1986 Buick Electra problems
The Buick Electra is a full-size luxury car manufactured and marketed by Buick from 1959 to 1990, over six generations. Introduced as the replacement for the Roadmaster lines, the Electra served as the flagship Buick sedan line through its entire production and was offered as a six-passenger four-door sedan with two-door sedan, two-door convertible, and five-door station wagon variants.
The Electra initially used GM's rear-drive C Platform, undergoing a significant downsizing for 1977.
For its sixth generation, introduced for model year 1985, the Electra underwent another significant downsizing, and adopted unibody construction as well as GM's new front-drive C Platform — becoming along with its rebadged variants, the Oldsmobile 98 and Cadillac Deville and Fleetwood, the company's first full-size, unibody, transverse engine, front-drive cars.
For 1991, Buick retired the Electra nameplate, migrating its front-drive premium sedan to the Buick Park Avenue nameplate, previously used as an upper trim level of the Electra itself. The Electra Estate was redesigned, becoming the Roadmaster Estate for 1991.
In late 2022, Buick announced plans to revive the Electra nameplate for its forthcoming 2024 electric models.
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Common 1986 Buick Electra problems
Common problems reported by owners of the 1986 Buick Electra include:
- Stalling Issues: Owners have experienced stalling where the car dies and can be restarted intermittently. This problem can be caused by loose battery cables, a faulty crankshaft position sensor, or a malfunctioning ignition module. Stalling can be dangerous and inconvenient, leading to potential safety hazards on the road.
- Ignition Problems: Some owners have faced ignition issues, resulting in the car running considerably worse under load, with an obvious miss either at idle or while driving. This can be a frustrating problem that affects the overall performance and reliability of the vehicle. Troubleshooting ignition problems may involve checking components like spark plugs, wires, coil packs, and the ignition control module (ICM).
- Engine Performance: Complaints about engine performance have been noted, with concerns about the engine not running "right" even after tune-ups. Issues like misfiring, rough idling, or poor acceleration can indicate underlying problems with components such as the fuel system, sensors, or ignition system. Addressing engine performance issues promptly is crucial to maintain the car's drivability.
- Reliability of the LG3 Engine: Questions have been raised regarding the reliability of the LG3 engine, particularly in the 1986 Buick Electra Park Avenue. Owners with this engine version have expressed uncertainties due to off-center bore spacing. Understanding the engine's reliability and potential issues can help owners make informed decisions about maintenance and repairs.
- Dashboard Warning Lights: Ignoring dashboard warning lights has been highlighted as a common issue. It is crucial not to overlook warning indicators like the check engine light or battery light, as they can signal underlying problems that need immediate attention. Ignoring these warnings can lead to more severe issues and costly repairs down the line.
Addressing these common problems promptly through regular maintenance, diagnostic checks, and timely repairs can help ensure the 1986 Buick Electra runs smoothly and reliably. Regular inspections, adherence to the manufacturer's maintenance schedule, and seeking professional assistance when needed are essential to keep the vehicle in optimal condition.
Who made the car Electra?
Buick
Buick built its first Electras as 1959 models, with Electra production continuing unabated through 1990 (after which the Park Avenue trim level took over as the model name, much as the Malibu trim level designation had shoved aside the Chevelle model name in 1978).
How much does a Buick Electra cost?
The price of the 2025 Buick Electra E5 is expected to start around $50,000 and go up to $70,000 depending on the trim and options.
What kind of car is an Electra?
electric compact crossover SUV
The Buick Electra E5 is a battery electric compact crossover SUV manufactured by SAIC-GM under the Buick brand.
What was the Buick Electra nickname?
deuce and a quarter
The Electra 225 nameplate was a nod to the car's overall length of over 225 in (5,715 mm), earning it the street name "deuce and a quarter."
Who made the car Electra?
Buick
Buick built its first Electras as 1959 models, with Electra production continuing unabated through 1990 (after which the Park Avenue trim level took over as the model name, much as the Malibu trim level designation had shoved aside the Chevelle model name in 1978).
Is Buick a luxury car?
Yes! Buick models are luxury vehicles.
Who owns Buick?
General Motors (GM)
For starters, Buick is owned by General Motors (GM), who also owns GMC, Cadillac, and Chevrolet.
Are Buicks good quality?
Buick ranks among the most reliable domestic automakers. Many of Tesla's Superchargers are now open to electric cars from other automakers using an NACS adapter. These models offer comfort and access for seven passengers or more. These top models should suit all budgets.
1986 Buick Electra car problems categorized by type of issue
After analyzing all complaints sent to the NHTSA and researching popular Buick Electra problems, we found that the most common problems with these 2023 model year vehicles are:
- Service brakes problems
- Hydraulic problems
- Engine and engine cooling problems
- Power train problems
- Structure problems
The graph below shows statistics for all 1986 Buick Electra vehicle components and the number of complaints received.
1986 Buick Electra complaints
The NHTSA has received 16 complaints about various vehicle components related to the 1986 Buick Electra.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2000-10-11
- VIN: 1G4CX69BXG1
- Components: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
- Summary: THE CRANK SENSOR-WHICH CONTROLS ENGINE TIMING-THE BRACKET ITS HOUSED IN CAN WORK LOOSE DURING NORMAL DRIVING CAUSING THE SENSOR TO MOVE AWAY FROM THE MAGNET CAUSING THE ENGINE TO STALL W/NO WARNING. IT HAPPENED FIRST LASTE YEAR IN JULY-99 HAD IT REPLACED BY DEALER USING OE PART. WORKED LOOSE THIS YEAR OCT-00, CAUSING VEHICLE TO STALL ON BUSY STREET AND BARELY MADE IT TO THE SIDE. CONTACT DEALER-WOULD NOT REPLACE PART-MADE US BUY ANOTHER....
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-11-24
- VIN: 1G4BV35Y7GX
- Components: SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
- Summary: DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH POWER ASSIST WITHIN BRAKE SYSTEM FAILED WITHOUT WARNING, CAUSING THE CONSUMER TO PULL EMERGENCY BRAKE IN ORDER TO AVOID ACCIDENT. DEALER HAD REPLACED BRAKE SYSYTEM, BUT DEFECT HAS REOCCURRED WITHIN 150 MILES. *AK
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 1998-03-24
- VIN: 1G4BV35Y9GX
- Components: SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
- Summary: RECEIVED RECALL NOTICE 87V613000, ABS BRAKES. TOOK VEHICLE FOR REPAIRS. WORK WAS DONE. PROBLEM STILL EXISTS. TOOK VEHICLE BACK. MECHANIC SAID SWITCH WAS DEFECTIVE. ORDERED ANOTHER FROM MANUFACTURER. REPLACED SWITCH AGAIN, WAS ALSO DEFECTIVE. REPLACED OLD SWITCH THAT WORKED W/SWITCH THAT DIDN'T. THEN REPLACED NEW W/OLD SWITCH. NOT SATISFIED W/RECALL. *AK
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 1998-03-13
- VIN: 1G4BV35Y9GX
- Components: SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
- Summary: BRAKE SENSOR REPAIRED UNDER RECALL WORK DONE, HOWEVER NEW SENSOR WAS DEFECTIVE CAUSING BRAKE PUMP TO FAIL.
POWER TRAIN PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 1988-05-11
- VIN: 1G4CW69B4G1
- Components: POWER TRAIN
- Summary: TRANSMISSION FAILURE, TWICE.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-11-24
- Components: SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
- Summary: BRAKES FAILED.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 1995-12-11
- VIN: 1G4BV35Y7GX
- Components: SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
- Summary: WHILE DRIVING BRAKE LIGHTS COME ON AT THIS TIME THERE ARE NO BRAKES, NO WARNING, FIXED 5 DIFFERENT TIMES STILL NOT WORKING PROPERLY. PLEASE DESCRIBE. TT
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-11-24
- VIN: 1G4BV35Y7GX
- Components: SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
- Summary: RECEIVE RECALL LETTER DEALER FIXED IT CONSUMER HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM . TT
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 1995-09-19
- VIN: 1G4BV35Y9GX
- Components: SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
- Summary: BRAKE MASTER CYLINDER FAILURE, REPLACED TWO TIMES, BRAKE PEDAL BECAME HARD TO APPLY. TT
STRUCTURE PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 1995-09-05
- Components: STRUCTURE
- Summary: THE REAR DOORS WILL NOT OPEN IF NOT USED VERY OFTEN. PLEASE DESCRIBE. TT
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 1995-06-14
- VIN: 1G4BV35Y0GX
- Components: SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
- Summary: BRAKE POWER BOOSTER FAILURE, LOSS OF BRAKING, INVOLVED IN RECALL 87V93000. TT
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 1994-12-10
- VIN: 1G4BV35Y8GX
- Components: SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
- Summary: ANTI-LOCK BRAKES FAILED, ALSO BRAKE LIGHT CAME ON INTERMITTENTLY PRIOR TO RECALL (87V-093). *AK
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 1994-12-10
- VIN: 1G4BV35Y8GX
- Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
- Summary: FUSE FOR BRAKES BLOWS OUT REPEATEDLY.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 1991-08-06
- VIN: 1G4BV35Y8GX
- Components: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
- Summary: REPLACED OXYGEN SENSOR.
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 1991-08-06
- VIN: 1G4BV35Y8GX
- Components: VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
- Summary: ADJUSTED IDLE SPEED CONTROL UNIT.
WHEELS PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 1994-11-25
- Crash: 1
- VIN: 1G4CU69BAG1
- Components: WHEELS
- Summary: LUG NUTS BROKE, CAUSING RIGHT REAR TIRE TO COME OFF, VEHICLE LOST CONTROL/SPUN, RESULTING IN AN ACCIDENT (NEW NERSEY STATE POLICE ACCIDENT REPORT). *AK
1986 Buick Electra recalls
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has issued 3 recalls for different components of the 1986 Buick Electra.
- Manufacturer: GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
- Components: SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
- 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 ASSEMBLY. THIS CONDITION CAN CAUSE LOSS OF THE HYDRAULIC PUMP MOTOR AND/OR LOSS OF THE ABS FUNCTION.
- Consequence: LOSS OF THE HYDRAULIC PUMP MOTOR WOULD RESULT IN A TOTALLOSS OF REAR BRAKES AS WELL AS POWER ASSIST TO THE FRONT BRAKES. THE RED BRAKEWARNING LIGHT WOULD ILLUMINATE AND STAY ON. IF THIS WARNING IS NOT HEEDED, ALOSS OF REAR BRAKES AT A TIME WHEN MINIMUM STOPPING DISTANCE IS REQUIRED COULDRESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH. AN INOPERATIVE ABS ELECTRICAL RELAY COULD CAUSELOSS OF THE ABS FUNCTION, BUT NORMAL POWER ASSISTED BRAKING WOULD BE RETAINED.THE AMBER ANTI LOCK WARNING LIGHT WOULD ILLUMINATE AND STAY ON.
- 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, REPLACED.
- Manufacturer: GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
- Components: STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST:HOSE, PIPING, AND CONNECTIONS
- 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.
- Remedy: REPLACE AND CORRECTLY ROUTE HOSE, AS NECESSARY.
- Manufacturer: GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
- Components: EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS:SWITCH
- 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 MIGHT RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING.
- Remedy: REPLACE HEADLIGHT SWITCH AS NECESSARY.
Additional sources
More sources of information about 1986 Buick Electra problems:
GM 3.8 and 3800 - General Discussion - Antique Automobile Club of ...
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Ahhhh, yes! Glad you got it figured out. The ol' watered down ecm... another fairly common problem with these cars. You will be glad to know ...
Q&A: Troubleshooting 1989 Buick Electra ECM Issues
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Buick Park Avenue Problems and Complaints - 34 Issues
Problem with your Buick Park Avenue? Our list of 34 known complaints reported by owners can help you fix your Buick Park Avenue.
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