RoadVitals

1990 Buick Electra

Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data

Data refreshed

Owner complaintsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
5
Latest Feb 22, 2016
Safety recallsA safety recall is issued when a manufacturer or NHTSA determines that a vehicle has a safety-related defect or does not comply with a federal motor vehicle safety standard. Recall repairs are free. Whether a specific vehicle is covered depends on its VIN — a recall listed for a model year does not necessarily apply to every vehicle of that year.
2
Latest May 19, 2006
InvestigationsNHTSA opens an investigation to examine whether a safety defect may exist. An open investigation is not a determination that a defect exists, and many investigations close without a recall. Investigations can, however, lead to one.
0
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
1
1 injuries, 0 deaths reported

Overview

Our database contains 5 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 1990 Buick Electra, most frequently naming the driver assistance, electrical and steering categories. 2 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

What owners report

Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded

  • Driver assistance225.0%
  • Electrical225.0%
  • Steering225.0%
  • Engine112.5%
  • Transmission112.5%

Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.

Safety recalls

2 campaigns cover this model year

Recalls apply to specific vehicles, not to every vehicle of a model year. Check your VIN with NHTSA or your manufacturer's dealer to confirm whether a recall affects your vehicle.

Check a VIN on NHTSA.gov
06E043000

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

May 19, 2006
88,303 units potentially affected
The defect: CERTAIN REPLACEMENT FUEL FILTERS, FRAM BRAND NAME P/N G3727, WITH DATE CODES X52911 THROUGH X60801 SEQUENTIALLY OR X600141 AND A MEXICO COUNTRY OR ORIGIN MARKING ON THE FUEL FILTER HOUSING MANUFACTURED FROM OCTOBER 18, 2005, THROUGH MARCH 21, 2006, SOLD FOR USE ON THE VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE AND ON CERTAIN SCHOOL BUSES. (TO SEE THE SCHOOL BUS ENGINE SIZES, CLICK ON "DOCUMENT SEARCH" AND THEN "BUS APPLICATIONS"). THE CONNECTOR ON THE FUEL FILTER WAS NOT MANUFACTURED TO HONEYWELL'S SPECIFICATION. AS A RESULT, THE O-RING MAY NOT SEAT CORRECTLY ON THE FUEL LINE.
The risk: THIS CONDITION MAY CAUSE AN INADEQUATE SEAL AT THE CONNECTION, POTENTIALLY LEADING TO A FUEL LEAK. IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, A FIRE COULD OCCUR.
The remedy: HONEYWELL WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE FUEL FILTERS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 18, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FRAM CUSTOMER SERVICE AT 1-800-890-2075 (OPTION 1).
HONEYWELL INTERNATIONAL, INC.View on NHTSA.gov
90V112000

SEAT BELTS:FRONT:WEBBING

Jun 6, 1990
51,834 units potentially affected
The defect: OWNERS MANUALS DID NOT FULLY EXPLAIN HOW FRONT SHOULDER BELT COMFORT FEATURE WORKS.
The risk: CARS WOULD NOT COMPLY WITH FMVSS 208, AND INCORRECT USE OF SAFETY RESTRAINTS COULD LEAD TO PERSONAL INJURY TO OCCUPANTS IF AN ACCIDENTSHOULD OCCUR.
The remedy: INSERT STICKER THAT PROVIDES MISSING INFORMATION IN OWNERS MANUALS.
GENERAL MOTORS CORP.View on NHTSA.gov

Recent owner complaints

Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words

Driver assistanceElectrical
Filed Feb 22, 2016

SPEEDOMETER NOT WORKING CORRECTLY. MOVING.

NHTSA ID
10837472
Incident
Nov 12, 2014
Mileage
90,000 mi
Filed Jun 20, 2000

BECAUSE OF THE DARK BLUE PRIMER USED THAT YEAR ON ALL BUICKS MY CAR LOOKS LIKE IT IS STARTING TO MELT, I HAVE TROUBLE SELLING THE CAR BECAUSE OF THIS, THERE IS NO RUST OR ANY OTHER PROBLEM WITH THE CAR. IF THERE WAS A RECALL ON THIS MAKE/MODEL I DIDN'T KNOW ABOUT IT. GETTING A WHOLE NEW PAINT JOB WILL COST MONEY I DON'T HAVE.NO SAFETY DEFECT LISTED IN THE SUMMARY. *AK

NHTSA ID
724257
ElectricalEngineSteering+1 more
Filed Feb 18, 1998

POWER STEERING HOSE FAILED.

NHTSA ID
530611
Steering
Filed Apr 30, 1997

OWNER STATES WHILE DRIVING THEIR IS WHITE SMOKE COMING FROM STEERING COLUM AREA. OWNER ALSO NOTES THAT THIS IS A INTERMITTENT PROBLEM. OWNER IS CONCERNED FOR HER SAFETY. *AK

NHTSA ID
811855
Driver assistance
Filed May 12, 1995
Crash reported1 injury reported

VEHICLE ACCELERATED OUT OF CONTROL RUNNING WILD HITTING BUILDING. PLEASE DESCRIBE DETAILS. TT

NHTSA ID
965232

Compare model years

Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model

Buick Electra by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
1991200—
1990Viewing520—
1989210—
1988512—
1987434—
1986123654.0
1985104—
1984222—
1983201—
1982010—
1981020—
1979020—
1978010—
1977120—
1976020—
1975020—
1974010—
1972020—
1971030—
1970020—
1967010—
1966110—
1965010—

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers. Older model years have had longer for reports to accumulate.