RoadVitals

1995 Buick Century Problems

Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component

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.
99
Latest Oct 24, 2020
Components namedHow many of our component categories appear on at least one report for this model year. One report can name several.
18
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.
11

What this page shows

Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 1995 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

  • Brakes2421.1%
  • Engine119.6%
  • Airbags108.8%
  • Electrical65.3%
  • Driver assistance65.3%
  • Fuel system65.3%
  • Suspension65.3%
  • Body & structure54.4%
  • Seat belts54.4%
  • Visibility43.5%
  • Powertrain (other)32.6%
  • Exterior lighting32.6%
  • Tires & wheels32.6%
  • Other / unspecified21.8%
  • Interior & seats21.8%
  • Heating & air conditioning10.9%

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

Brakes

Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake.

24
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

FOOT ON BRAKE, SHIFTED INTO DRIVE, CAR SUDDENLY TOOK OFF AT A FAST PACE. ENDED UP HITTING A VAN ON THE RIGHT BUMPER. *BF THE VEHICLE JUMPED THE CURB AND CROSSED THE SIDEWALK CROSSING 6 LANES OF TRAFFIC ENDING UP ON THE GROUNDS OF A BUILDING. *TC

NHTSA ID 10099366 · filed Nov 1, 2004

WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH CONSUMER APPLIED THE BRAKE PEDAL AND THE BRAKES BECAME INOPERATIVE. THIS CAUSED CONSUMER'S VEHICLE TO COLLIDE WITH ANOTHER VEHICLE. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT THE BRAKES NEEDED TO BE REPLACED, AND REPLACED IT. HOWEVER, THE PROBLEM RECURRED. *AK

NHTSA ID 10088062 · filed Aug 17, 2004
All 24 reports naming brakes

Engine

Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.

11
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

WHENEVER DRIVING OR WAITING AT A STOP LIGHT VEHICLE WOULD STALL CAUSING A SAFETY HAZARD IN MIDDLE OF TRAFFIC. HAVE TAKEN TO DEALERSHIP. VEHICLE WAS TEST DRIVEN, BUT MECHANIC COULD NOT INDICATE EXACT CAUSE OF PROBLEM.*AK

NHTSA ID 897212 · filed Oct 2, 2001

WHILE DRIVING ON HIGHWAY ALL OF SUDDEN VEHICLE DIED. WENT TO PARK, THEN IT RESTARTED. CONTACTED DEALER. THEY HAD IT FOR TWO WEEKS AND COULDN'T DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. *AK

NHTSA ID 865826 · filed Jul 21, 2000
All 11 reports naming engine

Airbags

Reports naming the air-bag system — deployment behaviour, inflators, sensors and warning lights.

10
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

1995 BUICK CENTURY. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARD TO AIRBAG SAFETY, THE AIRBAG CAN BE SEEN THROUGH VINYL COVER. *AS *JS

NHTSA ID 11270794 · filed Oct 28, 2019

THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED, AND CONSUMER HAD A FRONT COLLISION , AND NEITHER OF THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. PASSENGER AND DRIVER WERE HURT. DEALER NOTIFIED. *AK

NHTSA ID 10024737 · filed Jun 23, 2003
All 10 reports naming airbags

Steering

Reports naming the steering system — racks, columns, power-steering assist and steering linkage.

9
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED A SEVER VIBRATION AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS, A 4-WHEEL ALIGNMENT WAS PERFORMED AND NEW TIRES WERE INSTALLED ON THE VEHICLE, WHICH ALLEVIATED THE PROBLEM ABOUT 30 PERCENT, ALSO THE POWER STEERING DID NOT PERFORM AS DESIGNED, IT DID NOT ACTIVATE UNTIL THE WHEEL WAS TURNED. *TS *JB

NHTSA ID 10011440 · filed Mar 18, 2003

INNER TIE ROD KEEPS COMING LOOSE AND DROPPED OUT OF PLACE BECAUSE PIN THEAT HOLDS IT KEEPS FALLING OUT. CONTACTED DEALER. *AK

NHTSA ID 8005115 · filed Mar 6, 2002
All 9 reports naming steering

Transmission

Reports naming the automatic or manual transmission, including shifting behaviour, shudder, slipping and transmission control modules.

8
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

PER NHTSA ITEM NUMBER SB037602 THE MANUFACTURER ISSUED A RECALL FOR THIS VEHICLE DUE TO LOSS OF 2ND TRANSMISSION GEAR FROM IMPROPERLY MANUFACTURED CLUTCH REACTION PLATES. PER THE DEALER'S SERVICE MANAGER THE RECALL AFFECTED ABOUT 5,000 VEHICLES MANUFACTURED BEFORE MINE AND STATES THAT GM WILL NOT REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION ON MY VEHICLE THAT WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. HOWEVER IT IS PROBABLE THAT THE RECALL PROBLEM HAD NOT YET BEEN CORRECTED IN MY VEHICLE BECAUSE I AM EXPERIENCING THE EXACT SAME TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS AS THE RECALLED VEHICLES: MAINLY LOSS OF 2ND GEAR. I WOULD LIKE TO FIND OUT IF THE RECALL WAS EXPANDED TO ADDITIONAL 1995 BUICK CENTURY CARS OR IF THE MANUFACTURER CAN BE COMPELLED TO ADDRESS MY VEHICLE'S PROBLEM UNDER THE CIRCUMSTANCES. THANK YOU FOR YOUR VALUED ASSISTANCE IN THIS MATTER!!!

NHTSA ID 728377 · filed Aug 18, 2000

I HAVE HAD TWO PROBLEMS WITH THE TRANSMISSION IN MY BUICK IN LESS THAN ONE YEAR. FIRST THE TORQUE CONVERTER HAD TO BE REPLACED, NOW AT 90,000 MILES THE PUMP ASSEMBLY WILL HAVE TO BE REPLACED. *AK

NHTSA ID 713617 · filed Oct 20, 1999
All 8 reports naming transmission

Electrical

Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.

6
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH CONSUMER HEARD A LOUD KNOCKING NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT. SUDDENLY, THE VEHICLE STALLED. CONSUMER RESTARTED VEHICLE, AND TOOK IT TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. CONSUMER WAS NOT ABLE TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM. *AK

NHTSA ID 10103276 · filed Dec 7, 2004

WHILE DRIVING AT 65 MPH WITH OR WITHOUT THE CRUISE CONTROL ACTIVATED THE ENGINE WILL COMPLETELY SHUT OFF, CAUSE UNKNOWN. DEALER REPLACED THE FUEL FILTER AND SPARK PLUGS WHICH DID NOT REMEDY THE PROBLEM. PLEASE GIVE ANY FURTHER DETAILS. *AK

NHTSA ID 830300 · filed Nov 6, 1998

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Driver assistance

Reports naming forward-collision avoidance, lane keeping, back-over prevention, cruise control and related electronic driver-assistance systems.

6
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

THE CRUISE CONTROL DID NOT DISENGAGE ON APPLYING BREAKS. THE ENGINE/MOTOR KEEP ON PUSHING THE VEHICLE AND I FAILED TO STOP ON STOP LIGHT. I HAD TO TURN OFF THE ENGINE ON THE MAIN STREET IN THE PATH OF RUNNING TRAFFIC. THEN BACK TO PARK, START AND DRIVE. *TR

NHTSA ID 10221427 · filed Mar 17, 2008

INTERMITTENTLY THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED SUDDEN ACCELERATION. THE DEALER INSPECTED THE VEHICLE SEVERAL TIMES AND COULD NOT DUPLICATE OR CORRECT THE PROBLEM. *AK *SCC *JB

NHTSA ID 10024735 · filed Nov 5, 2003

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.

6
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

1995 BUICK CENTURY. CONSUMER STATES PROBLEM WITH LEAKING GAS LINE. *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED A LEAK DEVELOPED IN THE GAS LINE BELOW HIS FEET, SATURATING THE UNDERSIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DETERMINED THE FUEL LINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONSUMER INSPECTED THE OLD PART AND DISCOVERED A SMALL HOLE ON THE UPPER SIDE OF THE RETURN GAS LINE AT THE POINT WHERE THE PROTECTIVE SHEATH ENDED AND THE LINE HAD COME IN CONTACT WITH THE SHARP CORNER OF THE REAR ENGINE/TRANSMISSION SUPPORT MOUNT. *JB

NHTSA ID 10403292 · filed May 24, 2011

FUEL PUMP FAILURE WHEN PARKING/WOULD NOT RESTART. *AK

NHTSA ID 738826 · filed Jan 5, 2001

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.

6
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED A SEVER VIBRATION AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS, A 4-WHEEL ALIGNMENT WAS PERFORMED AND NEW TIRES WERE INSTALLED ON THE VEHICLE, WHICH ALLEVIATED THE PROBLEM ABOUT 30 PERCENT, ALSO THE POWER STEERING DID NOT PERFORM AS DESIGNED, IT DID NOT ACTIVATE UNTIL THE WHEEL WAS TURNED. *TS *JB

NHTSA ID 10011440 · filed Mar 18, 2003

WHEN VEHICLE REACHES SPEEDS OF 60 OR GREATER FRONT END VIBRATES. DEALER CAN'T FIND CAUSE OF PROBLEM. *AK *JB

NHTSA ID 8016332 · filed Aug 14, 2002

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.

5
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

THE REAR UNI-BODY SNAPED ON THE DRIVERS SIDE AND THEN 1 MILE LATER THE PASSENGER SIDE SNAPED, BOTH SIDES SNAPED IN THE FRONT HALPH, I BROUGHT THE CAR TO THE JUNK YARD SO I DONOT HAVE THE DEFECTIVE PART ANY MORE

NHTSA ID 10321895 · filed Mar 25, 2010

VIBRATION OF VEHICLE FELT WHILE DRIVING.

NHTSA ID 568453 · filed Dec 3, 2002

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Seat belts

Reports naming seat belts, buckles, retractors and pretensioners.

5
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

DT: THE REAR MIDDLE SEAT BELT WILL NOT STAY CINCHED. IT STARTS TO LOOSEN, AND THE CAR SEAT JUST FLOPS OVER. THE BUCKLE NEVER OPENS.*AK

NHTSA ID 10120528 · filed May 10, 2005

HEAT IS CAUSING THE PLASTIC SEAT BELT LATCH COVER TO DETERIORATE. DEALERSHIP WAS NOTIFIED, BUT DID NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. *AK

NHTSA ID 10099974 · filed Nov 15, 2004

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Visibility

Reports naming windshields, glass, wipers, defrosters and mirrors.

4
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

POWER WINDOW FAILED.

NHTSA ID 604271 · filed Nov 12, 1997

WINDOWS AND DOORS MAKE A LOT OF NOISE, SEALS HAVE BEEN REPLACED TWICE ALONG WITH HAVING THE DOORS REALIGNED. *AK

NHTSA ID 807818 · filed Feb 20, 1997

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.

3
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

ONCE THE TRANSMISSION WARMED UP IT WOULD NOT DOWN SHIFT AND WOULD NOT CHANGE GEAR GOING UP HILL....WOULD SHAKE AND SHIMMY AND BUCK UNTIL IT FINALLY SHIFTED .....TRANSMISSION SHOP AND DEALERSHIP COULD NOT SEEM TO FIND THE PROBLEM .... WIRING WAS ALSO CHECKED .... FINALLY HAD TO REPLACE TRANSMISSION TO MAKE IT STOP ... WAS TOLD AFTER IT WAS REPLACED THAT THEY HAD HAD A GREAT DEAL OF THIS HAPPENING TO THESE CARS BUT COULD NOT GET BUICK TO ANSWER US ABOUT THE RECALL

NHTSA ID 10070520 · filed Jan 15, 2004

AXLE BEAM WENT BAD SOME OTHER PARTS THAT ARE INVOLED ARE REAR AXLE ASSEMBLY AND BRAKE DRUMS . DUE TO AXLE THERE WAS SOME NOISE WHLE CONSUMER APPLIED BRAKES. HAS NOT CONTACTED DEALER. *AK

NHTSA ID 887433 · filed May 4, 2001

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Exterior lighting

Reports naming headlights, tail lights, turn signals and other exterior lighting.

3
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

WHEELS WERE REPLACED BY DEALER AFTER I TOOK TO A TIRE SHOP AND PAID TO HAVE TIRES CHECKED FOR RUNOUT, REPLACED ALL FOUR, TWO OF THE NEW ONES WERE BAD WHEN INSTALLED AS I TOOK TO TIRE SHOP AGAIN, TOLD TIRES WERE PROBLEM BY DEALER, TIRE SHOP GAVE SIGNED STATEMENT, STILL WOULD NOT DO ANYTHING ABOUT, STILL HAVE THE TWO WITH RUNOUT,AFTER PURCHASING A NEW SET OF TIRES TO SATIFY THE SERVICE MANAGER(?), TIRES WERE NOT THE PROBLEM STILL HAVE PROBLEM. CHARGED $12.55 TO REPLACE A SUPPOSEDLY BAD TURN SIGNAL AFTER OWNING VEHICLE ONLY ABOUT 1/2 MONTHS, CALLED GM GOT THAT TAKEN CARE OF BUT TOLD THAT THE SERVICEMANS WORD WAS ALL THEY NEEDED THAT TIRES WERE OK. DOOR HAD BAD RATTLE, SERVICE CAKED GREASE ON HINGES TO WHERE WOULD NOT RATTLE, AFTER SOME GREASE CAME OFF SAME PROBLEM. ANTI LOCK BRAKE LIGHT CAME ON AND WOULD NOT GO OFF FOR ONE DAY,HASN'T COME ON SINCE HAD BRAKES CHECKED COULD FIND NOTHING. THE SELF ADJUSTER AND SPRING CAME OFF INTO THE DRUM ON LEFT REAR BRAKE, WAS ABLE TO STOP AND FIX WITH NEW PARTS.

NHTSA ID 705729 · filed Apr 17, 1999

HEADLIGHTS DEFECTIVE--FRAGILE, NOT EASILY REPAIRED.

NHTSA ID 515966 · filed Jul 30, 1997

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.

3
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1995 BUICK CENTURY WITH SIGMA SHADOW TIRES, SIZE 195/75/R14. THE CONTACT STATED HE HAD EXPERIENCED TREAD SEPARATION SEVEN TIMES WITH THE TIRES. EACH TIME HE EXPEREINCED THE FAILURE, THE CONTACT WOULD TAKE THE VEHICLE TO A TIRE SPECIALIST AND THE TIRE WOULD BE REPLACED AT THE CONTACT'S EXPENSE. THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO CONTACT THE MANUFACTURER. THE TIRE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 15,000. THE VEHICLE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 90,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 142,000.

NHTSA ID 10346925 · filed Aug 2, 2010

WHILE DRIVING AT 50 MPH THE FRONT PASSENGER TIRE BLEW OUT, CAUSING THE CONSUMER TO PULL OF THE ROAD. MICHELIN RADIAL TIRES. *AK AT 28K MILES, THE LEFT FRONT TIRE TREAD SEPARATED, AT 32K MILES THE RIGHT FRONT TIRE TREAD SEPARATED AND 34K MILES THE LEFT REAR TIRE WENT FLAT OVERNIGHT. *SC *JB

NHTSA ID 10044767 · filed Jan 27, 2004

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.

2
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

WHEELS WERE REPLACED BY DEALER AFTER I TOOK TO A TIRE SHOP AND PAID TO HAVE TIRES CHECKED FOR RUNOUT, REPLACED ALL FOUR, TWO OF THE NEW ONES WERE BAD WHEN INSTALLED AS I TOOK TO TIRE SHOP AGAIN, TOLD TIRES WERE PROBLEM BY DEALER, TIRE SHOP GAVE SIGNED STATEMENT, STILL WOULD NOT DO ANYTHING ABOUT, STILL HAVE THE TWO WITH RUNOUT,AFTER PURCHASING A NEW SET OF TIRES TO SATIFY THE SERVICE MANAGER(?), TIRES WERE NOT THE PROBLEM STILL HAVE PROBLEM. CHARGED $12.55 TO REPLACE A SUPPOSEDLY BAD TURN SIGNAL AFTER OWNING VEHICLE ONLY ABOUT 1/2 MONTHS, CALLED GM GOT THAT TAKEN CARE OF BUT TOLD THAT THE SERVICEMANS WORD WAS ALL THEY NEEDED THAT TIRES WERE OK. DOOR HAD BAD RATTLE, SERVICE CAKED GREASE ON HINGES TO WHERE WOULD NOT RATTLE, AFTER SOME GREASE CAME OFF SAME PROBLEM. ANTI LOCK BRAKE LIGHT CAME ON AND WOULD NOT GO OFF FOR ONE DAY,HASN'T COME ON SINCE HAD BRAKES CHECKED COULD FIND NOTHING. THE SELF ADJUSTER AND SPRING CAME OFF INTO THE DRUM ON LEFT REAR BRAKE, WAS ABLE TO STOP AND FIX WITH NEW PARTS.

NHTSA ID 705729 · filed Apr 17, 1999

WHEEL LOCKS FOR HUB CAPS TIGHTEN UP SOLID & CAN'T BE LOOSENED WHEN NECESSARY FOR TIRE REPLACEMENT. REQUIRES A SUPPLIED TOOL THAT IS MADE OF PLASTIC WHICH IS NOT STRONG ENOUGH TO UNLOOSEN THE WHEEL LOCK FOR TIRE REPLACEMENT.MANUFACTURER NEEDS TO REPLACE SUPPLIED PLASTIC TOOL WITH SUITABLE ONE MADE OF METAL. THIS CAN LEAD TO A DISASTEROUS SITUATION, ESPECIALLY IF A BREAKDOWN OCCURS IN A REMOTE LOCATION OR EVEN IF THE UNABILITY TO REMOVE A MALFUNCTIONG TIRE OCCURS IN A HEAVILY TRAFFICED AREA.

NHTSA ID 705561 · filed Apr 13, 1999

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.

2
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

WITH ALL DOORS CLOSED THE DOME LIGHT AND UNDERNEATH DASH LIGHT WILL STAY ON, WILL NOT TURN OFF, CAUSING BATTERY TO DRAIN. *AK

NHTSA ID 846571 · filed Sep 2, 1999

THE FRONT DRIVER SEAT IS BROKEN IT SHIFT TO THE RIGHT. *AK

NHTSA ID 968364 · filed Jul 6, 1995

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.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

A/C FAILED TWICE IN 100 DEGREE TEMPERATURE. *AK

NHTSA ID 479897 · filed Aug 17, 1995

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

Data on this page last refreshed .