1986 Buick Century
Safety record from NHTSA: recalls, owner complaints, investigations and service bulletins.
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Vehicles › Buick › Century › 1986
These records cover every 1986 Buick Century. To see whether one car still needs a recall repair, decode its VIN or check it with NHTSA.
Recalls
3 recalls name the 1986 Buick Century. Newest first.
Certain replacement fuel filters, fram brand name p/n g3727, with date codes x52911 through x60801 sequentially or x600141 and a mexico country or origin marking on the fuel filter housing manufactured from october 18, 2005, through march 21, 2006, sold for use on the vehicles listed above and on certain school buses. (to see the school bus engine sizes…
Risk and remedy
Risk
This condition may cause an inadequate seal at the connection, potentially leading to a fuel leak. In the presence of an ignition source, a fire could occur.
Remedy
Honeywell will notify owners and replace the fuel filters free of charge. the recall began on october 18, 2006. owners may contact fram customer service at 1-800-890-2075 (option 1).
An incorrectly indexed wiring harness may cause the center high mounted stop lamp to remain illuminated when the headlights or parking lamps are on. fmvss 108 lamps, reflective devices and associated equipment requires that this stop lamp be lighted only when the brakes are applied. also, the opera lamps may come on when the…
The generator "bat" terminal located on the rectifier end frame may contact the carburetor fuel inlet pipe. consequence of defect: the "bat" stud may rub through the terminal boot and contact the fuel pipe which could result in an underhood…
Risk and remedy
Remedy
Obtain clearance between fuel pipe and generator "bat" terminal by rotating the rectifier end frame.
Owner complaints
22 complaints2 involved a crash2 involved a fire5 injuries1 deaths
What owners report most
Latest complaints
- Steering
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.
- Engine and engine cooling › Engine › Gasoline · Engine and engine cooling › Exhaust system › Emission control · Fuel system, gasoline › Delivery › Hoses, lines/piping, and fittings
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
- Seat belts › Front › Anchorage
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: (559)277-7250
- Engine and engine cooling › Exhaust system › Manifold/header/muffler/tail pipe · Suspension › Front › Springs › Coil springs · Suspension › Rear › Shock absorber · Suspension › Rear › Springs
Rear shock absorber failed. Mjs
- Unknown or other
Requesting information regarding problems.
- Visibility › Windshield wiper/washer
Windshield wipers failed causing poor visibility.
- Engine and engine cooling › Engine › Gasoline
The engine caught fire, causing smoke inhalation and burns to the occupant. (2ND vehicle on #517357)
- Seat belts › Front › Buckle assembly
Consumer states that plastic cover that hooks around the seat belt buckle broke off, causing the seat belt to be inoperable. *ak
- Engine and engine cooling › Engine › Gasoline
Intermittent stalling. *Sd
- Steering › Rack and pinion
'Cold power steering'. *Sd
- Service brakes, air
The rear disc brakes are rusted and they do not hold when applied. Please describe. *ak
- Seats › Front assembly › Recliner
Front passenger seat moved forward in accident, causing injury. *Sd
- Steering › Steering wheel/handle bar
Steering locked up prior to recall. *Sd
- Steering › Rack and pinion
Steering rack and pinion locks up. *Sd
- Electrical system › Wiring · Engine and engine cooling › Engine · Engine and engine cooling › Exhaust system › Manifold/header/muffler/tail pipe
Vehicle fire due to short in wiring harness. *ak
- Seat belts › Front › Anchorage
Seat belts failed. *Sd
- Steering › Rack and pinion
Rack and pinion steering locks up, making it difficult to steer. *ak
- Service brakes, hydraulic › Foundation components › Drum
The left rear wheel brake will lock up on slick surfaces or when the brakes are wet. tt
- Latches/locks/linkages › Doors › Latch
Drivers side door lock can not be opened from inside which IS causing a safety problem. tt
- Electrical system › Alternator/generator/regulator · Engine and engine cooling › Cooling system · Engine and engine cooling › Cooling system › Fan · Engine and engine cooling › Cooling system › Radiator assembly · Engine and engine cooling › Engine › Gasoline › Belts and associated pulleys · Power train › Automatic transmission · Service brakes, hydraulic › Foundation components › Disc › Pads · Structure › Body › Door · Structure › Body › Hood › Hinge and attachments · Unknown or other · Visibility › Defroster/defogger/hvac system
Water pump failed.
- Electrical system › Ignition
Continuous intermittent stalling after many repairs. (Other vehicle on 489266) *skd
- Electrical system › Ignition
Vehicle stalls intermittently in traffic. tt
Defect investigations
NHTSA’s Office of Defects Investigation opened these reviews into vehicles including this one.
- Front brake disc/hub sep
There is no summary currently available
- Stalling
Summary:the complaints allege that stalling IS due to various faultycomponents of the fuel injection and/or ignition system. The followingmodels are involved:buick electra, lesabre, rivera, century; olds cutlassciera, 88, 98, toronado; pontiac bonneville.status:this investigation IS ongoing.we are continuing to…
Summary:the complaints allege that stalling IS due to various faultycomponents of the fuel injection and/or ignition system. The followingmodels are involved:buick electra, lesabre, rivera, century; olds cutlassciera, 88, 98, toronado; pontiac bonneville.status:this investigation IS ongoing.we are continuing to analyzeinformation provided by gm and are preparing an additional informationrequest to gm to clarify certain technical items.===
- Power st. Assist
Summary of information from the manufacturer:gm has developed a splitring field repair kit and IS extending the warranry on all 1982-84 a,j, and x, body cars and 1985 c,body cars.the warranty applies to carsthat are for 50,000 miles or 5 yrs.it includes reimbursement for previousrepairs.analysis:wearing of the rack…
Summary of information from the manufacturer:gm has developed a splitring field repair kit and IS extending the warranry on all 1982-84 a,j, and x, body cars and 1985 c,body cars.the warranty applies to carsthat are for 50,000 miles or 5 yrs.it includes reimbursement for previousrepairs.analysis:wearing of the rack and pinion housing and low ambient tempcan cause temporary loss of power assist.teflon o rings fail to sealoff internal pressure.status:evaluating the extended warranty offer by gm.======
Every Buick Century model year
Bars are owner complaints, dots mark years with recalls. Select a year to open its report.