BUICK REGAL · model year

1997 BUICK REGAL

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

NHTSA overall rating

Not crash-tested

New Car Assessment Program

The 1997BUICKREGAL carries 174 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 3 crashes, 19 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 1997 REGAL is steering:rack and pinion with 15 filings, followed by engine and engine cooling (15) and electrical system (11). 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 1997 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.

174
Complaints
3
Crashes
19
Fires
2
Injuries
0
Deaths

Total Complaints

174 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
STEERING:RACK AND PINION15
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING15
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM11
STEERING11
ENGINE11
TIRES6
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER5
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP5
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL4
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION4
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE4
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM4
STEERING: STEERING WHEEL/HANDLE BAR3
STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST:PUMP3
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE3

Recent Complaints

20190228FireENGINE

1997 BUICK REGAL. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARD TO SAFETY RECALL ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE NOTICE . CONSUMER WRITES VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE AND MANUFACTURER STATED THERE WAS NO PROOF FOR CAUSE OF FIRE. *AS *TR

20181026ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 BUICK REGAL. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH AND MAKING A RIGHT TURN, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY SHUT OFF. APPROXIMATELY TEN MINUTES LATER, THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO BE RESTARTED AND OPERATED NORMALLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE LOCAL DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 138,000. THE VIN WAS INVALID. *TT CONSUMER STATED DEALERSHIP IS NOW CLOSED AND WILL BE TAKING IT TO A REPAIR SHOP. UPDATED 12/20/18*JB

Mileage: 138,000

20181026ENGINE

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 BUICK REGAL. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH AND MAKING A RIGHT TURN, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY SHUT OFF. APPROXIMATELY TEN MINUTES LATER, THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO BE RESTARTED AND OPERATED NORMALLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE LOCAL DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 138,000. THE VIN WAS INVALID. *TT CONSUMER STATED DEALERSHIP IS NOW CLOSED AND WILL BE TAKING IT TO A REPAIR SHOP. UPDATED 12/20/18*JB

Mileage: 138,000

20161005ENGINE

BUICK FIXED 3 RECALLS BUT WON'T FIX ON SAY I HAVE TO PAY FOR ANOTHER PART BEFORE THEY CAN FIX LAST RECALL.

20161005STEERING

BUICK FIXED 3 RECALLS BUT WON'T FIX ON SAY I HAVE TO PAY FOR ANOTHER PART BEFORE THEY CAN FIX LAST RECALL.

20161005EXTERIOR LIGHTING

BUICK FIXED 3 RECALLS BUT WON'T FIX ON SAY I HAVE TO PAY FOR ANOTHER PART BEFORE THEY CAN FIX LAST RECALL.

20160927CrashAIR BAGS

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 1997 BUICK REGAL. WHILE DRIVING AT LOW SPEEDS IN A PARKING LOT, THE DRIVER SIDE OF THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE WAS STRUCK BY ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED MAJOR INJURIES THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND DEEMED DESTROYED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS INVALID. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.

20160822ENGINE

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 BUICK REGAL. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V701000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING) AND STATED THAT THE PART WAS NOT AVAILABLE WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME FRAME TO SCHEDULE THE RECALL REPAIR FOR SEVERAL MONTHS. THE DEALER DID NOT GIVE A SPECIFIC DATE FOR WHEN THE PART WOULD BECOME AVAILABLE. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE CONTACT WOULD NEED TO WAIT FOR THE SECOND NOTICE. THE MANUFACTURER COULD NOT PROVIDE AN ESTIMATED DATE FOR WHEN THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE WOULD RECEIVE THE RECALL REPAIR. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.

20160602ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

1997 BUICK REGAL. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO DEALERSHIP DENIED REIMBURSEMENT REQUESTS FOR ENGINE OIL DEPOSITED ON THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD RECALL NOTICE. *SMD THE CONSUMER WAS DENIED REIMBURSEMENT, BECAUSE THE REPAIR WAS DONE AFTER THE RECALL WAS MAILED. *JB

20160511FireENGINE

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 1997 BUICK REGAL. WHILE PARKED, THE VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE UNDER THE HOOD. THE FIRE WAS EXTINGUISHED BY THE CONTACT. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V701000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 107,000.

Mileage: 107,000

20160316ENGINE

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 BUICK REGAL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, THE ENGINE OVERHEATED AS AN UNKNOWN WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC ON TWO SEPARATE OCCASIONS WHERE THE ENGINE MASS AIR FLOW SENSOR WAS REPLACED EACH TIME BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED FOR THE THIRD TIME. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.

20160229FireENGINE

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 1997 BUICK REGAL. WHILE PARKED, THE VEHICLE BURST INTO FLAMES. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V701000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). THE FAILURE RECURRED TWO WEEKS AFTER THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 195,000.

Mileage: 195,000

20160226FireENGINE

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 BUICK REGAL. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO START THE VEHICLE, IT CAUGHT FIRE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FIRE DEPARTMENT EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE. A FIRE REPORT WAS FILED. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V701000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING) AFTER THE FAILURE OCCURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.

20160222FireENGINE

FIRE STARTED IN THE ENGINE, RESULTING IN THE CAR EXPLODING IN ABOUT 10 MINUTES TOTAL. TOTAL LOSS. CAUGHT FIRE TO MY FRIENDS GARAGE. THE CAR WAS PARKED AND RUNNING WHILE WE RAN INSIDE TO PAY FOR SOME STUFF. HEARD AN EXPLOSION AND WENT TO INVESTIGATE, AND SAW THE HOOD AND DASH AND THE ENGINE ON FIRE. MY FRIEND JUMPED ON HIS TRACTOR AND PUSHED IT AWAY FROM THE GARAGE, AND STARTED DUMPING SNOW ON IT. FIRE DEPT CAME AND PUT IT OUT.

Mileage: 150,000

20160112FireENGINE

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 BUICK REGAL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ENGINE CAUGHT FIRE WHILE DRIVING. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE AND STATED THAT THE FIRE ORIGINATED IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. THE CONTACT WAS NOT INJURED. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A NOTICE FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V701000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING) AFTER THE FAILURE OCCURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 190,000.

Mileage: 190,000

20160108ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

WAS DRIVING MY 1997 BUICK REGAL GS 3.8 WHEN I HAD MY SON IN THE CAR WENT TO TURN LEFT AND WHEN IN THE TURN ALL THE LIGHTS START TO FLASH AND THE CAR SHUT DOWN .. HAD TO HAVE IT TOWED LATER TO FIND OUT IT IS THE IGNITION SWITCH NOW CAR IS SITTING WILL NOT START ALL LIGHTS FLASH WILL NOT CRANK OR TURN OVER ... BEFORE ALL THAT HAPPENED WHEN I WOULD MAKE A LEFT TURN YOU COULD HEAR A CLICKING COMING FROM THE DRIVERS SIDE TIRE AND THE LIGHTS WOULD COME ON ... EVERYTHING YOU TOUCHED ON THE STEERING WHEEL , TURN SIGNALS , WINDSHIELD WIPERS ANYTHING WOULD MAKE ALL CLUSTER LIGHTS COME ON AND SHUT DOWN THE CAR . THANK GOD KNOWONE WAS INJURED OR KILLED

Mileage: 145,000

20160108STEERING

WAS DRIVING MY 1997 BUICK REGAL GS 3.8 WHEN I HAD MY SON IN THE CAR WENT TO TURN LEFT AND WHEN IN THE TURN ALL THE LIGHTS START TO FLASH AND THE CAR SHUT DOWN .. HAD TO HAVE IT TOWED LATER TO FIND OUT IT IS THE IGNITION SWITCH NOW CAR IS SITTING WILL NOT START ALL LIGHTS FLASH WILL NOT CRANK OR TURN OVER ... BEFORE ALL THAT HAPPENED WHEN I WOULD MAKE A LEFT TURN YOU COULD HEAR A CLICKING COMING FROM THE DRIVERS SIDE TIRE AND THE LIGHTS WOULD COME ON ... EVERYTHING YOU TOUCHED ON THE STEERING WHEEL , TURN SIGNALS , WINDSHIELD WIPERS ANYTHING WOULD MAKE ALL CLUSTER LIGHTS COME ON AND SHUT DOWN THE CAR . THANK GOD KNOWONE WAS INJURED OR KILLED

Mileage: 145,000

20160108EXTERIOR LIGHTING

WAS DRIVING MY 1997 BUICK REGAL GS 3.8 WHEN I HAD MY SON IN THE CAR WENT TO TURN LEFT AND WHEN IN THE TURN ALL THE LIGHTS START TO FLASH AND THE CAR SHUT DOWN .. HAD TO HAVE IT TOWED LATER TO FIND OUT IT IS THE IGNITION SWITCH NOW CAR IS SITTING WILL NOT START ALL LIGHTS FLASH WILL NOT CRANK OR TURN OVER ... BEFORE ALL THAT HAPPENED WHEN I WOULD MAKE A LEFT TURN YOU COULD HEAR A CLICKING COMING FROM THE DRIVERS SIDE TIRE AND THE LIGHTS WOULD COME ON ... EVERYTHING YOU TOUCHED ON THE STEERING WHEEL , TURN SIGNALS , WINDSHIELD WIPERS ANYTHING WOULD MAKE ALL CLUSTER LIGHTS COME ON AND SHUT DOWN THE CAR . THANK GOD KNOWONE WAS INJURED OR KILLED

Mileage: 145,000

20151218FireELECTRICAL SYSTEM

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 1997 BUICK REGAL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. NO FURTHER DETAILS WERE AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.

20141110ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)

AFTER TAKING MY CAR TO THE MECHANIC 6 TIMES TO REPAIR THE SERVICE ENGINE SOON/ABS LIGHT/TRAC OFF LIGHT COMING ON, HE REPLACED THE LEFT FRONT WHEEL BEARING WITH A MORE EXPENSIVE MODEL AND REPLACED THE MODULE ON THE ABS PUMP THAT HAS THE CIRCUIT BOARD AND PUMP GEARS. THE PROBLEM WENT AWAY FOR APPROX. 1 1/2 WEEKS AND NOW IS BACK! AM GOING TO THE MECHANIC TO SEE WHAT IS GOING ON. *TR

Mileage: 141,072

Compare 1997BUICKREGAL to Similar Vehicles

NHTSA Investigations

Frequently Asked Questions

How many complaints does the 1997 BUICK REGAL have?
The 1997 BUICK REGAL has 174 NHTSA complaints, 3 crashes, 19 fires, 2 injuries, and 0 deaths reported.
What are the most common problems with the 1997 BUICK REGAL?
The most-complained component for the 1997 BUICK REGAL is STEERING:RACK AND PINION with 15 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING and ELECTRICAL SYSTEM.
Is the 1997 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.