Complaints over time
Complaints about the 1986 Buick Electra peaked in 1995, with 6 filed
Owner complaints about this model year, by the year they were filed with NHTSA.
Source: NHTSA ODI complaints file. The lighter column runs through October.
Model year
1986 Buick Electra
Wagon, gasoline, built in United States. Owner complaints on file from Jan 18, 1995 to Oct 19, 2000.
Recall campaigns covering this model year3201k vehicles or units across those campaigns
Owner complaints122.2 times the median 1986 wagon
Severity index0.0Crash, fire, injury or death per 100
First 24 months0Complaints in its first two years
Components
75% of complaints about the 1986 Buick Electra name brakes
Owner complaints by component. Hover or focus a bar for the crash, fire, injury or death count.
Source: NHTSA ODI complaints file. A complaint can name more than one component; it is counted under the first.
Recalls
3 recall campaigns cover the 1986 Buick Electra
Check a specific vehicle by VIN on NHTSA's site: a campaign may cover only part of a model year's production.
| Campaign | Filed | Subject | Component | Vehicles | Remedy |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 87V-093 | Jun 23, 1987 | Anti lock brake system (abs) pressure/warning switch may exhibit brake fluid seepage which eventually can lead to loss of the brake system… | Brakes | 6,004 | Part replacement |
| 86V-145 | Nov 3, 1986 | There may not be enough clearance between the power steering pump return hose and the engine exhaust manifold | Steering | 88,668 | Part replacement |
| 86V-131 | Sep 19, 1986 | Push pull headlight switch may have electrical contacts which allow an intermittent headlight circuit causing headlight to flicker or suddenly go out | Lighting | 106,111 | Part replacement |
Source: NHTSA ODI recalls file.
Owner complaints
What owners reported about the 1986 Buick Electra
The full text of every complaint filed with NHTSA about this model year, newest first. Complaints are filed by owners and are not verified by NHTSA; NHTSA removes personal details before publishing.
12 complaints on file, page 1 of 1.
- Filed Oct 19, 2000Failure Oct 11, 2000Great Falls, MTEngine
THE CRANK SENSOR-WHICH CONTROLS ENGINE TIMING-THE BRACKET ITS HOUSED IN CAN WORK LOOSE DURING NORMAL DRIVING CAUSING THE SENSOR TO MOVE AWAY FROM THE MAGNET CAUSING THE ENGINE TO STALL W/NO WARNING. IT HAPPENED FIRST LASTE YEAR IN JULY-99 HAD IT REPLACED BY DEALER USING OE PART. WORKED LOOSE THIS YEAR OCT-00, CAUSING VEHICLE TO STALL ON BUSY STREET AND BARELY MADE IT TO THE SIDE. CONTACT DEALER-WOULD NOT REPLACE PART-MADE US BUY ANOTHER....
NHTSA complaint 734703 - Filed Jun 24, 1998Plymouth, MNService brakes, Power assist
DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH POWER ASSIST WITHIN BRAKE SYSTEM FAILED WITHOUT WARNING, CAUSING THE CONSUMER TO PULL EMERGENCY BRAKE IN ORDER TO AVOID ACCIDENT. DEALER HAD REPLACED BRAKE SYSYTEM, BUT DEFECT HAS REOCCURRED WITHIN 150 MILES. *AK
NHTSA complaint 824649 - Filed Apr 20, 1998Failure Mar 24, 1998Hicksville, NYService brakes, Antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip
RECEIVED RECALL NOTICE 87V613000, ABS BRAKES. TOOK VEHICLE FOR REPAIRS. WORK WAS DONE. PROBLEM STILL EXISTS. TOOK VEHICLE BACK. MECHANIC SAID SWITCH WAS DEFECTIVE. ORDERED ANOTHER FROM MANUFACTURER. REPLACED SWITCH AGAIN, WAS ALSO DEFECTIVE. REPLACED OLD SWITCH THAT WORKED W/SWITCH THAT DIDN'T. THEN REPLACED NEW W/OLD SWITCH. NOT SATISFIED W/RECALL. *AK
NHTSA complaint 822189 - Filed Apr 2, 1998Failure Mar 13, 1998Hicksville, NYService brakes, Control unit/module
BRAKE SENSOR REPAIRED UNDER RECALL WORK DONE, HOWEVER NEW SENSOR WAS DEFECTIVE CAUSING BRAKE PUMP TO FAIL.
NHTSA complaint 533537 - Filed Feb 4, 1998Failure May 11, 1988Orlando, FLManual transmission
TRANSMISSION FAILURE, TWICE.
NHTSA complaint 530105 - Filed Apr 1, 1997Calgary AB, 00Service brakes, Foundation components
BRAKES FAILED.
NHTSA complaint 516122 - Filed Dec 11, 1995Failure Dec 11, 1995Newington, CTService brakes, Foundation components
WHILE DRIVING BRAKE LIGHTS COME ON AT THIS TIME THERE ARE NO BRAKES, NO WARNING, FIXED 5 DIFFERENT TIMES STILL NOT WORKING PROPERLY. PLEASE DESCRIBE. TT
NHTSA complaint 976399 - Filed Dec 7, 1995Orlando, FLService brakes, Antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip
RECEIVE RECALL LETTER DEALER FIXED IT CONSUMER HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM . TT
NHTSA complaint 976249 - Filed Sep 19, 1995Failure Sep 19, 1995Cherry Hill, NJService brakes, Master cylinder
BRAKE MASTER CYLINDER FAILURE, REPLACED TWO TIMES, BRAKE PEDAL BECAME HARD TO APPLY. TT
NHTSA complaint 972180 - Filed Sep 5, 1995Failure Sep 5, 1995Fenton, MIDoor
THE REAR DOORS WILL NOT OPEN IF NOT USED VERY OFTEN. PLEASE DESCRIBE. TT
NHTSA complaint 971593 - Filed Jun 14, 1995Failure Jun 14, 1995RIO Grande C, TXService brakes, Vacuum
BRAKE POWER BOOSTER FAILURE, LOSS OF BRAKING, INVOLVED IN RECALL 87V93000. TT
NHTSA complaint 966896 - Filed Jan 18, 1995Failure Aug 6, 1991Tucson, AZFuses and circuit breakers, Emission control, Service brakes, Antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip
REPLACED OXYGEN SENSOR.
NHTSA complaint 480575
Source: NHTSA ODI complaints file.
Investigations
6 NHTSA investigations on file
- EA89028 Engineering analysis, Brakes
REAR BRAKE PIN
Opened Jul 28, 1989, closed Jul 27, 1990 - PE89098 Preliminary evaluation, Brakes
ANTI LOCK BRAKES
Opened Mar 10, 1989, closed May 17, 1989 - EA88031 Engineering analysis, Speed control
SUDDEN ACCELERATION
Opened Apr 22, 1988, closed Oct 23, 1989 - EA88019 Engineering analysis, Steering
HYDRO BOOST
Opened Jan 28, 1988, closed Oct 31, 1990 - EA87022 Engineering analysis, Speed control
STALLING
Opened Aug 27, 1987, closed Nov 27, 1991 - PE87038 Preliminary evaluation, Steering
HYDROBOOST FAILURE
Opened Jul 9, 1987, closed Jan 28, 1988
Source: NHTSA ODI investigations file.
Service bulletins
No manufacturer communications on file
Technical service bulletins and other notices the manufacturer sent to dealers. A bulletin is not a recall.
Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications files.