1990 Buick Century problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

A typical year for this model

The 1990 Buick Century sits mid-pack among Century years: 49 NHTSA complaints against a model median of roughly 43, with 2 recalls and one closed investigation.

No single system dominates the record — complaints spread across electrical system (9), seat belts (8), and engine (7), 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 1990 compare to other Century years?

Century NHTSA complaints by model year, 1990 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Century years to avoid →

What are the most common 1990 Buick Century problems?

Component	Complaints	Share	vs prior year
Electrical System	9	18%	▲ up
Seat Belts	8	16%	— flat
Engine	7	14%	▲ up
Body & Structure	6	12%	— flat
Seats	6	12%	▲ up
Brakes	3	6%	▲ up
Tires & Wheels	2	4%	— flat
Fuel System	2	4%	— flat
Steering	2	4%	▲ up
Visibility & Wipers	1	2%	▼ down
Suspension	1	2%	▼ down
Lighting	1	2%	— flat
Transmission	1	2%	— flat

Does the 1990 Buick Century have recalls?

2 NHTSA recall campaigns 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.

92V124000SeatsSeptember 1, 1992 · 319,181 units

Defect

THE POWER SEAT OR RECLINER WIRING HARNESS CAN BE PINCHED OR CAN CHAFE ON THE SEAT FRAME OR SPRING SUPPORT ROD, WEARING THROUGH THE WIRE INSULATION AND CAUSING AN ELECTRICAL SHORT.

Consequence

THE HIGH CURRENT CAUSED BY THE ELECTRICAL SHORT WELDS THECIRCUIT BREAKER ELEMENTS TOGETHER IN THE CLOSED POSITION, LEAVING THE CIRCUITUNPROTECTED AND GENERATING SUFFICIENT HEAT TO BURN THE WIRE INSULATION ANDIGNITE THE SEAT CUSHION MATERIAL.

Remedy

REPAIR ANY ABRADED WIRING AND REROUTE THE WIRING HARNESS USING A WIRING HARNESS CLIP.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

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

“WHILE DRIVING, HEARD NOISE, WITHIN MINUTES, ALL POWER STOPPED, BLACK SMOKE POURED OUT FROM UNDERHOOD, FIRE STARTED COMING FROM UNDER VEHICLE, NO WARNING. *AK”
Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · July 8, 1996 · fire

“SEAT BELT; FAILURE ON THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE SEAT BELTS, CONSUMER WAS IN A ACCIDENT AND THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE SEAT BELT DID NOT LOCK. *AK”
Complaint filed with NHTSA · Seat Belts · July 10, 1995 · crash

“ CONSUMER STATES THAT WHILE DRIVING AND WITHOUT WARNING THE ENGINE BLEW AND THE VEHICLE STARTED TO SMOKE UNDER THE HOOD CAUSING THE CONSUMER TO PULL OVER. DEALER NOTIFIED. MR”
Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · September 27, 2002 · fire

“FAILURE OF THE DRIVER SIDE SEAT, THE SEAT IS RECLINED TO THE BACK POSITION.*AK THE DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT TRAVELS ON RAILS BACK AND FOWARD, WHILE DRVING A METAL BRACKET ON THE LEFT SIDE, THAT ANCHORED THE SEAT TO THE FLOOR BROKE IN HALF, THEREFORE MAKING THE SEAT AS A WHOLE TILT BACKWARD.*JB”
Complaint filed with NHTSA · Seats · August 6, 1996

“WHILE DRIVING ON ROAD NOTICED VEHICLE PULLING A SHARP LEFT. LOOKED AT THE CRADLES, AND THE RETAINER WASHER BROKE/WAS RUSTED THROUGH. REPLACED IT. ALSO, OTHERS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. IN ADDITION, RACK & PINION STEERING ASSEMBLY IS CONNECTED TO ENGINE CRADLE FRAME AND THE STEERING SHAFT, DROPPED.…”
Complaint filed with NHTSA · Body & Structure · June 23, 1999

1990 Buick Century — common questions

Is the 1990 Buick Century reliable?

It is close to typical for the Century: 49 NHTSA complaints, 2 recalls, and 1 investigation on file.

What are the most common 1990 Century problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are electrical system (9 complaints), seat belts (8 complaints), engine (7 complaints).

Does the 1990 Buick Century have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns affecting the 1990 Buick Century. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 1990 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 1990 compare to other Century years?

What are the most common 1990 Buick Century problems?

Does the 1990 Buick Century have recalls?

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

1990 Buick Century — common questions

Is the 1990 Buick Century reliable?

What are the most common 1990 Century problems?

Does the 1990 Buick Century have recalls?

Is the 1990 Buick Century under NHTSA investigation?

Which Buick Century years should you avoid?

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