Total Complaints
118 filings
BUICK REGAL · model year
1993 BUICK REGAL
118 NHTSA complaints, 8 crash reports for this specific cohort.
NHTSA overall rating
Not crash-tested
New Car Assessment Program
The 1993BUICKREGAL carries 118 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 8 crashes, 3 fires, 13 injuries, and 2 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 1993 REGAL is service brakes, hydraulic:antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip with 13 filings, followed by service brakes, hydraulic:foundation components:disc:rotor (10) and service brakes, hydraulic:foundation components:disc:caliper (8). 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 1993 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.
118
Complaints
8
Crashes
3
Fires
13
Injuries
2
Deaths
Crashes Reported
8 reports
Source
NHTSA ODI
Federal complaints database
Complaints vs. fleet median (215)
At or below the fleet median complaint volume.
Complaints by Component
| Component | Count |
|---|---|
| SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP | 13 |
| SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR | 10 |
| SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:CALIPER | 8 |
| VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL | 7 |
| SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC | 7 |
| SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:PADS | 5 |
| SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS | 5 |
| SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DRUM | 4 |
| SEAT BELTS:FRONT:ANCHORAGE | 4 |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE | 4 |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE | 3 |
| SEAT BELTS | 3 |
| STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR | 2 |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:ALTERNATOR/GENERATOR/REGULATOR | 2 |
| SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:RECLINER | 2 |
Recent Complaints
20160512ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
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 11/23/16.*JB
Mileage: 41,000
20061107SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
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 TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO DETERMINED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN A RECALL DUE TO THE VIN AND AGAIN REPLACED THE BRAKE PADS, ROTORS AND CALIPERS. THE VEHICLE STILL HAD THE SAME PROBLEMS AS COMPARED TO NHTSA COMPLAINT # 532762 ABOUT THE SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK. THE FRONT AND REAR BRAKES WERE REPLACED. UPDATED 12/1/06. *JB
20061107SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
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 TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO DETERMINED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN A RECALL DUE TO THE VIN AND AGAIN REPLACED THE BRAKE PADS, ROTORS AND CALIPERS. THE VEHICLE STILL HAD THE SAME PROBLEMS AS COMPARED TO NHTSA COMPLAINT # 532762 ABOUT THE SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK. THE FRONT AND REAR BRAKES WERE REPLACED. UPDATED 12/1/06. *JB
20040816SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:RECLINER
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
Mileage: 195,000
20040211SUSPENSION
WHILE MAKING A LEFT TURN NOISE WAS HEARD COMING FROM STEERING WHEEL. CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION, AND MECHANIC COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM.*AK
20030912ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY
THE BATTERY WAS DEAD CAUSING THE VEHICLE NOT TO START. ALL THE DOORS LOCKED AND THE MANUAL OVERRIDE FROZE SO THAT THE DRIVER COULD NOT EXIT THE VEHICLE. AFTER A LENGTH OF TIME, THE DRIVER WAS ABLE TO UNLOCK THE DOORS WITH THE DOOR CONTROLS IN THE VEHICLE. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER DETAILS. *PH
20030912LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH
THE BATTERY WAS DEAD CAUSING THE VEHICLE NOT TO START. ALL THE DOORS LOCKED AND THE MANUAL OVERRIDE FROZE SO THAT THE DRIVER COULD NOT EXIT THE VEHICLE. AFTER A LENGTH OF TIME, THE DRIVER WAS ABLE TO UNLOCK THE DOORS WITH THE DOOR CONTROLS IN THE VEHICLE. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER DETAILS. *PH
20030904VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS
VEHICLE POWER WINDOWS ROLLED UP WHILE VEHICLE WAS PARKED TRAPPING 5-YEAR OLD CHILD'S HEAD. *MR WHILE PARKED IN THE DRIVEWAY, THE CONSUMERS FIVE YEAR OLD SONS NECK BECAME STUCK IN THE POWER WINDOW AS IT ROLLED UP. THE CONSUMER WAS UNABLE TO REMOVE THE CHILD FROM THE WINDOW UNTIL THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED. THE CHILD COULDN'T BREATH, EVEN AFTER THE REMOVAL. *SCC *JB
20030625ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
THE METAL FRAME MOUNTS THAT HOLD ENGINE UP IN THE VEHICLE DETERIORATED, CAUSING THE ENGINE TO DROP TO THE GROUND WHILE BACKING OUT OF A DRIVEWAY. CAUSE UNKNOWN. *AK
Mileage: 75,000
20020307STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS
THERE IS A LEAK ON LEFT HAND ON DRIVER'S SIDE FLOOR NEAR BRAKE PEDAL. DEALER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED ABOUT SITUATION, AND NO ONE CAN FIND OUT WHERE THE LEAK WAS COMING FROM.*AK
20020226FireELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD
CONSUMER'S PARENTS WERE DRIVING ALONG THE FREEWAY ALL OF A SUDDEN VEHICLE BEGAN TO SMOKE. THEY GOT OUT, VEHICLE WAS ENGULFED IN FLAMES, AND IT BURNED COMPLETELY, EVEN TIRES EXPLODED. CONSUMER'S PARENTS WERE EMOTIONALLY TRAUMATIZED.*AK
20020111ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
WHILE DRIVING NEIGHBORHOOD SPEEDS VEHICLE WILL STALL AND CUT OFF ON AN INTERMITTENT BASIS. DEALER HAS REPLACED INGITION MODULE, BUT THAT HAS NOT REMEDIED PROBLEM. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER DETAILS.*AK
20020111ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
WHILE DRIVING NEIGHBORHOOD SPEEDS VEHICLE WILL STALL AND CUT OFF ON AN INTERMITTENT BASIS. DEALER HAS REPLACED INGITION MODULE, BUT THAT HAS NOT REMEDIED PROBLEM. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER DETAILS.*AK
20020109FatalTIRES:BEAD
EARLY DEC 2001 AHD SLOW LEAK WENT TO DEALER AND TIRE WAS REPLACED FOR CORD POBLEM WITH ANOTHER MICHELIN X RADILA PLUS. WENT ON LONG TRIP AND HAD BOUNCING EFFECT AND ON RETURN WENT BACK TO DEALER WHERE SAME CORD PROBLEM WAS DISCOVERED ON ONE OF REMAINING TIRES. AGAIN REPLCED WITH X RADIAL PLUS.ON SECOND FAILURE TIRE WAS SERIOUSLY OUT OF ROUND AND COULD HAVE CAUSED A SERIOUS ACCIDENT AT INTERSTATE SPEED OF 65MPH. ALLOWANCE GRANTED BY DEALER(SAMS CLUB) OF 30% TREAD WEAR.WAS ALSO ADVISED BY DEALER THAT TIRE WAS DISCONTINUED WHICH CAUSES CONCERN ABOUT THE TIRE WITH 2 FAIURES IN LESS THA 30 DAYS. WAS THERE A PROBLEM FOR IT TO BE DISCONTINUED.*AK (DOT NUMBER: UNKNOWN TIRESIZE: P225/60R16)
20010828SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS
THE VEHICLE HAS EXPERIENCED MULTIPLE BRAKE SYSTEM FAILURES, THE FRONT AND REAR BRAKE PADS FAILED CAUSING VIBRATION/SHIMMY, THE R/F WHEEL SPEED SENSOR AND REAR CALIPER FAILED. NLM
20010827FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP
WHILE PROCEEDING AT APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH MOTOR DIES WITHOUT WARNING AT DEALERS SUGGESTION, REPLACED FUEL PUMP AND FILTER, BUT PROBLEM PERSISTS, DEALER NOW SUGGESTS REPLACING SENSOR THAT CHANGES RPM WHEN DECELERATING. *AK
20010827FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
WHILE PROCEEDING AT APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH MOTOR DIES WITHOUT WARNING AT DEALERS SUGGESTION, REPLACED FUEL PUMP AND FILTER, BUT PROBLEM PERSISTS, DEALER NOW SUGGESTS REPLACING SENSOR THAT CHANGES RPM WHEN DECELERATING. *AK
20010711SEAT BELTS:FRONT:ANCHORAGE
SEAT BELT TURNING LOOPS WOULD NOT SUSTAIN STRUCTURAL LOADING IN AN IMPACT. (WEB WOULD CUT). *AK
20010612STRUCTURE
WHILE IN REVERSE ENGINE CRADLE COLLAPSED DUE TO RUST RESULTING IN LOSS OF STEERING. VEHICLE HAS BEEN REPAIRED BY AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. MANUFACTURER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED. PLEASE PROVIDE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION.*AK
20010423FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
THERE IS A LEAK IN GAS LINE IN ENGINE COMPARTMENT, CAUSING FIRE HAZARD. *AK CONSUMER STATES IT IS AT THE CONNECTION TO METAL PIPE FROM TANK. *SLC
Compare 1993BUICKREGAL to Similar Vehicles
NHTSA Investigations
Frequently Asked Questions
How many complaints does the 1993 BUICK REGAL have?▼
The 1993 BUICK REGAL has 118 NHTSA complaints, 8 crashes, 3 fires, 13 injuries, and 2 deaths reported.
What are the most common problems with the 1993 BUICK REGAL?▼
The most-complained component for the 1993 BUICK REGAL is SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP with 13 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR and SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:CALIPER.
Is the 1993 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.
Read our methodology — how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.