1986 Buick Century recalls & complaints
Source: NHTSA, updated daily. Last checked 2026-10-20. Recalls apply to specific VINs — run your VIN to confirm.
3 safety recalls, most serious first
1. Fuel system
What's wrong, in plain English: Fuel lines, tank or pump. Fuel problems usually mean a leak, and leaks mean fire risk. 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 C…
What could happen: 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.
The fix: 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).
What to do
- Check whether your car is affected: enter your 17-digit VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. A recall covers specific VINs, not every 1986 CENTURY.
- Book a repair at any authorized Buick dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 06E043000.
- The repair is free. By US law, safety recall repairs cost the owner nothing, no matter the car's age or mileage.
- Manufacturer hotline: 1-800-890-2075.
- Buying this car used? Ask the seller for proof the recall was completed, or run the VIN yourself before paying.
Official wording from NHTSA
Component: FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
Summary: 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.
Consequence: 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).
Notes: THIS RECALL ONLY PERTAINS TO AFTERMARKET FRAM FUEL FILTERS AND HAS NO RELATION TO ANY ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT INSTALLED ON THE VEHICLES LISTED. CUSTOMERS MAY CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236 (TTY: 1-800-424-9153); OR GO TO HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV.
2. Electrical system
What's wrong, in plain English: Wiring, modules, batteries. Short circuits can cause stalls or fires. 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.
What could happen:
The fix: OBTAIN CLEARANCE BETWEEN FUEL PIPE AND GENERATOR "BAT" TERMINAL BY ROTATING THE RECTIFIER END FRAME.
What to do
- Check whether your car is affected: enter your 17-digit VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. A recall covers specific VINs, not every 1986 CENTURY.
- Book a repair at any authorized Buick dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 85V122000.
- The repair is free. By US law, safety recall repairs cost the owner nothing, no matter the car's age or mileage.
- Buying this car used? Ask the seller for proof the recall was completed, or run the VIN yourself before paying.
Official wording from NHTSA
Component: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:ALTERNATOR/GENERATOR/REGULATOR
Summary: 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.
Consequence:
Remedy: OBTAIN CLEARANCE BETWEEN FUEL PIPE AND GENERATOR "BAT" TERMINAL BY ROTATING THE RECTIFIER END FRAME.
Notes: SYSTEM: ELECTRICAL/GENERATOR. VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER CARS WITH 2.8L ENGINES AND 108 AMP GENERATORS.
3. Electrical system
What's wrong, in plain English: Wiring, modules, batteries. Short circuits can cause stalls or fires. 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 ADDITI…
What could happen:
The fix: CORRECTLY INDEX WIRING HARNESS TERMINALS.
What to do
- Check whether your car is affected: enter your 17-digit VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. A recall covers specific VINs, not every 1986 CENTURY.
- Book a repair at any authorized Buick dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 86V061000.
- The repair is free. By US law, safety recall repairs cost the owner nothing, no matter the car's age or mileage.
- Buying this car used? Ask the seller for proof the recall was completed, or run the VIN yourself before paying.
Official wording from NHTSA
Component: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING: REAR COMPARTMENT/TRUNK
Summary: 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.
Consequence:
Remedy: CORRECTLY INDEX WIRING HARNESS TERMINALS.
Notes: SYSTEM: WIRING HARNESS FOR CENTER STOP LAMP/FMVSS 108. VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER CARS EQUIPPED WITH LUGGAGE RACK AND OPERA LAMP OPTIONS.
Useful for owners
- OBD2 code reader — see what the car's computer is reporting
- Compact car fire extinguisher
- Portable jump starter
- 1986 Buick Century owner's manual
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA
Most complained-about parts: Engine (11), Steering (8), Seat belts (4), Brakes (4), Electrical system (4).
Complaints are unverified reports from owners. A pattern (many complaints about the same part) matters more than any single one.
Read recent complaints (8)
01/15/2004 · Steering · crash
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.
02/28/2002 · Engine
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
08/30/2000 · Seat belts · crash
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
07/01/1998 · Visibility (wipers / glass)
WINDSHIELD WIPERS FAILED CAUSING POOR VISIBILITY.
01/20/1998 · Unknown Or Other
REQUESTING INFORMATION REGARDING PROBLEMS.
10/22/1997 · Suspension
FRONT AND REAR SPRING FAILED. MJS
10/22/1997 · Suspension
REAR SHOCK ABSORBER FAILED. MJS
10/22/1997 · Engine
MUFFLER FAILED. MJS