPLIED BRAKES AND WAS NOT ABLE TO STOP. STRUCK VEHICLE IN FRONT. UPON IMPACT, AIR BAGS DIDN'T DEPLOY, AND SEAT BELT DIDN'T RETRACT AS QUICKLY AS NEEDED, CAUSING CONSUMER TO HIT HEAD AND LEFT HAND ON WINDSHIELD, SUSTAINING INJURIES. CONSUMER CONTACTED MANUFACTURER AND DEALER.
NHTSA complaint #843441 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Newport Richie, FL
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS
WHEN DRIVING ABOVE 45 MPH, AND APPLYING BRAKES, BRAKE PEDAL IS HARD, AND BRAKES AREN'T STOPPING THE VEHICLE. CONSUMER HAS TO PUMP THE BRAKES, AND VEHICLE WILL SLOW DOWN. THEN WILL APPLY BRAKES IN LOW SPEED, AND VEHICLE WILL COME TO A STOP. DEALER CAN'T DETERMINE THE PROBLEM AND THE VEHICLE IS IN SHOP.
NHTSA complaint #838458 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Coalgrove, OH
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
MOTOR KIT WITHIN ABS HAS BEEN REPLACED 4 TIMES.THIS DEFECT COULD CAUSE LOSS OF BRAKES WHICH COULD RESULT IN AN ACCIDENT.
NHTSA complaint #830361 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Albany, NY
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:CALIPER
BRAKE CALIPERS FROZE UP CAUSING EXTENSIVE DAMAGE TO PADS AND ROTORS.
NHTSA complaint #536211 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Soledad, CA
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
THE VEHICLE JERKS WHEN BRAKES (ABS) ARE APPLIED.
NHTSA complaint #531402 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Soledad, CA
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
THE TRANSMISSION FAILED NUMEROUS TIMES AT DIFFERENT SPEEDS. THE VEHICLE WOULD BE IN DRIVE AND POP OUT OF GEAR CAUSING LOSS OF POWER.
NHTSA complaint #531404 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Greenfield, WI
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
COMPUTER CHIP ON ABS FAILED, CAUSING TOTAL LOSS OF BRAKES. HAS CAUSED $2600 FO DAMAGE TO FRONT END IN ONE ACCIDENT, AND SECOND ACCIDENT SCRAPPED VEHICLE IN FRONT. DEALER SAID NEW COMPUTER NEEDS TO BE INSTALLED IN VEHICLE.
NHTSA complaint #820656 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Norristown, PACrash
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
DRIVER ATTEMPTED TO MAKE A SUDDEN STOP AND THE VEHICLE DID NOT STOP. APPLIED THE BRAKES AND THE VEHICLE DID NOT STOP VEHICLE KEPT ON GOING, CAUSING AN ACCIDENT. *AK *SLC
NHTSA complaint #817770 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Erie, PA
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS
BRAKES SOUND LIKE TIN CANS BANGING TOGETHER WHEN THEY ARE NEEDED TO STOP SUDDENLY.
NHTSA complaint #521140 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Bayamon, PR
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
ANTI-LOCK BRAKE SYSTEM FAILED 4 TIMES.
NHTSA complaint #523208 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Frankenmuth, MI
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
ABS, WHEN BRAKES ARE APPLIED VIBRATION IN THE FRONT END, CAUSING A LOSS CONTROL OF VEHICLE.
NHTSA complaint #810760 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Arthur, IL
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
ABS BRAKES FAILED FOUR TIMES; ALSO ALTERNATOR/TURN SIGNAL/WINDSHIELD WIPER/FUSE BOX MALFUNCTIONED.
NHTSA complaint #511077 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Brookfield, IL
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:CALIPER
REAR BRAKE CALIPERS SEIZED OPEN/ROTORS RUSTED AND WARPED.
NHTSA complaint #507970 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Brookfield, IL
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR
REAR BRAKE CALIPERS SEIZED OPEN/ROTORS RUSTED AND WARPED.
NHTSA complaint #507970 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
NEW Castle, DE
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
ABS, BRAKE FAILURE REPLACEMENT OF HOSES, SENSORS REPLACED TWICE AND WIRING FOR ABS SYSTEMS REPLACED IN FOR REPAIR. TT ALSO ABS LIGHT WAS COMING ON, AND ALSO WHEN APPLYING BRAKES THERE IS A GRINDING NOISE, BUT COULD NOT BE DUPLICATED BY DEALER.
NHTSA complaint #974095 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Parma, OH
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS
WHEN CONSUMER PLACE AUTO IN REVERSE IT SURGED BACKWARDS WHILE FOOT WAS STILL ON BRAKES. TT
NHTSA complaint #973867 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Muskegon, MI
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS
BRAKES GRAB WHEN APPLIED DURING SLIPPERY ROAD CONDITIONS.
NHTSA complaint #482414 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Canonburg, PA
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
BRAKE: HYDRAULIC LINES; HOSES; NON-METALLIC RECALL REPAIRS REFUSED DUE TO UNAVAILABILITY OF PARTS (95V-061).
NHTSA complaint #964453 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Lancing, TN
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
RECEIVED RECALL LTR. DEALER HAD NO PARTS. TT
NHTSA complaint #963939 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Flint, MI
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:CALIPER
FRONT AND REAR CALIPERS HAD TO BE EITHER REPLACED OR REPAIRED BECAUSE OF WARPING. TT
NHTSA complaint #959532 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.