- The problem
- A small nylon bushing in the cruise control servo bail may slip out of place, causing intermittent and unexpected increases in engine speed or dieseling (engine run on with ignition off).
- The risk
- Servo rod assembly could catch on engine components andresult in a stuck throttle with potential for a vehicle crash.
- The fix
- Install a new bushing in cruise control servo bail.
Vehicle safety record
1986 Buick Estate Problems, complaints & recalls
Owners have filed 3 complaints about the 1986 Buick Estate with NHTSA, most often about the brakes (3). It is covered by 3 recalls, the latest in June 1989 for the vehicle speed control. For comparison, the 1985 has 0 and the 1987 has 0.
NHTSA data checked
FFar more problems than a typical Estate year, for its age
#106 most complained-about 1986 vehicle
- Complaints
- 3
- Recalls
- 3
- Crashes
- 0
- Fires
- 0
- Injuries
- 0
- Deaths
- 0
Most common 1986 Buick Estate problems
Share of all 3 complaints. One complaint can name more than one area. Tap an area for its complaints and recalls.
1986 Buick Estate recalls 3
Recall repairs are free. Your dealer fixes them whether or not you bought the car there - check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see if yours is done. What to do
- The problem
- The push pull headlight switch may have electrical contacts which allow an intermittent headlight circuit causing headlight to flicker or suddenly go out. Consequence of defect: sudden loss of the headlights under severe weather or nighttime driving conditions could reduce driver visibility which might result in a vehicle crash without prior warning.
- The fix
- REPLACE HEADLIGHT SWITCH AS NECESSARY.
- The problem
- The push-pull headlight switch may have electrical contacts which allow an intermittent headlight circuit causing headlight to flicker or suddenly go out. Consequence of defect: sudden loss of the headlights under severe weather or nighttime driving conditions could reduce driver visibility which might result in a vehicle crash without prior warning. Note: also, see nhtsa campaign number 86v131000.
- The fix
- REPLACE HEADLIGHT SWITCH AS NECESSARY.
What owners say
Be the first Estate owner to share.
Problems or none - your experience is exactly what the next buyer is looking for. Write it now
3 complaints about the 1986 Buick Estate
Newest first, as filed with NHTSA by owners.
Currently own 1986 buick estate equipped with "power master" brake unit. This is the original factory brake unit for this automobile. The pressure switch developed a crack, allowing the brake fluid to be pumped out. My father was driving the vehicle at the time, and managed to get the car stopped and off the road without crashing. Nevertheless, the results could have been much different. What's more, I know now that gm has long been aware of this defect. Since this occured, I have learned that gm was aware of...
Read the full complaint
this problem for quite some time, and issued a recall for this particular part (pressure swicth) as well as for the divider valve. Upon contacting the local gm dealer (dallas automotive group, jackson, oh.) I was informade that my vehicle was not covered by this recall. In fact, I was told that it only applied to 2 vin! Finding it hard to believe that a recall was issued, but for only 2 vehicles, I contacted gm customer assistance. I talked with greg martin, customer relations manager, and was infrmaed that my buick's vin was not among those covered. However, according to the gm service bulletin regarding this brake problem, all pressure switches that are black in color are to be replaced, along with the "o' ring seal. It further states that after replacing this part with the gray replacement part, service personell should check the divider valve . If it is cast iron, it is to be replaced with a brass valve. In spite of all this, they maintain that this vehicle is not covered. Further, they claim this vehicle is not effected even though the part failed, and did so in the exact manner described in the service bulletin. I believe that they are simply not honoring the recall because I am not the original owner, and don't have the original recall notice. They are merely thumbing their corporate noses at the safety issues involved in total brake system failures.*Ak
Understand gm had problems with this powermaster brakes
Consumer states while depressing the brakes to make a stop the vehicle contacted to travel. Please provide further information. *Ak
Buick Estate: every year compared
All Estate years1986 Buick Estate vs rivals
| Vehicle | Complaints | Recalls | Grade | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1986 Buick Estate | 3 | 3 | F | |
| 1986 Buick Century | 24 | 3 | D | Compare |
| 1986 Buick Lesabre | 18 | 3 | B | Compare |
| 1986 Buick Electra | 13 | 3 | F | Compare |
| 1986 Buick Regal | 13 | 5 | C | Compare |
| 1986 Buick Skylark | 8 | 2 | C | Compare |
| 1986 Buick Somerset | 8 | 1 | D | Compare |
| 1986 Buick Park Avenue | 7 | 0 | A | Compare |
| 1986 Buick Riviera | 3 | 2 | C | Compare |
More sales usually means more complaints, so compare similar vehicles of the same year. The grade compares each vehicle with its own model's other years.
Questions about the 1986 Buick Estate
Does the 1986 Buick Estate have any recalls?
Yes - NHTSA lists 3 recalls for the 1986 Buick Estate: vehicle speed control (June 1989); switch (September 1986); switch (April 1986). Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether yours has been fixed.
What are the most common problems with the 1986 Buick Estate?
By the complaints owners filed with NHTSA, the most common problem areas are the brakes (3).
How many complaints has the 1986 Buick Estate had?
3 complaints have been filed with NHTSA, the first on February 24, 1998 and the latest on August 2, 2004. Of these, 0 describe a crash and 0 a fire, and together they report 0 injuries and 0 deaths.
Is the 1986 Buick Estate a reliable vehicle?
Its Safety Index is 11 out of 100 (grade F: far more problems than a typical Buick Estate year, for its age). The index weighs complaints, crashes, fires, injuries, deaths and recalls against how long the vehicle has been on the road, compared with the same model's other years. It is not a measure of every repair - read the complaints and owner experiences, and have any used vehicle inspected before you buy.
Which Buick Estate years have the most complaints?
1986 (3), 1990 (1), 1993 (1). See every Buick Estate year compared.
What should I do if my 1986 Buick Estate has a problem?
If it is a safety problem, stop driving it if it is unsafe and contact your dealer. Report it to NHTSA at nhtsa.gov/report-a-safety-problem - enough reports start investigations and recalls - and share your experience here so other owners know what to look for.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) complaints and recalls, checked . Complaints are owners' own reports and are not verified. How we use the data