BuickRegal1990Overview/buick/regal/1990/base/

1990 Buick Regal

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 1990 Regal.

Body PASSENGER CAR

The 1990 Buick Regal is a passenger car that requires 4 quarts of 5W-30 API engine oil. This model year recorded nine recalls and 103 total owner complaints, with the primary area of concern being the hydraulic service brakes. When positioned within the model's recorded history from 1990 to 2020, this year's reliability is notably better than the 1998 peak of 325 complaints, though it remains above the 2008 low of a single complaint.

Model year201820172016201520142013201220111990

Quick specs

Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.

Engine oil capacity4 qtOEM · verified
Engine oil type5W-30 APIOEM · verified

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length192.1 in
Overall width72.4 in
Overall height53.1 in
Wheelbase107.5 in
Curb weight3150 lb
Track (front / rear)59.4 / 57.9 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)64/36

Performance & power Independent road tests

0–60 mph, quarter-mile, horsepower and torque from independent road tests.

Independent road tests for the Regal of this era, listed by trim and engine — this page spans more than one engine, so no single horsepower figure is shown.

4.9–11.2 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 4.90 sec — 1986 Grand National Coupe
YearTrim / engine0–60¼ mileHPDrivetrain
1991Gran Sport Sedan 3.8L V68.60 sec16.50 sec170 hpFWD
1988Custom Coupe (Grand Touring Pkg) 2.8L V611.20 sec18.20 sec125 hpFWD
1987Grand National Coupe 3.8L Turbo V65.40 sec14.20 sec245 hpRWD
1987Grand National Coupe 3.8L Turbo V66.00 sec14.70 sec245 hpRWD
1987Grand National Coupe 3.8L Turbo V66.10 sec14.70 sec245 hpRWD
1986Grand National Coupe 3.8L Turbo V64.90 sec13.90 sec235 hpRWD
1986T-Type Coupe 3.8L Turbo V65.85 sec14.30 sec235 hpRWD
1985Grand National Coupe 3.8L Turbo V67.50 sec15.70 sec200 hpRWD

Service quick specs OEM factory data

Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.

This engine holds 4 qt of 5W-30 API engine oil.

Lubricants & capacities

Engine CoolantETHYLENE GLYCOL
Engine Oil5W-30 · API
Engine Oil Capacity4 qt
Engine Oil10W-30 · API
Engine Oil Capacity4.0 qt
Engine Oil5W-30 · API
Engine Oil Capacity4.0 qt

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the engine oil and filter at 7,500 mi; coolant every 30,000 mi. The big-interval services (every 30,000 mi for coolant, and the transmission fluid) are the ones owners most often skip — on a lower-mileage example, assume the original fluids are still in it and check them first.

At 7,500 miEngine Oil Filter (replace) · Throttle Body (torque) · Tire & Wheel Assembly (rotate)
Every 7,500 miAxle Shaft Oil Seal (inspect) · Body Latches, Locks & Hinges (inspect) · Brake System (inspect) · CV Joint Boot (inspect) · Engine Oil (drain & refill) · Exhaust System (Complete) (inspect)
Every 15,000 miEngine Oil Filter (replace) · Tire & Wheel Assembly (rotate)
Every 30,000 miEngine Air Filter Element (replace) · Engine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill) · Fuel Line (inspect) · Fuel Tank (inspect) · Fuel Tank Filler Cap (inspect) · PCV System (inspect)
Every 100,000 miTransmission Fluid & Filter (replace)

Reliability & federal safety record

Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.

The 1990 Buick Regal sits at the start of the federal record with 103 complaints, 9 recalls, 11 investigations, and 10 TSBs. Compared with the immediately following years, 1990 carries notably fewer complaints than 1991's 249, yet its 9 recalls exceed each of 1991–1994 individually and its 11 investigations match 1991, remaining among the highest of the early run. Across the generation, complaint volume generally rises through the mid-1990s and peaks much later, while TSB counts climb steeply from the single digits in 1990 to hundreds and eventually thousands, suggesting later model years accumulated far more documented service guidance. The 1990 record is dominated by "Service Brakes, Hydraulic" complaints at 52 of 103 total, plus 7 crash-related and 1 fire-related complaint, though the data does not specify root causes. Given its position as the lowest-complaint early year but with the heaviest recall and investigation profile of that opening stretch, 1990 is a relatively reasonable vintage within this generation, provided a buyer verifies all recalls were addressed and the brake system is thoroughly inspected.

9
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
10
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
11
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
103
Owner complaints
7 involved a crash · 1 a fire

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 103 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Service Brakes, Hydraulic52
Structure6
Engine & Engine Cooling6
Suspension5
Electrical System4
Wheels4
Seat Belts4
Fuel System, Gasoline3

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 9 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

06E043000Fuel System, GasolineReported 19/05/2006

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… 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…

00V189000StructureReported 11/07/2000

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES ORIGINALLY SOLD OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN THE STATES OF CONNECTICUT, DELAWARE, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, IOWA, MAINE, MARYLAND, MASSACHUSETTS, MICHIGAN, MINNESOTA, MISSOURI, NEW… Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FRONT AND REAR FRAME/CRADLE BOLTS AND RETAINERS.

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 10 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
1300890092013-09-01Engine And Engine CoolingExpanded Availability for Remanufacture and Return (R&R) Electronic Control Modules
9909410042000-01-01Air BagsINFORMATION REGARDING SWITCHES TO TURN OFF AND ON FRONTAL AIR BAGS FOR PASSENGER CARS AND…
9909400042000-01-01SeatsGENERAL MOTORS BEGAN PROVIDING CHILD RESTRAIN SEAT TOP TETHER HARDWARE PACKAGES TO…
990866002A2000-01-01Latches/Locks/LinkagesTHIS BULLETIN INFORMS DEALERSHIPS ABOUT THE TRAP RESISTANT REAR COMPARTMENT (TRUNK) KIT…
9903090041999-10-01SuspensionCUSTOMERS MAY COMPLAIN OF GRINDING / SCRAPING / GROANING NOISE FROM REAR SUSPENSION. *TT

Common OBD-II trouble codes

The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.

P0420
Catalyst system efficiency below threshold — Bank 1
P0300
Random / multiple cylinder misfire detected
P0171
System too lean — Bank 1
P0455
Evaporative emission system leak detected — large leak
P0128
Coolant thermostat below regulating temperature
P0442
Evaporative emission system leak detected — small leak

VIN tools

Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.

VIN
Decode a VIN to confirm the transmission and build data for a specific Regal. OEM
Build data
Plant, GVWR class, engine and body data for any 17-character VIN.
Recalls
Check open recall campaigns against a specific vehicle by VIN.

Vehicles with shared specs

Find every vehicle that shares this one's battery, bulbs, oil capacity, platform or parts.

Reference guides

Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.

Frequently asked

How much oil does the 1990 Regal take?

4 qt of 5W-30 API, per the factory manual.

Does the 1990 Regal have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 9 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.