Reliability, what owners report, and what it costs to keep.
AVOIR's read: a solid ownership case with specific caveats below.
Owners have filed 173 complaints with NHTSA about the 1992 Buick Regal, and it carries 2 recalls. These are owner allegations rather than confirmed defects, but the pattern of what people complain about is the most useful signal a used buyer has.
| Area | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Service brakes | 57 | 33% |
| Seat belts | 30 | 17% |
| Power train | 16 | 9% |
| Electrical system | 10 | 6% |
| Structure | 7 | 4% |
| Steering | 7 | 4% |
| Visibility | 5 | 3% |
| Engine and engine cooling | 5 | 3% |
| Suspension | 5 | 3% |
| Seats | 4 | 2% |
Verbatim from NHTSA complaint records, trimmed for length.
FUEL LEAK FROM THE ENGINE FUEL INJECTOR RAIL SUPPLY LINE HAD A PIN HOLE SPRAYING FUEL ONTO THE TOP OF THE ENGINE.
NHTSA complaint: Engine
1992 BUICK REGAL, EVERYTIME I OPEN THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR, IT BURNS THE FUSE FOR THE COURTESY LIGHTS, RADIO, CASSETTE PLAYER, ALL INTERIOR LIGHTS. I AM AFRAID IT MIGHT BURN THE CAR. *TR
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
TRYING TO FIND OUT IF THERE WAS A RECALL ON FRONT SEAT BELT OF BUICK REGAL 92 DUE TO FACTS ONE -MINE BROKE DURING ACCIDENT FACT TWO -THE SHOULDER RESTRAINT DIDN'T LOCK LIKE SUPPOSE TO. *NM
NHTSA complaint: Seat belts
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE HAS HAD CONTINUAL PROBLEMS WITH THE TRANSMISSION. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN TO THE DEALER SEVERAL TIMES FOR REPAIRS BUT THE PROBLEM PERSISTS. THE TRANSMISSION WAS ALSO REBUILT BY AN INDEPE
NHTSA complaint: Service brakes
WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS ON A HOIST FOR A TRANSMISSION REPLACEMENT THE SUB FRAME FELL DOWN. THE SUB FRAME WAS NOT WELDED PROPERLY AT THE FACTORY. DEALER HAS BEEN INFORMED OF THE PROBLEM, AND CLAIMS THAT THERE IS NO RECALL
NHTSA complaint: Structure
UPON ACCELERATION TRANSMISSION FAILS TO REENGAGE IN FIRST GEAR WHEN VEHICLE DOES NOT COME TO A COMPLETE STOP.*AK
NHTSA complaint: Power train
TRANSMISSION DIP-STICK IS TOO LONG AND CAUSES A FALSE READING OF FLUID LEVEL! HENCE, WHEN FLUID IS 1 QT.(+/-) LOW DIP-STICK SHOWS FULL, EVEN THOUGH VEHICLE WILL NOT ENGAGE IN GEAR. MANY OWNERS HAVE TOWED TO TRANSMISSION
NHTSA complaint: Power train
WHEN GETTING OUT OF THE VEHICLE THE DRIVER PUT THE POWER WINDOWS UP. THE CHILD, AGE 5, IN THE BACK SEAT STUCK HIS HEAD OUT OF THE WINDOW WHILE THE WINDOWS WERE GOING UP AND BECAME STUCK. THE DRIVER GOT THE CHILD OUT OF
NHTSA complaint: Visibility
NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns for the 1992 Buick Regal. Recalls are free to have fixed at a franchised dealer regardless of who owns the car now, but only if they were never done, so check the VIN of the specific car rather than trusting the model.
INCORRECT CLEAR FRONT SIDE MARKER BULBS WERE INSTALLED RATHER THAN AMBER BULBS. THIS DOES NOT CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT."
Risk: CONSEQUENCE OF NON-COMPLIANCE: DURING ILLUMINATION, THE BULBS WILL SHOW CLEAR RATHER THAN AMBER AND COULD MOMENTARILY CONFUSE OTHER DRIVERS.
Fix: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE CLEAR BULBS WITH THE CORRECT AMBER BULBS.
THE REVERSE SERVO APPLY PIN MAY BIND IN THE CASE WHICH COULD CAUSE REVERSE BAND DISTRESS (LOSS OR SLIPPING OF REVERSE), REVERSE BAND DRAG IN DRIVE RANGE (POOR PERFORMANCE -- POOR POWER), OR THE TRANSMISSION TO REMAIN IN REVERSE WHILE THE SHIFT INDICATOR SHOWS NEUTRAL GEAR POSITION.
Risk: IF THE TRANSMISSION REMAINS IN REVERSE WHILE THE SHIFTINDICATOR SHOWS NEUTRAL, THE VEHICLE MAY UNEXPECTEDLY MOVE REARWARD AND RESULTIN A VEHICLE ACCIDENT.
Fix: REPLACE THE TRANSAXLE WHERE REQUIRED.
| Reliability raw | 76 | good |
|---|---|---|
| Longevity est. | 76 | good |
| Maintenance | 79 | good |
| Depreciation | 70 | good |
| Performance | 54 | average |
| Efficiency | 38 | below average |
Percentile ranks against other midsize & large cars in the catalog.
What stands behind each score for this car:
Owners have filed 173 complaints with NHTSA for this model-year, and service brakes is the most reported area with 57 of them (33%). There are 2 recalls on record. Check any specific car against its VIN before buying.
AVOIR scores its reliability 76/100 (good) from NHTSA recall campaigns and complaint density. That figure is a raw complaint count, not yet adjusted for sales volume, so a high-volume model scores worse than it deserves.
AVOIR scores its longevity 76/100, but that figure is an estimate built from the powertrain and the brand's record, not a measurement. A 1992 car has no 200,000-mile population to observe yet, so treat it as a prior rather than evidence.
AVOIR's read: worth a look, because a solid ownership case with specific caveats below. Its overall ownership score is 70/100. Condition, mileage and service history still matter more than any score, so get a pre-purchase inspection on the specific car.
Sources: NHTSA recalls and complaints, EPA fuel economy, IIHS awards, and live market listings. A score describes a model-year, not the individual car in front of you. Get a pre-purchase inspection.