1986 Buick Century Problems
- Complaints
- 22filed with NHTSA
- Median mileage
- 100,000miles, 1 complaints with mileage
- Recalls
- 2campaigns on record
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
- NHTSA crash rating
- —overall rating starts with 2011 models
- EPA fuel economy
- 20 mpgcombined, 2.8L 6-cyl FWD · 18 city / 26 hwy
Sources: NHTSA records for the 1986 Buick Century (complaints, recalls, investigations), EPA fuel economy. Report an error
NHTSA recorded 22 consumer complaints for the 1986 Buick Century. The part named most often is engine cooling, with 6 complaints (27% of the total), followed by steering (5) and electrical system (4). 1 of the complaints include a mileage, and 0% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 100,000 miles. Of all complaints, 2 involved a crash, 2 a fire, 5 an injury, 1 a death, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns and 0 technical service bulletins for this model year.
This model year has fewer than 25 complaints on record, so the numbers below can change a lot with a few new reports.
Which parts are reported most
Complaints can name more than one part, so the counts add up to more than the total. Select a part to see its complaints, recalls and bulletins.
- Engine cooling6 27%
- Steering5 23%
- Electrical system4 18%
- Brakes3 14%
- Seat belts3 14%
- Other or unknown2 9.1%
- Fuel system1 4.5%
- Seats1 4.5%
Also reported: Body and structure (1), Suspension (1), Transmission and drivetrain (1).
Example complaints
Engine cooling: “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.”
NHTSA complaint #8004773, filed 2002-02Steering: “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.”
NHTSA complaint #10068960, filed 2004-01, 100,000 milesMileage when problems were reported
0% of the 1 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 100,000 and 100,000 miles.
Complaints by year filed
Trend: stable. Complaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
Fuel economy and running cost
EPA ratings for each 1986 Buick Century version. Annual fuel cost is the EPA's estimate at its current fuel prices for 15,000 miles a year (55% city driving).
| Version | Engine | Transmission | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel / yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Century FWD | 2.5L 4-cyl | 3-speed automatic | 19 | 29 | 23 | $2,900 |
| Century FWD | 2.8L 6-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 18 | 26 | 20 | $3,350 |
| Century FWD | 2.8L 6-cyl | 3-speed automatic | 17 | 24 | 19 | $3,550 |
| Century FWD | 3.8L 6-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 17 | 26 | 20 | $3,350 |
| Century Wagon FWD | 2.5L 4-cyl | 3-speed automatic | 19 | 26 | 21 | $3,200 |
| Century Wagon FWD | 2.8L 6-cyl | 3-speed automatic | 17 | 23 | 19 | $3,550 |
| Century Wagon FWD | 2.8L 6-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 17 | 23 | 19 | $3,550 |
| Century Wagon FWD | 3.8L 6-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 17 | 27 | 20 | $3,350 |
Source: U.S. EPA and Department of Energy, fueleconomy.gov. Ratings are for comparing vehicles; real-world mileage varies with driving and conditions.
Recalls and investigations
- 86V061000May 13, 1986Electrical system › Wiring › Rear compartment/trunkCovers: Buick Century 1986, Oldsmobile Cutlass 1986
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…
- 85V122000Oct 4, 1985Electrical system › Alternator/generator/regulatorCovers: Buick Century 1986
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 fire and cause…
Recall details for the 1986 Buick Century → · Check a VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls
NHTSA investigations
Technical service bulletins
No technical service bulletins are on record for the 1986 Buick Century.
Other model years of the Buick Century
| Year | Complaints | Median mi | Recalls | Crash ★ | MPG | Score (50 = typical) | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2005 | 19 | 68,977 | 0 | — | 21 | — | Rising |
| 2004 | 39 | 73,000 | 0 | — | 21 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 2003 | 127 | 63,546 | 0 | — | 21 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 2002 | 154 | 62,000 | 0 | — | 21 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 2001 | 145 | 54,800 | 3 | — | 21 | Not compared (before 2008) | Rising |
| 2000 | 193 | 60,935 | 5 | — | 21 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 1999 | 235 | 56,500 | 3 | — | 21 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1998 | 218 | 57,972 | 2 | — | 21 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 1997 | 106 | 94,944 | 2 | — | — | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1996 | 80 | 75,550 | 1 | — | 21 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 1995 | 99 | 92,500 | 1 | — | 20 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 1994 | 106 | 88,500 | 6 | — | 22 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1993 | 54 | 123,000 | 2 | — | 21 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1992 | 45 | 94,500 | 3 | — | 20 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1991 | 38 | 45,082 | 2 | — | 20 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1990 | 33 | — | 2 | — | 21 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1989 | 40 | 110,000 | 1 | — | 21 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1988 | 16 | — | 3 | — | 21 | — | Stable |
| 1987 | 28 | 90,000 | 0 | — | 20 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1986 | 22 | 100,000 | 2 | — | 20 | — | Stable |
| 1985 | 7 | — | 0 | — | 19 | — | Not enough data |
| 1984 | 8 | — | 3 | — | 20 | — | Not enough data |
All Buick Century model years · Best and worst years by complaints
Frequently asked questions
How many NHTSA complaints does the 1986 Buick Century have?
NHTSA recorded 22 consumer complaints for the 1986 Buick Century as of Oct 28, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
What part of the 1986 Buick Century is reported most often?
Engine cooling is named most often, in 6 complaints (27% of the total), followed by steering with 5.
Has the 1986 Buick Century been recalled?
NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 1986 Buick Century get?
The EPA rates the 1986 Buick Century (Century, 2.8L 6-cyl) at 20 mpg combined, 18 city and 26 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $3,350 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.
At what mileage are problems with the 1986 Buick Century reported?
Among the 1 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 100,000 miles and the middle half falls between 100,000 and 100,000 miles; 0% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 28, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate. Fuel economy is from the EPA and DOE (fueleconomy.gov).
Complaint counts come from NHTSA’s public complaint database; we count each complaint once. The source records for this vehicle are on nhtsa.gov. Scores and trends are our own summaries of that data, described in the methodology. This page is not legal, safety or repair advice: for a specific vehicle, check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and ask a qualified mechanic. See an error? Tell us.