1986 Buick Regal Problems
- Complaints
- 12filed with NHTSA
- Median mileage
- —no mileage reported
- Recalls
- 4campaigns on record
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
- NHTSA crash rating
- —overall rating starts with 2011 models
- EPA fuel economy
- 18 mpgcombined, 3.8L 6-cyl RWD · 16 city / 22 hwy
Sources: NHTSA records for the 1986 Buick Regal (complaints, recalls, investigations), EPA fuel economy. Report an error
NHTSA recorded 12 consumer complaints for the 1986 Buick Regal. The part named most often is vehicle speed control, with 4 complaints (33% of the total), followed by brakes (2) and engine cooling (2). Of all complaints, 2 involved a crash, 2 a fire, 1 an injury, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns and 0 technical service bulletins for this model year. Vehicle speed control complaints overlap with 1 recall campaign filed under the same part. Brakes complaints overlap with 1 NHTSA investigation filed under the same part.
This model year has fewer than 25 complaints on record, so the numbers below can change a lot with a few new reports.
Which parts are reported most
Complaints can name more than one part, so the counts add up to more than the total. Select a part to see its complaints, recalls and bulletins.
- Brakes2 17%
- Engine cooling2 17%
- Body and structure2 17%
- Tires1 8.3%
- Wheels1 8.3%
Example complaints
Vehicle speed control: “I tried to contact the guy in the wsjournal about engines accelerating, to no avail. Have him send me an email and I will enlighten him as to cause on the first one. Havent figured out what happened to this run amok car,yet. But will send details in email!”
NHTSA complaint #725181, filed 2000-07Engine cooling: “Engine burst into flames while driving. Previous repairs were done, including the transmission. Speed about 35 MPH, pulled over and got out, left car parked. Fire department did not show up.”
NHTSA complaint #827621, filed 1998-09Body and structure: “Front cradle bolt pulled through retainer due to corrosion. Consumer stated that this vehicle was seen by two master technicians and was told the vehicle will not get fixed.”
NHTSA complaint #8005473, filed 2002-03Complaints by year filed
Fewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
Fuel economy and running cost
EPA ratings for each 1986 Buick Regal version. Annual fuel cost is the EPA's estimate at its current fuel prices for 15,000 miles a year (55% city driving).
| Version | Engine | Transmission | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel / yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Regal RWD | 3.8L 6-cyl | 3-speed automatic | 16 | 22 | 18 | $3,700 |
| Regal RWD | 3.8L 6-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 15 | 22 | 18 | $4,550 |
| Regal RWD | 5.0L 8-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 16 | 23 | 19 | $3,550 |
| Regal RWD | 5.0L 8-cyl | 3-speed automatic | 15 | 21 | 17 | $3,950 |
Source: U.S. EPA and Department of Energy, fueleconomy.gov. Ratings are for comparing vehicles; real-world mileage varies with driving and conditions.
Recalls and investigations
- 89V102000Jun 16, 1989Vehicle speed controlCovers: Buick Regal 1984, 1986–1987, Oldsmobile Cutlass 1984–1988, Buick Lesabre 1984–1988 +15 more
A small nylon bushing in the cruise control servo bail may slip out of place, causing intermittent and unexpected increases in engine speed or dieseling (engine run on with ignition off).
- 88V014000Jan 8, 1988Exterior lighting › Headlights › SwitchCovers: Buick Regal 1985–1986, Skylark 1986
Under extended headlamp usage, circuitry in the headlamp switch panel might experience increased resistance and excessive heat buildup.
- 87V124000Aug 10, 1987Body and structureCovers: Buick Regal 1985–1986, Oldsmobile Calais 1985–1986, Pontiac Grand AM 1985–1986
Small cracks may develop in the body pillar around the door striker bolt hole.
- 86V093000Jul 14, 1986Seat belts › Front › AnchorageCovers: Buick Regal 1986, Oldsmobile Cutlass 1986
Left handed driver's side shoulder belt anchor plate may be upside down in lock pillar so that the unthreaded slot of the plate aligned with the hole in the lock pillar. This resulted in the anchor bolt being driven into the slot instead of the threaded hole…
Recall details for the 1986 Buick Regal → · Check a VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls
NHTSA investigations
- PE94048Sub-frame absorber failureClosed · Jun 21, 1994
- PE90014Cruise control failureClosed · Oct 31, 1989
- PE89145Parking brake cableClosed · Jul 21, 1989
- PE89104Jammed steering mechanismClosed · Mar 17, 1989
Technical service bulletins
No technical service bulletins are on record for the 1986 Buick Regal.
Other model years of the Buick Regal
| Year | Complaints | Median mi | Recalls | Crash ★ | MPG | Score (50 = typical) | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | 20 | 30,000 | 3 | — | 26 | — | Rising |
| 2018 | 19 | 22,000 | 3 | — | 26 | — | Stable |
| 2017 | 20 | 73,254 | 0 | 5 | 24 | — | Falling |
| 2016 | 41 | 27,000 | 1 | 5 | 24 | 24 · Fewer | Falling |
| 2015 | 33 | 29,750 | 0 | 5 | 24 | 6 · Fewer | Falling |
| 2014 | 38 | 48,864 | 2 | 5 | 24 | 21 · Fewer | Stable |
| 2013 | 91 | 58,000 | 6 | 5 | 23 | 66 · More | Falling |
| 2012 | 92 | 59,527 | 7 | 5 | 22 | 76 · More | Falling |
| 2011 | 280 | 66,900 | 4 | — | 23 | 100 · More | Falling |
| 2004 | 66 | 90,963 | 2 | — | 21 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 2003 | 101 | 96,258 | 3 | — | 20 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 2002 | 117 | 85,000 | 3 | — | 20 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 2001 | 187 | 91,500 | 6 | — | 21 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 2000 | 184 | 95,804 | 8 | — | 21 | Not compared (before 2008) | Rising |
| 1999 | 246 | 89,000 | 6 | — | 21 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 1998 | 302 | 92,000 | 6 | — | 21 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 1997 | 136 | 105,771 | 7 | — | 20 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1996 | 204 | 87,500 | 3 | — | 21 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1995 | 173 | 89,659 | 8 | — | 20 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1994 | 110 | 96,472 | 3 | — | 20 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1993 | 85 | 75,000 | 2 | — | 20 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1992 | 144 | 109,500 | 2 | — | 20 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1991 | 200 | 94,210 | 6 | — | 20 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1990 | 77 | 125,538 | 8 | — | 20 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1989 | 106 | 80,000 | 7 | — | 21 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1988 | 123 | 86,000 | 10 | — | 21 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1987 | 25 | 60,000 | 2 | — | 18 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1986 | 12 | — | 4 | — | 18 | — | Not enough data |
| 1985 | 9 | — | 8 | — | 18 | — | Not enough data |
| 1984 | 6 | — | 4 | — | 17 | — | Not enough data |
All Buick Regal model years · Best and worst years by complaints
Frequently asked questions
How many NHTSA complaints does the 1986 Buick Regal have?
NHTSA recorded 12 consumer complaints for the 1986 Buick Regal as of Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
What part of the 1986 Buick Regal is reported most often?
Vehicle speed control is named most often, in 4 complaints (33% of the total), followed by brakes with 2.
Has the 1986 Buick Regal been recalled?
NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 1986 Buick Regal get?
The EPA rates the 1986 Buick Regal (Regal, 3.8L 6-cyl) at 18 mpg combined, 16 city and 22 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $3,700 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate. Fuel economy is from the EPA and DOE (fueleconomy.gov).
Complaint counts come from NHTSA’s public complaint database; we count each complaint once. The source records for this vehicle are on nhtsa.gov. Scores and trends are our own summaries of that data, described in the methodology. This page is not legal, safety or repair advice: for a specific vehicle, check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and ask a qualified mechanic. See an error? Tell us.