1996 Buick Regal Engine Problems
- Complaints
- 2about this part
- Share
- 1%of 204 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 216,628miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 2 complaints about the engine of the 1996 Buick Regal, 1% of the 204 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 216,628 miles. 2 a fire, according to the filers.
Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“My car started to not start after being driven and shortly after did not want to start in a simple idle. Somehow fuel has been getting trapped in a pressurized line and I'm having to release the fuel out. Oil leaked into the spark plugs caused a pilot flame. I have read multiple accounts of this happening to that specific make and year as well a few of the other 90 models. Every account says it is a flaw in the engine and fuel system.”
NHTSA complaint #10703743, filed 2015-04, 238,256 miles“While merging onto the freeway, I was taking my car to be smogged. At speed, I noticed a little white puff of smoke emit from the right side of the engine bay. As I proceeded to start moving to the shoulder, this puff had turned into a gray plume. As I finally reached the shoulder, the entire front of the engine bay was billowing black smoke. As I tried to stop, the brake pedal went to the floor, so it seemed the fire had burnt through a brake line. I managed to engage the emergency brake slowly and managed to stop on the shoulder. …”
NHTSA complaint #10786585, filed 2015-10, 195,000 milesEngine: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | 3 | 15% |
| 2018 | 5 | 26% |
| 2016 | 5 | 12% |
| 2015 | 9 | 27% |
| 2014 | 9 | 24% |
| 2013 | 9 | 10% |
| 2012 | 21 | 23% |
| 2011 | 108 | 39% |
| 2004 | 18 | 27% |
| 2003 | 26 | 26% |
| 2002 | 33 | 28% |
| 2001 | 52 | 28% |
| 2000 | 28 | 15% |
| 1999 | 49 | 20% |
| 1998 | 29 | 10% |
| 1997 | 11 | 8% |
| 1996 | 2 | 1% |
| 1995 | 1 | 1% |
| 1994 | 1 | 1% |
| 1992 | 1 | 1% |
Other parts of the 1996 Buick Regal
42 complaintsEngine cooling
36 complaintsElectrical system
24 complaintsAir bags
21 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 complaints
← All problems reported for the 1996 Buick Regal
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.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology