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1986 Buick RegalProblems, recalls & complaints

NHTSA has logged 12 owner complaints about the 1986 Buick Regal, most often about the vehicle speed control. It is covered by 4 safety recalls.

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CarFlaw IndexNot enough dataHigher is better (0–100)
Safety recalls4Free fix at dealersOwner complaints125 with a crash, fire or injuryTop problem4Vehicle speed control

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through March 12, 2002. Updated daily.

Complaints by system

Where the 1986 Buick Regal has problems

12 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
Vehicle speed control42
Service brakes, hydraulic20
Engine and engine cooling22
Structure20
Tires10
Power train11
Wheels10

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

4 recalls

1986 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

Vehicle speed control

Recall 89V-102 · Jun 16, 1989 · 1,755,897 vehicles

Risk. SERVO ROD ASSEMBLY COULD CATCH ON ENGINE COMPONENTS ANDRESULT IN A STUCK THROTTLE WITH POTENTIAL FOR A VEHICLE CRASH.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

–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 →

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

1986 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
5 investigations

NHTSA defect investigations

Federal investigations that included the 1986 Buick Regal, and the recalls they led to.

  1. THROTTLE NON-RETURNC89001 · closed Jan 16, 1990
    No recall
  2. JAMMED STEERING MECHANISMPE89104 · closed May 12, 1989
    No recall
  3. PARKING BRAKE CABLEPE89145 · closed Sep 22, 1989
    No recall
  4. CRUISE CONTROL FAILUREPE90014 · closed Feb 28, 1990
    No recall
  5. SUB-FRAME ABSORBER FAILUREPE94048 · closed Dec 30, 1994
    No recall
In owners' words

What Regal owners report

Recent vehicle speed control complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.

WHILE DRIVING AND ALL OF A SUDDEN VEHICLE JUST TOOK OFF WIDE OPEN WITH SUDDEN ACCELERATION. THE ONLY WAY TO STOP THE VEHICLE MY WIFE HAD TO STAND UP ON THE BRAKES AND REACH DOWN TO TURN THE IGNITION OFF. *AK
Complaint 807412 · Jan 10, 1997
I TRIED TO CONTACT THE GUY IN THE WSJOURNAL ABOUT ENGINES ACCELERATING, TO NO AVAIL. HAVE HIM SEND ME AN EMAIL AND I WILL ENLIGHTEN HIM AS TO CAUSE ON THE FIRST ONE. HAVENT FIGURED OUT WHAT HAPPENED TO THIS RUN AMOK CAR,YET. BUT WILL SEND DETAILS IN EMAIL! *AK
Complaint 725181 · Jul 10, 2000

Own a 1986 Regal?

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