RecallRepo

1990 Buick Regal Recalls

Recalls on record Updated July 2026

The 1990 Buick Regal has 8 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting an estimated 3,224,542 vehicles. Recall repairs are always free at any authorized dealer. Owners have filed 107 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 91V005000 1991-10-02 412,792 affected
Defect

FRONT SHOULDER SAFETY BELT WEBBING MAY SEPARATE AT FRONT BELT UPPER GUIDE LOOPS ON EITHER SIDE OF THE FRONT SEAT.

Consequence

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.

EXTERIOR LIGHTING 90V185000 1990-10-16 476,422 affected
Defect

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.

Consequence

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.

SEAT BELTS 90V112000 1990-06-06 51,834 affected
Defect

OWNERS MANUALS DID NOT FULLY EXPLAIN HOW FRONT SHOULDER BELT COMFORT FEATURE WORKS.

Consequence

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.

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.

Complaints by component

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:CALIPER
11
2crashes1injuries
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC
10
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS
8
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DRUM
8
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
6
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR
6
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:PADS
5
STRUCTURE
4
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
3
1fires
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
3
Total complaints107

What owners report

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

“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.”

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM · reported 2016-09-25

“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…”

LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:HOOD:LATCH · reported 2007-10-20

“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…”

STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS · reported 2004-07-06

“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 · reported 2002-06-18

“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…”

STRUCTURE · reported 2002-02-15

“Rear calipers consitantly failing. *ak”

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:CALIPER · reported 2001-03-20

“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 · reported 2001-03-02

“No summary listed for above vehicle. *ak”

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION · reported 2001-01-25

Defect investigations

Investigation EA00011 Opened 2000-04-10 · closed 2001-01-12

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

Investigation EA91049 Opened 1991-11-26 · closed 1992-10-28

JACK FAILURE

===

Investigation EA92024 Opened 1992-06-26 · closed 1994-01-31

STICKING THROTTLE

There is no summary currently available

Investigation PE90088 Opened 1990-06-11 · closed 1990-10-31

FAILURE STOP LAMP SWITCH

There is no summary currently available

Investigation PE91072 Opened 1991-05-01 · closed 1991-07-08

STEERING WHEEL SEPARATION

There is no summary currently available

Investigation PE91107 Opened 1991-08-01 · closed 1991-11-26

JACK FAILURE

There is no summary currently available

Investigation PE94048 Opened 1994-06-21 · closed 1994-12-30

SUB-FRAME ABSORBER FAILURE

There is no summary currently available

Investigation PE94063 Opened 1994-08-12 · closed 1994-12-21

CORRODED REAR DISK BRAKES

There is no summary currently available

Investigation RP01001 Opened 2001-11-28 · closed 2002-06-13

STRUCTURE

There is no summary currently available

Investigation RQ97017 Opened 1997-10-02 · open

CRADLE BOLT FAILURES

There is no summary currently available

Sources & methodology

Recall, complaint, and investigation records from official NHTSA datasets (FLAT_RCL, FLAT_CMPL, FLAT_INV), synced weekly. Counts reflect NHTSA records for the 1990 Buick Regal as of July 5, 2026. Complaint narratives are consumer-submitted and unverified. This page contains ads and affiliate links. Full methodology.