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Buick Regal ball joint problems

20 of the 2,973 owner complaints about the Buick Regal describe ball joint or control arm failure, most of them for the 2000 model year.

owner complaints
20
worst model year
2000
typical mileage
90,000
Is there a fix? There are 4 recalls for this area of the car. See below

By model year

  • 2011
    2
  • 2002
    1
  • 2000
    6
  • 1999
    5
  • 1997
    1
  • 1996
    3
  • 1994
    1
  • 1991
    1

What owners say

Filed Feb 13, 2023 · Body, Suspension · MI

Front subframe rotted out where my control arm connects. Cannot safetly drive. There should be a recall on this part. There isnt one so now im stuck paying to fix it. Rear coil spring cracked, cannot fix due to recall of all gm coil spring. Cannot buy new part to fix it.

Filed May 26, 2022 · Suspension · 180,000 miles · OH

The contact owns a 2011 Buick Regal. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 25 MPH, there was a squeaking noise coming from the wheels and the vehicle was driving very loosely. The contact noticed that the lower control arm in the rear of the vehicle was fractured. The contact was a certified mechanic and diagnosed that the rear suspension needed to be replaced. The dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 180,000.

Filed Sep 11, 2018 · Steering · 162,000 miles · WA

August 2017', the steering began to pull very slightly left and right at all speeds but more noticeable at low speeds or when turning the wheels at a stop with a very slight clunk noise that got louder over the year. Visible inspection at my repair shop during a flat rear tire repair did not find anything worn out or damaged but suggested maybe a ball joint could be getting old enough to need replaced as it did have about 158,000 or so miles on it but they couldn't indicate if it was a ball joint specifically as there was no unusual movement or noise from one. I also checked and found no issues with any component underneath. No leaks and power steering fluid was good.then september 7, 2018', while driving around town the steering made a loud clunk steering left and really began to pull especially left. I got it home 3 miles later and put it on ramps and had someone work the steering wheel back and forth and I found the clunk is coming from the drivers side of the rack and pinion assembly. You can literally see it jump when it clunks. After this stationary test the steering was much worse, the car was not drivable f the block with out heavy effort on the steering wheel so it is parked until it can get fixed. Complaint history for this issue with gm vehicles in this +/- 2 year range is alarming.

Filed May 10, 2006 · Engine, Steering · 95,359 miles · MI

Dt*: the contact stated the vehicle was running sluggish. It was taken to the dealership , who determined the catalytic converter was clogged and needed to be replaced. Previously, the dealership replaced right front tie rod end on 08/03/2004 at 61304 miles. *ak update 5/30/2006 -

Filed Feb 18, 2006 · Steering · FL

I am the owner of a 1999 buick regal ls. I have 70,000 miles on my car. In december I noticed problems making sharp turn to the right. I would be backing out of drive ways or making 3-point turns and I would hear and feet a clink like something it stuck and then pushes through with pressure. On february 3, 2006 I drove my car as usual and there was a very strong resistance to turn to the left. The steering wheel would not make left turns without lots of force and stepping off the brake. I lose power steering assist only making left turns, the right turn is just fine. I would hear a pop when I would force the turn. I had the problem checked out right away and was said to be a steering rack and pinion problem. I did some research and found out that my same model was recalled for the exact problem in 96' 97' and 98 models, but not the 1999. I contacted gm for them to take responsibility and pay for this, but they will not!!! I was forced to take it to a gm dealership in tampa, fl to get this fixed, as the car was unable and not safe to drive at all. They installed a new rack and pinion and a tie rod, costing $1,000.00 for the total work. I am upset with the fact gm is not taking responsibility for this problem when the same car 3 years before had the exact problem and I have found many many people with the same problem and the same year and model as my car and they had to pay for it themselves as well. I have a one year or 12,000 warranty on the rack and pinion and tie road. I had the work done on friday, feburary 10, 2006.

Filed Oct 17, 2005 · Steering, Visibility · GA

My complaint is my windows. My car will be paid off this nov. And I should have already filed this complaint. The first of this year my right back window got stuck in the downward position. I called superior chev to get a quote, it was 249.00 just for the window regulator over 600.00 parts and labor. I had to have the part so I bought it and came in contact with someone that could put it on for me for about 90% less than superior chev in dekalb county georgia. I always had trouble with the rear left window. I have my granddaughter car seat on that side. When I would pick up my son from school we could not roll the windows down because they would not come down. Then I had the driver's side down and it got stuck in the downward position. I had to take it in to have someone to tie it up will plastic ties because it was starting to rain. I have taken very good care of my car and it was not about to get ruin over some rain because of a manufacturing defect. I didn't and don't have the money to have all these windows fixed. I still can't get the windows down on the driver's side or the rear passenger side. I called monday superior chev oct 14,2005 instead of the part being 249.00. It is now 329. How in the world can someone come out of their pocket with this much money when it is the manufacturers fault. For me it is embarrassing to go through a drive-thru and open a door to pay and open again to pick-up the food. I don't go to drive-through no more. It's still hot when I wait on my son to get off from work and I can't lower the driver's window or the right left rear where my granddaughter sits. Could you please see if there is something that could be done and not just for me, but for other car buyers too. I have always bought what I consider american made cars and we need to do better in order to keep our jobs. I also had a tie rod I had to have replaced I believe it was in 2002 or 2003. I also had a lock actuator put on the car 4/30/02.

Filed Mar 7, 2005 · Steering · 35,611 miles · OR

Over several weeks time I noticed that when vehicle was sitting still right turn required greater effort to turn steering wheel, as though wheel was against curb. Then noticed that I could "shake" tires if grasped at 3 and 9 oclock also could hear a sligth "clunk" took car to dealer and was told rack and pinion was defective, with vehicle on rack mechanic pierced rubber boot on rack and pinion assembly and fluid ran out, also tie rod end was loose.

Filed Jun 23, 2004 · Steering · TN

2000 buick regal left outer tie rod end problems.

Filed Jun 14, 2004 · Visibility · 90,000 miles · OH

Windshield wiper control arm failed. A recall was issued. However, this vehicle was not included in the recall due to VIN. *ak

Filed Jun 4, 2004 · Steering · 18,524 miles · PA

Vehicle was taken to dealer for a routine inspection, and mechanic determined that tie rods wore out therefore the vehicle would not pass the inspection. *ak

Related recalls

Suspension: rearReported February 26, 2026 · 17,050 vehicles affected
What is wrong
General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2012–2013 Buick Regal Turbo and GS trim-level vehicles that were sold or ever registered, in Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, or Wisconsin. The rear suspension toe links may have received improper corrosion protection, which can result in rear toe link fracture.
Risk
Rear toe link fracture can cause a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy
Dealers will replace the rear suspension toe links and adjuster fasteners, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 3, 2026. Owners may contact Buick customer service at 1‑800‑521‑7300. GM's number for this recall is N252537580. This recall expands previous the federal safety agency recall numbers 20V764, 21V633, and 21V00F.

Recall number 26V113000 · Recall details

Suspension: rearReported December 22, 2021 · 4,271 vehicles affected
What is wrong
General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2010-2013 Buick Lacrosse, 2012-2013 Buick Regal, and 2013 Chevrolet Malibu vehicles sold or ever registered in Connecticut, Delaware, the District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, or Wisconsin. These vehicles may have rear toe links that received an improper amount of electrocoating (e-coat) corrosion protection, which could cause the e-coat to become brittle and break away when contacted by road debris. Over time, the e-coat may chip away, exposing the metal toe link and making it more susceptible to corrosion. Corrosion may eventually cause the toe link to thin and ultimately fracture.
Risk
A rear toe link fracture may reduce the driver's ability to control the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy
Dealers will replace the rear suspension toe links and adjuster fasteners, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 27, 2022. Owners may contact Buick customer service at 1‑800‑521‑7300 or Chevrolet customer service at 1‑800‑222‑1020. GM's number for this recall is N212346640. This recall is an expansion of the federal safety agency recalls 20V‑764 and 21V‑633.

Recall number 21V00F000 · Recall details

Suspension: rearReported August 12, 2021 · 32,894 vehicles affected
What is wrong
General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2013 Buick Regal, Chevrolet Malibu, and Buick Lacrosse vehicles sold or ever registered in Connecticut, Delaware, the District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, or Wisconsin. These vehicles may have rear toe links that received excessive electrocoating (e-coat) corrosion protection, which could cause the e-coat to become brittle and break away when contacted by road debris. Over time, the e-coat may chip away, exposing the metal toe link and making it more susceptible to corrosion. Corrosion may eventually cause the toe link to thin and ultimately fracture.
Risk
A rear toe link fracture may reduce the driver's ability to control the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy
Dealers will replace the rear suspension toe links and adjuster fasteners, free of charge. Interim owner notification letters were mailed on September 30, 2021. Owner notification letters were mailed on January 3, 2022. Owners may contact Buick customer service at 1‑800‑521‑7300 or Chevrolet customer service at 1‑800‑222‑1020. GM's number for this recall is N212330130.

Recall number 21V633000 · Recall details

Suspension: rearReported December 21, 2020 · 220,006 vehicles affected
What is wrong
General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2012-2013 Buick Regal, 2013 Chevrolet Malibu, and 2010-2013 Buick Lacrosse vehicles sold or ever registered in Connecticut, Delaware, the District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, or Wisconsin. These vehicles may have rear toe links that received excessive electrocoating (e-coat) corrosion protection, which could cause the e-coat to become brittle and break away when contacted by road debris. Over time, the e-coat may chip away, exposing the metal toe link and making it more susceptible to corrosion. Corrosion may eventually cause the toe link to thin and ultimately to fracture.
Risk
A rear toe link fracture may reduce the driver's ability to control the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy
GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the rear suspension toe links and adjuster fasteners free of charge. Parts are not currently available. Owners were mailed an interim notification on January 27, 2021, and April 15, 2021. A third notification was mailed on August 19, 201. Owners may contact Buick customer service at 1‑800‑521‑7300 or Chevrolet customer service at 1‑800‑222‑1020. GM's number for this recall is N202308930.

Recall number 20V764000 · Recall details

Questions about the Buick Regal ball joint

Which Buick Regal years have ball joint or control arm failure problems?

The model years with the most reports are 2000 (6 complaints), 1999 (5 complaints) and 1996 (3 complaints).

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