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 1999 Buick Regal owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
Tl* the contact owns a 1999 Buick Regal. While pumping fuel in the vehicle, flames appeared under the hood. A station attendant opened the hood and extinguished the fire. The contact called her brother-in-law, an independent mechanic, who towed the vehicle to his residence. The mechanic assessed the damage and diagnosed that the ABS wires underneath the vehicle burned. The wires were replaced. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. Approximately eight months later, the contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 15V701000 (engine and engine cooling). The failure mileage was 180,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 1999 Buick Regal. The contact stated that the vehicle was unable to hold the brake fluid. Brake fluid leaked from underneath the body of the vehicle. The brakes failed to stop the vehicle properly. The brake pedal needed to be depressed in a pulse like manner in order to stop the vehicle properly. The brake pedal traveled to the floor ocassionally. The contact took the vehicle to a certified mechanic who stated that the brake line was rusted and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired and the failure recurred. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and stated that there were no recalls involving the brake lines. The approximate failure mileage was 100,000.
My wife said the brakes felt "funny". But no red warning light showed. I went to drive the car to see what the problem was. When I started the engine and pushed the brake, the peddle went all the way to the floor and the brake fluid drained out in a puddle under the can - then the red warning light went on. Prior to this, there was no indication of a brake problem. If we had been driving, we would have had an accident. The car was towed to the dealer, who is now making repairs. I contacted GM to complain about the catastrophic nature of this brake failure -they will not accept any responsibility. I am concerned that this is likely to happen to other Buick owners will serious negative results.
Complete brake failure 1999 Buick Regal. While leaving a car wash, experienced a total brake failure. Subsequent mechanical work determined the cause to be two severely corroded brake lines, one front and one rear brake line, both leaking brake fluid.. (this failure could have had catastrophic results as we were planning an 850 mile trip the next day in this car.) mechanic said these brake lines were not stainless steel , did not appear to be protected by any coating, and "we see this corrosion on cars from the north". The car lived in chicago for its first 6 years.
Dt: caller stated brake lines and fuel lines were rusty. Caller's wife was driving and the brake light came on, and when caller checked, there was no fluid in the master cylinder. The brake pedal went to the floor. Caller found a hole in the front brake line. Caller noticed that the fuel line was rusting as well. Dealer and manufacturer stated warranty expired, and there was nothing they could do for him. Caller was taking vehicle to a mechanic to get the front brake line fixed.
1999 Buick Regal ABS light and check engine light come on when you press on brake and intermittently all dash warning lights will come on. The brake module, connector, heat/air control display would become bright and then go dark. The dealer replaced the control head. The ignition switch was replaced.
Severely rusted rear brake rotors resulting in caliper pins seizing and premature wearing of brake pads on rear wheel brakes. Vehicle is 6 years old with only 46,500 miles. Required to replace brake rotors, hardware and pads. Vehicle still has original pads and rotors on the front brakes.
Sudden loss of brake fluid due to premature rusting of metal brake lines. Brake warning light came on, brake pedal went mushy, some difficulty in stopping vehicle. Subsequent examination revealed metal brake lines severely rusted in three places, one resulted in said loss of fluid.
Brakes continually overheat and cause the wheel covers to become almost too hot to touch. Brakes, rotors, calipers, pads and brake fluid on both front and back just changed last week and the problem persists. Gas mileage is down almost 10%. No warning lights on.
Stepped on brakes, pedal went bto the floor. Stopped car using emergency brake. Brake line inside rear crossmember rusted through (line well protected, not exposed to road debris etc) local repair shop stated he has had other buicks with same failure.
Related recalls
Service brakes, hydraulic › Antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip
Some of these vehicles with the key in the "on" position, exhibit a condition in which the antilock brake system (ABS) motor shorts to its case and grounds through a flexible brake fluid pipe.
Remedy: Dealers will install a ground cable from the electronic brake control module (ebcm) to the engine compartment body rail.
Brake complaints in other Regal years
Frequently asked questions
How common are brake problems on the 1999 Buick Regal?
NHTSA has 25 complaints about the brakes of the 1999 Buick Regal, 10% of the model year's 246 complaints. The component named most often is antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip (9 mentions).
Is there a recall for 1999 Buick Regal brake problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 99V-170 (antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip, Jul 9, 1999). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 1999 Buick Regal brake problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 88,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 1 crash, 1 fire 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.