Stats focus on model years from 1960 onwards.
Earlier years appear in the detailed table below where data exists.
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Get plain-language explanations of recalls and complaints for the
Buick Electra. Powered by AI, backed by NHTSA data.
AI Assistant
Important: This assistant provides context from aggregated NHTSA data.
Always check your specific VIN on
NHTSA.gov
for vehicle-specific recall information.
Key Takeaways
A quick scan of where recalls and complaints concentrate for the Buick Electra,
based on aggregated NHTSA counts and campaign metadata.
Coverage spans model years 1965–1991 with 32 recall campaigns and 49 complaints in NHTSA data.
Years with the most recall activity: 1986 (3), 1971 (3), and 1987 (2).
Years with the most complaint volume: 1986 (15), 1990 (10), and 1988 (6).
Top recall themes: Other, Brakes, and Steering and suspension.
Most reported complaint areas (across all years): Vehicle speed control, Service brakes, hydraulic:antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip, Steering:rack and pinion.
Complaints are not proof of a defect, but repeated themes can be useful signals when researching a used vehicle.
Always check your specific VIN for open recalls (open recalls are VIN-specific and can change over time).
Recall Themes
Instead of listing long campaign narratives, this groups recall campaigns into a few recurring areas.
Each theme links back to official notices as evidence.
Across all model years, the most frequently reported areas for the
Buick Electra in NHTSA complaint data are
Vehicle speed control, Service brakes, hydraulic:antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip, Steering:rack and pinion.
Jump to Model Year
Year-by-Year Overview
Each row shows how often this model appears in NHTSA recalls and consumer
complaints for a given model year. These are counts of campaigns and
complaints, not risk predictions.
Model Year
Recalls
Complaints
Details
1991
0
3
Complaints recorded; no recall campaigns issued.
Top complaint areas: Parking brake:conventional:mechanical, Electrical system:starter assembly, Fuel/propulsion system.
1990
1
10
Both recalls and complaints recorded.
Top complaint areas: Vehicle speed control, Steering: steering wheel/handle bar, Electrical system:alternator/generator/regulator.
1989
0
2
Complaints recorded; no recall campaigns issued.
Top complaint areas: Seats, Engine and engine cooling:engine:gasoline.
1988
0
6
Complaints recorded; no recall campaigns issued.
Top complaint areas: Steering:rack and pinion, Steering:hydraulic power assist system, Vehicle speed control:linkages.
1987
2
4
Both recalls and complaints recorded.
Top complaint areas: Engine and engine cooling:engine, Seats:front assembly:recliner, Seat belts:front:retractor.
1986
3
15
Both recalls and complaints recorded.
Top complaint areas: Service brakes, hydraulic:antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip, Service brakes, hydraulic:foundation components, Electrical system:wiring:fuses and circuit breakers.
1985
0
2
Complaints recorded; no recall campaigns issued.
Top complaint areas: Seat belts:front, Seats.
1984
2
2
Both recalls and complaints recorded.
Top complaint areas: Vehicle speed control, Engine and engine cooling:engine:gasoline.
1983
0
5
Complaints recorded; no recall campaigns issued.
Top complaint areas: Seat belts:front:anchorage, Exterior lighting:brake lights, Exterior lighting:hazard flashing warning lights.
1982
1
0
Recall campaign(s) issued; no grouped complaints in summary.
1981
2
0
Recall campaign(s) issued; no grouped complaints in summary.
1979
2
0
Recall campaign(s) issued; no grouped complaints in summary.
1978
1
0
Recall campaign(s) issued; no grouped complaints in summary.
1977
2
0
Recall campaign(s) issued; no grouped complaints in summary.
1976
2
0
Recall campaign(s) issued; no grouped complaints in summary.
1975
2
0
Recall campaign(s) issued; no grouped complaints in summary.
1974
1
0
Recall campaign(s) issued; no grouped complaints in summary.
1972
2
0
Recall campaign(s) issued; no grouped complaints in summary.
1971
3
0
Recall campaign(s) issued; no grouped complaints in summary.
1970
2
0
Recall campaign(s) issued; no grouped complaints in summary.
1967
1
0
Recall campaign(s) issued; no grouped complaints in summary.
1966
2
0
Recall campaign(s) issued; no grouped complaints in summary.
1965
1
0
Recall campaign(s) issued; no grouped complaints in summary.
What to Do Next
Check open recalls by VIN on the official NHTSA site (open recalls are VIN-specific).
If buying used, ask for proof of recall remedy completion (dealer paperwork helps).
If symptoms match common complaint themes, consider a mechanic inspection before purchase or long trips.
A compact evidence view of recall campaigns that include this model.
The default text is an original summary line, with official notice text available on demand.
Most common areas involved:
Vehicle speed control
, Service brakes
and Exterior lighting
Show recall evidence by year
1990
Seat belts: Webbing:
Safety recall involving the seat belts area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
Summary: Owners manuals did not fully explain how front shoulder belt comfort feature works.
1987
Electrical system: Fuses and circuit breakers:
Safety recall involving the electrical system area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
Summary: An in line fusible link may melt down and cause a fire.
Vehicle speed control: Accelerator pedal:
Safety recall involving the vehicle speed control area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
Summary: 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
Steering: Hose, piping, and connections:
Safety recall involving the steering area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
Summary: 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.
Service brakes, hydraulic: Antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip:
Safety recall involving the service brakes area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
Summary: 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 assembl
1984
Fuel system, gasoline: Hoses, lines/piping, and fittings:
Safety recall involving the fuel system area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
Summary: A small nylon bushing in the cruise control servo bail may slip out of place, causing intermittent and unexpected increases in engine speed or dieseling (engine run on with ignition off).
1982
Fuel system, gasoline: Fuel injection system:
Safety recall involving the fuel system area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
Summary: Under certain vehicle operating conditions, the governor weight retainer in the injection pump may fail. The throttle valve could stick, preventing return to idle and shut down of the engine by the driver.
1981
Service brakes, hydraulic: Pedals and linkages:
Safety recall involving the service brakes area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
Summary: The involved vehicles may have been assembled with a brake pedal support bracket which was designed for use in diesel engine vehicles. The incorrect bracket may cause the service brakes to remain partially applied, resulting in brake overheating and reduced braking effectiveness.
Service brakes, hydraulic: Hoses, lines/piping, and fittings:
Safety recall involving the service brakes area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
Summary: The power brake vacuum hoses may fail to conform to federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 106, "Brake hoses". The material used in the hoses will not perform according to specifications. The purpose of this regulation is stated as, "to reduce death and injuries occurring as a result of brake
1979
Exterior lighting: Switch:
Safety recall involving the exterior lighting area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
Summary: On the involved vehicles the brake stoplight and cruise control switch which is operated by the brake pedal may have been assembled with an incorrect lubricant on the actuating plunger. This can cause the rear brake stoplights to become inoperative and the cruise control, if activated, to stay el
Seat belts: Anchorage:
Safety recall involving the seat belts area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
Summary: The heads may break off the front outboard seat belt anchor bolts during normal vehicle operation even under no load conditions. This is due to the combination of bolts used, high installation torque and arrangement of the body anchorage.
1978
Engine and engine cooling: Fan:
Safety recall involving the engine and engine cooling area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
Summary: The hub portion of the fan blade assembly could crack due to high stress levels generated during engine operating conditions. Eventually, the blade could break apart at the hub and blade pieces could be propelled into the engine. If the hood is open while the engine is running, the fragments woul
1977
Steering: Steering wheel/handle bar:
Safety recall involving the steering area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
Service brakes, hydraulic: Differential proportional valve:
Safety recall involving the service brakes area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
Power train: Gear position indication (prndl):
Safety recall involving the power train area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
Summary: The possibility exists that driving on unpaved road surfaces, particularly roads which are heavily graveled and which are extremely wavy or filled with chuckholes, at speeds which cause the car to pitch excessively, the front crossmember may scoop up loose stones or gravel and could be thrown int
1971
Visibility: Defroster/defogger/hvac system:
Safety recall involving the visibility area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
Summary: The possibility exists that driving on unpaved road surfaces, particularly roads which are heavily graveled and which are extremely wavy or filled with chuckholes, at speeds which cause the car to pitch excessively, the front crossmember may scoop up loose stones or gravel and could be thrown int
1970
Wheels:
Safety recall involving the wheels area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
Service brakes, hydraulic: Hoses, lines/piping, and fittings:
Safety recall involving the service brakes area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
Fuel system, gasoline: Carburetor system:
Safety recall involving the fuel system area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
Recall Explained provides independent analysis of official NHTSA data.
This site does not replace the official NHTSA VIN lookup and should not be
treated as legal or safety advice for your specific vehicle.
For any safety concerns: Always check your VIN on the official
NHTSA site and contact an authorized dealer.
