AI Damage1986 Buick Century: common problems
Owners of the 1986 Buick Century filed 22 complaints with NHTSA, most often about engine and cooling and steering. Details by component below, with sources.
Key figures
- Owner complaints
- 22
- involving a crash
- 2
What fails most often
- 1 Engine and cooling 27% of all complaints
- 2 Steering 23% of all complaints
- 3 Electrical system 18% of all complaints
- 4 Seat belts 14% of all complaints
- 5 Service brakes 14% of all complaints
- 6 Visibility 9% of all complaints
- 7 Fuel system 5% of all complaints
- 8 Latches, locks, linkages 5% of all complaints
- Engine and cooling: 6 complaints (27% of all).
- Steering: 5 complaints (23% of all), 1 of them with a crash reported by the owner.
- Electrical system: 4 complaints (18% of all).
- Seat belts: 3 complaints (14% of all), 1 of them with a crash reported by the owner.
- Service brakes: 3 complaints (14% of all).
Engines and transmissions
US-market versions per EPA. On the right: how many NHTSA complaints name this engine or transmission type.
- 2.5 L · petrol · 4 cyl
- 2.8 L · petrol · 6 cyl
- 3.8 L · petrol · 6 cyl
- automatic, 3-speed
- automatic, 4-speed
Drive: FWD
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 22 NHTSA complaints mention each symptom (automatic count from complaint text; one complaint can mention several).
Components owners complain about
| Component | Owner complaints | involving a crash | Technical service bulletins (TSB) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine and cooling | 6 | 0 | 0 |
| Steering | 5 | 1 | 0 |
| Electrical system | 4 | 0 | 0 |
| Seat belts | 3 | 1 | 0 |
| Service brakes | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| Visibility | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuel system | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Latches, locks, linkages | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Powertrain | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Seats | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Structure | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Suspension | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Other | 2 | 0 | 0 |
What owners report
Short excerpts of NHTSA complaints in the original wording. These are owner statements not verified by NHTSA; personal data removed.
Steering locked at slight left turn coming out of curve and caused vehicle to steer left across center and off road into trees at 55 mph. My son was injured, the car totalled.
Vehicle was struck broadside by a chevrolet tahoe. Collision was partially investigated by chp central division mait. Forces placed on belt during rotation separated the webbing. Any questions, please contact central division mait, case: cl-031-00, phone: [phone]
Ongoing problem with hesitation and stalling while driving. Vehicle has been to dealer on five occasions and the problem is still reoccurring. The oxygen sensor, the solenoid and fuel filter were replaced as possible causes for stalling to the vehicle, however the problem continued.
The engine caught fire, causing smoke inhalation and burns to the occupant. (2nd vehicle on #517357)
Consumer states that plastic cover that hooks around the seat belt buckle broke off, causing the seat belt to be inoperable.
The rear disc brakes are rusted and they do not hold when applied. Please describe.
Front passenger seat moved forward in accident, causing injury.
Rack and pinion steering locks up, making it difficult to steer.
When owners complained
NHTSA complaints by filing year. The peak shows at what age the problems show up most.
Comparison
By complaint count this model year ranks 7,904 of 36,656 model years in the NHTSA data (top 22% most complained about).
On average one model year of the Century has 70 complaints (26 years in the data). This year has 22, below average.
What to check before buying
- Engine and cooling. Radiator and fan after a frontal hit, coolant level and condition, overheating.
- Steering. Steering play, power assist, rack and tie rods after a wheel impact.
- Electrical system. Scan all modules, test the battery and alternator, inspect connectors near the impact zone.
- Seat belts. Belt pretensioners after airbag deployment, SRS codes.
Other years of this model
- Century 19823 sources
- Century 19848 sources
- Century 19857 sources
- Century 198728 sources
- Century 198816 sources
- Century 198940 sources
- Century 199033 sources
- Century 199138 sources
- Century 199245 sources
- Century 199354 sources
- Century 1994106 sources
- Century 199599 sources
- Century 199680 sources
- Century 1997106 sources
- Century 1998218 sources
- Century 1999235 sources
- Century 2000193 sources
- Century 2001145 sources
- Century 2002154 sources
- Century 2003127 sources
- Century 200439 sources
- Century 200519 sources
- Century 99993 sources
Questions and answers
What are the most common problems with the 1986 Buick Century?
Owner complaints to NHTSA most often mention: engine and cooling, steering, electrical system. Total complaints: 22. The most frequent symptoms in complaint texts: stalls while driving (18%), steering or power steering problems (18%), seat belts (9%).
How many service bulletins (TSB) were issued for the 1986 Buick Century?
NHTSA lists 0 manufacturer service bulletins for this year. A bulletin tells dealers how to diagnose or fix a known issue; it is not a recall.
Should I buy a 1986 Buick Century from a US auction?
Owner complaints describe defects, not crash damage. Before bidding, check the components listed above and review the lot photos: VinWind builds a report of visible and hidden damage by VIN.
Other 1986 models
Read also
Sources: public NHTSA data (USA): service bulletins and owner complaints; YouTube: links to videos credited to their authors. Complaints are owner statements not verified by NHTSA, and describe defects rather than crash damage. Data updated 2026-11-05.