1989 Buick Regal problems & reliability
106 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 1989 Buick Regal, alongside 1 safety recall campaign. Last verified Aug 7, 2026. Complaints are unverified reports submitted by owners to the federal Office of Defects Investigation.
Each complaint is counted once (by NHTSA case number), even when it names several vehicles.
3 complaints report injuries (3 injured).
Federal crash records (FARS 2020–2023): 1989 Buick Regal vehicles were involved in 1 fatal crash with 1 occupant death. Involvement counts are not adjusted for how many are on the road and do not imply fault or a vehicle defect.
Most reported problems
| Component | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic | 51 | 48% |
| Structure | 15 | 14% |
| Electrical System | 14 | 13% |
| Engine and Engine Cooling | 11 | 10% |
| Parking Brake | 5 | 5% |
| Power Train | 5 | 5% |
| Exterior Lighting | 4 | 4% |
| Steering | 4 | 4% |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 4 | 4% |
| Visibility | 4 | 4% |
Component groups as classified by NHTSA. A complaint can name more than one component, so shares may sum to more than 100%.
Common symptoms owners describe
Keyword analysis of complaint narratives; one complaint can describe several symptoms.
Complaints by incident year
What owners report
“Dt*: the contact stated while driving under 10 mph, the engine fell out from under the vehicle. This occurred in front of the contact's residence and the contact determined the rear cradle bolt broke and repaired the vehicle. There is a nhtsa recall, # 97v058000, regarding the structure. The vehicle has the same…”
Structure · filed Apr 5, 2006
“Vehicle smelled of gas, there was gas on the ground all the time. The gas tank was defective as stated in recall 88v188000. *ak”
Fuel System, Gasoline · filed Sep 28, 2004
“Consumer states while traveling 35 mph without any indication vehicle engine fail from under vehicle. Vehicle was service technician notice cradle mounts need to be replaced. Please provide further information. Ts”
Engine and Engine Cooling · filed Nov 8, 2002
Verbatim excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA. Reports are not independently verified.
Federal defect investigations
- STRUCTURE
Investigation RP01001 · opened Nov 28, 2001 · closed Jun 13, 2002 · led to recall 00V189000
- ENGINE CRADLE SEPARATION
Engineering Analysis EA00011 · opened Apr 10, 2000 · closed Jan 12, 2001 · led to recall 00V189000
- ENGINE CRADLE SEPARATION
Recall Query RQ99002 · opened Mar 4, 1999 · open · led to recall 97V058000
- CRADLE BOLT FAILURES
Recall Query RQ97017 · opened Oct 2, 1997 · open · led to recall 97V058000
- CORRODED REAR DISK BRAKES
Preliminary Evaluation PE94063 · opened Aug 12, 1994 · closed Dec 21, 1994
- SUB-FRAME ABSORBER FAILURE
Preliminary Evaluation PE94048 · opened Jun 21, 1994 · closed Dec 30, 1994
- STICKING THROTTLE
Engineering Analysis EA92024 · opened Jun 26, 1992 · closed Jan 31, 1994
- W-CAR HINGE PIN FAILURE
Engineering Analysis EA91055 · opened Dec 5, 1991 · closed Aug 17, 1992
Technical service bulletins
4 manufacturer communications (TSBs, service campaigns, warranty extensions) are on file with NHTSA for the 1989 Buick Regal.
Customers may complain of grinding / scraping / groaning noise from rear suspension. *tt
990309004 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Oct 1, 1999
Rear strut related thumping/squeaking noise. *tw
133405 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Jan 1, 1995
Abs warning light is on. *tw
435012A · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Jan 1, 1995
Abs wire harness for the right front wheel may rub on the brake line causing the abs warning light to come on. *tw
435012 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Dec 1, 1994
TSBs are repair guidance manufacturers send to dealers — they are not recalls and repairs are not automatically free. Full documents are available on NHTSA’s site.
Safety recalls
The 1989 Buick Regal has 1 NHTSA recall campaign — recall repairs are free at franchised dealers regardless of the vehicle’s age.
Check whether your specific vehicle is affected
Recall campaigns often cover only certain VIN ranges. Enter your VIN on the official NHTSA site to confirm whether your vehicle is included and whether the repair is still open.
Check VIN on NHTSA →Buying a used 1989 Buick Regal?
- · Decode the seller’s VIN with our free VIN decoder to confirm the exact year, engine and trim.
- · Check for unrepaired recalls by VIN on NHTSA’s official lookup — recall repairs are free.