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1986 Buick CenturyProblems, recalls & complaints

NHTSA has logged 22 owner complaints about the 1986 Buick Century, most often about the engine and engine cooling. It is covered by 2 safety recalls.

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CarFlaw IndexNot enough dataHigher is better (0–100)
Safety recalls2Free fix at dealersOwner complaints228 with a crash, fire or injuryTop problem6Engine and engine cooling

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through January 15, 2004. Updated daily.

Complaints by system

Where the 1986 Buick Century has problems

22 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.

Box size = number of complaints naming that system. Darker = larger share. One complaint can name more than one system.
Complaints by system
SystemComplaintsCrash, fire or injury
Engine and engine cooling61
Steering51
Electrical system41
Seat belts31
Visibility20
Service brakes, hydraulic20
Service brakes, air10
Fuel system, gasoline10
Latches/locks/linkages10
4 other systems41

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.

2 recalls

1986 Buick Century recalls and how many were fixed

Each ring shows the share of affected cars repaired, from the manufacturer’s latest quarterly report to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

Recalls apply to specific cars. To see whether a recall is still open on yours, enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with Buick.

Best & worst years

1986 vs. every other Century year

Bars show complaints per model year. Colors show the CarFlaw verdict: complaints weighted for crashes, fires and injuries, adjusted for years on the road and compared with the Century median. How we score

'73'74'75'76'77'78'79'80'81'82'83'84'85'86'87'88'89'90'91'92'93'94'95'96'97'98'99'00'01'02'03'04'05
  • Avoid
  • Caution
  • Solid
  • Best
  • Not rated
3 investigations

NHTSA defect investigations

Federal investigations that included the 1986 Buick Century, and the recalls they led to.

  1. POWER ST. ASSISTEA87006 · closed Sep 19, 1988
    No recall
  2. STALLINGEA87022 · closed Nov 27, 1991
    No recall
  3. FRONT BRAKE DISC/HUB SEPPE91120 · closed Nov 4, 1991
    No recall
In owners' words

What Century owners report

Recent engine and engine cooling complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.

ONGOING PROBLEM WITH HESITATION AND STALLING WHILE DRIVING. VEHICLE HAS BEEN TO DEALER ON FIVE OCCASIONS AND THE PROBLEM IS STILL REOCCURRING. *AK THE OXYGEN SENSOR, THE SOLENOID AND FUEL FILTER WERE REPLACED AS POSSIBLE CAUSES FOR STALLING TO THE VEHICLE, HOWEVER THE PROBLEM CONTINUED. *YH
Complaint 8004773 · Feb 28, 2002

Own a 1986 Century?

Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.