1994 Buick Regal Problems

What owners report

Owners of the 1994 Buick Regal most often describe brake problems, with ABS lights, hard or long pedals, and grinding or locking symptoms appearing repeatedly in the sample. Windshield wiper faults and turn-signal or brake-light failures tied to the multifunction switch are the next most common themes, and many complaints describe these on vehicles already past the mileage and age where routine wear shows up. Electrical faults that cut all power or stall the engine, and airbags deploying without a crash, also appear.

1. 1
   Brakes

   ABS warning light, hard pedal, poor stopping

   • 14 complaints (13%)
   • typically at 4.4 yrs old
   • 2 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 1995–2000

   Complaints describe the ABS light coming on and the brake pedal going hard, low, or needing pumping before the car slows. Some owners report loud clunking or grinding when braking, and a few say the vehicle kept rolling during a stop attempt. Repair notes mention corroded rear ABS sensors and harnesses, a failed ABS computer or motor kit, and seized calipers or corroded rotors. Reported across a wide mileage range, mostly on vehicles well past 45,000 miles, in some cases after years of use in wet or road-salt conditions.

   Recall 95V061000

   What to check: Have the ABS light checked and ask for service records on the ABS sensors, wiring and modulator; a test drive should include a firm stop at highway speed. Inspect the rear brake hoses for rubbing or wear.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “The ABS brake warning light came on. This indicates a brake failure which causes extended stopping distance. When brake pedal is applied it makes a loud clunking noise and keeps on rolling, the pedal goes all the way to the floor. If driver steps hard on the brakes, as if they were in an emergency situation, they respond perfectly. Dealer has been contacted.”

   NHTSA complaint #846196, filed 1999-08

   “When driving above 45 MPH, and applying brakes, brake pedal is hard, and brakes aren't stopping the vehicle. Consumer has to pump the brakes, and vehicle will slow down. Then will apply brakes in low speed, and vehicle will come to a stop. Dealer can't determine the problem and the vehicle is in shop.”

   NHTSA complaint #838458, filed 1999-05
2. 2
   Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)

   Windshield wipers stop or only work intermittently

   • 11 complaints (10%)
   • median 33,500 mi at 13.8 yrs old (2 state mileage, few)
   • filed 1996–2008

   Owners report the wipers quitting, running intermittently, or starting only after a delay, sometimes leaving them without wipers in rain. Several describe a strain or break in the wiper/washer switch power feed wiring, and some say the dealer inspected but did not replace the switch under the wiper recall because the vehicle identification number was not covered. Others report the replacement switch failing again. Reported from very low mileage, including under 50,000 miles, and sometimes more noticeable in hot weather or during rain.

   Recall 97V017000

   What to check: Ask whether recall 97V017000 work was completed and whether the washer/wiper switch or its wiring was replaced; test every wiper speed and the washer on a wet day.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Recall states that dealer will inspect and replace washer wiper switch with a new switch, dealer only inspected the old switch. Told consumer it was not necessary to put in a new switch. Therefore, left with old switch still installed. Months later, switch became inoperative.”

   NHTSA complaint #820235, filed 1998-01

   “Windshield wipers works intermittenly at times. He can turn switch on and there is a delay. Dealership is aware of the problem. The dealer replaced the wipers with the same kind of failed part and it failed again.”

   NHTSA complaint #882815, filed 2001-03
3. 3
   Electrical system

   Electrical faults: sudden stall, dead power, horn sounding

   • 12 complaints (11%)
   • median 105,000 mi at 10.4 yrs old (3 state mileage, few)
   • filed 1995–2006

   Owners describe the engine and all electrical power cutting out while driving, with the car sometimes restarting after the ignition switch is worked. Others report the horn sounding on its own while parked or driving, traced to the horn pad assembly. Some complaints mention low or high voltage readings and repeated alternator or battery replacement without resolving the gauge readings. Reported from roughly 92,000 to 130,000 miles in the sample, plus several complaints that did not list mileage.

   What to check: Ask whether the ignition switch, horn pad or alternator has been replaced, and watch the voltage gauge during a test drive; check that the horn does not sound when the wheel or pad is bumped.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “While driving, my horn intermittently sounds without touching it. While parked on the street on a sunny day, the horn will blare with no one it. It has almost caused accidents on three occasions. 1) while driving the horn sounded and vehicles stopped suddenly in an intersection and had to dodge each other and nearly had a rear end collision. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10155132, filed 2006-04, 105,000 miles

   “Had intake upper intake manifold replaced due to a cooling problem. Wagamon brothers said there was nothing I could have done to prevent it. Voltage gauge reading 18. Replaced alternator/generator. Problem still existed. Checked battery. Battery failed. Replaced battery. Voltage gauge still read 18. Drove car. Car died in middle of the freeway. Smell of burnt wires. Towed car to garage. Fiance was able to start car and noticed gauges still lit when should have been not lit. Figures electrical under dash or in wiring harness.”

   NHTSA complaint #10056887, filed 2004-02, 120,394 miles
4. 4
   Exterior lighting

   Turn signals and brake lights fail (multifunction switch)

   • 7 complaints (6%)
   • median 85,005 mi at 10.8 yrs old (1 states mileage, few)
   • filed 1996–2006

   Complaints describe turn signals that stop working for no clear reason and then work again later, often after rain, and brake lights that come on only while the turn-signal lever is held back. Owners report replacing the multifunction switch, sometimes more than once, and one complaint notes the dealer declined a free replacement. Described at various mileages from around 74,000 to 85,000 upward, with some owners noting symptoms after rain storms.

   Recall 95V152000

   What to check: With the car parked, have someone watch the front and rear lights while you use both turn signals and the brake pedal, and check whether the switch has been replaced.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Wiring shortage within multi function switch (turn signal) caused brake lights not to luminate. Lights would come on only while holding turn signal handle back and depressing brake . Pedal. Dealer refussed to replace switch without charge, switch is on recall 97v-017 (strained or separated wire for turn signal) I would sugest that all the wiring within this switch be examined and covered under this recall!”

   NHTSA complaint #746866, filed 2001-06

   “Multi function switch for turn signal which feeds brake lights causes brake lights to fail to come on when brake pedal is depressed. In searching web found to be common problem in this vehicle.”

   NHTSA complaint #10147384, filed 2006-01
5. 5
   Air bags

   Airbag deploys without a crash

   • 6 complaints (5%)
   • typically at 5.6 yrs old
   • 1 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 1997–2013

   Several owners report the driver's airbag deploying while starting the car or immediately after, with no impact involved, and describe dust or particles in the air afterwards. Another complaint notes that airbags did not deploy in a collision where the seat belt also failed to retract. Dealers are described as aware of the problem in some cases. Complaints do not include mileage for most of these reports and describe the event during startup or ordinary driving.

   What to check: Ask whether the airbag module or horn pad assembly has been serviced, and have the airbag warning light and any stored codes checked before purchase.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “At approximately 7:00am friday july 19, my son and I got into the car which was parked in our garage. I proceeded to place the key into the ignition and started the car. Immediately the driver's airbag deployed hitting me in the face and chest breaking my glasses and there was some type of solvent or particles in the form of smoke that was in the air after the explosion. I'm calling it an explosion because we were not in an accident, but only going about our daily routine of activities. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10526158, filed 2013-07

   “While driving 25mph applied brakes and was not able to stop. Struck vehicle in front. Upon impact, air bags didn't deploy, and seat belt didn't retract as quickly as needed, causing consumer to hit head and left hand on windshield, sustaining injuries. Consumer contacted manufacturer and dealer.”

   NHTSA complaint #843441, filed 1999-07

Buying note. On a car of this age, condition and records matter more than the model year itself; ask specifically about ABS and brake service, the wiper/washer switch recall, the multifunction switch, and any airbag or electrical repairs. A pre-purchase inspection that includes a brake and electrical check is worth the cost.

Summary written with AI from a sample of 56 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.