Known Recalls

Model year record

1992 Buick Century

3 recall campaigns on file for this model year. 64 owner complaints on file.

Buick Century, 1982–1996 generation
Pictured: the 1982–1996 generation. IFCAR, Public domain · Wikimedia Commons

Recalls

Recall campaignNHTSA 95V173000

Seat belts: front: anchorage

Component
Seat belts: front: anchorage
Manufacturer
GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
Vehicles affected
2,216,325
Reported to NHTSA
1995-09-15
Owners notified
1995-10-19

Defect description

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."

Safety 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.

Manufacturer remedy

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.

Recall campaignNHTSA 92V066000

Electrical system: wiring

Component
Electrical system: wiring
Manufacturer
GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
Vehicles affected
33
Reported to NHTSA
1992-05-11
Owners notified
1992-05-13

Defect description

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.

Safety 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.

Manufacturer remedy

REPLACE THE REMOTE ENTRY MODULE WITH A NEWLY REVISED MODULE TO PREVENT RANDOM ACTUATION.

Recall campaignNHTSA 91V214000

Power train: automatic transmission

Component
Power train: automatic transmission
Manufacturer
GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
Vehicles affected
10,141
Reported to NHTSA
1991-12-06
Owners notified
1991-11-29

Defect description

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.

Safety risk

IF THE TRANSMISSION REMAINS IN REVERSE WHILE THE SHIFTINDICATOR SHOWS NEUTRAL, THE VEHICLE MAY UNEXPECTEDLY MOVE REARWARD AND RESULTIN A VEHICLE ACCIDENT.

Manufacturer remedy

REPLACE THE TRANSAXLE WHERE REQUIRED.

Owner complaints

A complaint is one person's report to a federal agency. It is not a finding.

ComponentComplaintsMedian mileage
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components4—
Vehicle speed control4—
Electrical system: alternator/generator/regulator3—
Electrical system: ignition: module2—
Electrical system: ignition: switch2—
Equipment: appliance: air conditioner2—
Power train: automatic transmission2—
Power train: axle assembly2—
Seat belts: front: anchorage2—
Seat belts: front: webbing2—
Service brakes, hydraulic295,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip2—
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: master cylinder2—
Structure: body: hood: hinge and attachments2—
Electrical system: 12V/24V/48V battery1—
Electrical system: wiring1—
Engine and engine cooling195,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: cooling system1—
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system195,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: emission control1—
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: manifold/header/muffler/tail pipe1—
Exterior lighting: hazard flashing warning lights1—
Exterior lighting: turn signal1—
Exterior lighting: turn signal: flasher unit1—
Interior lighting1—
Latches/locks/linkages: hood: latch1—
Power train195,000 mi
Power train: automatic transmission: park/neutral start interlock switch1—
Seat belts: front: buckle assembly1—
Seat belts: front: retractor1—
Seats: front assembly: power adjust1—
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc1—
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: rotor1—
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: drum: drum1—
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: drum: wheel cylinders1—
Service brakes, hydraulic: power assist: vacuum1—
Steering: steering wheel/handle bar1—
Steering: hydraulic power assist system1—
Steering: rack and pinion1—
Structure195,000 mi
Suspension1—
Tires194,000 mi
Unknown or other195,000 mi
Vehicle speed control: accelerator pedal1—
Visibility: windshield wiper/washer1—

The 1991 model has about 1.5 times as many complaints as this one. The 1993 model has roughly the same number of complaints as this one. These figures reflect raw complaint counts, not failure rates. Higher-selling model years naturally receive more complaints.

Other Buick Century model years

200520042003200220012000199919981997199619951994199319921991199019891988198719861985198419831982198119801979197819771976197519741973

All Buick Century recalls by year

Safety recall repairs are provided free of charge by franchised dealers, regardless of vehicle age or mileage. This page displays aggregated data for the model year. To check recall status for a specific vehicle, search its VIN at nhtsa.gov.