1985 Buick Regal Recalls, Complaints & Specs

8 safety recalls list the 1985 Buick Regal, and owners have filed 9 complaints with NHTSA. Check your own VIN below.

• 1973
• 1974
• 1975
• 1976
• 1977
• 1978
• 1979
• 1980
• 1981
• 1982
• 1983
• 1984
• 1985
• 1986
• 1987
• 1988
• 1989
• 1990
• 1991
• 1992
• 1993
• 1994
• 1995
• 1996
• 1997
• 1998
• 1999
• 2000
• 2001
• 2002
• 2003
• 2004
• 2005
• 2008
• 2009
• 2010
• 2011
• 2012
• 2013
• 2014
• 2015
• 2016
• 2017
• 2018
• 2019
• 2020

8 safety recalls for the 1985 Buick Regal

Most recent first. Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. Click a recall for the full defect, consequence and remedy text.

1. Switch (exterior lighting)

   NHTSA 88V014000 Reported January 8, 1988 179,390 vehicles potentially affected GENERAL MOTORS CORP.

   Under extended headlamp usage, circuitry in the headlamp switch panel might experience increased resistance and excessive heat buildup.

   Remedy: Replace headlight switch with modified switch.

2. Structure

   NHTSA 87V124000 Reported August 10, 1987 261,171 vehicles potentially affected GENERAL MOTORS CORP.

   Small cracks may develop in the body pillar around the door striker bolt hole.

   Remedy: Install inner and outer reinforcement plate on both left and right body pillars.

3. Springs (vehicle speed control)

   NHTSA 86V030000 Reported February 21, 1986 135,623 vehicles potentially affected GENERAL MOTORS CORP.

   The throttle return spring assembly may fail preventing the throttle from returning to the closed (idle) position when the accelerator pedal is released. Consequence of defect: engine speed may not decrease and loss of accelerator control could result in an accident without prior warning.

   Remedy: Replace throttle return spring.

4. Labels (equipment)

   NHTSA 85V114000 Reported September 19, 1985 6,735 vehicles potentially affected GENERAL MOTORS CORP.

   The certification label located on the left front door did not include a required federal certification statement. Consequence of defect: vehicles do not comply with federal regulation 567.

   Remedy: Labels containing correct information are being mailed and should be installed on the left front door.

5. Bumpers (structure)

   NHTSA 85V049000 Reported April 29, 1985 196,939 vehicles potentially affected GENERAL MOTORS CORP.

   The rear bumper may fracture during a rear end collision, puncture the fuel tank, and cause a fuel leak. Consequence of defect: a fuel leak creates the potential for a fire which could result in burn injuries to persons in or near the car.

   Remedy: Replace the rear bumper brackets and the "l" shaped reinforcement with a "u" shaped full reinforcement.

6. Windshield (visibility)

   NHTSA 85V047000 Reported April 26, 1985 20 vehicles potentially affected GENERAL MOTORS CORP.

   A loss of bonding adhesion between the paint and the windshield opening area could allow the windshield to separate during a 30 mile per hour frontal barrier test required by FMVSS 212, windshield retention. Consequence of defect: windshield separation during an accident could result in an unbelted occupant being ejected from the car…

   Remedy: Remove and reinstall windshield if a lack of paint bonding is evident.

7. Retractor (seat belts)

   NHTSA 84V154000 Reported November 27, 1984 19 vehicles potentially affected GENERAL MOTORS CORP.

   The vehicles were assembled with front seat belt retractors which may not perform adequately during a collision.

   Remedy: The dealer will replace the left and right front seat belt retractors free of charge.

8. Tie rod assembly (steering)

   NHTSA 84V124000 Reported October 10, 1984 10,359 vehicles potentially affected GENERAL MOTORS CORP.

   The tie rods are part of the steering linkage and transmit turning movements to the wheels. The bolts that fasten the tie rods to their adjusters may not be tight enough. This could allow the tie rod to loosen and detach itself from the adjuster.

   Remedy: The tie rod end bolts will be tightened without cost to the owner.

9 owner complaints filed with NHTSA

Owners of the 1985 Buick Regal have filed 9 complaints with NHTSA; 1 describe a crash. Complaints peaked in 1995 with 2 filed that year.

Most-reported components

• Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components3
• Engine and engine cooling: gasoline2
• Vehicle speed control2
• Electrical system: fuses and circuit breakers1
• Engine and engine cooling: hoses/lines/piping/fittings1
• Steering: steering wheel/handle bar1

What owners are reporting

“While traveling and when depressing brake pedal it will not travel to floorboard. Conumer has to apply force. Please provide further information.*ak”

Owner complaint to NHTSA, May 3, 2001 · Service brakes, hydraulic

“Carbon manoxide is getting into passenger's compartment when heat is in use. Dealer has been contacted.*ak due to design defect carbon monoxide enters passenger and driver compartment when heat is tur”

Owner complaint to NHTSA, December 5, 2000 · Engine and engine cooling

Fuel economy and specs

EPA ratings for the 1985 Buick Regal. Ranges cover every tested configuration.

Compare Buick Regal model years

Recall and complaint counts for every Buick Regal model year in NHTSA's database.

Checking a specific 1985 Buick Regal

Other Buick models

• Lesabre3,728 complaints
• Enclave2,501 complaints
• Lacrosse2,122 complaints
• Century1,817 complaints
• Park Avenue1,368 complaints
• Rendezvous1,241 complaints
• Lucerne943 complaints
• Encore601 complaints

Source: NHTSA recall and complaint databases and EPA fuel economy data, October 2026. Complaint counts are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. Recall counts are safety campaigns that list this model year; whether a particular car was already repaired depends on its VIN. How this data is compiled.