How many recalls does the 1988 Buick Regal have?

The 1988 Buick Regal has 10 NHTSA safety recall campaigns on record.

How do I check if my 1988 Buick Regal has an open recall?

Enter your 17-character VIN at NHTSA's official recall lookup (nhtsa.gov/recalls) to see open, unrepaired recalls for your specific vehicle. Recall repairs are free.

What do owners complain about most on the 1988 Buick Regal?

Of 181 NHTSA complaints on file, the most-reported component is service brakes, hydraulic.

1988 Buick Regal Recalls

Recalls on record Updated July 2026

The 1988 Buick Regal has 10 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting an estimated 2,334,906 vehicles. Recall repairs are always free at any authorized dealer. Owners have filed 181 complaints with NHTSA, most often about the service brakes, hydraulic. Last updated July 5, 2026.

Recall campaigns

STRUCTURE 00V189000 2000-07-11 713,435 affected

Defect

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,…

Consequence

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.

STRUCTURE 97V058000 1997-04-08 676,535 affected

Defect

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…

Consequence

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.

WHEELS 95V115000 1995-06-05 22,361 affected

Defect

CRACKS DEVELOP IN THE WHEEL MOUNTING SURFACE. IF THESE CRACKS BECOME SEVERE ENOUGH, THE WHEEL WILL COMPLETELY SEPARATE FROM THE VEHICLE.

Consequence

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.

WHEELS 94V041000 1995-03-28 198,163 affected

Defect

CRACKS DEVELOP IN THE WHEEL MOUNTING SURFACE. IF THESE CRACKS BECOME SEVERE ENOUGH, THE WHEEL WILL COMPLETELY SEPARATE FROM THE VEHICLE.

Consequence

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.

SEAT BELTS 90V054000 1990-03-14 673,000 affected

Defect

FRONT SHOULDER BELT GUIDE LOOP ATTACHMENT FASTENER MAY PULL THROUGH DOOR MOUNTED ANCHOR PLATE.

Consequence

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.

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC 88V109000 1988-07-06 8,328 affected

Defect

TWISTED COMPONENTS COULD ALLOW THE LEFT FRONT BRAKE HOSE TO CONTACT THE FENDER LINING/RAIL AREA; OVER TIME THE BRAKE HOSE COULD WEAR THROUGH.

Consequence

THIS COULD RESULT IN A LOSS OF BRAKE FLUID AND A PARTIALLOSS OF BRAKING CAPABILITY WHICH COULD RESULT IN AN ACCIDENT.

Remedy

INSPECT LEFT FRONT BRAKE HOSE FOR PROPER INSTALLATION AND REPLACE, AS NECESSARY.

LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES 88V065000 1988-04-18 12,457 affected

Defect

THE SECONDARY HOOD LATCH MAY NOT PROPERLY ENGAGE.

Consequence

IF PRIMARY LATCH DISENGAGES, HOOD COULD UNEXPECTEDLYOPEN. IF CAR WAS IN MOTION, HOOD COULD CONTACT THE WINDSHIELD, REDUCE THEDRIVERS FORWARD VISION AREA, AND COULD RESULT IN AN ACCIDENT.

Remedy

REPLACE SECONDARY LATCH WITH A NEW LATCH.

SUSPENSION 88V066000 1988-04-18 3,221 affected

Defect

LOWER CONTROL ARM TO BALL JOINT ATTACHMENT CAN BECOME LOOSE. ALSO, CERTAIN CARS COULD HAVE TIE ROD BALL STUD NUTS THAT WERE NOT PROPERLY TORQUED AND COULD LOOSEN.

Consequence

CONTINUED OPERATION OF CAR WITH EITHER CONDITION COULDRESULT IN SEPARATION OF THAT JOINT AND POSSIBLE LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL AND ANACCIDENT.

Remedy

REPLACE BOTH LOWER CONTROL ARMS; ALSO, CHECK TIE ROD BALL STUD NUT TORQUE.

POWER TRAIN 88V045000 1988-03-28 17,745 affected

Defect

AN INTERFERENCE BETWEEN THE TRANSMISSION SHIFT CABLE AND THE BELLCRANK CLIP IN THE STEERING COLUMN CAN RESULT IN DISENGAGEMENT OF THE TRANSMISSION CABLE.

Consequence

THIS CONDITION COULD ALLOW THE TRANSMISSION TO BE IN AGEAR OTHER THAN THAT DISPLAYED BY THE SHIFT INDICATOR. THE VEHICLE COULD MOVEIN AN UNEXPECTED DIRECTION AND CAUSE A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING.

Remedy

A NEWLY DESIGNED BELLCRANK CLIP WILL BE INSTALLED.

EXTERIOR LIGHTING 88V040000 1988-03-24 9,661 affected

Defect

THE STOP LAMP SWITCH MAY HAVE A LOOSE ELECTRICAL CONTACT. THE LOOSE CONTACT CAN OVERHEAT AND MELT THE SURROUNDING PLASTIC CAUSING THE CONTACT TO STICK OPEN.

Consequence

AN OPEN CONTACT WOULD RENDER THE BRAKE LIGHTS INOPERATIVEWHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL IS DEPRESSED. ALSO, THE TRANSMISSION CLUTCH CONTROL ANDCRUISE CONTROL CONTACTS WOULD REMAIN CLOSED. THIS CONDITION WOULD RESULT INCRUISE RESUME UPON BRAKE PEDAL RELEASE IF THE CRUISE CONTROL IS IN THE ONPOSITION. EITHER AN UNEXPECTED…

Remedy

THE ROTARY SOPLAMP SWITCH WILL BE REPLACED ON ALL INVOLVED VEHICLES.

Complaints by component

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:CALIPER

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DRUM

STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:PADS

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

STRUCTURE

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS

Total complaints181

What owners report

Verbatim reports filed with NHTSA, lightly edited for readability and with personal information removed.

“Tl*the contact owns a 1988 buick regal. While driving at an unknown speed, the vehicle struck a guardrail and was destroyed. The contact sustained neck injuries and a police report was filed. She thought the vehicle had antilock brakes, but realized it did not after the crash occurred. The contact…”

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC · reported 2008-12-21

“Tl*the contact owns a 1988 buick regal. The vehicle was taken to be inspected and the contact was informed that the rear frame was rotted. She was further informed not to drive the vehicle. The current and failure mileages were 49,600.”

STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS · reported 2008-09-03

“Tl*- the contact owns a 1988 buick regal which she purchased recently. The odometer on the vehicle did not work. The contact claimed that the dealer did not inspect the vehicles before they sold them. They repaired the rear brakes, and the driver's side front brakes, but the brakes were still not…”

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC · reported 2007-03-20

“Tl*- the contact owns a 1988 buick regal which she purchased recently. The odometer on the vehicle did not work. The contact claimed that the dealer did not inspect the vehicles before they sold them. They repaired the rear brakes, and the driver's side front brakes, but the brakes were still not…”

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DRUM · reported 2007-03-20

“Tl*- the contact owns a 1988 buick regal which she purchased recently. The odometer on the vehicle did not work. The contact claimed that the dealer did not inspect the vehicles before they sold them. They repaired the rear brakes, and the driver's side front brakes, but the brakes were still not…”

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE · reported 2007-03-20

“Tl*- the contact owns a 1988 buick regal which she purchased recently. The odometer on the vehicle did not work. The contact claimed that the dealer did not inspect the vehicles before they sold them. They repaired the rear brakes, and the driver's side front brakes, but the brakes were still not…”

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING · reported 2007-03-20

“Tl*- the contact owns a 1988 buick regal which she purchased recently. The odometer on the vehicle did not work. The contact claimed that the dealer did not inspect the vehicles before they sold them. They repaired the rear brakes, and the driver's side front brakes, but the brakes were still not…”

LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH · reported 2007-03-20

“Consumer received recall 97v058000 concerning cradle bolts. While pulling out of a parking lot at 5 mph vehicle suddenly lost steering control. Vehicle was towed to a repair shop, and mechanic determined that the vehicle lost cradle bolt support. Consumer contacted the dealer, who informed…”

STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS · reported 2004-11-30