Known Recalls

Model year record

1994 Buick Century

6 recall campaigns on file for this model year. 144 owner complaints on file.

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 94V189000

Steering: linkages: knuckle: spindle: arm

Component
Steering: linkages: knuckle: spindle: arm
Manufacturer
GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
Vehicles affected
206
Reported to NHTSA
1994-10-04
Owners notified
1994-10-21

Defect description

THE RIGHT HAND SPINDLE NUT WAS NOT PROPERLY TIGHTENED DURING ASSEMBLY. THIS CAN CAUSE PREMATURE WHEEL BEARING FAILURE AND OVER TIME, THE SPINDLE CAN FRACTURE.

Safety risk

THIS WOULD CAUSE THE WHEEL TO SEPARATE FROM THE AXLE AND RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE TORQUE ON THE RIGHT HAND FRONT SPINDLE NUT. IF THE SPINDLE NUT IS UNDERTORQUED THE DEALER WILL REPLACE THE RIGHT HAND FRONT WHEEL BEARING ASSEMBLY AND THE SPINDLE NUT WILL BE REPLACED.

Recall campaignNHTSA 94V159000

Latches/locks/linkages: doors: latch

Component
Latches/locks/linkages: doors: latch
Manufacturer
GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
Vehicles affected
139,542
Reported to NHTSA
1994-08-31
Owners notified
1994-09-22

Defect description

WATER INTRUSION CAN CAUSE A SHORT CIRCUIT IN THE POWER DOOR LOCK ASSEMBLY.

Safety risk

A SHORT CIRCUIT IN THE POWER DOOR LOCK ASSEMBLY CAN RESULT IN A VEHICLE FIRE.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE POWER DOOR LOCK RELAY AND ANY CORRODED TERMINALS. IN ADDITION, THE NEW RELAY WILL BE RELOCATED TO AN AREA WHERE WATER INTRUSION IS LESS LIKELY.

Recall campaignNHTSA 94V008000

Vehicle speed control: springs

Component
Vehicle speed control: springs
Manufacturer
GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
Vehicles affected
49,047
Reported to NHTSA
1994-01-12
Owners notified
1994-02-17

Defect description

IN THE EVENT OF A PRIMARY ACCELERATOR CONTROL SPRING FAILURE, THE SECONDARY (BACK-UP) ACCELERATOR CONTROL RETURN SPRING WILL NOT RETURN THE THROTTLE TO THE FULLY CLOSED POSITION, AS REQUIRED BY FMVSS NO. 124, "ACCELERATOR CONTROL SYSTEM."

Safety risk

CONSEQUENCE OF NON-COMPLIANCE: LOSS OF THROTTLE CONTROL COULD RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE SECONDARY THROTTLE RETURN SPRING.

Recall campaignNHTSA 94V021000

Vehicle speed control: cables

Component
Vehicle speed control: cables
Manufacturer
GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
Vehicles affected
10,646
Reported to NHTSA
1994-01-08
Owners notified
1994-02-04

Defect description

DURING ASSEMBLY, WATER MAY HAVE ENTERED THE ACCELERATOR CONTROL CABLE CONDUIT CAUSING IT TO DEVELOP A HIGH EFFORT AND/OR BINDING CONDITION IN VERY COLD WEATHER.

Safety risk

HIGH EFFORT OR BINDING CONDITIONS CAUSE LOSS OF NORMALTHROTTLE CONTROL OR THE THROTTLE MAY NOT RETURN TO IDLE WHEN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL IS RELEASED. IF THIS WERE TO OCCUR WHILE THE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION, A VEHICLE CRASH COULD OCCUR.

Manufacturer remedy

THE DEALER WILL PURGE THE THROTTLE CABLE OF ANY INTERNALLY TRAPPED WATER, IF IT IS PRESENT.

Recall campaignNHTSA 93V162000

Vehicle speed control

Component
Vehicle speed control
Manufacturer
GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
Vehicles affected
579
Reported to NHTSA
1993-09-27
Owners notified
1993-10-21

Defect description

THE CRUISE CONTROL CABLE MAY SEPARATE FROM THE CONDUIT END FITTING WHILE ENGAGED AND ACCELERATOR CONTROL COULD BE LOST.

Safety risk

LOSS OF ACCELERATOR CONTROL MAY NOT REDUCE ENGINE SPEEDTO A LEVEL ANTICIPATED BY THE DRIVER. ALTHOUGH THE VEHICLE CAN STILL BE STOPPEDWITH THE SERVICE BRAKE, LOSS OF ACCELERATOR CONTROL COULD RESULT IN A VEHICLECRASH WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING.

Manufacturer remedy

REPLACE THE CRUISE CONTROL CABLE.

Owner complaints

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

ComponentComplaintsMedian mileage
Air bags: frontal1363,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip13—
Vehicle speed control12—
Engine and engine cooling: engine: gasoline6—
Engine and engine cooling: engine5—
Steering: steering wheel/handle bar5—
Suspension: front4—
Electrical system: wiring: interior/under dash3—
Equipment: appliance: air conditioner3—
Seat belts: front: anchorage3—
Seats3—
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components3—
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc3—
Tires393,000 mi
Electrical system: ignition2—
Electrical system: wiring2—
Engine and engine cooling: engine: gasoline: belts and associated pulleys2—
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system2—
Fuel system, gasoline: fuel injection system: injectors293,597 mi
Fuel system, gasoline: storage: tank assembly2—
Seat belts: front: buckle assembly2—
Seat belts: front: retractor2—
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: rotor2—
Steering: hydraulic power assist system2—
Structure: body: door2—
Visibility: windshield2—
Wheels265,825 mi
Air bags1—
Air bags: on-off switch assembly1—
Electrical system1—
Electrical system: 12V/24V/48V battery1—
Electrical system: horn1—
Electrical system: ignition: module1—
Engine and engine cooling: cooling system: hoses/lines/piping/fittings1—
Exterior lighting: brake lights1—
Exterior lighting: headlights1—
Exterior lighting: turn signal: flasher unit1—
Fuel system, gasoline: carburetor system1—
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery1—
Fuel system, other: delivery: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings1—
Latches/locks/linkages: doors: latch1—
Power train: automatic transmission1—
Power train: automatic transmission: cooling unit and lines1—
Power train: axle assembly1—
Power train: axle assembly: axle shaft: seal1—
Power train: driveline: driveshaft1—
Seat belts1—
Seat belts: front: warning light/devices1—
Seats: front assembly: power adjust1—
Seats: front assembly: recliner1—
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: pads1—
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: drum1—
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: drum: drum1—
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: drum: shoes/linings1—
Steering: linkages: knuckle: spindle: arm1—
Steering: linkages: tie rod assembly1100,000 mi
Structure: body: trunk lid1—
Suspension1—
Suspension: front: control arm1—
Suspension: rear1—
Tires: tread/belt184,000 mi
Unknown or other1—
Vehicle speed control: accelerator pedal1—
Wheels: hub1—
Wheels: lugs/nuts/bolts/studs1—
Wheels: rim1—

The 1993 model has 2 times as many complaints as this one. The 1995 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.

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.