The most-reported Electra run is 1G4BV35Y9GX (1986 builds) with 3 complaints, 2.3× the typical run. Service brakes problems make up 29% of reports; 1986 is the worst model year at 1.6 complaints per run; NHTSA lists 12 recall campaigns for Electra model years 1981–1990.
Which build runs owners report most
A production run is the first 11 characters of the VIN: plant, model year, body and engine. The Buick Electra has 15 of them on record. The five runs at the top of this table hold 47% of every Electra complaint on file.
| Production run (VIN 1–11) | Year | Complaints | Involved a crash | Fire |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1G4BV35Y9GX•••••• | 1986 | — | — | |
| 1G4BV35Y7GX•••••• | 1986 | — | — | |
| 1G4AX69Y0D4•••••• | 1983 | — | — | |
| 1G4AV35Y9EX•••••• | 1984 | — | 1 | |
| 1G4CU69BAG1•••••• | 1986 | 1 | — | |
| 1G4BV35Y8GX•••••• | 1986 | — | — | |
| 1G4CW69B4G1•••••• | 1986 | — | — | |
| 1G4CX69BXG1•••••• | 1986 | — | — | |
| 1G4BV35Y0GX•••••• | 1986 | — | — | |
| 1G4CW1133H1•••••• | 1987 | — | — | |
| 1G4CW513XH1•••••• | 1987 | — | — | |
| 1G4CW113XH1•••••• | 1987 | — | — |
Each of the other 3 Electra runs has 1 complaint or fewer.
Which model years to check twice
Complaints per production run, so a year that simply sold more does not top the list. On the Buick Electra the gap between build years is 1.6×: a 1986 car draws 1.6 complaints per run, a 1987 one 1.
| Year | Per run | Complaints | Runs | Crashes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1988 | 3 | 3 | 1 | |
| 1987 | 3 | 3 | — | |
| 1986 | 11 | 7 | 1 |
Heaviest year here is 1986 at 1.6 complaints per run; lightest is 1987 at 1.
What to inspect on this car
One system accounts for 29% of everything Buick Electra owners report: Service Brakes, 7 of 19 complaints. Start the pre-purchase inspection there.
| System | Complaints | Involved a crash | Fire |
|---|---|---|---|
| Service Brakes | — | — | |
| Hydraulic | — | — | |
| Engine And Engine Cooling | — | 1 | |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 1 | — | |
| Exterior Lighting | — | — | |
| Wheels | 1 | — | |
| Power Train | — | — | |
| Seat Belts | — | — |
Recalls to check against your VIN
NHTSA has 12 recall campaigns on the Buick Electra; the 6 below cover build years 1986 to 1990. These are for the model and year; whether one is still open on a given car, only that VIN can tell.
| Campaign | Component | Model years |
|---|---|---|
| 06E043000 | Fuel System, Gasoline | 1987–1990 |
| 90V112000 | Seat Belts:front:webbing | 1990 |
| 87V135000 | Electrical System:wiring:fuses And Circuit Breakers | 1987 |
| 88V080000 | Vehicle Speed Control:accelerator Pedal | 1987 |
| 87V093000 | Service Brakes, Hydraulic:antilock/traction Control/electronic Limited Slip | 1986 |
| 86V145000 | Steering:hydraulic Power Assist:hose, Piping, And Connections | 1986 |
How serious were they
Of the 19 reports on the Buick Electra, 10.5% involved a crash against 5.8% across all vehicles, above the norm.
| Outcome | Buick Electra | All vehicles |
|---|---|---|
| Complaints filed | 19 | 1,116,631 |
| Involved a crash | 2 (10.5%) | 64,221 (5.8%) |
| Involved a fire | 1 (5.3%) | 26,977 (2.4%) |
| Injuries reported | 3 | 58,047 |
| Deaths reported | 0 | 2,728 |
Crash-related reports run 81% above the all-vehicle rate.
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How this check works
The file behind this page holds 1,116,631 complaints filed with NHTSA between 1981 and 2026, across 299,142 production runs. The Buick Electra share of that is 19 complaints over 15 runs, 0% of everything on record.
Frequently asked questions
How do I check a Buick Electra VIN for free?
Enter the 17 characters above. ForCar matches the first eleven, the production run, against 19 NHTSA complaints from 15 Electra runs and 12 recall campaigns. No account, no card.
Which Electra production run has the most complaints?
1G4BV35Y9GX, a 1986 build, with 3 complaints. The typical Electra run has 1.3.
Which Electra years have the most complaints?
Per production run, 1986 is heaviest at 1.6 complaints per run and 1987 lightest at 1.
How many Electra complaints involve a crash?
10.5% of 19 reports, against 5.8% across all vehicles; 1 involved a fire.
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