1994 Buick Regal
Safety record from NHTSA: recalls, owner complaints, investigations and service bulletins.
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Vehicles › Buick › Regal › 1994
These records cover every 1994 Buick Regal. To see whether one car still needs a recall repair, decode its VIN or check it with NHTSA.
Recalls
3 recalls name the 1994 Buick Regal. Newest first.
Some of these vehicles have a strained or separated washer/wiper switch power feed wire.
Risk and remedy
Risk
This can cause the windshield washer/wiper to work intermittently and could ultimately result in inoperative wipers. if this were to occur in a severe weather situation, driver visibility could be reduced, increasing the risk of a vehicle crash.
Remedy
Dealers will inspect and replace the old designed washer/wiper switches with a newly designed switch.
Incorrect clear front side marker bulbs were installed rather than amber bulbs. This does not conform to the requirements of fmvss no. 108, "lamps, reflective devices, and associated equipment."
Risk and remedy
Risk
Consequence of non-compliance: during illumination, the bulbs will show clear rather than amber and could momentarily confuse other drivers.
Remedy
Dealers will replace the clear bulbs with the correct amber bulbs.
The rear wheel brake hose(s) can contact the rear suspension components causing the brake hose(s) to wear through.
Risk and remedy
Risk
This condition can cause loss of brake fluid and eventual loss of the vehicle braking system increasing the potential for a vehicle accident.
Remedy
Dealers will inspect for proper brake hose position and replace those hoses in an incorrect position with new hoses and correctly routed.
Owner complaints
110 complaints6 involved a crash2 involved a fire7 injuries
What owners report most
Latest complaints
- Engine
1984 buick regal with 3800l V6. the valve covers are leaking excessive oil on the exhaust manifold which could start fire when driving, when parked, when the engine IS hot! the 97 throught 2004 buick regals were recalled for this exact situation. why was the 94 not recalled? has it due to age?
- Air bags
At approximately 7:00am friday july 19, my son and I got into the car which was parked in our garage. I proceeded to place the key into the ignition and started the car. immediately the driver's airbag deployed hitting me in the face and chest breaking my glasses and there was some type of…
At approximately 7:00am friday july 19, my son and I got into the car which was parked in our garage. I proceeded to place the key into the ignition and started the car. immediately the driver's airbag deployed hitting me in the face and chest breaking my glasses and there was some type of solvent or particles in the form of smoke that was in the air after the explosion. I'm calling it an explosion because we were not in an accident, but only going about our daily routine of activities. I know this IS not typical of an airbag, so I would like to contact buick to see if I have any grounds for compensation. as a result of this incident, I have ringing in my ears, my chest has been very sore now for the last 2 days and I haven't had the bag replaced or removed. *tr
- Visibility › Windshield wiper/washer › Switch/wiring
Tl*the contact owns a 1994 buick regal. the contact stated that the windshield wipers do not work. the washer/wiper switch power feed wire causes the wipers to work intermittently and become inoperative. the failure has occurred in rainy conditions. buick stated that the vin was not included in…
Tl*the contact owns a 1994 buick regal. the contact stated that the windshield wipers do not work. the washer/wiper switch power feed wire causes the wipers to work intermittently and become inoperative. the failure has occurred in rainy conditions. buick stated that the vin was not included in nhtsa campaign ID number 97v017000 (visibility:windshield wiper/washer:switch/wiring). the failure mileage was 47,000. updated 12/10/08 *cn the dealer showed the consumer the two wires that wer broken on the windshield wiper switch. updated 12/16/08. *Jb
- Exterior lighting › Headlights › High/low beam dimmer switch · Steering › Column
Loss of headlights when dimmer switched used to dim bright lights resulting in no lights tripping it several times brought lights back and left them on dim until I could get it serviced at cost of approx 400.00 this was about four years ago. recently tilt column has been difficult to operate now…
Loss of headlights when dimmer switched used to dim bright lights resulting in no lights tripping it several times brought lights back and left them on dim until I could get it serviced at cost of approx 400.00 this was about four years ago. recently tilt column has been difficult to operate now will not lock in position and lights will not work when column IS tilted down. IS this a known problem with my vehicle. I bought it new in 94 and am the only driver. I am afraid the steering column will shift unaffectedly and cause me to wreck or cause the motor to stall and lock steering and cause a wreck. IS there a recall for this? *tr
- Engine and engine cooling › Engine
Tl*the contact owns a 1994 buick regal. the contact went to the dealer to have the condition of her vehicle inspected and for a new paint job. approximately three to four days later, the vehicle shut off at a stop light. she could not roll down the windows or exit the vehicle. the failure was a…
Tl*the contact owns a 1994 buick regal. the contact went to the dealer to have the condition of her vehicle inspected and for a new paint job. approximately three to four days later, the vehicle shut off at a stop light. she could not roll down the windows or exit the vehicle. the failure was a result of a button being pushed inside the vehicle. the contact was stuck inside the vehicle for half an hour on a hot day. the # of cylinders and engine size were unknown. the current and failure mileages were 100,000.
- Visibility › Windshield wiper/washer
Dt*: the contact stated the vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who upon inspection, determined that the windshield wipers needed to be replaced and there was a recall on that same component. the dealer was contacted, and expressed that they were not aware of any recall for this issue.…
Dt*: the contact stated the vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who upon inspection, determined that the windshield wipers needed to be replaced and there was a recall on that same component. the dealer was contacted, and expressed that they were not aware of any recall for this issue. the manufacturer was also contacted, and determined that the vehicle was not included in the recall due to the vin. the vehicle had the same issues stated in the recall # 97v017000 regarding visibility:windshield wiper:switch/wiring.
- Electrical system › Horn
While driving, my horn intermittently sounds without touching it. while parked on the street on a sunny day, the horn will blare with no one it. it has almost caused accidents on three occasions. 1) while driving the horn sounded and vehicles stopped suddenly in an intersection and had to dodge…
While driving, my horn intermittently sounds without touching it. while parked on the street on a sunny day, the horn will blare with no one it. it has almost caused accidents on three occasions. 1) while driving the horn sounded and vehicles stopped suddenly in an intersection and had to dodge each other and nearly had a rear end collision. 2) while I was driving, the horn sounded and I thought that it was another car and swerved instinctively, 3) while parked in the street in the sun, the horn went off and caused a kid to fall off of his bike. I searched the internet and apparently this IS a common problem with regals and lesebres and gm wants about $1,000 to fix a poorly designed horn switch. this IS clearly a manufacturing defect as evidenced by the dearth of complaints on the internet and intermittent horn sounding IS clearly a safety issue. I am therefore requesting that you take action. *jb
- Exterior lighting › Brake lights · Exterior lighting › Turn signal › Switch
Multi function switch for turn signal which feeds brake lights causes brake lights to fail to come on when brake pedal IS depressed. In searching web found to be common problem in this vehicle. *Jb
- Engine and engine cooling › Exhaust system › Emission control › Catalytic convertor · Engine and engine cooling › Exhaust system › Manifold/header/muffler/tail pipe
Car running poorly, then strange sounds of air swishing and car won't stay running, smoke coming from floor, fire under car. Won't run. Fuel injection fuel rail corroded, injectors plugged, one wide open. Too much fuel in catalytic converter, got red hot, melted internally and plugged exhaust flow…
Car running poorly, then strange sounds of air swishing and car won't stay running, smoke coming from floor, fire under car. Won't run. Fuel injection fuel rail corroded, injectors plugged, one wide open. Too much fuel in catalytic converter, got red hot, melted internally and plugged exhaust flow, which bypassed front pipe gasket at manifold, also forcing exhaust past egr valve. Had to replace fuel rail, fuel injectors, catalytic converter, clean and new gasket on egr, many plastic parts melted.smoke damage to inside of car.*ak
- Exterior lighting › Turn signal › Switch
Turn signal unit replaced three times. one time when vehicle was under warranty, and twice at consumer's expense of $270.00 each time. *Ak *nm
- Engine and engine cooling · Unknown or other
I have been experiencing major paint peeling off my 1994 buick regal. it IS occuring in several places on the hood and quarter panel. it blisters and then it just flakes off. the 1993 gm press release describes my exact problem, stating that they would cover the cost off repainting a car within…
I have been experiencing major paint peeling off my 1994 buick regal. it IS occuring in several places on the hood and quarter panel. it blisters and then it just flakes off. the 1993 gm press release describes my exact problem, stating that they would cover the cost off repainting a car within the first six years. so, unfortunatly I'm probably out of luck, but I was going to make an attempt at getting gm to cover some of the cost. the car has just under 105,000 miles and otherwise in very good condition.
- Seats
Driver's seat broke loose from the track causing seat to rock backwards. I was parked at the time. several weeks later, the right hand track broke due to the added stress. I replaced the entire seat, tracks and all, and a year later, the seat broke again in the exact same place. *jb
- Electrical system › Wiring › Front underhood · Engine and engine cooling · Engine and engine cooling › Exhaust system › Manifold/header/muffler/tail pipe · Power train › Automatic transmission · Service brakes, hydraulic
While driving, the consumer smelled an odor coming through the vents. the consumer pulled to the shoulder and noticed smoke coming from underneath the hood. the vehicle was towed to the dealer for inspection, and the mechanic informed the consumer that certain parts were not under warranty. *ak…
While driving, the consumer smelled an odor coming through the vents. the consumer pulled to the shoulder and noticed smoke coming from underneath the hood. the vehicle was towed to the dealer for inspection, and the mechanic informed the consumer that certain parts were not under warranty. *ak the vehicle had an electrical problem where the vehicle felt as if it were going to die out. the voltage readings were always low. the vehicle had problems getting out of gear. the consumer was told that the initial problem was with the upper intake manifold. the brakes were bad and the muffler had a big hole in it. also, coolant leaked from the intake manifold. *sc *jb
- Electrical system › Ignition
While driving, the car just shut off. Not only the engine, but everything went dead. No power at the ignition switch in acc. Or on. The dome light worked with door open but only if the key was in the off position or removed. The battery IS good. Dome light would go out if key was turned. Power came…
While driving, the car just shut off. Not only the engine, but everything went dead. No power at the ignition switch in acc. Or on. The dome light worked with door open but only if the key was in the off position or removed. The battery IS good. Dome light would go out if key was turned. Power came back on after repeatedly playing with ignition switch. Car has died twice now and "fixed itself". I do not feel the problem IS in the ignition switch. Car IS not safe to drive. I found complaint odi #7441655 to sound identical to my problem.*ak
- Tires
While driving 25 mph front passenger's side tire disconnected from vehicle. consumer managed to pullover, and had the vehicle towed. Dealership was notified, but did not resolve the problem. *ak
- Electrical system › 12v/24v/48v battery · Electrical system › Alternator/generator/regulator · Electrical system › Wiring · Electrical system › Wiring › Interior/under dash · Engine and engine cooling › Cooling system · Service brakes, air › Antilock › Abs warning light
Had intake upper intake manifold replaced due to a cooling problem. wagamon brothers said there was nothing I could have done to prevent it. voltage gauge reading 18. replaced alternator/generator. problem still existed. Checked battery. battery failed. replaced battery. voltage gauge still…
Had intake upper intake manifold replaced due to a cooling problem. wagamon brothers said there was nothing I could have done to prevent it. voltage gauge reading 18. replaced alternator/generator. problem still existed. Checked battery. battery failed. replaced battery. voltage gauge still read 18. drove car. car died in middle of the freeway. smell of burnt wires. towed car to garage. fiance was able to start car and noticed gauges still lit when should have been not lit. figures electrical under dash or in wiring harness.
- Engine and engine cooling
While driving at low speeds and without warning the vehicle stalled causing the driver to lose control of the vehicle. the consumer took vehicle to dealer on three separate occasions, but dealer was not able to resolve the problem. *ak when slowing down or when taking turns, the engine…
While driving at low speeds and without warning the vehicle stalled causing the driver to lose control of the vehicle. the consumer took vehicle to dealer on three separate occasions, but dealer was not able to resolve the problem. *ak when slowing down or when taking turns, the engine stalled causing a loss of the power steering , brakes, and engine missing with rpm of 1500-2000. the transmission would have to be placed in neutral to restart the vehicle. while on a trip, the check engine light had come on, and when slowing down to check the vehicle, the engine stalled. the vehicle was taken to the nearest dealer and was told that there was a lagged fuel filter and to drive home. another could not find the problem but suggested thta it could be the transmission. another service dealer could not find the problem either and referred the consumer to another servce dealer for the transmission and they replaced the "sol valve" but still wasn't able to find the problem. *sc
- Engine and engine cooling › Engine
The vehicle stalled at various times, and now the vehicle does not start at all. *jb
- Engine and engine cooling › Cooling system
Plastic intake manifold cracked. *nlm
- Seats
The driver side seat mount broke, the drivers seat was unstable and it rocked back and forth. *jb
- Seats
The driver side seat mount broke, the drivers seat was unstable and it rocked back and forth. *jb
- Equipment › Appliance › Air conditioner · Unknown or other
This car came from kentucky to iowa, IS there any way of telling if it has been wrecked? IS the vin # legitimate? dt
- Electrical system › 12v/24v/48v battery · Equipment › Appliance › Air conditioner · Unknown or other
Car IS hard to shift out of neutral unless the parking brake IS engaged, then dis-engaged. dt
- Exterior lighting › Brake lights
This IS happening alot to these type of cars. It almost got my family in an accident!! No safety defect listed. *ak
- Seat belts › Front › Anchorage
Consumer stated seatbelts on driver side separated from retractor. Seatbelt will not work properly.*jb
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
- 10168979This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician on how to unlock radios that are Delco TheftLock. Technician will use the radio to get the scrambled code. Technician will need to contact the radio unlock center to retrieve the unlock code from the scrambled code. The PI update to version D is to advise the unlock procedure is temporarily unavailable. E version update is to add administrative details.
- 10165876This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician on how to unlock radios that are Delco TheftLock. Technician will use the radio to get the scrambled code. Technician will need to contact the radio unlock center to retrieve the unlock code from the scrambled code. The PI update to version D is to advise the unlock procedure is temporarily unavailable.
- 10141381This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician on how to unlock radios that are Delco Theft Lock. Technician will use the radio to get the scrambled code. Technician will need to contact the radio unlock center to retrieve the unlock code from the scrambled code.
- 10000782Revised piston pin removal / installation procedure.
- 6089996Some vehicles equipped with hydra-matic 3T40, 4T60 or 4t60-e transxales may comment on a grinding and / or growling noise that IS noticeable when in park on incline.
- 6088680Customers may complain of grinding / scraping / groaning noise from rear suspension.
- 619370Owners of some vehicles equipped with hydra-matic 3T40, 4T60, 4t60-e or 4t65-e transaxles may comment on a grinding and / or growling noise that IS noticeable when standing in park on a hill or slope with the engine running and the parking brake not applied.
- 619360Some owners may comment on driveability symptons of long or hard starts, chuggle, rough idle and light or intermittent misfire due to clogged fuel injectors.
- 615074Some vehicles may exhibit front suspension scrunch / popping type noise coming from the front of vehicle that IS apparent during low speed turning maneuvers.
- 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.
- 604343Some owners may experience a driveability symptom of long or hard starts, chuggle, rough idle and light or intermittent misfire.
- 601915Comments on a ticking type noise that begins shortly after cold engine start-up and gradually diminishes as the engine warms up.
- 601769Information on growling noise in transaxle during first four minutes after start up.
- 600282Some vehicles may experience a driveability symptom of long or hard starts, chuggle, rough idle and light or intermittent misfire.
- 54419Comment that the ABS light IS on with diagnostic trouble codes (dtc's) 46 and 86 set as current or history.
- 54418Some vehicles experience difficulties to depress accelerator pedal and/or an accelerator cable separation.
- 54328Experiencing intermittent steering column snap or click noise when turning.
- 54066Subject pertaining to driveability symptoms due to fuel injector deposits.
- 52580Difficult to depress accelerator pedal and/or accelerator cable separation (install accelerator cable and clip).
- 51497Cold start rattle noise (diagnosis/service procedure).
- 51272Recall 97v-017 - pivot and (pulse/dimmer) windshield washer switch - general motors has decided that a defect which relates to motor vehicle safety exists in certain 1994 pontiac grand prix, 1994-95 buick regal, oldsmobile cutlass supreme and 1995 chevrolet lumina/montecarlo model vehicles - some of these vehicles have a strained or separated washer/wiper switch power feed wire -this may cause the windshield washer/wiper to work intermittently and could ultimately result in inoperativ wipers - if this were to occur in a severe weather situation, driver visibility could be reduced, which could result in a vehicle crash without prior warning - to correct this concern, dealers are to service all vehicles subject to this campaign at no charge to customers, regardless of mileage, age of vehicle, or ownership, from this time on - recall 97v-017.
- 50571Cold start rattle noise.
- 45881Grinding and/or growling noise in park on incline.*sd
- 45820Unknown
- 45815Cold engine tick or rattle after start-up (replace piston/pin assembly).
- 43039Unknown
- 43036Unknown
- 43032Unknown
- 41074Left rear door binds when opening (bend seal strip mounting flange).
- 41066Message to dealers clarifying service procedure in performing recall campaign 95-c-28.
- 39725Oil leak at the rocker cover.
- 39308Cold start rattle noise.
- 39299Harsh 1-2 upshifts.
- 39278Front window scraping noise when rolling glass down.
- 39083Exhaust manifold seal squeak.
- 39072ABS warning light IS on.
- 38074Turn signal lever will not stay in detent position.
- 37955ABS wire harness for the right front wheel may rub on the brake line causing the ABS warning light to come on.
- 37943Crank no start/runs rough after extreme cold weather soak.
Every Buick Regal model year
Bars are owner complaints, dots mark years with recalls. Select a year to open its report.