Engine
2.8L 6-cyl
Fault profile
Complaint-component records on this vehicle, grouped by family. A complaint naming two systems counts once in each.
Complaints are owner-reported and not verified by the agency.
Known issues
The component families with the most complaint records against this vehicle. Counts, crash and fire figures belong to the whole family, not to any single named issue. Parts listed are related system parts, not a diagnosis.
Brakes
90 complaint records5 crash reports
"WHILE DRIVING, EXPERIENCED REAR DISC BRAKE FAILURE, WHEN UPON APPLYING BRAKE, PEDAL WENT TO FLOOR, NO PRIOR WARNING. TT..."- one owner's federal complaint about this system; it may not describe the issue named above
Parts
No specific part is named for this issue. Browse brakes parts in the directory →
Body & structure
18 complaint records3 crash reports
"VEHICLE EXPERIENCED FAILURE OF THE RECALL (00V-189) COMPONENT PRIOR TO RECALL NOTIFICATION, CONSUMER IS REQUESTING REIMBURSEMENT. *MJS..."- one owner's federal complaint about this system; it may not describe the issue named above
Parts
No specific part is named for this issue. Browse body & structure parts in the directory →
Power train
11 complaint records
"THE TRANSMISSION FAILED WITHIN 3 MONTHS OF OWNERSHIP. THE CAUSE HAS YET TO BE DETERMINED. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. *NLM..."- one owner's federal complaint about this system; it may not describe the issue named above
Parts
No specific part is named for this issue. Browse power train parts in the directory →
Federal defect investigations
Formal investigations opened by the federal safety agency into this vehicle. An investigation is the step between a complaint pattern and a recall; not every one results in one.
| Investigation | Status | Component | Subject |
|---|---|---|---|
| RP01001 opened Nov 2001 | closed Jun 2002 | Structure | STRUCTURE - led to recall 00V189000 There is no summary currently available |
| RQ97017 opened Oct 1997 | OPEN | Structure | CRADLE BOLT FAILURES - led to recall 97V058000 There is no summary currently available |
| PE94063 opened Aug 1994 | closed Dec 1994 | Service Brakes, Hydraulic | CORRODED REAR DISK BRAKES There is no summary currently available |
| PE94048 opened Jun 1994 | closed Dec 1994 | Engine And Engine Cooling | SUB-FRAME ABSORBER FAILURE There is no summary currently available |
| EA92024 opened Jun 1992 | closed Jan 1994 | Vehicle Speed Control | STICKING THROTTLE There is no summary currently available |
| EA91055 opened Dec 1991 | closed Aug 1992 | Structure | W-CAR HINGE PIN FAILURE There is no summary currently available |
| PE91133 opened Oct 1991 | closed Dec 1991 | Structure | W-CAR HINGE PIN FAILURE There is no summary currently available |
| PE91072 opened May 1991 | closed Jul 1991 | Steering | STEERING WHEEL SEPARATION There is no summary currently available |
| EA91005 opened Oct 1990 | closed Dec 1991 | Suspension | REAR WHEEL BEARINGS FAIL There is no summary currently available |
| PE90088 opened Jun 1990 | closed Oct 1990 | Exterior Lighting | FAILURE STOP LAMP SWITCH - led to recall 90V185000 There is no summary currently available |
| PE89145 opened Jul 1989 | closed Sep 1989 | Parking Brake | PARKING BRAKE CABLE === |
| C89001 opened Mar 1989 | closed Jan 1990 | Vehicle Speed Control | THROTTLE NON-RETURN There is no summary currently available |
Recall campaigns
Safety-recall remedies are normally provided at no charge. Under US federal law the mandatory free remedy applies when the vehicle was no more than 15 years old at the time the defect was determined; manufacturers often cover older vehicles voluntarily. Canadian rules differ. Confirm eligibility with the manufacturer using the VIN. Each campaign number links to the federal record.
| Campaign | Component | Summary | Remedy |
|---|---|---|---|
| 00V189000 | Structure | VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES ORIGINALLY SOLD OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN THE STATES OF CONNECTICUT, DELAWARE, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, IOWA, MAINE, MARYLAND, MASSACHUSETTS, MICHIGAN, MINNESOTA, MISSOURI, NEW... | Normally free |
| 97V058000 | Structure | VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES AND MINI VANS ORIGINALLY SOLD OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN THE FOLLOWING STATES: CONNECTICUT, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, MAINE, MASSACHUSETTS, MICHIGAN, NEW HAMPSHIRE, NEW JERSEY, NEW YORK,... | Normally free |
| 95V115000 | Wheels | CRACKS DEVELOP IN THE WHEEL MOUNTING SURFACE. IF THESE CRACKS BECOME SEVERE ENOUGH, THE WHEEL WILL COMPLETELY SEPARATE FROM THE VEHICLE. | Normally free |
| 94V041000 | Wheels | CRACKS DEVELOP IN THE WHEEL MOUNTING SURFACE. IF THESE CRACKS BECOME SEVERE ENOUGH, THE WHEEL WILL COMPLETELY SEPARATE FROM THE VEHICLE. | Normally free |
| 90V054000 | Seat Belts | FRONT SHOULDER BELT GUIDE LOOP ATTACHMENT FASTENER MAY PULL THROUGH DOOR MOUNTED ANCHOR PLATE. | Normally free |
| 88V109000 | Service Brakes, Hydraulic | TWISTED COMPONENTS COULD ALLOW THE LEFT FRONT BRAKE HOSE TO CONTACT THE FENDER LINING/RAIL AREA; OVER TIME THE BRAKE HOSE COULD WEAR THROUGH. | Normally free |
| 88V066000 | Suspension | LOWER CONTROL ARM TO BALL JOINT ATTACHMENT CAN BECOME LOOSE. ALSO, CERTAIN CARS COULD HAVE TIE ROD BALL STUD NUTS THAT WERE NOT PROPERLY TORQUED AND COULD LOOSEN. | Normally free |
| 88V065000 | Latches/Locks/Linkages | THE SECONDARY HOOD LATCH MAY NOT PROPERLY ENGAGE. | Normally free |
| 88V045000 | Power Train | AN INTERFERENCE BETWEEN THE TRANSMISSION SHIFT CABLE AND THE BELLCRANK CLIP IN THE STEERING COLUMN CAN RESULT IN DISENGAGEMENT OF THE TRANSMISSION CABLE. | Normally free |
| 88V040000 | Exterior Lighting | THE STOP LAMP SWITCH MAY HAVE A LOOSE ELECTRICAL CONTACT. THE LOOSE CONTACT CAN OVERHEAT AND MELT THE SURROUNDING PLASTIC CAUSING THE CONTACT TO STICK OPEN. | Normally free |
Transport Canada recalls
Recalls issued under Canadian law for this model year, from Transport Canada's Vehicle Recalls Database. Matched by model name, so a Canadian-market variant may appear here that was sold under another name in the US. Units are Canadian vehicles affected.
| Recall | System | Units (CA) | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2001028 2001-02-08 | Suspension | 81,828 | Vehicles located in the high corrosion provinces east of the Manitoba/Ontario border. Certain vehicles may exhibit a condition in which the frame/cradle retainer bolts pull through the retainers due to corrosion of the retainer. |
| 1995100 1995-06-16 | Suspension | 1,193 | On certain vehicles, cracks may develop in the wheel mounting surface, and, should the cracks become severe enough, the wheel could completely separate from the vehicle. |
| 1995010 1995-01-31 | Steering | 82,835 | On certain vehicles, the rear engine cradle bolts may pull through due to corrosion of the retainers. If this should occur, the cradle would no longer be supported at these mounting locations and the steering shaft may separate from the... |
| 1994042 1994-03-01 | Suspension | 13,262 | On certain vehicles, the steel wheels may develop cracks in the wheel mounting surface and, should the cracks become severe enough, the wheel could completely separate from the vehicle. |
| 1990044 1990-03-15 | Seats And Restraints | 42,748 | Certain vehicles do not comply with CMVSS 210 - Seatbelt Assembly Anchorages. Anchor bolt may pull through the upper anchorage plate. |
| 1988097 1988-07-11 | Brakes | 592 | THE LEFT FRONT BRAKE HOSE COULD CONTACT THE FENDER LINING/RAIL AREA AND EVENTUALLY WEAR THROUGH. THIS COULD CAUSE A LOSS OF BRAKE FLUID AND A PARTIAL LOSS OF BRAKING CAPABILITY RESULTING IN INCREASED STOPPING DISTANCES. |
| 1988052 1988-04-14 | Structure | 705 | THE SECONDARY HOOD LATCH MAY NOT PROPERLY ENGAGE ON THESE VEHICLES. IF THE PRIMARY HOOD LATCH WERE TO DISENGAGE, THE HOOD COULD UNEXPECTEDLY OPEN. |
| 1988053 1988-04-14 | Suspension | 194 | THE LOWER CONTROL ARM TO BALL JOINT ATTACHMENT COULD BECOME LOOSE ON THESE VEHICLES. ALSO, THE TIE ROD BALL STUD NUTS MAY NOT HAVE BEEN PROPERLY TORQUED AND COULD LOOSEN. |
| 1988045 1988-03-28 | Powertrain | 1,193 | A POTENTIAL INTERFERENCE BETWEEN THE TRANSMISSION SHIFT CABLE AND THE PRNDL BELLCRANK CLIP CAN RESULT IN DISENGAGEMENT OF THE TRANSMISSION CABLE FROM THE STEERING COLUMN BALL STUD. |
| 1988043 1988-03-24 | Electrical | 555 | A LOOSE ELECTRICAL CONTACT ON THE ROTARY STOP LAMP SWITCH CAN OVERHEAT AND MELT THE SURROUNDING PLASTIC CAUSING THE CONTACT TO STICK OPEN. THIS WOULD RESULT IN INOPERATIVE BRAKE LIGHTS WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL IS DEPRESSED. |
Service bulletins and warranty extensions
Manufacturer communications to dealers on file with the federal agency: repair instructions, service campaigns, and warranty extensions. A warranty extension means the manufacturer may pay for a repair the recall table does not cover.
| Bulletin | Type | Component | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| 990309004 Oct 1999 | Suspension | CUSTOMERS MAY COMPLAIN OF GRINDING / SCRAPING / GROANING NOISE FROM REAR SUSPENSION. *TT |
Before you buy this vehicle
A test-drive checklist generated from this vehicle's own complaint and recall record.
- Brake hard once from speed on an empty road.A pull to one side, a pulsing pedal, a pedal that sinks at a stop, or an ABS light that stays lit are the brake complaints on this vehicle presenting themselves.
- Walk the body slowly in daylight.Panel gaps, rust at the rockers and wheel arches, and cracked trim are this vehicle's structure complaints. Open and close the liftgate or trunk and look at the latch area.
- Drive it from a dead stop, twice, on a hill if you can.Shudder, hesitation, or a lurch under light throttle is how this vehicle's largest complaint cluster shows itself. Then ask for the transmission service history in writing; repeat repairs are a pattern, not a fluke.
- Run the VIN against open recalls before you negotiate.This vehicle has 10 recall campaigns on file. An open recall needs VIN-specific confirmation. Many are quick, no-charge fixes and worth negotiating over; an unresolved do-not-drive advisory, or a remedy the manufacturer has not yet made available, should stop the purchase until it is resolved.
- Ask for the service history in writing, then read it against this page.The complaint families above are where owners of this vehicle report trouble. Repairs in exactly those systems are evidence the car had the problem; no such repairs could mean it never developed it, or that it was never fixed. The test-drive items above are how you tell those apart.
Parts search directory
The generic parts list for this vehicle has its own page: a search launcher for every system, filtered by fuel type and era but not by engine, trim, or brake type. It is not a diagnosis and not a fitment guarantee.
Open the parts directory for this Buick Regal →