Model year record

1986 Buick Century

2 recall campaigns on file for this model year. 43 owner complaints on file.

Recalls

Recall campaignNHTSA 86V061000

Electrical system: wiring: rear compartment/trunk

Component
Electrical system: wiring: rear compartment/trunk
Manufacturer
GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
Vehicles affected
197
Reported to NHTSA
1986-05-13
Owners notified
1986-05-28

Defect description

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.

Manufacturer remedy

CORRECTLY INDEX WIRING HARNESS TERMINALS.

Recall campaignNHTSA 85V122000

Electrical system: alternator/generator/regulator

Component
Electrical system: alternator/generator/regulator
Manufacturer
GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
Vehicles affected
772
Reported to NHTSA
1985-10-04

Defect description

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.

Manufacturer remedy

OBTAIN CLEARANCE BETWEEN FUEL PIPE AND GENERATOR "BAT" TERMINAL BY ROTATING THE RECTIFIER END FRAME.

Owner complaints

A complaint is one person's report to a federal agency. It is not a finding.

ComponentComplaintsMedian mileage
Engine and engine cooling: engine: gasoline3
Seat belts: front: anchorage3
Steering: rack and pinion3
Electrical system: ignition2
Engine and engine cooling: cooling system2
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: manifold/header/muffler/tail pipe2
Service brakes, air2
Structure: body: door2
Unknown or other2
Electrical system: alternator/generator/regulator1
Electrical system: wiring1
Engine and engine cooling: cooling system: fan1
Engine and engine cooling: cooling system: radiator assembly1
Engine and engine cooling: engine1
Engine and engine cooling: engine: gasoline: belts and associated pulleys1
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: emission control1
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings1
Latches/locks/linkages: doors: latch1
Power train: automatic transmission1
Seat belts: front: buckle assembly1
Seats: front assembly: recliner1
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: pads1
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: drum1
Steering1100,000 mi
Steering: steering wheel/handle bar1
Structure: body: hood: hinge and attachments1
Suspension: front: springs: coil springs1
Suspension: rear: shock absorber1
Suspension: rear: springs1
Visibility: defroster/defogger/hvac system1
Visibility: windshield wiper/washer1

The 1985 model has 5 times as many complaints as this one. The 1987 model has about 1.5 times as many complaints as this one. These figures reflect raw complaint counts, not failure rates. Higher-selling model years naturally receive more complaints.

Safety recall repairs are provided free of charge by franchised dealers, regardless of vehicle age or mileage. This page displays aggregated data for the model year. To check recall status for a specific vehicle, search its VIN at nhtsa.gov.