1986 Buick Electra

○ Not enough data

1986 Buick Electra
RENDERED 2026-09-16T20:25:59.445Z

Only 12 complaints on file — too few for a fair verdict.

This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.

Only 12 complaints on file — too few for a fair verdict. The data below is complete but unranked.

How is this computed?

COMPLAINTS PER YEAR

1986: 12 complaints

View as data table

Year	Complaints
1981	0
1982	0
1983	2
1984	2
1985	1
1986	12
1987	4
1988	5
1989	2
1990	5
1991	2

KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS

Only 12 complaints on file for this model year -- too few to rank by share. Raw counts only, below.

SERVICE BRAKES

9 of 12 total reports mention: service brakes, most commonly citing hydraulic.

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

2 of 12 total reports mention: engine and engine cooling, most commonly citing emission control and engine.

Show complaint excerpts

FUSE FOR BRAKES BLOWS OUT REPEATEDLY.

NHTSA ODI report, 19950223

Also filed under ELECTRICAL SYSTEM and SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

1 of 12 total reports mentions: vehicle speed control, most commonly citing cruise control.

STRUCTURE

1 of 12 total reports mentions: structure, most commonly citing door.

POWER TRAIN

1 of 12 total reports mentions: power train, most commonly citing manual transmission.

SAFETY TIMELINE

R 19860515 — exterior lighting

THE PUSH PULL HEADLIGHT SWITCH MAY HAVE ELECTRICAL CONTACTS WHICH ALLOW AN INTERMITTENT HEADLIGHT CIRCUIT CAUSING HEADLIGHT TO FLICKER OR SUDDENLY GO OUT.

Remedy: REPLACE HEADLIGHT SWITCH AS NECESSARY.

Campaign 86V131000 — check if this car was fixed

R 19861107 — steering

THERE MAY NOT BE ENOUGH CLEARANCE BETWEEN THE POWER STEERING PUMP RETURN HOSE AND THE ENGINE EXHAUST MANIFOLD.

Remedy: REPLACE AND CORRECTLY ROUTE HOSE, AS NECESSARY.

Campaign 86V145000 — check if this car was fixed

I 19870709 — PE (closed 19880128)

HYDROBOOST FAILURE

R 19870710 — service brakes, hydraulic

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 M

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, RE

Campaign 87V093000 — check if this car was fixed

I 19870827 — EA (closed 19911127)

STALLING

I 19880128 — EA (closed 19901031)

HYDRO BOOST

I 19880422 — EA (closed 19891023)

SUDDEN ACCELERATION

I 19890310 — PE (closed 19890517)

ANTI LOCK BRAKES

I 19890728 — EA (closed 19900727)

REAR BRAKE PIN

BUY-SMART CHECKLIST

1986 Buick Electra — pre-purchase inspection

Test/inspect for service brakes issues (9 reports on file for this year).
Test/inspect for engine and engine cooling issues (2 reports on file for this year).
Test/inspect for vehicle speed control issues (1 reports on file for this year).
Verify recall 86V131000 (exterior lighting) has been completed.
Verify recall 86V145000 (steering) has been completed.
Verify recall 87V093000 (service brakes, hydraulic) has been completed.

FAQ

Is the 1986 Buick Electra reliable?

There isn't enough NHTSA complaint data on file yet to give this model year a verdict.

What are the most common problems with the 1986 Buick Electra?

The most-reported component is service brakes, accounting for 75% of complaints on file.

How many recalls does the 1986 Buick Electra have?

3 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-09-16 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.