1988 Buick Regal Recalls
NHTSA lists 10 recall campaigns for the 1988 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.
- Body and structureCovers: Buick Regal 1988–1991, Pontiac Grand Prix 1988–1991, Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme 1988–1990 +2 more
Reported issue: Vehicle description: passenger vehicles originally sold or currently registered in the states of connecticut, delaware, illinois, indiana, iowa, maine, maryland, massachusetts, michigan, minnesota, missouri, new hampshire, new jersey, new york, ohio, pennsylvania, rhode island, vermont, west virginia, wisconsin, and the district of columbia, where road salt use is heavy. A condition where one or both front engine…
Possible consequence: If both bolts pull through, the front of the cradle would no longer be supported at the mounting locations and the steering intermediate shaft could separate from the steering gear.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the front and rear frame/cradle bolts and retainers.
- Body and structureCovers: Buick Regal 1988–1991, Oldsmobile Cutlass 1988–1991, Pontiac Grand Prix 1988–1991 +5 more
Reported issue: Vehicle description: passenger vehicles and mini vans originally sold or currently registered in the following states: connecticut, illinois, indiana, maine, massachusetts, michigan, new hampshire, new jersey, new york, ohio, pennsylvania, rhode island, vermont and wisconsin. The rear cradle bolts pull through the retainers due to corrosion of the retainer. If both bolts pull through, the rear cradle would not…
Possible consequence: If this were to occur while the vehicle was in motion, a vehicle crash could result.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the rear cradle bolts and retainers.
- WheelsCovers: Buick Regal 1988–1990, Oldsmobile Cutlass 1988–1990, Pontiac Grand Prix 1988–1990 +1 more
Reported issue: Cracks develop in the wheel mounting surface. If these cracks become severe enough, the wheel will completely separate from the vehicle.
Possible consequence: If wheel separation occurs while the vehicle is in motion, loss of steering and brake control of the vehicle occurs, and a vehicle crash could result without prior warning.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect the manufacturing date codes stamped on each wheel of the vehicle and if a wheel falls within the specified date code range, the dealer will replace that wheel assembly.
- WheelsCovers: Buick Regal 1988–1990, Oldsmobile Cutlass 1988–1990, Pontiac Grand Prix 1988–1990 +1 more
Reported issue: Cracks develop in the wheel mounting surface. If these cracks become severe enough, the wheel will completely separate from the vehicle.
Possible consequence: If wheel separation occurs while the vehicle is in motion, loss of steering and brake control of the vehicle occurs, and a vehicle crash could result without prior warning.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect the manufacturing codes stamped on each wheel of the vehicle and if a wheel falls within the specified date code range, the dealer will replace that wheel assembly.
- Seat beltsCovers: Buick Regal 1988–1990, Oldsmobile Cutlass 1988–1990, Pontiac Grand Prix 1988–1990 +1 more
Reported issue: Front shoulder belt guide loop attachment fastener may pull through door mounted anchor plate.
Possible consequence: Seat belt may not sustain loads required by fmvss 210, and in a vehicle accident, the seat belt may not properly restrain a passenger, resulting in increased risk of greater injury to an occupant.
Remedy: Replace front shoulder belt guide loop attachment nuts and install new guide cover.
- Service brakes, hydraulic › Foundation components › Hoses, lines/piping, and fittingsCovers: Buick Regal 1988
Reported issue: Twisted components could allow the left front brake hose to contact the fender lining/rail area; over time the brake hose could wear through.
Possible consequence: This could result in a loss of brake fluid and a partialloss of braking capability which could result in an accident.
Remedy: Inspect left front brake hose for proper installation and replace, as necessary.
- Latches/locks/linkages › Hood › LatchCovers: Buick Regal 1988, Pontiac Grand Prix 1988
Reported issue: The secondary hood latch may not properly engage.
Possible consequence: If primary latch disengages, hood could unexpectedlyopen. If car was in motion, hood could contact the windshield, reduce thedrivers forward vision area, and could result in an accident.
Remedy: Replace secondary latch with a new latch.
- Suspension › Front › Control arm › Lower ball jointCovers: Buick Regal 1988
Reported issue: Lower control arm to ball joint attachment can become loose. Also, certain cars could have tie rod ball stud nuts that were not properly torqued and could loosen.
Possible consequence: Continued operation of car with either condition couldresult in separation of that joint and possible loss of steering control and anaccident.
Remedy: Replace both lower control arms; also, check tie rod ball stud nut torque.
- Power train › Manual transmission › Column shift assemblyCovers: Buick Regal 1988, Pontiac Grand Prix 1988
Reported issue: An interference between the transmission shift cable and the bellcrank clip in the steering column can result in disengagement of the transmission cable.
Possible consequence: This condition could allow the transmission to be in agear other than that displayed by the shift indicator. The vehicle could movein an unexpected direction and cause a vehicle crash without prior warning.
Remedy: A newly designed bellcrank clip will be installed.
- Exterior lighting › Brake lights › SwitchCovers: Buick Regal 1988
Reported issue: The stop lamp switch may have a loose electrical contact. The loose contact can overheat and melt the surrounding plastic causing the contact to stick open.
Possible consequence: An open contact would render the brake lights inoperativewhen the brake pedal is depressed. Also, the transmission clutch control andcruise control contacts would remain closed. This condition would result incruise resume upon brake pedal release if the cruise control is in the onposition. Either an unexpected cruise…
Remedy: The rotary soplamp switch will be replaced on all involved vehicles.
NHTSA investigations
- RP01001STRUCTUREClosed · Nov 28, 2001
- RQ99002Engine cradle separationOpen · Mar 4, 1999
- RQ97017Cradle bolt failuresOpen · Oct 2, 1997
- PE94063Corroded rear disk brakesClosed · Aug 12, 1994
- PE94048Sub-frame absorber failureClosed · Jun 21, 1994
- EA91055W-car hinge pin failureClosed · Dec 5, 1991
- PE91133W-car hinge pin failureClosed · Oct 1, 1991
- PE91072Steering wheel separationClosed · May 1, 1991
- PE90088Failure stop lamp switchClosed · Jun 11, 1990
- PE89145Parking brake cableClosed · Jul 21, 1989
← All problems reported for the 1988 Buick Regal
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.