Menu

1987 Buick ElectraProblems, recalls & complaints

NHTSA has logged 4 owner complaints about the 1987 Buick Electra, most often about the engine and engine cooling. It is covered by 2 safety recalls.

–
CarFlaw IndexNot enough dataHigher is better (0–100)
Safety recalls2Free fix at dealersOwner complaints40 with a crash, fire or injuryTop problem1Engine and engine cooling

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through November 22, 2004. Updated daily.

Complaints by system

Where the 1987 Buick Electra has problems

4 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
Engine and engine cooling10
Seat belts10
Seats10
Vehicle speed control10

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

2 recalls

1987 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

Vehicle speed control: accelerator pedal

Recall 88V-080 · May 16, 1988 · 35,057 vehicles

Risk. THIS COULD PREVENT THROTTLE FROM RETURNING TO CLOSED(IDLE) POSITION WHEN ACCELERATOR PEDAL IS RELEASED; THUS, ENGINE SPEED WOULDNOT DECREASE, AND LOSS OF…

Problem, fix and repair progress →

–no report yet

Wiring: fuses and circuit breakers

Recall 87V-135 · Sep 1, 1987 · 479,715 vehicles

Risk. THE IN LINE FUSIBLE LINK LOCATED IN THE AREA OF THEPLASTIC WINDSHIELD WASHER BOTTLE BRACKET MAY, UNDER A HIGH RESISTANCE LOAD,MELT DOWN AND IGNITE THE WASHER…

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

1987 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
4 investigations

NHTSA defect investigations

Federal investigations that included the 1987 Buick Electra, and the recalls they led to.

  1. STALLINGEA87022 · closed Nov 27, 1991
    No recall
  2. SUDDEN ACCELERATIONEA88031 · closed Oct 23, 1989
    No recall
  3. REAR BRAKE PINEA89028 · closed Jul 27, 1990
    No recall
  4. ANTI LOCK BRAKESPE89098 · closed May 17, 1989
    No recall
In owners' words

What Electra owners report

Recent engine and engine cooling complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.

TIMING CHAIN BROKE, RESULTING IN STEERING ABILITY LOST, REPLACED TIMING BELT. TTWHILE AT A STOP LIGHT, ENGINE SHUT DOWN AND FAILED TO RESTART, VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO DEALER AND CONSUMER WAS ADVISED THAT THIS WAS A COMMON PROBLEM, CONSUMER CONTACTED MANUFACTURER AND WAS TOLD THERE IS NO DEFECT IN THE…
Complaint 974549 · Nov 3, 1995

Own a 1987 Electra?

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