1993 Buick Regal problems & reliability
85 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 1993 Buick Regal. 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.
6 complaints report injuries (13 injured, 2 deaths reported).
Federal crash records (FARS 2020–2023): 1993 Buick Regal vehicles were involved in 2 fatal crashes 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 | 40 | 47% |
| Electrical System | 8 | 9% |
| Engine and Engine Cooling | 7 | 8% |
| Seat Belts | 7 | 8% |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 7 | 8% |
| Fuel System, Gasoline | 4 | 5% |
| Structure | 4 | 5% |
| Visibility | 4 | 5% |
| Exterior Lighting | 3 | 4% |
| Seats | 2 | 2% |
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
“Tl* the contact owns a 1993 buick regal. The contact stated that the door locks failed and remained locked when attempting to operate them. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 41,000. Updated 06/29/16*lj updated 08/03/16.*jb updated…”
Electrical System · filed May 12, 2016
“Dt*: the contact stated while traveling various speeds under normal road conditions, the vehicle had permanent to worsening conditions with the brakes. The brake design was four wheel abs. The contact stated the brake pads, rotors and calipers had been replaced twice before, but the problem persisted. The vehicle was…”
Service Brakes, Hydraulic · filed Nov 7, 2006
“When driving, the consumers seat back collapsed. The consumer was concerned that he may fall back with no warning and have an accident. The anchor of the seat was broken. *jb *sc *jb”
Seats · filed Aug 16, 2004
Verbatim excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA. Reports are not independently verified.
Federal defect investigations
- CORRODED REAR DISK BRAKES
Preliminary Evaluation PE94063 · opened Aug 12, 1994 · closed Dec 21, 1994
- FUEL LEAKS
Engineering Analysis EA93018 · opened Jul 13, 1993 · closed Jun 24, 1994
Technical service bulletins
22 manufacturer communications (TSBs, service campaigns, warranty extensions) are on file with NHTSA for the 1993 Buick Regal. The 10 most recent:
Expanded Availability for Remanufacture and Return (R&R) Electronic Control Modules
130089009 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Sep 1, 2013
Owners 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…
990730030A · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Apr 1, 2001
Some 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. *tt
990730030 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Dec 1, 1999
Customers may complain of grinding / scraping / groaning noise from rear suspension. *tt
990309004 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Oct 1, 1999
Evaporative emission canister purge solenoid vlave replacement and convertible only, prom replacement. *yc
98033 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Nov 10, 1998
Voluntary emission campaign involving the evaporative emission canister purge solenoid valve replacement and, convertible only, prom replacement. *tt
98033 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Oct 19, 1998
Voluntary emission recall campaign - evaporative emission conister purge solenoid valve replacement and, convertible only, prom replacement. *yc
98033 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Oct 1, 1998
Some 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…
876002A · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Jul 1, 1998
Information on growling noise in transaxle during first four minutes after start up. *yc
10001 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Apr 1, 1998
Comment that the abs light is on with diagnostic trouble codes (dtc's) 46 and 86 set as current or history. *yc
970801735026 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Aug 1, 1997
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
No NHTSA recall campaigns name the 1993 Buick Regal in our current data. Recalls may apply only to certain VIN ranges — always confirm with a VIN check.
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 1993 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.