The 1994 Buick Regal has 3 safety recalls and 110 owner complaints on file with NHTSA. The most-reported problem area is service brakes, hydraulic (26 complaints).
NHTSA recall 97V017000 · Feb 11, 1997 · 349,331 vehicles · opened after NHTSA action (ODI)
Problem: SOME OF THESE VEHICLES HAVE A STRAINED OR SEPARATED WASHER/WIPER SWITCH POWER FEED WIRE.
Risk: THIS CAN CAUSE THE WINDSHIELD WASHER/WIPER TO WORK INTERMITTENTLY AND COULD ULTIMATELY RESULT IN INOPERATIVE WIPERS. IF THIS WERE TO OCCUR IN A SEVERE WEATHER SITUATION, DRIVER VISIBILITY COULD BE REDUCED, INCREASING THE RISK OF A VEHICLE CRASH.
Fix: DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND REPLACE THE OLD DESIGNED WASHER/WIPER SWITCHES WITH A NEWLY DESIGNED SWITCH.
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.
Service brakes, hydraulic › Foundation components › Hoses, lines/piping, and fittings
NHTSA recall 95V061000 · Mar 22, 1995 · 199,572 vehicles
Problem: THE REAR WHEEL BRAKE HOSE(S) CAN CONTACT THE REAR SUSPENSION COMPONENTS CAUSING THE BRAKE HOSE(S) TO WEAR THROUGH.
Risk: THIS CONDITION CAN CAUSE LOSS OF BRAKE FLUID AND EVENTUAL LOSS OF THE VEHICLE BRAKING SYSTEM INCREASING THE POTENTIAL FOR A VEHICLE ACCIDENT.
Fix: DEALERS WILL INSPECT FOR PROPER BRAKE HOSE POSITION AND REPLACE THOSE HOSES IN AN INCORRECT POSITION WITH NEW HOSES AND CORRECTLY ROUTED.
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
1994 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 / 26 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
26
2
0
1
—
Electrical system Ignition; Alternator/generator/regulator
*Median odometer reading when the problem happened, where owners gave one. One complaint can name several problem areas.
Recent owner complaints
May 1, 2004 · 48,975 milesEngine 1984 BUICK REGAL WITH 3800L V6. THE VALVE COVERS ARE LEAKING EXCESSIVE OIL ON THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD WHICH COULD START FIRE WHEN DRIVING, WHEN PARKED, WHEN THE ENGINE IS HOT! THE 97 THROUGHT 2004 BUICK REGALS WERE RECALLED FOR THIS EXACT SITUATION. WHY WAS THE 94 NOT RECALLED? HAS IT DUE TO AGE?
Jul 19, 2013Air bags AT APPROXIMATELY 7:00AM FRIDAY JULY 19, MY SON AND I GOT INTO THE CAR WHICH WAS PARKED IN OUR GARAGE. I PROCEEDED TO PLACE THE KEY INTO THE IGNITION AND STARTED THE CAR. IMMEDIATELY THE DRIVER'S AIRBAG DEPLOYED HITTING ME IN THE FACE AND CHEST BREAKING MY GLASSES AND THERE WAS SOME TYPE OF SOLVENT OR PARTICLES IN THE FORM OF SMOKE THAT WAS IN THE AIR AFTER THE EXPLOSION. I'M CALLING IT AN EXPLOSION BECAUSE WE WERE NOT IN AN ACCIDENT, BUT ONLY GOING ABOUT OUR DAILY ROUTINE OF ACTIVITIES. I KNOW THIS IS NOT TYPICAL OF AN AIRBAG, SO I WOULD LIKE TO CONTACT BUICK TO SEE IF I HAVE ANY GROUNDS FOR COMPENSATION. AS A RESULT OF THIS INCIDENT, I HAVE RINGING IN MY EARS, MY CHEST HAS BEEN VERY SORE…
Mar 15, 2008 · 47,000 milesVisibility › Windshield wiper/washer › Switch/wiring TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1994 BUICK REGAL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS DO NOT WORK. THE WASHER/WIPER SWITCH POWER FEED WIRE CAUSES THE WIPERS TO WORK INTERMITTENTLY AND BECOME INOPERATIVE. THE FAILURE HAS OCCURRED IN RAINY CONDITIONS. BUICK STATED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 97V017000 (VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:SWITCH/WIRING). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 47,000. UPDATED 12/10/08 *CN THE DEALER SHOWED THE CONSUMER THE TWO WIRES THAT WER BROKEN ON THE WINDSHIELD WIPER SWITCH. UPDATED 12/16/08. *JB
Apr 23, 2008 · 74,000 milesExterior lighting › Headlights › High/low beam dimmer switch LOSS OF HEADLIGHTS WHEN DIMMER SWITCHED USED TO DIM BRIGHT LIGHTS RESULTING IN NO LIGHTS TRIPPING IT SEVERAL TIMES BROUGHT LIGHTS BACK AND LEFT THEM ON DIM UNTIL I COULD GET IT SERVICED AT COST OF APPROX 400.00 THIS WAS ABOUT FOUR YEARS AGO. RECENTLY TILT COLUMN HAS BEEN DIFFICULT TO OPERATE NOW WILL NOT LOCK IN POSITION AND LIGHTS WILL NOT WORK WHEN COLUMN IS TILTED DOWN. IS THIS A KNOWN PROBLEM WITH MY VEHICLE. I BOUGHT IT NEW IN 94 AND AM THE ONLY DRIVER. I AM AFRAID THE STEERING COLUMN WILL SHIFT UNAFFECTEDLY AND CAUSE ME TO WRECK OR CAUSE THE MOTOR TO STALL AND LOCK STEERING AND CAUSE A WRECK. IS THERE A RECALL FOR THIS? *TR
May 17, 2007 · 100,000 milesEngine and engine cooling › Engine TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1994 BUICK REGAL. THE CONTACT WENT TO THE DEALER TO HAVE THE CONDITION OF HER VEHICLE INSPECTED AND FOR A NEW PAINT JOB. APPROXIMATELY THREE TO FOUR DAYS LATER, THE VEHICLE SHUT OFF AT A STOP LIGHT. SHE COULD NOT ROLL DOWN THE WINDOWS OR EXIT THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE WAS A RESULT OF A BUTTON BEING PUSHED INSIDE THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT WAS STUCK INSIDE THE VEHICLE FOR HALF AN HOUR ON A HOT DAY. THE # OF CYLINDERS AND ENGINE SIZE WERE UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 100,000.
Oct 10, 2006 · 20,000 milesVisibility › Windshield wiper/washer DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, WHO UPON INSPECTION, DETERMINED THAT THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AND THERE WAS A RECALL ON THAT SAME COMPONENT. THE DEALER WAS CONTACTED, AND EXPRESSED THAT THEY WERE NOT AWARE OF ANY RECALL FOR THIS ISSUE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS ALSO CONTACTED, AND DETERMINED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO THE VIN. THE VEHICLE HAD THE SAME ISSUES STATED IN THE RECALL # 97V017000 REGARDING VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER:SWITCH/WIRING.
Apr 8, 2005 · 105,000 milesElectrical system › Horn 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…
Jan 1, 2006Exterior lighting › Brake lights MULTI FUNCTION SWITCH FOR TURN SIGNAL WHICH FEEDS BRAKE LIGHTS CAUSES BRAKE LIGHTS TO FAIL TO COME ON WHEN BRAKE PEDAL IS DEPRESSED. IN SEARCHING WEB FOUND TO BE COMMON PROBLEM IN THIS VEHICLE. *JB
Owner complaints are submitted to NHTSA by the public and are not verified. Shown as filed (NHTSA removes personal details); long reports are shortened.