Menu

1996 Buick RegalProblems, recalls & complaints

NHTSA has logged 204 owner complaints about the 1996 Buick Regal, most often about the service brakes, hydraulic. It is covered by 3 safety recalls.

34
CarFlaw IndexUse caution1.9× the Regal median · #5 of 28 years by complaints
Safety recalls3Free fix at dealersOwner complaints20448 with a crash, fire or injuryTypical failure mileage17kService brakes, hydraulic, median miles

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through October 2, 2019. Updated daily.

Complaints by system

Where the 1996 Buick Regal has problems

204 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
Service brakes, hydraulic395
Engine and engine cooling365
Electrical system247
Air bags2113
Steering182
Fuel system, gasoline176
Suspension100
Seat belts103
Structure100
14 other systems529

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

3 recalls

1996 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

Steering: rack and pinion

Recall 03V-527 · Dec 11, 2003 · 750,283 vehicles

Risk. IF THIS OCCURS, THE PINION SHAFT CAN BE FORCED UPWARD DURING LEFT TURNS AND BACK DOWN AS THE STEERING WHEEL IS MOVED BACK AND TO THE RIGHT.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

–no report yet

Fuel system, gasoline: fuel injection system

Recall 96V-116 · Jul 1, 1996 · 275,811 vehicles

Risk. THIS CONDITION CAN CAUSE A NO-START CONDITION AND POSSIBLY AN ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

–no report yet

Foundation components: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings

Recall 96V-069 · Apr 19, 1996 · 43,213 vehicles

Risk. THIS CONDITION CAN CAUSE THE BRAKE LINE TO WEAR THROUGH, RESULTING IN LOSS OF BRAKE FLUID AND EVENTUAL LOSS OF ONE-HALF OF THE VEHICLE'S BRAKE SYSTEM,…

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

1996 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
NHTSA crash tests

1996 Buick Regal safety ratings

1996 Buick Regal 2-DR. in NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program. Photos are from NHTSA's crash tests.

  • Stability control: No
  • Forward collision warning: No
  • Lane departure warning: No
6 investigations

NHTSA defect investigations

Federal investigations that included the 1996 Buick Regal, and the recalls they led to.

  1. ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRESEA02030 · closed Mar 9, 2004
    Led to recall 04V-090
  2. POWER RACK AND PINION STEERING FAILUREEA03019 · closed Dec 18, 2003
    Led to recall 03V-527
  3. INAPPROPRIATE AIR BAG DEPLOYMENTEA96023 · closed Feb 13, 1998
    No recall
  4. INADVERTENT AIR BAG DEPLOYMENTEA99026 · closed Dec 28, 2001
    Led to recall 00V-171
  5. ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRESPE02050 · closed Oct 22, 2002
    No recall
  6. POWER RACK AND PINION STEERING FAILURERQ03001 · closed Sep 15, 2003
    No recall
In owners' words

What Regal owners report

Recent service brakes, hydraulic complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.

THE CONSUMER WAS HAVING A PROBLEM WITH HIS VEHICLE MAKING A DRAGGING/SPINNING TYPE NOISE. HE STATED IT SOUNDED AS IF IT WAS NOT CONNECTING WITH SOMETHING IN THE DRIVE LINE. HE ALSO STATED HE WENT TO THE COMPUTER AND LOOKED HIS TYPE VEHICLE UP AND READ THAT THIS YEAR VEHICLE HAS A PROBLEM WITH THE…
Complaint 10091491 · Oct 1, 2004
OTHER - OIL LEAK - HAVE BEEN TOLD BY INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOPS THAT IT IS EITHER THE CAM SHAFT TIMING SENCER OR MANIFOLD WITH THE COST RANGING FROM $700.00 TO $1200.00. ALSO THE MOTOR MOUNTS NEED TO BE REPLACED. TAPE PLAYER DOES NOT EJECT TAPE PROPERLY, BEEN A PROBLEM SINCE I GOT THE CAR. BRAKES -…
Complaint 10070438 · Jan 15, 2004
ABS LIGHTS FLICKERED ON/OFF INTERMITTENTLY. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, WHO REPLACED THE REAR DISC BRAKES. AFTER REPAIRS WERE DONE THE REAR DISC BRAKES WERE REPLACED AGAIN. ALSO POWER STEERING FLUID LEAK. *AK
Complaint 10057825 · Feb 10, 2004 · 17,000 miles

Own a 1996 Regal?

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