AI Damage1987 Buick Electra: common problems
Owners of the 1987 Buick Electra filed 4 complaints with NHTSA, most often about engine and cooling and seat belts. Details by component below, with sources.
Key figures
- Owner complaints
- 4
What fails most often
- 1 Engine and cooling 25% of all complaints
- 2 Seat belts 25% of all complaints
- 3 Seats 25% of all complaints
- 4 Vehicle speed control 25% of all complaints
- Engine and cooling: 1 complaints (25% of all).
- Seat belts: 1 complaints (25% of all).
- Seats: 1 complaints (25% of all).
- Vehicle speed control: 1 complaints (25% of all).
Engines and transmissions
US-market versions per EPA. On the right: how many NHTSA complaints name this engine or transmission type.
- 3.8 L · petrol · 6 cyl
- automatic, 4-speed
Drive: FWD
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 4 NHTSA complaints mention each symptom (automatic count from complaint text; one complaint can mention several).
Components owners complain about
| Component | Owner complaints | involving a crash | Technical service bulletins (TSB) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine and cooling | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Seat belts | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Seats | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Vehicle speed control | 1 | 0 | 0 |
What owners report
Short excerpts of NHTSA complaints in the original wording. These are owner statements not verified by NHTSA; personal data removed.
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 accelerator cable needed to be replaced again. Please provide further details.
Retractor on seat belt does not retract by itself back in.
While driving on the road the driver's seat will give and drop down when pushing the lever to recline, it partially reclines. Contacted dealer.
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.
When owners complained
NHTSA complaints by filing year. The peak shows at what age the problems show up most.
Comparison
By complaint count this model year ranks 15,521 of 36,656 model years in the NHTSA data (top 42% most complained about).
On average one model year of the Electra has 3 complaints (12 years in the data). This year has 4, above average.
What to check before buying
- Engine and cooling. Radiator and fan after a frontal hit, coolant level and condition, overheating.
- Seat belts. Belt pretensioners after airbag deployment, SRS codes.
- Seats. Occupant sensor, power adjustment, seat mounts.
- Vehicle speed control. Accelerator pedal, cruise control, throttle codes.
Other years of this model
Questions and answers
What are the most common problems with the 1987 Buick Electra?
Owner complaints to NHTSA most often mention: engine and cooling, seat belts, seats. Total complaints: 4. The most frequent symptoms in complaint texts: seat belts (25%), stalls while driving (25%).
How many service bulletins (TSB) were issued for the 1987 Buick Electra?
NHTSA lists 0 manufacturer service bulletins for this year. A bulletin tells dealers how to diagnose or fix a known issue; it is not a recall.
Should I buy a 1987 Buick Electra from a US auction?
Owner complaints describe defects, not crash damage. Before bidding, check the components listed above and review the lot photos: VinWind builds a report of visible and hidden damage by VIN.
Other 1987 models
Read also
Sources: public NHTSA data (USA): service bulletins and owner complaints; YouTube: links to videos credited to their authors. Complaints are owner statements not verified by NHTSA, and describe defects rather than crash damage. Data updated 2026-11-05.