Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (service brakes, ABS, rotors and pads, parking brake).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 1998 Buick Regal owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
On my way home from purchasing the vehicle, the car began to lose power and i noticed black smoke though the rear view mirror. Another driver signaled me down, so I pulled over and realized my car was on fire. The fire was in the engine compartment from what appeared to be the exhaust manifold. Since i was in a residential area, i grabbed a water hose and began to diffuse the fire. The fire department arrived and forced my hood open to reassure the fire was out. Luckily i was able to make it out safe. But i strongly believe my life and the lives of other drivers were definitely in danger
I purchased vehicle new around December 23, 1997. The vehicle had approximately 500 miles on it. I noticed that when applying brakes the was a vibration (felt like a pulse) in the vehicle and could slightly feel the vibration in the steering wheel. Owners manual advised one May feel the ABS release and reengage while applying brakes. Vehicle was only driver about 6000 miles a year. At about 8000 miles the vibration became so severe I had to take vehicle to the dealership who advised that brakes where not covered under warrenty but they would turn the rotors for free. At about 15000 miles (and now out of warrenty altogether due to past 3 years olds) had to have rotors turned again. Within a few thousand miles had to have new rotors and brakes. …
Have 1998 Buick rega gs. Only 55000 miles. Have had several rotors and brake pads replaced over life of vehicle. Same problem even while under warrenty. Dealer originally turned rotors. Dealer appeared to be aware of problem. Problem returned shortly thereafter. After several rotors and brake pad replacements out of warrenty I finally replaced rotors with high performance cross drilled and slotted rotor (assuming a heat problem) but to no avail. Vehicle shakes violantly at times when brakes applied and rotors always warped. I believe GM was aware of problem from onset but refuses to recall vehicle. Please note that this vehicle did this from the day I purchased it new in decmeber of 1997 but I thought it was a new form of antilock braked that pulsated. Fear that if sold to another individual, vehicle brakes May fail.
Tl contact owns a 1998 Buick Regal. While driving approximately 15 MPH on normal road conditions, the power steering failed when proceeding to make a turn. The contact exerted more effort to turn the steering wheel. The failure occurred intermittently. There were no warning indicators illuminated on the instrument panel. The authorized dealer was notified. Through research, the technician discovered NHTSA campaign id number 03V527000 (steering;rack and pinion). The contact experienced failures identical to the ones mentioned in the recall. The failure and current mileages were 62,000. The ABS motor failed which prevented the rear brakes from working and also the ignition switch was faulty which caused the vehicle to stall when using the left turn signal. Updated 03/04/09.
Consumer was traveling about 65mph on highway. He parked vehicle on an overlook. When he came back to vehicle to start his wife stated that she smelled smoke. When starting up vehicle idled roughly, and started going down hill at bottom of hill. Also, there smoke and flames erupted from console. He applied brakes and there were no brakes. Vehicle went into mechanical brakes, causing him to stop 100 feet. Consumer and wife evacuated vehicle after stopping, entire vehicle was engulfed in flames. Referenced in ea02-030
Tl * the contact owns a 1998 Buick Regal. While making a right turn at an unknown speed, the vehicle stalled. The vehicle was unable to be restarted and was towed to the contact's residence. The failure recurred eighteen times over a period of three months. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified. The approximate failure mileage was 177,000. Updated 09/02/14 the consumer stated when the brakes would stall, the steering and brakes would fail as well. Updated 09/16/2014
The vehicle experiences intermittent noise coming from front end when vehicle is backing up. The consumer stated that the noise appeared to be coming from the ABS. During a test drive the technician also heard the noise but was unable to identify the problem. The dealer contacted the regional service technician who indicated that the ABS noise was normal.
This car has had numerous problems, noted by many owners. Rusted paint over rear wheel wells. I cannot count the number of times I have had to get the turn signals fixed. I had to replace the ABS system this spring. Now I am told I have a cracked manifold. The heating display on the dashboard has not worked for three years: we manipulate the heat/ air by trial and error. I had a "check engine soon" light problem that required numerous computer scans, and would only be fixed for a month or two at a time. The window buttons are failing. The car drives well, but how much more money is it reasonable to put into? It has 138, 00 miles, and has been serviced every 3000 miles. It should be good for another 60, 000 miles. After reading the complaints, it seems I will only be washing my money. Is the cracked manifold related to the reported fires?
Front rotors were warped at 25,000 miles and required surfacing. The second dealer surfaced rotors correctly. When the rotors are slightly warped the ABS cycled every time the brakes are applied increasing braking distance. Upon parking the car on a slight grade and restarting the ABS cycles. With foot on the brake upon letting up to back out the ABS cycles and releases the brakes. The steeper the slope the farther you roll without brakes. More than eight feet in some instances before the brakes reapply. The dealer and Buick service state that this is normal.
When applying brakes, brake caliper fell off, jamming front wheel causing it to freeze, resulting in loss of control. The vehicle would drive in reverse but the right front wheel stayed locked. The cause was found to be two bolts that hold the caliper sheared off. The caliper, after coming off, jammed the front wheel movement to halt. The vehicle shaked when backing and turning due to power steering gear failure. The brakes pulsate when applied due to excess runout of brake rotors.
Brake complaints in other Regal years
Frequently asked questions
How common are brake problems on the 1998 Buick Regal?
NHTSA has 27 complaints about the brakes of the 1998 Buick Regal, 9% of the model year's 302 complaints. The component named most often is foundation components › disc › rotor (9 mentions).
Is there a recall for 1998 Buick Regal brake problems?
No. NHTSA lists no brakes recall for the 1998 Buick Regal, though it has 6 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 1998 Buick Regal brake problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 55,000 miles, and 40% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 0 crashes, 2 fires and 0 injuries to brakes problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.