RoadVitals

1985 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.
7
Latest Jun 27, 2001
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.
1
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.
4
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.
2

Overview

Our database contains 7 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 1985 Buick Century, most frequently naming the engine, brakes and steering categories. 1 safety recall has been issued covering this model year; and 4 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

  • Engine333.3%
  • Brakes222.2%
  • Steering222.2%
  • Driver assistance111.1%
  • Electrical111.1%

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

1 campaign cover this model year

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

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
EA86025ClosedEngineering Analysis

WINDSHIELD WIPERS

Opened Aug 25, 1986
Closed Mar 2, 1988

SUMMARY:GM BELIEVES THE PROBLEM HAS BEEN CORRECTED THROUGH ITS PUBLI-CATION OF 7 SERVICE BULLETINS CONCERNING THIS MATTER. IN ADDITION, GMDOES NOT BELIEVE WINDSHIELD WIPER FAILURE REPRESENTS A SAFETY HAZARD.ANALYSIS: THREE FAILURE MODES HAVE BEEN IDENTIFIED; INSULATING FILM MAYBUILD UP BETWEEN THE BRUSH FACE AND THE COMMUTATOR OF THE WIPER MOTOR,CORROSION MAY FORM IN THE WIPER MOTOR BRUSH AND DISENGAGEMENT OF THEWIPER ARMS MAY OCCUR. IN VIEW OF THE EXISTING LEGAL PRECEDENT, THE LARGENUMBER OF WARRANTY CLAIMS CONCERNING WIPER MOTOR FAILURES (114,000) ANDTHE HIGH WIPER MOTOR AND MOTOR KIT PART SALES (251,000), IT IS IMPERATIVETHAT THIS MATTER RECEIVE MANAGEMENT SUPPORT.STATUS: GM RESPONSE DATED 2/23/87. ANALYZING AS TIME PERMITS.EA CLOSED 3/2/88.=== D@

VISIBILITY
C85007ClosedInvestigation

REAR BRAKE LOCKUP

Opened Jun 19, 1985
Closed May 18, 1989

There is no summary currently available

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULICLed to recall 66V003000

Recent owner complaints

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

Steering
Filed Jun 27, 2001

ITIS VERY DIFFICULT TO TURN STEERING WHEEL. DEALER REPAIRED POWER STEERING ONCE UNDER A RECALL. CONSUMER STATED PROBLEM HAS REOCCURRED. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK

NHTSA ID
891437
Incident
May 27, 2001
Engine
Filed Feb 26, 1998

ENGINE MOTOR BLOCK CRACKED.

NHTSA ID
531443
Incident
Feb 10, 1986
Brakes
Filed Jul 28, 1997

WHILE DRIVING THE REAR RIGHT BRAKE CALIPER BROKE AND WAS DIFFICULT TO STOP. PRIOR TO THIS, THE LEFT SIDE HAD BRAKE FLUID LEAKAGE. *AK

NHTSA ID
814441
Brakes
Filed Jan 27, 1997

WHEN APPLYING THE HYDRAULIC BRAKES IN A SUDDEN STOP SITUATION, THE VEHICLE'S RIGHT REAR BRAKES LOCKED UP, LOST CONTROL OF VEHICLE. *AK

NHTSA ID
806673
Engine
Filed Jan 23, 1996
Fire reported

CONSUMER WAS PARKING AND OVERHEATED CAR CAUGHT ON FIRE . TT

NHTSA ID
978030
Incident
Jan 10, 1996
Driver assistanceEngineSteering
Filed Sep 1, 1995

COOLANT LEAK.

NHTSA ID
483584
Incident
Sep 1, 1995
Electrical
Filed Jan 14, 1995
Fire reported

VEHICLE FIRE IN ENGINE COMPARTMENT, ORIGINATING IN VICINITY OF BATTERY, OHIO STATE POLICE REPORT. *TW

NHTSA ID
481500
Incident
Jan 14, 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
1985Viewing714—
1984846—
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.