1998 Buick Regal problems
NHTSA has received 376 complaints about the 1998 Buick Regal, and 22% of them involve engine. Next are steering (21%) and electrical system (14%).
At a glance
- Complaints
- 376 filed with NHTSA
- Most reported
- Engine 22% of complaints
- Crashes and fires
- 8 and 47
- Injuries and deaths
- 5 and 0
- Typical mileage
- 91,000 miles 161 complaints with mileage
Source: NHTSA owner complaints
Where the complaints are
Share of this model year's complaints by the part of the car involved. One complaint can name more than one part, so the shares can add up to more than 100%.
When problems show up
View the numbers
| Mileage | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 0k to 20k miles | 11 |
| 20k to 40k miles | 8 |
| 40k to 60k miles | 18 |
| 60k to 80k miles | 24 |
| 80k to 100k miles | 35 |
| 100k to 120k miles | 16 |
| 120k to 140k miles | 18 |
| 140k to 160k miles | 6 |
| 160k to 180k miles | 9 |
| 180k to 200k miles | 5 |
| 200k+ miles | 11 |
What the data shows
Of the 161 complaints that include odometer readings, half describe a problem before roughly 91,000 miles. For engine specifically, the median reported mileage is about 115,000 miles (44 complaints with mileage).
Safety-related details: 8 complaints mention a crash; 47 complaints mention a fire; 5 injuries reported.
Looking only at complaints filed within five years of the model year (so older and newer years are comparable), the 1998 ranks 2nd most-complained-about out of 24 model years of the Buick Regal with enough data (147 complaints in that window). It is also covered by 6 safety recall campaigns.
What owners wrote
A few complaints as filed, shortened and with personal details removed. The first ones are among the most serious reports for this model year; the rest are typical.
Tl* the contact owns a 1998 buick regal. While driving 15 MPH, another vehicle crashed into the contact's vehicle. The contact sustained neck injuries that required medical attention. The front passenger also sustained chest injuries that required medical attention. A police report was not filed. The vehicle was driven to the contact's residence. Prior to the crash, the contact's vehicle was leaking oil. After the crash, the lights on the instrument panel failed to illuminate.
False deployment of both air bags when consumer hit a curb at a low rate of speed causing damage to sun roof, front windshield and dashboard, the gasses expelled from the air bag irritated drivers bronchial tubes causing problems with breathing and constant bouts of coughing, consumer believes this is a design flaw. Nlm
Tl* the contact owns a 1998 buick regal. While driving at an unknown speed, the instrument panel lights and tail lights blew out. In addition, the ignition key was running hot. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where the failure was undetermined. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 212,500.
Every time I turn on my left or right turn signal it shorts out.... Took to a mechanic and he did some re wiring and it worked for a little bit then started to happen again.... I don't want to spend a bunch of money on it anymore. What should I do?