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1985 Buick RegalProblems, recalls & complaints

NHTSA has logged 9 owner complaints about the 1985 Buick Regal, most often about the engine and engine cooling. It is covered by 8 safety recalls.

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CarFlaw IndexNot enough dataHigher is better (0–100)
Safety recalls8Free fix at dealersOwner complaints91 with a crash, fire or injuryTop problem3Engine and engine cooling

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through May 3, 2001. Updated daily.

Complaints by system

Where the 1985 Buick Regal has problems

9 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.

Box size = number of complaints naming that system. Darker = larger share. One complaint can name more than one system.
Complaints by system
SystemComplaintsCrash, fire or injury
Engine and engine cooling30
Service brakes, hydraulic30
Electrical system10
Steering10
Vehicle speed control11

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.

8 recalls

1985 Buick Regal recalls and how many were fixed

Each ring shows the share of affected cars repaired, from the manufacturer’s latest quarterly report to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

–no report yet

Structure

Recall 87V-124 · Aug 10, 1987 · 261,171 vehicles

Risk. CRACKS WOULD INCREASE LEADING TO DIFFICULTY IN CLOSINGTHE DOOR AND MIGHT ALLOW DOOR TO COME OPEN DURING A CRASH, INCREASINGLIKELIHOOD OF INJURY TO OCCUPANTS.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

Show 4 more recalls

Recalls apply to specific cars. To see whether a recall is still open on yours, enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with Buick.

Best & worst years

1985 vs. every other Regal year

Bars show complaints per model year. Colors show the CarFlaw verdict: complaints weighted for crashes, fires and injuries, adjusted for years on the road and compared with the Regal median. How we score

'73'74'75'76'77'78'79'80'81'82'83'84'85'86'87'88'89'90'91'92'93'94'95'96'97'98'99'00'01'02'03'04'05'08'09'10'11'12'13'14'15'16'17'18'19'20
  • Avoid
  • Caution
  • Solid
  • Best
  • Not rated
6 investigations

NHTSA defect investigations

Federal investigations that included the 1985 Buick Regal, and the recalls they led to.

  1. THROTTLE NON-RETURNC89001 · closed Jan 16, 1990
    No recall
  2. WINDSHIELD WIPERSEA86025 · closed Mar 2, 1988
    No recall
  3. HEADLAMP SWITCH FAILUREPE88027 · closed May 11, 1988
    No recall
  4. JAMMED STEERING MECHANISMPE89104 · closed May 12, 1989
    No recall
  5. PARKING BRAKE CABLEPE89145 · closed Sep 22, 1989
    No recall
  6. CRUISE CONTROL FAILUREPE90014 · closed Feb 28, 1990
    No recall
In owners' words

What Regal owners report

Recent engine and engine cooling complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.

CARBON MANOXIDE IS GETTING INTO PASSENGER'S COMPARTMENT WHEN HEAT IS IN USE. DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED.*AK DUE TO DESIGN DEFECT CARBON MONOXIDE ENTERS PASSENGER AND DRIVER COMPARTMENT WHEN HEAT IS TURNED ON. SPECIFICALLY, CARBON MONOXIDE ENTERS AT THE POINT WHERE THE HEATER HOSE IS CONNECTED TO THE…
Complaint 875970 · Dec 5, 2000

Own a 1985 Regal?

Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.