1993 Buick Century problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

With 71 complaints filed to NHTSA — about 1.7 times the median Century year — the 1993 model ranks #11 of 33 Century years for complaint volume. It lands on the years-to-avoid list. Complainants reported 16 injuries in total across these filings.

No single system dominates the record — complaints spread across airbags (14), engine (10), and speed control (8), 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 1993 compare to other Century years?

Century NHTSA complaints by model year, 1993 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Century years to avoid →

What are the most common 1993 Buick Century problems?

Component	Complaints	Share	vs prior year
Airbags	14	20%	new
Engine	10	14%	▲ up
Speed Control	8	11%	▲ up
Electrical System	7	10%	— flat
Transmission	5	7%	— flat
Seat Belts	5	7%	— flat
Fuel System	4	6%	▲ up
Brakes	4	6%	▼ down
Steering	4	6%	▲ up
Body & Structure	4	6%	▲ up
Other	2	3%	▲ up
Tires & Wheels	2	3%	▲ up
Suspension	1	1%	— flat
Climate Control (A/C & Heat)	1	1%	▼ down

Does the 1993 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.

93V121000BrakesJuly 21, 1993 · 2,848 units

Defect

THE BRAKE HOSES WERE MANUFACTURED INCORRECTLY, AND DO NOT COMPLY WITH FMVSS 106, "BRAKE HOSES."

Consequence

THE IMPROPERLY MANUFACTURED BRAKE HOSES CAN CAUSEREDUCED BRAKE EFFECTIVENESS AND/OR UNEVEN BRAKING, WHICH COULD RESULT IN ANACCIDENT.

Remedy

REPLACE THE RIGHT FRONT BRAKE HOSE ASSEMBLY ON CIERA AND CENTURY MODELS, AND BOTH REAR BRAKE HOSES ON CAVALIER AND SUNBIRD MODELS.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

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

“THE AIRBAG DEPLOYED AND PUSHED THE DRIVER TO THE LEFT SIDE AND CAUSED HIM TO BREAK HIS SHOULDER. TT VEHICLE'S ACCELERATOR STUCK CAUSING VEHICLE TO SUDDENLY ACCELERATE, CONSUMER LOST CONTROL AND CRASHED INTO A WALL, THERE WAS ONE INJURY IN ACCIDENT. *SLC”
Complaint filed with NHTSA · Airbags · October 16, 1995 · crash

“1993 BUICK CENTURY EXPERIENCED VEHICLE FIRE.*MR WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY THE CAR JERKED A LITTLE AND THE BATTERY LIGHT CAME ON. THE CONSUMER HEARD A POP AND SAW SMOKE, HE THEN PULLED OVER AND THE VEHICLE BECAME ENGULFED IN FIRE. *CB *JB”
Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · September 24, 2003 · fire

“THE AIRBAG DEPLOYED AND PUSHED THE DRIVER TO THE LEFT SIDE AND CAUSED HIM TO BREAK HIS SHOULDER. TT VEHICLE'S ACCELERATOR STUCK CAUSING VEHICLE TO SUDDENLY ACCELERATE, CONSUMER LOST CONTROL AND CRASHED INTO A WALL, THERE WAS ONE INJURY IN ACCIDENT. *SLC”
Complaint filed with NHTSA · Speed Control · October 16, 1995 · crash

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1993 BUICK CENTURY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED AND THE DEFROSTER WAS ENGAGED. THE CONTACT THEN SMELLED A BURNING ODOR AND NOTICED SMOKE EMITTING FROM THE DEFROSTER AREA. THE CONTACT MOVED THE VEHICLE AWAY FROM HIS RESIDENCE AND TURNED THE ENGINE OFF BUT…”
Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · February 23, 2011 · fire

“WHILE SLOWING DOWN TO CROSS TRAIN TRACKS TRANSMISSION LOCKED UP AND BROKE, CAUSING VEHICLE TO BE STUCK ON THE TRACKS, AND THE TRAIN RAN INTO THE VEHICLE. *AK”
Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · September 18, 1999 · crash

1993 Buick Century — common questions

Is the 1993 Buick Century reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 71 complaints put the 1993 model at #11 of 33 Century years. It is one of the Century years to avoid.

What are the most common 1993 Century problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are airbags (14 complaints), engine (10 complaints), speed control (8 complaints).

Does the 1993 Buick Century have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns affecting the 1993 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 1993 compare to other Century years?

What are the most common 1993 Buick Century problems?

Does the 1993 Buick Century have recalls?

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

1993 Buick Century — common questions

Is the 1993 Buick Century reliable?

What are the most common 1993 Century problems?

Does the 1993 Buick Century have recalls?

Which Buick Century years should you avoid?

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