RoadVitals

1986 Buick Somerset

Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data

Data refreshed

Owner complaintsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
7
Latest Apr 17, 2000
Safety recallsA safety recall is issued when a manufacturer or NHTSA determines that a vehicle has a safety-related defect or does not comply with a federal motor vehicle safety standard. Recall repairs are free. Whether a specific vehicle is covered depends on its VIN — a recall listed for a model year does not necessarily apply to every vehicle of that year.
1
Latest May 19, 2006
InvestigationsNHTSA opens an investigation to examine whether a safety defect may exist. An open investigation is not a determination that a defect exists, and many investigations close without a recall. Investigations can, however, lead to one.
2
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
0

Overview

Our database contains 7 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 1986 Buick Somerset, most frequently naming the seat belts, body & structure and electrical categories. 1 safety recall has been issued covering this model year; 2 NHTSA investigations name it; and 1 manufacturer communication is on file.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

What owners report

Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded

  • Seat belts228.6%
  • Body & structure114.3%
  • Electrical114.3%
  • Engine114.3%
  • Steering114.3%
  • Tires & wheels114.3%

Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.

Safety recalls

1 campaign cover this model year

Recalls apply to specific vehicles, not to every vehicle of a model year. Check your VIN with NHTSA or your manufacturer's dealer to confirm whether a recall affects your vehicle.

Check a VIN on NHTSA.gov
06E043000

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

May 19, 2006
88,303 units potentially affected
The defect: 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.
The risk: 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 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).
HONEYWELL INTERNATIONAL, INC.View on NHTSA.gov

Safety investigations

NHTSA inquiries naming this vehicle. An investigation is not a finding of a defect.

EA91045ClosedEngineering Analysis

SEAT BELT SEPARATION

Opened Nov 7, 1991
Closed Oct 26, 1992

There is no summary currently available

SEAT BELTS
PE91099ClosedPreliminary Evaluation

SAFETY BELT CUT AT D-RING

Opened Jul 15, 1991
Closed Nov 7, 1991

There is no summary currently available

SEAT BELTS

Recent owner complaints

Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words

Body & structure
Filed Apr 17, 2000

THE PAINT IS RUSTING BEHIND THE SURFACE, CONSUMER BELIEVES THIS VEHICLE SHOULD BE RECALLED. NLM

NHTSA ID
784615
Tires & wheels
Filed Jul 14, 1999

TIRE'S ON VEHICLE (UNIROYAL RALLYE HP 205/70R 13MS), HAVE ALL SHOWN SIGNS OF FLAWS, BULGE AND SEPARATION CAUSING FAILURE. MJS

NHTSA ID
547183
Incident
Aug 14, 1992
Engine
Filed May 6, 1998

ENGINE FROZE DUE TO A PUNCTURED OIL FILTER CAUSED BY A DESIGN FLAW. THE OIL FILTER IS ON THE BOTTOM OF ENGINE AND HANGS 2-3 INCHES BELOW THE FRAME.

NHTSA ID
535235
Incident
May 3, 1998
Electrical
Filed Sep 13, 1996

THE ELECTRIC IGNITION MODULE KEEPS GOING OUT. REPLACED (4) TIMES IN THE LAST (5) YEARS.*AK

NHTSA ID
802353
Steering
Filed Dec 4, 1995

RACK AND PINION STEERING STICKS. PLEASE DESCRIBE. TT

NHTSA ID
975948
Seat belts
Filed Nov 3, 1995

DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE AUTO RESTRAINT SYSTEM FAILURE EA94-039. TT

NHTSA ID
974619
Incident
Oct 10, 1990
Seat belts
Filed Jul 17, 1995

DRIVER'S SEAT BELT RETRACTOR FAILED, CAUSING BELT TO BECOME STUCK IN CASE. *SKD

NHTSA ID
484252
Incident
Jun 1, 1995

Manufacturer communications

A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.

000524001

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS

INFORMATION REGARDING SNOW INTRUSION INTO REAR DRUM BRAKE ASSEMBLIES. **MR

Manufacturers file copies of the bulletins they send to dealers with NHTSA. These often describe diagnostic or repair procedures for a known condition. They are not recalls: repairs described in a bulletin are usually only free if the vehicle is still under warranty or the manufacturer has extended coverage.

Compare model years

Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model

Buick Somerset by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
1988001—
1987012—
1986Viewing712—
1985311—

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers. Older model years have had longer for reports to accumulate.