RoadVitals

1987 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.
28
Latest Jul 22, 2009
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.
5
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.
4

Overview

Our database contains 28 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 1987 Buick Century, most frequently naming the steering, seat belts and electrical categories. 1 safety recall has been issued covering this model year; and 5 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

  • Steering827.6%
  • Seat belts310.3%
  • Electrical310.3%
  • Engine310.3%
  • Brakes26.9%
  • Driver assistance26.9%
  • Transmission26.9%
  • Powertrain (other)13.4%

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.

EA92024ClosedEngineering Analysis

STICKING THROTTLE

Opened Jun 26, 1992
Closed Jan 31, 1994

There is no summary currently available

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:LINKAGES
EA89026ClosedEngineering Analysis

LOSS OF POWER STEERING

Opened Jun 12, 1989
Closed Oct 9, 1990

SUMMARY: THE COMPLAINTS DESCRIBE A FAILURE OF THE PRESSURE HOSECONNECTED TO THE POWER STEERING PUMP.USED ONLY ON THE 4 CYL MODELS.THIS PART HAS BEEN REDESIGNED AND EACH GM DIVISION HAS ISSUED ASERVICE BULLETIN.WARRANTY CLAIMS AND PARTS SALES ARE VERY HIGH.===

STEERING
PE89105ClosedPreliminary Evaluation

POWER STEERING HOSE FAILS

Opened Mar 20, 1989
Closed Jun 12, 1989

===

STEERING
EA89010ClosedEngineering Analysis

BRAKE INEFFECTIVENESS

Opened Jan 17, 1989
Closed May 8, 1990

There is no summary currently available

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

Recent owner complaints

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

View all 28
Tires & wheels
Filed Jul 22, 2009

MY MOTHER HAS A BUICK THAT SHE HAD FIRESTONE RADIAL TIRES INSTALLED ON THE FRONT. THE TIRES, P185/75R14 HAD A BELT BREAK IN THEM WITHIN ONE WEEK OF EACH OTHER. THE DEALER SHE BOUGHT THEM FROM REFUSES TO TALK TO HER ABOUT IT. WHAT CAN SHE DO? *TR

NHTSA ID
10277973
Incident
Jul 13, 2009
Powertrain (other)
Filed Jan 15, 2004

TRANSMISSION SLIPS AND DOESN'T LOCK INTO GEAR. ALSO MAKES CLUNKING SOUND WHEN ACCELERATION IS LET OFF THEN RE-APPLIED. THIS CAR WAS DRIVEN GENTLY THROUGHOUT ITS LIFE BY SENIOR CITIZENS.

NHTSA ID
10069540
Incident
Feb 15, 2003
Mileage
90,000 mi
Interior & seats
Filed Apr 2, 2002

WHILE BEING INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT AT 20-25 MPH FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT BROKE OFF THE TRACK. CONTACTED DEALER, AND DEALER WAS NOT WILLING TO DO ANYTHING.*AK

NHTSA ID
8006792
Incident
Mar 2, 2001
Engine
Filed Dec 5, 2000

WHEN TURNING ON HEATER ENGINE RPM'S GO UP SOMETIMES AND CAN KEEP CAR MOVING AT 45-50 MPH WITHOUT DEPRESSING THE GAS, TURNING OFF HEATER CONTROL DOES NOT ALWAYS DROP THE RPM'S, WHEN PUTTING THE CAR IN PARK THE ENGINE RACES AT VERY HIGH RPM'S AND CONSUMER MUST TURN OFF ENGINE QUICKLY. NLM

NHTSA ID
557898
Seat belts
Filed May 20, 2000

PROBLEM WITH CENTURY OVATION CAR SEAT. MY 2 YEAR OLD SON PULLED THE T-BAR SHIELD OUT OF THE BUCKLE AREA 2 TIMES. IT WAS PROPERLY SECURED. WE TOOK THE CAR SEAT OUT AND TRIED IT OURSELVES. WITHOUT MUCH EFFORT AT ALL, WE WERE ABLE TO PULL IT OUT 7 OUT OF 10 TRIES. IT SEEMED TO UNLATCH WHEN THE T BAR WAS PUSHED SLIGHTLY IN ONE DIRECTION OR ANOTHER. IF MY 2 YEAR OLD WAS ABLE TO PULL IT OUT, I AM CONVINCED THIS IS NOT A SAFE SEAT. MANUFACTURER HAS REQUESTED I SEND THE SEAT BACK TO THEM SO THEY CAN "TAKE A LOOK AT IT". IF YOU NEED ANY OTHER INFORMATION FROM ME, PLEASE E-MAIL ME OR CALL ME. THANK YOU, JENNIFER CANNON. *AK

NHTSA ID
722935
Driver assistanceTransmission
Filed Mar 5, 2000

EVEN MECHANICS CAN'T SOLVE THIS; SO IT IS HARD FOR ME TO DIAGNOSE. NO SAFETY DEFEC TLISTED IN SUMMARY. *AK

NHTSA ID
719712
Incident
Mar 3, 2000
Engine
Filed Feb 1, 2000

VEHICLE STALLED 10 TIMES FROM PURCHASE DATE. HAS BEEN IN THE SAME FAMILY SINCE IT WAS BOUGHT NEW. IT HAS BEEN "REPAIRED" MANY TIMES, BUT NEVER FIXED. IS THERE ANY WAY WE CAN GET IT FIXED AND CAN THE MANUFACTURER HELP? AFTER SEARCHING YOUR WEB PAGE I NOW KNOW THAT WE WEREN'T THE ONLY ONE WITH THIS PROBLEM. THIS CAR HAS BEEN SITTING FOR A FEW YEARS NOW. HELP! *AK

NHTSA ID
718182
Incident
Jun 15, 1997
Brakes
Filed Sep 1, 1999

WHILE TRAVELING UP ON AN INCLINE APPLIED FORCE TO THE BRAKE PEDAL AND REAR BRAKES SEIZED. CONSUMER CONTACTED DEALER. DEALER DETERMINED THAT REAR BRAKES SEIZED DUE TO REAR BRAKE DRUMS BEING FRACTURED IN THREE DIFFERENT PLACE. ,DEALER HAS REPLACED REAR BRAKE DRUMS. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER DETAILS.*AK

NHTSA ID
846339
Incident
Mar 31, 1999

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
1987Viewing281555.3
1986223364.9
1985714—
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.