Complaints by model year
Distinct federal complaints filed against each model year of the Buick Century, to date. Hover a bar for the count. Older years have had longer to accumulate filings; the rankings below correct for that.
1985
1990
1995
2000
2005
Highest totals within an 8-year windowAll other years
Model years compared
Ranked from the same federal record on an equal exposure window. Click any year for its full file.
Highest complaint totals
- 1999 Buick Century - 197 complaints in its first 8 years (235 to date)
- 1998 Buick Century - 188 complaints in its first 8 years (218 to date)
- 2000 Buick Century - 142 complaints in its first 8 years (193 to date)
Ranked on distinct complaints filed within eight years of the model year, so old and new years get the same exposure window. Not adjusted for sales volume; a best-selling year files more complaints at the same failure rate.
Lowest totals among mature years
- 1991 Buick Century - 29 complaints in its first 8 years (38 to date)
- 1992 Buick Century - 35 complaints in its first 8 years (45 to date)
- 1993 Buick Century - 50 complaints in its first 8 years (54 to date)
Same eight-year window, among model years old enough to have completed it and with at least 25 complaints in it. Model years before 1990 are excluded because the federal file begins in 1995. A low total is not proof of reliability.
What owners report, all years combined
Every model year
| Model year | Complaints to date | Within 8 years | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2005 Buick Century | 19 | 11 | 0 |
| 2004 Buick Century | 39 | 19 | 0 |
| 2003 Buick Century | 127 | 88 | 0 |
| 2002 Buick Century | 154 | 109 | 0 |
| 2001 Buick Century | 145 | 115 | 3 |
| 2000 Buick Century | 193 | 142 | 5 |
| 1999 Buick Century | 235 | 197 | 3 |
| 1998 Buick Century | 218 | 188 | 2 |
| 1997 Buick Century | 106 | 94 | 2 |
| 1996 Buick Century | 80 | 73 | 1 |
| 1995 Buick Century | 99 | 87 | 1 |
| 1994 Buick Century | 106 | 96 | 6 |
| 1993 Buick Century | 54 | 50 | 2 |
| 1992 Buick Century | 45 | 35 | 3 |
| 1991 Buick Century | 38 | 29 | 2 |
| 1990 Buick Century | 33 | 23 | 2 |
| 1989 Buick Century | 40 | 20 | 1 |
| 1988 Buick Century | 16 | 10 | 3 |
| 1987 Buick Century | 28 | 7 | 0 |
| 1986 Buick Century | 22 | 0 | 2 |
| 1985 Buick Century | 7 | 0 | 0 |
| 1984 Buick Century | 8 | 0 | 3 |
| 1983 Buick Century | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| 1982 Buick Century | 3 | 0 | 2 |
| 1981 Buick Century | 1 | 0 | 3 |
Recall campaigns, all years
Every campaign filed against this model, with the model years it covers. Safety-recall remedies are normally provided at no charge. Under US federal law the mandatory free remedy applies when the vehicle was no more than 15 years old at the time the defect was determined; manufacturers often cover older vehicles voluntarily. Canadian rules differ. Confirm eligibility with the manufacturer using the VIN.
| Campaign | Years | Component | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| 04V375000 | 1999 | Exterior Lighting | CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES DO NOT CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. |
| 01V109000 | 2000-2001 | Seat Belts | VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, EQUIPPED WITH SUNVISOR LOCATED AIR BAG LABELS, FAIL TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLES SAFETY STANDARD NO. |
| 00V371000 | 2000-2001 | Air Bags | VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. SOME OF THESE VEHICLES EXHIBIT A CONDITION IN WHICH THE DRIVER SIDE IMPACT AIR BAG INFLATOR SEPARATES FROM THE AIR BAG MODULE DURING... |
| 00V228003 | 2000-2001 | Seat Belts | VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES, LIGHT DUTY TRUCKS, SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, AND MINI VANS EQUIPPED WITH TRW SEAT BELT BUCKLE ASSEMBLIES. |
| 00V160000 | 2000 | Fuel System, Gasoline | VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE CLAMP THAT SECURES THE FLEXIBLE FUEL FILL HOSE TO THE METAL FILL TUBE MAY BE LOOSE AND COULD SEPARATE. |
| 00V143000 | 2000 | Service Brakes, Hydraulic | VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH REAR DRUM BRAKES. THE BOLT HEAD(S) ON THE REAR SPINDLE ROD CAN SEPARATE. |
| 99V356000 | 1998-1999 | Exterior Lighting | VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE VEHICLES DO NOT CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. |
| 99V348000 | 1997 | Visibility | VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS MAY STOP WORKING DUE TO A SEPARATION BETWEEN THE DRIVE PIN AND CRESCENT IN THE CRANK ARM ASSEMBLY. |
| 99V170000 | 1999 | Service Brakes, Hydraulic | SOME OF THESE VEHICLES WITH THE KEY IN THE "ON" POSITION, EXHIBIT A CONDITION IN WHICH THE ANTILOCK BRAKE SYSTEM (ABS) MOTOR SHORTS TO ITS CASE AND GROUNDS THROUGH A FLEXIBLE... |
| 98V102000 | 1997-1998 | Exterior Lighting | VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE OWNER MANUALS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIREMENT INFORMATION PERTAINING TO THE VEHICLE HEADLAMP AIMING DEVICE. |
| 95V173000 | 1989-1996 | Seat Belts | THESE VEHICLES WERE ASSEMBLED WITH REAR OUTBOARD SAFETY BELT ANCHORAGES THAT MAY NOT WITHSTAND THE REQUIRED LOAD. |
| 94V189000 | 1994 | Steering | THE RIGHT HAND SPINDLE NUT WAS NOT PROPERLY TIGHTENED DURING ASSEMBLY. THIS CAN CAUSE PREMATURE WHEEL BEARING FAILURE AND OVER TIME, THE SPINDLE CAN FRACTURE. |
| 94V159000 | 1994 | Latches/Locks/Linkages | WATER INTRUSION CAN CAUSE A SHORT CIRCUIT IN THE POWER DOOR LOCK ASSEMBLY. |
| 94V008000 | 1994 | Vehicle Speed Control | IN THE EVENT OF A PRIMARY ACCELERATOR CONTROL SPRING FAILURE, THE SECONDARY (BACK-UP) ACCELERATOR CONTROL RETURN SPRING WILL NOT RETURN THE THROTTLE TO THE FULLY CLOSED POSITION,... |
| 94V021000 | 1994 | Vehicle Speed Control | DURING ASSEMBLY, WATER MAY HAVE ENTERED THE ACCELERATOR CONTROL CABLE CONDUIT CAUSING IT TO DEVELOP A HIGH EFFORT AND/OR BINDING CONDITION IN VERY COLD WEATHER. |
| 93V162000 | 1994 | Vehicle Speed Control | THE CRUISE CONTROL CABLE MAY SEPARATE FROM THE CONDUIT END FITTING WHILE ENGAGED AND ACCELERATOR CONTROL COULD BE LOST. |
| 93V121000 | 1993 | Service Brakes, Hydraulic | THE BRAKE HOSES WERE MANUFACTURED INCORRECTLY, AND DO NOT COMPLY WITH FMVSS 106, "BRAKE HOSES." |
| 92V124000 | 1990-1991 | Seats | THE POWER SEAT OR RECLINER WIRING HARNESS CAN BE PINCHED OR CAN CHAFE ON THE SEAT FRAME OR SPRING SUPPORT ROD, WEARING THROUGH THE WIRE INSULATION AND CAUSING AN ELECTRICAL SHORT. |
| 92V066000 | 1992 | Electrical System | THE OPTIONAL REMOTE ENTRY MODULE MAY HAVE A FAULT WHICH CAUSES RANDOM ACTUATION OF INTERIOR LAMPS, DOOR LOCKS, AND/OR TAILGATE RELEASE. |
| 91V214000 | 1992 | Power Train | THE REVERSE SERVO APPLY PIN MAY BIND IN THE CASE WHICH COULD CAUSE REVERSE BAND DISTRESS (LOSS OR SLIPPING OF REVERSE), REVERSE BAND DRAG IN DRIVE RANGE (POOR PERFORMANCE -- POOR... |
| 88V164000 | 1988 | Fuel System, Gasoline | FUEL FEED HOSE COULD LEAK AT THE COUPLING ON THE ENGINE END OF THE HOSE ASSEMBLY. |
| 88V048000 | 1988 | Suspension | FRONT SUSPENSION LOWER CONTROL ARM BRACKET COULD DEVELOP METAL CRACKS. |
| 88V007000 | 1988 | Seat Belts | OWNERS MANUAL DID NOT INCLUDE STATEMENT ON CHILD RESTRAINT SYSTEMS. |
| 86V061000 | 1986 | Electrical System | AN INCORRECTLY INDEXED WIRING HARNESS MAY CAUSE THE CENTER HIGH MOUNTED STOP LAMP TO REMAIN ILLUMINATED WHEN THE HEADLIGHTS OR PARKING LAMPS ARE ON. |
| 85V122000 | 1986 | Electrical System | THE GENERATOR "BAT" TERMINAL LOCATED ON THE RECTIFIER END FRAME MAY CONTACT THE CARBURETOR FUEL INLET PIPE. |
| 85V104000 | 1984 | Service Brakes, Hydraulic | SOME WAGONS WERE ASSEMBLED WITH A JA2 REAR SYSTEM INSTEAD OF THE JA3 BRAKE SYSTEM. THESE STATION WAGONS MAY EXCEED THE MAXIMUM STOPPING DISTANCE REQUIRED BY FMVSS 105. |
| 85V034000 | 1984 | Fuel System, Gasoline | THE FUEL SYSTEM MAY LEAK AT THE THROTTLE BODY INJECTION FUEL FEED PIPE CONNECTION. |
| 84V011000 | 1984 | Seats | SOME VEHICLES HAVE BUCKET SEAT BACK LOCKS THAT DO NOT CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD 207, ANCHORAGE OF SEATS. |
| 83V105000 | 1983 | Service Brakes, Hydraulic | THE BRAKE PROPORTIONER VALVES MAY BREAK AND SEPARATE FROM THE MASTER CYLINDER. THIS WOULD ALLOW BRAKE FLUID TO LEAK AND WOULD RESULT IN A PARTIAL LOSS OF THE BRAKE SYSTEM. |
| 83V007000 | 1982 | Service Brakes, Hydraulic | REAR BRAKE HOSES MAY HAVE BEEN MANUFACTURED INCORRECTLY WHEN THE METAL END FITTINGS WERE INSTALLED. |