Recalls (4)
NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns for the 1986 Buick Regal. Check whether yours was repaired with NHTSA's free VIN lookup ↗
Only NHTSA and your automaker know whether your specific car was repaired. PlainVIN shows every recall campaign listed for a model year, with the official text and how many cars have been fixed so far.
Check on NHTSA ↗EQUIPMENT:SPEED CONTROL
- Summary
- 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).
- Consequence
- SERVO ROD ASSEMBLY COULD CATCH ON ENGINE COMPONENTS ANDRESULT IN A STUCK THROTTLE WITH POTENTIAL FOR A VEHICLE CRASH.
- Remedy
- INSTALL A NEW BUSHING IN CRUISE CONTROL SERVO BAIL.
LIGHTING:SWITCH:BUTTON:RING:HEAD LIGHTS
- Summary
- UNDER EXTENDED HEADLAMP USAGE, CIRCUITRY IN THE HEADLAMP SWITCH PANEL MIGHT EXPERIENCE INCREASED RESISTANCE AND EXCESSIVE HEAT BUILDUP.
- Consequence
- HEADLIGHTS WOULD CYCLE ON AND OFF. SUDDEN LOSS OFHEADLIGHTS UNDER SEVERE WEATHER OR NIGHTIMER DRIVING CONDITIONS COULD RESULTIN A VEHICLE CRASH.
- Remedy
- REPLACE HEADLIGHT SWITCH WITH MODIFIED SWITCH.
STRUCTURE:FRAME:MEMBERS AND BODY:OTHER PARTS
- Summary
- SMALL CRACKS MAY DEVELOP IN THE BODY PILLAR AROUND THE DOOR STRIKER BOLT HOLE.
- Consequence
- CRACKS WOULD INCREASE LEADING TO DIFFICULTY IN CLOSINGTHE DOOR AND MIGHT ALLOW DOOR TO COME OPEN DURING A CRASH, INCREASINGLIKELIHOOD OF INJURY TO OCCUPANTS.
- Remedy
- INSTALL INNER AND OUTER REINFORCEMENT PLATE ON BOTH LEFT AND RIGHT BODY PILLARS.
INTERIOR SYSTEMS:RESTRAINT:BELT ANCHOR AND ATTACHM
- Summary
- 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 BELT ASSEMBLY ANCHORAGES, AND INCREASES LIKELIHOOD OF INJURY TO OCCUPANT.
- Remedy
- INSTALL A BOLT ANCHOR PLATE REINFORCEMENT AND NEW BOLT, AS NECESSARY.
PlainVIN shows public government records for education. It isn't a vehicle inspection or legal advice. Check your own VIN with NHTSA or your dealer.
Owner complaints (12)
12 complaints filed with NHTSA (owner reports, not verified findings). The vehicle speed control is mentioned most often.
As reported by owners in their complaints. These are reports, not NHTSA findings.
Most-reported components
| Component | Complaints | % of 12 |
|---|---|---|
| Vehicle speed control | 4 | 33.3% |
| Engine and engine cooling | 2 | 16.7% |
| Service brakes | 2 | 16.7% |
| Structure | 2 | 16.7% |
| Power train | 1 | 8.3% |
| Tires | 1 | 8.3% |
| Wheels | 1 | 8.3% |
How 1986 compares with other Regal years
Best and worst Regal years →| Model year | Complaints | Recall campaigns |
|---|---|---|
| 1982 | 1 | 2 |
| 1983 | 4 | 1 |
| 1984 | 6 | 4 |
| 1985 | 9 | 8 |
| 1986 | 12 | 4 |
| 1987 | 25 | 2 |
| 1988 | 123 | 10 |
| 1989 | 106 | 7 |
| 1990 | 77 | 8 |
| 1991 | 200 | 6 |
Counts are owner reports, not failure rates. Higher sales years tend to draw more reports. Owners are still filing reports for recent model years, so these counts will grow. Source: NHTSA ODI, retrieved Oct 6, 2026.
Fuel economy: up to 19 mpg combined
- EPA annual fuel cost
- $3,550
- CO₂ tailpipe
- 468 g/mi
- EPA class
- Midsize Cars
What it costs you to run
Miles ÷ 19 mpg × $4.354 (EIA US average regular, week of Oct 5, 2026, all taxes included). Source: EPA · EIA.
EPA label estimates from lab tests; your mileage will vary.
Specs by configuration
| Engine · transmission | Drive | City / Hwy / Comb | EPA $/yr | CO₂ g/mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5 L 8-cyl · 4-speed automatic | Rear-Wheel Drive | 16 / 23 / 19 | $3,550 | 468 |
| 3.8 L 6-cyl · 3-speed automatic | Rear-Wheel Drive | 16 / 22 / 18 | $3,700 | 494 |
| 3.8 L 6-cyl · 4-speed automatic | Rear-Wheel Drive | 15 / 22 / 18 | $4,550 | 494 |
| 5 L 8-cyl · 3-speed automatic | Rear-Wheel Drive | 15 / 21 / 17 | $3,950 | 523 |
Source: EPA fuel economy data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026. Configurations are listed when EPA and NHTSA records match.
Looking at a 1986 Regal for sale?
Print a one-page buyer's checklist: each recall campaign with a box to tick when the seller shows proof of repair, the top complaint areas to inspect, crash stars, MPG, and a link back to this page.
Where to next
1986 Buick Regal FAQ
How many recalls does the 1986 Buick Regal have?
NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns: 89V102000 (vehicle speed control), 88V014000 (lighting), 87V124000 (structure), 86V093000 (seat belt). Use NHTSA's VIN lookup to see whether a specific car was repaired.
What are the most common 1986 Buick Regal problems?
Owners filed 12 complaints with NHTSA. Vehicle speed control (4), Engine and engine cooling (2), Service brakes (2) are mentioned most. These are owner reports, not verified findings.
What mpg does the 1986 Buick Regal get?
EPA rates the 5 L 8-cyl · 4-speed automatic version at 16 city, 23 highway and 19 combined mpg. Other configurations are listed in the fuel economy section.
How does the 1986 Regal compare with other years?
Among the 1982–1991 Buick Regal model years at least five years old, the 1982 drew the fewest complaints (1) and the 1991 the most (200). The 1986 drew 12. Counts are owner reports, not failure rates.
How this page was madeSources, processing, limits, review and changes
Data sources
- NHTSA recalls by vehicle
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - US DOT recall completion rates (data.transportation.gov)
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - NHTSA ODI owner complaints
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - NHTSA NCAP 5-Star Safety Ratings
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - EPA fuel economy data (licence confirmation pending)
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - EIA weekly retail gasoline prices
Weekly, all taxes included
Processing
- Complaints are counted per component. One complaint can list several, so component totals add up to more than the total.
- Fuel cost = miles per year ÷ EPA combined mpg × EIA weekly price for your region.
Limitations
- Complaint counts are owner reports, not verified findings or failure rates. There is no sales denominator.
- Recall campaigns are listed for the model year. Only NHTSA and the automaker know whether a specific car was repaired.
- Recent model years are still collecting reports.
Review
Data compiled automatically from the official files listed here.
Changelog
- 2026-10-06 Data refreshed from the official files.