Component Record

Buick Regal 1988 Power Train Problems

11 distinct owners reported a power train problem on the 1988 Buick Regal - 9% of all complaints for this model year.

Recall Coverage11 complaints

11 complaints; 1 recall campaign covers this system.

Campaigns Covering This System

88V045000Reported March 28, 1988 - 17,745 vehicles potentially affected

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.

Other Systems on This Model Year

Brakes90 Vehicle Structure18 Engine10 Fuel and Propulsion System7 Tires5 Seat Belts5

How to Read These Counts: complaint counts are owner reports to NHTSA, not failure rates. Older and higher-volume vehicles accumulate more reports, and counts are not adjusted for vehicles sold - no per-sales rate or reliability ranking is shown, because the public data does not support one.

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.