RoadVitals

1984 Buick Century

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.
8
Latest Jan 14, 2002
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.
4
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.
6
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 8 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 1984 Buick Century, most frequently naming the steering, electrical and engine categories. 4 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; and 6 NHTSA investigations name it.

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

  • Steering436.4%
  • Electrical218.2%
  • Engine218.2%
  • Body & structure19.1%
  • Brakes19.1%
  • Interior & seats19.1%

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

4 campaigns cover this model year

View all 4

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
85V104000

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DRUM

Aug 14, 1985
3,192 units potentially affected
The defect: 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. CONSEQUENCE OF DEFECT: A CRASH COULD OCCUR WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING SHOULD A STOPPING DISTANCE CONFORMING WITH FMVSS 105 BE REQUIRED WHILE THE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION.
The remedy: INSTALL CORRECT BRAKE SYSTEM.
GENERAL MOTORS CORP.View on NHTSA.gov
85V034000

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS

Mar 29, 1985
121,095 units potentially affected
The defect: THE FUEL SYSTEM MAY LEAK AT THE THROTTLE BODY INJECTION FUEL FEED PIPE CONNECTION. CONSEQUENCE OF DEFECT: THIS LEAKAGE COULD RESULT IN AN UNDERHOOD FIRE WHICH COULD SPREAD TO THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT AND CAUSE BURN INJURIES TO OCCUPANTS.
The remedy: REPLACE THE FUEL FEED PIPE.
GENERAL MOTORS CORP.View on NHTSA.gov

Safety investigations

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

PE88027ClosedPreliminary Evaluation

HEADLAMP SWITCH FAILURE

Opened Feb 9, 1988
Closed May 11, 1988

===

EXTERIOR LIGHTING
EA87006ClosedEngineering Analysis

POWER ST. ASSIST

Opened Dec 16, 1986
Closed Sep 19, 1988

SUMMARY OF INFORMATION FROM THE MANUFACTURER:GM HAS DEVELOPED A SPLITRING FIELD REPAIR KIT AND IS EXTENDING THE WARRANRY ON ALL 1982-84 A,J, AND X, BODY CARS AND 1985 C,BODY CARS.THE WARRANTY APPLIES TO CARSTHAT ARE FOR 50,000 MILES OR 5 YRS.IT INCLUDES REIMBURSEMENT FOR PREVIOUSREPAIRS.ANALYSIS:WEARING OF THE RACK AND PINION HOUSING AND LOW AMBIENT TEMPCAN CAUSE TEMPORARY LOSS OF POWER ASSIST.TEFLON O RINGS FAIL TO SEALOFF INTERNAL PRESSURE.STATUS:EVALUATING THE EXTENDED WARRANTY OFFER BY GM.======

STEERING
DP86018ClosedDefect Petition

POWER STEERING FAILURE

Opened Sep 5, 1986
Closed Dec 19, 1986

POWER STEERING FAILURE

UNKNOWN OR OTHER
EA85046ClosedEngineering Analysis

POWER BRAKE ASSIST

Opened Aug 30, 1985
Closed Jul 24, 1987

SUMMARY OF INFORMATION FROM MANUFACTURER: IN ANALYZING THIS MATTER GMIDENTIFIED THREE PRIMARY SOURCES FOR THE COMPLAINTS.THE FIRST INVOLVESA GRADUAL DETERIORATION IN PERFORMANCE OF BELT DRIVEN VACUUM PUMPS.AC-CORDING TO GM, VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH VACUUM PUMPS ARE ALSO EQUIPPED WITHA LOW VACUUM WARNING LIGHT, WHICH IS ILLUMINATED WHEN BOOSTER VACUUMFALLS BELOW 10 IN. HG.THIS SIGNALS THE DRIVER THAT MAINTENANCE IS NEED-ED.THE SECOND SOURCE OF COMPLAINTS WAS TRACED TO A QUALITY CONTROL PROB-LEM ASSOCIATED WITH ONE OF THE BRAKE BOOSTER DIAPHRAGM SUPPLIERS. USE OFPARTS FROM THIS SUPPLIER WAS DISCONTINUED IN SEPTEMBER 1984.THE THIRDCOMPLAINT SOURCE IDENTIFIED BY GM IS THE LOW VACUUM WARNING LIGHT IN 1982MODELS. ACCORDING TO GM, THE LIGHT INDICATED LOW VACUUM WHEN THERE WAS NOPROBLEM OR A LEAK IN THE SWITCH RESULTED IN REDUCED VACUUM AND ILLUMINA-TION OF THE LIGHT.THIS WAS ALSO TRACED TO A GM SUPPLIER THAT WAS DIS-CONTINUED IN 1982.GM ISSUED FIELD SERVICE INFORMATION COVERING SWITCHREPLACEMENT IN LATE 1982.ANALYSIS: GM HAS IDENTIFIED SPECIFIC VEHICLE COMPONENTS RESPONSIBLE FORREDUCED POWER BRAKE VACUUM ASSIST AMONG THE SUBJECT VEHICLES.THE NUMBERAND NATURE OF THE ODI AND GM COMPLAINTS RECEIVED ALONG WITH THE ALLEGEDACCIDENTS REPORTED INDICATE A POTENTIAL VEHICLE SAFETY PROBLEM.STATUS:THE FINAL REPORT CONCERNING THE OWNER SURVEY FROM THEAUTOMOBILE CLUB OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA WAS RECEIVED ON 6/10/87.===

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

Recent owner complaints

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

Body & structure
Filed Jan 14, 2002

ENGINE CRADDLE BOLT WAS CRACKED ON LEFT SIDE OF VEHICLE, CAUSING OIL TO LEAK FROM ENGINE. DEALERSHIP WAS AWARE OF PROBLEM.*AK

NHTSA ID
8002167
Incident
Oct 1, 2001
ElectricalEngineInterior & seats
Filed Aug 16, 2001

VEHICLE WOULD INTERMITTENTLY STALL WHILE DRIVING. VEHICLE BEEN INTO DEALER SHOP ON TEN OCCASIONS, AND THEY WERE UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. *AK DEALER HAS REPLACED SEVERAL THINGS IN AN ATTEMPT TO CORRECT PROBLEM, CATALYTIC CONVERTER, OIL PAN GASKET, INTAKE GASKET, UPPER AND LOWER RADIATOR HOSES, MOTOR MOUNTS, TRANSMISSION MOUNTS, HEATER HOSES, WATER PUMP, AND THERMOSTAT. MASTER CYLINDER WAS REPLACED, CONSUMER STATED VEHICLE CREEPS FORWARD WHEN STOPPING. DOOR LOCK REPLACED. *SLC

NHTSA ID
894535
Incident
Aug 2, 2001
Electrical
Filed Aug 30, 1999

FUSE FOR HORN KEEP'S BLOWING OUT

NHTSA ID
710702
Brakes
Filed Jun 11, 1996

BRAKES LOCK UP WHEN WET, CAUSING VEHICLE TO SPIN AROUND. *SD

NHTSA ID
505413
Incident
Jun 11, 1996
Steering
Filed Dec 11, 1995

THE POWER STEERING UNIT IS BROKEN HAD TO REPLACE 3 TIMES. TT

NHTSA ID
976414
Incident
Dec 11, 1995
Steering
Filed Jun 19, 1995

RACK AND PINION, STEERING CONTROL UNITS, BINDS WHEN TURNING. TT

NHTSA ID
967161
Incident
Jul 1, 1990
EngineSteering
Filed May 14, 1995

STEERING WHEEL FREEZES UP.

NHTSA ID
486111
Incident
May 14, 1995
Steering
Filed Jan 19, 1995

'COLD POWER STEERING'. *DH

NHTSA ID
480595
Incident
Jan 19, 1995

Compare model years

Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model

Buick Century by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2005192041.9
2004392047.9
20031272044.2
20021542047.2
20011455049.5
20001937155.7
19992355051.5
19982184455.9
19971064456.0
1996802050.0
1995991044.8
19941066059.6
1993542059.0
1992453059.3
1991382158.6
1990332155.6
1989401151.9
1988164350.7
1987281555.3
1986223364.9
1985714—
1984Viewing846—
1983115—
1982324—
1981132—
1980062—
1979061—
1978071—
1977040—
1976020—
1975020—
1974020—
1973030—

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.