Buick Somerset: problems, complaints, bulletins

Summary for the Buick Somerset across 2 model years: 10 owner complaints and 0 NHTSA service bulletins, plus repair videos. Pick a year for details.

Model years

Year	Owner complaints	involving a crash	Technical service bulletins (TSB)	YouTube repair videos
1986	7	0	0	0
1985	3	0	0	0

What fails most often

1 Engine and cooling 30% of all complaints
2 Electrical system 20% of all complaints
3 Seat belts 20% of all complaints
4 Steering 10% of all complaints
5 Structure 10% of all complaints
6 Tires 10% of all complaints

Circle size and colour show each component’s share of NHTSA complaints. Schematic only, not a drawing of the exact model.

Engine and cooling: 3 complaints (30% of all).
Electrical system: 2 complaints (20% of all).
Seat belts: 2 complaints (20% of all).
Steering: 1 complaints (10% of all).
Structure: 1 complaints (10% 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 1985–1987
3 L · petrol · 6 cyl 1985–1987
automatic, 3-speed 1985–1987
manual, 5-speed 1985–1987

Drive: FWD

Symptoms owners describe

How many of the 10 NHTSA complaints mention each symptom (automatic count from complaint text; one complaint can mention several).

stalls while driving2 · 20%
smoke, burning smell, fire1 · 10%
seat belts1 · 10%
rust, corrosion1 · 10%
jerking, harsh shifts1 · 10%

Components owners complain about

Component	Owner complaints	involving a crash	Technical service bulletins (TSB)
Engine and cooling	3	0	0
Electrical system	2	0	0
Seat belts	2	0	0
Steering	1	0	0
Structure	1	0	0
Tires	1	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.

The paint is rusting behind the surface, consumer believes this vehicle should be recalled. Nlm
Structure · 1986 · 2000-07-24 · NHTSA complaint #784615
When brakes are applied the vehicle jerks and stall, unable to locate problem. Nlm
Engine and cooling · 1985 · 1999-11-29 · NHTSA complaint #605623
Tire's on vehicle (uniroyal rallye hp 205/70r 13ms), have all shown signs of flaws, bulge and separation causing failure. Mjs
Tires · 1986 · 1999-07-30 · NHTSA complaint #547183
Engine froze due to a punctured oil filter caused by a design flaw. The oil filter is on the bottom of engine and hangs 2-3 inches below the frame.
Engine and cooling · 1986 · 1998-05-06 · NHTSA complaint #535235
The electric ignition module keeps going out. Replaced (4) times in the last (5) years.
Electrical system · 1986 · 1996-09-13 · NHTSA complaint #802353
Driver's seat belt retractor failed, causing belt to become stuck in case.
Seat belts · 1986 · 1995-11-16 · NHTSA complaint #484252

When owners complained

NHTSA complaints by filing year. The peak shows at what age the problems show up most.

19954
19961
19971
19981
19992
20001

What to check before buying

Engine and cooling. Radiator and fan after a frontal hit, coolant level and condition, overheating.
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.
Steering. Steering play, power assist, rack and tie rods after a wheel impact.

Other models of this make

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.