1987 Buick Regal Reliability ReportKeepScore 78/100 · top failure points · buy or avoid
Quick Facts · 1987 Buick Regal
- Scores 4 points below the strongest nearby year — the 1986 Buick Regal earns a 82.
- The system most likely to surface first: body/frame rust (major severity).
- Has 3 NHTSA recalls on record — the most notable involves the fuel system, gasoline.
1987 Buick Regal: Buy or Avoid?
The 1987 Buick Regal is a comfortable, stylish slice of American motoring history, offering straightforward mechanics that are refreshingly easy to maintain for the DIY enthusiast. However, its age brings inherent challenges, particularly with pervasive rust issues and aging electrical systems, which demand a diligent buyer to avoid significant headaches. If you're willing to commit to regular upkeep and address these known weak points, it remains a fantastic classic cruiser.
While the 1987 Buick Regal is a beloved classic known for its durability, its age dictates that buyers 'proceed with caution.' Success hinges entirely on finding a well-preserved example with a documented history of consistent maintenance, especially regarding rust prevention and powertrain care. This isn't a 'buy a…
Best Model Years
1980-1987 (last of the RWD G-body platform)
Years to Avoid
No specific years to avoid for general reliability, but condition is paramount over year.
Biggest Strengths
- Simple, robust mechanical design
- Excellent parts availability for common wear items
- Comfortable, smooth ride quality
1987 Buick Regal — Known Trouble Spots
The systems that tend to fail first on the 1987 Buick Regal, with the typical mileage window when each becomes a concern. Detailed repair-cost ranges and exact what-to-check inspection notes are in the full report.
The G-body platform is highly susceptible to rust, particularly in northern climates. Frame rails, floor pans, trunk pans, rear wheel wells, and lower door skins frequently corrode, leading to structural integrity issues and costly bodyw…
Aging wiring harnesses, corroded grounds, and failing switches are common. Issues range from intermittent dash gauges, power window motor failures, headlight switch malfunctions, to general accessory unreliability.
For models with a carburetor, issues like clogged jets, worn internal components, vacuum leaks, and improper tuning are common. This leads to rough idling, poor fuel economy, hard starts, and stalling.
1987 Buick Regal Mileage Danger Zones
The mileage windows when the 1987 Buick Regal most commonly needs attention. Plan ahead, budget accordingly, and inspect before you cross each threshold.
Low Risk Zone
At this mileage, the car is still relatively young. Issues are usually limited to basic wear items like tires, battery, and fluid changes. Focus on ensuring previous owners followed break-in and initial maintenance schedules.
Maintenance Zone
This mileage often signals the need for the first round of significant wear item replacements. Expect to address suspension components, initial brake service, and a comprehensive engine tune-up, especially for carbureted models.
Elevated Risk Zone
Around this point, the original major components like the transmission and engine gaskets may begin to show significant wear. Rust, if present, will likely become more noticeable. A detailed inspection of the powertrain and chassis is cr…
High Risk Zone
Beyond 120,000 miles, nearly all components have significant wear. Expect to encounter numerous age-related electrical issues, advanced rust, and potentially major engine or transmission overhauls. Condition and maintenance history becom…
1987 Buick Regal Ownership Cost Outlook
What it typically costs to keep the 1987 Buick Regal on the road. Full 5-year cost-of-ownership projection and major-failure-risk forecast are in the report.
Annual Maintenance
$600-900
Moderate Repairs
$500-2,000 occasionally (e.g., transmission service, carburetor rebuild, suspension overhaul)
How Long Does the 1987 Buick Regal Last?
For the 1987 Regal, prioritize condition, rust presence, and maintenance history over absolute mileage. A higher-mileage, well-maintained, rust-free example is far superior to a low-mileage car that has been neglected or exposed to harsh elements.
What 1987 Buick Regal Owners Actually Say
What Owners Love
- Comfortable, 'boulevard ride' quality
- Classic American styling and road presence
- Abundant and affordable mechanical parts supply
- Relatively simple design makes DIY repairs feasible
Common Frustrations
- Fuel economy is poor by modern standards
- Pervasive rust issues, especially in non-dry climates
- Aging interior plastics and fabrics deteriorate over time
- Vague steering and soft handling compared to modern cars
Who Should Buy the 1987 Buick Regal?
Best For
- Classic American car enthusiasts
- DIY mechanics looking for a straightforward project
- Anyone seeking a comfortable, relaxed cruiser
Not Ideal For
- Buyers seeking a modern, trouble-free daily driver
- Individuals with no mechanical aptitude or desire to learn
How the 1987 Buick Regal Compares to Rivals
The Regal stands out for its simplicity and ease of repair compared to more complex foreign competitors, making it a more forgiving classic to own, especially for DIY enthusiasts.
More Reliable Than
- Many European luxury cars of the same vintage (due to complexity and parts cost)
- Some smaller, less robust FWD GM cars of the era
Comparable To
- Chevrolet Monte Carlo (G-body sibling)
- Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme (G-body sibling)
- Pontiac Grand Prix (G-body sibling)
Safety Recalls on the 1987 Buick Regal
3 recalls on record from NHTSA. Check your VIN atnhtsa.gov to see if the repair was performed.
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
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, 2005, THROUGH MARCH 21, 2006, SOLD FOR USE ON THE VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE AND ON CERTAIN SCHOOL BUSES. (TO SEE THE SCHOOL BUS ENGINE SIZES, CLICK ON "DOCUMENT SEARCH" AND THEN "BUS APPLICATIONS"). THE CONNECTOR ON THE FUEL FILTER WAS NOT MANUFACTURED TO HONEYWELL'S SPECIFICATION. AS A RESULT, THE O-RING MAY NOT SEAT CORRECTLY ON THE FUEL LINE.
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
A SMALL NYLON BUSHING IN THE CRUISE CONTROL SERVO BAIL MAY SLIP OUT OF PLACE, CAUSING INTERMITTENT AND UNEXPECTED INCREASES IN ENGINE SPEED OR DIESELING (ENGINE RUN ON WITH IGNITION OFF).
What breaks on the 1987 Buick Regal?
Full reliability breakdown — engine, transmission, rust, electrical. With repair costs and mileage danger zones.
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Buick Regal — Year-by-Year Comparison
Compare KeepScores across nearby years of the Buick Regal. Click any year for its full report.
Competing 1987s Worth a Look
Similar class, similar year range — ranked by KeepScore.
Relevant Products for Your 1987 Buick Regal
Parts and accessories matched to your 1987 Buick Regal
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Frequently Asked Questions
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