1993 BUICK REGAL

2 recalls, 118 complaints - 23 TSBs

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

Defect Description

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.

83,247 vehicles affected

Manufacturer: GENERAL MOTORS CORP.

SEATS

Defect Description

THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER FRONT SEAT MANUAL RECLINING MECHANISMS DO NOT COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS 207, "SEATING SYSTEMS." THE SEAT BACK MECHANISMS WILL NOT LATCH UNDER CERTAIN CONDITIONS.

Consequence

THE SEATS MAY RECLINE WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING, RESULTINGIN A HAZARD TO SEAT OCCUPANTS AND POSSIBLE LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL.

Remedy

REPLACE THE MANUAL SEAT RECLINER MECHANISM WITH A MECHANISM THAT COMPLIES WITH FMVSS 207.

5,574 vehicles affected

Manufacturer: GENERAL MOTORS CORP.

Complaint Statistics

118 total complaints 8 crashes 3 fires 13 injuries 2 deaths

Top Reported Components

Component	Complaints
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP	13
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR	10
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:CALIPER	8
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL	7
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC	7
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS	5
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:PADS	5
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DRUM	4
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:ANCHORAGE	4
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE	4

Incident date: May 3, 2013

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1993 BUICK REGAL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DOOR LOCKS FAILED AND REMAINED LOCKED WHEN ATTEMPTING TO OPERATE THEM. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 41,000. UPDATED 06/29/16*LJ UPDATED 08/0... Read more

Incident date: Oct 24, 2006

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE TRAVELING VARIOUS SPEEDS UNDER NORMAL ROAD CONDITIONS, THE VEHICLE HAD PERMANENT TO WORSENING CONDITIONS WITH THE BRAKES. THE BRAKE DESIGN WAS FOUR WHEEL ABS. THE CONTACT STATED THE BRAKE PADS, ROTORS AND CALIPERS HAD BEEN REPLACED TWICE BEFORE, BUT THE PROBLEM PERSIS... Read more

Incident date: Oct 24, 2006

Incident date: Aug 1, 2004

WHEN DRIVING, THE CONSUMERS SEAT BACK COLLAPSED. THE CONSUMER WAS CONCERNED THAT HE MAY FALL BACK WITH NO WARNING AND HAVE AN ACCIDENT. THE ANCHOR OF THE SEAT WAS BROKEN. *JB *SC *JB

Incident date: Feb 11, 2004

WHILE MAKING A LEFT TURN NOISE WAS HEARD COMING FROM STEERING WHEEL. CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION, AND MECHANIC COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM.*AK

Incident date: Sep 5, 2003

THE BATTERY WAS DEAD CAUSING THE VEHICLE NOT TO START. ALL THE DOORS LOCKED AND THE MANUAL OVERRIDE FROZE SO THAT THE DRIVER COULD NOT EXIT THE VEHICLE. AFTER A LENGTH OF TIME, THE DRIVER WAS ABLE TO UNLOCK THE DOORS WITH THE DOOR CONTROLS IN THE VEHICLE. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER DETAILS. *PH

Incident date: Sep 5, 2003

Incident date: Jun 13, 2003

VEHICLE POWER WINDOWS ROLLED UP WHILE VEHICLE WAS PARKED TRAPPING 5-YEAR OLD CHILD'S HEAD. *MR WHILE PARKED IN THE DRIVEWAY, THE CONSUMERS FIVE YEAR OLD SONS NECK BECAME STUCK IN THE POWER WINDOW AS IT ROLLED UP. THE CONSUMER WAS UNABLE TO REMOVE THE CHILD FROM THE WINDOW UNTIL THE VEHICLE WAS ... Read more

1 injured

THE METAL FRAME MOUNTS THAT HOLD ENGINE UP IN THE VEHICLE DETERIORATED, CAUSING THE ENGINE TO DROP TO THE GROUND WHILE BACKING OUT OF A DRIVEWAY. CAUSE UNKNOWN. *AK

THERE IS A LEAK ON LEFT HAND ON DRIVER'S SIDE FLOOR NEAR BRAKE PEDAL. DEALER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED ABOUT SITUATION, AND NO ONE CAN FIND OUT WHERE THE LEAK WAS COMING FROM.*AK

Incident date: Feb 25, 2002

CONSUMER'S PARENTS WERE DRIVING ALONG THE FREEWAY ALL OF A SUDDEN VEHICLE BEGAN TO SMOKE. THEY GOT OUT, VEHICLE WAS ENGULFED IN FLAMES, AND IT BURNED COMPLETELY, EVEN TIRES EXPLODED. CONSUMER'S PARENTS WERE EMOTIONALLY TRAUMATIZED.*AK

Fire

Incident date: Jan 4, 2002

WHILE DRIVING NEIGHBORHOOD SPEEDS VEHICLE WILL STALL AND CUT OFF ON AN INTERMITTENT BASIS. DEALER HAS REPLACED INGITION MODULE, BUT THAT HAS NOT REMEDIED PROBLEM. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER DETAILS.*AK

Incident date: Jan 4, 2002

WHILE DRIVING NEIGHBORHOOD SPEEDS VEHICLE WILL STALL AND CUT OFF ON AN INTERMITTENT BASIS. DEALER HAS REPLACED INGITION MODULE, BUT THAT HAS NOT REMEDIED PROBLEM. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER DETAILS.*AK

Incident date: Dec 28, 2001

EARLY DEC 2001 AHD SLOW LEAK WENT TO DEALER AND TIRE WAS REPLACED FOR CORD POBLEM WITH ANOTHER MICHELIN X RADILA PLUS. WENT ON LONG TRIP AND HAD BOUNCING EFFECT AND ON RETURN WENT BACK TO DEALER WHERE SAME CORD PROBLEM WAS DISCOVERED ON ONE OF REMAINING TIRES. AGAIN REPLCED WITH X RADIAL PLUS.ON SE... Read more

2 deaths

Incident date: Jul 1, 1995

THE VEHICLE HAS EXPERIENCED MULTIPLE BRAKE SYSTEM FAILURES, THE FRONT AND REAR BRAKE PADS FAILED CAUSING VIBRATION/SHIMMY, THE R/F WHEEL SPEED SENSOR AND REAR CALIPER FAILED. NLM

Incident date: Aug 10, 2001

WHILE PROCEEDING AT APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH MOTOR DIES WITHOUT WARNING AT DEALERS SUGGESTION, REPLACED FUEL PUMP AND FILTER, BUT PROBLEM PERSISTS, DEALER NOW SUGGESTS REPLACING SENSOR THAT CHANGES RPM WHEN DECELERATING. *AK

Incident date: Aug 10, 2001

SEAT BELT TURNING LOOPS WOULD NOT SUSTAIN STRUCTURAL LOADING IN AN IMPACT. (WEB WOULD CUT). *AK

Incident date: May 22, 2001

WHILE IN REVERSE ENGINE CRADLE COLLAPSED DUE TO RUST RESULTING IN LOSS OF STEERING. VEHICLE HAS BEEN REPAIRED BY AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. MANUFACTURER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED. PLEASE PROVIDE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION.*AK

Incident date: Apr 1, 2001

THERE IS A LEAK IN GAS LINE IN ENGINE COMPARTMENT, CAUSING FIRE HAZARD. *AK CONSUMER STATES IT IS AT THE CONNECTION TO METAL PIPE FROM TANK. *SLC

Incident date: Apr 1, 2001

THERE IS A LEAK IN GAS LINE IN ENGINE COMPARTMENT, CAUSING FIRE HAZARD. *AK CONSUMER STATES IT IS AT THE CONNECTION TO METAL PIPE FROM TANK. *SLC

Incident date: Jul 1, 1998

DRIVER SEATBELT WILL NOT LOCK WHEN BRAKING WITH FORCE. *AK

Incident date: Jul 1, 1998

VEHICLE HAS INCREASED BRAKING DISTANCE DURING ALL KIND OF WEATHER. WHEN APPLYING BRAKES HARD THERE IS A GRINDING SOUND. *AK

Incident date: Jul 1, 1998

VEHICLE HAS INCREASED BRAKING DISTANCE DURING ALL KIND OF WEATHER. WHEN APPLYING BRAKES HARD THERE IS A GRINDING SOUND. *AK

WHILE TRAVELING OVER A POTHOLE FRONT END OF VEHICLE DROPPED. CONSUMER HAD VEHICLE SERVICED, TECHNICIAN STATED FRONT COLE SPRING HAD FAILED. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK

BRAKES WOULD STICK WHEN THEY WERE APPLIED. CALIPERS WOULD FREEZE UP. TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER & MECHANIC REPLACED ROTORS AND CALIPERS. PROBLEM RETURNED.*AK

EA94-041; WHEN DRIVING ANDUPON DEPRESSING BRAKE PEDAL TO MAKE A NORMAL STOP, CONSUMER NOTICED A LOUD NOISE COMING FROM REAR OF THE VEHICLE. ALSO, VEHICLE WAS VERY DIFFICULT TO STOP. CONSUMER HAS CONTACTED DEALER. DEALER HAS REPLACED BRAKE CALIPERS ON THREE DIFFERENT OCCASIONS. DEALER UNABLE TO... Read more

Incident date: Jun 1, 2000

ORIGINAL 1993 BUICK REGAL, TIRE SIZE 20570R15. ALL FOUR TIRES HAVE A BUBBLE AND CRACKS ALONG THE TREADS WHICH SEEMED THAT TREAD MAY HAVE PEELED OFF. THIS MAY HAVE CAUSED A CRASH. *AK THE CUSTOMER LOWERED PRESSURE TO 35 PSI ON THE NEW REPLACEMENT TIRES. THEY WERE OVER INFLATED. *YH

CONSUMER EXPERIENCING CONTINUOUS PROBLEMS WITH THE ABS ROTORS ON 4 WHEEL DISC BRAKES. NLM

Incident date: Jul 1, 2000

REAR CALIPERS ARE LOCKED UP. VEHICLE IS ONLY RELYING ON THE FRONT BRAKES. CURRENTLY, THEY NEED TO BE REPLACED BECAUSE THEY ARE BURNING OUT. DEALER HASN'T MENTIONED IF THEY WILL REPAIR VEHICLE, JUST THAT THERE IS A CLASS ACTION SUIT IN PROCESS. *AK

WHEN DRIVING ON WET OR DRY PAVEMENT AND UPON ATTEMPTING TO MAKE A NORMAL STOP BY DEPRESSING BRAKE PEDAL, PEDAL TRAVELED TO THE FLOORBOARD CAUSING EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE. ALSO, NOTICED A NOISE COMING FROM THE BRAKES. CONSUMER HAS CONTACTED DEALER, DEALER HAS REPLACED THE CALIPERS. BRAKE PROB... Read more

Incident date: Oct 15, 1998

NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK

Incident date: May 21, 1997

HEATER CORE LEAKING AND HAS BEEN REPLACED EIGHT TIMES. NLM

WHEN APPLYING ABS BRAKES ON WET PAVEMENT PEDAL GOES TO THE FLOOR, CAUSING EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE. CAUSE UNKNOWN. PLEASE GIVE ANY FURTHER DETAILS. *AK

I PURCHASED THE USED 1993 BUICK REGAL IN 6/96. HAD THE BRAKES REPLACED 5 TIMES (3 TIMES IT WAS THE CALIPERS AND ROTORS IN ADDITION); FULL FAILURE OF VEHICLE BECAUSE OF GRINDING VIBRATION NOISE IN REAR HAPPENED 3 TIMES IN LAST 2 YEARS; FRONT BRAKES ARE READY TO BE REPLACED AGAIN ACCORDING TO MECHANI... Read more

Incident date: Jun 10, 1996

HAS THERE BEEN A CONSITANT PROBLEM WITH THE BRAKES SYSTEM ON THE 93 REGAL? I HAVE REPLACED ALL BRAKE PARTS AT LEAST 3 TIMES. *AK

LIGHTED BUTTONS THAT CONTROL HVAC UNIT AND RADIO HAVE GONE OUT. I TOOK TO MY DEALER IN 1998 AFTER 1 YEAR OF WATCHING MORE LIGHTS GO OUT AND I WAS TOLD THAT I WOULD HAVE TO REPLACE THE ENTIRE UNIT IF I WANTED THE LIGHTS BACK. THIS IS A DANGEROUS SITUATION IN NIGHT DRIVING WHEN TRYING TO MAKE CHANGE... Read more

BRAKE PADS AND ROTORS REPLACED SEVERAL TIMES, HOWEVER NEAR ACCIDENTS DUE TO DEFECTIVE COMPONENTS. MJS

Incident date: Oct 1, 1998

VEHICLE WOULD BE PARKED, BUT THE ELECTRONIC DOOR LOCKS/POWER TRUNKS AND INTERIOR DOME LIGHT WILL COME ON AND OFF UNEXPECTEDLY WHICH MAY CAUSE AN ELECTRICAL SHORT AND MAY RESULT IN A POSSIBLE FIRE. HAVE NOT CONTACTED THE DEALER. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK

Incident date: Feb 5, 1998

TURN SIGNAL SWITCH FAILED WHEN USING CRUISE CONTROL AND STARTED TO SMOKE.

Incident date: Oct 13, 1997

I HAVE A TERRIBLE ENGINE KNOCK, AND WHEN TAKEN TO A MECHANICAL SHOP THEY TOLD ME IT WOULD COST ME OVER $4000 FOR A REBUILT GM ENGINE, BECAUSE IT HAD TO BE REPLACED. ANOTHER MECHANIC TOLD ME THE 3.8 IS USUALLY AN EXCELLENT ENGINE, AND HE'D NEVER HEARD OF ONEGOING BAD WITH ONLY THE AMOUNT OF MILES I... Read more

Incident date: Jul 18, 1997

PROBLEM FIRST OCCURRED IN JULY 1997. SOMETIMES THE CAR'S ENGINE STOPS RUNNING FOR NO APPARENT REASON, LEAVING ME IN MOTION WITH NO POWER STEERING OR POWER BRAKES. SOMETIMES THE CAR WILL RE-START IMMEDIATELY, ONE TIME IT TOOK AS LONG AS SEVERAL HOURS. ALSO, OCCASIONALLY WHEN PARKED, THE CAR WILL CRA... Read more

Incident date: Jul 30, 1998

REAR BRAKE ROTORS AND CALIPERS WERE REPLACED AND THERE WAS ONLY 40,000 MILES ON THE VEHICLE. PLEASE DESCRIBE DETAILS. *AK

STOP LIGHT LENS (RED) ABOVE REAR SEAT IN BACK WINDOW MELTED AND THE FABRIC AROUND IT MELTED.

Fire

WHILE DRIVING ON SMOOTH DRY PAVEMENT AND APPLYING BRAKES TO SLOW DOWN, A NOISE WAS HEARD AND ABS FAILED STOP VEHICLE FROM 25 MPH. CAUSE UNKNOWN. *AK

Incident date: May 31, 1997

WHEN TRAVELING ON THE HIGHWAY AT 35MPH ENGINE CAUGHT ON FIRE. FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS ON SCENE. DEALER STATED THAT THE FIRE WAS DUE TO DEFECT IN THE FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM. *AK

Fire

Incident date: Aug 28, 1997

ANTI-LOCK BRAKES CONTINUE TO FAIL, REPAIRS MADE HOWEVER PROBLEM STILL CONTNUES.

Showing 50 of 118 complaints.

EPA Fuel Economy, 1993 BUICK REGAL

Trim / Engine	City MPG	Highway MPG	Combined MPG	Fuel Type	Annual Fuel Cost
3.1L 6-cyl, Automatic 3-spd (Front-Wheel Drive)	17.0	25.0	20.0	Regular	$3,100
3.1L 6-cyl, Automatic 4-spd (Front-Wheel Drive)	17.0	27.0	20.0	Regular	$3,100
3.8L 6-cyl, Automatic 4-spd (Front-Wheel Drive)	17.0	26.0	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, 1993 BUICK REGAL

23 manufacturer communications from 19 unique bulletins. TSBs describe known problems and recommended fixes from the manufacturer.

Most Affected Components

Component	Bulletins
103000 POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION	3
063000 ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM	3
106000 POWER TRAIN:AXLE ASSEMBLY	3
036400 SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:ABS WARNING LIGHT	2
180000 VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL	2
021400 SUSPENSION:FRONT:MACPHERSON STRUT	1
131000 VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD	1
061000 ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE	1

061600 ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:ENGINE CONTROL MODULE (ECU/ECM)

Expanded Availability for Remanufacture and Return (R&R) Electronic Control Modules

106000 POWER TRAIN:AXLE ASSEMBLY

OWNERS OF SOME VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH HYDRA-MATIC 3T40, 4T60, 4T60-E OR 4T65-E TRANSAXLES MAY COMMENT ON A GRINDING AND / OR GROWLING NOISE THAT IS NOTICEABLE WHEN STANDING IN PARK ON A HILL OR SLOPE WITH THE ENGINE RUNNING AND THE PARKING

106000 POWER TRAIN:AXLE ASSEMBLY

SOME VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH HYDRA-MATIC 3T40, 4T60 OR 4T60-E TRANSXALES MAY COMMENT ON A GRINDING AND / OR GROWLING NOISE THAT IS NOTICEABLE WHEN IN PARK ON INCLINE. *TT

020000 SUSPENSION

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

063000 ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM

EVAPORATIVE EMISSION CANISTER PURGE SOLENOID VLAVE REPLACEMENT AND CONVERTIBLE ONLY, PROM REPLACEMENT. *YC

063000 ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM

VOLUNTARY EMISSION CAMPAIGN INVOLVING THE EVAPORATIVE EMISSION CANISTER PURGE SOLENOID VALVE REPLACEMENT AND, CONVERTIBLE ONLY, PROM REPLACEMENT. *TT

063000 ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM

VOLUNTARY EMISSION RECALL CAMPAIGN - EVAPORATIVE EMISSION CONISTER PURGE SOLENOID VALVE REPLACEMENT AND, CONVERTIBLE ONLY, PROM REPLACEMENT. *YC

061100 ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE

SOME V6 ENGINES MAY, ON A VERY INFREQUENT BASIS, HAVE AN OIL ODOR CONDITION THAT IS GENERALLY ENCOUNTERED AFTER THE ENGINE'S OIL HAS BEEN CHANGED.TYPICALLY THE ODOR LASTS APPROXIMATELY 1000 MILES AFTER THE CHANGE OF OIL AND THEN DOES NOT RE

106000 POWER TRAIN:AXLE ASSEMBLY

INFORMATION ON GROWLING NOISE IN TRANSAXLE DURING FIRST FOUR MINUTES AFTER START UP. *YC

036000 SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP

COMMENT THAT THE ABS LIGHT IS ON WITH DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODES (DTC'S) 46 AND 86 SET AS CURRENT OR HISTORY. *YC

105300 POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:DRIVESHAFT

COLD START RATTLE NOISE (DIAGNOSIS/SERVICE PROCEDURE). *TW

103000 POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

COLD START RATTLE NOISE. *TW

105000 POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE

GRINDING AND/OR GROWLING NOISE IN PARK ON INCLINE.*SD

133000 VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS

UNKNOWN

180000 VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

UNKNOWN

061000 ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

UNKNOWN

103000 POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

COLD START RATTLE NOISE. *TW

103000 POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

HARSH 1-2 UPSHIFTS. *TW

180000 VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

FRONT WINDOW SCRAPING NOISE WHEN ROLLING GLASS DOWN. *TW

131000 VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD

FRONT WINDOW SCRAPING NOISE WHEN ROLLING GLASS DOWN. *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 WARNING LIGHT IS ON. *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