1990 Buick Electra Problems
- Complaints
- 5filed with NHTSA
- Median mileage
- 90,000miles, 1 complaints with mileage
- Recalls
- 1campaigns on record
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
- NHTSA crash rating
- —overall rating starts with 2011 models
- EPA fuel economy
- 19 mpgcombined, 3.8L 6-cyl FWD · 16 city / 25 hwy
Sources: NHTSA records for the 1990 Buick Electra (complaints, recalls, investigations), NHTSA crash tests, EPA fuel economy. Report an error
NHTSA recorded 5 consumer complaints for the 1990 Buick Electra. The part named most often is electrical system, with 2 complaints (40% of the total), followed by other or unknown (2) and steering (2). 1 of the complaints include a mileage, and 0% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 90,000 miles. Of all complaints, 1 involved a crash, 1 an injury, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign and 0 technical service bulletins for this model year.
This model year has fewer than 25 complaints on record, so the numbers below can change a lot with a few new reports.
Which parts are reported most
Complaints can name more than one part, so the counts add up to more than the total. Select a part to see its complaints, recalls and bulletins.
- Electrical system2 40%
- Other or unknown2 40%
- Steering2 40%
- Engine cooling1 20%
Example complaints
Other or unknown: “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.”
NHTSA complaint #724257, filed 2000-06Steering: “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.”
NHTSA complaint #811855, filed 1997-04Mileage when problems were reported
0% of the 1 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 90,000 and 90,000 miles.
Complaints by year filed
Fewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
Crash test ratings
NHTSA's 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 1990 Buick Electra. Frontal results are shown driver / passenger; rollover shows the star rating and NHTSA's estimated risk of rolling over in a single-vehicle crash.
| Version | Overall | Frontal | Side | Side pole | Rollover |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Electra Park AVE · sedan | not rated | 5 / – | — | — | — |
Ratings before the 2011 model year come from an older, less demanding test and are not comparable with ratings for 2011 and later.
Source: NHTSA New Car Assessment Program (5-Star Safety Ratings), nhtsa.gov/ratings.
Fuel economy and running cost
EPA ratings for each 1990 Buick Electra version. Annual fuel cost is the EPA's estimate at its current fuel prices for 15,000 miles a year (55% city driving).
| Version | Engine | Transmission | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel / yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Electra/Park Avenue FWD | 3.8L 6-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 16 | 25 | 19 | $3,550 |
Source: U.S. EPA and Department of Energy, fueleconomy.gov. Ratings are for comparing vehicles; real-world mileage varies with driving and conditions.
Recalls and investigations
- 90V112000Jun 6, 1990Seat belts › Front › WebbingCovers: Buick Electra 1990, Regal 1990, Park Avenue 1990
Owners manuals did not fully explain how front shoulder belt comfort feature works.
Recall details for the 1990 Buick Electra → · Check a VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls
Technical service bulletins
No technical service bulletins are on record for the 1990 Buick Electra.
Other model years of the Buick Electra
| Year | Complaints | Median mi | Recalls | Crash ★ | MPG | Score (50 = typical) | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1990 | 5 | 90,000 | 1 | — | 19 | — | Not enough data |
| 1988 | 5 | 75,256 | 0 | — | 20 | — | Not enough data |
| 1986 | 12 | — | 3 | — | 20 | — | Not enough data |
Frequently asked questions
How many NHTSA complaints does the 1990 Buick Electra have?
NHTSA recorded 5 consumer complaints for the 1990 Buick Electra as of Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
What part of the 1990 Buick Electra is reported most often?
Electrical system is named most often, in 2 complaints (40% of the total), followed by other or unknown with 2.
Has the 1990 Buick Electra been recalled?
NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 1990 Buick Electra get?
The EPA rates the 1990 Buick Electra (Electra/Park Avenue, 3.8L 6-cyl) at 19 mpg combined, 16 city and 25 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $3,550 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.
At what mileage are problems with the 1990 Buick Electra reported?
Among the 1 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 90,000 miles and the middle half falls between 90,000 and 90,000 miles; 0% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate. Crash ratings are from NHTSA’s New Car Assessment Program. Fuel economy is from the EPA and DOE (fueleconomy.gov).
Complaint counts come from NHTSA’s public complaint database; we count each complaint once. The source records for this vehicle are on nhtsa.gov. Scores and trends are our own summaries of that data, described in the methodology. This page is not legal, safety or repair advice: for a specific vehicle, check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and ask a qualified mechanic. See an error? Tell us.