Recalls (10)
NHTSA lists 10 recall campaigns for the 1988 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 ↗Listed for 1988 Buick Regal. Not checked against your VIN.
GM/CRADLE BOLTS
Structure
Official NHTSA text
- Summary
- VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES ORIGINALLY SOLD OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN THE STATES OF CONNECTICUT, DELAWARE, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, IOWA, MAINE, MARYLAND, MASSACHUSETTS, MICHIGAN, MINNESOTA, MISSOURI, NEW HAMPSHIRE, NEW JERSEY, NEW YORK, OHIO, PENNSYLVANIA, RHODE ISLAND, VERMONT, WEST VIRGINIA, WISCONSIN, AND THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, WHERE ROAD SALT USE IS HEAVY. A CONDITION WHERE ONE OR BOTH FRONT ENGINE CRADLE BOLTS CAN PULL THROUGH THE RETAINERS DUE TO CORROSION OF THE RETAINERS.
- Consequence
- IF BOTH BOLTS PULL THROUGH, THE FRONT OF THE CRADLE WOULD NO LONGER BE SUPPORTED AT THE MOUNTING LOCATIONS AND THE STEERING INTERMEDIATE SHAFT COULD SEPARATE FROM THE STEERING GEAR.
- Remedy
- DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FRONT AND REAR FRAME/CRADLE BOLTS AND RETAINERS.
Repair progress not yet reported713,435 vehicles potentially affected
Manufacturer report to NHTSA · Source: US DOT recall completion data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026
Check your VIN on NHTSA
or ask a dealer to check campaign 00V189000
Listed for 1988 Buick Regal. Not checked against your VIN.
GM/REAR CRADLE BOLTS
Structure
Official NHTSA text
- Summary
- VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES AND MINI VANS ORIGINALLY SOLD OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN THE FOLLOWING STATES: CONNECTICUT, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, MAINE, MASSACHUSETTS, MICHIGAN, NEW HAMPSHIRE, NEW JERSEY, NEW YORK, OHIO, PENNSYLVANIA, RHODE ISLAND, VERMONT AND WISCONSIN. THE REAR CRADLE BOLTS PULL THROUGH THE RETAINERS DUE TO CORROSION OF THE RETAINER. IF BOTH BOLTS PULL THROUGH, THE REAR CRADLE WOULD NOT LONGER BE SUPPORTED AT THESE MOUNTING LOCATIONS AND THE STEERING INTERMEDIATE SHAFT CAN SEPARATE FROM THE STEERING GEAR.
- Consequence
- IF THIS WERE TO OCCUR WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION, A VEHICLE CRASH COULD RESULT.
- Remedy
- DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE REAR CRADLE BOLTS AND RETAINERS.
Repair progress not yet reported676,535 vehicles potentially affected
Manufacturer report to NHTSA · Source: US DOT recall completion data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026
Check your VIN on NHTSA
or ask a dealer to check campaign 97V058000
Listed for 1988 Buick Regal. Not checked against your VIN.
WHEELS
Wheels
Official NHTSA text
- Summary
- CRACKS DEVELOP IN THE WHEEL MOUNTING SURFACE. IF THESE CRACKS BECOME SEVERE ENOUGH, THE WHEEL WILL COMPLETELY SEPARATE FROM THE VEHICLE.
- Consequence
- IF WHEEL SEPARATION OCCURS WHILE THE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION, LOSS OF STEERING AND BRAKE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE OCCURS, AND A VEHICLE CRASH COULD RESULT WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING.
- Remedy
- DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE MANUFACTURING DATE CODES STAMPED ON EACH WHEEL OF THE VEHICLE AND IF A WHEEL FALLS WITHIN THE SPECIFIED DATE CODE RANGE, THE DEALER WILL REPLACE THAT WHEEL ASSEMBLY.
Repair progress not yet reported22,361 vehicles potentially affected
Manufacturer report to NHTSA · Source: US DOT recall completion data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026
Check your VIN on NHTSA
or ask a dealer to check campaign 95V115000
Listed for 1988 Buick Regal. Not checked against your VIN.
WHEELS
Wheels
Official NHTSA text
- Summary
- CRACKS DEVELOP IN THE WHEEL MOUNTING SURFACE. IF THESE CRACKS BECOME SEVERE ENOUGH, THE WHEEL WILL COMPLETELY SEPARATE FROM THE VEHICLE.
- Consequence
- IF WHEEL SEPARATION OCCURS WHILE THE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION, LOSS OF STEERING AND BRAKE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE OCCURS, AND A VEHICLE CRASH COULD RESULT WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING.
- Remedy
- DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE MANUFACTURING CODES STAMPED ON EACH WHEEL OF THE VEHICLE AND IF A WHEEL FALLS WITHIN THE SPECIFIED DATE CODE RANGE, THE DEALER WILL REPLACE THAT WHEEL ASSEMBLY.
Repair progress not yet reported198,163 vehicles potentially affected
Manufacturer report to NHTSA · Source: US DOT recall completion data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026
Check your VIN on NHTSA
or ask a dealer to check campaign 94V041000
Listed for 1988 Buick Regal. Not checked against your VIN.
INTERIOR SYSTEMS:PASSIVE RESTRAINT:BELTS
Seat belts
Official NHTSA text
- Summary
- FRONT SHOULDER BELT GUIDE LOOP ATTACHMENT FASTENER MAY PULL THROUGH DOOR MOUNTED ANCHOR PLATE.
- Consequence
- SEAT BELT MAY NOT SUSTAIN LOADS REQUIRED BY FMVSS 210, AND IN A VEHICLE ACCIDENT, THE SEAT BELT MAY NOT PROPERLY RESTRAIN A PASSENGER, RESULTING IN INCREASED RISK OF GREATER INJURY TO AN OCCUPANT.
- Remedy
- REPLACE FRONT SHOULDER BELT GUIDE LOOP ATTACHMENT NUTS AND INSTALL NEW GUIDE COVER.
Repair progress not yet reported673,000 vehicles potentially affected
Manufacturer report to NHTSA · Source: US DOT recall completion data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026
Check your VIN on NHTSA
or ask a dealer to check campaign 90V054000
Listed for 1988 Buick Regal. Not checked against your VIN.
BRAKES:HYDRAULIC:LINES:HOSE:NON-METALLIC
Service brakes, hydraulic · foundation components · hoses, lines/piping, and fittings
Official NHTSA text
- Summary
- TWISTED COMPONENTS COULD ALLOW THE LEFT FRONT BRAKE HOSE TO CONTACT THE FENDER LINING/RAIL AREA; OVER TIME THE BRAKE HOSE COULD WEAR THROUGH.
- Consequence
- THIS COULD RESULT IN A LOSS OF BRAKE FLUID AND A PARTIALLOSS OF BRAKING CAPABILITY WHICH COULD RESULT IN AN ACCIDENT.
- Remedy
- INSPECT LEFT FRONT BRAKE HOSE FOR PROPER INSTALLATION AND REPLACE, AS NECESSARY.
Repair progress not yet reported8,328 vehicles potentially affected
Manufacturer report to NHTSA · Source: US DOT recall completion data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026
Check your VIN on NHTSA
or ask a dealer to check campaign 88V109000
Listed for 1988 Buick Regal. Not checked against your VIN.
STRUCTURE:HOOD ASSEMBLY:LATCHES
Latches/locks/linkages · hood · latch
Official NHTSA text
- Summary
- THE SECONDARY HOOD LATCH MAY NOT PROPERLY ENGAGE.
- Consequence
- IF PRIMARY LATCH DISENGAGES, HOOD COULD UNEXPECTEDLYOPEN. IF CAR WAS IN MOTION, HOOD COULD CONTACT THE WINDSHIELD, REDUCE THEDRIVERS FORWARD VISION AREA, AND COULD RESULT IN AN ACCIDENT.
- Remedy
- REPLACE SECONDARY LATCH WITH A NEW LATCH.
Repair progress not yet reported12,457 vehicles potentially affected
Manufacturer report to NHTSA · Source: US DOT recall completion data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026
Check your VIN on NHTSA
or ask a dealer to check campaign 88V065000
Listed for 1988 Buick Regal. Not checked against your VIN.
SUSPENSION:INDEPENDENT FRONT CONTROL ARM:LOWER:BAL
Suspension · front · control arm · lower ball joint
Official NHTSA text
- Summary
- LOWER CONTROL ARM TO BALL JOINT ATTACHMENT CAN BECOME LOOSE. ALSO, CERTAIN CARS COULD HAVE TIE ROD BALL STUD NUTS THAT WERE NOT PROPERLY TORQUED AND COULD LOOSEN.
- Consequence
- CONTINUED OPERATION OF CAR WITH EITHER CONDITION COULDRESULT IN SEPARATION OF THAT JOINT AND POSSIBLE LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL AND ANACCIDENT.
- Remedy
- REPLACE BOTH LOWER CONTROL ARMS; ALSO, CHECK TIE ROD BALL STUD NUT TORQUE.
Repair progress not yet reported3,221 vehicles potentially affected
Manufacturer report to NHTSA · Source: US DOT recall completion data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026
Check your VIN on NHTSA
or ask a dealer to check campaign 88V066000
Listed for 1988 Buick Regal. Not checked against your VIN.
POWER TRAIN:TRANSMISSION:UNKNOWN TYPE:LEVER AND LI
Power train · manual transmission · column shift assembly
Official NHTSA text
- Summary
- AN INTERFERENCE BETWEEN THE TRANSMISSION SHIFT CABLE AND THE BELLCRANK CLIP IN THE STEERING COLUMN CAN RESULT IN DISENGAGEMENT OF THE TRANSMISSION CABLE.
- Consequence
- THIS CONDITION COULD ALLOW THE TRANSMISSION TO BE IN AGEAR OTHER THAN THAT DISPLAYED BY THE SHIFT INDICATOR. THE VEHICLE COULD MOVEIN AN UNEXPECTED DIRECTION AND CAUSE A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING.
- Remedy
- A NEWLY DESIGNED BELLCRANK CLIP WILL BE INSTALLED.
Repair progress not yet reported17,745 vehicles potentially affected
Manufacturer report to NHTSA · Source: US DOT recall completion data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026
Check your VIN on NHTSA
or ask a dealer to check campaign 88V045000
Listed for 1988 Buick Regal. Not checked against your VIN.
LIGHTING:SWITCH:BUTTON:RING:BRAKE LIGHTS
Exterior lighting · brake lights · switch
Official NHTSA text
- Summary
- THE STOP LAMP SWITCH MAY HAVE A LOOSE ELECTRICAL CONTACT. THE LOOSE CONTACT CAN OVERHEAT AND MELT THE SURROUNDING PLASTIC CAUSING THE CONTACT TO STICK OPEN.
- Consequence
- AN OPEN CONTACT WOULD RENDER THE BRAKE LIGHTS INOPERATIVEWHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL IS DEPRESSED. ALSO, THE TRANSMISSION CLUTCH CONTROL ANDCRUISE CONTROL CONTACTS WOULD REMAIN CLOSED. THIS CONDITION WOULD RESULT INCRUISE RESUME UPON BRAKE PEDAL RELEASE IF THE CRUISE CONTROL IS IN THE ONPOSITION. EITHER AN UNEXPECTED CRUISE RESUME OR INOPERATIVE BRAKE LIGHTS COULDRESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING.
- Remedy
- THE ROTARY SOPLAMP SWITCH WILL BE REPLACED ON ALL INVOLVED VEHICLES.
Repair progress not yet reported9,661 vehicles potentially affected
Manufacturer report to NHTSA · Source: US DOT recall completion data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026
Check your VIN on NHTSA
or ask a dealer to check campaign 88V040000
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 (123)
123 complaints filed with NHTSA (owner reports, not verified findings). The service brakes is mentioned most often.
10involved a crash
1involved a fire
8injuries reported
1deaths reported
As reported by owners in their complaints. These are reports, not NHTSA findings.
Most-reported components
| Component | Complaints | % of 123 |
|---|---|---|
| Service brakes | 67 | 54.5% |
| Structure | 17 | 13.8% |
| Power train | 10 | 8.1% |
| Engine and engine cooling | 9 | 7.3% |
| Fuel system | 7 | 5.7% |
| Electrical system | 5 | 4.1% |
| Seat belts | 5 | 4.1% |
| Tires | 5 | 4.1% |
| Exterior lighting | 4 | 3.3% |
| Suspension | 4 | 3.3% |
How 1988 compares with other Regal years
Best and worst Regal years →19846
19859
198612
198725
1988123
1989106
199077
1991200
1992144
199385
| Model year | Complaints | Recall campaigns |
|---|---|---|
| 1984 | 6 | 4 |
| 1985 | 9 | 8 |
| 1986 | 12 | 4 |
| 1987 | 25 | 2 |
| 1988 | 123 | 10 |
| 1989 | 106 | 7 |
| 1990 | 77 | 8 |
| 1991 | 200 | 6 |
| 1992 | 144 | 2 |
| 1993 | 85 | 2 |
This year (1988)Other yearsStill collecting reports
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 21 mpg combined
21
mpg combined
18
city
26
highway
- EPA annual fuel cost
- $3,200
- CO₂ tailpipe
- 423 g/mi
- EPA class
- Midsize Cars
What it costs you to run
$3,110per year
$259per month
714gallons a year
Miles ÷ 21 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2.8 L 6-cyl · 4-speed automatic | Front-Wheel Drive | 18 / 26 / 21 | $3,200 | 423 |
Source: EPA fuel economy data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026. Configurations are listed when EPA and NHTSA records match.
Looking at a 1988 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
1988 Buick Regal FAQ
How many recalls does the 1988 Buick Regal have?
NHTSA lists 10 recall campaigns: 00V189000 (structure), 97V058000 (structure), 95V115000 (wheel), 94V041000 (wheel), 90V054000 (seat belt), 88V109000 (brake), 88V065000 (latch), 88V066000 (suspension), 88V045000 (power train), 88V040000 (brake). Use NHTSA's VIN lookup to see whether a specific car was repaired.
What are the most common 1988 Buick Regal problems?
Owners filed 123 complaints with NHTSA. Service brakes (67), Structure (17), Power train (10) are mentioned most. These are owner reports, not verified findings.
What mpg does the 1988 Buick Regal get?
EPA rates the 2.8 L 6-cyl · 4-speed automatic version at 18 city, 26 highway and 21 combined mpg.
How does the 1988 Regal compare with other years?
Among the 1984–1993 Buick Regal model years at least five years old, the 1984 drew the fewest complaints (6) and the 1991 the most (200). The 1988 drew 123. 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.
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