1990 Buick Regal
Safety record from NHTSA: recalls, owner complaints, investigations and service bulletins.
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Vehicles › Buick › Regal › 1990
These records cover every 1990 Buick Regal. To see whether one car still needs a recall repair, decode its VIN or check it with NHTSA.
Recalls
9 recalls name the 1990 Buick Regal. Newest first.
Certain replacement fuel filters, fram brand name p/n g3727, with date codes x52911 through x60801 sequentially or x600141 and a mexico country or origin marking on the fuel filter housing manufactured from october 18, 2005, through march 21, 2006, sold for use on the vehicles listed above and on certain school buses. (to see the school bus engine sizes…
Risk and remedy
Risk
This condition may cause an inadequate seal at the connection, potentially leading to a fuel leak. In the presence of an ignition source, a fire could occur.
Remedy
Honeywell will notify owners and replace the fuel filters free of charge. the recall began on october 18, 2006. owners may contact fram customer service at 1-800-890-2075 (option 1).
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 hampshire, new jersey, new york, ohio, pennsylvania, rhode island, vermont, west virginia, wisconsin, and the district of columbia, where road…
Risk and remedy
Risk
If both bolts pull through, the front of the cradle would no longer be supported at the mounting locations and the steering intermediate shaft could separate from the steering gear.
Remedy
Dealers will replace the front and rear frame/cradle bolts and retainers.
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, ohio, pennsylvania, rhode island, vermont and wisconsin. the rear cradle bolts pull through the retainers due to corrosion of the…
Risk and remedy
Risk
If this were to occur while the vehicle was in motion, a vehicle crash could result.
Remedy
Dealers will replace the rear cradle bolts and retainers.
Cracks develop in the wheel mounting surface. If these cracks become severe enough, the wheel will completely separate from the vehicle.
Risk and remedy
Risk
If wheel separation occurs while the vehicle IS in motion, loss of steering and brake control of the vehicle occurs, and a vehicle crash could result without prior warning.
Remedy
Dealers will inspect the manufacturing date codes stamped on each wheel of the vehicle and if a wheel falls within the specified date code range, the dealer will replace that wheel assembly.
Cracks develop in the wheel mounting surface. If these cracks become severe enough, the wheel will completely separate from the vehicle.
Risk and remedy
Risk
If wheel separation occurs while the vehicle IS in motion, loss of steering and brake control of the vehicle occurs, and a vehicle crash could result without prior warning.
Remedy
Dealers will inspect the manufacturing codes stamped on each wheel of the vehicle and if a wheel falls within the specified date code range, the dealer will replace that wheel assembly.
Front shoulder safety belt webbing may separate at front belt upper guide loops on either side of the front seat.
Risk and remedy
Risk
Webbing separation could occur without prior warning andincrease the risk of injury to belted front outboard occupants in a high energycrash.
Remedy
Install a controlled rotation bracket on driver and passenger side front seat belt guide loops.
Brake stoplamps may not illuminate or, in some cases, stoplamps will not stay illuminated all the time when brakes are applied due to a faulty stoplamp switch. Also in vehicles equipped with cruise control, a faulty stoplamp switch can result in resumption of the cruise control function upon release of the brake pedal.
Risk and remedy
Risk
A trailing vehicle may not recognize a braking actionin time to respond appropriately. Also, cruise control will reengage uponrelease of the brake pedal and resume the set speed. In either case, it couldresult in a crash without prior warning.
Remedy
Install an improved design stoplamp switch.
Owners manuals did not fully explain how front shoulder belt comfort feature works.
Risk and remedy
Risk
Cars would not comply with fmvss 208, and incorrect use of safety restraints could lead to personal injury to occupants if an accidentshould occur.
Remedy
Insert sticker that provides missing information in owners manuals.
Front shoulder belt guide loop attachment fastener may pull through door mounted anchor plate.
Risk and remedy
Risk
Seat belt may not sustain loads required by fmvss 210, and in a vehicle accident, the seat belt may not properly restrain a passenger, resulting in increased risk of greater injury to an occupant.
Remedy
Replace front shoulder belt guide loop attachment nuts and install new guide cover.
Owner complaints
77 complaints7 involved a crash1 involved a fire11 injuries1 deaths
What owners report most
Latest complaints
- Electrical system
Electrical systems controlled by signal lever do not work except by holding lever in certain positions: i.e. Brake lights, signal lever l up, turn signals switch lever up, high beams no go etc. all the time.
- Latches/locks/linkages › Hood › Latch
1990 buick regal had equipment failure. Consumer was able to pull over to the shoulder under control without any problems. *kb according to the police report, upon inspection of the hood latch and bracket, the officer discovered part of the bracket at the front of the engine bay was missing. The…
1990 buick regal had equipment failure. Consumer was able to pull over to the shoulder under control without any problems. *kb according to the police report, upon inspection of the hood latch and bracket, the officer discovered part of the bracket at the front of the engine bay was missing. The bolt was missing as well. the crash was due to the hood latch and bracket coming apart, which caused the hood to open and slam against the windshield. The consumer was injured. (Ohio traffic crash report).
- Structure › Frame and members
The rear cradle bolts broke and the cradle separated from the body of the vehicle. This caused the steering linkage couplers to separate and fall off, resulting in loss of steering. This occurred because the cradle bolts rusted. This would not have occurred if corrosive restraint parts were used…
The rear cradle bolts broke and the cradle separated from the body of the vehicle. This caused the steering linkage couplers to separate and fall off, resulting in loss of steering. This occurred because the cradle bolts rusted. This would not have occurred if corrosive restraint parts were used when the rear cradle bolt recall 97v058000 repairs were performed, per the dealership.*ak a recall was issued for the front and rear cradle bolts. the consumer contacted the manufacturer to find out when or if the bolts were ever replaced. the representative indicated that there were no outstanding recall on the vehicle but could not tell the consumer when the recall were done. *nm
- Wheels › Rim
Right front wheel vibrated. Driver pulled over, pulled off lugs, and noticed the rim was cracked. dealer was contacted. recall 94v041000 was issued on this make, model, and year, but this vehicle was not included under recall due to vin. *ak
- Structure
After the recall for the cradle bolts was completed, the steering failed. Recall #00 v 189 000. *jb after the recall for the cradle bolts was completed, the steering failed. Recall #00 v 189 000. There was a class action suit on brakes-consumer's brakes failed after the class action suit.*mr
- Structure
Consumers son was in operation of the vehicle when suddenly all steering was lost. the vehicle was towed and it was explained that the frame had separated from the chassis and had dropped, disengaging the steering assembly. the cause was the cradle bolts had pulled through the retainers due to…
Consumers son was in operation of the vehicle when suddenly all steering was lost. the vehicle was towed and it was explained that the frame had separated from the chassis and had dropped, disengaging the steering assembly. the cause was the cradle bolts had pulled through the retainers due to corrosion. buick sent consumer a recall notice shortly after regarding the same problem. buick told consumer to send the repair bill to them for reimbursement. consumer has not heard from them since. *jg
- Service brakes, hydraulic › Foundation components
While applying brakes at 20 mph brake pedal went to the floor ,and vehicle continue on before stopping. Dealer contacted. Feel free to provide any further information.*aki
- Service brakes, hydraulic › Foundation components › Disc · Service brakes, hydraulic › Foundation components › Master cylinder
Rear brake calipers would lock up when brakes were applied. Had brakes replaced twice due to pads wearing excessively. Mechanic indicated cause of problem was master cylinder.*ak
- Service brakes, hydraulic › Foundation components › Disc › Caliper
Rear calipers consitantly failing. *Ak
- Service brakes, hydraulic › Antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip
When applying the brakes pedal goes to floor, causing extended stopping distance. cause unknown. please give any further details.*ak
- Structure
While making a turn heard a loud noise coming from left side of car. took to dealer, and put on front cradle bolts and washer, but never did rear. Consumer felt like rear has gone bad, and they may loose steering.*ak
- Structure
Vehicles steering failed suddenly while pulling out of a parking lot, consumer took the vehicle to the dealer to see if it was covered under recall 00v-189 but the dealer was not very cooperative. nlm
- Exterior lighting › Brake lights · Power train › Automatic transmission
No summary listed for above vehicle. *ak
- Air bags › Frontal
Consumer was traveling at 65mph on expressway and another vehicle made a sudden u-turn in middle of street, and hit consumer's vehicle from side of car. Upon impact, air bags failed to deploy. *ak
- Wheels › Lugs/nuts/bolts/studs
Consumer contacted dealer and the part was on order.*ak
- Service brakes, hydraulic › Foundation components
Rear brakes failed. Yh
- Engine and engine cooling › Engine › Gasoline · Suspension › Front
While driving down the road vehicle was sounding like something was rattling and it was jerking. Also, consumer saw a lot of smoke, then vehicle cut off.*ak
- Engine and engine cooling › Engine › Gasoline
While traveling and depressing the brakes vehicle stalled/surged and idled to high rpms. Consumer stated brakes have to be depressed most of traveling. *ak *ML
- Suspension
Cradle bolts rusted and broken causing frame to come apart, resulting in loss of steering control. Mjs
- Steering
Front cradle rusted and fell down while driving cauising loss of steerinf ability and loss of control. *yc
- Wheels
Left rear wheel fell off of vehicle causing loss of control and vehicle collision. (Ohio traffic crash report). Mjs
- Service brakes, hydraulic › Antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip
When applying the brakes pedal goes to the floor . Owner has to use the emergency brake to stop. Dealer says nothing wrong with vehicle. Brakes are completely gone again. *ak
- Structure › Frame and members
While driving approximately 20mph frame on vehicle broke. It happened where the cradle bolts are located. The engine dropped & broke the steering shaft. No steering control. The cracks had occurred in the frame. Had vehicle towed to dealer to check. *Ak
- Engine and engine cooling › Cooling system
Water pump failed on two occasions.
- Seat belts › Front › Anchorage
Door was forced opened by the force, door latch pulled striker from door pillar and door open leaving the seat belt useless , as a safety restraint, and passanger was ejected and killed. The door mounted design IS totally useless on door opening, seatbelts should stay on pelvis, in all accident…
Door was forced opened by the force, door latch pulled striker from door pillar and door open leaving the seat belt useless , as a safety restraint, and passanger was ejected and killed. The door mounted design IS totally useless on door opening, seatbelts should stay on pelvis, in all accident conditions, g.m installed this design in thousands of vehicles, they should not have been able to put these type of restaint in their vehicles, anybody with any kind of brains should have seen that, their engineers are stupid or they don't care. This type of seat belt restraint system killed my daughter, and there will be many people dying because of this, g.m. Should not have been allowed put this type of restraint in there door.
Defect investigations
NHTSA’s Office of Defects Investigation opened these reviews into vehicles including this one.
- Structure
There is no summary currently available
- Engine cradle separation
The engine cradle front bolts and/or retainers may fail, allowing the front of the engine cradle to fall, possibly separating the steering intermediate shaft from the steering gear, with complete loss of steering control
- Cradle bolt failures
There is no summary currently available
- Corroded rear disk brakes
There is no summary currently available
- Sub-frame absorber failure
There is no summary currently available
- Sticking throttle
There is no summary currently available
- Jack failure
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- Jack failure
There is no summary currently available
- Steering wheel separation
There is no summary currently available
- Failure stop lamp switch
There is no summary currently available
Service bulletins
Technical service bulletins and other communications the manufacturer sent dealers about this vehicle. Ask a dealer for the full document by its number.
- 10246631Expanded Availability for Remanufacture and Return (R&R) Electronic Control Modules
- 6088680Customers may complain of grinding / scraping / groaning noise from rear suspension.
- 615073Some V6 engines may, on a very infrequent basis, have an oil odor condition that IS generally encountered after the engine's oil has been changed.typically the odor lasts approximately 1000 miles after the change of oil and then does not reappear until the next change of oil.
- 39080Rear strut related thumping/squeaking noise.
- 39072ABS warning light IS on.
- 37955ABS wire harness for the right front wheel may rub on the brake line causing the ABS warning light to come on.
Every Buick Regal model year
Bars are owner complaints, dots mark years with recalls. Select a year to open its report.