1985 Buick Regal Recalls
NHTSA lists 8 recall campaigns for the 1985 Buick Regal. A recall applies only to vehicles built within the affected range, so check your own VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Repairs for recalls are free at a franchised dealer.
- Exterior lighting › Headlights › SwitchCovers: Buick Regal 1985–1986, Skylark 1986
Reported issue: Under extended headlamp usage, circuitry in the headlamp switch panel might experience increased resistance and excessive heat buildup.
Possible consequence: Headlights would cycle on and off. Sudden loss ofheadlights under severe weather or nightimer driving conditions could resultin a vehicle crash.
Remedy: Replace headlight switch with modified switch.
- Body and structureCovers: Buick Regal 1985–1986, Oldsmobile Calais 1985–1986, Pontiac Grand AM 1985–1986
Reported issue: Small cracks may develop in the body pillar around the door striker bolt hole.
Possible consequence: Cracks would increase leading to difficulty in closingthe door and might allow door to come open during a crash, increasinglikelihood of injury to occupants.
Remedy: Install inner and outer reinforcement plate on both left and right body pillars.
- Vehicle speed control › SpringsCovers: Buick Regal 1985, Oldsmobile Calais 1985, Pontiac Grand AM 1985
Reported issue: The throttle return spring assembly may fail preventing the throttle from returning to the closed (idle) position when the accelerator pedal is released. Consequence of defect: engine speed may not decrease and loss of accelerator control could result in an accident without prior warning.
Remedy: Replace throttle return spring.
- Equipment › Other › LabelsCovers: Buick Regal 1985
Reported issue: The certification label located on the left front door did not include a required federal certification statement. Consequence of defect: vehicles do not comply with federal regulation 567.
Remedy: Labels containing correct information are being mailed and should be installed on the left front door.
- Structure › Body › BumpersCovers: Buick Regal 1984–1985
Reported issue: The rear bumper may fracture during a rear end collision, puncture the fuel tank, and cause a fuel leak. Consequence of defect: a fuel leak creates the potential for a fire which could result in burn injuries to persons in or near the car.
Remedy: Replace the rear bumper brackets and the "l" shaped reinforcement with a "u" shaped full reinforcement.
- Visibility › WindshieldCovers: Buick Regal 1985, Oldsmobile Calais 1985
Reported issue: A loss of bonding adhesion between the paint and the windshield opening area could allow the windshield to separate during a 30 mile per hour frontal barrier test required by fmvss 212, windshield retention. Consequence of defect: windshield separation during an accident could result in an unbelted occupant being ejected from the car and severly injured.
Remedy: Remove and reinstall windshield if a lack of paint bonding is evident.
- Seat belts › Front › RetractorCovers: Buick Regal 1985, Oldsmobile Cutlass 1985
Reported issue: The vehicles were assembled with front seat belt retractors which may not perform adequately during a collision.
Remedy: The dealer will replace the left and right front seat belt retractors free of charge.
- Steering › Linkages › Tie rod assemblyCovers: Buick Regal 1985, Oldsmobile Cutlass 1985, Pontiac Grand AM 1985
Reported issue: The tie rods are part of the steering linkage and transmit turning movements to the wheels. The bolts that fasten the tie rods to their adjusters may not be tight enough. This could allow the tie rod to loosen and detach itself from the adjuster.
Remedy: The tie rod end bolts will be tightened without cost to the owner.
NHTSA investigations
- PE90014Cruise control failureClosed · Oct 31, 1989
- PE89145Parking brake cableClosed · Jul 21, 1989
- PE89104Jammed steering mechanismClosed · Mar 17, 1989
← All problems reported for the 1985 Buick Regal
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 29, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.