- The problem
- The power brake vacuum hoses may fail to conform to federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 106, "Brake hoses". The material used in the hoses will not perform according to specifications. The purpose of this regulation is stated as, "to reduce death and injuries occurring as a result of brake system failure from pressure or vacuum loss due to hose assembly rupture".
- The fix
- The vacuum pump inlet and outlet hoses will be replaced free of charge.
Vehicle safety record
1981 Buick Electra Problems, complaints & recalls
No owner complaints about the 1981 Buick Electra have been filed with NHTSA. It is covered by 2 recalls, the latest in March 1981 for the hoses, lines / piping, and fittings.
NHTSA data checked
CAbout as many problems as a typical Electra year, for its age
- Complaints
- 0
- Recalls
- 2
- Crashes
- 0
- Fires
- 0
- Injuries
- 0
- Deaths
- 0
1981 Buick Electra recalls 2
Recall repairs are free. Your dealer fixes them whether or not you bought the car there - check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see if yours is done. What to do
- The problem
- The involved vehicles may have been assembled with a brake pedal support bracket which was designed for use in diesel engine vehicles. The incorrect bracket may cause the service brakes to remain partially applied, resulting in brake overheating and reduced braking effectiveness.
- The fix
- Dealer will inspect vehicles and, if necessary, replace the pedal support bracket at no charge to owner.
What owners say
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No complaints about the 1981 Buick Electra yet
No owner has filed a complaint about this vehicle with NHTSA. If yours has a problem, share it here and report it to NHTSA.
Buick Electra: every year compared
All Electra years1981 Buick Electra vs rivals
| Vehicle | Complaints | Recalls | Grade | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1981 Buick Electra | 0 | 2 | C | |
| 1981 Buick Century | 1 | 3 | A | Compare |
| 1981 Buick Skylark | 1 | 2 | A | Compare |
More sales usually means more complaints, so compare similar vehicles of the same year. The grade compares each vehicle with its own model's other years.
Questions about the 1981 Buick Electra
Does the 1981 Buick Electra have any recalls?
Yes - NHTSA lists 2 recalls for the 1981 Buick Electra: hoses, lines / piping, and fittings (March 1981); pedals and linkages (September 1980). Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether yours has been fixed.
How many complaints has the 1981 Buick Electra had?
None have been filed with NHTSA so far.
Is the 1981 Buick Electra a reliable vehicle?
Its Safety Index is 50 out of 100 (grade C: about as many problems as a typical Buick Electra year, for its age). The index weighs complaints, crashes, fires, injuries, deaths and recalls against how long the vehicle has been on the road, compared with the same model's other years. It is not a measure of every repair - read the complaints and owner experiences, and have any used vehicle inspected before you buy.
Which Buick Electra years have the most complaints?
1986 (13), 1988 (5), 1987 (4). See every Buick Electra year compared.
What should I do if my 1981 Buick Electra has a problem?
If it is a safety problem, stop driving it if it is unsafe and contact your dealer. Report it to NHTSA at nhtsa.gov/report-a-safety-problem - enough reports start investigations and recalls - and share your experience here so other owners know what to look for.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) complaints and recalls, checked . Complaints are owners' own reports and are not verified. How we use the data