Equal-exposure complaint evidence and changes in the reported problem mix

1989 vs 1990 BUICK REGAL

NHTSA Consumer Complaints complaints · snapshot 2026-08-21

Share shifts show how a vehicle's problem mix changed. They do not measure reliability, and complaint counts are not normalized for sales volume.

First 443 months on market for each model year

Exposure window calculated through Aug 22, 2026

Age-matched reports

▼ 26.7% fewer reports in the equal exposure window

1989 105 complaints 1990 77 complaints

NHTSA Consumer Complaints complaints · snapshot 2026-08-21

Component share shift

Bars start at the neutral midpoint. Left means a smaller share; right means a larger share.

View component share data as a table
Component 1989 share 1990 share Share change
SERVICE BRAKES 42.9% 52.0% ▲ 9.1 pts larger share
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 11.4% 3.9% ▼ 7.5 pts smaller share
STRUCTURE 13.3% 7.8% ▼ 5.5 pts smaller share
WHEELS 1.9% 6.5% ▲ 4.6 pts larger share
SUSPENSION 1.0% 5.2% ▲ 4.2 pts larger share
PARKING BRAKE 3.8% 1.3% ▼ 2.5 pts smaller share
ENGINE 5.7% 7.8% ▲ 2.1 pts larger share
SEAT BELTS 1.9% 3.9% ▲ 2.0 pts larger share
STEERING 1.0% 2.6% ▲ 1.7 pts larger share
EXTERIOR LIGHTING 2.9% 1.3% ▼ 1.6 pts smaller share
POWER TRAIN 2.9% 1.3% ▼ 1.6 pts smaller share
VISIBILITY 2.9% 1.3% ▼ 1.6 pts smaller share
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL 2.9% 1.3% ▼ 1.6 pts smaller share
AIR BAGS not reported 1.3% ▲ 1.3 pts larger share
FUEL SYSTEM 1.9% 1.3% ▼ 0.6 pts smaller share
UNKNOWN OR OTHER 82.9% 83.1% ▲ 0.3 pts larger share

NHTSA Safety Recalls recalls · snapshot 2026-08-22

Recall campaigns

1989 8

Campaign components: EXTERIOR LIGHTING and FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

1990 9

Campaign components: EXTERIOR LIGHTING and SEAT BELTS

NHTSA Consumer Complaints complaints · snapshot 2026-08-21

Safety signals

◆ Fires
2 → 1
◆ Injuries
3 → 11