NHTSA recalls, safety ratings, and consumer complaints for the 1988 Buick Electra.
NHTSA has not published 5-star crash-test ratings for the 1988 Buick Electra. New vehicles are often added to the NCAP rating program after initial release; check nhtsa.gov/ratings for the latest status.
Component: FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
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.
Consequence: 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.
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).
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1988 BUICK ELECTRA PARK AVENUE. THE VEHICLE HAS FIRESTONE FR480 TIRES, SIZE P205/75/R14. WITHIN A 2-3 WEEK TIME PERIOD, THREE OF THE FOUR TIRES FORMED BUBBLES AND THEN BLEW OUT. THE CONTACT NOTICED THE BUBBLES ON ONE OF THE TIRES PRIOR TO THE BLOWOUT. BOTH REAR TIRES AND THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE TIRE BLEW OUT, BUT NO CRASH OCCURRED. THE LATEST FAILURE OCCURRED WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 15 MPH. THERE ARE CURRENTLY NO RECALLS ON THE TIRES. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT NOTIFIED. THE DOT NUMBER WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 75,431 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 75,256. UPDATED 06/11/09. *LJ UPDATED 06/11/09.*JB
CONSUMER WHILE PARKED WITH CAR RUNNING. PUT FOOT ON BRAKE AND STARTED TO PUT CAR IN DRIVE, WHEN WHEELS STARTED SPINNING, ENGINE WAS REVVING. CONSUMER HAD BOTH FEET ON BRAKES, AND VEHCILE TOOK OFF, FLYING INTO THE OTHER VEHICLE IN FRONT, PUSHING THAT VEHICLE INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE. CONSUMER COULD NOT TURN OFF ENGINE, THIS CAUSED A CHAIN REACTION.*AK
WHEN IT IS COLD AND TRYING TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE THE STEERING WHEEL WILL NOT TURN UNTIL THE VEHICLE IS WARM. PLEASE DESCRIBE. *AK
The 1988 Buick Electra has 1 NHTSA recall and 6 consumer complaints on file. For the most detailed information about a specific vehicle, decode its VIN using our free decoder above.
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WHEN IT IS COLD AND TRYING TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE THE STEERING WHEEL WILL NOT TURN UNTIL THE VEHICLE IS WARM. PLEASE DESCRIBE. *AK
WHEN IT IS COLD AND TRYING TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE THE STEERING WHEEL WILL NOT TURN UNTIL THE VEHICLE IS WARM. PLEASE DESCRIBE. *AK
DURING MORNING START UP YOU CAN NOT MANIPULATE THE STEERING. TT