1985 Buick Regal problems
The Buick Regal is a line of mid-size cars marketed by Buick since 1973. For nearly its entire production, the Regal has served as the premium mid-size/intermediate offering of the Buick product range. Introduced as a submodel of the Buick Century, the model line is currently in its sixth generation. From the 1970s to the 1990s, the Regal served as the Buick counterpart of the Pontiac Grand Prix and Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme.
Originally introduced as a personal luxury coupe, the Regal was later expanded to a full model line. To showcase its success in NASCAR racing, from 1982 to 1987, Buick introduced the Buick Regal Grand National, Regal T-Type, and the limited-production Buick GNX. During the 1990s, while the four-door sedan superseded the two-door coupe entirely, forced-induction engines made their return, with superchargers replacing turbochargers.
For 1999, the Buick Regal inaugurated the sale of GM vehicles in the Chinese market, with the 1997 design lasting through 2008. Following the 2004 model year, Buick retired the nameplate in North America, with the Regal replaced by the Buick LaCrosse.
For 2008, Opel introduced the Opel Insignia as its largest sedan, with Buick rebranding the model line as the Regal for the Chinese market. For 2011, GM reintroduced the Regal to North America, rebranding the Insignia sedan for North America. For 2018, Buick introduced the second-generation Opel Insignia, sourcing all production from Germany; alongside a first-ever liftback sedan, the Regal TourX was the first Buick station wagon in 22 years.
After 2020, as the division shifted away from car model lines, Buick ended sales of the Regal in North America.
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Common 1985 Buick Regal problems
The 1985 Buick Regal has been reported to have several common problems based on complaints from owners. Here are the details of those problems:
- Headlight Failure: Some owners have reported that the headlights on their 1985 Buick Regal would cycle on and off, which could result in a vehicle crash under severe weather or nighttime driving conditions. The recommended solution is to have the headlight system checked and repaired by an authorized Buick service department.
- Door Latch Failure: Some owners have reported that the door latch on their 1985 Buick Regal would crack, making it difficult to close the door and potentially allowing the door to come open during a crash, increasing the likelihood of injury to occupants. The recommended solution is to have the door latch system checked and repaired by an authorized Buick service department.
- Engine and Transmission Issues: Some owners have reported issues with the engine and transmission in their 1985 Buick Regal, including shifting delays, engine knocking, and a burnt smell coming from underneath the hood. These issues can be caused by a variety of factors, including worn-out parts, low fluid levels, or faulty sensors. The recommended solution is to have the vehicle inspected by a qualified mechanic to diagnose and repair the problem.
- Battery and Idle Issues: Some owners have reported that their 1985 Buick Regal would have battery and idle issues, including a dead battery after sitting for a short period and a high idle when the engine is warm. These issues can be caused by a variety of factors, including a faulty alternator, a bad computer, or a worn-out battery. The recommended solution is to have the vehicle inspected by a qualified mechanic to diagnose and repair the problem.
In general, it is recommended that 1985 Buick Regal owners follow the manufacturer's maintenance schedule and address any minor issues before they become major problems. If a problem is suspected, it is recommended to have the vehicle inspected by a qualified mechanic as soon as possible.
Is Buick Regal a reliable car?
The Buick Regal is considered reliable, with a reliability rating of 4.0 out of 5.0 from RepairPal.
What is the best year for a Buick Regal?
This is the overall most reliable Buick Regal year. According to motorandwheels.com, the 2011 Buick Regal is the best in the entire line. Featuring an excellent engine, solid powertrain, and great performance and comfort, it is still a top choice for anyone seeking a midsize and reliable sedan.
What engine came in a 1985 Buick Regal?
The standard engine is a 3.8 litre V-6 with automatic transmission. Every Regal has power steering and power assisted low- drag front disc/rear drum brakes.
How many 1985 Buick Regals were made?
Second generation (1978-1987)
| Coupe | Yearly Total | |
|---|---|---|
| 1983 | 151,667 | 228,239 |
| 1984 | 166,039 | 224,754 |
| 1985 | 124,546 | 124,546 |
| 1986 | 91,229 | 91,229 |
Is Buick Regal a reliable car?
The Buick Regal is considered reliable, with a reliability rating of 4.0 out of 5.0 from RepairPal.
What engine came in a 1985 Buick Regal?
The standard engine is a 3.8 litre V-6 with automatic transmission. Every Regal has power steering and power assisted low- drag front disc/rear drum brakes.
What is the best year for a Buick Regal?
This is the overall most reliable Buick Regal year. According to motorandwheels.com, the 2011 Buick Regal is the best in the entire line. Featuring an excellent engine, solid powertrain, and great performance and comfort, it is still a top choice for anyone seeking a midsize and reliable sedan.
How many 1985 Buick Regals were made?
Second generation (1978-1987)
| Coupe | Yearly Total | |
|---|---|---|
| 1983 | 151,667 | 228,239 |
| 1984 | 166,039 | 224,754 |
| 1985 | 124,546 | 124,546 |
| 1986 | 91,229 | 91,229 |
1985 Buick Regal car problems categorized by type of issue
After analyzing all complaints sent to the NHTSA and researching popular Buick Regal problems, we found that the most common problems with these 2023 model year vehicles are:
- Service brakes problems
- Hydraulic problems
- Engine and engine cooling problems
- Steering problems
- Vehicle speed control problems
The graph below shows statistics for all 1985 Buick Regal vehicle components and the number of complaints received.
1985 Buick Regal complaints
The NHTSA has received 13 complaints about various vehicle components related to the 1985 Buick Regal.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-11-24
- Components: SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
- Summary: WHILE TRAVELING AND WHEN DEPRESSING BRAKE PEDAL IT WILL NOT TRAVEL TO FLOORBOARD. CONUMER HAS TO APPLY FORCE. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-11-24
- VIN: 1G4GJ47A1FP
- Components: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
- Summary: 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 TURNED ON. SPECIFICALLY, CARBON MONOXIDE ENTERS AT THE POINT WHERE THE HEATER HOSE IS CONNECTED TO THE HEATER CORE. *YH
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-11-24
- VIN: 1G4GJ47A9FH
- Components: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
- Summary: NEED SOLUTIONS ON PROBLEMS. NO MENTION OF SAFETY DEFECT. *AK
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-11-24
- VIN: 1G4GK4794FP
- Components: SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
- Summary: LEFT FRONT BRAKES ELECTRONIC MOTOR FAILED. YY
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 1998-02-03
- Components: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
- Summary: ENGINE FAILURE, CAUSING LOSS OF CONTROL.(OHIO TURNPIKE POLICE REPORT).
STEERING PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 1996-11-04
- VIN: 1G4GM47A6FP
- Components: STEERING
- Summary: DRIVING HOME COULDN'T TURN LEFT OR RIGHT , SO SHE LEFT THE CAR BECAUSE SHE FELT THE STEERING WAS OFF. *AK *JB
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 1996-02-12
- VIN: 1GHGM47A9FP
- Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
- Summary: PHOTO CELL DEFECTIVE FOR HEADLIGHTS, GO OFF AT NIGHT WHILE DRIVING. *SD
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 1995-11-19
- Crash: 1
- VIN: 1G4NM27U3FM
- Components: VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
- Summary: RECALL RELATED, 86V030000, THROTTLE WENT INTO OPEN POSITION AFTER PUT THE VEHICLE IN REVERSE,IMPACT 6:00 POSITION AND 12:00 POSITION. TT
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 1995-11-19
- Crash: 1
- VIN: 1G4NM27U3FM
- Components: VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
- Summary: RECALL RELATED, 86V030000, THROTTLE WENT INTO OPEN POSITION AFTER PUT THE VEHICLE IN REVERSE,IMPACT 6:00 POSITION AND 12:00 POSITION. TT
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 1994-11-18
- VIN: 1G4GK4795FP
- Components: SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
- Summary: DURING SUDDEN PEDAL APPLICATION NO RESPONSE FROM BRAKING SYSTEM. TT
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 1994-11-30
- Components: FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
- Summary: FUEL FILLER NECK EXTENSION VIBRATED LOOSE AND WEDGED BETWEEN ENGINE AND CRUISE CONTROL, CAUSING SUDDEN ACCELERATION. (OTHER VEHICLE ON 469375) *SKD
STEERING PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 1994-03-11
- VIN: 1G4NJ27U7FM
- Components: STEERING
- Summary: POWER STEERING RACK NEEDS REPLACEMENT DUE TO EXCESSIVE WEAR. *DH
STEERING PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 1991-09-01
- Components: STEERING
- Summary: STEERING LOCKED UP DUE TO SEALS OF RACK AND PINION STUB SHAFT ALLOWING FLUID TO BY PASS STEERING CYLINDER. *SD
1985 Buick Regal recalls
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has issued 9 recalls for different components of the 1985 Buick Regal.
- Manufacturer: HONEYWELL INTERNATIONAL, INC.
- Components: FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
- Summary: CERTAIN REPLACEMENT FUEL FILTERS, FRAM BRAND NAME P/N G3727, WITH DATE CODES X52911 THROUGH X60801 SEQUENTIALLY OR X600141 AND A MEXICO COUNTRY OR ORIGIN MARKING ON THE FUEL FILTER HOUSING MANUFACTURED FROM OCTOBER 18, 2005, THROUGH MARCH 21, 2006, SOLD FOR USE ON THE VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE AND ON CERTAIN SCHOOL BUSES. (TO SEE THE SCHOOL BUS ENGINE SIZES, CLICK ON "DOCUMENT SEARCH" AND THEN "BUS APPLICATIONS"). THE CONNECTOR ON THE FUEL FILTER WAS NOT MANUFACTURED TO HONEYWELL'S SPECIFICATION. AS A RESULT, THE O-RING MAY NOT SEAT CORRECTLY ON THE FUEL LINE.
- Consequence: THIS CONDITION MAY CAUSE AN INADEQUATE SEAL AT THE CONNECTION, POTENTIALLY LEADING TO A FUEL LEAK. IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, A FIRE COULD OCCUR.
- Remedy: HONEYWELL WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE FUEL FILTERS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 18, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FRAM CUSTOMER SERVICE AT 1-800-890-2075 (OPTION 1).
- Manufacturer: GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
- Components: EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS:SWITCH
- Summary: UNDER EXTENDED HEADLAMP USAGE, CIRCUITRY IN THE HEADLAMP SWITCH PANEL MIGHT EXPERIENCE INCREASED RESISTANCE AND EXCESSIVE HEAT BUILDUP.
- Consequence: HEADLIGHTS WOULD CYCLE ON AND OFF. SUDDEN LOSS OFHEADLIGHTS UNDER SEVERE WEATHER OR NIGHTIMER DRIVING CONDITIONS COULD RESULTIN A VEHICLE CRASH.
- Remedy: REPLACE HEADLIGHT SWITCH WITH MODIFIED SWITCH.
- Manufacturer: GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
- Components: STRUCTURE
- Summary: SMALL CRACKS MAY DEVELOP IN THE BODY PILLAR AROUND THE DOOR STRIKER BOLT HOLE.
- Consequence: CRACKS WOULD INCREASE LEADING TO DIFFICULTY IN CLOSINGTHE DOOR AND MIGHT ALLOW DOOR TO COME OPEN DURING A CRASH, INCREASINGLIKELIHOOD OF INJURY TO OCCUPANTS.
- Remedy: INSTALL INNER AND OUTER REINFORCEMENT PLATE ON BOTH LEFT AND RIGHT BODY PILLARS.
- Manufacturer: GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
- Components: VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:SPRINGS
- Summary: 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.
- Manufacturer: GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
- Components: EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELS
- Summary: 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.
- Manufacturer: GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
- Components: STRUCTURE:BODY:BUMPERS
- Summary: 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.
- Manufacturer: GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
- Components: VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD
- Summary: 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 AND SEVERLY INJURED.
- Remedy: REMOVE AND REINSTALL WINDSHIELD IF A LACK OF PAINT BONDING IS EVIDENT.
- Manufacturer: GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
- Components: SEAT BELTS:FRONT:RETRACTOR
- Summary: 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.
- Manufacturer: GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
- Components: STEERING:LINKAGES:TIE ROD ASSEMBLY
- Summary: 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.
Additional sources
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