Safety ratings
1991 Buick Century 4-DR.
- Lane departure warningNo
- Forward collision warningNo
- Electronic stability controlNo
Crash test videos & photos
Crash test #1NHTSA test 1545
Full test report (PDF) ↗Recalls (2)
- SEAT BELTS:FRONT:ANCHORAGECampaign 95V173000 · 15/09/1995
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."
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.
Fix: 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.
- SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:RECLINERCampaign 92V124000 · 01/09/1992
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.
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.
Fix: REPAIR ANY ABRADED WIRING AND REROUTE THE WIRING HARNESS USING A WIRING HARNESS CLIP.
Owner complaints
Most-reported areas
- SERVICE BRAKES7
- HYDRAULIC7
- VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL6
- ELECTRICAL SYSTEM6
- SEAT BELTS4
- SEATS4
- UNKNOWN OR OTHER3
- ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING3
Read individual complaints (39 most recent)
These are unverified consumer reports filed with NHTSA, shown as submitted.
- 12/19/2001· SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULICCrash
WHEEL CYLINDER DETACHED FROM MOUNTING POINT,GOT CAUGHT UP IN BRAKE SHOES, WHICH CAUSED WHEEL TO FREEZE UP, LEADING TO ROLLOVER ACCIDENT
- 12/16/2014· ENGINE
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.
- 12/14/1995· UNKNOWN OR OTHER
TOOK VEHICLE IN FOR SERVICE PARTS NOT IN. TT
- 12/04/1995· SEAT BELTS
AFTER SCHEDULING APPOINTMENT WITH DEALER, DEALER DID NOT HAVE PARTS TO FIX VEHICLE. DROVE 62 MILES ONE WAY FOR THIS WORK. PLEASE DESCRIBE. TT
- 12/01/1995· VEHICLE SPEED CONTROLCrash
PARKED IN DRIVE WAY WITH ENGINE RUNNING PUT CAR IN DRIVE AND ENGINE WENT WIDE OPEN. APPLIED BRAKES, BRAKES WENT TO FLOOR. PLEASE DESCRIBE. TT
- 11/29/1995· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
WHILE THE VEHICLE IS BEING DRIVEN IT CUTS OFF AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. PLEASE DESCRIBE. TT
- 11/23/1999· SEATS
THE FRONT SEAT BRACKET BROKE OFF LEAVING THE SEAT LOOSE AND UNSTABLE. YH
- 11/13/1996· SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
SINCE PURCHASING VEHICLE THE BRAKES DRAG AND THERE IS A VERY STRONG ASBESTOS ODOR COMING FROM THE LEFT REAR BRAKE.. BECAUSE THE LEFT REAR BRAKE SHOES WERE WORN SO BADLY THEY HAD TO BE REPLACED AT 23,416 MILES. REAR BRAKES NEED TO BE REPLACED AGAIN. *AK
- 10/05/1998· UNKNOWN OR OTHER
NEW HIGHER INTENSITY VEHICLE HEADLIGHTS ARE BLINDING TO ONCOMING VEHICLES.
- 10/02/2000· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
ENGINE BEGAN OVERHEATING, CONSUMER HAD ALL 6 FROST PLUGS REPLACED AND THE WATER PUMP, STARTER, THERMOSTAT, HEAD GASKET AND RESURFACED THE ENGINE HEAD. NLM
- 10/01/1999· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
MY CLEAR COAT IS CHALKING AND PEELING MAINLY ON MY HOOD AND TWO SIDE PANELS, THE PAINT ON MY BACK BUMPER IS COMPLETLY FLAKING OFF. I SPOKE WITH THE DEALERSHIP ABOUT THIS AND THEY TOLD ME IT WAS REPLACED FREE UNTIL 1995. I DONT FEEL I HAVE DONE ANYTHING TO CAUSE THIS PROBLEM. I WASH AND WAX MY CAR REGULARLY. I FEEL GM SHOULD PAY SINCE THEY ADMITTED FAULT WITH BAD PAINT UNTIL 1995 AND I DID NOT CAUSE THIS PROBLEM NOR OWN THE CAR UNTIL AFTER 1995
- 09/25/1994· VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
CRUISE CONTROL CAUSED UNINTENDED ACCELERATION. *TW
- 09/24/1999· SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKES THE VEHICLE DOES NOT SLOW DOWN AND THE BRAKE PEDAL HAS TO BE REAPPLIED WITH MORE PRESSURE. THIS HAPPENS ONLY DURING PANIC STOPS. DEALER HAS NOT SEEN.MJS
- 08/08/1997· SEATS
THE DRIVER'S SEAT TRACK IS BROKEN, CAUSING THE SEAT TO MOVE BACK AND FORTH. THE PROBLEM HAS NOT BEEN CORRECTED. *AK IF CONSUMER WANTS SEAT FIXED, SHE HAS TO PAY FOR IT EVEN THOUGH THE VEHICLE ONLY HAS 22555 MILES ON IT. *SLC
- 07/19/2001· VISIBILITY
THE DRIVER'S SIDE WINDSHIELD WIPER FELL OFF WHILE DRIVING IN RAIN. NLM
- 07/01/1996· VEHICLE SPEED CONTROLCrash
VEHICLE PARKED, WAITING FOR GRANDDAUGHTER, WHEN SHE ARRIVED, STARTED VEHICLE, THEN SUDDENLY TOOK OFF, 2ND TIME IT OCCURRED. *AK
- 06/25/1999· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
HAD STARTED VEHICLE, WHICH DID NOT START RIGHT AWAY. TOOK VEHICLE TO MECHANIC & HAD BATTERY REPLACED HOWEVER, PROBLEM CONTINUED. VEHICLE WOULD RUN FOR A WHILE. TURNED VEHICLE OFF & LEFT. RETURNED & VEHICLE WOULD NOT START. MECHANIC COULD NOT LOCATE PROBLEM. THERE IS A TSB #916D-5. *AK
- 06/19/1997· POWER TRAIN
WHEN DRIVING OVER A LONG PERIOD OF TIME(80 MILES OR SO)THE VEHICLE BUCKS AND STALLS. MECHANIC STATED THAT THIS WAS BECAUSE OF A DEFECTIVE TORQUE CONVERTOR CONTROL SWITCH. THE SWITCH WAS REPLACED ON 6/10/97. *AK
- 05/20/1996· SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
BRAKES FAILED 5 TIMES. *SD
- 05/14/1998· SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
BRAKE MASTER CYLINDER FAILED.
- 05/14/1996· VEHICLE SPEED CONTROLCrash
SUDDEN ACCELERATION, CAUSING ACCIDENT. *DSH
- 05/10/1999· SEATSFire
VEHICLE EXPERIENCED RECALL COMPONENT FAILURE OF THE POWER SEAT OR RECLINER WIRING HARNESS WHICH RESULTED IN FIRE, HOWEVER DENIED SERVICE DUE TO VIN #. (92V-124). MJS
- 05/05/1995· ELECTRICAL SYSTEMCrash
VEHICLE STALLED TOTAL BRAKE FAILURE. THIS IS THE FOURTH INCIDENT. TT
- 04/29/1998· SEATSFire
FIRE OCCURRED IN PASSEGER'S SIDE SEAT. CAUSE OF FIRE POSSIBLE ELECTRIC SHORT IN SEAT. VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN TO THE DEALERS.
- 04/28/1997· VISIBILITY
THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS FAIL WHEN SET AT THE HIGH SETTING.
- 04/08/1999· STRUCTURE
DRIVER SIDE DOOR FALLING OFF. HAD TO REPLACE ENTIRE DOOR/HINGES ETC. NOT ACCIDENT RELATED. DEALER SAID THIS HAS HAPPENED TO OTHER CENTURY MODELS. *AK
- 03/24/1998· SEAT BELTS
FRONT SEAT BELT BUCKLE IS BROKEN, CONSUMER SAID PART IS MISSING
- 03/19/1997· SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
WHEN DRINVING IN WET WEATHER CONDITIONS AND UPON APPLYING FORCE TO THE BRAKE PEDAL, THE RIGHT REAR BRAKES LOCKED UP, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO SKID BEFOR STOPPING. *AK
- 03/16/2001· POWER TRAIN,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROLCrash
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
- 03/01/1999· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
WE ARE HAVING [PROBLEMS WITH ALL THE ELECTRICAL IN THE DASH ANS POWER WINDOWS, NOW THE CAR WONT START EITHER
- 02/28/2001· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
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
- 02/26/1998· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
MUFFLER FAILED.
- 02/25/1998· SEAT BELTS
THE DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT BELT BUCKLE COVER BROKE, CAUSING BELT NOT TO LATCH PROPERLY. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER DETAILS. *AK
- 02/24/1998· SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
WHEN APPLYING BRAKES VEHICLE SKIDDED.
- 02/21/1995· CHILD SEAT
DIFFICULTY FASTENING CHILD SAFETY SEAT BUCKLE. *SKD
- 02/02/2017· UNKNOWN OR OTHER
I PUT THE KEY IN I TURN IT AND OUT CRANKS BUT WON'T TURN OVER.STATIONARY
- 01/23/1996· SEAT BELTSCrash
THE VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A COLLISION AND NEITHER FRONT SEATBELTS RESTRAINED THE OCCUPANTS. PLEASE DESCRIBE. TT
- 01/18/2000· VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
WHILE IN THE OFF POSITION THE CRUISE CONTROL ACTIVATED, ACCELERATING THE ENGINE, THIS HAS HAPPENED AT VARIOUS SPEEDS AND IN THE PARK POSITION. *MJS
- 01/15/2004· POWER TRAIN
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.