The 1986 draws 1.57 complaints per run and the 1988 1, a 1.6-fold gap within the same model. Half of all complaints arrive by 0 years of age, so 100% land after the 3-year basic warranty ends. The system owners report most is Service Brakes, with 7 complaints.
Buick Electra years to avoid — and the best ones
| Model year | Per run | Complaints | Runs | Enough history? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1988 | 3 | 3 | yes | |
| 1987 | 3 | 3 | yes | |
| 1986 | 11 | 7 | yes |
Among the 3 Buick Electra years with enough history, the three to walk away from are 1986, 1987, 1988; the three worth hunting are 1988, 1987, 1986.
What actually fails — and at what age
Systems by number of complaints, with the age at which each typically goes. The age column is the useful one — it tells you what to expect next on a car you already own, and what to inspect on one you are about to buy.
| System | Complaints | Typical age | Crash | Fire |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Service Brakes | — | — | — | |
| Hydraulic | — | — | — | |
| Engine And Engine Cooling | — | — | 1 | |
| Vehicle Speed Control | — | 1 | — | |
| Exterior Lighting | — | — | — | |
| Wheels | — | 1 | — | |
| Power Train | — | — | — | |
| Seat Belts | — | — | — |
What else in this class
6 models share the Electra's vehicle class.
| Same class as the Electra | Complaints on record | Recall campaigns | Years built |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dodge Charger | 133 | 1983–2026 | |
| Chrysler 300 | 86 | 1999–2026 | |
| Kia K5 | 21 | 2021–2026 | |
| Hyundai Sonata | 152 | 1989–2026 | |
| Chevrolet Impala | 98 | 1981–2026 | |
| Lincoln Continental | 80 | 1981–2026 |
The table shows totals on record; the rates per production run are in the sentence above.
Good year or bad year — the VIN settles it.
- Check any VIN against complaints for its exact build year and plant
- Exact value for that car, adjusted for its mileage
- Full research report as a PDF you can hand to a mechanic
- Alerts if a recall lands on a car in your garage
- No ads, on every page
- No ads, no tracking — and much more
Frequently asked questions
Is the Buick Electra reliable?
By complaints per production run it is better than typical: 1.27 against 3.73 for the average car.
Which Electra years should you avoid?
By complaints per production run, 1986, 1987, 1988. The cleanest years old enough to judge are 1988, 1987, 1986. Years newer than 6 are left out: complaints keep arriving for years after a car is sold.
When do Electra problems usually start?
Half of all complaints arrive by 0 years of age. The most reported system is Service Brakes, followed by Hydraulic.
Will the warranty cover Electra problems?
Mostly not: basic cover is 3 years / 36,000 miles, and only 0% of reported failures fall inside it.
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