Reliability, what owners report, and what it costs to keep.
AVOIR's read: a solid ownership case with specific caveats below.
Owners have filed 108 complaints with NHTSA about the 1993 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 | 49 | 45% |
| Engine and engine cooling | 10 | 9% |
| Seat belts | 7 | 6% |
| Vehicle speed control | 7 | 6% |
| Electrical system | 6 | 6% |
| Visibility | 4 | 4% |
| Structure | 4 | 4% |
| Fuel system | 4 | 4% |
| Exterior lighting | 3 | 3% |
| Seats | 2 | 2% |
Verbatim from NHTSA complaint records, trimmed for length.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1993 BUICK REGAL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DOOR LOCKS FAILED AND REMAINED LOCKED WHEN ATTEMPTING TO OPERATE THEM. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE TRAVELING VARIOUS SPEEDS UNDER NORMAL ROAD CONDITIONS, THE VEHICLE HAD PERMANENT TO WORSENING CONDITIONS WITH THE BRAKES. THE BRAKE DESIGN WAS FOUR WHEEL ABS. THE CONTACT STATED THE BRAKE
NHTSA complaint: Service brakes
WHEN DRIVING, THE CONSUMERS SEAT BACK COLLAPSED. THE CONSUMER WAS CONCERNED THAT HE MAY FALL BACK WITH NO WARNING AND HAVE AN ACCIDENT. THE ANCHOR OF THE SEAT WAS BROKEN. *JB *SC *JB
NHTSA complaint: Seats
WHILE MAKING A LEFT TURN NOISE WAS HEARD COMING FROM STEERING WHEEL. CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION, AND MECHANIC COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM.*AK
NHTSA complaint: Suspension
THE BATTERY WAS DEAD CAUSING THE VEHICLE NOT TO START. ALL THE DOORS LOCKED AND THE MANUAL OVERRIDE FROZE SO THAT THE DRIVER COULD NOT EXIT THE VEHICLE. AFTER A LENGTH OF TIME, THE DRIVER WAS ABLE TO UNLOCK THE DOORS
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
CONSUMER NOTICED WHEN DEPRESSING BRAKES VEHICLE WOULD TRAVEL EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE. TECHNICIAN WHO SERVICED VEHICLE REPLACED BRAKES DUE TO CORROSION. *AK
NHTSA complaint: Service brakes
VEHICLE POWER WINDOWS ROLLED UP WHILE VEHICLE WAS PARKED TRAPPING 5-YEAR OLD CHILD'S HEAD. *MR WHILE PARKED IN THE DRIVEWAY, THE CONSUMERS FIVE YEAR OLD SONS NECK BECAME STUCK IN THE POWER WINDOW AS IT ROLLED UP. TH
NHTSA complaint: Visibility
THE METAL FRAME MOUNTS THAT HOLD ENGINE UP IN THE VEHICLE DETERIORATED, CAUSING THE ENGINE TO DROP TO THE GROUND WHILE BACKING OUT OF A DRIVEWAY. CAUSE UNKNOWN. *AK
NHTSA complaint: Engine and engine cooling
NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns for the 1993 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.
THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER FRONT SEAT MANUAL RECLINING MECHANISMS DO NOT COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS 207, "SEATING SYSTEMS." THE SEAT BACK MECHANISMS WILL NOT LATCH UNDER CERTAIN CONDITIONS.
Risk: THE SEATS MAY RECLINE WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING, RESULTINGIN A HAZARD TO SEAT OCCUPANTS AND POSSIBLE LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL.
Fix: REPLACE THE MANUAL SEAT RECLINER MECHANISM WITH A MECHANISM THAT COMPLIES WITH FMVSS 207.
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.
| Reliability raw | 82 | excellent |
|---|---|---|
| Longevity est. | 79 | 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 108 complaints with NHTSA for this model-year, and service brakes is the most reported area with 49 of them (45%). There are 2 recalls on record. Check any specific car against its VIN before buying.
AVOIR scores its reliability 82/100 (excellent) 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 79/100, but that figure is an estimate built from the powertrain and the brand's record, not a measurement. A 1993 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 72/100. 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.