1991 Buick Century problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

A typical year for this model

The 1991 Buick Century sits mid-pack among Century years: 50 NHTSA complaints against a model median of roughly 43, with 2 recalls and one closed investigation. Complainants reported 14 injuries in total across these filings.

No single system dominates the record — complaints spread across brakes (9), electrical system (8), and engine (6), 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 1991 compare to other Century years?

Century NHTSA complaints by model year, 1991 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Century years to avoid →

What are the most common 1991 Buick Century problems?

Component	Complaints	Share	vs prior year
Brakes	9	18%	▲ up
Electrical System	8	16%	— flat
Engine	6	12%	— flat
Speed Control	5	10%	▼ down
Seats	5	10%	— flat
Seat Belts	4	8%	▼ down
Other	3	6%	▲ up
Transmission	3	6%	▲ up
Visibility & Wipers	3	6%	▲ up
Fuel System	2	4%	— flat
Child Seat	1	2%	— flat
Body & Structure	1	2%	▼ down

Does the 1991 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.

“PARKED IN DRIVE WAY WITH ENGINE RUNNING PUT CAR IN DRIVE AND ENGINE WENT WIDE OPEN. APPLIED BRAKES, BRAKES WENT TO FLOOR. PLEASE DESCRIBE. TT”
Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · August 27, 1995 · crash

“HAD STARTED VEHICLE, WHICH DID NOT START RIGHT AWAY. TOOK VEHICLE TO MECHANIC & HAD BATTERY REPLACED HOWEVER, PROBLEM CONTINUED. VEHICLE WOULD RUN FOR A WHILE. TURNED VEHICLE OFF & LEFT. RETURNED & VEHICLE WOULD NOT START. MECHANIC COULD NOT LOCATE PROBLEM. THERE IS A TSB #916D-5. *AK”
Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · March 19, 1999

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1990 BUICK CENTURY (N/A). THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE ENGINE STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 90,000. ”
Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · December 15, 2014

“VEHICLE EXPERIENCED RECALL COMPONENT FAILURE OF THE POWER SEAT OR RECLINER WIRING HARNESS WHICH RESULTED IN FIRE, HOWEVER DENIED SERVICE DUE TO VIN #. (92V-124). MJS”
Complaint filed with NHTSA · Seats · April 21, 1999 · fire

“WHEN SWITCHING GEAR FROM DRIVE TO REVERSE ENGINE SUDDEN ACCELERATED, CRASHING INTO VEHICLE BEHIND. THEN, SWITCHED GEAR TO DRIVE AND ENGINE SUDDEN ACCELERATED AGAIN, CRASHING INTO VEHICLE IN FRONT. VEHICLE TOOK OFF ON IT'S OWN, DRIVING OVER CURVE AND CRASHING INTO A WALL THEN, HITTING AN UTILITY…”
Complaint filed with NHTSA · Speed Control · January 16, 2001 · crash

1991 Buick Century — common questions

Is the 1991 Buick Century reliable?

It is close to typical for the Century: 50 NHTSA complaints, 2 recalls, and 1 investigation on file.

What are the most common 1991 Century problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are brakes (9 complaints), electrical system (8 complaints), engine (6 complaints).

Does the 1991 Buick Century have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns affecting the 1991 Buick Century. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 1991 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 1991 compare to other Century years?

What are the most common 1991 Buick Century problems?

Does the 1991 Buick Century have recalls?

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

1991 Buick Century — common questions

Is the 1991 Buick Century reliable?

What are the most common 1991 Century problems?

Does the 1991 Buick Century have recalls?

Is the 1991 Buick Century under NHTSA investigation?

Which Buick Century years should you avoid?

Related