103 consumer complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 1990 Buick Regal. Click any complaint to view the full owner description.
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.
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).
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
RIGHT FRONT WHEEL VIBRATED. DRIVER PULLED OVER, PULLED OFF LUGS, AND NOTICED THE RIM WAS CRACKED. DEALER WAS CONTACTED. RECALL 94V041000 WAS ISSUED ON THIS MAKE, MODEL, AND YEAR, BUT THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED UNDER RECALL DUE TO VIN. *AK
AFTER THE RECALL FOR THE CRADLE BOLTS WAS COMPLETED, THE STEERING FAILED. RECALL #00 V 189 000. *JB AFTER THE RECALL FOR THE CRADLE BOLTS WAS COMPLETED, THE STEERING FAILED. RECALL #00 V 189 000. THERE WAS A CLASS ACTION SUIT ON BRAKES-CONSUMER'S BRAKES FAILED AFTER THE CLASS ACTION SUIT.*MR
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
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
REAR BRAKE CALIPERS WOULD LOCK UP WHEN BRAKES WERE APPLIED. HAD BRAKES REPLACED TWICE DUE TO PADS WEARING EXCESSIVELY. MECHANIC INDICATED CAUSE OF PROBLEM WAS MASTER CYLINDER.*AK
REAR CALIPERS CONSITANTLY FAILING. *AK
WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKES PEDAL GOES TO FLOOR, CAUSING EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE. CAUSE UNKNOWN. PLEASE GIVE ANY FURTHER DETAILS.*AK
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
NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK
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
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
CONSUMER CONTACTED DEALER AND THE PART WAS ON ORDER.*AK
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
REAR BRAKES FAILED. YH
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
CRADLE BOLTS RUSTED AND BROKEN CAUSING FRAME TO COME APART, RESULTING IN LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL. MJS
FRONT CRADLE RUSTED AND FELL DOWN WHILE DRIVING CAUISING LOSS OF STEERINF ABILITY AND LOSS OF CONTROL. *YC
WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKES PEDAL GOES TO THE FLOOR . OWNER HAS TO USE THE EMERGENCY BRAKE TO STOP. DEALER SAYS NOTHING WRONG WITH VEHICLE. BRAKES ARE COMPLETELY GONE AGAIN. *AK
LEFT REAR WHEEL FELL OFF OF VEHICLE CAUSING LOSS OF CONTROL AND VEHICLE COLLISION. (OHIO TRAFFIC CRASH REPORT). MJS
WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 20MPH FRAME ON VEHICLE BROKE. IT HAPPENED WHERE THE CRADLE BOLTS ARE LOCATED. THE ENGINE DROPPED & BROKE THE STEERING SHAFT. NO STEERING CONTROL. THE CRACKS HAD OCCURRED IN THE FRAME. HAD VEHICLE TOWED TO DEALER TO CHECK. *AK
DOOR WAS FORCED OPENED BY THE FORCE, DOOR LATCH PULLED STRIKER FROM DOOR PILLAR AND DOOR OPEN LEAVING THE SEAT BELT USELESS , AS A SAFETY RESTRAINT, AND PASSANGER WAS EJECTED AND KILLED. THE DOOR MOUNTED DESIGN IS TOTALLY USELESS ON DOOR OPENING, SEATBELTS SHOULD STAY ON PELVIS, IN ALL ACCIDENT CONDITIONS, G.M INSTALLED THIS DESIGN IN THOUSANDS OF VEHICLES, THEY SHOULD NOT HAVE BEEN ABLE TO PUT THESE TYPE OF RESTAINT IN THEIR VEHICLES, ANYBODY WITH ANY KIND OF BRAINS SHOULD HAVE SEEN THAT, THEIR ENGINEERS ARE STUPID OR THEY DON'T CARE. THIS TYPE OF SEAT BELT RESTRAINT SYSTEM KILLED MY DAUGHTER, AND THERE WILL BE MANY PEOPLE DYING BECAUSE OF THIS, G.M. SHOULD NOT HAVE BEEN ALLOWED PUT THIS TYPE OF RESTRAINT IN THERE DOOR.
NOT STARTING (ENGINE TRIES TO START BUT JUST WON'T CATCH) AND STALLING WHILE IDLING. #1 OF 6: TOOK CAR FROM HOME, DROVE ABOUT 15 MILES, TURNED IT OFF FOR OVER AN HOUR, DROVE ABOUT 1/10 MILE, TURNED IT OFF FOR OVER AN HOUR, WOULDN'T START. LEFT IT SIT FOR 30 MINUTES. STARTED UP JUST FINE. #2 OF 6: TOOK CAR FROM HOME, DROVE ABOUT 5 MILES, TURNED IT OFF FOR 2 HOURS, DROVE ABOUT 1/2 MILE, TURNED IT OFF FOR ABOUT 15 MINUTES, WOULDN'T START. LEFT IT SIT FOR 10 MINUTES. STARTED UP FINE, ALTHOUGH I FOLLOWED PROCEDURE FOR FLOODED ENGINE. STOPPED ABOUT 2 BLOCKS AGAIN TO GET GAS. STARTED UP FINE AGAIN. #3 OF 6: TOOK CAR FROM HOME, DID A LOT OF START/STOP DRIVING THAT MORNING. LATER THAT AFTERNOON DROVE ABOUT 10 MILES, TURNED IF OFF FOR OVER AN HOUR, STARTED UP FINE, DROVE ABOUT 1/2 MILE, HAD TO STOP AT STOP LIGHT. WHILE IDLING, STALLED OUT. WOULDN'T START FOR ABOUT 10 MINUTES. AT THIS POINT I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER. THE DEALER REPLACED THE PROM AND IDLE AIR CONTROL VALVE. #4 OF 6: 2 DAYS AFTER DEALER REPLACED THE ABOVE, IT STALLED AFTER FILLING THE GAS TANK AND DRIVING JUST A SHORT DISTANCE. HOWEVER, UNLIKE ALL OTHER TIMES IT STARTED UP WITHIN A MINUTE. (IT WAS RAINY THAT EVENING.) TOOK BACK TO DEALER. HE SEALED THE CONNECTIONS - THOUGHT MAYBE THEY GOT WET. #5 OF 6: ABOUT 5 WEEKS LATER WE WENT ON A LONG TRIP AND ALL WAS WELL UNTIL WE WENT TO A STORE AND BACK AND THEN ABOUT 30 MINUTES LATER IT WOULD NOT START. #6 OF 6: DROVE HOME FROM WORK (14 MILES), STOPPED FOR GAS ABOUT 1 MILE FROM HOME, FILLED TANK, DROVE HOME, LEFT CAR SIT FOR 45 MINUTES, DROVE ABOUT 3 MILES, LEFT CAR SIT FOR 1 AND 1/4 HOURS, WOULDN'T START. HAD RAINED EARLIER IN THE DAY, BUT THE ROADS WERE FAIRLY DRY. THIS HAPPENED TONIGHT. TOMORROW I WILL PHONE THE DEALER. DOES THIS HAPPEN TO OTHER REGAL OWNERS AND WHAT HAS BEEN DONE TO CORRECT IT? I AM ALMOST SCARED TO DRIVE ANYMORE. DEPENDING WHERE IT STALLS, THIS COULD CAUSE AN ACCIDENT. MIGHT I ADD THAT I HAVEN'T HAD ANY MAJOR PRO
I HAVE AN ONGOING PROBLEM WITH THE BRAKES ON MY 1990 BUICK REGAL. AFTER MANY REPAIRS AND REPLACEMENTS TO THE FRONT BRAKE SYSTEM . I DISCOVERED THAT THE ROOT CAUSE WAS THE MALFUNCTION OF THE REAR BRAKES. THE REAR CALIPERS ARE DESIGNED, THAT WHEN THEY CORRODE THE BRAKING ACTION IS DIMINISHED AND EVENTUALLY STOPS WHEN THE CALIPERS ARE COMPLETELY FROZEN. THIS FAILURE CAUSES SUBSEQUENT PROBLEMS : 1. BECAUSE THE FRONT BRAKES NOW CARRY MORE BREAKING LOAD THE PAD WEARS OUT VERY QUICKLY. 2. BECAUSE THE FRONT BRAKES NOW CARRY MORE BREAKING LOAD THE ROTORS WILL WARP AND REQUIRE FREQUENT TURNING, WHICH EVENTUALLY RENDERS THE ROTOR BELOW SPECIFIED THICKNESS AND MUST BE REPLACED . 3. THE REAR CALIPERS CAN SOMETIMES LOCK IN THE ENGAGED POSITION. THIS WILL CAUSE EXCESS AND POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS HEAT IN THE BRAKES. THIS WILL EVENTUALLY RUIN ROTORS AND MAY PRESENT A FIRE HAZARD. 4. THE LACK OF BREAKING IN THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE CAUSES AN IMBALANCE IN THE BREAKING CHARACTERISTICS OF THE VEHICLE. THIS WILL CAUSE THE VEHICLE TO LERCH SIDEWAYS IN AN EMERGENCY BREAKING SITUATION AS THE INERTIA FROM THE REAR IS NOT IMPEDED, MAKING IT IMPOSSIBLE TO STOP WITH ANY CONTROL. I HAVE EXPERIENCED ALL 4 OF THESE CONDITIONS ON MY VEHICLE. ITEMS 1-3 ARE TROUBLESOME BECAUSE THE COST IMPACT HAS BEEN SIGNIFICANT . BUT THE 4TH ITEM IS CAUSE FOR MY GREATEST CONCERN AS I SEE THIS AS A SERIOUS LIFE AND SAFETY DEFECT. I HAVE EXPERIENCED FIRST HAND THE EFFECT OF THIS CONDITION WHEN MAKING AN EMERGENCY BREAKING MANEUVER. MY VEHICLE LITERALLY SNAPPED SIDEWAYS INTO THE ONCOMING LANE WHEN I HAD TO JAMB ON THE BREAKS. LUCKILY BECAUSE THE ROAD CONDITIONS WERE DRY AND TRAFFIC WAS LIGHT, I WAS ABLE TO GAIN CONTROL AND EVENTUALLY STOP THE VEHICLE. AN ADDITIONAL IMPORTANT FACTOR IS, THERE IS NO ADVANCED INDICATION THAT THE REAR CALIPERS HAVE FROZEN OR NOT FUNCTIONING PROPERLY, PUTTING THE SAFETY OF OPERATOR AND PASSENGERS AT SIGNIFICANT RISK. THIS MUST EFFECT ALL THE OTHER GM MODELS THAT HAVE THE
PASSENGER'S SIDE FRONT LAB BELT FAILED DURING AN ACCIDENT, DAUGHTER WAS THROWN OUT OF VEHICLE AND KILLED, THREE OTHER PASSENGER'S WERE INJURED.
ENGINE: GASKET FAILED CAUSING OIL TO LEAK.
WHEN SHUTTING THE DOOR THE DOOR DOESN'T CATCH SHUT, AND THE DOOR COMES OPEN WHILE DRIVING. HAS NOT SEEN DEALER. *AK
WHILE VEHICLE WAS PARKED IT CAUGHT ON FIRE IN THE ENGINE. THE DEALER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED. *AK
RIGHT FRONT STRUT BROKE, CAUSING THE WHEEL/HUB TO BREAKAWAY FROM ITS STRUT.
WATER PUMP FAILED ON TWO OCCASIONS.
FUEL INJECTORS FAILED.
SERPENTINE BELT FAILED.
VEHICLE HAS BEEN EXPERIENCING EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCES/FADING. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN IN TWO COLLISIONS DUE TO THE BRAKES NOT ENGAGING AND GIVING SUFFICIENT BRAKING DISTANCE.
NO DEPLOYMENT OF AIRBAG IN ACCIDENT.
REAR BRAKE CALIPERS FAILED.
RECALL WORK ON CRADLE BOLTS DENIED DUE TO NO PROBLEM BEING FOUND.
REAR BRAKE ROTORS FAILED AND REPLACED.
CALIPERS WERE FROZE UP , CAUSING ROTORS TO BURN.
PREMATURE BRAKE WEAR, BRAKES MAKE GRINDING NOISE AND DON'T CATCH WELL. VEHICLE HAS BEEN IN EVERY YEAR AND HAD EVERYTHING REPLACED BUT IS STILL HAVING THE SAME PROBLEMS. *AK
THE REAR BRAKES FREEZE UP AND THERE ARE NO REAR BRAKING ABILITY. REPAIRED A COUPLE OF YEARS AGO AND THE PROBLEM IS REOCCURRING. *AK
WHILE DRIVING, EXPERIENCED STEEL WHEEL HUB FAILURE, WHEN 2 OUT OF 4 WHEELS HAVE FALLEN OFF DUE TO WHEEL MOUNTING SURFACE CRACKS DEVELOPED IN METAL, LOSS CONTROL WENT INTO DITCH WHEN WHEEL FOLDED UNDER CAR. *AK
ELECTRIC FUEL PUMP FAILED.
TRANSMISSION FAILED.
COMPUTER FAILED.
ABS BRAKE FAILURE, CORROSION OF DISC CALIPERS ON THE REAR, CAUSING BRAKE LOCKUP AND EXCESSIVE WEAR OF THE FRONT BRAKES, REPLACEMENT OF DISC PADS AND ROTORS. *AK
THE REAR CALIPER IS WEARING OUT TO OFTEN. PLEASE DESCRIBE IN MORE DETAILS. *AK
VEHICLE SURGED OUT OF CONTROL WHEN STARTED. *DH
VEHICLE OCCASIONALLY EMITS SMOKE FROM STEERING COLUMN. *DH
REAR BRAKES FAILED, DUE TO RUSTY CALIPERS AND ROTORS ON THE LEFT SIDE, AND RIGHT SIDE PAD FALLING APART. *DH
PREMATURE BRAKE WEAR. *SD
BRAKES OVERHEAT, CAUSING FAILURE. *SD
REPLACED REAR BRAKES 4 TIMES DUE TO EXCESSIVE WEAR. *AK
REPLACED REAR BRAKES 4 TIMES DUE TO EXCESSIVE WEAR. *AK
FRONT BRAKES FAILED. *SD
REAR BRAKES FAILED. *SD
SUDDEN ACCELERATION AT HIGH SPEED. *SD
THE BRAKE PEDAL GOES TO THE FLOOR BRAKE FAILURE. TT
FRONT BRAKES WEAR THREE TIMES FASTER THAN REAR W/WORN CALIPER AND SOME RUST. PLEASE DESCRIBE DETAILS. TT
EA94-041 ACTIVE, BRAKE FAILURE, PEDAL GOES TO THE FLOOR INTERMITTENTLY WHEN APPLIED, IN FOR REPAIR REPLACEMENT SLID KIT AND DISC PADS AND ROTORS, AND MASTER CYL
EA94-041 ACTIVE, BRAKE FAILURE, PEDAL GOES TO THE FLOOR INTERMITTENTLY WHEN APPLIED, IN FOR REPAIR REPLACEMENT SLID KIT AND DISC PADS AND ROTORS, AND MASTER CYL
EA94-041 ACTIVE, BRAKE FAILURE, PEDAL GOES TO THE FLOOR INTERMITTENTLY WHEN APPLIED, IN FOR REPAIR REPLACEMENT SLID KIT AND DISC PADS AND ROTORS, AND MASTER CYL
HAD TO REPLACE BRAKING SYSTEM.TT *JB
SEAT BELT RETRACTOR FAILED. *SD
ELECTRONIC CONTROL MODULE FAILED, CAUSING VEHICLE TO STALL.
REAR BRAKE LIGHTS COME ON/OFF, REPLACED STOP LAMP.
CRUISE CONTROL DOES NOT ENGAGE.
ABS BRAKES FAILED/ BRAKE PEDAL GOES ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR, ALSO ABS LIGHTS COME ON/OFF.
CORRODED REAR DISC BRAKES, CALIPERS ARE CORRODED. TT
REAR BRAKES CORRODED, CAUSING POOR BRAKING PERFORMANCE. *SD
REAR CALIPER SLEEVES AND RETAINERS CORRODED/JAMMED; CAUSE BRAKES TO NOT WORK PROPERLY; CALIPER SLEEVES/RETAINERS REPLACED. TT
REAR BRAKES LOCKUP WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING, REPLACE CALIPER AND ROTOR. TT
REAR BRAKES LOCKUP WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING, REPLACE CALIPER AND ROTOR. TT
BRAKE PADS REPLACED. *SD
ROTORS REPLACED. *SD
WHEEL BEARINGS REPLACED. *SD
THE FRONT PASSENGER SEATBELT NO LONGER RETRACTS. PLEASE DESCRIBE. TT
REPLACED TRANSMISSION. *AK
CORRODED REAR DISC BRAKES, REPLACED CALIPERS, PADS AND ROTORS. TT
CORRODED REAR DISC BRAKES, REPLACED CALIPERS, PADS AND ROTORS. TT
CORRODED REAR DISC BRAKES, REPLACED CALIPERS, PADS AND ROTORS. TT
BACK BRAKES HAVE NEVER WORKED ON THE BACK. TT
REAR DISC BRAKES FREEZE. *AK
ABS BRAKE SYSTEM FAILURE, BRAKE PEDAL WENT COMPLETLY DOWN TO FLOOR. *AK
CORRODED REAR DISC BRAKES, LOSS OF BRAKING ABILITY. TT
CONSUMER CAME UP TO A DRIVE THROUGH TRY TO PUSH THE WINDOW DOWN IT WOULD NOT GO DOWN OR UP CONSUMER HAD HAND OUT AND WINDOW WENT UP AND CAUGHT CONSUMER ARM. TT
STRUT REPLACED DUE TO VEHICLE NOT CORNERING PROPERLY. *SKD
BRAKE DRUMS AND PADS REPLACED DUE TO NOISE.
REAR DISC BRAKES CORRODED; LOT OF SQUEAKING; BRAKES REPLACED. TT
DEFECTIVE UNIROYAL TIGER PAW TIRES, CAUSING VEHICLE TO SKID WHEN APPLYING BRAKES. *AW
CORROSION OF REAR DISC BRAKES, MAKING A LOUD NOISE GRINDING, EA94-041 ACTIVE. TT
CORROSION OF FRONT AND REAR BRAKING SYSTEM. TT
REPLACEMENT OF REAR BRAKES DUE TO CORROSION. TT
REPLACED FRONT BRAKE PADS. *AK
CORROSION OF THE REAR DISC BRAKE WHICH CAUSE BRAKES TO LOCKUP AND CRACK THE ROTOR, ALSO UNEVEN WEAR ON FRONT DISC ROTORS/PADS. TT
EMERGENCY BRAKE RATCHET ASSEMBLY FAILED. *AK
CORRODED DISC BRAKES CAUSED REDUCTION IN BRAKING ABILITY. REPAIRED 3 TIMES. REPLACED ROTORS, PADS, AND CALIPERS. TT
REAR BRAKE CALIPER PIN PROBLEM. PLEASE EXPLAIN. TT
ABS: FRONT BRAKES REPLACED 4 TIMES BECAUSE REAR BRAKES WERE NOT WORKING. TT
THE REAR BRAKES ARE CORRODED. REPLACED ROTORS AND CALIPERS. TT
EMERGENCY BRAKES DID NOT WORK. TT
STRUTS REPLACED. TT
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