1997 Buick Regal Exterior lighting Problems
- Complaints
- 8about this part
- Share
- 6%of 136 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 87,500miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 8 complaints about the exterior lighting of the 1997 Buick Regal, 6% of the 136 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 87,500 miles. 1 recall campaign on record is filed under a similar system.
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.
“Was driving my 1997 Buick Regal gs 3.8 when I had my son in the car went to turn left and when in the turn all the lights start to flash and the car shut down .. Had to have it towed later to find out it is the ignition switch now car is sitting will not start all lights flash will not crank or turn over ... Before all that happened when I would make a left turn you could hear a clicking coming from the drivers side tire and the lights would come on ... …”
NHTSA complaint #10818874, filed 2016-01, 145,000 miles“If you use turn signals car will shut down. Gauges go crazy all lights come on. Started with seat belt light and ABS light coming on first time - - about a mile later while in a parking lot and stopped tried again and engine shuts off !!!!!! Finally got car to start after playing around with signals and 4 way flasher and drove home ok but did not use turn signals. When in drive tried signals and again car shuts off. This is my wife's car 97 Regal turned 30,000 miles on the way home.”
NHTSA complaint #10245197, filed 2008-10, 30,000 miles“Right headlight has consumed moisture that could inadvertently cause the bulb to blow out or a short circuit. Water inside lens lessens the brightness of the headlight. Gm says that all their lights leak, but that they will dry up from the heat inside.”
NHTSA complaint #831863, filed 1998-12Related recalls
- 98V102000May 15, 1998Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. The owner manuals do not contain the requirement information pertaining to the vehicle headlamp aiming device. This…Covers: Buick Regal 1997–1998, Century 1997–1998, Oldsmobile Intrigue 1999
Exterior lighting: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2017 | 2 | 10% |
| 2016 | 6 | 15% |
| 2015 | 8 | 24% |
| 2014 | 3 | 8% |
| 2013 | 37 | 41% |
| 2012 | 33 | 36% |
| 2011 | 38 | 14% |
| 2004 | 1 | 2% |
| 2003 | 5 | 5% |
| 2002 | 6 | 5% |
| 2001 | 6 | 3% |
| 2000 | 7 | 4% |
| 1999 | 7 | 3% |
| 1998 | 22 | 7% |
| 1997 | 8 | 6% |
| 1996 | 4 | 2% |
| 1995 | 3 | 2% |
| 1994 | 9 | 8% |
| 1993 | 3 | 4% |
| 1992 | 5 | 3% |
| 1991 | 8 | 4% |
| 1990 | 2 | 3% |
| 1989 | 4 | 4% |
| 1988 | 4 | 3% |
Other parts of the 1997 Buick Regal
37 complaintsEngine cooling
30 complaintsElectrical system
18 complaintsBrakes
11 complaintsEngine
11 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
11 complaintsAir bags
7 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
7 complaintsTires
6 complaintsFuel system
5 complaintsBody and structure
4 complaintsEquipment
3 complaints
← All problems reported for the 1997 Buick Regal
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 30, 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