Buick Regal Visibility Problems
Owners have filed 108 complaints with NHTSA about visibility problems on the Buick Regal across 12 model years. The 1998 model year has the most (27). The words owners use most often: “windshield wipers” (12% of reports).
- 108visibility complaints
- —median miles at failure
- 0mention a crash
- 1mention an injury
- 2related recalls
- $840typical repair cost reported by owners
- 53%of reports with a speed happened at 50+ mph
What owners describe
Phrases that appear unusually often in these complaints compared with complaints about other cars.
- Windshield wipers: mentioned in 13 of 108 complaints (12%)
- Power window: mentioned in 8 of 108 complaints (7%)
How much does it cost to fix?
Owners who wrote down what they paid or were quoted put the typical visibility repair on the Buick Regal at $840, and half of them between $690 and $1,150.
Based on 10 NHTSA complaints about this problem alone that state a repair bill or quote (2002–2009), converted to 2026 dollars with the U.S. consumer price index. These are owners' own figures, not a quote: they include dealer quotes, and owners who file complaints often faced larger repairs, so they can run higher than typical shop prices. Prices vary by shop, region and warranty coverage. How we calculate this.
At what mileage do visibility problems happen?
Based on 35 complaints that reported the odometer reading.
How serious are the reports?
Of 108 complaints, 1 an injury.
Buick Regal visibility complaints by model year
| Model year | Visibility complaints | Share of that year | Median miles |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 Regal | 1 | 5% | 30,000 |
| 2013 Regal | 1 | 1% | 23,500 |
| 2004 Regal | 2 | 3% | — |
| 2003 Regal | 4 | 4% | 94,528 |
| 2002 Regal | 7 | 6% | 56,000 |
| 2001 Regal | 7 | 4% | 27,000 |
| 2000 Regal | 10 | 5% | 59,000 |
| 1999 Regal | 20 | 8% | 82,645 |
| 1998 Regal | 27 | 9% | 90,000 |
| 1997 Regal | 11 | 8% | 57,000 |
| 1996 Regal | 7 | 3% | — |
| 1995 Regal | 11 | 6% | — |
When owners reported it
Related recalls (2)
Visibility:windshield wiper/washer:linkages
Model years: 1997
Problem: Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. The windshield wipers may stop working due to a separation between the drive pin and crescent in the crank arm assembly.
Risk: Driver visibility could be reduced, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will inspect these vehicles for the presence of a plastic water deflector and, if necessary, replace the wiper motor crank arm and install a water deflector. On vehicles receiving a replacement crank arm and new water deflector, dealers will also apply additional sealing material to improve water deflection away from the crank arm assembly and will install a reinforcement to improve the performance of the wiper park mechanism.
Visibility:windshield wiper/washer:switch/wiring
Model years: 1995
Problem: Some of these vehicles have a strained or separated washer/wiper switch power feed wire.
Risk: This can cause the windshield washer/wiper to work intermittently and could ultimately result in inoperative wipers. If this were to occur in a severe weather situation, driver visibility could be reduced, increasing the risk of a vehicle crash.
Fix: Dealers will inspect and replace the old designed washer/wiper switches with a newly designed switch.
What owners report
Short excerpts of recent complaints, with personal details removed. Full reports are on NHTSA.gov.
The contact owns a 2019 Buick Regal. The contact stated that while driving 20 MPH, the accelerator pedal was depressed; however, the vehicle failed to accelerate as intended. The traction and check engine warning lights were illuminated. The failure had occurred while the grandchildren were inside…
I was driving down the freeway and the moon roof exploded all over my kids in the back seat as well as my self, i had glass stuck in my scalp. *tr
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 buick regal. While driving at an unknown speed, the instrument panel lighting dimmed, the windows failed to close and open, and the air conditioning system failed to cool. The dealer performed diagnostic testing, but the cause of the failure could not be determined. The…
2003 buick regal. Consumer writes in regards to windshield wipers on general motors vehicles *tgw the consumer stated the windshield wiper arm fell off his daughter's vehicle, while driving in inclement weather.
I have experienced multiple wiper failures with wipers stopping in upright position in drivers view. *tr
Frequently asked questions
Do all Buick Regals have visibility problems?
No. NHTSA has 108 owner complaints about visibility for the Buick Regal. Complaint data shows that the problem is reported, not how many of all cars sold are affected.
Was there a recall on the Buick Regal visibility?
Yes: 2 safety recalls list visibility. Check your VIN on NHTSA.gov to see whether the fix was done on your car.
How much does it cost to fix visibility problems on the Buick Regal?
Owners report a typical cost of $840 (half paid between $690 and $1,150), from 10 complaints that state a repair bill or quote, in 2026 dollars.
What do owners say about visibility problems on the Buick Regal?
The most frequent phrase is “windshield wipers”, in 13 of 108 complaints, followed by “power window” (8).
Other Buick Regal problems
- Electrical System problems (487)
- Engine problems (421)
- Engine and Engine Cooling problems (293)
- Steering problems (279)
- Exterior Lighting problems (196)
- Service Brakes, Hydraulic problems (177)
- Power Train problems (157)
- Air Bags problems (134)
See all Buick Regal problems.