1992 Buick Century problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

Worth extra scrutiny

The 1992 Buick Century sits mid-pack among Century years: 64 NHTSA complaints against a model median of roughly 43, with 3 recalls and no defect investigations. Reports tied to this model year include one death and 13 injuries, per the complaint records themselves.

No single system dominates the record — complaints spread across brakes (15), electrical system (9), and seat belts (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 1992 compare to other Century years?

Century NHTSA complaints by model year, 1992 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Century years to avoid →

What are the most common 1992 Buick Century problems?

Component	Complaints	Share	vs prior year
Brakes	15	23%	▲ up
Electrical System	9	14%	— flat
Transmission	6	9%	▲ up
Seat Belts	6	9%	▲ up
Speed Control	5	8%	— flat
Engine	5	8%	— flat
Lighting	4	6%	▲ up
Body & Structure	3	5%	▲ up
Steering	3	5%	▲ up
Climate Control (A/C & Heat)	2	3%	▲ up
Visibility & Wipers	1	2%	▼ down
Latches & Locks	1	2%	▼ down
Other	1	2%	▼ down
Seats	1	2%	▼ down
Suspension	1	2%	— flat
Tires & Wheels	1	2%	▼ down

Does the 1992 Buick Century have recalls?

3 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.

92V066000Electrical SystemMay 11, 1992 · 33 units

Defect

THE OPTIONAL REMOTE ENTRY MODULE MAY HAVE A FAULT WHICH CAUSES RANDOM ACTUATION OF INTERIOR LAMPS, DOOR LOCKS, AND/OR TAILGATE RELEASE. THIS ACTUATION MAY OCCUR WHILE THE VEHICLE IS IN USE OR UNATTENDED.

Consequence

IF THE TAILGATE RELEASE ACTUATES, THE TAILGATE WILL OPEN.UNRESTRAINED PASSENGERS IN THE REAR SEAT AREA COULD FALL OUT OF THE VEHICLEWHILE THE CAR IS IN MOTION, AND RECEIVE SERIOUS INJURIES.

Remedy

REPLACE THE REMOTE ENTRY MODULE WITH A NEWLY REVISED MODULE TO PREVENT RANDOM ACTUATION.

91V214000TransmissionDecember 6, 1991 · 10,141 units

Defect

THE REVERSE SERVO APPLY PIN MAY BIND IN THE CASE WHICH COULD CAUSE REVERSE BAND DISTRESS (LOSS OR SLIPPING OF REVERSE), REVERSE BAND DRAG IN DRIVE RANGE (POOR PERFORMANCE -- POOR POWER), OR THE TRANSMISSION TO REMAIN IN REVERSE WHILE THE SHIFT INDICATOR SHOWS NEUTRAL GEAR POSITION.

Consequence

IF THE TRANSMISSION REMAINS IN REVERSE WHILE THE SHIFTINDICATOR SHOWS NEUTRAL, THE VEHICLE MAY UNEXPECTEDLY MOVE REARWARD AND RESULTIN A VEHICLE ACCIDENT.

Remedy

REPLACE THE TRANSAXLE WHERE REQUIRED.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

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

“DRIVING ABOUT 35MPH; STARTED TO APPLY THE BRAKES (ABS); THE BRAKE PEDAL CONTINUES TO THE FLOOR; HAD REARENDED ANOTHER VEHICLE DUE TO THE FAILURE OF ABS BRAKES. WAS INFORMED MASTER CYLINDER WAS DEFECTIVE. *AK”
Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · November 10, 1997 · crash

“I HAVE HAD SEVERAL PROBLEMS WITH THIS CAR FROM THE TIME THAT I BOUGHT IT, IT HAS BEEN IN THE GARAGE FOR MORE REPAIRS THAT IT HAS BEEN ON THE ROAD, FROM NOT STAYING STARTED DURING THE WARM DAYS TO STALLING IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD WHEN WEATHER IS HOT. MULTIPLE PROBLEMS WITH THIS CAR AND YET NO…”
Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · February 8, 2001

“CONSUMER PLACED VEHICLE IN PARK, AND IT JUMPED OUT OF GEAR AND INTO REVERSE. A 90 YEAR OLD PASSENGER WAS ATTEMPTING TO EXIT VEHICLE AS IT JUMPED OUT OF GEAR, AND WAS DRAGGED 36 FEET, CAUSING SEVERE INJURIES WITH STITCHES ON EYEBROW AND FINGERS ON LEFT SIDE. VEHICLE THEN MOVED ANOTHER 86 FEET, AND…”
Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · July 15, 2001 · crash

“VEHICLE WAS STOPPED AT LIGHT, IMPACT 6:00 POSITION, REAR RIGHT SEATBELT ANCHOR/ATTACHMENTS FAILED, CAUSING HEAD INJURIES PRIOR TO RECALL (95V-173). *AK”
Complaint filed with NHTSA · Seat Belts · June 12, 1996 · crash

“I HAVE HAD SEVERAL PROBLEMS WITH THIS CAR FROM THE TIME THAT I BOUGHT IT, IT HAS BEEN IN THE GARAGE FOR MORE REPAIRS THAT IT HAS BEEN ON THE ROAD, FROM NOT STAYING STARTED DURING THE WARM DAYS TO STALLING IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD WHEN WEATHER IS HOT. MULTIPLE PROBLEMS WITH THIS CAR AND YET NO…”
Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · February 8, 2001

1992 Buick Century — common questions

Is the 1992 Buick Century reliable?

It is close to typical for the Century: 64 NHTSA complaints, 3 recalls, and no investigations on file.

What are the most common 1992 Century problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are brakes (15 complaints), electrical system (9 complaints), seat belts (6 complaints).

Does the 1992 Buick Century have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns affecting the 1992 Buick Century. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

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 1992 compare to other Century years?

What are the most common 1992 Buick Century problems?

Does the 1992 Buick Century have recalls?

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

1992 Buick Century — common questions

Is the 1992 Buick Century reliable?

What are the most common 1992 Century problems?

Does the 1992 Buick Century have recalls?

Which Buick Century years should you avoid?

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