Complaints
150
Crashes
9
Fires
3
Injuries
4
Fatalities
—
Recalls
0
Worst 1989 Buick Regal Problems
Top 3 most-reported issues with average mileage at failure.
#121 complaints
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc:Caliper
Crash-related:1
#213 complaints
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc
#310 complaints
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components
Crash-related:1
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All Problems by Category
Every NHTSA complaint category for the 1989 Buick Regal.
| Component | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Avg Mileage | Volume |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc:Caliper | 21 | 1 | — | — | |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc | 13 | — | — | — | |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components | 10 | 1 | — | — | |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc:Rotor | 10 | — | — | — | |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc:Pads | 7 | — | — | — | |
| Structural Problems | 7 | — | — | 80,000 mi | |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine | 6 | — | — | — | |
| Electrical System:Ignition | 5 | — | — | — | |
| Electrical System:Ignition:Module | 5 | 1 | — | — | |
| Parking Brake:Conventional | 4 | — | — | — | |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Drum | 4 | — | — | — | |
| Structure:Frame And Members | 4 | 1 | — | — | |
| Unintended Acceleration | 4 | 2 | — | — | |
| Visibility:Power Window Devices And Controls | 4 | — | 1 | — | |
| Electrical System:Alternator/Generator/Regulator | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline | 3 | 1 | — | — | |
| Exterior Lighting:Brake Lights:Switch | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Structure:Body:Door | 3 | — | 1 | — | |
| Electrical System:Wiring:Interior/Under Dash | 2 | — | 1 | — | |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline:Belts And Associated Pulleys | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Exterior Lighting:Brake Lights | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Fuel System, Gasoline:Storage:Tank Assembly | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Transmission / Drivetrain | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Automatic Transmission | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Electrical System:12v/24v/48v Battery | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Equipment:Appliance:Air Conditioner | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Fuel System, Gasoline:Fuel Injection System:Injectors | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Latches/Locks/Linkages:Hood:Latch | 1 | — | — | — |
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc:Caliper
21
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc
13
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components
10
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc:Rotor
10
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc:Pads
7
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Structural Problems
7
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
80,000
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine
6
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Electrical System:Ignition
5
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Electrical System:Ignition:Module
5
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Parking Brake:Conventional
4
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Drum
4
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Structure:Frame And Members
4
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Unintended Acceleration
4
complaints
Crashes
2
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Visibility:Power Window Devices And Controls
4
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
1
Avg Miles
—
Electrical System:Alternator/Generator/Regulator
3
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline
3
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Exterior Lighting:Brake Lights:Switch
3
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Structure:Body:Door
3
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
1
Avg Miles
—
Electrical System:Wiring:Interior/Under Dash
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
1
Avg Miles
—
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline:Belts And Associated Pulleys
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Exterior Lighting:Brake Lights
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Fuel System, Gasoline:Storage:Tank Assembly
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Transmission / Drivetrain
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Automatic Transmission
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Electrical System:12v/24v/48v Battery
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Equipment:Appliance:Air Conditioner
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Fuel System, Gasoline:Fuel Injection System:Injectors
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Latches/Locks/Linkages:Hood:Latch
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Search Owner Complaints
Read what owners actually reported to NHTSA for the 1989 Buick Regal. Type a keyword (e.g. “transmission”, “stalling”, “brakes”) to filter.
Other Buick Regal Years
1989 Buick Regal — FAQ
Answers based on real NHTSA complaint and recall data for this specific model year.
Is the 1989 Buick Regal reliable?
Verdict: Typical for Model. The 1989 Buick Regal has 150 NHTSA complaints, 9 crash-related, and 0 recall campaigns. The most common issue is Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc:Caliper with 21 complaints. Source: NHTSA via VinItel.
What are common problems with the 1989 Buick Regal?
Top reported problems: Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc:Caliper (21 complaints); Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc (13 complaints); Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components (10 complaints). Every complaint is filed by an owner with NHTSA — this is raw reported data, not editorial opinion.
At what mileage do problems start on the 1989 Buick Regal?
The weighted average mileage at time of complaint is about 80,000 miles. Some components fail earlier, some later — check the "All Problems by Category" table above for per-issue averages.
How safe is the 1989 Buick Regal?
NHTSA complaints for the 1989 Buick Regal include 9 crash-related reports, 3 fire reports, 4 injuries, and 0 fatalities. These are owner-reported incidents, not official crash-test ratings — a complaint being filed doesn't confirm a defect, but clusters around specific components are worth investigating.
Does the 1989 Buick Regal have any recalls?
No NHTSA recall campaigns have been issued for the 1989 Buick Regal as of the latest data sync. Verify by VIN for the most current status — new recalls can be issued years after a model year ships.
Should I buy a 1989 Buick Regal?
Complaint levels are in line with what's expected. Normal used-car due diligence applies — check the specific VIN for accident history, open recalls, and title brands.
Source: NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) complaint and recall databases, aggregated by VinItel.
Wider context: See the full Buick Regal reliability report with year-by-year comparison and generation analysis.
Check Your Specific 1989 Buick Regal
Real owner complaints tell you about the model. The VIN tells you about your specific car — accidents, title issues, odometer fraud.
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