Complaints
43
Crashes
2
Fires
2
Injuries
5
Fatalities
1
Recalls
0
Worst 1986 Buick Century Problems
Top 3 most-reported issues with average mileage at failure.
#13 complaints
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline
Fires:1
#23 complaints
Seat Belts:Front:Anchorage
Crash-related:1
#33 complaints
Steering:Rack And Pinion
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All Problems by Category
Every NHTSA complaint category for the 1986 Buick Century.
| Component | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Avg Mileage | Volume |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline | 3 | — | 1 | — | |
| Seat Belts:Front:Anchorage | 3 | 1 | — | — | |
| Steering:Rack And Pinion | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Electrical System:Ignition | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System:Manifold/Header/Muffler/Tail Pipe | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Service Brakes, Air | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Structure:Body:Door | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Electrical System:Alternator/Generator/Regulator | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Electrical System:Wiring | 1 | — | 1 | — | |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System:Fan | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System:Radiator Assembly | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline:Belts And Associated Pulleys | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System:Emission Control | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Fuel System, Gasoline:Delivery:Hoses, Lines/Piping, And Fittings | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Latches/Locks/Linkages:Doors:Latch | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Automatic Transmission | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Seat Belts:Front:Buckle Assembly | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Seats:Front Assembly:Recliner | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc:Pads | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Drum | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Steering Defects | 1 | 1 | — | — | |
| Steering: Steering Wheel/Handle Bar | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Structure:Body:Hood:Hinge And Attachments | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Suspension:Front:Springs:Coil Springs | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Suspension:Rear:Shock Absorber | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Suspension:Rear:Springs | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Visibility:Defroster/Defogger/Hvac System | 1 | — | — | — |
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline
3
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
1
Avg Miles
—
Seat Belts:Front:Anchorage
3
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Steering:Rack And Pinion
3
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Electrical System:Ignition
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System:Manifold/Header/Muffler/Tail Pipe
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Service Brakes, Air
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Structure:Body:Door
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Electrical System:Alternator/Generator/Regulator
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Electrical System:Wiring
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
1
Avg Miles
—
Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System:Fan
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System:Radiator Assembly
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline:Belts And Associated Pulleys
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System:Emission Control
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Fuel System, Gasoline:Delivery:Hoses, Lines/Piping, And Fittings
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Latches/Locks/Linkages:Doors:Latch
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Automatic Transmission
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Seat Belts:Front:Buckle Assembly
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Seats:Front Assembly:Recliner
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc:Pads
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Drum
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Steering Defects
1
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Steering: Steering Wheel/Handle Bar
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Structure:Body:Hood:Hinge And Attachments
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Suspension:Front:Springs:Coil Springs
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Suspension:Rear:Shock Absorber
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Suspension:Rear:Springs
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Visibility:Defroster/Defogger/Hvac System
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Search Owner Complaints
Read what owners actually reported to NHTSA for the 1986 Buick Century. Type a keyword (e.g. “transmission”, “stalling”, “brakes”) to filter.
Other Buick Century Years
1986 Buick Century — FAQ
Answers based on real NHTSA complaint and recall data for this specific model year.
Is the 1986 Buick Century reliable?
Verdict: Below Average Complaints. The 1986 Buick Century has 43 NHTSA complaints, 2 crash-related, and 0 recall campaigns. The most common issue is Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline with 3 complaints. Source: NHTSA via VinItel.
What are common problems with the 1986 Buick Century?
Top reported problems: Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline (3 complaints); Seat Belts:Front:Anchorage (3 complaints); Steering:Rack And Pinion (3 complaints). Every complaint is filed by an owner with NHTSA — this is raw reported data, not editorial opinion.
How safe is the 1986 Buick Century?
NHTSA complaints for the 1986 Buick Century include 2 crash-related reports, 2 fire reports, 5 injuries, and 1 fatalities. These are owner-reported incidents, not official crash-test ratings — a complaint being filed doesn't confirm a defect, but clusters around specific components are worth investigating.
Does the 1986 Buick Century have any recalls?
No NHTSA recall campaigns have been issued for the 1986 Buick Century as of the latest data sync. Verify by VIN for the most current status — new recalls can be issued years after a model year ships.
Should I buy a 1986 Buick Century?
Fewer complaints than typical for this model. That's a good sign, but every individual car is different — the VIN still tells you what happened to this specific one.
Source: NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) complaint and recall databases, aggregated by VinItel.
Wider context: See the full Buick Century reliability report with year-by-year comparison and generation analysis.
Check Your Specific 1986 Buick Century
Real owner complaints tell you about the model. The VIN tells you about your specific car — accidents, title issues, odometer fraud.
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