1996 Buick Regal brakes problems

The 1996 Buick Regal has 52 brakes complaints filed with NHTSA — 19% of the year's total, and roughly flat versus the prior model year.

Brakes complaints

19%

Share of year

Crash-involved

Related recalls

Brakes complaints by year

Regal brakes complaints by model year. Red bars are years to avoid.

Related recalls

96V069000BrakesApril 19, 1996 · 43,213 units

Defect

THE LEFT FRONT BRAKE LINE CAN CONTACT THE TRANSAXLE MOUNTING BRACKET OR ATTACHMENT BOLT.

Consequence

THIS CONDITION CAN CAUSE THE BRAKE LINE TO WEAR THROUGH, RESULTING IN LOSS OF BRAKE FLUID AND EVENTUAL LOSS OF ONE-HALF OF THE VEHICLE'S BRAKE SYSTEM, INCREASING THE POTENTIAL FOR A VEHICLE ACCIDENT.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE VEHICLE FOR PROPER BRAKE LINE CLEARANCE AND REPOSITION THOSE BRAKE LINES FOUND TO HAVE LESS THAN MINIMAL CLEARANCE. ADDITIONALLY, THOSE BRAKE LINES FOUND TO HAVE AN INDENTATION CAUSED BY THE CONTACT WILL BE REPLACED AND PROPERLY ROUTED.

What owners report

“WHILE COASTING AT 10MPH TO SIGNAL LIGHT, APPLIED THE BRAKES AND THEY FAILED TO WORK. HAD TO PUMP BRAKES AT LEAST 3 TIMES BEFORE THEY WORKED. ON 19 JAN 99, WAS GOING 30-35 MPH WHEN VEHICLE IN FRONT STOPPED SUDDENLY. CONSUMER REARENDED VEHICLE IN FRONT DUE TO LACK OF BRAKING POWER. TOOK TO DEALER &…”
Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · January 25, 1998 · crash

Common questions

How many brakes complaints does the 1996 Buick Regal have?

NHTSA has 52 complaints about the 1996 Buick Regal brakes — 19% of all complaints filed for that model year.

Are there recalls for the 1996 Buick Regal brakes?

Yes — 1 NHTSA recall campaign for this model year is tied to the brakes: 96V069000.

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

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.