Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (power windows, windshield, wipers, mirrors, sunroof).
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 contact owns a 1998 Buick Regal. The contact stated when entering the vehicle she noticed a film covering the mirror. The following day when entering the vehicle she noticed that a substance was leaking from the mirror onto her console and melted parts of the console. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and inspected where it was determined that the automatic dem solution leaked from the mirror and the mirror would have to be replaced at a cost of 210.00 and that does not include labor. The contact is in the process of having the vehicle repaired. The contact called the manufacturer and was informed that because of the age of the vehicle, no compensation could be offered. The failure mileage was 61,000 and the current mileage is 61,300.
Tl contact owns a 1998 Buick Regal. While driving 1-5 MPH, the vehicle would constantly stall. In addition, the vehicle stalled while driving in reverse. The contact stated that the vehicle would shut off when the check engine light illuminated. The contact was able to restart the vehicle after it stalled. The failure mileage was 92,900 and current mileage was 92,988. Updated 02/15/08. The consumer has experienced other problems with the vehicle such as steering gear failure, which the rack and pinion was replaced. Air condition failure, transmission torque converter, which the entire transmission was overhauled. The ignition switch shorted out. The right front window regulator was replaced. Updated
Power window regulator failed on left rear door in March 2002, and on the driver's door in March 2003. Both failures were of the plastic retainer for the cable end which holds the window up. Both windows dropped several inches. The rear window dropped while driving, causing driver distraction. In both cases the window could not be raised without removing the door upholstery panel. The only repair is to replace the entire window regulator assembly. List price for the driver's door parts only was $352.
Tl* the contact owns a 1998 Buick Regal. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign numbers: 15V701000 (engine) and 00099v356 (visibility); however, the part to do the repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure.
Electric windows--front passenger can only be used via controls on driver's door and rear passenger side window came down and will not stay up--we cut off the power to it and it still creeps down. It lacks about 2-3" of being shut and has to be taped to keep air/water out. This happened last summer.
Windshield wipers don't work 1/2 the time. They seem to go off track--you have to stop the car, open the hood and tighten the base--the nut that holds the wiper arm on works loose. This has been happening for about 8 months.
One day while driving my wife's 1998 Buick Regal when I heard a sudden gust of wind noise. I had found out that both of the rear windows had fallen as if they were off track, but these were electric windows. A few weeks later the front driver side window fell as well. I called 3 different Buick dealers who all told me that the regulators on my year model have a very bad tendancy to go out. They also informed me that the regulator for each window is $400.00 plus labor. I spoke to Buick's customer service who said that they have never received a complaint on this, but I have found countless forums online with many people who have the exact same problem of two or more windows malfunctioning all at one time...this is no coincedence. …
There is excessive glare in the windshield of this vehicle; excessive to a point of total blindness when I enter my garage. The problem is a result of the steep angle of glass, a very light colored gray dash and the size of the dash. This combination causes the windshield to take on the appearance of being foggy at all times. At night, when driving under overhead lights the condition is even worse ; as is the case when driving the car into my garage which is also light gray. In this circumstance I am almost totally blinded by the images transposed into the windshield. I have contacted Buick at least 6-8 times asking for help to resolve the problem but the most they would offer is a suggestion to get myself some polarized sun glasses or purchase a dash mat (with a warning that the dash mat May not help either). …
Recurring A/C, electrical system, and window vibration problems have not been resolved by the manufacturer, despite numerous attempts. Was referred to a Buick regional rep, who consistently lied about the fact that Buick was aware of these problems in numerous (maybe all) 1998 regals. When that didn't deter me and the truth established, he attempted to use physical threats to get me to back down. That didn't deter me either. Bbb arbitration process was a farce. Bbb admitted that the vehicle was considered a lemon, but their resolution was to let Buick have the car for an additional 30 day period to attempt to repair it. Neither the bbb, nor Buick followed the bbb's own arbitration rules. Buick rep and arbitrator both lied during the arbitration hearing, despite taking an oath at the beginning of the proceedings. …
Moisture has accumulated on inside of headlight lens. Console latch broken, repaired by dealer. Wiper arms would not remove snow, linkage disconnected, repaired by dealer, then went off windshield, repaired a total of 3 times. Half of digital temperature-radio display went dim, repaired by dealer. Digital supercharger boost guage intermitently sticks above zero, dealer could not identify problem.
NHTSA investigations
Windshield wiper
Incidents of wiper failure (owner reports and warranty) are very high, and many of the reports indicate that the failures are still occurring in 1999.
Windshield wiper
By letter dated December 12, 1999, GM notified NHTSA of its plans to conduct a safety related defect campaign to remedy 155,149 of the subject vehicles.the vehicle population for the campaign includes the 1997 Buick regal/century and Pontiac gran prix models built during the period from the start of production through May 1, 1997.GM determined that the wipers installed prior to this date could stop working, usually…
Window & Wiper complaints in other Regal years
Frequently asked questions
How common are window & wiper problems on the 1998 Buick Regal?
NHTSA has 25 complaints about the windows, wipers & sunroof of the 1998 Buick Regal, 8% of the model year's 302 complaints. The component named most often is power window devices and controls (13 mentions).
Is there a recall for 1998 Buick Regal window & wiper problems?
No. NHTSA lists no windows, wipers & sunroof 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 window & wiper problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 90,000 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.