22 of the
146 complaints about the 1994 Buick Regal are about the
electrical system — 15% of everything
reported for this model year.
Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before
120,394 miles.
WHILE DRIVING, MY HORN INTERMITTENTLY SOUNDS WITHOUT TOUCHING IT. WHILE PARKED ON THE STREET ON A SUNNY DAY, THE HORN WILL BLARE WITH NO ONE IT. IT HAS ALMOST CAUSED ACCIDENTS ON THREE OCCASIONS. 1) WHILE DRIVING THE HORN SOUNDED AND VEHICLES STOPPED SUDDENLY IN AN INTERSECTION AND HAD TO DODGE EACH OTHER AND NEARLY HAD A REAR END COLLISION. 2) WHILE I WAS DRIVING, THE HORN SOUNDED AND I THOUGHT THAT IT WAS ANOTHER CAR AND SWERVED INSTINCTIVELY, 3) WHILE PARKED IN THE STREET IN THE SUN, THE HORN WENT OFF AND CAUSED A KID TO FALL OFF OF HIS BIKE. I SEARCHED THE INTERNET AND APPARENTLY THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH REGALS AND LESEBRES AND GM WANTS ABOUT $1,000 TO FIX A POORLY DESIGNED HORN SWITCH. THIS IS CLEARLY A MANUFACTURING DEFECT AS EVIDENCED BY THE DEARTH OF COMPLAINTS ON THE INTERNET AND INTERMITTENT HORN SOUNDING IS CLEARLY A SAFETY ISSUE. I AM THEREFORE REQUESTING THAT YOU TAKE ACTION.
NHTSA complaint #10155132 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Saint Charles, MO
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD
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 92,945 milesPortage, WI
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
WHILE DRIVING, THE CAR JUST SHUT OFF. NOT ONLY THE ENGINE, BUT EVERYTHING WENT DEAD. NO POWER AT THE IGNITION SWITCH IN ACC. OR ON. THE DOME LIGHT WORKED WITH DOOR OPEN BUT ONLY IF THE KEY WAS IN THE OFF POSITION OR REMOVED. THE BATTERY IS GOOD. DOME LIGHT WOULD GO OUT IF KEY WAS TURNED. POWER CAME BACK ON AFTER REPEATEDLY PLAYING WITH IGNITION SWITCH. CAR HAS DIED TWICE NOW AND "FIXED ITSELF". I DO NOT FEEL THE PROBLEM IS IN THE IGNITION SWITCH. CAR IS NOT SAFE TO DRIVE. I FOUND COMPLAINT ODI #7441655 TO SOUND IDENTICAL TO MY PROBLEM.
NHTSA complaint #10058391 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 120,394 milesChisago City, MN
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING
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.
at 120,394 milesChisago City, MN
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:ALTERNATOR/GENERATOR/REGULATOR
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.
at 120,394 milesChisago City, MN
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY
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.
at 120,394 milesChisago City, MN
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:INTERIOR/UNDER DASH
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.
Lakota, IA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY
CAR IS HARD TO SHIFT OUT OF NEUTRAL UNLESS THE PARKING BRAKE IS ENGAGED, THEN DIS-ENGAGED. DT
NHTSA complaint #768967 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
LAS Vegas, NV
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING
AIR BAG ON / OFF SWITCH WAS INSTALLED IN VEHICLE AND WIRE THAT CONNECTS FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM TO COMPUTER WAS CUT. A PRIVATE MECHANIC DIAGNOSED THE PROBLEM. *AK *SLC
NHTSA complaint #897493 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
RED Bank, NJ
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
CAR WONT START, THEN AFTER A TIME IT WILL START. IT HAS BEEN IN FOR SERVICE ON THIS MATTER NUMEROUS TIMES. THEY REMOVED MY ALARM SYSTEM THINKING THAT WAS THE PROBLEM, IT DIDN'T WORK. THEY SAY THEY CAN'T FIND THE PROBLEM, BUT WHEN I TOOK IT TO THEM TODAY, IT DIDN'T START FOR THEM EITHER. IT'S NOT SAFE TO DRIVE WHEN YOU CAN'T COUNT ON IT STARTING.
NHTSA complaint #751791 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Charleston, WV
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:ALTERNATOR/GENERATOR/REGULATOR
ALTERNATOR FAILED DURING NORMAL OPERATION. ALTERNATOR HAS BEEN REPLACED/WORKED ON THREE TIMES BECAUSE IT WAS HEATING UP DUE TO ITS LOCATION.
NHTSA complaint #886859 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Georgiana, AL
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
HEADLIGHTS AND DASHBOARD LIGHTS KEPT FLASHING. MECHANIC SAID IT WAS AN ELECTRICAL PROBLEM.
NHTSA complaint #885871 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Georgiana, AL
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FUSES AND CIRCUIT BREAKERS
HEADLIGHTS AND DASHBOARD LIGHTS KEPT FLASHING. MECHANIC SAID IT WAS AN ELECTRICAL PROBLEM.
NHTSA complaint #885871 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
DES Peres, MO
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
VEHICLE STALLED OUT WITHOUT WARNING, ALL ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS ARE INOPERABLE WHEN VEHICLE STALLS, DEALER HAS NOT BEEN ABLE TO DUPLICATE PROB.
NHTSA complaint #741655 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Agusta, GA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:MODULE
VEHICLE STALLED OUT AND DIED WITH OUT WARNING. ALL OF ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS ARE INOPERABLE WHEN VEHICLE STALLS. DEALER HAS NOT BEEN ABLE TO DUPLICATE PROBLEM.*AK THE CONSUMER WAS CONCERNED ABOUT SAFETY IF THE VEHICLE POSSIBLY STALLS ON HIGHWAY, ESPECIALY AT NIGHT.
NHTSA complaint #879985 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Island Park, NY
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:HORN
VEHICLE BEEN EXPERIENCING ONGOING / INTERMITTENT PROBLEM SWITH HORN GOING OFF NO MATTER IF VEHICLE IS OFF OR ON. DEALER NOTIFIED AND INFORMED CONSUMER THAT HORN PAD ASSEMBLY NEEDS REPLACING. SEEKING HELP FROM NHTSA IN THIS MATTER.
NHTSA complaint #846173 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Jackson, MS
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:HORN
CONSUMER EXPERIENCING ONGOING PROBLEM WITH HORN GOING OFF FOR UNKNOWN REASON; VEHICLE BEEN IN DEALER SHOP ON TWO OCCASIONS, AND PROBLEM STILL OCCURRING.
NHTSA complaint #835072 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Kelseyvill, CA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY
BATTERY FAILED.
NHTSA complaint #532594 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Arthur, IL
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FUSES AND CIRCUIT BREAKERS
ABS BRAKES FAILED FOUR TIMES; ALSO ALTERNATOR/TURN SIGNAL/WINDSHIELD WIPER/FUSE BOX MALFUNCTIONED.
NHTSA complaint #511077 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Arthur, IL
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:ALTERNATOR/GENERATOR/REGULATOR
ABS BRAKES FAILED FOUR TIMES; ALSO ALTERNATOR/TURN SIGNAL/WINDSHIELD WIPER/FUSE BOX MALFUNCTIONED.
NHTSA complaint #511077 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Walnut Creek, CA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
WHILE DRIVING, ENGINE JUST SHUTS OFF. TT
NHTSA complaint #964584 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Sonora, CA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
CAR STALLS WHILE DRIVING, ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON. REPLACED ECM TO NO AVAIL. TT
NHTSA complaint #959368 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.