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Model Year Problem Record

Buick Regal 1997 - Problems, Recalls, and Investigations

The complete public record for the 1997 Buick Regal: what owners reported, which systems drew recalls, and where complaints exist that no recall has ever covered.

136Distinct owner complaintsSource: NHTSA Complaints
7Recall campaignsSource: NHTSA Recalls
10Defect investigationsSource: NHTSA Investigations
22Complaints 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.

Engine41 complaints

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

Steering40 complaints

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

Electrical System18 complaints

18 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Visibility13 complaints

13 complaints; 1 recall campaign covers this system. Campaigns: 99V348000.

Brakes11 complaints

11 complaints; 1 recall campaign covers this system. Campaigns: 97V223000.

Lighting8 complaints

8 complaints; 1 recall campaign covers this system. Campaigns: 98V102000.

Air Bags7 complaints

7 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Power Train7 complaints

7 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Tires6 complaints

6 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Fuel and Propulsion System5 complaints

5 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Vehicle Structure4 complaints

4 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Suspension3 complaints

3 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Equipment3 complaints

3 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Seat Belts2 complaints

2 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Driver Assistance and Stability Systems2 complaints

2 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Vehicle Speed Control1 complaints

1 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Unknown Or Other1 complaints

1 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Seats1 complaints

1 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.

97V223000Reported November 14, 1997 - 4,387 vehicles potentially affected

Brakes. Recall covering the brakes system, reported to NHTSA on November 14, 1997. The campaign covers an estimated 4,387 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.

99V348000Reported December 16, 1999 - 155,149 vehicles potentially affected

Visibility. Recall covering the visibility system, reported to NHTSA on December 16, 1999. The campaign covers an estimated 155,149 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.

19973
19989
199916
200010
200110
20025
200315
200413
20057
20064
20071
20089
20097
20102
20114
20122
20131
20144
20151
201611
20181
20191
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.