1993 Buick Regal recalls & complaints
Source: NHTSA, updated daily. Last checked 2026-10-19. Recalls apply to specific VINs — run your VIN to confirm.
2 safety recalls, most serious first
1. Seats
What's wrong, in plain English: Seat frames, adjusters or child-seat anchors. 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.
What could happen: THE SEATS MAY RECLINE WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING, RESULTINGIN A HAZARD TO SEAT OCCUPANTS AND POSSIBLE LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL.
The fix: REPLACE THE MANUAL SEAT RECLINER MECHANISM WITH A MECHANISM THAT COMPLIES WITH FMVSS 207.
What to do
- Check whether your car is affected: enter your 17-digit VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. A recall covers specific VINs, not every 1993 REGAL.
- Book a repair at any authorized Buick dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 93V035000.
- The repair is free. By US law, safety recall repairs cost the owner nothing, no matter the car's age or mileage.
- Buying this car used? Ask the seller for proof the recall was completed, or run the VIN yourself before paying.
Official wording from NHTSA
Component: SEATS
Summary: 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.
Notes: SYSTEM: FRONT SEAT MANUAL RECLINER MECHANISMS; FMVSS 207.VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER CARS.
2. Lights
What's wrong, in plain English: Headlights, tail lights or turn signals may not work, making the car hard to see. 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."
What could happen: CONSEQUENCE OF NON-COMPLIANCE: DURING ILLUMINATION, THE BULBS WILL SHOW CLEAR RATHER THAN AMBER AND COULD MOMENTARILY CONFUSE OTHER DRIVERS.
The fix: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE CLEAR BULBS WITH THE CORRECT AMBER BULBS.
What to do
- Check whether your car is affected: enter your 17-digit VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. A recall covers specific VINs, not every 1993 REGAL.
- Book a repair at any authorized Buick dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 95V152000.
- The repair is free. By US law, safety recall repairs cost the owner nothing, no matter the car's age or mileage.
- Buying this car used? Ask the seller for proof the recall was completed, or run the VIN yourself before paying.
Official wording from NHTSA
Component: EXTERIOR LIGHTING
Summary: 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.
Notes: SYSTEM: LIGHTING; LAMP; SIDE MARKER LIGHTS; FMVSS NO. 108. VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. NOTE: OWNERS WHO TAKE THE VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME, SHOULD CONTACT BUICK AT 1-800-521-7300. ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-800-424-9393.
Useful for owners
- OBD2 code reader — see what the car's computer is reporting
- Compact car fire extinguisher
- 1993 Buick Regal owner's manual
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA
Most complained-about parts: Brakes (50), Hydraulic (50), Engine (11), Electrical system (8), Vehicle Speed Control (8).
Complaints are unverified reports from owners. A pattern (many complaints about the same part) matters more than any single one.
Read recent complaints (8)
05/12/2016 · Electrical system
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 08/03/16.*JB UPDATED 11/23/16.*JB
11/07/2006 · Brakes
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 PERSISTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO DETERMINED TH…
08/30/2004 · Seats
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
02/11/2004 · Suspension
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
09/12/2003 · Electrical system
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
08/18/2003 · Brakes
CONSUMER NOTICED WHEN DEPRESSING BRAKES VEHICLE WOULD TRAVEL EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE. TECHNICIAN WHO SERVICED VEHICLE REPLACED BRAKES DUE TO CORROSION. *AK
08/15/2003 · Visibility (wipers / glass)
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 STARTED. THE CHILD COULDN'T BREATH, EVEN AFTER THE REMOVAL…
06/25/2003 · Engine
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