1996 Buick Regal Body and structure Problems
- Complaints
- 10about this part
- Share
- 5%of 204 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 45,000miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 10 complaints about the body and structure of the 1996 Buick Regal, 5% of the 204 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 45,000 miles.
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.
“I purchased my car in 1998 and soon after that the paint started to peel. In about 2000 I finally researched it online and found out to look at my VIN number, and if the 11th number was a '1' that it was painted in canada and that they trouble with bad primer up there. A lot of people had sued for a new paint job. Gm closed that plant down. I went to maaco here and was told that since the primer was bad, they would have to strip that all off too, and the whole job was more than I could afford. …”
NHTSA complaint #10235436, filed 2008-07, 30,000 miles“Drivers side door does not open from inside or outside. The door does not work with key either. Lock seems to working but door does not open. The car only has 60,000 miles on it. This is a very common problem with this car and should be a recall.”
NHTSA complaint #10824631, filed 2016-02, 60,000 miles“On 02/02/03, I noticed a large piece of my hood was exposed due to peeling paint. (the gray metal of the car's structure is exposed) the car is a 1996 Buick Regal purchased in 12/99. I am concerned that the areas surrounding the peeling paint will continue to peel away resulting in no white paint on the hood. Upon researching how to repair this, I came upon information that GM had/is having a concealed, latent manufacturing defect. …”
NHTSA complaint #10005238, filed 2003-02“Car paint peeled off in sheets when car was only 3 years old - created dangerous driving conditions, as I witnessed drivers behind me swerving to avoid what was flying off the roof of my car. Manufacturer's defect - certified Buick dealership 'fixed' = they caused over $700 in damage! I am not the only Buick owner of that year to have this problem & Buick / GM refuses to assist in any way - even after their dealership ruins my car! Have 3 certified Buick auto body repair quotes, sheet of the bad paint & chunk of rubber window gasket hacked off my car - later found inside vehicle. …”
NHTSA complaint #768072, filed 2002-10“Bought a 1996 Buick Regal in 1999. The paint has been litterly peeling off the car all over. Is there a recall for this or is there anything I can do for this?”
NHTSA complaint #10088256, filed 2004-08Body and structure: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | 1 | 5% |
| 2016 | 3 | 7% |
| 2015 | 2 | 6% |
| 2013 | 6 | 7% |
| 2012 | 4 | 4% |
| 2011 | 4 | 1% |
| 2003 | 1 | 1% |
| 2002 | 3 | 3% |
| 2001 | 7 | 4% |
| 2000 | 6 | 3% |
| 1999 | 3 | 1% |
| 1998 | 9 | 3% |
| 1997 | 4 | 3% |
| 1996 | 10 | 5% |
| 1995 | 6 | 3% |
| 1993 | 4 | 5% |
| 1992 | 7 | 5% |
| 1991 | 20 | 10% |
| 1990 | 6 | 8% |
| 1989 | 15 | 14% |
| 1988 | 17 | 14% |
| 1986 | 2 | 17% |
| 1984 | 1 | 17% |
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 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 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