1988 Buick Regal Problems

What owners report

Owner complaints for this model year center on the rear disc brakes, which owners repeatedly describe as corroding, seizing or dragging and needing caliper and rotor replacement more than once. A second recurring theme is the front and rear cradle bolts: owners report the engine cradle dropping and steering control being lost, and several mention the related recalls. Remaining reports are scattered across frame corrosion, tires and transmission or shift-indicator faults.

1. 1
   Brakes

   Rear disc brakes seize, drag or corrode

   • 47 complaints (38%)
   • median 155,925 mi at 19.5 yrs old (1 states mileage, few)
   • 1 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 1995–2007

   Owners describe rear calipers that freeze or drag and rotors that rust, sometimes leaving the car stopping mainly on the front wheels. Several say calipers, pads and rotors were replaced repeatedly, in some cases every year or two, and a few note longer stopping distances or that the rear brakes did not release. Some say the dealer rebuilt or replaced the same parts and the problem came back; others report the rear brakes did not hold the car or the pedal went to the floor without warning. Reported across a wide mileage range in the sample, with several owners describing the problem returning within a year or two and after winter use.

   Recall 88V109000

   What to check: Have a mechanic inspect the rear calipers, rotors and slider pins for corrosion and free movement, and ask for receipts showing how often the rear brakes have been replaced. The front brake hose recall (88V109000) is worth confirming as done.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “When applying brakes car stops on the front 2 wheels only. The rear wheels keep going. Dealer rebuilt rear calipers twice, but problem keeps reoccurring. Original and replacement parts keep failing, mechanic said it is a design problem.”

   NHTSA complaint #845898, filed 1999-09

   “Brake calipers keep failing prematurley , calipiers will only last 1 year. Do not last through winter, possible due to poor quality. Please provide further information.”

   NHTSA complaint #872138, filed 2000-10
2. 2
   Body and structure

   Cradle bolts pull through, engine drops, steering lost

   Mentioned in 12 of 51 sampled complaints

   Owners report front or rear cradle bolts pulling through or breaking, letting the engine cradle drop and the steering shaft separate from the steering gear, which they describe as losing steering control. Some say the condition appeared as noise when shifting into gear or turning. Several complaints involve vehicles where the rear-bolt recall work was done but the front bolts failed later, and owners say the dealer declined repairs on the front side or said the vehicle was no longer covered. Appears in the sample from moderate to high mileage, often on older cars, and several owners link the problem to rust in road-salt states.

   Recall 00V189000Recall 97V058000

   What to check: Ask whether recalls 97V058000 and 00V189000 were performed and keep the paperwork; have a shop inspect the cradle bolts and the frame and subframe around them for corrosion, especially on a car from a salt-belt state.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Consumer received recall 97v058000 concerning cradle bolts. While pulling out of a parking lot at 5 MPH vehicle suddenly lost steering control. Vehicle was towed to a repair shop, and mechanic determined that the vehicle lost cradle bolt support. Consumer contacted the dealer, who informed consumer that the vehicle was no longer covered under that recall.”

   NHTSA complaint #10105182, filed 2004-12, 166,000 miles

   “While driving 35 MPH, the front cradle frame dropped. The consumer managed to pullover and had the vehicle towed. The dealership was notified, but did not resolve the problem. Please provide more information.”

   NHTSA complaint #10096939, filed 2004-10, 86,000 miles
3. 3
   Transmission and drivetrain

   Transmission or shift indicator shows wrong gear

   • 9 complaints (7%)
   • median 163,962 mi at 17.8 yrs old (2 state mileage, few)
   • 1 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 1997–2007

   Owners report the gear indicator or gauge showing park or reverse when the car is actually in another gear, and in a few cases the car rolled after the driver believed it was in park. Others describe a transmission that failed shortly after purchase. Complaints also mention the ignition not shutting off and the key continuing to turn in the switch. Sample reports span a wide mileage range, including cars with well over 150,000 miles.

   Recall 88V045000

   What to check: Check that the shift indicator matches the actual gear in each position and that the cable linkage is secure; on a manual-column-shift car, confirm the shift cable recall (88V045000) was addressed.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Would have no rear signal light unless the signal switch is held in a certain way and position. This would also effect the brake lights. Transmission fails to show proper gear while driving. When driving approximately 60 MPH or more, the gear shows it's in reverse instead of the drive position.”

   NHTSA complaint #10029671, filed 2003-07

   “The gauge indicator showed that the vehicle was in park when it was actually in reverse. The driver put vehicle into park, got out with engine running, and the vehicle backed up and pinned driver against the door and the wall of garage.”

   NHTSA complaint #817137, filed 1997-10
4. 4
   Body and structure

   Frame and underbody rust

   • 5 complaints (4%)
   • median 49,600 mi at 21.0 yrs old (1 states mileage, few)
   • 1 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 1995–2008

   Complaints describe the frame or rear frame area rotting through, in some cases to the point that a shop advised the owner not to drive the car. Others report the frame separating or a rear strut arm detaching from corroded body metal, and one owner links windshield gasket leaks to rust spreading in the frame. Some say the dealer declined to treat the damage as recall-related. Reported on older, often high-mileage cars, generally where road salt or water intrusion is a factor.

   Recall 00V189000Recall 97V058000

   What to check: Look underneath at the frame rails, rear frame and strut mounts for flaking rust or holes, and check for water leaks around the windshield; a pre-purchase inspection on a lift is worthwhile on this age of car.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “While driving the frame separated from the vehicle due to rust, causing the driver to lose control of the vehicle. The dealer and manufacturer have been notified.”

   NHTSA complaint #823491, filed 1998-05

   “The gasket around the windsheild was put in wrong which lets water seep in and the rust the frame; it expands and cracks the windsheild. Please describe.”

   NHTSA complaint #971464, filed 1995-09

Buying note. On a car this old, the two things worth checking first are the rear brakes and the frame and cradle-bolt area, since those account for most of the complaints and both involve corrosion. Confirm which of the listed recalls were completed and get an independent inspection on a lift before buying.

Summary written with AI from a sample of 51 NHTSA complaints for this model year (picked at random, with complaints that state a mileage and recent ones taken first), then checked automatically against the source records. Where a problem shows a complaint count, every complaint for this model year was matched with fixed keyword rules (written with AI and tested against the sample), and the mileage, age and repair figures are calculated from those complaints; owners' figures are as stated, not verified. Other counts refer to the sample. The excerpts come from NHTSA's public complaint records and are unverified; capitalisation is normalised, NHTSA staff notes are removed, and shortened text ends with “…”. Something wrong? Request a correction.