1988 BUICK REGAL — Problems, Recalls & Safety Data
N/A
Safety Rating
181
Owner Complaints
11
Recalls
0
Service Bulletins
1
Investigation
Overview of the 1988 BUICK REGAL
The 1988 BUICK REGAL has received a total of 181 safety complaints filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). There have been 11 recall campaigns affecting this vehicle, covering issues with FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE, STRUCTURE. The most commonly reported problems involve the Service Brakes Hydraulicfoundation Componentsdisccaliper (29 complaints), Service Brakes Hydraulicfoundation Componentsdisc (19 complaints), and Service Brakes Hydraulicfoundation Componentsdiscrotor (13 complaints).
Recalls for the 1988 BUICK REGAL
NHTSA has recorded 11 recalls for the 1988 BUICK REGAL, potentially affecting up to 2,423,209 vehicles.
Recall 06E043000 — FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
| 88,303 vehicles affected
Defect: 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, CLICK...
Consequence: 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).
View full details →Recall 00V189000 — STRUCTURE
| 713,435 vehicles 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, AND THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, WHERE ROAD SALT USE IS HEAVY. A CONDITION WHERE ONE OR BOTH FRONT ENGINE CRADLE BOLTS CAN...
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.
View full details →Recall 97V058000 — STRUCTURE
| 676,535 vehicles 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 THE RETAINERS DUE TO CORROSION OF THE RETAINER. IF BOTH BOLTS PULL THROUGH, THE REAR CRADLE WOULD NOT LONGER...
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.
View full details →Recall 95V115000 — WHEELS
| 22,361 vehicles 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.
View full details →Recall 94V041000 — WHEELS
| 198,163 vehicles 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.
View full details →Recall 90V054000 — SEAT BELTS
| 673,000 vehicles 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.
View full details →Recall 88V109000 — SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
| 8,328 vehicles 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.
View full details →Recall 88V066000 — SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER BALL JOINT
| 3,221 vehicles 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.
View full details →Recall 88V065000 — LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:HOOD:LATCH
| 12,457 vehicles 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.
View full details →Recall 88V045000 — POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION:COLUMN SHIFT ASSEMBLY
| 17,745 vehicles 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.
View full details →Recall 88V040000 — EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS:SWITCH
| 9,661 vehicles 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 CRUISE RESUME OR INOPERATIVE BRAKE LIGHTS COULDRESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING.
Remedy: THE ROTARY SOPLAMP SWITCH WILL BE REPLACED ON ALL INVOLVED VEHICLES.
View full details →Owner Complaints for the 1988 BUICK REGAL
181 complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 1988 BUICK REGAL. Below is a breakdown by vehicle component.
Most Recent Complaints
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 STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER SHOULD HAVE A PERMANENT LABEL TO INDICATE THAT THE VEHICLE HAS ANTILOCK BRAKES SINCE IT IS AN OPTIONAL FEATURE. SHE FURTHER STATED THAT IT COULD CAUSE NUMEROUS FATAL CRASHES BECAUSE THE BRAKES HAVE TO BE APPLIED A CERTAIN WAY DEPENDING ON THE ANTILOCK BRAKE SYSTEM. THE DEALER INFORMED HER THAT SHE HAD ANTILOCK BRAKES. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000.
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.
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 OPERATING PROPERLY. THE VEHICLE COULD NOT PASS AN INSPECTION, AND NOW THE VEHICLE DID NOT START. THE MECHANIC BELIEVED THAT THE FAILURE MAY BE IN THE FUEL FILTER, FUEL PUMP OR SOMETHING ELSE. THE VEHICLE WOULD TURN OVER, BUT WOULD NOT START. WHEN SHE TRIED TO TURN ON THE IGNITION SHE COULD SMELL GAS FUMES. THE WIRING WAS CUT BY THE PREVIOUS OWNER AND THE POWER LOCKS DID NOT WORK. THE DEALER REFUSED TO GIVE THE CONTACT THE RECEIPT FOR PARTS PURCHASED TO REPAIR THE BRAKES, AND REFUSED TO MAKE ANY FURTHER REPAIRS ON THE VEHICLE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGE WERE 155,925 . *AK
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 OPERATING PROPERLY. THE VEHICLE COULD NOT PASS AN INSPECTION, AND NOW THE VEHICLE DID NOT START. THE MECHANIC BELIEVED THAT THE FAILURE MAY BE IN THE FUEL FILTER, FUEL PUMP OR SOMETHING ELSE. THE VEHICLE WOULD TURN OVER, BUT WOULD NOT START. WHEN SHE TRIED TO TURN ON THE IGNITION SHE COULD SMELL GAS FUMES. THE WIRING WAS CUT BY THE PREVIOUS OWNER AND THE POWER LOCKS DID NOT WORK. THE DEALER REFUSED TO GIVE THE CONTACT THE RECEIPT FOR PARTS PURCHASED TO REPAIR THE BRAKES, AND REFUSED TO MAKE ANY FURTHER REPAIRS ON THE VEHICLE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGE WERE 155,925 . *AK
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 OPERATING PROPERLY. THE VEHICLE COULD NOT PASS AN INSPECTION, AND NOW THE VEHICLE DID NOT START. THE MECHANIC BELIEVED THAT THE FAILURE MAY BE IN THE FUEL FILTER, FUEL PUMP OR SOMETHING ELSE. THE VEHICLE WOULD TURN OVER, BUT WOULD NOT START. WHEN SHE TRIED TO TURN ON THE IGNITION SHE COULD SMELL GAS FUMES. THE WIRING WAS CUT BY THE PREVIOUS OWNER AND THE POWER LOCKS DID NOT WORK. THE DEALER REFUSED TO GIVE THE CONTACT THE RECEIPT FOR PARTS PURCHASED TO REPAIR THE BRAKES, AND REFUSED TO MAKE ANY FURTHER REPAIRS ON THE VEHICLE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGE WERE 155,925 . *AK
View all Service Brakes Hydraulicfoundation Componentsdisccaliper complaints →
Safety Rating for the 1988 BUICK REGAL
NHTSA has not yet tested the 1988 BUICK REGAL in its New Car Assessment Program.
Technical Service Bulletins for the 1988 BUICK REGAL
No technical service bulletins have been reported for this vehicle.
NHTSA Investigations for the 1988 BUICK REGAL
NHTSA has opened 1 investigation into potential safety defects in the 1988 BUICK REGAL.
Other Model Years of the BUICK REGAL
- 1983 BUICK REGAL — 4 complaints
- 1984 BUICK REGAL — 6 complaints
- 1985 BUICK REGAL — 10 complaints
- 1986 BUICK REGAL — 14 complaints
- 1987 BUICK REGAL — 28 complaints
- 1988 BUICK REGAL (current)
- 1989 BUICK REGAL — 150 complaints
- 1990 BUICK REGAL — 107 complaints
- 1991 BUICK REGAL — 303 complaints
- 1992 BUICK REGAL — 204 complaints
- 1993 BUICK REGAL — 118 complaints
Other BUICK Models
- BUICK LESABRE — 4,864 total complaints
- BUICK ENCLAVE — 3,194 total complaints
- BUICK LACROSSE — 2,882 total complaints
- BUICK CENTURY — 2,393 total complaints
- BUICK PARK AVENUE — 1,880 total complaints
- BUICK RENDEZVOUS — 1,795 total complaints
- BUICK LUCERNE — 1,322 total complaints
- BUICK ENCORE — 846 total complaints