1986 Buick Somerset Problems
Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component
Data refreshed
What this page shows
Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 1986 Buick Somerset, grouped by the component NHTSA recorded on the report. These are not confirmed defects, and they are not recalls. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a category with more reports in it is not evidence that a part is defective.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
Reports by component
Ranked by how many owner reports name each component category
- 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.
Each component in detail
What the reports in each category say, in the owners' own words
Seat belts
Reports naming seat belts, buckles, retractors and pretensioners.
From owner reports, verbatim
DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE AUTO RESTRAINT SYSTEM FAILURE EA94-039. TT
DRIVER'S SEAT BELT RETRACTOR FAILED, CAUSING BELT TO BECOME STUCK IN CASE. *SKD
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Body & structure
Reports naming the vehicle structure, frame, body panels, doors, hood and trim.
From owner reports, verbatim
THE PAINT IS RUSTING BEHIND THE SURFACE, CONSUMER BELIEVES THIS VEHICLE SHOULD BE RECALLED. NLM
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Electrical
Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.
From owner reports, verbatim
THE ELECTRIC IGNITION MODULE KEEPS GOING OUT. REPLACED (4) TIMES IN THE LAST (5) YEARS.*AK
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Engine
Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.
From owner reports, verbatim
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.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Steering
Reports naming the steering system — racks, columns, power-steering assist and steering linkage.
From owner reports, verbatim
RACK AND PINION STEERING STICKS. PLEASE DESCRIBE. TT
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Tires & wheels
Reports naming tires, wheels, hubs, or the tire-pressure monitoring system.
From owner reports, verbatim
TIRE'S ON VEHICLE (UNIROYAL RALLYE HP 205/70R 13MS), HAVE ALL SHOWN SIGNS OF FLAWS, BULGE AND SEPARATION CAUSING FAILURE. MJS
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
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.
Elsewhere on this vehicle
Data sources
- NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation — owner-reported complaints and the components recorded on them
Data on this page last refreshed .