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Vehicle safety record

1994 Buick Regal Problems, complaints & recalls

Owners have filed 122 complaints about the 1994 Buick Regal with NHTSA, most often about the brakes (26) and the electrical system (17). Those complaints describe 6 crashes, 2 fires and 9 injuries. It is covered by 3 recalls, the latest in February 1997 for the switch / wiring. For comparison, the 1993 has 88 and the 1995 has 174.

NHTSA data checked

FFar more problems than a typical Regal year, for its age

#39 most complained-about 1994 vehicle

Complaints
122
Recalls
3
Crashes
6
Fires
2
Injuries
9
Deaths
0

Most common 1994 Buick Regal problems

Share of all 122 complaints. One complaint can name more than one area. Tap an area for its complaints and recalls.

1994 Buick Regal recalls 3

Recall repairs are free. Your dealer fixes them whether or not you bought the car there - check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see if yours is done. What to do

Visibility: switch / wiring

97V017000349,331 vehicles affected

The problem
Some of these vehicles have a strained or separated washer/wiper switch power feed wire.
The risk
This can cause the windshield washer/wiper to work intermittently and could ultimately result in inoperative wipers. If this were to occur in a severe weather situation, driver visibility could be reduced, increasing the risk of a vehicle crash.
The fix
Dealers will inspect and replace the old designed washer/wiper switches with a newly designed switch.

Exterior lighting

95V15200083,247 vehicles affected

The problem
Incorrect clear front side marker bulbs were installed rather than amber bulbs. This does not conform to the requirements of fmvss no. 108, "Lamps, reflective devices, and associated equipment."
The risk
Consequence of non-compliance: during illumination, the bulbs will show clear rather than amber and could momentarily confuse other drivers.
The fix
Dealers will replace the clear bulbs with the correct amber bulbs.

Service brakes: hoses, lines / piping, and fittings

95V061000199,572 vehicles affected

The problem
The rear wheel brake hose(s) can contact the rear suspension components causing the brake hose(s) to wear through.
The risk
This condition can cause loss of brake fluid and eventual loss of the vehicle braking system increasing the potential for a vehicle accident.
The fix
Dealers will inspect for proper brake hose position and replace those hoses in an incorrect position with new hoses and correctly routed.

What owners say

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122 complaints about the 1994 Buick Regal

Newest first, as filed with NHTSA by owners. Page 1 of 5.

Engine & cooling

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?

Filed Incident EngineNHTSA 10986156
Airbags

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 form of smoke that was in the air after the explosion. I'm calling it an explosion because we were not in an accident, but only going about our daily routine of activities. I know this is not...

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typical of an airbag, so I would like to contact buick to see if I have any grounds for compensation. As a result of this incident, I have ringing in my ears, my chest has been very sore now for the last 2 days and I haven't had the bag replaced or removed. *Tr

Filed Incident Air bagsNHTSA 10526158
Visibility & wipers

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 number 97v017000 (visibility:windshield wiper/washer:switch/wiring). The failure mileage was 47,000. Updated 12/10/08 *cn the dealer showed the consumer the two wires that wer broken on the windshield wiper switch. Updated 12/16/08. *Jb

Filed Incident VisibilityNHTSA 10246878
SteeringLights

Loss of headlights when dimmer switched used to dim bright lights resulting in no lights tripping it several times brought lights back and left them on dim until I could get it serviced at cost of approx 400.00 This was about four years ago. Recently tilt column has been difficult to operate now will not lock in position and lights will not work when column is tilted down. Is this a known problem with my vehicle. I bought it new in 94 and am the only driver. I am afraid the steering column will shift unaffectedly and cause me to wreck or cause the motor to stall and lock steering and cause a wreck. Is there a recall for this? *Tr

Filed Incident Steering · Exterior lightingNHTSA 10225540
Engine & cooling

Tl*the contact owns a 1994 buick regal. The contact went to the dealer to have the condition of her vehicle inspected and for a new paint job. Approximately three to four days later, the vehicle shut off at a stop light. She could not roll down the windows or exit the vehicle. The failure was a result of a button being pushed inside the vehicle. The contact was stuck inside the vehicle for half an hour on a hot day. The # of cylinders and engine size were unknown. The current and failure mileages were 100,000.

Filed Incident Engine and engine coolingNHTSA 10191313
Visibility & wipers

Dt*: the contact stated the vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who upon inspection, determined that the windshield wipers needed to be replaced and there was a recall on that same component. The dealer was contacted, and expressed that they were not aware of any recall for this issue. The manufacturer was also contacted, and determined that the vehicle was not included in the recall due to the vin. The vehicle had the same issues stated in the recall # 97v017000 regarding visibility:windshield wiper:switch/wiring.

Filed Incident VisibilityNHTSA 10170654
Suspension

Dt*: the contact stated that on april 10th 2006 the vehicle was taken into an independent auto shop to shemy the front end alignment as well as replace the right inner tire roads and end bushings. Three weeks prior to service while pulling the vehicle into driveway going 5 mph the front end collapsed. The vehicle was taken to independent auto shop who determined it needed to be taken to the dealer. The dealer determined the vehicle was included in a recall pertaining to lower control arm bracket however the manufacturer refuses to make any repairs to vehicle without a cost. No repairs were made.

Filed Incident SuspensionNHTSA 10160615
Electrical system

While driving, my horn intermittently sounds without touching it. While parked on the street on a sunny day, the horn will blare with no one it. It has almost caused accidents on three occasions. 1) While driving the horn sounded and vehicles stopped suddenly in an intersection and had to dodge each other and nearly had a rear end collision. 2) While I was driving, the horn sounded and I thought that it was another car and swerved instinctively, 3) while parked in the street in the sun, the horn went off and...

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caused a kid to fall off of his bike. I searched the internet and apparently this is a common problem with regals and lesebres and gm wants about $1,000 to fix a poorly designed horn switch. This is clearly a manufacturing defect as evidenced by the dearth of complaints on the internet and intermittent horn sounding is clearly a safety issue. I am therefore requesting that you take action. *Jb

Filed Incident Electrical systemNHTSA 10155132
Lights

Multi function switch for turn signal which feeds brake lights causes brake lights to fail to come on when brake pedal is depressed. In searching web found to be common problem in this vehicle. *Jb

Filed Incident Exterior lightingNHTSA 10147384
Engine & coolingFire

Car running poorly, then strange sounds of air swishing and car won't stay running, smoke coming from floor, fire under car. Won't run. Fuel injection fuel rail corroded, injectors plugged, one wide open. Too much fuel in catalytic converter, got red hot, melted internally and plugged exhaust flow, which bypassed front pipe gasket at manifold, also forcing exhaust past egr valve. Had to replace fuel rail, fuel injectors, catalytic converter, clean and new gasket on egr, many plastic parts melted.Smoke damage to inside of car.*Ak

Filed Incident Engine and engine coolingNHTSA 10112431
Lights

Turn signal unit replaced three times. One time when vehicle was under warranty, and twice at consumer's expense of $270.00 Each time. *Ak *nm

Filed Incident Exterior lightingNHTSA 10081378
BrakesEngine & coolingTransmission & drivetrainElectrical system

While driving, the consumer smelled an odor coming through the vents. The consumer pulled to the shoulder and noticed smoke coming from underneath the hood. The vehicle was towed to the dealer for inspection, and the mechanic informed the consumer that certain parts were not under warranty. *Ak the vehicle had an electrical problem where the vehicle felt as if it were going to die out. The voltage readings were always low. The vehicle had problems getting out of gear. The consumer was told that the initial problem was with the upper intake manifold. The brakes were bad and the muffler had a big hole in it. Also, coolant leaked from the intake manifold. *Sc *jb

Filed Incident Service brakes, hydraulic · Engine and engine cooling · Power train · Electrical systemNHTSA 10059827
Seats & seat belts

Driver's seat broke loose from the track causing seat to rock backwards. I was parked at the time. Several weeks later, the right hand track broke due to the added stress. I replaced the entire seat, tracks and all, and a year later, the seat broke again in the exact same place. *Jb

Filed Incident SeatsNHTSA 10060628
Engine & cooling

While driving at low speeds and without warning the vehicle stalled causing the driver to lose control of the vehicle. The consumer took vehicle to dealer on three separate occasions, but dealer was not able to resolve the problem. *Ak when slowing down or when taking turns, the engine stalled causing a loss of the power steering , brakes, and engine missing with rpm of 1500-2000. The transmission would have to be placed in neutral to restart the vehicle. While on a trip, the check engine light had come on,...

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and when slowing down to check the vehicle, the engine stalled. The vehicle was taken to the nearest dealer and was told that there was a lagged fuel filter and to drive home. Another could not find the problem but suggested thta it could be the transmission. Another service dealer could not find the problem either and referred the consumer to another servce dealer for the transmission and they replaced the "sol valve" but still wasn't able to find the problem. *Sc

Filed Incident Engine and engine coolingNHTSA 10056103
Electrical system

While driving, the car just shut off. Not only the engine, but everything went dead. No power at the ignition switch in acc. Or on. The dome light worked with door open but only if the key was in the off position or removed. The battery is good. Dome light would go out if key was turned. Power came back on after repeatedly playing with ignition switch. Car has died twice now and "fixed itself". I do not feel the problem is in the ignition switch. Car is not safe to drive. I found complaint odi #7441655 to sound identical to my problem.*Ak

Filed Incident Electrical systemNHTSA 10058391
Wheels & tires

While driving 25 mph front passenger's side tire disconnected from vehicle. Consumer managed to pullover, and had the vehicle towed. Dealership was notified, but did not resolve the problem. *Ak

Filed Incident TiresNHTSA 10058019
BrakesEngine & coolingElectrical system

Had intake upper intake manifold replaced due to a cooling problem. Wagamon brothers said there was nothing I could have done to prevent it. Voltage gauge reading 18. Replaced alternator/generator. Problem still existed. Checked battery. Battery failed. Replaced battery. Voltage gauge still read 18. Drove car. Car died in middle of the freeway. Smell of burnt wires. Towed car to garage. Fiance was able to start car and noticed gauges still lit when should have been not lit. Figures electrical under dash or in wiring harness.

Filed Incident Service brakes, air · Engine and engine cooling · Electrical systemNHTSA 10056887
Engine & cooling

I have been experiencing major paint peeling off my 1994 buick regal. It is occuring in several places on the hood and quarter panel. It blisters and then it just flakes off. The 1993 gm press release describes my exact problem, stating that they would cover the cost off repainting a car within the first six years. So, unfortunatly I'm probably out of luck, but I was going to make an attempt at getting gm to cover some of the cost. The car has just under 105,000 miles and otherwise in very good condition.

Filed Incident Engine and engine cooling · Unknown or otherNHTSA 10069162
Engine & cooling

The vehicle stalled at various times, and now the vehicle does not start at all. *Jb

Filed Incident Engine and engine coolingNHTSA 10017639
Engine & cooling

PLASTIC INTAKE MANIFOLD CRACKED. *NLM

Filed Incident Engine and engine coolingNHTSA 10016164
Seats & seat belts

The driver side seat mount broke, the drivers seat was unstable and it rocked back and forth. *Jb

Filed Incident SeatsNHTSA 10012475
Seats & seat belts

The driver side seat mount broke, the drivers seat was unstable and it rocked back and forth. *Jb

Filed Incident SeatsNHTSA 10012474
Equipment & accessories

This car came from kentucky to iowa, is there any way of telling if it has been wrecked? Is the vin # legitimate? Dt

Filed Equipment · Unknown or otherNHTSA 768968
Electrical systemEquipment & accessories

Car is hard to shift out of neutral unless the parking brake is engaged, then dis-engaged. Dt

Filed Electrical system · Equipment · Unknown or otherNHTSA 768967
Lights

This is happening alot to these type of cars. It almost got my family in an accident!! No safety defect listed. *Ak

Filed Incident Exterior lightingNHTSA 765716

Buick Regal: every year compared

YearComplaintsRecallsCrashesFiresTop problemGrade
19983127741Engine & coolingF
19971368319Engine & coolingF
199620741416BrakesF
19951748164AirbagsF
1994122362BrakesF
199388273BrakesF
19921472125BrakesF
19912017134BrakesF
199080971BrakesF
All Regal years

1994 Buick Regal vs rivals

More sales usually means more complaints, so compare similar vehicles of the same year. The grade compares each vehicle with its own model's other years.

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Questions about the 1994 Buick Regal

Does the 1994 Buick Regal have any recalls?

Yes - NHTSA lists 3 recalls for the 1994 Buick Regal: switch / wiring (February 1997); exterior lighting (August 1995); hoses, lines / piping, and fittings (March 1995). Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether yours has been fixed.

What are the most common problems with the 1994 Buick Regal?

By the complaints owners filed with NHTSA, the most common problem areas are the brakes (26), electrical system (17), engine & cooling (16).

How many complaints has the 1994 Buick Regal had?

122 complaints have been filed with NHTSA, the first on October 12, 1994 and the latest on May 17, 2017. Of these, 6 describe a crash and 2 a fire, and together they report 9 injuries and 0 deaths.

Is the 1994 Buick Regal a reliable vehicle?

Its Safety Index is 12 out of 100 (grade F: far more problems than a typical Buick Regal year, for its age). The index weighs complaints, crashes, fires, injuries, deaths and recalls against how long the vehicle has been on the road, compared with the same model's other years. It is not a measure of every repair - read the complaints and owner experiences, and have any used vehicle inspected before you buy.

Which Buick Regal years have the most complaints?

1998 (312), 2011 (280), 1999 (252). See every Buick Regal year compared.

What should I do if my 1994 Buick Regal has a problem?

If it is a safety problem, stop driving it if it is unsafe and contact your dealer. Report it to NHTSA at nhtsa.gov/report-a-safety-problem - enough reports start investigations and recalls - and share your experience here so other owners know what to look for.

Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) complaints and recalls, checked . Complaints are owners' own reports and are not verified. How we use the data

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