VehicleVerdict

1986 Buick Regal problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

Limited data — recalls on file

NHTSA has just 14 complaints on file for the 1986 Buick Regal — too few to judge reliability from owner reports alone — but 5 recall campaigns apply to this year, so any used example should have its VIN checked for completed recall work.

14

NHTSA complaints

5

Recalls

5

Investigations

2

Crash-involved

3

Fires reported

1

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 1986 compare to other Regal years?

Regal NHTSA complaints by model year, 1986 highlighted441 complaints1973: 0 complaints1974: 0 complaints1975: 0 complaints1976: 0 complaints1977: 0 complaints1978: 1 complaints1979: 3 complaints1980: 0 complaints1981: 0 complaints1982: 1 complaints1983: 4 complaints1984: 6 complaints1985: 10 complaints1986: 14 complaints1987: 28 complaints1988: 181 complaints1989: 150 complaints1990: 107 complaints1991: 303 complaints1992: 204 complaints1993: 118 complaints1994: 146 complaints1995: 218 complaints1996: 273 complaints1997: 174 complaints1998: 376 complaints1999: 301 complaints2000: 245 complaints2001: 229 complaints2002: 150 complaints2003: 139 complaints2004: 94 complaints2005: 8 complaints2008: 1 complaints2009: 1 complaints2010: 2 complaints2011: 441 complaints2012: 137 complaints2013: 137 complaints2014: 51 complaints2015: 50 complaints2016: 61 complaints2017: 26 complaints2018: 33 complaints2019: 29 complaints2020: 3 complaints
Regal NHTSA complaints by model year, 1986 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Regal years to avoid →

What are the most common 1986 Buick Regal problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Speed Control429%
Brakes321%
Engine214%
Body & Structure214%
Tires & Wheels214%
Transmission17%

Does the 1986 Buick Regal have recalls?

5 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).

89V102000Speed ControlJune 16, 1989 · 1,755,897 units

Defect

A SMALL NYLON BUSHING IN THE CRUISE CONTROL SERVO BAIL MAY SLIP OUT OF PLACE, CAUSING INTERMITTENT AND UNEXPECTED INCREASES IN ENGINE SPEED OR DIESELING (ENGINE RUN ON WITH IGNITION OFF).

Consequence

SERVO ROD ASSEMBLY COULD CATCH ON ENGINE COMPONENTS ANDRESULT IN A STUCK THROTTLE WITH POTENTIAL FOR A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy

INSTALL A NEW BUSHING IN CRUISE CONTROL SERVO BAIL.

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.

86V093000Seat BeltsJuly 14, 1986 · 2,223 units

Defect

LEFT HANDED DRIVER'S SIDE SHOULDER BELT ANCHOR PLATE MAY BE UPSIDE DOWN IN LOCK PILLAR SO THAT THE UNTHREADED SLOT OF THE PLATE ALIGNED WITH THE HOLE IN THE LOCK PILLAR. THIS RESULTED IN THE ANCHOR BOLT BEING DRIVEN INTO THE SLOT INSTEAD OF THE THREADED HOLE OF THE ANCHOR PLATE. CONSEQUENCE OF DEFECT: IN A VEHICLE CRASH, BELT ANCHOR BOLT MAY PULL LOOSE FROM ANCHOR PLATE, THUS FAILING TO COMPLY WITH FMVSS 210, SEAT BELT ASSEMBLY ANCHORAGES, AND INCREASES LIKELIHOOD OF INJURY TO OCCUPANT.

Remedy

INSTALL A BOLT ANCHOR PLATE REINFORCEMENT AND NEW BOLT, AS NECESSARY.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

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

“I TRIED TO CONTACT THE GUY IN THE WSJOURNAL ABOUT ENGINES ACCELERATING, TO NO AVAIL. HAVE HIM SEND ME AN EMAIL AND I WILL ENLIGHTEN HIM AS TO CAUSE ON THE FIRST ONE. HAVENT FIGURED OUT WHAT HAPPENED TO THIS RUN AMOK CAR,YET. BUT WILL SEND DETAILS IN EMAIL! *AK”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Speed Control · July 7, 2000

“WHEN DRIVING AT ANY SPEED AND APPLYING THE BRAKES, BRAKE PEDAL IS VERY HARD AND SOMETIMES THE PEDAL GOES STRAIGHT TO THE FLOORBOARD. *AK”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · August 4, 1999

“FRONT CRADLE BOLT PULLED THROUGH RETAINER DUE TO CORROSION. *AK CONSUMER STATED THAT THIS VEHICLE WAS SEEN BY TWO MASTER TECHNICIANS AND WAS TOLD THE VEHICLE WILL NOT GET FIXED. *YH”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Body & Structure · January 1, 2001

“ENGINE BURST INTO FLAMES WHILE DRIVING. PREVIOUS REPAIRS WERE DONE, INCLUDING THE TRANSMISSION. SPEED ABOUT 35 MPH, PULLED OVER AND GOT OUT, LEFT CAR PARKED. FIRE DEPARTMENT DID NOT SHOW UP. *AK”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · August 1, 1993 · fire

1986 Buick Regal — common questions

Is the 1986 Buick Regal reliable?

The record is thin — 14 NHTSA complaints — so owner-report data can't strongly confirm reliability either way, though 5 recalls should be verified as completed.

What are the most common 1986 Regal problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are speed control (4 complaints), brakes (3 complaints), engine (2 complaints).

Does the 1986 Buick Regal have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 5 recall campaigns affecting the 1986 Buick Regal. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 1986 Buick Regal under NHTSA investigation?

NHTSA opened 5 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.