BuickElectra1981Overview/buick/electra/1981/base/

1981 Buick Electra

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 1981 Electra.

The 1981 Buick Electra represents a specific model year within the Electra series, though the provided dataset does not include technical specifications regarding its body configuration, platform designation, or engine offerings. Without access to verified performance metrics, dimensional data, or mechanical feature sets, this entry cannot be situated within the broader context of the model's reliability history or generational benchmarks. Researchers should seek additional manufacturer documentation to establish the engineering context and production details necessary for a complete technical assessment.

Model year199019821981198019791978197719761975

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length221.3 in
Overall width76 in
Overall height54.7 in
Wheelbase118.9 in
Curb weight3792 lb

Performance & power Independent road tests

0–60 mph, quarter-mile, horsepower and torque from independent road tests.

Independent road tests for the Electra of this era, listed by trim and engine — this page spans more than one engine, so no single horsepower figure is shown.

9.5–9.7 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 9.50 sec — 1972 225 Hardtop Sedan
YearTrim / engine0–60¼ mileHPDrivetrain
1989Park Avenue Ultra Sedan 3.8L V69.70 sec17.20 sec165 hpFWD
1972225 Hardtop Sedan 7.5L V89.50 sec16.62 sec250 hpRWD

Reliability & federal safety record

Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.

2
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
0
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
0
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
0
Owner complaints
0 involved a crash · 0 a fire
NHTSA crash-test rating federal NCAP · out of 5 stars
Overall★★★★★
Frontal★★★★★
Side★★★★★
Rollover★★★★

No owner complaints on record with NHTSA for this vehicle.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 2 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

80V125000Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Pedals And LinkagesReported 25/09/1980

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… Remedy: DEALER WILL INSPECT VEHICLES AND, IF NECESSARY, REPLACE THE PEDAL SUPPORT BRACKET AT NO CHARGE TO OWNER.

81V037000Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Hoses, Lines/Piping, And FittingsReported 23/03/1981

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… Remedy: THE VACUUM PUMP INLET AND OUTLET HOSES WILL BE REPLACED FREE OF CHARGE.

Common OBD-II trouble codes

The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.

P0420
Catalyst system efficiency below threshold — Bank 1
P0300
Random / multiple cylinder misfire detected
P0171
System too lean — Bank 1
P0455
Evaporative emission system leak detected — large leak
P0128
Coolant thermostat below regulating temperature
P0442
Evaporative emission system leak detected — small leak

VIN tools

Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.

VIN
Decode a VIN to confirm the transmission and build data for a specific Electra. OEM
Build data
Plant, GVWR class, engine and body data for any 17-character VIN.
Recalls
Check open recall campaigns against a specific vehicle by VIN.

Reference guides

Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.

Frequently asked

Does the 1981 Electra have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 2 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.