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Model Year Problem Record

Buick Regal 1998 - Problems, Recalls, and Investigations

The complete public record for the 1998 Buick Regal: what owners reported, which systems drew recalls, and where complaints exist that no recall has ever covered.

302Distinct owner complaintsSource: NHTSA Complaints
6Recall campaignsSource: NHTSA Recalls
10Defect investigationsSource: NHTSA Investigations
55Complaints reporting a crash or fireOwner Reports, Unverified

Complaints by System

Distinct complaints naming each system, most reported first. Select a system for its own page.

Did a Recall Cover It?

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.

Engine84 complaints

84 complaints; 3 recall campaigns cover this system. Campaigns: 08V118000, 09V116000, 15V701000.

Steering78 complaints

78 complaints; 1 recall campaign covers this system. Campaigns: 03V527000.

Electrical System51 complaints

51 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Brakes32 complaints

32 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Visibility29 complaints

29 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Lighting22 complaints

22 complaints; 2 recall campaigns cover this system. Campaigns: 98V102000, 99V356000.

Power Train13 complaints

13 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Tires11 complaints

11 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Vehicle Structure11 complaints

11 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Unknown Or Other6 complaints

6 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Equipment6 complaints

6 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Suspension6 complaints

6 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Air Bags5 complaints

5 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Seat Belts5 complaints

5 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Seats4 complaints

4 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Fuel and Propulsion System4 complaints

4 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Vehicle Speed Control3 complaints

3 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Recall Campaigns

Every campaign covering this model year, in our own words. The campaign number is the official reference.

03V527000Reported December 11, 2003 - 750,283 vehicles potentially affected

Steering. Recall covering the steering system, reported to NHTSA on December 11, 2003. The campaign covers an estimated 750,283 vehicles across all affected models.

08V118000Reported March 12, 2008 - 207,542 vehicles potentially affected

Engine. Recall covering the engine system, reported to NHTSA on March 12, 2008. The campaign covers an estimated 207,542 vehicles across all affected models.

09V116000Reported April 8, 2009 - 1,497,516 vehicles potentially affected

Engine. Recall covering the engine system, reported to NHTSA on April 8, 2009. The campaign covers an estimated 1,497,516 vehicles across all affected models.

15V701000Reported October 26, 2015 - 1,003,556 vehicles potentially affected

Engine. Recall covering the engine system, reported to NHTSA on October 26, 2015. The campaign covers an estimated 1,003,556 vehicles across all affected models.

98V102000Reported May 15, 1998 - 149,342 vehicles potentially affected

Lighting. Recall covering the lighting system, reported to NHTSA on May 15, 1998. The campaign covers an estimated 149,342 vehicles across all affected models.

99V356000Reported December 17, 1999 - 411,880 vehicles potentially affected

Lighting. Recall covering the lighting system, reported to NHTSA on December 17, 1999. The campaign covers an estimated 411,880 vehicles across all affected models.

Defect Investigations

NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation opened these investigations touching this model year.

EA02030Opened October 22, 2002 - Closed March 9, 2004

ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRES. Resulted in recall campaign 04V090000.

EA02030Opened October 22, 2002 - Closed March 9, 2004

ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRES. Resulted in recall campaign 04V090000.

EA02030Opened October 22, 2002 - Closed March 9, 2004

ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRES. Resulted in recall campaign 04V090000.

EA03019Opened September 15, 2003 - Closed December 18, 2003

POWER RACK AND PINION STEERING FAILURE. Resulted in recall campaign 03V527000.

EA03019Opened September 15, 2003 - Closed December 18, 2003

POWER RACK AND PINION STEERING FAILURE. Resulted in recall campaign 03V527000.

EA99024Opened August 20, 1999 - Closed January 13, 2000

WINDSHIELD WIPER. No recall campaign resulted from this investigation.

PE02050Opened June 13, 2002 - Closed October 22, 2002

ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRES. No recall campaign resulted from this investigation.

PE99028Opened April 16, 1999 - Closed August 20, 1999

WINDSHIELD WIPER. No recall campaign resulted from this investigation.

RQ03001Opened January 2, 2003 - Closed September 15, 2003

POWER RACK AND PINION STEERING FAILURE. No recall campaign resulted from this investigation.

RQ03001Opened January 2, 2003 - Closed September 15, 2003

POWER RACK AND PINION STEERING FAILURE. No recall campaign resulted from this investigation.

Complaints by Year Received

When this model year's complaints reached NHTSA - whether its problems surfaced early or late in its life.

199811
199946
200016
200121
200210
200328
200438
200513
200620
20075
200815
200914
20105
201111
20125
20133
20145
201512
201615
20173
20182
20191
20201
20211
20221
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.