Model Year Problem Record
The complete public record for the 1988 Buick Regal: what owners reported, which systems drew recalls, and where complaints exist that no recall has ever covered.
Distinct complaints naming each system, most reported first. Select a system for its own page.
The join between complaints and recalls for this model year, system by system. A gap does not prove a defect - it means owners reported the problem and no recall campaign covers that system on this model year.
90 complaints; 1 recall campaign covers this system. Campaigns: 88V109000.
18 complaints; 2 recall campaigns cover this system. Campaigns: 00V189000, 97V058000.
11 complaints; 1 recall campaign covers this system. Campaigns: 88V045000.
10 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.
7 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.
5 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.
5 complaints; 1 recall campaign covers this system. Campaigns: 90V054000.
5 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.
5 complaints; 1 recall campaign covers this system. Campaigns: 88V040000.
4 complaints; 2 recall campaigns cover this system. Campaigns: 94V041000, 95V115000.
4 complaints; 1 recall campaign covers this system. Campaigns: 88V066000.
4 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.
4 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.
2 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.
1 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.
1 complaints; 1 recall campaign covers this system. Campaigns: 88V065000.
Every campaign covering this model year, in our own words. The campaign number is the official reference.
Vehicle Structure. Recall covering the vehicle structure system, reported to NHTSA on July 11, 2000. The campaign covers an estimated 713,435 vehicles across all affected models.
Lighting. Recall covering the lighting system, reported to NHTSA on March 24, 1988. The campaign covers an estimated 9,661 vehicles across all affected models.
Power Train. Recall covering the power train system, reported to NHTSA on March 28, 1988. The campaign covers an estimated 17,745 vehicles across all affected models.
Latches, Locks and Linkages. Recall covering the latches, locks and linkages system, reported to NHTSA on April 18, 1988. The campaign covers an estimated 12,457 vehicles across all affected models.
Suspension. Recall covering the suspension system, reported to NHTSA on April 18, 1988. The campaign covers an estimated 3,221 vehicles across all affected models.
Brakes. Recall covering the brakes system, reported to NHTSA on July 6, 1988. The campaign covers an estimated 8,328 vehicles across all affected models.
Seat Belts. Recall covering the seat belts system, reported to NHTSA on March 14, 1990. The campaign covers an estimated 673,000 vehicles across all affected models.
Wheels. Recall covering the wheels system, reported to NHTSA on March 28, 1995. The campaign covers an estimated 198,163 vehicles across all affected models.
Wheels. Recall covering the wheels system, reported to NHTSA on June 5, 1995. The campaign covers an estimated 22,361 vehicles across all affected models.
Vehicle Structure. Recall covering the vehicle structure system, reported to NHTSA on April 8, 1997. The campaign covers an estimated 676,535 vehicles across all affected models.
NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation opened these investigations touching this model year.
THROTTLE NON-RETURN. No recall campaign resulted from this investigation.
REAR WHEEL BEARINGS FAIL. No recall campaign resulted from this investigation.
W-CAR HINGE PIN FAILURE. No recall campaign resulted from this investigation.
STICKING THROTTLE. No recall campaign resulted from this investigation.
PARKING BRAKE CABLE. No recall campaign resulted from this investigation.
FAILURE STOP LAMP SWITCH. Resulted in recall campaign 90V185000.
STEERING WHEEL SEPARATION. No recall campaign resulted from this investigation.
W-CAR HINGE PIN FAILURE. No recall campaign resulted from this investigation.
SUB-FRAME ABSORBER FAILURE. No recall campaign resulted from this investigation.
CORRODED REAR DISK BRAKES. No recall campaign resulted from this investigation.
STRUCTURE. Resulted in recall campaign 00V189000.
CRADLE BOLT FAILURES. Resulted in recall campaign 97V058000.
When this model year's complaints reached NHTSA - whether its problems surfaced early or late in its life.
Data as of October 30, 2026. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaints, recalls, and investigations files (U.S. Government public domain). DefectRecord is not affiliated with NHTSA or any manufacturer. For your specific vehicle, use NHTSA's VIN lookup. Report an error.