1989 Buick Century problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

A typical year for this model

The 1989 Buick Century sits mid-pack among Century years: 46 NHTSA complaints against a model median of roughly 43, with a single recall and one closed investigation. Reports tied to this model year include one death and 14 injuries, per the complaint records themselves.

No single system dominates the record — complaints spread across seat belts (9), speed control (7), and engine (5), which usually points to general build quality rather than one defect.

NHTSA complaints

Recalls

Investigations

Crash-involved

Fires reported

Injuries

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 1989 compare to other Century years?

Century NHTSA complaints by model year, 1989 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Century years to avoid →

What are the most common 1989 Buick Century problems?

Component	Complaints	Share	vs prior year
Seat Belts	9	20%	▲ up
Speed Control	7	15%	▲ up
Engine	5	11%	▲ up
Body & Structure	5	11%	▲ up
Seats	4	9%	▲ up
Electrical System	4	9%	▲ up
Tires & Wheels	2	4%	— flat
Fuel System	2	4%	▲ up
Latches & Locks	2	4%	▲ up
Suspension	2	4%	▼ down
Steering	1	2%	▼ down
Climate Control (A/C & Heat)	1	2%	new
Brakes	1	2%	— flat
Other	1	2%	— flat

Does the 1989 Buick Century have recalls?

1 NHTSA recall campaign on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

95V173000Seat BeltsSeptember 15, 1995 · 2,216,325 units

Defect

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."

Consequence

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.

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.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

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

“THE CONSUMER HAS BEEN EXPERIENCING PROBLEMS WITH SEAT BELTS. SEAT BELTS LATCH, AND TRACKS AND ANCHORS, ARE BROKEN. THE WHOLE SEATBELT SYSTEM IS SLOWLY DETERIORATING. THE MANUFACTURER HAS YET TO BE CONTACTED. THE DEFECTS ARE RELATED TO PROBLEMS ASSOCIATED WITH RECALL NUMBER 95V173000. *AK”
Complaint filed with NHTSA · Seat Belts · September 5, 1995

“CONSUMER HAS HAD 2 ACCIDENTS RELATING TO ENGINE ACCELERATION. BOTH TIMES THIS HAPPENED THE SAME WAY. CONSUMER HAS A VERY STEEP DRIVEWAY. ON SEPT. 11-2000, VEHICLE WAS IN REVERSE & IT ACCELERATED BACKWARDS AT A MAXIUM SPEED. MECHANIC FOUND THAT THERMOSTAT RING GASKET, IDLE AIR CONTROL VALVE &…”
Complaint filed with NHTSA · Speed Control · September 23, 1999 · crash

“CONSUMER HAS HAD 2 ACCIDENTS RELATING TO ENGINE ACCELERATION. BOTH TIMES THIS HAPPENED THE SAME WAY. CONSUMER HAS A VERY STEEP DRIVEWAY. ON SEPT. 11-2000, VEHICLE WAS IN REVERSE & IT ACCELERATED BACKWARDS AT A MAXIUM SPEED. MECHANIC FOUND THAT THERMOSTAT RING GASKET, IDLE AIR CONTROL VALVE &…”
Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · September 23, 1999 · crash

“RIGHT FRONT CRADLE BOLTS RUSTED AND PULLED THROUGH THE FRAME WHICH COULD HAVE RESULTED IN A COLLISION. VEHILCE NOT INCLUDED IN RECALL 97V058000. DEALER REPLACED THE RIGHT FRONT BOLTS AND WASHER. *AK”
Complaint filed with NHTSA · Body & Structure

“CONSUMER HAS HAD 2 ACCIDENTS RELATING TO ENGINE ACCELERATION. BOTH TIMES THIS HAPPENED THE SAME WAY. CONSUMER HAS A VERY STEEP DRIVEWAY. ON SEPT. 11-2000, VEHICLE WAS IN REVERSE & IT ACCELERATED BACKWARDS AT A MAXIUM SPEED. MECHANIC FOUND THAT THERMOSTAT RING GASKET, IDLE AIR CONTROL VALVE &…”
Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · September 23, 1999 · crash

1989 Buick Century — common questions

Is the 1989 Buick Century reliable?

It is close to typical for the Century: 46 NHTSA complaints, 1 recall, and 1 investigation on file.

What are the most common 1989 Century problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are seat belts (9 complaints), speed control (7 complaints), engine (5 complaints).

Does the 1989 Buick Century have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign affecting the 1989 Buick Century. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 1989 Buick Century under NHTSA investigation?

NHTSA opened one investigation 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.

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

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.

How does 1989 compare to other Century years?

What are the most common 1989 Buick Century problems?

Does the 1989 Buick Century have recalls?

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

1989 Buick Century — common questions

Is the 1989 Buick Century reliable?

What are the most common 1989 Century problems?

Does the 1989 Buick Century have recalls?

Is the 1989 Buick Century under NHTSA investigation?

Which Buick Century years should you avoid?

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