The Buick Somerset spans 1985–1987 with 3 recorded NHTSA recalls and a 4.0/5 ForCar reliability score. The years to approach with caution are 1986, 1985, 1987 (most owner complaints); the cleanest are 1987, 1985, 1986. It delivers up to 25 mpg combined and NHTSA-rated safety.
How we score: NHTSA crash-test safety (40%), recall frequency across all years (25%) and the share of owner complaints involving a crash, fire or injury (35%). Based on NHTSA & EPA data — not user reviews.
Overview
The Buick Somerset is one of the most popular vehicles in its class, produced from 1985 to 1987 across multiple generations.
How to read a Buick Somerset VIN — every digit explained
Every Buick Somerset carries a unique 17-character VIN stamped at the factory. Each position is a code — together they spell out where, when and how your car was built. Here's exactly what every digit means.
- WMI (1–3) — country & manufacturer. Tells you it's a Buick and the country it was built in.
- VDS (4–8) — model, body style, engine, trim & restraints. The 8th digit is the engine code.
- Check digit (9) — a math check that proves the VIN is genuine.
- Model year (10) — the year it was built (e.g. R = 2024, S = 2025).
- Plant (11) — which factory assembled this Somerset.
- Serial (12–17) — the unique sequential production number.
Digits 4–17 — the engine code (8th), model-year letter (10th) and plant — follow the universal SAE standard, identical on every car. For the full year-code table (2001–2026), country codes and where the VIN is stamped on your Somerset, see the complete guide to reading a VIN.
How many recalls does the Buick Somerset have?
The Buick Somerset has 3 recorded NHTSA recalls across 1985–1987. Pick a year below to see its recalls — then verify open recalls against your specific VIN.
1987 Buick Somerset recalls 1
Fuel System, Gasoline
What's wrong. 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.
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.
Fix. 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).
1986 Buick Somerset recalls 1
Fuel System, Gasoline
What's wrong. 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.
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.
Fix. 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).
1985 Buick Somerset recalls 1
Fuel System, Gasoline
What's wrong. 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.
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.
Fix. 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).
Best and worst years for the Buick Somerset
Based on NHTSA owner-complaint volume across 3 tracked years, the worst years are 1986, 1985, 1987 and the best (fewest complaints) are 1987, 1985, 1986.
ForCar aggregate — our own analysis of complaint volume, not published by NHTSA.
| Year | Owner complaints | Top issue | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1985 Somerset | Engine And Engine Cooling | Avoid | |
| 1986 Somerset | Seat Belts | Avoid | |
| 1987 Somerset | — | Avoid |
What are the most common Buick Somerset problems?
The most-reported Buick Somerset problems are Tires (1 reports), Steering (1 reports) and Structure (1 reports) — out of 11 owner complaints NHTSA holds for the model. Here's how they break down:
Most-reported components — tap a category to read what owners actually experienced:
Engine And Engine Cooling 3 Read
Vehicle fire. (ohio state police report)
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.
When brakes are applied the vehicle jerks and stall, unable to locate problem. Nlm
Electrical System 2 Read
The electric ignition module keeps going out. Replaced (4) times in the last (5) years.*ak
Intermittent stalling when vehicle at operating temperature, restarts after cooling. *skd
Seat Belts 2 Read
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
Structure 1 Read
The paint is rusting behind the surface, consumer believes this vehicle should be recalled. Nlm
Tires 1 Read
Tire's on vehicle (uniroyal rallye hp 205/70r 13ms), have all shown signs of flaws, bulge and separation causing failure. Mjs
Steering 1 Read
Rack and pinion steering sticks. Please describe. Tt
Exterior Lighting 1 Read
Headlight switch failed, causing headlights to go out while driving at night. *skd
Source: NHTSA owner complaints, all model years. Bar = share of total complaints. Full reports searchable on NHTSA.gov.
Buick Somerset specifications & dimensions
The 1987 Buick Somerset. Full dimensions below — engine, horsepower and trim decode from your VIN. For the original factory build — MSRP, trim and standard equipment — rebuild the Buick Somerset window sticker.
| Specs cache warming… |
Source: NHTSA vPIC / Transport Canada vehicle specifications. Metric values converted to imperial; generation ranges approximate.
Buick Somerset cargo space, seating & interior room
How much the Somerset holds — passengers and cargo. Seating, cargo and interior dimensions vary by trim and seat configuration — decode your VIN for the exact build.
Exact seating capacity, third-row availability, legroom and headroom decode from your VIN or vary by trim — the original factory equipment & options list shows what each trim included.
Passenger & cargo volume from EPA fueleconomy.gov (largest configuration). Seats, legroom and headroom from NHTSA vPIC on VIN decode.
Buick Somerset tire size, oil type & owner specs
The fitment owners look up most — tires, wheels, oil and batteries. Exact wheel and tire sizes decode from your VIN or the driver's door-jamb placard; the universal items are listed below.
Exact tire, wheel, oil grade, capacity and battery group are added per trim and model year — decode your VIN above for the factory fitment. Universal items shown as-is.
What MPG does the Buick Somerset get?
The Buick Somerset returns up to 25 combined MPG (EPA), which works out to roughly $2,500/yr in fuel. Pick an engine to see MPG, annual running cost and CO₂ by year:
The 1987 Buick Somerset (3L 6-cyl) gets 20 mpg combined and costs about $3,100/yr to fuel, emitting 444 g/mi CO₂ — about $4,500 more than the average new vehicle over 5 years.
| Year | City | Hwy | Comb | Fuel/yr | CO₂ g/mi | Smog | Engine |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1987 Somerset | 17 | 25 | $3,100 | 444 | — | 3L 6-cyl | |
| 1986 Somerset | 17 | 25 | $3,100 | 444 | — | 3L 6-cyl | |
| 1985 Somerset | 18 | 24 | $3,100 | 444 | — | 3L 6-cyl |
The 1987 Buick Somerset (2.5L 4-cyl) gets 23 mpg combined and costs about $2,700/yr to fuel, emitting 386 g/mi CO₂ — about $2,500 more than the average new vehicle over 5 years.
| Year | City | Hwy | Comb | Fuel/yr | CO₂ g/mi | Smog | Engine |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1987 Somerset | 19 | 29 | $2,700 | 386 | — | 2.5L 4-cyl | |
| 1986 Somerset | 21 | 31 | $2,600 | 370 | — | 2.5L 4-cyl | |
| 1985 Somerset | 21 | 31 | $2,500 | 355 | — | 2.5L 4-cyl |
Source: EPA fuel-economy database (ForCar-hosted, 1986–2027) — best combined rating per engine & year, with EPA annual fuel cost and tailpipe CO₂. Trim & drivetrain vary slightly; decode your VIN for the exact figure.
See how the Somerset stacks up against the most fuel-efficient cars, or calculate this Somerset's real yearly fuel cost.
What engines does the Buick Somerset have? Power & range
The Buick Somerset is offered with 2 powertrains — 3L 6-cyl, 2.5L 4-cyl. Here's the lineup by engine, transmission and drivetrain.
| Engine | Displacement | Transmission | Drive | Fuel |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| V6 | 3.0L · 6-cyl | Automatic 3-spd | FWD | Regular |
| 4-cyl | 2.5L · 4-cyl | Automatic 3-spd | FWD | Regular |
Horsepower, torque and fuel-tank size decode from your VIN — exact figures vary by engine and trim.
Source: EPA fueleconomy.gov (engines, drivetrain, range, charge time). Horsepower & torque from NHTSA vPIC on VIN decode.
How much does a Buick Somerset cost to own?
A Buick Somerset tends to depreciate faster than average. A typical example keeps roughly 37% of its value after five years — losing about 63% to depreciation. Check what a used Somerset is worth today or browse current used-market prices before you buy or sell. Fuel, maintenance and insurance add to the total cost to own.
| Age | Value retained | Est. resale value | Lost to depreciation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 75% | $22,500 | −$7,500 |
| Year 2 | 63% | $18,900 | −$11,100 |
| Year 3 | 53% | $15,900 | −$14,100 |
| Year 4 | 44% | $13,200 | −$16,800 |
| Year 5 | 37% | $11,100 | −$18,900 |
What goes into the five-year cost to own:
- Depreciation — the biggest cost: this Somerset loses about 63% of its value over five years. See the full depreciation curve by age.
- Fuel — ≈ $12,500 over five years at roughly 15,000 miles a year.
- Maintenance & repairs — routine service, tires and wear items as the Somerset ages.
- Insurance — varies by driver, state and trim; get a quote for your exact figure.
Resale & depreciation are ForCar estimates from typical segment value-retention curves — not a live market quote. Fuel from EPA fueleconomy.gov at ~15k mi/yr.
Is the Buick Somerset safe?
NHTSA crash-test ratings aren't published for the Somerset yet — see the top-rated safest cars instead.
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How many miles does a Buick Somerset last?
A well-maintained Buick Somerset typically lasts 250,000–300,000+ miles. It's exceptionally durable — with routine maintenance many owners report 250k+ on the original powertrain. Its ForCar Reliability Score is 4.0/5.
Check your Buick Somerset’s VIN — history, recalls & specs
Title records, open recalls, build details and paint code — straight from the VIN. Free.
Check this Somerset’s VIN free →All Buick Somerset model years
A year-by-year snapshot of the Buick Somerset — recalls, best EPA fuel economy and NHTSA safety. Tap a year for full details.
| Year | Recalls | Best MPG | Safety |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1987 Somerset | 1 recall | — | |
| 1986 Somerset | 1 recall | — | |
| 1985 Somerset | 1 recall | — |
Recalls = NHTSA campaigns that year · MPG = best EPA combined · Safety = NHTSA overall stars (tested years).
Frequently asked questions
What are the worst years for the Somerset?
By owner-complaint volume, 1986, 1985, 1987 drew the most reports. 1987, 1985, 1986 have the cleanest records.
How many recalls does the Somerset have?
3 recorded NHTSA recalls across 1985–1987. Always check open recalls by your VIN.
What MPG does the Somerset get?
Up to 25 combined MPG (EPA), depending on engine — from the base 4-cylinder to the hybrid.
How many miles does a Somerset last?
A well-maintained Somerset typically reaches 200,000–300,000 miles with regular maintenance.
Is the Somerset reliable?
Our ForCar Reliability Score for the Somerset is 4.0/5, based on NHTSA safety, recall history and complaint severity.
What's the Buick Somerset warranty?
New Buick models carry a 3 years / 36,000 miles basic (bumper-to-bumper) warranty and a 5 years / 60,000 miles powertrain warranty. Coverage can vary by model year and market — confirm with a Buick dealer.
Where is the Buick Somerset made?
The assembly plant is encoded in the VIN — the 11th character. Decode your Somerset's VIN above to see exactly where it was built; Buick may build it at more than one plant depending on the year.
How much ground clearance does the Somerset have?
Ground clearance varies by trim and drivetrain — AWD/4WD versions often sit higher. Decode your VIN or check the specific trim for the exact figure.