1994 Buick Regal problems & reliability
110 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 1994 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.
5 complaints report injuries (7 injured).
Federal crash records (FARS 2020–2023): 1994 Buick Regal vehicles were involved in 2 fatal crashes with 3 occupant deaths. 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 | 25 | 23% |
| Electrical System | 17 | 15% |
| Visibility | 14 | 13% |
| Engine and Engine Cooling | 12 | 11% |
| Exterior Lighting | 9 | 8% |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 9 | 8% |
| Air Bags | 7 | 6% |
| Seats | 7 | 6% |
| Unknown OR Other | 7 | 6% |
| Power Train | 6 | 5% |
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
“1984 buick regal with 3800l v6. The valve covers are leaking excessive oil on the exhaust manifold which could start fire when driving, when parked, when the engine is hot! The 97 throught 2004 buick regals were recalled for this exact situation. Why was the 94 not recalled? Has it due to age?”
Engine · filed May 17, 2017
“At approximately 7:00am friday july 19, my son and I got into the car which was parked in our garage. I proceeded to place the key into the ignition and started the car. Immediately the driver's airbag deployed hitting me in the face and chest breaking my glasses and there was some type of solvent or particles in the…”
Air Bags · filed Jul 22, 2013
“Tl*the contact owns a 1994 buick regal. The contact stated that the windshield wipers do not work. The washer/wiper switch power feed wire causes the wipers to work intermittently and become inoperative. The failure has occurred in rainy conditions. Buick stated that the vin was not included in nhtsa campaign id…”
Visibility · filed Oct 27, 2008
Verbatim excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA. Reports are not independently verified.
Technical service bulletins
40 manufacturer communications (TSBs, service campaigns, warranty extensions) are on file with NHTSA for the 1994 Buick Regal. The 10 most recent:
This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician on how to unlock radios that are Delco TheftLock. Technician will use the radio to get the scrambled code. Technician will need to…
PIC4696E · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Nov 22, 2019
This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician on how to unlock radios that are Delco TheftLock. Technician will use the radio to get the scrambled code. Technician will need to…
PIC4696D · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Sep 5, 2019
This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician on how to unlock radios that are Delco Theft Lock. Technician will use the radio to get the scrambled code. Technician will need to…
PIC4696C · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued May 31, 2018
Expanded Availability for Remanufacture and Return (R&R) Electronic Control Modules
130089009 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Sep 1, 2013
Revised piston pin removal / installation procedure. *tt
010601002A · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Dec 1, 2002
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 owners may comment on driveability symptons of long or hard starts, chuggle, rough idle and light or intermittent misfire due to clogged fuel injectors. *tt
990604005A · 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
Some owners may experience a driveability symptom of long or hard starts, chuggle, rough idle and light or intermittent misfire. *tt
990604005 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Feb 1, 1999
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 1994 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 1994 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.