Problems owners report
Complaints filed with NHTSA about the 1985 Buick Regal, by the system named in each complaint. One complaint can name several.
- Service brakes, hydraulic3
- Engine and engine cooling3
- Vehicle speed control1
- Steering1
- Electrical system1
NHTSA ODI complaints (public domain) · updated 23 Oct 2026 · 0 injuries and 0 deaths reported
Compared with other years
NHTSA ODI complaints by model year
New York safety inspections
At its first New York inspection the 1985 Buick Regal failed the safety check 0.00% of the time — 100% less often than the average 1985 passenger car (0.76%). Median odometer at inspection: 57,615 miles.
NY DMV Vehicle Inspections (vezn-fmmk), initial inspections since Aug 2021 · how we count
Recalls in Canada
5 Transport Canada recalls for the 1985 Buick Regal.
| 1985126 18 Nov 1985 | Not Entered VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 3.8 LITRE TURBOCHARGED ENGINES. THESE VEHICLES MAY NOT COMPLY WITH C.M.V.S.S. 1103 -EXHAUST EMISSIONS. |
| 1985043 23 Apr 1985 | Not Entered THE REAR BUMPER MAY FRACTURE DURING A REAR END COLLISION, PUNCTURE THE FUEL TANK AND CAUSE A FUEL LEAK. SHOULD THIS OCCUR, THE POSSIBILITY OF A FIRE WOULD EXIS… |
| 1985012 11 Jan 1985 | Not Entered THESE VEHICLES DO NOT COMPLY WITH CMVSS 1101 - EMISSION DEVICE. |
| 1985007 10 Jan 1985 | Brakes On certain vehicles, the rear brake backing plates may develop a corrosion condition which could result in loss of rear brake fluid and loss of rear braking cap… |
| 1984121 5 Oct 1984 | Not Entered VEHICLES WERE ASSEMBLED WITH INADEQUATE CLAMP LOAD ON THE TIE ROD ADJUSTER. THIS WOULD ALLOW THE TIE ROD TO LOOSEN AND SEPARATE FROM THE TIE ROD ADJUSTER. TIE… |
Transport Canada Vehicle Recalls Database · Contains information licensed under the Open Government Licence – Canada
Recalls
UNDER EXTENDED HEADLAMP USAGE, CIRCUITRY IN THE HEADLAMP SWITCH PANEL MIGHT EXPERIENCE INCREASED RESISTANCE AND EXCESSIVE HEAT BUILDUP.
SMALL CRACKS MAY DEVELOP IN THE BODY PILLAR AROUND THE DOOR STRIKER BOLT HOLE.
THE THROTTLE RETURN SPRING ASSEMBLY MAY FAIL PREVENTING THE THROTTLE FROM RETURNING TO THE CLOSED (IDLE) POSITION WHEN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL IS RELEASED. CONSEQUENCE OF DEFECT: ENGINE SPEED MAY NOT DECREASE AND LOSS OF ACCELERATOR CONTROL COULD RESULT IN AN ACCIDENT WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING.
THE CERTIFICATION LABEL LOCATED ON THE LEFT FRONT DOOR DID NOT INCLUDE A REQUIRED FEDERAL CERTIFICATION STATEMENT. CONSEQUENCE OF DEFECT: VEHICLES DO NOT COMPLY WITH FEDERAL REGULATION 567.
THE REAR BUMPER MAY FRACTURE DURING A REAR END COLLISION, PUNCTURE THE FUEL TANK, AND CAUSE A FUEL LEAK. CONSEQUENCE OF DEFECT: A FUEL LEAK CREATES THE POTENTIAL FOR A FIRE WHICH COULD RESULT IN BURN INJURIES TO PERSONS IN OR NEAR THE CAR.
A LOSS OF BONDING ADHESION BETWEEN THE PAINT AND THE WINDSHIELD OPENING AREA COULD ALLOW THE WINDSHIELD TO SEPARATE DURING A 30 MILE PER HOUR FRONTAL BARRIER TEST REQUIRED BY FMVSS 212, WINDSHIELD RETENTION. CONSEQUENCE OF DEFECT: WINDSHIELD SEPARATION DURING AN ACCIDENT COULD RESULT IN AN UNBELTED OCCUPANT BEING EJECTED FROM THE CAR AND SEVERLY INJURED.
THE VEHICLES WERE ASSEMBLED WITH FRONT SEAT BELT RETRACTORS WHICH MAY NOT PERFORM ADEQUATELY DURING A COLLISION.
THE TIE RODS ARE PART OF THE STEERING LINKAGE AND TRANSMIT TURNING MOVEMENTS TO THE WHEELS. THE BOLTS THAT FASTEN THE TIE RODS TO THEIR ADJUSTERS MAY NOT BE TIGHT ENOUGH. THIS COULD ALLOW THE TIE ROD TO LOOSEN AND DETACH ITSELF FROM THE ADJUSTER.
Whether a recall was fixed on a particular car is known only to the manufacturer: check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
NHTSA recalls · summaries in NHTSA's own words
NHTSA investigations
CRUISE CONTROL FAILURE
PARKING BRAKE CABLE
JAMMED STEERING MECHANISM
THROTTLE NON-RETURN
HEADLAMP SWITCH FAILURE
WINDSHIELD WIPERS
NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation