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#BS-1986-BUICEN-46C91986 Buick Century
Based on reports from 43 owners and 3 recalls for this exact model.
Preliminary Verdict
Think Twice
Based on 43 complaints, 2 crashes, 2 fires, and 3 recalls. Complaint rate is 2.3x the class average.
Top reported problems
wont start
1 complaints • Severity 8/10
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Mechanic Inspection Checklist
3 owners reported steering:rack and pinion issues — failures commonly reported around 100K miles.
30,000-Mile Cost Projection
Best Case
Most Likely
Worst Case
Top cost driver: Steering:rack And Pinion (3 reports).
Also in your report
Owner Intelligence
AI-synthesized themes from real complaints
Buyer Lot Checklist
Questions, test drive checks, walk-away triggers
Negotiation Talking Points
Data-backed dollar deductions
Buy / Skip Verdict
Final recommendation with conditions
Where the complaints fall
1986 Buick Century: Known Issues & Problem Areas
Steering:rack And Pinion Issues
Steering:rack And Pinion complaints account for 7% of all reports filed for the 1986 Buick Century, with 3 owners filing complaints with NHTSA. The median mileage at time of complaint is 100,000 miles, suggesting issues tend to surface around the 100K-mile mark.
Seat Belts:front:anchorage Issues
Seat Belts:front:anchorage complaints account for 7% of all reports filed for the 1986 Buick Century, with 3 owners filing complaints with NHTSA. Owners should pay attention to seat belts:front:anchorage-related symptoms during test drives and pre-purchase inspections.
Engine And Engine Cooling:engine:gasoline Issues
Engine And Engine Cooling:engine:gasoline complaints account for 7% of all reports filed for the 1986 Buick Century, with 3 owners filing complaints with NHTSA. Owners should pay attention to engine and engine cooling:engine:gasoline-related symptoms during test drives and pre-purchase inspections.
Electrical System:ignition Issues
Electrical System:ignition complaints account for 5% of all reports filed for the 1986 Buick Century, with 2 owners filing complaints with NHTSA. Owners should pay attention to electrical system:ignition-related symptoms during test drives and pre-purchase inspections.
Data sourced from NHTSA owner complaints and community reports. The full report analyzes severity, repair costs, and failure patterns for each category.
Complaint trend by year
Complaints filed with NHTSA by year for the 1986 Buick Century. Recent trend: decreasing.
Don't negotiate blind — know what this car costs to own
Repair costs • Negotiation scripts • Mechanic checklist • Buy/skip verdict
Recall History (3 recalls)
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
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, CLICK ON "DOCUMENT SEARCH" AND THEN "BUS APPLICATIONS"). THE CONNECTOR ON THE FUEL FILTER WAS NOT MANUFACTURED TO HONEYWELL'S SPECIFICATION. AS A RESULT, THE O-RING MAY NOT SEAT CORRECTLY ON THE FUEL LINE.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:ALTERNATOR/GENERATOR/REGULATOR
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 BURN INJURIES TO THE OCCUPANT.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING: REAR COMPARTMENT/TRUNK
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 BRAKES ARE APPLIED. CONSEQUENCE OF DEFECT: THE CENTER HIGH MOUNTED STOP LAMP PROVIDES ADDITIONAL WARNING THAT THE VEHICLE IS SLOWING OR STOPPING. IF THIS LAMP MALFUNCTIONS, IT MAY CONTRIBUTE TO A REAR END ACCIDENT.
Recall severity analysis & seller scripts
The full report rates each recall's severity and gives you scripts for asking the seller about recall completion.
The worst model year for the Buick Century is the 2000 — worth knowing if you're cross-shopping years. The biggest problem area is engine.
1986 Buick Century vs. Class Average (Midsize Cars)
This vehicle
43
Class avg
18
2.3x the class average — significantly more complaints than typical midsize cars vehicles.
Complaint counts correlate with sales volume — popular vehicles naturally generate more reports. The full report normalizes for this.
About this data
NHTSA Complaints
Federal database of owner-filed safety complaints. 43 records for this vehicle.
NHTSA Recalls
Manufacturer-issued safety recalls. 3 recalls found for this vehicle.
Repair Cost Data
Real-world repair costs from owner reports and independent databases.
Other Buick Century Model Years
1986 Buick Century: Frequently Asked Questions
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Get the Full 1986 Buick Century Report
10 sections of AI analysis based on 43 owner reports. Know before you buy.