VehicleVerdict

1986 Buick Electra problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

Limited data — recalls on file

NHTSA has just 15 complaints on file for the 1986 Buick Electra — too few to judge reliability from owner reports alone — but 3 recall campaigns apply to this year, so any used example should have its VIN checked for completed recall work.

15

NHTSA complaints

3

Recalls

6

Investigations

0

Crash-involved

0

Fires reported

0

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 1986 compare to other Electra years?

Electra NHTSA complaints by model year, 1986 highlighted15 complaints1965: 0 complaints1966: 1 complaints1967: 0 complaints1970: 0 complaints1971: 0 complaints1972: 0 complaints1974: 0 complaints1975: 0 complaints1976: 0 complaints1977: 1 complaints1978: 0 complaints1979: 0 complaints1981: 0 complaints1982: 0 complaints1983: 5 complaints1984: 2 complaints1985: 2 complaints1986: 15 complaints1987: 4 complaints1988: 6 complaints1989: 2 complaints1990: 10 complaints1991: 3 complaints
Electra NHTSA complaints by model year, 1986 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Electra years to avoid →

What are the most common 1986 Buick Electra problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Brakes960%
Engine213%
Electrical System17%
Speed Control17%
Body & Structure17%
Transmission17%

Does the 1986 Buick Electra have recalls?

3 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

87V093000BrakesJune 23, 1987 · 6,004 units

Defect

THE ANTI LOCK BRAKE SYSTEM (ABS) PRESSURE/WARNING SWITCH MAY EXHIBIT BRAKE FLUID SEEPAGE WHICH EVENTUALLY CAN LEAD TO LOSS OF THE BRAKE SYSTEM HYDRAULIC PUMP MOTOR. ADDITIONALLY, THE HYDRAULIC PUMP MOTOR AND ABS ELECTRICAL RELAYS MAY HAVE BEEN EXPOSED TO WATER CONTAMINATION DURING VEHICLE ASSEMBLY. THIS CONDITION CAN CAUSE LOSS OF THE HYDRAULIC PUMP MOTOR AND/OR LOSS OF THE ABS FUNCTION.

Consequence

LOSS OF THE HYDRAULIC PUMP MOTOR WOULD RESULT IN A TOTALLOSS OF REAR BRAKES AS WELL AS POWER ASSIST TO THE FRONT BRAKES. THE RED BRAKEWARNING LIGHT WOULD ILLUMINATE AND STAY ON. IF THIS WARNING IS NOT HEEDED, ALOSS OF REAR BRAKES AT A TIME WHEN MINIMUM STOPPING DISTANCE IS REQUIRED COULDRESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH. AN INOPERATIVE ABS ELECTRICAL RELAY COULD CAUSELOSS OF THE ABS FUNCTION, BUT NORMAL POWER ASSISTED BRAKING WOULD BE RETAINED.THE AMBER ANTI LOCK WARNING LIGHT WOULD ILLUMINATE AND STAY ON.

Remedy

THE ABS AND HYDRAULIC PUMP MOTOR ELECTRICAL RELAYS AND 30 AMP FUSES WILL BE REPLACED. IN ADDITION, THE HYDRAULIC PUMP MOTOR ASSEMBLY AND PRESSURE/WARNING SWITCH WILL BE INSPECTED AND, IF REQUIRED, REPLACED.

86V145000SteeringNovember 3, 1986 · 88,668 units

Defect

THERE MAY NOT BE ENOUGH CLEARANCE BETWEEN THE POWER STEERING PUMP RETURN HOSE AND THE ENGINE EXHAUST MANIFOLD. CONSEQUENCE OF DEFECT: HOSE COULD OVERHEAT, RESULTING IN A HOLE AND FLUID LEAK, AND A POSSIBLE ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING.

Remedy

REPLACE AND CORRECTLY ROUTE HOSE, AS NECESSARY.

86V131000LightingSeptember 19, 1986 · 106,111 units

Defect

THE PUSH PULL HEADLIGHT SWITCH MAY HAVE ELECTRICAL CONTACTS WHICH ALLOW AN INTERMITTENT HEADLIGHT CIRCUIT CAUSING HEADLIGHT TO FLICKER OR SUDDENLY GO OUT. CONSEQUENCE OF DEFECT: SUDDEN LOSS OF THE HEADLIGHTS UNDER SEVERE WEATHER OR NIGHTTIME DRIVING CONDITIONS COULD REDUCE DRIVER VISIBILITY WHICH MIGHT RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING.

Remedy

REPLACE HEADLIGHT SWITCH AS NECESSARY.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

“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 filed with NHTSA · Brakes · March 24, 1998

“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…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · October 11, 2000

1986 Buick Electra — common questions

Is the 1986 Buick Electra reliable?

The record is thin — 15 NHTSA complaints — so owner-report data can't strongly confirm reliability either way, though 3 recalls should be verified as completed.

What are the most common 1986 Electra problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are brakes (9 complaints), engine (2 complaints), transmission (1 complaints).

Does the 1986 Buick Electra have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns affecting the 1986 Buick Electra. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 1986 Buick Electra under NHTSA investigation?

NHTSA opened 6 investigations into this model year; all are now closed.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.