BUICK REGAL · model year

1987 BUICK REGAL

28 NHTSA complaints, 3 crash reports for this specific cohort.

NHTSA overall rating

Not crash-tested

New Car Assessment Program

The 1987BUICKREGAL carries 28 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 3 crashes, 0 fires, 2 injuries, and 0 fatalities. No NCAP 5-star crash-test rating is available for this model year in the federal database.

Component-level analysis is where model-year complaints become actionable: the top complaint category for the 1987 REGAL is service brakes, hydraulic:antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip with 4 filings, followed by service brakes, hydraulic:power assist (3) and service brakes, hydraulic:foundation components (3). Concentration in one or two component groups is the classic signature of a systemic defect; a flat distribution usually reflects normal aging, warranty complaints, or isolated build-plant variability.

NHTSA currently has 1 investigation file overlapping the 1987 REGAL. Owners comparing this cohort against neighboring years should pair the counters above with the complaint-by-year trend on the parent model page — a spike in a single year often tracks to a platform refresh, a new transmission supplier, or an updated ECU calibration. Use the related-complaint feed below to read raw owner narratives before deciding whether any pattern here affects your specific use case.

28
Complaints
3
Crashes
0
Fires
2
Injuries
0
Deaths

Total Complaints

28 filings

Crashes Reported

3 reports

Source

NHTSA ODI

Federal complaints database

Complaints vs. fleet median (215)

At or below the fleet median complaint volume.

Complaints by Component

ComponentCount
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP4
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:POWER ASSIST3
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS3
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:MASTER CYLINDER2
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:RETRACTOR2
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY2
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE2
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC2
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:PEDALS AND LINKAGES1
STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM1
SUSPENSION:FRONT:WHEEL BEARING1
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:POWER ASSIST:VACUUM1
UNKNOWN OR OTHER1
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:CRUISE CONTROL1
WHEELS1

Recent Complaints

20140601SERVICE BRAKES

BRAKES AT TIMES TAKE EXCESSIVE EFFORT TO STOP CAR. HAS HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES WITHOUT ANY WARNING AND WILL THEN WORK NORMAL AGAIN. THIS IS A TURBO REGAL EQUIPPED WITH A POWER MASTER BRAKE SYSTEM UNIQUE TO THESE CARS. THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM ON THESE CARS AND SHOULD BE LOOKED INTO AS IT IS VERY UNSAFE TO HAVE A BRAKE SYSTEM THAT CAN FAIL WITHOUT ANY WARNING. *TR

Mileage: 125,000

20120509SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1987 BUICK REGAL. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE BRAKE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED AS THE BRAKES BECAME EXTREMELY RESISTANT AND DIFFICULT TO DEPRESS. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING WHERE THE MECHANIC ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THE MASTER BRAKE SYSTEM WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED. AFTER THE REPAIR, THE FAILURE PERSISTED. THE CONTACT HAD THE MASTER BRAKE SYSTEM REPLACED THREE TIMES BUT TO NO AVAIL. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000.

Mileage: 60,000

20111013SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

HI, THERE WAS NO INCIDENT, BUT I DID CALLED GM ABOUT THE FOLLOWING AND THEIR RESPONSES, THERE WAS NO "U.S. POWERMASTER RECALL" ON MY VEHICLE. CAN YOU PLEASE RESEARCH THIS LINK (HTTP://WWW.GNTTYPE.ORG/TECHAREA/BRAKES/USRECALL.HTML) AND SEE IF MY VIN # I ADDED IS INCLUDED IN THE POWERMASTER RECALL? THANK YOU *TR

20060310WHEELS

HUB CAPS DISLODGE FROM WHEELS. MANUFACTURER WILL NOT RESPOND TO MY CORRESPONDENCE FOR ASSISTANCE. I HAVE PHOTOS AND CORRESPONDENCE. *NM

Mileage: 50,000

20051129CrashVEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:CRUISE CONTROL

DT: THE CONTACT STATED THERE WAS SUDDEN ACCELERATION WHILE DRIVING WITH THE CRUISE CONTROL ENGAGED. THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED FORWARD AND STRUCK A TELEPHONE POLE. THERE WAS DAMAGE TO THE DRIVER'S SIDE QUARTER PANEL. THE CONTACT MANAGED TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE HOME. HE DID NOT FILE A POLICE REPORT. AFTERWARDS, HE NOTICED THE CRUISE CONTROL ACTIVATED ALTHOUGH THE BRAKE DISENGAGED THE SWITCH. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN TO A DEALER FOR INSPECTION. *AK UPDATED 12/27/2005 - *NM

Mileage: 86,000

20030502SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:MASTER CYLINDER

NOTIFIED 2 RECALLS, SHORE BUICK WHO CHANGED THE PARTS. NEVER NOTIFIED OF 3RD RECALL (MASTER CYLINDER) GM WILL NOT REPAIR DUE TO THE 8 YEAR WINDOW TO RESPOND. I CAN NOT DRIVE CAR IN THIS CONDITION HAZARDOUS TO MYSELF AND ALL OTHER DRIVERS AND PEDESTRIANS. SCC *NLM **DIMSII IVOQ ENTRY POSTED AFTER 12/12/02 CUT-OVER TO ARTEMIS*759895

Mileage: 29,800

20021101SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS

VEHICLE RECALL UNDER UNITED STATES POWERMASTER RECALL CAMPAIGNE: POWER MASTER BRAKE SYSTEM/FAULTY PRESSURE SWITCH 86-C-15 GENERAL MOTORS RECALL BUICK CLAIM INFORMATION 1987 REGAL TURBO COUPE HP400001 HP 465289. WE HAVE CONTACTED GENERAL MOTORS BUICK DIVISION GAIL REINKE PHONE 866-834-3547 SHE IS ON NOTICE OF THE PROBLEM THE RECALL AND MY SAFETY CONCERNS. THIS CAR IS NOT SAFE TO DRIVE IN MY OPINION AT ANY SPEED. BOTH BUICK AND GENERAL MOTORS ARE AWARE OF THE RECALL, HAVE HAD OPPORTUNITY TO INSPECT THE VEHICLE AND HAVE DENIED UP TO THIS POINT REPAIRING THE RECALL DEFECT. DT

20020514SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP

DUE TO BRAKE PROBLEMS IT IS HARD TO STOP FOR VEHICLE. *AK

20020417SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS

CONSUMER STATES THAT THEIR IS A MALFUNCTION IN THE BRAKES, BECAUSE WHEN BRAKES ARE APPLYED THEY WILL LOCK UP. THIS WILL HAPPEN OCCASIONALLY. THEIR IS A RECALL BUT THE DEALSHIP IS SAYING HIS VEHICLE IS NOT PART OF THE RECALL DUE VIN#. NLM

20020110SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS

BRAKES ARE HARD TO PUSH. HA STO STAND ON THE PEDAL TO GET IT TO STOP. *AK

20000609SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP

CONSUMER WAS TRAVELING ABOUT 60MPH, AND WHEN HE WENT TO APPLY BRAKES THEY DIDN'T WORK AT ALL. IT HAPPENED INTERMITTENTLY. *AK

19990820SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:POWER ASSIST

IN CHECKING YOUR DATA BASE THERE HAVE BEEN AT LEAST 100 FAILURES, BUT NO RECORD OF AN INVESTIGATION. THE POWER MASTER SYSTEM WAS USED ONLY ON LIMITED MODELS SO THE INCIDENCE OF FAILURE IS VERY HIGH. THIS IS A FAILURE THAT LEAVES THE DRIVER WITH LITTLE OR NO BREAKING ABILITY. I AM DISAPOINTED THAT NHTSA HAS REFUSED TO LOOK INTO THIS PROBLEM FOR THE LAST 12 YEARS.

19990726SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP

IN AN EMERGENCY BRAKING SITUATION WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKES, PEDAL DOES NOT MOVE AND MORE STOPPING DISTANCE IS REQUIRED. THIS HAPPENS ON ANY TYPE OF ROAD SURFACE AT ANY SPEED. A /MECHANIC WAS NOT ABLE TO CORRECT THIS PROBLEM. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER DETAILS. *AK

19990517ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE

ENGINE CHECK LIGHT COMES ON AND SOMETIMES THE VEHICLE WILL NOT START AND/OR WILL HESITATE ON THE FREEWAY. VEHICLE TAKEN TO MECHANIC, ADJUSTMENTS WERE MADE, BUT PROBLEM REMAINS UNCORRECTED. *AK *ML

19990517UNKNOWN OR OTHER

ENGINE CHECK LIGHT COMES ON AND SOMETIMES THE VEHICLE WILL NOT START AND/OR WILL HESITATE ON THE FREEWAY. VEHICLE TAKEN TO MECHANIC, ADJUSTMENTS WERE MADE, BUT PROBLEM REMAINS UNCORRECTED. *AK *ML

19981130SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY

THE CONSUMER HAS BEEN EXPERIENCING PROBLEMS WITH SEAT BELT BUCKLE. SEAT BELT BUCKLE IS CRACKED. THE MANUFACTURER HAS YET TO BE CONTACTED. *AK

19981014ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE

ENGINE STALLED IN TRAFFIC.

19970707SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:POWER ASSIST

A FUSE BLOWS UNEXPECTEDLY, WITH NO WARNING VEHICLE HAS NO BREAKING POWER.

19970225SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY

FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE SHOULDER/LAP BELT LOCKS UP, TRAPPING OCCUPANT INSIDE VEHICLE, RELEASE BUTTON JAMS; DEALER LUBRICATED BUCKLE, REPLACED WITH REAR BELT, STILL HAS PROBLEM. *AK

19961010SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:POWER ASSIST:VACUUM

POWER BRAKES REPLACED.

Compare 1987BUICKREGAL to Similar Vehicles

NHTSA Investigations

Frequently Asked Questions

How many complaints does the 1987 BUICK REGAL have?
The 1987 BUICK REGAL has 28 NHTSA complaints, 3 crashes, 0 fires, 2 injuries, and 0 deaths reported.
What are the most common problems with the 1987 BUICK REGAL?
The most-complained component for the 1987 BUICK REGAL is SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP with 4 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:POWER ASSIST and SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS.
Is the 1987 BUICK REGAL safe to buy?
Review the complaint history, crash and fire reports, safety ratings, and recall status on this page to make an informed decision. No NHTSA crash test rating is available for this model year. Compare with other model years using the links above.
Where does this data come from?
All complaint, recall, and safety rating data is sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Complaints are filed by vehicle owners through NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation.

Vehicle Safety Guides

Data as of 2025. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) complaints database, NHTSA recall campaign API, NHTSA NCAP crash-test ratings, and NHTSA FARS for fatality cross-reference.