Buick Century years to avoid
The Buick Century years to avoid are 1999, 1998, 2000, 2002, 2001, 2003, 1994, 1997, 1995, 1996, 1993 — each drew complaint volumes well above the model's norm or has an open safety investigation. The 1980 is the cleanest year on record.
2,393
Total complaints
59
Recall campaigns
1973–2005
Years covered
11
Years to avoid
Complaints by model year
Century years to avoid
| Year | Why | Complaints | vs avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1999 | High complaint rate | 287 | |
| 1998 | High complaint rate | 278 | |
| 2000 | High complaint rate | 249 | |
| 2002 | High complaint rate | 204 | |
| 2001 | High complaint rate | 190 | |
| 2003 | High complaint rate | 170 | |
| 1994 | High complaint rate | 144 | |
| 1997 | High complaint rate | 132 | |
| 1995 | High complaint rate | 127 | |
| 1996 | High complaint rate | 110 | |
| 1993 | High complaint rate | 71 |
Every Century year
| Year | Complaints | Recalls | Investigations |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2005 | 35 | 2 | |
| 2004 | 51 | 2 | |
| 2003avoid | 170 | 2 | |
| 2002avoid | 204 | 2 | |
| 2001avoid | 190 | 5 | |
| 2000avoid | 249 | 7 | |
| 1999avoid | 287 | 5 | |
| 1998avoid | 278 | 4 | |
| 1997avoid | 132 | 4 | |
| 1996avoid | 110 | 2 | |
| 1995avoid | 127 | 1 | |
| 1994avoid | 144 | 6 | |
| 1993avoid | 71 | 2 | |
| 1992 | 64 | 3 | |
| 1991 | 50 | 2 | |
| 1990 | 49 | 2 | |
| 1989 | 46 | 1 | |
| 1988 | 26 | 4 | |
| 1987 | 32 | 1 | |
| 1986 | 43 | 3 | |
| 1985 | 9 | 1 | |
| 1984 | 11 | 4 | |
| 1983 | 10 | 1 | |
| 1982 | 4 | 2 | |
| 1981 | 1 | 3 | |
| 1980 | 0 | 6 | |
| 1979 | 0 | 6 | |
| 1978 | 0 | 7 | |
| 1977 | 0 | 4 | |
| 1976 | 0 | 2 | |
| 1975 | 0 | 2 | |
| 1974 | 0 | 2 | |
| 1973 | 0 | 3 |
Common questions
What are the worst Buick Century years?
Based on NHTSA complaint rates and open investigations, the Century years to avoid are 1999, 1998, 2000, 2002, 2001, 2003, 1994, 1997, 1995, 1996, 1993. The cleanest year on record is 1980.
What is the best year for the Buick Century?
By complaint volume, 1980 has the cleanest NHTSA record among Century years with enough data to compare.
How many recalls does the Buick Century have?
Across all model years, the Century has 59 distinct NHTSA recall campaigns and 2,393 consumer complaints on file.
Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.
Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.