VehicleVerdict

1982 Buick Century problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

Limited data — recalls on file

NHTSA has just 4 complaints on file for the 1982 Buick Century — too few to judge reliability from owner reports alone — but 2 recall campaigns apply to this year, so any used example should have its VIN checked for completed recall work.

4

NHTSA complaints

2

Recalls

4

Investigations

0

Crash-involved

0

Fires reported

0

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 1982 compare to other Century years?

Century NHTSA complaints by model year, 1982 highlighted287 complaints1973: 0 complaints1974: 0 complaints1975: 0 complaints1976: 0 complaints1977: 0 complaints1978: 0 complaints1979: 0 complaints1980: 0 complaints1981: 1 complaints1982: 4 complaints1983: 10 complaints1984: 11 complaints1985: 9 complaints1986: 43 complaints1987: 32 complaints1988: 26 complaints1989: 46 complaints1990: 49 complaints1991: 50 complaints1992: 64 complaints1993: 71 complaints1994: 144 complaints1995: 127 complaints1996: 110 complaints1997: 132 complaints1998: 278 complaints1999: 287 complaints2000: 249 complaints2001: 190 complaints2002: 204 complaints2003: 170 complaints2004: 51 complaints2005: 35 complaints
Century NHTSA complaints by model year, 1982 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Century years to avoid →

What are the most common 1982 Buick Century problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Steering250%
Transmission250%

Does the 1982 Buick Century have recalls?

2 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

83V007000BrakesJanuary 1, 1983 · 15,495 units

Defect

REAR BRAKE HOSES MAY HAVE BEEN MANUFACTURED INCORRECTLY WHEN THE METAL END FITTINGS WERE INSTALLED. SOME REAR BRAKE HOSES MAY SEPARATE FROM THE METAL END FITTINGS WHEN SUBJECTED TO THE PULLING FORCE SPECIFIED BY FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD 106, "BRAKE HOSES".

Remedy

THE DEALER WILL INSPECT AND REPLACE, IF NECESSARY, THE REAR BRAKE HOSES AT NO CHARGE TO OWNERS.

82V021000Fuel SystemMarch 8, 1982 · 519,329 units

Defect

UNDER CERTAAIN CONDITIONS, THE HOSE CLAMPS ON THE FUEL TANK FILLER PIPE AND FUEL TANK FILLER VENT PIPE COULD FRACTURE. THE FRACTURE OF THESE CLAMPS COULD CAUSE FUEL LEAKAGE AT ANY OF THE FOUR PIPE TO HOSE CONNECTIONS. LEAKAGE CAN OCCUR DURING REFUELING, OR WHILE DRIVING, IF THE FUEL TANK IS ABOVE 3/4 FULL.

Remedy

DEALER WILL INSPECT AND REPLACE THE HOSE CLAMPS ON THE FUEL TANK FILLER PIPE AND VENT PIPE AT NO COST TO OWNER.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

“CONSUMER WAS THE THIRD OWNER, THE POWER STEERING IS HARD TO TURN IN WINTER AND WHEN TRYING TO MAKE A LEFT TURN IT IS EVEN HARDER. PLEASE DESCRIBE.*AK”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Steering

1982 Buick Century — common questions

Is the 1982 Buick Century reliable?

The record is thin — 4 NHTSA complaints — so owner-report data can't strongly confirm reliability either way, though 2 recalls should be verified as completed.

Does the 1982 Buick Century have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns affecting the 1982 Buick Century. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 1982 Buick Century under NHTSA investigation?

NHTSA opened 4 investigations into this model year; all are now closed.

Which Buick Century years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Century years to avoid are 1999, 1998, 2000, 2002, 2001, 2003, 1994, 1997, 1995, 1996, 1993. The cleanest record among Century years belongs to 1980.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.