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1986 Buick ElectraProblems, recalls & complaints

NHTSA has logged 12 owner complaints about the 1986 Buick Electra, most often about the service brakes, hydraulic. It is covered by 3 safety recalls.

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CarFlaw IndexNot enough dataHigher is better (0–100)
Safety recalls3Free fix at dealersOwner complaints120 with a crash, fire or injuryTop problem9Service brakes, hydraulic

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through October 19, 2000. Updated daily.

Complaints by system

Where the 1986 Buick Electra has problems

12 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.

Box size = number of complaints naming that system. Darker = larger share. One complaint can name more than one system.
Complaints by system
SystemComplaintsCrash, fire or injury
Service brakes, hydraulic90
Engine and engine cooling20
Electrical system10
Power train10
Structure10
Vehicle speed control10

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.

3 recalls

1986 Buick Electra recalls and how many were fixed

Each ring shows the share of affected cars repaired, from the manufacturer’s latest quarterly report to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

–no report yet

Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip

Recall 87V-093 · Jun 23, 1987 · 6,004 vehicles

Risk. LOSS OF THE HYDRAULIC PUMP MOTOR WOULD RESULT IN A TOTALLOSS OF REAR BRAKES AS WELL AS POWER ASSIST TO THE FRONT BRAKES.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

Recalls apply to specific cars. To see whether a recall is still open on yours, enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with Buick.

Best & worst years

1986 vs. every other Electra year

Bars show complaints per model year. Colors show the CarFlaw verdict: complaints weighted for crashes, fires and injuries, adjusted for years on the road and compared with the Electra median. How we score

'65'66'67'70'71'72'74'75'76'77'78'79'81'82'83'84'85'86'87'88'89'90'91
  • Avoid
  • Caution
  • Solid
  • Best
  • Not rated
6 investigations

NHTSA defect investigations

Federal investigations that included the 1986 Buick Electra, and the recalls they led to.

  1. STALLINGEA87022 · closed Nov 27, 1991
    No recall
  2. HYDRO BOOSTEA88019 · closed Oct 31, 1990
    No recall
  3. SUDDEN ACCELERATIONEA88031 · closed Oct 23, 1989
    No recall
  4. REAR BRAKE PINEA89028 · closed Jul 27, 1990
    No recall
  5. HYDROBOOST FAILUREPE87038 · closed Jan 28, 1988
    No recall
  6. ANTI LOCK BRAKESPE89098 · closed May 17, 1989
    No recall
In owners' words

What Electra owners report

Recent service brakes, hydraulic complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.

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
Complaint 976399 · Dec 11, 1995
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
Complaint 824649 · Jun 24, 1998
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.…
Complaint 822189 · Apr 20, 1998

Own a 1986 Electra?

Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.