1986 Buick Regal recalls & complaints

1. Fuel system

What's wrong, in plain English: Fuel lines, tank or pump. Fuel problems usually mean a leak, and leaks mean fire risk. 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 CERTAIN SCHOOL BUSES. (TO SEE THE SCHOOL BUS ENGINE SIZES, CLICK ON "DOCUMENT SEARCH" AND THEN "BUS APPLICATIONS"). THE C…

What could happen: 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.

The fix: 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).

What to do

1. Check whether your car is affected: enter your 17-digit VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. A recall covers specific VINs, not every 1986 REGAL.
2. Book a repair at any authorized Buick dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 06E043000.
3. The repair is free. By US law, safety recall repairs cost the owner nothing, no matter the car's age or mileage.
4. Manufacturer hotline: 1-800-890-2075.
5. Buying this car used? Ask the seller for proof the recall was completed, or run the VIN yourself before paying.

2. Vehicle Speed Control

What's wrong, in plain English: A vehicle part that may fail. A SMALL NYLON BUSHING IN THE CRUISE CONTROL SERVO BAIL MAY SLIP OUT OF PLACE, CAUSING INTERMITTENT AND UNEXPECTED INCREASES IN ENGINE SPEED OR DIESELING (ENGINE RUN ON WITH IGNITION OFF).

What could happen: SERVO ROD ASSEMBLY COULD CATCH ON ENGINE COMPONENTS ANDRESULT IN A STUCK THROTTLE WITH POTENTIAL FOR A VEHICLE CRASH.

The fix: INSTALL A NEW BUSHING IN CRUISE CONTROL SERVO BAIL.

What to do

1. Check whether your car is affected: enter your 17-digit VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. A recall covers specific VINs, not every 1986 REGAL.
2. Book a repair at any authorized Buick dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 89V102000.
3. The repair is free. By US law, safety recall repairs cost the owner nothing, no matter the car's age or mileage.
4. Buying this car used? Ask the seller for proof the recall was completed, or run the VIN yourself before paying.

3. Lights

What's wrong, in plain English: Headlights, tail lights or turn signals may not work, making the car hard to see. UNDER EXTENDED HEADLAMP USAGE, CIRCUITRY IN THE HEADLAMP SWITCH PANEL MIGHT EXPERIENCE INCREASED RESISTANCE AND EXCESSIVE HEAT BUILDUP.

What could happen: HEADLIGHTS WOULD CYCLE ON AND OFF. SUDDEN LOSS OFHEADLIGHTS UNDER SEVERE WEATHER OR NIGHTIMER DRIVING CONDITIONS COULD RESULTIN A VEHICLE CRASH.

The fix: REPLACE HEADLIGHT SWITCH WITH MODIFIED SWITCH.

What to do

1. Check whether your car is affected: enter your 17-digit VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. A recall covers specific VINs, not every 1986 REGAL.
2. Book a repair at any authorized Buick dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 88V014000.
3. The repair is free. By US law, safety recall repairs cost the owner nothing, no matter the car's age or mileage.
4. Buying this car used? Ask the seller for proof the recall was completed, or run the VIN yourself before paying.

4. Body / structure

What's wrong, in plain English: Body panels, frame, doors, hood, trunk or latches. SMALL CRACKS MAY DEVELOP IN THE BODY PILLAR AROUND THE DOOR STRIKER BOLT HOLE.

What could happen: CRACKS WOULD INCREASE LEADING TO DIFFICULTY IN CLOSINGTHE DOOR AND MIGHT ALLOW DOOR TO COME OPEN DURING A CRASH, INCREASINGLIKELIHOOD OF INJURY TO OCCUPANTS.

The fix: INSTALL INNER AND OUTER REINFORCEMENT PLATE ON BOTH LEFT AND RIGHT BODY PILLARS.

What to do

1. Check whether your car is affected: enter your 17-digit VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. A recall covers specific VINs, not every 1986 REGAL.
2. Book a repair at any authorized Buick dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 87V124000.
3. The repair is free. By US law, safety recall repairs cost the owner nothing, no matter the car's age or mileage.
4. Buying this car used? Ask the seller for proof the recall was completed, or run the VIN yourself before paying.

5. Seat belts

What's wrong, in plain English: Seat belts may not hold you in a crash. LEFT HANDED DRIVER'S SIDE SHOULDER BELT ANCHOR PLATE MAY BE UPSIDE DOWN IN LOCK PILLAR SO THAT THE UNTHREADED SLOT OF THE PLATE ALIGNED WITH THE HOLE IN THE LOCK PILLAR. THIS RESULTED IN THE ANCHOR BOLT BEING DRIVEN INTO THE SLOT INSTEAD OF THE THREADED HOLE OF THE ANCHOR PLATE. CONSEQUENCE OF DEFECT: IN A VEHICLE CRASH, BELT ANCHOR BOLT MAY PULL LOOSE FROM ANCHOR PLATE, THUS FAILING TO COMPLY WITH FMVSS 210, SEAT B…

What could happen:

The fix: INSTALL A BOLT ANCHOR PLATE REINFORCEMENT AND NEW BOLT, AS NECESSARY.

What to do

1. Check whether your car is affected: enter your 17-digit VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. A recall covers specific VINs, not every 1986 REGAL.
2. Book a repair at any authorized Buick dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 86V093000.
3. The repair is free. By US law, safety recall repairs cost the owner nothing, no matter the car's age or mileage.
4. Buying this car used? Ask the seller for proof the recall was completed, or run the VIN yourself before paying.

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA

Most complained-about parts: Vehicle Speed Control (4), Brakes (4), Hydraulic (4), Body / structure (2), Wheels / tires (2).

Complaints are unverified reports from owners. A pattern (many complaints about the same part) matters more than any single one.