Model year record

1991 Buick Century recalls & problems

The 1991 Buick Century has 2 safety recalls and 38 owner complaints on file with NHTSA. The most-reported problem area is service brakes, hydraulic (9 complaints).

Recalls2safety recalls

Complaints38filed by owners

Crashes · fires7 · 2reported in complaints

Injuries · deaths8 · 0reported in complaints

Safety recalls

Seat beltsSep 15, 1995

Front › Anchorage

Recall 95V1730002,216,325 vehicles

Problem: 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.

SeatsSep 1, 1992

Front assembly › Recliner

Recall 92V124000319,181 vehicles

Problem: 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.

Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. A recall listed here may already have been fixed on a particular car: enter its 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see open recalls.

Crash test ratings

1991 Buick Century 4-DR.

OverallNot Rated

Frontal crash	Not Rated
Side crash	Not Rated
Rollover	Not Rated

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (New Car Assessment Program). Ratings are comparable only between vehicles of similar size and weight, and ratings from 2011 on use tougher tests than earlier years. Photos: NHTSA.

Fuel economy

Century

22mpg combined

City / highway	19 / 28 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

2.5 L · 4 cyl · Automatic 3-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $3,050/year to fuel

Century Wagon

21mpg combined

City / highway	18 / 26 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

2.5 L · 4 cyl · Automatic 3-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $3,200/year to fuel

Century

20mpg combined

City / highway	17 / 27 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

3.3 L · 6 cyl · Automatic 4-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $3,350/year to fuel

Century Wagon

20mpg combined

City / highway	17 / 27 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

3.3 L · 6 cyl · Automatic 4-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $3,350/year to fuel

Century

19mpg combined

City / highway	17 / 24 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

3.3 L · 6 cyl · Automatic 3-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $3,550/year to fuel

Century Wagon

19mpg combined

City / highway	17 / 23 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

3.3 L · 6 cyl · Automatic 3-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $3,550/year to fuel

EPA estimates from fueleconomy.gov for each engine and transmission sold. Annual cost is the EPA's estimate for 15,000 miles a year at its current fuel and electricity price assumptions. Your results will vary.

What owners report

Problem area	Complaints	Crashes	Fires	Injuries	Typical mileage*
Service brakes, hydraulicFoundation components; Foundation components › Drum › Shoes/linings	9	2	0	2	—
Electrical systemAlternator/generator/regulator; Ignition	8	1	0	0	—
Vehicle speed control	5	4	0	6	—
SeatsFront assembly › Power adjust; Front assembly › Recliner	5	0	2	0	—
Engine and engine coolingEngine › Gasoline; Exhaust system › Manifold/header/muffler/tail pipe	5	0	0	0	—
Seat beltsFront › Anchorage; Front › Webbing	4	1	0	2	—
Unknown or other	3	0	0	0	—
Power trainAutomatic transmission › Torque converter; Automatic transmission	3	1	0	4	—
VisibilityWindshield wiper/washer; Power window devices and controls	3	0	0	0	—
Fuel system, gasolineDelivery › Fuel pump	2	0	0	0	—
Child seat	1	0	0	0	—
StructureBody › Door › Hinge and attachments	1	0	0	0	—

*Median odometer reading when the problem happened, where owners gave one. One complaint can name several problem areas.

Recent owner complaints

Unknown or other
I PUT THE KEY IN I TURN IT AND OUT CRANKS BUT WON'T TURN OVER.STATIONARY
Jan 23, 2017 · 165 miles
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.
Dec 15, 2014 · 90,000 miles
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.
Jan 15, 2003
Service brakes, hydraulic › Foundation components › Drum › Wheel cylindersCrash
WHEEL CYLINDER DETACHED FROM MOUNTING POINT,GOT CAUGHT UP IN BRAKE SHOES, WHICH CAUSED WHEEL TO FREEZE UP, LEADING TO ROLLOVER ACCIDENT
Dec 14, 2001
Engine and engine cooling › Engine › Gasoline
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
Jul 19, 2001
Vehicle speed controlCrash4 injuries
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
Jan 16, 2001
Engine and engine cooling › Engine › Gasoline
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
Feb 28, 2001
Engine and engine cooling
ENGINE BEGAN OVERHEATING, CONSUMER HAD ALL 6 FROST PLUGS REPLACED AND THE WATER PUMP, STARTER, THERMOSTAT, HEAD GASKET AND RESURFACED THE ENGINE HEAD. NLM
Oct 2, 2000

Owner complaints are submitted to NHTSA by the public and are not verified. Shown as filed (NHTSA removes personal details); long reports are shortened.

NHTSA defect investigations

STICKING THROTTLEClosed
There is no summary currently available
EA92024 · opened Jun 26, 1992 · closed Jan 31, 1994