1989 BUICK REGAL

8 recalls, 150 complaints - 4 TSBs

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

Defect Description

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 CE... Read more

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).

88,303 vehicles affected

Manufacturer: HONEYWELL INTERNATIONAL, INC.

STRUCTURE

Defect Description

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 VIRGI... Read more

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.

713,435 vehicles affected

Manufacturer: GENERAL MOTORS CORP.

STRUCTURE

Defect Description

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 BOL... Read more

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.

676,535 vehicles affected

Manufacturer: GENERAL MOTORS CORP.

WHEELS

Defect Description

CRACKS DEVELOP IN THE WHEEL MOUNTING SURFACE. IF THESE CRACKS BECOME SEVERE ENOUGH, THE WHEEL WILL COMPLETELY SEPARATE FROM THE VEHICLE.

Consequence

IF WHEEL SEPARATION OCCURS WHILE THE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION, LOSS OF STEERING AND BRAKE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE OCCURS, AND A VEHICLE CRASH COULD RESULT WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE MANUFACTURING DATE CODES STAMPED ON EACH WHEEL OF THE VEHICLE AND IF A WHEEL FALLS WITHIN THE SPECIFIED DATE CODE RANGE, THE DEALER WILL REPLACE THAT WHEEL ASSEMBLY.

22,361 vehicles affected

Manufacturer: GENERAL MOTORS CORP.

WHEELS

Defect Description

CRACKS DEVELOP IN THE WHEEL MOUNTING SURFACE. IF THESE CRACKS BECOME SEVERE ENOUGH, THE WHEEL WILL COMPLETELY SEPARATE FROM THE VEHICLE.

Consequence

IF WHEEL SEPARATION OCCURS WHILE THE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION, LOSS OF STEERING AND BRAKE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE OCCURS, AND A VEHICLE CRASH COULD RESULT WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE MANUFACTURING CODES STAMPED ON EACH WHEEL OF THE VEHICLE AND IF A WHEEL FALLS WITHIN THE SPECIFIED DATE CODE RANGE, THE DEALER WILL REPLACE THAT WHEEL ASSEMBLY.

198,163 vehicles affected

Manufacturer: GENERAL MOTORS CORP.

EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS:SWITCH

Defect Description

BRAKE STOPLAMPS MAY NOT ILLUMINATE OR, IN SOME CASES, STOPLAMPS WILL NOT STAY ILLUMINATED ALL THE TIME WHEN BRAKES ARE APPLIED DUE TO A FAULTY STOPLAMP SWITCH. ALSO IN VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH CRUISE CONTROL, A FAULTY STOPLAMP SWITCH CAN RESULT IN RESUMPTION OF THE CRUISE CONTROL FUNCTION UPON RELEASE... Read more

Consequence

A TRAILING VEHICLE MAY NOT RECOGNIZE A BRAKING ACTIONIN TIME TO RESPOND APPROPRIATELY. ALSO, CRUISE CONTROL WILL REENGAGE UPONRELEASE OF THE BRAKE PEDAL AND RESUME THE SET SPEED. IN EITHER CASE, IT COULDRESULT IN A CRASH WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING.

Remedy

INSTALL AN IMPROVED DESIGN STOPLAMP SWITCH.

476,422 vehicles affected

Manufacturer: GENERAL MOTORS CORP.

SEAT BELTS

Defect Description

FRONT SHOULDER BELT GUIDE LOOP ATTACHMENT FASTENER MAY PULL THROUGH DOOR MOUNTED ANCHOR PLATE.

Consequence

SEAT BELT MAY NOT SUSTAIN LOADS REQUIRED BY FMVSS 210, AND IN A VEHICLE ACCIDENT, THE SEAT BELT MAY NOT PROPERLY RESTRAIN A PASSENGER, RESULTING IN INCREASED RISK OF GREATER INJURY TO AN OCCUPANT.

Remedy

REPLACE FRONT SHOULDER BELT GUIDE LOOP ATTACHMENT NUTS AND INSTALL NEW GUIDE COVER.

673,000 vehicles affected

Manufacturer: GENERAL MOTORS CORP.

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY:FILLER PIPE AND CAP

Defect Description

FUEL RETURN LINES COULD FRACTURE AND ALLOW FUEL TO LEAK IN THE AREA OF THE FUEL TANK.

Consequence

IN PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, THIS CONDITION COULDRESULT IN A FIRE.

Remedy

INSTALL NEW FUEL RETURN PIPE ASSEMBLY.

3,784 vehicles affected

Manufacturer: GENERAL MOTORS CORP.

Complaint Statistics

150 total complaints 9 crashes 3 fires 4 injuries

Top Reported Components

Component	Complaints
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:CALIPER	21
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC	13
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS	10
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR	10
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:PADS	7
STRUCTURE	7
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE	6
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:MODULE	5
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION	5
VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS	4

Incident date: Jul 18, 2000

THE CONSUMER WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT. NO OTHER INFORMATION WAS GIVEN.

Crash

Incident date: Apr 1, 2006

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING UNDER 10 MPH, THE ENGINE FELL OUT FROM UNDER THE VEHICLE. THIS OCCURRED IN FRONT OF THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE AND THE CONTACT DETERMINED THE REAR CRADLE BOLT BROKE AND REPAIRED THE VEHICLE. THERE IS A NHTSA RECALL, # 97V058000, REGARDING THE STRUCTURE. THE VEH... Read more

Incident date: May 11, 2004

VEHICLE SMELLED OF GAS, THERE WAS GAS ON THE GROUND ALL THE TIME. THE GAS TANK WAS DEFECTIVE AS STATED IN RECALL 88V188000. *AK

CONSUMER STATES WHILE TRAVELING 35 MPH WITHOUT ANY INDICATION VEHICLE ENGINE FAIL FROM UNDER VEHICLE. VEHICLE WAS SERVICE TECHNICIAN NOTICE CRADLE MOUNTS NEED TO BE REPLACED. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. TS

Incident date: Jun 26, 2002

WHILE DRIVING ENGINE LOST POWER CAUSING A CRASH. CAUSE UNKNOWN. DEALER NOTIFIED.*AK

Crash

Incident date: Mar 29, 2002

I THOUGHT THERE WAS SOME RECALL ON THE REAR CALIPERS BUT THE LOCAL DEALER SAID NO... I CHECKED THE SITE AND CANT FIND ANY INFO WAS I JUST MIS INFORMED?

Incident date: Mar 29, 2002

I THOUGHT THERE WAS SOME RECALL ON THE REAR CALIPERS BUT THE LOCAL DEALER SAID NO... I CHECKED THE SITE AND CANT FIND ANY INFO WAS I JUST MIS INFORMED? NLM

Incident date: Apr 2, 2002

CRADLE HAS ROTTED OUT BECAUSE THE CRADLE BOLTS HAVE RUSTED. GMC HAS ISSUED A RECALL 00 V 189 000. DEALER : NEAL BUICK, MEDFORD, NY 631-289-7800 REFUSED TO PERFORM RECALL REPAIRS DUE TO ENGINE CRADLE ROTTING. PLEASE PROVIDE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION.*AK

Incident date: Dec 17, 2001

WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, CONSUMER HEARD A NOISE. PULLED OVER AND SAW SUBFRAME HANGING DOWN IN FRONT OF VEHICLE, MOTOR WAS LEANING INTO COOLING FANS AND RADIATORS. *JG *AK

Incident date: Dec 13, 2001

AFTER TRAVELING 35 MILES, ON FREEWAY, STALLED OUT GOING DOWN OFF RAMP,ON RAMP, APROX 20 MPH.WAS TO TOWED TO GARAGE. STARTED RIGHT UP AFER COOLED DOWN FOR 1HOUR. DAUGHTERS 1989 OLDS DOES SAME THING.IS THERE A RECALL OF SOME KIND I SHOULD KNOW ABOUT? CRUISE CONTROL DOESNT WORK. *AK

Incident date: Sep 1, 2001

CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE INTO DEALER TO HAVE RECALL 00V189000 REPAIRS CONCERNING REAR CRADLE BOLTS. DEALER DENIED RECALL REPAIRS DUE TO VEHICLE BEING DAMAGED/ RUSTED AND HAD TOO MANY MILES. DEALER OFFERED TO BUY BACK VEHICLE. *AK CONSUMER WAS DRIVING VEHICLE AT TIME OF BOLT RETAINER FAILURE, VEHICLE... Read more

REAR DISC BRAKES FAILED TO WORK PROPERLY. WHEN APPLYING BRAKES CALIPERS WOULD NOT MOVE FREELY, AND PADS WOULD RUB ON ROTORS. BRAKES WERE RUSTY. NOT ABLE TO TURN DUE TO RUBBING. WAS REPLACED 3 YEARS AGO. *AK

Incident date: Mar 26, 2001

THE REAR CRABLE BOLTS SHEARED OFF THE VEHICLE WHILE DRIVING CAUSING THE FRAME OF THE VEHICLE TO FALL TO THE GROUND WHICH ALSO DAMAGED THE OIL PAN AND SEPARATED THE STEERING SHAFT, THE DRIVER LOST THE ABILITY TO STEER AND BRAKE, THE CRADLE BOLTS WERE PREVIOUSLY RECALLED AND REPLACED IN 1997 (97V-058)... Read more

CONSUMER WAS DENIED RECALL REPAIR 00V-189 DUE TO THE MISSING UPPER BUSHINGS AND UNACCEPTABLE LOWER BUSHINGS, DEALER REFUSED REPAIR UNTIL THE BUSHINGS WERE REPAIRED. NLM

Incident date: Dec 1, 2000

FIRST TIRE DEVELOPED A OBLONG BUBBLE APPROX TEN INCHES LONG UNDER THE TIRE TREAD, WOBBLED REAL GOOD. SECOND TIRE YOU COULD TELL WAS OUT OF ROUND BY GOING REAL SLOW, STEEL TREADS SHOWING THROUGH. THESE TIRES WERE A 4 YRS OLD AND HAD 25000 MILES ON THEM. ALL FOUR TIRES REPLACED.*AK (TIRESIZE: P205/70... Read more

CONSUMER IS NOT ABLE TO RECEIVE RECALL REPAIR (00V-189) DUE TO LACK OF PARTS, VEHICLE IS EXPERIENCING PROBLEMS DUE TO COMPONENT FAILURE. *MJS

NO SUMMARY

CONSUMER WAS DRIVING WHEN THE MOTOR SUDDENLY DROPPED TO THE STREET ALONG WITH THE TRANSMISSION. NLM

NO SUMMARY

WHILE TRAVELING AND WITHOUT INDICATION VEHICLE ENGINE DROPPED, AND CONSUMER LOST ALL STEERING AND BRAKE POWER. *AK TRANSMISSION ALSO DROPPED TO THE GROUND CAUSING LOSS OF STEERING AND BRAKE POWER, MUFFLER BREAKING AND WATER PUMP LEAK. *YH

Incident date: Dec 22, 1999

WHEN PULLING OUT OF A STATION WELDS FOR THE HOUSING OF FRONT BUSHINGS BROKE. CONSUMER HAD TO HAVE VEHICLE TOWED. *AK

Incident date: Jan 24, 2000

2 OCCURRENCES OF SUDDEN ACCELERATION. FIRST REPORTED TO GM DEALER 2/13/92. DEALER STATED DEFECTIVE ECM AND REPLACED ECM. NO PROBLEMS TILL RECENTLY. WHEN SHIFTING FROM PARK TO REVERSE CAR ACCELERATED WITH FULL RPM. CAR CRASHED INTO ROW OF TRESS, TOTALLED VEHICLE AND INJURING DRIVER. WOULD NOW ... Read more

Crash 1 injured

Incident date: Jan 24, 2000

Crash 1 injured

Incident date: Nov 11, 1999

WHILE DRIVING TO WORK HEARD A LOUD NOISE. PULLED INTO A LOCAL STORE AND STEERING WHEEL WAS HARD TO MOVE. LOOKED UP UNDER THE FRAME, AND SAW THAT FRAME SEPARATED FROM THE BODY OF THE CAR. CONSUMER LOST CONTROL DUE TO THE CRADLE BOLTS PULLING THROUGH THE RUSTED OUT FRAME. *AK

THE SPEEDOMETER IS LED DISPLAY WHICH FOR THE MOST PART DOESN'T WORK, HOWEVER, WHEN THE TEMP. DROPS IT COMES ON FOR A BRIEF AMOUNT OF TIME.

Incident date: Aug 14, 1999

WHILE DRIVING CAR CUTS OFF. *AK

Incident date: Sep 5, 1999

THE FRONT CRADLE RETAINER WASHER (BOLTS) HAD RUSTED OUT ON THE PASSENGER'S SIDE. THIS CAUSED IT TO ROCK. DRIVER'S SIDE BOLTS HAD RUSTED, BUT HAVE NOT BROKEN THROUGH. YET, THIS CAUSED THE ENGINE TO DROP. WAS CHANGING THE OIL & NOTICED THE CRADLE BOLTS. *AK

Incident date: Jan 1, 1997

THE CONSUMER STATE'S WHEN DRIVING AT ANY SPEED THE VEHICLE IS RUNNING ROUGH DUE TO THE ECM VALVE, BATTERY FAILED CAUSING VEHICLE TO NOT START. CONSUMER HAS TO TAKE THE VEHICLE BACK TO THE DEALER TO PROGRAM THE VEHICLE. MJS

Incident date: Jan 1, 1997

Incident date: May 27, 1999

THE FRONT CRADLE BOLTS PULLED THROUGH THE MOUNT ALLOWING THE ENGINE TO DROP AND SEPERATE THE STEERING LINKAGE. THIS MEANT TOTAL LOSS OF CONTROL. THE REAR CRADLE BOLTS HAD BEEN REPLACED ON A RECALL BY THE LOCAL DEALER JUST 7 MONTHS BEFORE WITH NO MENTION OF THE FRONT BOLTS NEEDING TO BE REPLACED.

Crash

Incident date: May 30, 1999

CAR WILL RANDOMLY STALL ON ME WHILE DRIVING. FREQUENTLY WILL START UP AGAIN. MOSTLY, I HAVE IT TOWED. GARAGE CAN'T FIND ANYTHING. WHEN THERE IT STARTS AGAIN. "IF WE CAN'T FIND THE PROBLEM, WE CAN'T FIX IT." ALSO, STOP LIGHTS DON'T WORK. AGAIN A PROBLEM IN REPAIR. THE ENGINE STOPPING ON ME IS A VERY ... Read more

Incident date: May 30, 1999

I WENT TO WEB SITE AND FOUND A LIST OF RECALLS,I WOULD LIKE MY CAR TO BE CHECK OUT FOR THESE DEFECTS AS I DON'T KNOW IF THE ORIGINAL OWNER HAD OR WHERE.AND THE NOISES IT MAKES SCARES ME SOMETIMES.IF YOU COULD LET ME KNOW,AND WHERE TO TAKE IT I WOULD REALLY APPRECIATE IT.THANKS! NO SAFETY DEFECT MENT... Read more

Incident date: Jan 1, 1990

THE VECHICLE'S AIR COND. HAS NEVER WORKED PROPERLY. IT WAS CHECKED BY THE DEALER TWICE. THEY REPLIED THAT THERE IS NO PROBLEM BUT EVERY YEAR THE SYSTEM NEEDS RECHARGED, SOMETIMES TWICE A YEAR.

THE REAR BREAK CALIPERS "FREEZE-UP" LEAVING THE FRONT BRAKES THE ONLY ONES THAT WORK. THIS APPEARS TO BE A KNOWN PROBLEM WITH EVERY DEALERS MECHANIC. I'M GETTING SICK OF PAYING FOR A PART THAT FAILS TO OFFEN

WHEN CAR DECELERATES ON THE EXIT RAMP OF THE HIGHWAY, THE CAR DIES. THERE IS A COMPLETE LOSS OF POWER BRAKES AND POWER STEERING. THE CAR THEN RESTARTS IMMEDIATELY.

Incident date: Jun 14, 1995

BRAKE ROTORS AND CALIPERS RUSTED, RESULTING IN PAD FALLING OFF.

Incident date: Jun 14, 1995

BRAKE ROTORS AND CALIPERS RUSTED, RESULTING IN PAD FALLING OFF.

BRAKE ROTORS, PADS AND CALIPERS REPLACED SEVERAL TIMES PRIOR TO RECALL BRAKE NOTICE.

Incident date: Jun 14, 1995

BRAKE ROTORS AND CALIPERS RUSTED, RESULTING IN PAD FALLING OFF.

Incident date: Nov 1, 1997

ALTERNATOR/ELECTRONIC CONTROL MODULE AND 2 INJECTORS FAILED/REPLACED.

Incident date: Nov 1, 1997

ALTERNATOR/ELECTRONIC CONTROL MODULE AND 2 INJECTORS FAILED/REPLACED.

Incident date: Nov 1, 1997

ALTERNATOR/ELECTRONIC CONTROL MODULE AND 2 INJECTORS FAILED/REPLACED.

Incident date: Feb 2, 1996

BRAKE ROTORS FAILED.

EMERGENCY BRAKE FAILURE.

Showing 50 of 150 complaints.

EPA Fuel Economy, 1989 BUICK REGAL

Trim / Engine	City MPG	Highway MPG	Combined MPG	Fuel Type	Annual Fuel Cost
2.8L 6-cyl, Automatic 4-spd (Front-Wheel Drive)	18.0	27.0	21.0	Regular	$2,950
3.1L 6-cyl, Automatic 4-spd (Front-Wheel Drive)	17.0	28.0	20.0	Regular	$3,100

CO2 Emissions: -1.0 g/mile (Midsize Cars)

Source: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Actual fuel economy may vary based on driving conditions.

Technical Service Bulletins, 1989 BUICK REGAL

4 manufacturer communications from 4 unique bulletins. TSBs describe known problems and recommended fixes from the manufacturer.

Most Affected Components

Component	Bulletins
036400 SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:ABS WARNING LIGHT	2
021400 SUSPENSION:FRONT:MACPHERSON STRUT	1
020000 SUSPENSION	1

020000 SUSPENSION

CUSTOMERS MAY COMPLAIN OF GRINDING / SCRAPING / GROANING NOISE FROM REAR SUSPENSION. *TT

036400 SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:ABS WARNING LIGHT

ABS WARNING LIGHT IS ON. *TW

021400 SUSPENSION:FRONT:MACPHERSON STRUT

REAR STRUT RELATED THUMPING/SQUEAKING NOISE. *TW

036400 SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:ABS WARNING LIGHT

ABS WIRE HARNESS FOR THE RIGHT FRONT WHEEL MAY RUB ON THE BRAKE LINE CAUSING THE ABS WARNING LIGHT TO COME ON. *TW

NHTSA Safety Investigations, BUICK REGAL

Investigations opened by NHTSA into potential safety defects. These are separate from recalls and may or may not result in a recall.

RP, Closed , Model Year: 1988

STRUCTURE