1998 Buick Regal Steering Problems

NHTSA component category: STEERING · data through 07/14/2026

23Steering complaints

7.6%Of all 302 complaints

#5Most-reported category

Source: U.S. NHTSA complaint data. Complaints are unverified reports from vehicle owners — a complaint is not a confirmed defect.

How steering ranks on this vehicle

STEERING:RACK AND PINION36 · 11.9%

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM33 · 10.9%

ENGINE29 · 9.6%

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING26 · 8.6%

STEERING23 · 7.6%

Share of the 302 complaints citing each category; one complaint can cite several. Full breakdown on the 1998 Buick Regal overview page.

What owners report

“C/S STEERING COLUMN STICKING WHEN TURNING. FOUND RACK AND PINION GEAR BINDING CAUSING VEHICLE NOT TO TURN LEFT. REPLACED RACK AND PINION WITH SHOR GEAR…”NHTSA complaint 10053090 — filed 01/13/2004

“CLUNK NOISE OCCURS WHEN TURNING RIGHT OR LEFT AND WHILE GOING IN REVERSED. ESPECIALLY NOTICED AFTER CAR PARKED FOR A PERIOD OF TIME. TOOK TO…”NHTSA complaint 10052845 — filed 01/11/2004

“PROBLEMS WITH POWER STEERING MECHANISM. THERE WAS A CLUNKING SOUND IN THE STEERING MECHANISM. MECHANICS BELIEVED THAT THIS WAS ASSOCIATED WITH THE RACK AND PINION…”NHTSA complaint 10050361 — filed 12/09/2003

Excerpts are shortened and scrubbed of personal details; they are individual, unverified reports.

Steering complaints by year filed

Frequently asked questions

Does the 1998 Buick Regal have steering problems?

Steering is the #5 most-reported problem area on the 1998 Buick Regal: 23 of 302 complaints on file (7.6%). Complaints are unverified owner reports, not confirmed defects.

How many complaints does the 1998 Buick Regal have in total?

302 complaints were on file with NHTSA as of 07/14/2026. Across all categories, 7 involved a crash, 41 involved a fire, 3 reported injuries, and none reported deaths.

What does NHTSA's steering category include?

NHTSA assigns each complaint to standard component categories; this page reports the STEERING category exactly as NHTSA defines and records it.

About this data — Complaint figures on this page are consumer reports submitted to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), a U.S. government agency. NHTSA does not verify individual complaints; a complaint is not proof that a defect exists, and counts reflect what owners chose to report, not confirmed failure rates. Recall information comes from official NHTSA safety recall campaigns; recall repairs are free at authorized dealers. Always check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. CarModelProblems.com is an independent site and is not affiliated with NHTSA or any vehicle manufacturer. Data through 07/14/2026.