1986 Buick CENTURY problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
17 owner complaints analyzed
2 distinct recall campaigns
100,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1986 model year. Data snapshot: . 1 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Steering:Rack And Pinion is the most frequently named component, appearing in 3 of 17 complaints (17.6%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Steering behavior | 5 | 29.4% |
| Engine operation | 4 | 23.5% |
| Braking behavior | 2 | 11.8% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Steering:Rack And Pinion | 3 |
| Electrical System:Ignition | 2 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline | 2 |
| Seat Belts:Front:Anchorage | 2 |
| Electrical System:Alternator/Generator/Regulator | 1 |
| Electrical System:Wiring | 1 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System | 1 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System:Fan | 1 |
Steering:Rack And Pinion: 3; Electrical System:Ignition: 2; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline: 2; Seat Belts:Front:Anchorage: 2; Electrical System:Alternator/Generator/Regulator: 1; Electrical System:Wiring: 1; Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System: 1; Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System:Fan: 1
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 0 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 0 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 0 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 0 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 1 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 0; 25,000 to 49,999: 0; 50,000 to 74,999: 0; 75,000 to 99,999: 0; 100,000 to 149,999: 1; 150,000 and above: 0
100,000 to 149,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (1). 16 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 1995 | 11 |
| 1996 | 3 |
| 2000 | 1 |
| 2002 | 1 |
| 2004 | 1 |
1995: 11; 1996: 3; 2000: 1; 2002: 1; 2004: 1
Pattern summary
Steering:Rack And Pinion leads the component reports. Steering behavior appears in 5 complaint narratives. Engine operation appears in 4 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 2 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10068960 · 2004-01-15 (January 15, 2004)
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.
Owner-reported narrative. 100,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10068960 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 484014 · 1995-07-10 (July 10, 1995)
'COLD POWER STEERING'. *SD
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 484014 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 479632 · 1995-04-12 (April 12, 1995)
CONTINUOUS INTERMITTENT STALLING AFTER MANY REPAIRS. (OTHER VEHICLE ON 489266) *SKD
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 479632 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 506339 · 1996-07-17 (July 17, 1996)
INTERMITTENT STALLING. *SD
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 506339 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 978467 · 1996-01-31 (January 31, 1996)
THE LEFT REAR WHEEL BRAKE WILL LOCK UP ON SLICK SURFACES OR WHEN THE BRAKES ARE WET. TT
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 978467 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 983728 · 1996-04-29 (April 29, 1996)
THE REAR DISC BRAKES ARE RUSTED AND THEY DO NOT HOLD WHEN APPLIED. PLEASE DESCRIBE. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 983728 at NHTSA ↗