VehicleVerdict

1985 Buick Regal problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

Limited data — recalls on file

NHTSA has just 10 complaints on file for the 1985 Buick Regal — too few to judge reliability from owner reports alone — but 9 recall campaigns apply to this year, so any used example should have its VIN checked for completed recall work.

10

NHTSA complaints

9

Recalls

6

Investigations

2

Crash-involved

0

Fires reported

0

Injuries

0

Deaths

NCAP overall

How does 1985 compare to other Regal years?

See all Regal years to avoid →

What are the most common 1985 Buick Regal problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Brakes330%
Engine330%
Speed Control220%
Electrical System110%
Steering110%

Does the 1985 Buick Regal have recalls?

9 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

06E043000Fuel SystemMay 19, 2006 · 88,303 units

Defect

CERTAIN REPLACEMENT FUEL FILTERS, FRAM BRAND NAME P/N G3727, WITH DATE CODES X52911 THROUGH X60801 SEQUENTIALLY OR X600141 AND A MEXICO COUNTRY OR ORIGIN MARKING ON THE FUEL FILTER HOUSING MANUFACTURED FROM OCTOBER 18, 2005, THROUGH MARCH 21, 2006, SOLD FOR USE ON THE VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE AND ON CERTAIN SCHOOL BUSES. (TO SEE THE SCHOOL BUS ENGINE SIZES, CLICK ON "DOCUMENT SEARCH" AND THEN "BUS APPLICATIONS"). THE CONNECTOR ON THE FUEL FILTER WAS NOT MANUFACTURED TO HONEYWELL'S SPECIFICATION. AS A RESULT, THE O-RING MAY NOT SEAT CORRECTLY ON THE FUEL LINE.

Consequence

THIS CONDITION MAY CAUSE AN INADEQUATE SEAL AT THE CONNECTION, POTENTIALLY LEADING TO A FUEL LEAK. IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, A FIRE COULD OCCUR.

Remedy

HONEYWELL WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE FUEL FILTERS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 18, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FRAM CUSTOMER SERVICE AT 1-800-890-2075 (OPTION 1).

88V014000LightingJanuary 8, 1988 · 179,390 units

Defect

UNDER EXTENDED HEADLAMP USAGE, CIRCUITRY IN THE HEADLAMP SWITCH PANEL MIGHT EXPERIENCE INCREASED RESISTANCE AND EXCESSIVE HEAT BUILDUP.

Consequence

HEADLIGHTS WOULD CYCLE ON AND OFF. SUDDEN LOSS OFHEADLIGHTS UNDER SEVERE WEATHER OR NIGHTIMER DRIVING CONDITIONS COULD RESULTIN A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy

REPLACE HEADLIGHT SWITCH WITH MODIFIED SWITCH.

87V124000Body & StructureAugust 10, 1987 · 261,171 units

Defect

SMALL CRACKS MAY DEVELOP IN THE BODY PILLAR AROUND THE DOOR STRIKER BOLT HOLE.

Consequence

CRACKS WOULD INCREASE LEADING TO DIFFICULTY IN CLOSINGTHE DOOR AND MIGHT ALLOW DOOR TO COME OPEN DURING A CRASH, INCREASINGLIKELIHOOD OF INJURY TO OCCUPANTS.

Remedy

INSTALL INNER AND OUTER REINFORCEMENT PLATE ON BOTH LEFT AND RIGHT BODY PILLARS.

86V030000Speed ControlFebruary 21, 1986 · 135,623 units

Defect

THE THROTTLE RETURN SPRING ASSEMBLY MAY FAIL PREVENTING THE THROTTLE FROM RETURNING TO THE CLOSED (IDLE) POSITION WHEN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL IS RELEASED. CONSEQUENCE OF DEFECT: ENGINE SPEED MAY NOT DECREASE AND LOSS OF ACCELERATOR CONTROL COULD RESULT IN AN ACCIDENT WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING.

Remedy

REPLACE THROTTLE RETURN SPRING.

85V114000OtherSeptember 19, 1985 · 6,735 units

Defect

THE CERTIFICATION LABEL LOCATED ON THE LEFT FRONT DOOR DID NOT INCLUDE A REQUIRED FEDERAL CERTIFICATION STATEMENT. CONSEQUENCE OF DEFECT: VEHICLES DO NOT COMPLY WITH FEDERAL REGULATION 567.

Remedy

LABELS CONTAINING CORRECT INFORMATION ARE BEING MAILED AND SHOULD BE INSTALLED ON THE LEFT FRONT DOOR.

85V049000Body & StructureApril 29, 1985 · 196,939 units

Defect

THE REAR BUMPER MAY FRACTURE DURING A REAR END COLLISION, PUNCTURE THE FUEL TANK, AND CAUSE A FUEL LEAK. CONSEQUENCE OF DEFECT: A FUEL LEAK CREATES THE POTENTIAL FOR A FIRE WHICH COULD RESULT IN BURN INJURIES TO PERSONS IN OR NEAR THE CAR.

Remedy

REPLACE THE REAR BUMPER BRACKETS AND THE "L" SHAPED REINFORCEMENT WITH A "U" SHAPED FULL REINFORCEMENT.

85V047000Visibility & WipersApril 26, 1985 · 20 units

Defect

A LOSS OF BONDING ADHESION BETWEEN THE PAINT AND THE WINDSHIELD OPENING AREA COULD ALLOW THE WINDSHIELD TO SEPARATE DURING A 30 MILE PER HOUR FRONTAL BARRIER TEST REQUIRED BY FMVSS 212, WINDSHIELD RETENTION. CONSEQUENCE OF DEFECT: WINDSHIELD SEPARATION DURING AN ACCIDENT COULD RESULT IN AN UNBELTED OCCUPANT BEING EJECTED FROM THE CAR AND SEVERLY INJURED.

Remedy

REMOVE AND REINSTALL WINDSHIELD IF A LACK OF PAINT BONDING IS EVIDENT.

84V154000Seat BeltsNovember 27, 1984 · 19 units

Defect

THE VEHICLES WERE ASSEMBLED WITH FRONT SEAT BELT RETRACTORS WHICH MAY NOT PERFORM ADEQUATELY DURING A COLLISION.

Remedy

THE DEALER WILL REPLACE THE LEFT AND RIGHT FRONT SEAT BELT RETRACTORS FREE OF CHARGE.

84V124000SteeringOctober 10, 1984 · 10,359 units

Defect

THE TIE RODS ARE PART OF THE STEERING LINKAGE AND TRANSMIT TURNING MOVEMENTS TO THE WHEELS. THE BOLTS THAT FASTEN THE TIE RODS TO THEIR ADJUSTERS MAY NOT BE TIGHT ENOUGH. THIS COULD ALLOW THE TIE ROD TO LOOSEN AND DETACH ITSELF FROM THE ADJUSTER.

Remedy

THE TIE ROD END BOLTS WILL BE TIGHTENED WITHOUT COST TO THE OWNER.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

WHILE TRAVELING AND WHEN DEPRESSING BRAKE PEDAL IT WILL NOT TRAVEL TO FLOORBOARD. CONUMER HAS TO APPLY FORCE. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes

CARBON MANOXIDE IS GETTING INTO PASSENGER'S COMPARTMENT WHEN HEAT IS IN USE. DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED.*AK DUE TO DESIGN DEFECT CARBON MONOXIDE ENTERS PASSENGER AND DRIVER COMPARTMENT WHEN HEAT IS TURNED ON. SPECIFICALLY, CARBON MONOXIDE ENTERS AT THE POINT WHERE THE HEATER HOSE IS CONNECTED TO THE…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine

RECALL RELATED, 86V030000, THROTTLE WENT INTO OPEN POSITION AFTER PUT THE VEHICLE IN REVERSE,IMPACT 6:00 POSITION AND 12:00 POSITION. TT

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Speed Control · November 19, 1995 · crash

1985 Buick Regal — common questions

Is the 1985 Buick Regal reliable?

The record is thin — 10 NHTSA complaints — so owner-report data can't strongly confirm reliability either way, though 9 recalls should be verified as completed.

What are the most common 1985 Regal problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are engine (3 complaints), brakes (3 complaints), speed control (2 complaints).

Does the 1985 Buick Regal have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 9 recall campaigns affecting the 1985 Buick Regal. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 1985 Buick Regal under NHTSA investigation?

NHTSA opened 6 investigations into this model year; all are now closed.

Which Buick Regal years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Regal years to avoid are 2011, 1998, 1991, 1999, 1996, 2000, 2001, 1995, 1992, 1988, 1997, 1989, 2002, 1994, 2003, 2013, 2012, 1993, 1990, 2004, 2018. The cleanest record among Regal years belongs to 1981.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.