Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (headlights, tail lights, turn signals, interior lights).
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).
Tl* the contact owns a 1998 Buick Regal. While driving at an unknown speed, the instrument panel lights and tail lights blew out. In addition, the ignition key was running hot. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where the failure was undetermined. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 212,500.
Every time I turn on my left or right turn signal it shorts out.... Took to a mechanic and he did some re wiring and it worked for a little bit then started to happen again.... I don't want to spend a bunch of money on it anymore. What should I do?
1. Right side cornering lamp is inoperative despite replacing bulb, socket and even entire right side headlamp housing assembly with all new wiring and bulbs in it (not the turn signal because that works and so do all headlight functions I.e. High/low beam). 2. When above issue started car suddenly started shutting off whenever turn signals where used when passing or trying to enter highway on entrance ramp regardless of if we were speeding up or slowing down. It has also happened at a complete stand still while local mechanic was investigating complaint regarding all the above and he is still not able to find the cause. I am afraid to let my family ride in this vehicle and I am afraid it will cost us a fortune trying to figure out what is causing this unsafe issue!
1998 Buick Regal gs, problem evident for the last 10, 000 miles. When using the turn signal stick, car experiences a "dead short" and engine shuts down while car is rolling. Car becomes worse as car is driven for an extended period of time. Dealer said he could not reproduce the problem. It is intermittent, but extremely dangerous. On my last ride(4/21/2008), the vehicle consistently experienced a cut off of power and if I had not moved the turn signal stalk to its neutral position, I am sure the car would have stalled while still in motion, reducing and/or eliminating power steering and brake functions. The problem started at about 75,000 miles. Have there been other complaints?
I just review your "complaint" segment. I found no fewer than 8 complaints relative to owners of 1998 Buick regals experiencing the very same and dangerous problem with their vehicles. I.e. The car dying when the turn signal stick is actuated. Why is there no recall since this is a life threatening situation? There were other complaints about this vehicle dying while in motion. If one of your staff members were injured or killed, would this be a better reason to nudge GM to do a voluntary recall for those affected with this problem? I just want to believe that someone cares. Sincerely. Joseph wojciechowski
Failure of driver's side rear brake light to activate when brake pedal is depressed. Passenger side and high mount light work fine. Left turn signal (which is the same wire as the brake) also works. After being ticketed for equipment failure, had diagnosed and found that the problem was in the multi function switch in the steering column. This switch controls turn signals, wipers, cruise control, etc. Since this occured I have noticed other general motors vehicles with the same or similar problem. This is a safety hazard and I wonder if any investigations have been done on this problem?
Tl* the contact owns a 1998 Buick Regal. The contact stated the headlights were crooked and not aiming straight. The contact located a recall in regards to the failure under NHTSA campaign id number: 99V356000 (exterior lighting: headlights) but was advised that his VIN was not included. The dealer was contacted and referred the contact to the vehicle owners manual which contained a manual insert with instructions for optically aiming the headlamps per the recall notice. The manufacturer was contacted and offered no further assistance. The failure mileage was 130,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 1998 Buick Regal. The contact stated that the engine warning indicator continued to randomly flash. Also, once the vehicle was started, the engine would misfire and the vehicle would overheat. The vehicle was not diagnosed by a dealer. The vehicle was included in NHTSA campaign numbers: 09V116000 (engine and engine cooling) and 99V356000 (exterior lighting), but the contact was uncertain if the failures were related to the recalls. The manufacturer was notified of the failures. The failure mileage was not available.
Tl* the contact owns a 1998 Buick Regal. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to start. The vehicle was towed to the dealer for inspection where they stated that the turning signal had shortened. As a result, the ignition switch and the wiring harness needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired but the failure recurred. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 40,000.
I have a 1998 Buick Regal gs. I have experienced a problem when activating the turn signals. Upon activating a signal in either direction the car's electrical system shut down and stalls the engine. The car is normally in motion and power steering, headlights etc is lost.
Related recalls
Exterior lighting › Headlights
Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. These vehicles do not conform to the requirements of FMVSS no. 108, "lamps, reflective devices, and associated equipment." the vertical head lamp adjusting device May not be calibrated properly.
Remedy: Owners will be provided with an owner's manual insert containing instructions for optically aiming the headlamps.
Exterior lighting › Headlights
Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. The owner manuals do not contain the requirement information pertaining to the vehicle headlamp aiming device. This does not comply with requirements of FMVSS no. 108, "lamps, reflective devices, and associated equipment."
Remedy: Owners will be mailed an owner manual's insert which contains the appropriate information.
Headlight complaints in other Regal years
Frequently asked questions
How common are headlight problems on the 1998 Buick Regal?
NHTSA has 22 complaints about the lights of the 1998 Buick Regal, 7% of the model year's 302 complaints. The component named most often is headlights (5 mentions).
Is there a recall for 1998 Buick Regal headlight problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 99V-356 (headlights, Dec 17, 1999); NHTSA recall 98V-102 (headlights, May 15, 1998). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 1998 Buick Regal headlight problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 115,000 miles.
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.