1996 Buick Regal Air bags Problems
- Complaints
- 21about this part
- Share
- 10%of 204 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 98,000miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 21 complaints about the air bags of the 1996 Buick Regal, 10% of the 204 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 98,000 miles. 7 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“On july 17, 2019 at 8:40am, I got into my car in my driveway. I turned the key in the ignition and the airbag exploded. (the car was not started.) the airbag sounded like a shotgun being fired and a powder like substance immediately filled the car. The airbag itself hit me in the abdominal area. I found the door handle, opened the door, and rolled out of the car onto the ground. At this time, I yelled for my son. My son picked me up off the ground and called an ambulance due to me being in a severe amount of pain and in shock. …”
NHTSA complaint #11265621, filed 2019-10, 102,931 miles“On january 21, 2006 at 7:10 am, while I was driving on u.s. 1, a busy street during rush-hour traffic, my driver side air bag deployed. There was no crash involved nor did my car come into any contact with any object. I didn't even apply the brakes. There was absolutely no reason for the air bag to deploy. When the air bag deployed, it hit me in the face and burned my hand. For about five to seven seconds I did not know what had happened. It was like I heard an explosion and then whoosh, the whole bag was in my face. …”
NHTSA complaint #10148276, filed 2006-01, 120,000 miles“While driving at 55 MPH vehicle swerved to miss a deer and consumer lost control of vehicle. Vehicle broke through a guard rail and down an embankment. Then, it flipped twice before coming to a rest. Both front seat belts broke, and front air bags failed to deploy. Consumer sustained facial bruising/abrasions, and a broken nose.”
NHTSA complaint #10044500, filed 2003-10, 15,000 miles“When the driver put the key in the ignition, the air bag deployed. The driver sustained minor facial burns and bruises and was taken to the hospital emergency room. A Buick engineer determined there was a defect in the air bag, but could not determine what caused air bag deployment.”
NHTSA complaint #10044549, filed 2003-12, 98,000 miles“When turning steering wheel, in any direction,there's a rubbing noise from within steering column. Mechanic diagnosed the clockspring was rubbing against some internal wires and if the wires short the air bag may deploy without warning. Ph”
NHTSA complaint #10005927, filed 2003-01, 88,000 milesAir bags: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2018 | 2 | 11% |
| 2015 | 3 | 9% |
| 2013 | 1 | 1% |
| 2011 | 8 | 3% |
| 2004 | 1 | 2% |
| 2003 | 3 | 3% |
| 2002 | 1 | 1% |
| 2001 | 8 | 4% |
| 2000 | 21 | 11% |
| 1999 | 3 | 1% |
| 1998 | 5 | 2% |
| 1997 | 7 | 5% |
| 1996 | 21 | 10% |
| 1995 | 49 | 28% |
| 1994 | 7 | 6% |
| 1991 | 1 | 1% |
| 1990 | 2 | 3% |
Other parts of the 1996 Buick Regal
42 complaintsEngine cooling
36 complaintsElectrical system
24 complaintsFuel system
19 complaintsSteering
18 complaintsSeat belts
10 complaintsBody and structure
10 complaintsSuspension
10 complaintsOther or unknown
9 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
9 complaintsVehicle speed control
9 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
7 complaints
← All problems reported for the 1996 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.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology