1987 Buick ELECTRA: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
3 owner complaints analyzed
2 distinct recall campaigns
Not available median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1987 model year. Data snapshot: . 0 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine is the most frequently named component, appearing in 1 of 3 complaints (33.3%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Engine operation | 1 | 33.3% |
| Steering behavior | 1 | 33.3% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine | 1 |
| Seat Belts:Front:Retractor | 1 |
| Vehicle Speed Control:Cables | 1 |
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine: 1; Seat Belts:Front:Retractor: 1; Vehicle Speed Control:Cables: 1
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 0 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 0 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 0 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 0 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 0 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 0; 25,000 to 49,999: 0; 50,000 to 74,999: 0; 75,000 to 99,999: 0; 100,000 to 149,999: 0; 150,000 and above: 0
No usable failure mileage is recorded. 3 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 1995 | 1 |
| 2001 | 1 |
| 2004 | 1 |
1995: 1; 2001: 1; 2004: 1
Pattern summary
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine leads the component reports. Engine operation appears in 1 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 1 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10101544 · 2004-11-22 (November 22, 2004)
WHILE APPLYING THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED UNCONTROLLABLY. HOWEVER, THE DRIVER WAS ABLE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND PULLED OVER. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A GARAGE FOR INSPECTION. THE MECHANIC INFORMED THE DRIVER THAT THE THROTTLE CABLE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AND REPLACED IT. A FEW WEEKS LATER WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE DRIVER TRIED TO RESTART THE VEHICLE AND WAS ABLE TO DO SO. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE GARAGE FOR INSPECTION. THE MECHANIC INFORMED THE DRIVER THAT THE ACCELERATO…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10101544 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 898688 · 2001-11-02 (November 2, 2001)
RETRACTOR ON SEAT BELT DOES NOT RETRACT BY ITSELF BACK IN. *AK *TT
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 898688 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 974549 · 1995-11-03 (November 3, 1995)
TIMING CHAIN BROKE, RESULTING IN STEERING ABILITY LOST, REPLACED TIMING BELT. TTWHILE AT A STOP LIGHT, ENGINE SHUT DOWN AND FAILED TO RESTART, VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO DEALER AND CONSUMER WAS ADVISED THAT THIS WAS A COMMON PROBLEM, CONSUMER CONTACTED MANUFACTURER AND WAS TOLD THERE IS NO DEFECT IN THE PART.*JB
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 974549 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
2 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
87V135000 · Electrical System:Wiring:Fuses And Circuit Breakers
Reported: 1987-09-01 (September 1, 1987)
AN IN LINE FUSIBLE LINK MAY MELT DOWN AND CAUSE A FIRE.
Consequence: THE IN LINE FUSIBLE LINK LOCATED IN THE AREA OF THEPLASTIC WINDSHIELD WASHER BOTTLE BRACKET MAY, UNDER A HIGH RESISTANCE LOAD,MELT DOWN AND IGNITE THE WASHER BOTTLE BRACKET RESULTING IN AN ENGINECOMPARTMENT FIRE.
Remedy: THE WINDSHIELD WASHER BOTTLE BRACKET WILL BE REPLACED.
NHTSA campaign record ↗88V080000 · Vehicle Speed Control:Accelerator Pedal
Reported: 1988-05-16 (May 16, 1988)
EXCESSIVE ACCELERATOR CABLE FRICTION MAY RESTRICT THE CABLES FREE MOVEMENT BETWEEN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL AND THE THROTTLE BODY.
Consequence: THIS COULD PREVENT THROTTLE FROM RETURNING TO CLOSED(IDLE) POSITION WHEN ACCELERATOR PEDAL IS RELEASED; THUS, ENGINE SPEED WOULDNOT DECREASE, AND LOSS OF ACCELERATOR CONTROL COULD RESULT IN AN ACCIDENT.
Remedy: REPLACE ACCELERATOR CABLE.
NHTSA campaign record ↗