1987 Buick Regal Problems
- Complaints
- 25filed with NHTSA
- Median mileage
- 60,000miles, 5 complaints with mileage
- Recalls
- 2campaigns on record
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
- NHTSA crash rating
- —overall rating starts with 2011 models
- EPA fuel economy
- 18 mpgcombined, 3.8L 6-cyl RWD · 15 city / 23 hwy
Sources: NHTSA records for the 1987 Buick Regal (complaints, recalls, investigations), EPA fuel economy. Report an error
NHTSA recorded 25 consumer complaints for the 1987 Buick Regal. The part named most often is brakes, with 17 complaints (68% of the total), followed by seat belts (3) and engine cooling (2). 5 of the complaints include a mileage, and 20% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 60,000 miles. Of all complaints, 2 involved a crash, 1 an injury, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns and 0 technical service bulletins for this model year. Brakes complaints overlap with 1 NHTSA investigation filed under the same part.
Not compared (before 2008). Model years 2008–2023 of the same vehicle that have at least 25 complaints are compared, and a model needs at least 3 of them.
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.
- Brakes17 68%
- Seat belts3 12%
- Engine cooling2 8.0%
- Other or unknown1 4.0%
- Steering1 4.0%
- Suspension1 4.0%
- Vehicle speed control1 4.0%
- Wheels1 4.0%
Example complaints
Brakes: “Notified 2 recalls, shore Buick who changed the parts. Never notified of 3rd recall (master cylinder) GM will not repair due to the 8 year window to respond. I can not drive car in this condition hazardous to myself and all other drivers and pedestrians. Scc **dimsii ivoq entry posted after 12/12/02 cut-over to artemis*759895”
NHTSA complaint #10006522, filed 2002-03, 29,800 milesSeat belts: “Front driver's side shoulder/lap belt locks up, trapping occupant inside vehicle, release button jams; dealer lubricated buckle, replaced with rear belt, still has problem.”
NHTSA complaint #809351, filed 1997-02Engine cooling: “Engine check light comes on and sometimes the vehicle will not start and/or will hesitate on the freeway. Vehicle taken to mechanic, adjustments were made, but problem remains uncorrected.”
NHTSA complaint #837996, filed 1999-05Mileage when problems were reported
20% of the 5 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 50,000 and 86,000 miles.
Complaints by year filed
Trend: stable. Complaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
Fuel economy and running cost
EPA ratings for each 1987 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 | 17 | 22 | 19 | $3,550 |
| Regal RWD | 3.8L 6-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 15 | 23 | 18 | $4,550 |
| Regal RWD | 5.0L 8-cyl | 3-speed automatic | 15 | 21 | 18 | $3,700 |
| Regal RWD | 5.0L 8-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 16 | 23 | 18 | $3,700 |
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).
- 87V168000Oct 26, 1987Power train › Automatic transmission › Lever and linkage › Column shiftCovers: Buick Regal 1987, Oldsmobile Cutlass 1987, Chevrolet Caprice 1987 +6 more
Manual valve link in the transmission may have been improperly formed.
Recall details for the 1987 Buick Regal → · Check a VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls
NHTSA investigations
- PE94048Sub-frame absorber failureClosed · Jun 21, 1994
- PE91072Steering wheel separationClosed · May 1, 1991
- PE90014Cruise control failureClosed · Oct 31, 1989
- PE89145Parking brake cableClosed · Jul 21, 1989
Technical service bulletins
No technical service bulletins are on record for the 1987 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 1987 Buick Regal have?
NHTSA recorded 25 consumer complaints for the 1987 Buick Regal as of Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
What part of the 1987 Buick Regal is reported most often?
Brakes is named most often, in 17 complaints (68% of the total), followed by seat belts with 3.
Has the 1987 Buick Regal been recalled?
NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 1987 Buick Regal get?
The EPA rates the 1987 Buick Regal (Regal, 3.8L 6-cyl) at 18 mpg combined, 15 city and 23 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $4,550 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.
At what mileage are problems with the 1987 Buick Regal reported?
Among the 5 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 60,000 miles and the middle half falls between 50,000 and 86,000 miles; 20% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.
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.