RoadVitals

1988 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.
16
Latest Mar 19, 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.
3
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 16 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 1988 Buick Century, most frequently naming the steering, seat belts and suspension categories. 4 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; and 3 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

  • Steering630.0%
  • Seat belts315.0%
  • Suspension315.0%
  • Interior & seats315.0%
  • Body & structure210.0%
  • Electrical15.0%
  • Brakes15.0%
  • Transmission15.0%

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
88V164000

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

Oct 18, 1988
27,369 units potentially affected
The defect: FUEL FEED HOSE COULD LEAK AT THE COUPLING ON THE ENGINE END OF THE HOSE ASSEMBLY.
The risk: FUEL LEAKAGE INTO THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT COULD RESULT INAN ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE THAT COULD SPREAD TO THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT.
The remedy: INSTALL NEW FUEL FEED HOSE ASSEMBLY.
GENERAL MOTORS CORP.View on NHTSA.gov
88V048000

SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER ARM

Apr 1, 1988
3,428 units potentially affected
The defect: FRONT SUSPENSION LOWER CONTROL ARM BRACKET COULD DEVELOP METAL CRACKS.
The risk: THESE CRACKS MAY RESULT IN DISENGAGEMENT OF THE LOWERCONTROL ARM. IF THIS OCCURS WHILE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION, IT COULD RESULT INLOSS OF STEERING CONTROL AND A VEHICLE CRASH COULD OCCUR WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING.
The remedy: INSPECT ALL VEHICLES AND REPLACE ENGINE CRADLE ASSEMBLY ON ALL SUSPECT VEHICLES.
GENERAL MOTORS CORP.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
PE89035ClosedPreliminary Evaluation

STOP LAMPS

Opened Jan 19, 1989
Closed May 24, 1989

SUMMARY:A CHEVROLET SERVICE BULLETIN DATED JULY 1988 INDICATES THAT BOTHSOCKETS MUST BE REPLACED USING PART NUMBER 5972532.THIS SERVICE STOCKUSES A NEW HEAT RESISTANT MATERIAL.PRODUCTION STOCK WAS ALSO CORRECTEDBEGINNING WITH VINS J7163799 AND JJ187909.===

EXTERIOR LIGHTING
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 16
Body & structureSuspension
Filed Mar 19, 2002

FRONT END COLLAPSED BECAUSE ENGINE CRADLE BOLT AND STEERING COLUMN DISINTEGRATED. VEHICLE HAS BEEN INCLUDED UNDER RECALL 88 V048 000. DEALER AND MANUFACTURER HAVE BEEN NOTIFIED. *AK THE DEALER STATES THIS VIN WAS NOT ON THE RECALL. *YH

NHTSA ID
8005879
Incident
Mar 1, 2002
Interior & seats
Filed Oct 19, 2001

DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT FRAME BROKE. TOOK TO DEALER, AND DEALER STATED THAT WARRANTY EXPIRED. PLEASE ADD ANY FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK

NHTSA ID
898040
Incident
Sep 19, 2001
Steering
Filed Jul 31, 1999

RACK AND PINION STEERING FAIILED CAUSING THE STEERING WHEEL TO LOCK AND RESIST ANY TURNS TO THE LEFT OR RIGHT CAUSING THE DRIVER TO USE EXCESSIVE FORCE TO UNLOCK THE SEIZED WHEEL. NLM

NHTSA ID
547676
SteeringSuspensionTransmission
Filed Sep 9, 1998

CHANNEL PLATE (SIDE) ON THE TRANSMISSION IS WARPED RESULTING IN LEAKAGE.

NHTSA ID
539736
Steering
Filed Aug 4, 1997

WHILE DRIVING AT 10 MPH THE LEFT CRADLE BOLT BROKE, AND THE RIGHT CRADLE BOLT FELL THROUGH THE FRAME, CAUSING VEHICLE TO BE INOPERATIVE. PLEASE DESCRIBE DETAILS. *AK

NHTSA ID
814994
Incident
Jul 17, 1997
SteeringSuspension
Filed Apr 1, 1997

SHOCKS ABSORBER FAILED.

NHTSA ID
516073
Seat belts
Filed Feb 27, 1996

DRIVER'S SIDE SIT BELT DOES NOT RETRACT AND SOMETIMES IT LOCKS YOU IN. PLEASE DESCRIBE DETAILS. *AK

NHTSA ID
979806
Incident
Sep 19, 1995
Interior & seats
Filed Dec 7, 1995

THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE SEAT FAILURE, SEAT BROKE DOWN. TT

NHTSA ID
976252
Incident
Dec 1, 1992

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
1988Viewing164350.7
1987281555.3
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.