1993 Buick Regal recalls & problems

The 1993 Buick Regal has 2 safety recalls and 85 owner complaints on file with NHTSA. The most-reported problem area is service brakes, hydraulic (56 complaints).

Recalls2safety recalls

Complaints85filed by owners

Crashes · fires7 · 3reported in complaints

Injuries · deaths13 · 2reported in complaints

Safety recalls

Exterior lighting

NHTSA recall 95V152000 · Aug 8, 1995 · 83,247 vehicles

Problem: 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.

Fix: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE CLEAR BULBS WITH THE CORRECT AMBER BULBS.

Seats

NHTSA recall 93V035000 · Mar 9, 1993 · 5,574 vehicles

Problem: 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.

Fix: REPLACE THE MANUAL SEAT RECLINER MECHANISM WITH A MECHANISM THAT COMPLIES WITH FMVSS 207.

Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. A recall listed here may already have been fixed on a particular car: enter its 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see open recalls.

Crash test ratings

1993 Buick Regal 4-DR.

Overall	Not Rated
Frontal crash	Not Rated
Side crash	Not Rated
Rollover	Not Rated

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (New Car Assessment Program). Ratings are comparable only between vehicles of similar size and weight, and ratings from 2011 on use tougher tests than earlier years. Photos: NHTSA.

Fuel economy

Regal

20mpg combined

City / highway	17 / 25 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

3.1 L · 6 cyl · Automatic 3-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $3,350/year to fuel

Regal

20mpg combined

City / highway	17 / 27 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

3.1 L · 6 cyl · Automatic 4-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $3,350/year to fuel

Regal

20mpg combined

City / highway	17 / 26 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

3.8 L · 6 cyl · Automatic 4-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $3,350/year to fuel

EPA estimates from fueleconomy.gov for each engine and transmission sold. Annual cost is the EPA's estimate for 15,000 miles a year at its current fuel and electricity price assumptions. Your results will vary.

What owners report

Problem area	Complaints	Crashes	Fires	Injuries	Typical mileage*
Service brakes, hydraulic Antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip; Foundation components › Disc › Rotor	56	2	0	2	—
Engine and engine cooling Engine › Gasoline; Engine	10	0	0	0	—
Vehicle speed control Cruise control	8	4	0	0	—
Electrical system Alternator/generator/regulator; Starter assembly	8	0	1	0	—
Seat belts Front › Anchorage	7	0	0	7	—
Fuel system, gasoline Fuel injection system; Delivery › Hoses, lines/piping, and fittings	6	0	1	0	—
Structure Body › Door; Body › Trunk lid	5	0	0	0	—
Visibility Power window devices and controls; Windshield	4	0	0	1	—
Exterior lighting Turn signal › Switch; Back up lights	3	0	1	0	—
Steering Steering wheel/handle bar; Hydraulic power assist › Pump	2	0	0	0	—
Seats Front assembly › Recliner	2	1	0	3	—
Tires Tread/belt; Bead	2	0	0	0	—

*Median odometer reading when the problem happened, where owners gave one. One complaint can name several problem areas.

Recent owner complaints

May 3, 2013 · 41,000 milesElectrical 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.*JB
Oct 24, 2006Service 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. *JB
Aug 1, 2004 · 195,000 milesSeats › 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 *JB
Feb 11, 2004Suspension
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.*AK
Sep 5, 2003Electrical 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. *PH
Jun 13, 2003 · 1 injuryVisibility › 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 *JB
Jun 25, 2003 · 75,000 milesEngine 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. *AK
Mar 7, 2002Structure › 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.*AK

Owner complaints are submitted to NHTSA by the public and are not verified. Shown as filed (NHTSA removes personal details); long reports are shortened.

NHTSA defect investigations

PE94063 · opened Aug 12, 1994 · closed Dec 21, 1994CORRODED REAR DISK BRAKES
There is no summary currently available
EA93018 · opened Jul 13, 1993 · closed Jun 24, 1994FUEL LEAKS
There is no summary currently available