Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 1981 Regal.
The 1981 Buick Regal, introduced as part of Buick’s early‑eighties lineup, occupies a niche in automotive research as a classic example of the brand’s mid‑size offering of that era. While specific platform and power‑train details are not enumerated here, the model’s later reputation can be gauged against the broader complaint data collected from 1990 to 2020, which shows a peak of 325 complaints in 1998 and a low of just one complaint in 2008. Positioned before this range, the 1981 Regal benefits from a period of relatively modest reported issues, suggesting that its reliability profile is generally more favorable than the high‑complaint years that followed.
Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.
| Overall length | 200.8 in |
| Overall width | 71.7 in |
| Overall height | 54.3 in |
| Wheelbase | 108.3 in |
| Curb weight | 3285 lb |
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.
| Year | Trim / engine | 0–60 | ¼ mile | HP | Drivetrain |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1981 | Indy Pace Car T-Top Cabriolet 4.1L V6 | 7.50 sec | 16.00 sec | 125 hp | RWD |
| 1984 | T-Type Coupe 3.8L Turbo V6 | 8.00 sec | 16.00 sec | 200 hp | RWD |
| 1985 | Grand National Coupe 3.8L Turbo V6 | 7.50 sec | 15.70 sec | 200 hp | RWD |
| 1986 | Grand National Coupe 3.8L Turbo V6 | 4.90 sec | 13.90 sec | 235 hp | RWD |
| 1986 | T-Type Coupe 3.8L Turbo V6 | 5.85 sec | 14.30 sec | 235 hp | RWD |
| 1987 | Grand National Coupe 3.8L Turbo V6 | 5.40 sec | 14.20 sec | 245 hp | RWD |
| 1987 | Grand National Coupe 3.8L Turbo V6 | 6.00 sec | 14.70 sec | 245 hp | RWD |
| 1987 | Grand National Coupe 3.8L Turbo V6 | 6.10 sec | 14.70 sec | 245 hp | RWD |
Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.
Showing 2 of 3 campaigns on record for this vehicle.
"TX" HEAVY DUTY WHEELS MAY HAVE BEEN MANUFACTURED WITH LAMINATED STEEL. THE WHEEL DISC MAY FRACTURE AND THE WHEEL AND TIRE COULD PARTIALLY OR COMPLETELY SEPARATE FROM THE VEHICLE. Remedy: THE DEFECTIVE WHEELS WILL BE REPLACED WITHOUT CHARGE.
THE BOLTS THAT ATTACH THE LOWER REAR CONTROL ARM TO THE FRAME MAY FRACTURE. THE REAR CONTROL ARM SUPPORTS AND POSITIONS THE REAR AXLE. FRACTURE OF THE BOLTS WOULD ALLOW THE CONTROL ARM TO DROP FREE. Remedy: BOTH REAR CONTROL ARM ATTACHMENT BOLTS WILL BE REPLACED WITHOUT CHARGE.
The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.
Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.
Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.
NHTSA lists 3 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.