VehicleVerdict

1991 Buick Regal problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

The 1991 Buick Regal carries two red flags at once: 303 consumer complaints filed with NHTSA — 7.3× the Regal norm — and an open NHTSA defect investigation (subject: ENGINE CRADLE SEPARATION). It is one of the Regal years to avoid. Complainants reported 12 injuries in total across these filings.

The trouble concentrates in one system: brakes issues account for 53% of all reports (161 of 303), far ahead of body & structure at 20.

303

NHTSA complaints

7

Recalls

10

Investigations · 2 open

23

Crash-involved

7

Fires reported

12

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 1991 compare to other Regal years?

Regal NHTSA complaints by model year, 1991 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, 1991 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Regal years to avoid →

What are the most common 1991 Buick Regal problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Brakes16153%
Body & Structure207%
Engine186%
Electrical System165%
Seat Belts145%
Steering124%
Tires & Wheels103%
Lighting93%
Suspension83%
Transmission72%
Fuel System72%
Visibility & Wipers52%
Speed Control52%
Other31%
Climate Control (A/C & Heat)31%
Seats21%
Latches & Locks21%
Airbags10%

Does the 1991 Buick Regal have recalls?

7 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).

00V189000Body & StructureJuly 11, 2000 · 713,435 units

Defect

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES ORIGINALLY SOLD OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN THE STATES OF CONNECTICUT, DELAWARE, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, IOWA, MAINE, MARYLAND, MASSACHUSETTS, MICHIGAN, MINNESOTA, MISSOURI, NEW HAMPSHIRE, NEW JERSEY, NEW YORK, OHIO, PENNSYLVANIA, RHODE ISLAND, VERMONT, WEST VIRGINIA, WISCONSIN, AND THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, WHERE ROAD SALT USE IS HEAVY. A CONDITION WHERE ONE OR BOTH FRONT ENGINE CRADLE BOLTS CAN PULL THROUGH THE RETAINERS DUE TO CORROSION OF THE RETAINERS.

Consequence

IF BOTH BOLTS PULL THROUGH, THE FRONT OF THE CRADLE WOULD NO LONGER BE SUPPORTED AT THE MOUNTING LOCATIONS AND THE STEERING INTERMEDIATE SHAFT COULD SEPARATE FROM THE STEERING GEAR.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FRONT AND REAR FRAME/CRADLE BOLTS AND RETAINERS.

97V058000Body & StructureApril 8, 1997 · 676,535 units

Defect

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES AND MINI VANS ORIGINALLY SOLD OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN THE FOLLOWING STATES: CONNECTICUT, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, MAINE, MASSACHUSETTS, MICHIGAN, NEW HAMPSHIRE, NEW JERSEY, NEW YORK, OHIO, PENNSYLVANIA, RHODE ISLAND, VERMONT AND WISCONSIN. THE REAR CRADLE BOLTS PULL THROUGH THE RETAINERS DUE TO CORROSION OF THE RETAINER. IF BOTH BOLTS PULL THROUGH, THE REAR CRADLE WOULD NOT LONGER BE SUPPORTED AT THESE MOUNTING LOCATIONS AND THE STEERING INTERMEDIATE SHAFT CAN SEPARATE FROM THE STEERING GEAR.

Consequence

IF THIS WERE TO OCCUR WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION, A VEHICLE CRASH COULD RESULT.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE REAR CRADLE BOLTS AND RETAINERS.

95V152000LightingAugust 8, 1995 · 83,247 units

Defect

INCORRECT CLEAR FRONT SIDE MARKER BULBS WERE INSTALLED RATHER THAN AMBER BULBS. THIS DOES NOT CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT."

Consequence

CONSEQUENCE OF NON-COMPLIANCE: DURING ILLUMINATION, THE BULBS WILL SHOW CLEAR RATHER THAN AMBER AND COULD MOMENTARILY CONFUSE OTHER DRIVERS.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE CLEAR BULBS WITH THE CORRECT AMBER BULBS.

93V145000Fuel SystemSeptember 3, 1993 · 11,432 units

Defect

THE FUEL FEED HOSE CAN PULL OUT OF THE CRIMPED COUPLING AT THE ENGINE END OF THE HOSE ASSEMBLY, CAUSING FUEL LEAKAGE.

Consequence

IF THE COUPLING WERE TO SEPARATE AND AN IGNITION SOURCEIS PRESENT, AN ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE COULD OCCUR.

Remedy

INSTALL A NEW FUEL FEED HOSE.

92V003000Seat BeltsJanuary 10, 1992 · 347,866 units

Defect

THE FRONT DOOR SHOULDER BELT GUIDE LOOPS MAY BE CRACKED AND ARE NOT IN COMPLIANCE WITH FMVSS 208.

Consequence

THE SEAT OCCUPANT FACES INCREASED RISK OF INJURY IN THEEVENT OF A SUDDEN STOP OR ACCIDENT.

Remedy

INSTALL REINFORCING PLATES ON THE CRACKED SHOULDER BELT GUIDES.

91V005000Seat BeltsOctober 2, 1991 · 412,792 units

Defect

FRONT SHOULDER SAFETY BELT WEBBING MAY SEPARATE AT FRONT BELT UPPER GUIDE LOOPS ON EITHER SIDE OF THE FRONT SEAT.

Consequence

WEBBING SEPARATION COULD OCCUR WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING ANDINCREASE THE RISK OF INJURY TO BELTED FRONT OUTBOARD OCCUPANTS IN A HIGH ENERGYCRASH.

Remedy

INSTALL A CONTROLLED ROTATION BRACKET ON DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE FRONT SEAT BELT GUIDE LOOPS.

Open NHTSA investigations

RQ99002

ENGINE CRADLE SEPARATION

ON APRIL 1, 1997, GENERAL MOTORS CORPORATION FILED A DEFECT INFORMATION REPORT TO RECALL THE SUBJECT VEHICLES, REGISTERED IN 14 HIGH CORROSION STATES, TO REPLACE THE REAR ENGINE CRADLE BOLTS AND RETAINERS.THE REAR ENGINE CRADLE BOLTS WOULD EITHER FRACTURER OR PULL THROUGH THE RETIANERS DUE TO CORROSION.AS OF SEPTEMBER 1998, THE SIXTH QUARTER, 59.3% OF THE SUBJECT VEHICLES HAD BEEN REPAIRED.IN ADDITION TO THE COMPLAINTS OF FRONT ENGINE CRADLE BOLT FAILURES IN THE ABOVE FAILURE REPORT SUMMARY, ODI HAS RECEIVED SIX REPORTS OF POSSIBLE FRONT ENGINE CRADLE BOLT FAILURES, INCLUDING TWO CRASHES.AN RQ IS WARRANTED TO DETERMINE THE EXTENT OF FAILURES OF THE FRONT ENGINE CRADLE BOLTS AND RETAINERS ON THE SUBJECT VEHICLES.

RQ97017

CRADLE BOLT FAILURES

There is no summary currently available

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

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

“1991 BUICK REGAL SUFFERED ROLL BACK WHILE TRYING TO EXIT PARKING SPACE ON INCLINE LOST CONTROL. *MR THE CONSUMER HAD NO CONTROL AND THE VEHICLE BACKED INTO A FENCE. THERE WAS AN INTERMITTENT BRAKE PROBLEM WITH IT GOING TO THE FLOOR AND LEAKING. THE EMERGENCY BRAKE HAD AN INTERMITTENT SLIP AND WOULD…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · April 12, 2004 · crash

“WAS TRAVELING ON A CURVE WHEN IN SPLIT SECOND LOSS STEERING AND ENDED OFF ROADWAY UPSIDE DOWN ,IT WAS AFTER ABOUT A YEAR I STARTED GETTING RECALL NOTICES THAT SAID THIS SAME THING WOULD HAPPEN ,THESE RECALLS STARTED IN 2000,AND 2001 ,AND THAT'S WHEN I STARTED TO THINK THAT INFACT THE BOLTS FAILING…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Body & Structure · September 28, 1997 · crash

“WHILE DRIVING AND GOING DOWN A HILL CONSUMER SMELLED HOT FUEL SMELL. GAUGES LOOKED FINE. THEN, A COUPLE OF MINUTES LATER CHECKED IT AGAIN, AND BATTERY GAUGE WAS LOW. CONSUMER KEPT DRIVING, AS APPROACHING INTERSECTION VEHICLE DIED. CONSUMER COASTED TO RIGHT AND SAW SMOKE. THEN, COSUMER LEFT CAR, AND…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · March 23, 2001 · fire

“WHILE DRIVING AND GOING DOWN A HILL CONSUMER SMELLED HOT FUEL SMELL. GAUGES LOOKED FINE. THEN, A COUPLE OF MINUTES LATER CHECKED IT AGAIN, AND BATTERY GAUGE WAS LOW. CONSUMER KEPT DRIVING, AS APPROACHING INTERSECTION VEHICLE DIED. CONSUMER COASTED TO RIGHT AND SAW SMOKE. THEN, COSUMER LEFT CAR, AND…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · March 23, 2001 · fire

“WAS TRAVELING ON A CURVE WHEN IN SPLIT SECOND LOSS STEERING AND ENDED OFF ROADWAY UPSIDE DOWN ,IT WAS AFTER ABOUT A YEAR I STARTED GETTING RECALL NOTICES THAT SAID THIS SAME THING WOULD HAPPEN ,THESE RECALLS STARTED IN 2000,AND 2001 ,AND THAT'S WHEN I STARTED TO THINK THAT INFACT THE BOLTS FAILING…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Seat Belts · September 28, 1997 · crash

1991 Buick Regal — common questions

Is the 1991 Buick Regal reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 303 complaints put the 1991 model at #3 of 46 Regal years, and a defect investigation remains open. It is one of the Regal years to avoid.

What are the most common 1991 Regal problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are brakes (161 complaints), body & structure (20 complaints), engine (18 complaints).

Does the 1991 Buick Regal have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 7 recall campaigns affecting the 1991 Buick Regal. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 1991 Buick Regal under NHTSA investigation?

Yes — 2 investigations remain open (ENGINE CRADLE SEPARATION). An open ODI action means NHTSA is actively assessing a possible defect.

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.