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.
Service brakes, hydraulic › Foundation components › Hoses, lines/piping, and fittings
Problem: THE BRAKE HOSES WERE MANUFACTURED INCORRECTLY, AND DO NOT COMPLY WITH FMVSS 106, "BRAKE HOSES."
Risk: THE IMPROPERLY MANUFACTURED BRAKE HOSES CAN CAUSEREDUCED BRAKE EFFECTIVENESS AND/OR UNEVEN BRAKING, WHICH COULD RESULT IN ANACCIDENT.
Fix: REPLACE THE RIGHT FRONT BRAKE HOSE ASSEMBLY ON CIERA AND CENTURY MODELS, AND BOTH REAR BRAKE HOSES ON CAVALIER AND SUNBIRD MODELS.
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
1993 Buick Century 4-DR
Overall
Not Rated
Frontal crash
Not Rated
Side crash
Not Rated
Rollover
Not Rated
1993 Buick Century 4-DR.
Overall
Not 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
23mpg combined
City / highway
21 / 28 mpg
Fuel
Regular Gasoline
2.2 L · 4 cyl · Automatic 3-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $2,900/year to fuel
Century
21mpg combined
City / highway
18 / 26 mpg
Fuel
Regular Gasoline
3.3 L · 6 cyl · Automatic 4-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $3,200/year to fuel
Century Wagon
21mpg combined
City / highway
18 / 26 mpg
Fuel
Regular Gasoline
2.2 L · 4 cyl · Automatic 3-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $3,200/year to fuel
Century Wagon
21mpg combined
City / highway
18 / 26 mpg
Fuel
Regular Gasoline
3.3 L · 6 cyl · Automatic 4-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $3,200/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*
Air bags Frontal
14
11
0
11
—
Engine and engine cooling Engine › Gasoline; Exhaust system › Manifold/header/muffler/tail pipe
10
1
2
0
—
Vehicle speed control Accelerator pedal; Cables
8
5
0
2
—
Electrical system Wiring › Interior/under dash; Horn
*Median odometer reading when the problem happened, where owners gave one. One complaint can name several problem areas.
Recent owner complaints
Feb 23, 2011 · 230,000 miles · fire · 1 injuryElectrical system 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…
May 11, 2004 · 16,000 milesSeat belts › Front 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
Sep 24, 2003 · fireEngine and engine cooling 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
Sep 21, 1994Service brakes, hydraulic › Foundation components › Disc › Pads BRAKE PADS WEAR OUT MORE THAN THE AVERAGE.*AK
Sep 10, 2001Electrical system › Horn 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.
Apr 24, 2001Equipment › Appliance › Air conditioner SHIFT CABLE HAS WORN A HOLE IN AIR CONDITONER AND LOST FLUIDS. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK
Feb 22, 2001 · crashTires › Tread/belt 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
Apr 15, 2000Structure › Body › Door › Hinge and attachments 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
Owner complaints are submitted to NHTSA by the public and are not verified. Shown as filed (NHTSA removes personal details); long reports are shortened.