1993 Buick Century Problems
Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component
Data refreshed
What this page shows
Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 1993 Buick Century, grouped by the component NHTSA recorded on the report. These are not confirmed defects, and they are not recalls. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a category with more reports in it is not evidence that a part is defective.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
Reports by component
Ranked by how many owner reports name each component category
- Airbags1319.7%
- Engine1015.2%
- Driver assistance812.1%
- Seat belts57.6%
- Transmission46.1%
- Body & structure46.1%
- Brakes46.1%
- Electrical46.1%
- Other / unspecified34.5%
- Fuel system34.5%
- Steering34.5%
- Tires & wheels11.5%
- Interior & seats11.5%
- Heating & air conditioning11.5%
- Powertrain (other)11.5%
- Suspension11.5%
Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.
Each component in detail
What the reports in each category say, in the owners' own words
Airbags
Reports naming the air-bag system — deployment behaviour, inflators, sensors and warning lights.
From owner reports, verbatim
WHILE TRAVELING AT 40 MPH THIS VEHICLE STRUCK ANOTHER VEHICLE HEAD-ON, AND AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. BUICK HAS BEEN CONTACTED.*AK
AIRBAG HOUSING IS SPLITING DOWN THE CENTER. DEALER HAS INSPECTED THE VEHICLE . ALSO, MANUFACTURER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED. *AK
Engine
Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.
From owner reports, verbatim
1993 BUICK CENTURY EXPERIENCED VEHICLE FIRE.*MR WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY THE CAR JERKED A LITTLE AND THE BATTERY LIGHT CAME ON. THE CONSUMER HEARD A POP AND SAW SMOKE, HE THEN PULLED OVER AND THE VEHICLE BECAME ENGULFED IN FIRE. *CB *JB
WHILE DRIVING AT 55 MPH THERE WAS A BOOM, WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED ON THE DASH PANEL, AND VEHICLE SHUT DOWN. CONSUMER WAS TOLD BY A MECHANIC THAT A ROD BLEW. THAT IS WHAT CAUSED THE ENGINE TO SHUT DOWN. BUICK HAS NOT BEEN CONTACTED.*AK
Driver assistance
Reports naming forward-collision avoidance, lane keeping, back-over prevention, cruise control and related electronic driver-assistance systems.
From owner reports, verbatim
CAR SUDDENLY ACCELERATED OUT OF CONTROL, RESULTING IN ACCIDENT.
ACCELERATOR CABLE FROM FIRE WALL RUNS RIGHT UP A LONG AIR CONDITIONING LINE, CAUSING THE CABLE TO RUB UP AND DOWN RUBBING A HOLE THROUGH THE LINE, SHOOTING FREON IN THE AIR.
Seat belts
Reports naming seat belts, buckles, retractors and pretensioners.
From owner reports, verbatim
FRONT SEAT BELTS ARE ATTACHED TO THE DOORS, AND WHEN THE DOORS ARE OPENED, THE SEAT BELTS EXTEND FORWARD. CONSUMER FEELS THIS FEATURE POSSES A SAFETY RISK BECAUSE IF THE DOORS FLINGS OPEN IN AN ACCIDENT THEY WILL NOT RESTRAIN THE OCCUPANTS IN THEIR SEAT. *AK *NM
DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR FALLS OPEN, EVEN WHEN LOCKED; SEAT BELT TIGHTENS AS IF THERE WAS IMPACT AND PULLS DRIVER TOWARD THE OPEN DOOR. *AK
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Transmission
Reports naming the automatic or manual transmission, including shifting behaviour, shudder, slipping and transmission control modules.
From owner reports, verbatim
TRANSMISSION MALFUNCTIONED, SHIFTING PROBLEMS. YH
WHILE SLOWING DOWN TO CROSS TRAIN TRACKS TRANSMISSION LOCKED UP AND BROKE, CAUSING VEHICLE TO BE STUCK ON THE TRACKS, AND THE TRAIN RAN INTO THE VEHICLE. *AK
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Body & structure
Reports naming the vehicle structure, frame, body panels, doors, hood and trim.
From owner reports, verbatim
DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR FALLS OPEN, EVEN WHEN LOCKED; SEAT BELT TIGHTENS AS IF THERE WAS IMPACT AND PULLS DRIVER TOWARD THE OPEN DOOR. *AK
WHILE DRIVING ON HIGHWAY VEHICLE STALLED AND HAD TO BE TOWED. TECHNICIAN OPENED THE HOOD, AND FOUND OUT THAT COVER UNDER THE HOOD (LOOKED LIKE A BLANKET FOR NOISE OR FIRE) HAD ALMOST CAUGHT ON FIRE. ALSO, NO POWER STEERING. PIECES THAT CAME LOOSE WENT DOWN INTO THE ALTERNATOR, CAUSING IT TO BURN UP. VEHICLE LOST ALL POWER AND THE ALTERNATOR HAD TO BE REPLACED. *AK *ML
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Brakes
Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake.
From owner reports, verbatim
BRAKE PADS WEAR OUT MORE THAN THE AVERAGE.*AK
I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE THE BRAKES THREE TIMES SINCE I BOUGHT THE CAR IN 1997. THEY STILL DON'T WORK WELL. THERE MUST BE A FACTORY DEFECT! WHAT CAN I DO ABOUT THIS? *AK
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Electrical
Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.
From owner reports, verbatim
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1993 BUICK CENTURY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED AND THE DEFROSTER WAS ENGAGED. THE CONTACT THEN SMELLED A BURNING ODOR AND NOTICED SMOKE EMITTING FROM THE DEFROSTER AREA. THE CONTACT MOVED THE VEHICLE AWAY FROM HIS RESIDENCE AND TURNED THE ENGINE OFF BUT THE SMOKE CONTINUED. THE CONTACT THEN OPENED THE HOOD AND A FIRE ERUPTED. THE FIRE WAS EXTINGUISHED AND THE CONTACT SUSTAINED A KNEE INFECTION FROM ATTEMPTING TO MOVE THE VEHICLE AWAY FROM HIS RESIDENCE. A FIRE REPORT WAS AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER WHO OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 230,000. UPDATED 04/15/11*LJ THE CONSUMER LISTED WIRING HARNESS AS THE PROBLEM. UPDATED 10/12/11
PLASTIC HORN BUTTONS(HALF MOON SHAPE)WILL NOT FIT IN SPACES PROVIDED AS THEY ARE DISTORED DUE TO THE HEAT IN CAR. THESE MUST BE PRESSED TO HAVE HONK THE HORN & CAN'T BE, BECAUSE THEY DON'T FIT.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Other / unspecified
Reports whose component NHTSA recorded as unknown, or that do not map to one of the categories above.
From owner reports, verbatim
WHEN ATTEMPTING TO REMOVE ALL FOUR TIRES CONSUMER WAS UNABLE TO REMOVE THE TIRES DUE TO THE STEEL RIMS WHICH WERE TOO CLOSE TO THE HUB, PREVENTING THE TIRES TO BE REMOVED. CONSUMER HAS CONTACTED THE DEALER. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER DETAILS. *AK
ROOF RACK INSTALLED IMPROPERLY, CAUSING RACK PLUS LUGGAGE TO FLY OFF VEHICLE. *DH
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Fuel system
Reports naming fuel storage or delivery — tanks, pumps, lines, injectors and fuel leaks.
From owner reports, verbatim
MY CAR DIES WHEN THE GAS TANK BEGINS TO GET $3.50 AWAY FROM BEING FULL. WHEN IT DIES IT WILL NOT RESTART FOR APPROXIMATELY FOR 15 MINUTES. THE GAS GAUGE DIAL BEGINS TO WAVER FROM SIDE TO SIDE WHEN THE GAS GAUGE IS AROUND $3.50 DOWN FROM BEING FULL. WHEN THE GAS GAUGE BEGINS TO WAVER THAT IS A SIGN TO ME THAT I MUST FILL THE CAR UP AGAIN OR IT WILL SOON STALL. I HAVE HAD IT IN THE SHOP OFF AND ON FOR 11 MONTHS. I HAVE HAD THE FUEL PUMP REPLACED BUT IT HAS NOT SOLVED THE PROBLEM. WE LOVE THIS CAR. IT HAS SERVED US WELL AND WE HAVE HAD NO PROBLEMS TO SPEAK OF UNTIL THIS PROBLEM CAME ABOUT. THE CAR DEALORSHIP KEEPS SAYING THEY CANNOT DUPLICATE WHAT HAPPENS TO ME. IT CAN DIE ON ME THREE OR FOUR TIMES IN A DAY AND THEN RUN PERFECTLY FOR TWO WEEKS AT A TIME. I LEARNED THAT IF I KEEP THE GAS TANK FULL IT WILL FUNCTION AS CLOSE TO NORMAL AS POSSIBLE. I WILL APPRECIATE ANY HELP YOU CAN GIVE. *AK
TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Steering
Reports naming the steering system — racks, columns, power-steering assist and steering linkage.
From owner reports, verbatim
WHILE DRIVING ON HIGHWAY VEHICLE STALLED AND HAD TO BE TOWED. TECHNICIAN OPENED THE HOOD, AND FOUND OUT THAT COVER UNDER THE HOOD (LOOKED LIKE A BLANKET FOR NOISE OR FIRE) HAD ALMOST CAUGHT ON FIRE. ALSO, NO POWER STEERING. PIECES THAT CAME LOOSE WENT DOWN INTO THE ALTERNATOR, CAUSING IT TO BURN UP. VEHICLE LOST ALL POWER AND THE ALTERNATOR HAD TO BE REPLACED. *AK *ML
WHILE DRIVING HEARD A THUMPING NOISE WHEN GOING OVER SMALL BUMPS DUE TO LOOSE FRONT INNER TIE ROD; ALSO, REPLACED LEAKING RACK AND PINION STEERING. *AK
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Tires & wheels
Reports naming tires, wheels, hubs, or the tire-pressure monitoring system.
From owner reports, verbatim
CONSUMER WAS TRAVELING ABOUT 35MPH ON HIGHWAY AND REAR LEFT TIRE TREAD SEPARATED FROM RIM. VEHICLE WENT INTO A WATER ENBANKMENT OF EIGHT FEET. VEHICLE WAS SUBMERGED UNDER WATER, BUT CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO ESCAPE THROUGH DRIVER'S SIDE WINDOW . VEHICLE WAS TOTALED. FIRESTONE TIRES 205-70-R14 S-S60,DOT E2PGF5A44. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. *AK
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Interior & seats
Reports naming seats, latches, locks, linkages and interior fittings.
From owner reports, verbatim
CLUSTER MODULE 'SILENT SENT' REMOVED, HOWEVER LIGHT STILL COMES ON. *SD
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Heating & air conditioning
Reports naming the heating, ventilation and air-conditioning system.
From owner reports, verbatim
SHIFT CABLE HAS WORN A HOLE IN AIR CONDITONER AND LOST FLUIDS. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Powertrain (other)
Powertrain reports that are not specifically the engine or transmission — driveshafts, axles, transfer cases and differentials.
From owner reports, verbatim
TWO STANDARD TRANSMISSION FAILED
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Suspension
Reports naming suspension components — springs, struts, shocks, control arms and related hardware.
From owner reports, verbatim
VIBRATION IN FRONT END NEAR THE STEERING. PLS DESCRIBE IN MORE DETAIL. *AK
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
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.
Elsewhere on this vehicle
Data sources
- NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation — owner-reported complaints and the components recorded on them
Data on this page last refreshed .