RoadVitals

1991 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.
38
Latest Feb 2, 2017
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.
2
Latest Sep 15, 1995
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.
1
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.
9
8 injuries, 0 deaths reported

Overview

Our database contains 38 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 1991 Buick Century, most frequently naming the brakes, electrical and engine categories. 2 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; 1 NHTSA investigation names it; and 1 manufacturer communication is on file.

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

  • Brakes920.0%
  • Electrical715.6%
  • Engine613.3%
  • Interior & seats511.1%
  • Seat belts511.1%
  • Driver assistance511.1%
  • Visibility24.4%
  • Fuel system24.4%

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

2 campaigns 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
95V173000

SEAT BELTS:FRONT:ANCHORAGE

Sep 15, 1995
2,216,325 units potentially affected
The defect: THESE VEHICLES WERE ASSEMBLED WITH REAR OUTBOARD SAFETY BELT ANCHORAGES THAT MAY NOT WITHSTAND THE REQUIRED LOAD. THIS DOES NOT COMPLY WITH FMVSS NO.210, "SEAT BELT ASSEMBLY ANCHORAGES."
The risk: CONSEQUENCE OF NON-COMPLIANCE: IN A COLLISON, STRESS CAN CAUSE THE ATTACHMENT METAL TO TEAR AND ALLOW THE ANCHORAGE TO SEPARATE FROM THE BODY OF THE VEHICLE. THE SAFETY BELT MAY NOT PROTECT AN OCCUPANT IN THE EVENT OF A VEHICLE CRASH.
The remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE EXISTING ANCHOR BOLTS WITH A NEW SHOULDER BOLT AND THREAD LOCKING ADHESIVE. ADDITIONALLY, NOISE CONTROL PATCHES WILL BE APPLIED AT EACH ANCHORAGE.
GENERAL MOTORS CORP.View on NHTSA.gov
92V124000

SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:RECLINER

Sep 1, 1992
319,181 units potentially affected
The defect: 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.
The risk: THE HIGH CURRENT CAUSED BY THE ELECTRICAL SHORT WELDS THECIRCUIT BREAKER ELEMENTS TOGETHER IN THE CLOSED POSITION, LEAVING THE CIRCUITUNPROTECTED AND GENERATING SUFFICIENT HEAT TO BURN THE WIRE INSULATION ANDIGNITE THE SEAT CUSHION MATERIAL.
The remedy: REPAIR ANY ABRADED WIRING AND REROUTE THE WIRING HARNESS USING A WIRING HARNESS CLIP.
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

Recent owner complaints

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

View all 38
Filed Feb 2, 2017

I PUT THE KEY IN I TURN IT AND OUT CRANKS BUT WON'T TURN OVER.STATIONARY

NHTSA ID
10949171
Incident
Jan 23, 2017
Mileage
165 mi
Engine
Filed Dec 16, 2014

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1990 BUICK CENTURY (N/A). THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE ENGINE STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 90,000.

NHTSA ID
10664561
Incident
Dec 15, 2014
Mileage
90,000 mi
Powertrain (other)
Filed Jan 15, 2004

TRANSMISSION DOESNT WANT TO GO IN GEAR AFTER MAKING A TURN. HAVE NOT HAD THE CAR REPAIRED BECAUSE THE VALUE OF IT IS APPROX. $2,725 ONLY. HAVE ONLY HAD AN ESTIMATE. THE REPAIR-MAN SAID HE THOUGHT IT WAS A SPRAGUE. DONT KNOW IF THIS IS CORRECT SPELLING. I REALIZE THE CAR IS OLD, BUT THE MILEAGE IS LOW FOR THIS MANY YEARS. NOW, THE SERVICE ENGINE SOON LIGHT COMES ON AFTER CAR WARMS UP- AND STAYS ON- TRANSMISSION MAN SAID DIDNT HAVE ANYTHING TO DO WITH THE TRANS. HAVE NOT HAD A COMPUTER DIAGNOSIS.

NHTSA ID
10069978
Incident
Jan 15, 2003
Brakes
Filed Dec 19, 2001
Crash reported

WHEEL CYLINDER DETACHED FROM MOUNTING POINT,GOT CAUGHT UP IN BRAKE SHOES, WHICH CAUSED WHEEL TO FREEZE UP, LEADING TO ROLLOVER ACCIDENT

NHTSA ID
755852
Incident
Dec 14, 2001
EngineVisibility
Filed Jul 19, 2001

THE ENGINE STALLS EVERYTIME THE CAR IS DRIVEN MORE THAN 50 MILES, THE VEHICLE STALLS AT LOW SPEEDS ON TURNS, IT STALLS WHILE DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS, AFTER THE ENGINE IS RESTARTED IT RACES, DEALER IS UNABLE TO DETECT THE PROBLEM. NLM

NHTSA ID
785536
Driver assistanceTransmission
Filed Mar 16, 2001
Crash reported4 injuries reported

WHEN SWITCHING GEAR FROM DRIVE TO REVERSE ENGINE SUDDEN ACCELERATED, CRASHING INTO VEHICLE BEHIND. THEN, SWITCHED GEAR TO DRIVE AND ENGINE SUDDEN ACCELERATED AGAIN, CRASHING INTO VEHICLE IN FRONT. VEHICLE TOOK OFF ON IT'S OWN, DRIVING OVER CURVE AND CRASHING INTO A WALL THEN, HITTING AN UTILITY POLE. VEHICLE WAS TOTALED.*AK

NHTSA ID
883277
Incident
Jan 16, 2001
Engine
Filed Feb 28, 2001

WHEN DRIVING AT ANY SPEED WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING VEHICLE CUTS OFF, CAUSING LOSS OF ALL POWER. CONSUMER HAS CONTACTED DEALER, DEALER UNABLE TO DETERMINE CAUSE OF PROBLEM. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER DETAILS.*AK

NHTSA ID
881777
ElectricalEngine
Filed Oct 2, 2000

ENGINE BEGAN OVERHEATING, CONSUMER HAD ALL 6 FROST PLUGS REPLACED AND THE WATER PUMP, STARTER, THERMOSTAT, HEAD GASKET AND RESURFACED THE ENGINE HEAD. NLM

NHTSA ID
555749

Manufacturer communications

A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.

130089009

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:ENGINE CONTROL MODULE (ECU/ECM)

Expanded Availability for Remanufacture and Return (R&R) Electronic Control Modules

Manufacturers file copies of the bulletins they send to dealers with NHTSA. These often describe diagnostic or repair procedures for a known condition. They are not recalls: repairs described in a bulletin are usually only free if the vehicle is still under warranty or the manufacturer has extended coverage.

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
1991Viewing382158.6
1990332155.6
1989401151.9
1988164350.7
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.