Complaints
181
Crashes
13
Fires
1
Injuries
10
Fatalities
1
Recalls
0
Worst 1988 Buick Regal Problems
Top 3 most-reported issues with average mileage at failure.
#129 complaints
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc:Caliper
Crash-related:1
#219 complaints
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc
Avg mileage:155,925 mi
#313 complaints
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc:Rotor
Crash-related:1
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All Problems by Category
Every NHTSA complaint category for the 1988 Buick Regal.
| Component | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Avg Mileage | Volume |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc:Caliper | 29 | 1 | — | — | |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc | 19 | — | — | 155,925 mi | |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc:Rotor | 13 | 1 | — | — | |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Drum | 11 | — | — | 155,925 mi | |
| Structure:Frame And Members | 9 | 3 | — | 100,533 mi | |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc:Pads | 8 | — | — | — | |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine | 7 | — | — | — | |
| Automatic Transmission | 6 | — | — | 172,000 mi | |
| Structural Problems | 6 | — | — | — | |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components | 4 | 2 | — | — | |
| Tires:Tread/Belt | 4 | 1 | — | — | |
| Electrical System:Ignition | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Seat Belts:Front:Webbing | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Suspension:Front | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Wheel Issues | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline | 2 | — | 1 | — | |
| Exterior Lighting:Brake Lights | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Fuel System, Gasoline:Storage:Tank Assembly | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Fuel System, Other | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Power Train:Automatic Transmission:Gear Position Indication (Prndl) | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Seat Belts:Front:Buckle Assembly | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Hydraulic Brakes | 2 | 1 | — | — | |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Structure:Body:Door:Hinge And Attachments | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Suspension Failures | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Tire Defects | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Unintended Acceleration | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Vehicle Speed Control:Linkages | 2 | 2 | — | — | |
| Electrical System:Ignition:Module | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Electrical System:Ignition:Switch | 1 | — | — | — |
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc:Caliper
29
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc
19
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
155,925
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc:Rotor
13
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Drum
11
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
155,925
Structure:Frame And Members
9
complaints
Crashes
3
Fires
—
Avg Miles
100,533
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc:Pads
8
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine
7
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Automatic Transmission
6
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
172,000
Structural Problems
6
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components
4
complaints
Crashes
2
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Tires:Tread/Belt
4
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Electrical System:Ignition
3
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Seat Belts:Front:Webbing
3
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Suspension:Front
3
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Wheel Issues
3
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
1
Avg Miles
—
Exterior Lighting:Brake Lights
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Fuel System, Gasoline:Storage:Tank Assembly
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Fuel System, Other
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Power Train:Automatic Transmission:Gear Position Indication (Prndl)
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Seat Belts:Front:Buckle Assembly
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Hydraulic Brakes
2
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Structure:Body:Door:Hinge And Attachments
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Suspension Failures
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Tire Defects
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Unintended Acceleration
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Vehicle Speed Control:Linkages
2
complaints
Crashes
2
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Electrical System:Ignition:Module
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Electrical System:Ignition:Switch
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Search Owner Complaints
Read what owners actually reported to NHTSA for the 1988 Buick Regal. Type a keyword (e.g. “transmission”, “stalling”, “brakes”) to filter.
Other Buick Regal Years
1988 Buick Regal — FAQ
Answers based on real NHTSA complaint and recall data for this specific model year.
Is the 1988 Buick Regal reliable?
Verdict: Above Average Complaints. The 1988 Buick Regal has 181 NHTSA complaints, 13 crash-related, and 0 recall campaigns. The most common issue is Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc:Caliper with 29 complaints. Source: NHTSA via VinItel.
What are common problems with the 1988 Buick Regal?
Top reported problems: Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc:Caliper (29 complaints); Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc (19 complaints, avg 155,925 mi); Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc:Rotor (13 complaints). Every complaint is filed by an owner with NHTSA — this is raw reported data, not editorial opinion.
At what mileage do problems start on the 1988 Buick Regal?
The weighted average mileage at time of complaint is about 146,990 miles. Some components fail earlier, some later — check the "All Problems by Category" table above for per-issue averages.
How safe is the 1988 Buick Regal?
NHTSA complaints for the 1988 Buick Regal include 13 crash-related reports, 1 fire reports, 10 injuries, and 1 fatalities. These are owner-reported incidents, not official crash-test ratings — a complaint being filed doesn't confirm a defect, but clusters around specific components are worth investigating.
Does the 1988 Buick Regal have any recalls?
No NHTSA recall campaigns have been issued for the 1988 Buick Regal as of the latest data sync. Verify by VIN for the most current status — new recalls can be issued years after a model year ships.
Should I buy a 1988 Buick Regal?
Slightly worse than average. Most owners are fine; problem clusters are concentrated around specific components. Check the issues table below and match against the specific car's mileage.
Source: NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) complaint and recall databases, aggregated by VinItel.
Wider context: See the full Buick Regal reliability report with year-by-year comparison and generation analysis.
Check Your Specific 1988 Buick Regal
Real owner complaints tell you about the model. The VIN tells you about your specific car — accidents, title issues, odometer fraud.
Check Any VIN — $8.99