Model year record

1992 Buick Century recalls & problems

The 1992 Buick Century has 3 safety recalls and 45 owner complaints on file with NHTSA. The most-reported problem area is service brakes, hydraulic (15 complaints).

Recalls3safety recalls

Complaints45filed by owners

Crashes · fires10 · 2reported in complaints

Injuries · deaths13 · 1reported 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.

Electrical systemMay 11, 1992

Wiring

Recall 92V06600033 vehicles

Problem: THE OPTIONAL REMOTE ENTRY MODULE MAY HAVE A FAULT WHICH CAUSES RANDOM ACTUATION OF INTERIOR LAMPS, DOOR LOCKS, AND/OR TAILGATE RELEASE. THIS ACTUATION MAY OCCUR WHILE THE VEHICLE IS IN USE OR UNATTENDED.
Risk: IF THE TAILGATE RELEASE ACTUATES, THE TAILGATE WILL OPEN.UNRESTRAINED PASSENGERS IN THE REAR SEAT AREA COULD FALL OUT OF THE VEHICLEWHILE THE CAR IS IN MOTION, AND RECEIVE SERIOUS INJURIES.
Fix: REPLACE THE REMOTE ENTRY MODULE WITH A NEWLY REVISED MODULE TO PREVENT RANDOM ACTUATION.

Power trainDec 6, 1991

Automatic transmission

Recall 91V21400010,141 vehicles

Problem: THE REVERSE SERVO APPLY PIN MAY BIND IN THE CASE WHICH COULD CAUSE REVERSE BAND DISTRESS (LOSS OR SLIPPING OF REVERSE), REVERSE BAND DRAG IN DRIVE RANGE (POOR PERFORMANCE -- POOR POWER), OR THE TRANSMISSION TO REMAIN IN REVERSE WHILE THE SHIFT INDICATOR SHOWS NEUTRAL GEAR POSITION.
Risk: IF THE TRANSMISSION REMAINS IN REVERSE WHILE THE SHIFTINDICATOR SHOWS NEUTRAL, THE VEHICLE MAY UNEXPECTEDLY MOVE REARWARD AND RESULTIN A VEHICLE ACCIDENT.
Fix: REPLACE THE TRANSAXLE WHERE REQUIRED.

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

1992 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 / 24 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; Antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip	15	3	0	2	—
Electrical systemAlternator/generator/regulator; Ignition › Module	9	0	1	2	—
Seat beltsFront › Webbing; Front › Anchorage	6	2	0	5	—
Power trainAxle assembly; Automatic transmission	6	1	0	1	—
Engine and engine coolingExhaust system › Manifold/header/muffler/tail pipe; Exhaust system › Emission control	5	0	0	0	—
Vehicle speed controlAccelerator pedal	5	4	0	0	—
Exterior lightingTurn signal; Turn signal › Flasher unit	3	0	0	0	—
SteeringHydraulic power assist system; Rack and pinion	3	0	0	0	—
StructureBody › Hood › Hinge and attachments	3	0	0	1	—
EquipmentAppliance › Air conditioner	2	0	0	0	—
SeatsFront assembly › Power adjust	1	0	1	0	—
Suspension	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

TiresCrash2 injuries
DT: ON MARCH 14TH TWO NEW FRONT TIRES WERE PURCHASED AT SEARS. ON APRIL 10TH THE RIGHT FRONT TIRE BLEW OUT WHILE DRIVING AT 45 MPH. THIS RESULTED IN DAMAGE TO OTHER PARTS OF THE VEHICLE. THERE WAS DAMAGE TO WHEEL WELL, THE PASSENGER DOOR, TIRE AXLE AND THE UNDERBODY OF THE VEHICLE. THERE HAS BEEN NO INSPECTION MADE OF THE TIRE AT THIS TIME. THE VEHICLE OWNER MADE ATTEMPTS TO HAVE SEARS REPLACE THE TIRES AND PAY FOR VEHICLE DAMAGE. THE BLOW OUT RESULTED IN A SINGLE VEHICLE ACCIDENT. THE POLICE WERE NOTIFIED, BUT NO REPORT WAS FILED. THE PASSENGER AND DRIVER SUSTAINED INJURIES , NEITHER RECEIVED MEDICAL TREATMENT.*AK
Apr 10, 2005 · 94,000 miles
Unknown or other
WE BOUGHT THIS CAR USED, BUT WE HAVE IT SERVICED EVERY 5-6,000 KMS. NOTHING SMALL GOES IN THIS VEHICLE. WE BASICALLY DRIVE WITHIN A 55 KM RADIUS. THE TRANNY WOULD NOT SHIFT, THE BODY ROTTED OUT DESPITE RUST PROOFING, NOW THE RAD HAS OIL IN IT, HEAD GASKET, NOT EVEN 160,000 KMS,,,PLEASE WHERE ARE THE OLD FASHION VALUE,
Jun 15, 2003 · 95,000 miles
Power train › Automatic transmission
CONSUMER REQUESTS TO BE REIMBURSED FOR REPAIRS MADE TO VEHICLE REGARDING THE TRANSMISSION WHICH WAS UNDER RECALL (91V214). CONSUMER FEELS THAT BUICK IS NOT BEING FAIR CONSIDERING THE VEHICLE PROBLEM IS DUE TO A FACTORY OR DESIGN DEFECT, CONSUMER STATES THE TRANSMISSION MALFUNCTIONED WHILE ON THE HIGHWAY. *JG
Jul 10, 2002
Power train › Automatic transmission › Park/neutral start interlock switchCrash1 injury
CONSUMER PLACED VEHICLE IN PARK, AND IT JUMPED OUT OF GEAR AND INTO REVERSE. A 90 YEAR OLD PASSENGER WAS ATTEMPTING TO EXIT VEHICLE AS IT JUMPED OUT OF GEAR, AND WAS DRAGGED 36 FEET, CAUSING SEVERE INJURIES WITH STITCHES ON EYEBROW AND FINGERS ON LEFT SIDE. VEHICLE THEN MOVED ANOTHER 86 FEET, AND HIT A TREE TO STOP.*AK
Jul 15, 2001
Vehicle speed controlCrash
AUTO ACCELLERATED ON ITS OWN -THROTTLE WENT FROM 0 TO WIDE OPEN. *AK
Jan 11, 2001
Vehicle speed control › Accelerator pedalCrash
STARTING AT A DEAD STOP, DROVE A FEW FEET, AND ALL A SUDDEN GAS PEDAL WENT DOWN AND CAR TOOK OFF. CONSUMER APPLIED BRAKES, AND VEHICLE KEPT GOING. IT HIT 3 PARKED CARS BEFORE CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO STOP. *AK THE VEHICLE WAS ACCELERATING ON ITS OWN, BUT THE MECHANIC COULD NOT FIND THE CAUSE. *YH
Jan 11, 2001
Equipment › Appliance › Air conditioner
AIR CONDITONER HAS FAILED AND LOSING FREON.BUT CONSUMER WAS AWARE OF 3 OTHERS VEHICLE THAT HAD SAME PROBLEM. CAUSE UNKNOWN.*AK
Apr 9, 2001
Engine and engine cooling › Cooling system
I HAVE HAD SEVERAL PROBLEMS WITH THIS CAR FROM THE TIME THAT I BOUGHT IT, IT HAS BEEN IN THE GARAGE FOR MORE REPAIRS THAT IT HAS BEEN ON THE ROAD, FROM NOT STAYING STARTED DURING THE WARM DAYS TO STALLING IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD WHEN WEATHER IS HOT. MULTIPLE PROBLEMS WITH THIS CAR AND YET NO RECALL ON SOME OF THESE PARTS HAS BEEN DONE. NO SAFETY DEFECT MENTIONED. *AK
Feb 8, 2001

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