1995 Buick Century problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

With 127 complaints filed to NHTSA — about 3.0 times the median Century year — the 1995 model ranks #9 of 33 Century years for complaint volume. It lands on the years-to-avoid list. Complainants reported 18 injuries in total across these filings.

No single system dominates the record — complaints spread across brakes (26), steering (12), and transmission (12), which usually points to general build quality rather than one defect.

127

NHTSA complaints

Recalls

Investigations

Crash-involved

Fires reported

Injuries

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 1995 compare to other Century years?

Century NHTSA complaints by model year, 1995 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Century years to avoid →

What are the most common 1995 Buick Century problems?

Component	Complaints	Share	vs prior year
Brakes	26	20%	— flat
Steering	12	9%	▲ up
Transmission	12	9%	▲ up
Engine	12	9%	— flat
Airbags	10	8%	▼ down
Fuel System	7	6%	— flat
Seat Belts	6	5%	▼ down
Electrical System	6	5%	▼ down
Speed Control	6	5%	▼ down
Suspension	6	5%	— flat
Tires & Wheels	5	4%	▼ down
Lighting	5	4%	▲ up
Body & Structure	5	4%	▲ up
Visibility & Wipers	4	3%	▲ up
Other	3	2%	▲ up
Climate Control (A/C & Heat)	1	1%	▼ down
Seats	1	1%	▼ down

Does the 1995 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.

“ANTI-LOCK BRAKES: WAS BACKING OUT OF DRIVEWAY, HAD FOOT ON BRAKES BUT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT STOP. THE BRAKES FAILED COMPLETELY, AND VEHICLE HIT ANOTHER VEHICLE. TOOK TO DEALER AND THEY EXAMINED THE BRAKES AND FOUND NOTHING WRONG WITH THEM. *AK”
Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · November 18, 1996 · crash

“WHILE DRIVING ALONG AT ANY SPEED THE ENGINE GOES DEAD. WHEN STARTING VEHICLE AFTER STOPPING, IN THE PARKING GEAR, THE VEHICLE STARTS UP AGAIN IMMEDIATELY. THE ALTERNATOR WAS REPLACED ON 9/9/ 97, AND THE BATTERY A FEW DAYS AFTER THAT BY DEALERSHIP. CONSUMER IS STILL EXPERIENCING A PROBLEM WITH…”
Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · June 30, 1997

“I FEEL THIS IS ONE OF MANY PROBLEMS I HAVE HAD WITH THE AUTO I HAVE HAD 5 OIL LEAKS AND I HAVE REPLACED ALL THE BREAKS AND CYLINDERS . I AM VERY UNHAPPY WITH THIS AUTO. I HAVE HAD A LOT OF BUICKS AND HAVE NEVER HAD THE PROBLEMS I HAVE HAD WITH THIS ONE. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME.LORETTA WALLACE. *AK”
Complaint filed with NHTSA · Steering · July 6, 2000

“ONCE THE TRANSMISSION WARMED UP IT WOULD NOT DOWN SHIFT AND WOULD NOT CHANGE GEAR GOING UP HILL....WOULD SHAKE AND SHIMMY AND BUCK UNTIL IT FINALLY SHIFTED .....TRANSMISSION SHOP AND DEALERSHIP COULD NOT SEEM TO FIND THE PROBLEM .... WIRING WAS ALSO CHECKED .... FINALLY HAD TO REPLACE TRANSMISSION…”
Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · May 15, 2003

“WHILE DIRIVNG VEHICLE AT 13 MPH OWNER WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT IN WHICH THE RIGHT FRONT SIDE OF VEHICLE WAS STRUCK.THERE WAS NO DEPLOYMENT OF DRIVER'S SIDE AIRBAG. GM INSPECTED VEHICLE AND DETERMINED AIRBAG SENSORS WERE NOT STRUCK. *AK”
Complaint filed with NHTSA · Airbags · crash

1995 Buick Century — common questions

Is the 1995 Buick Century reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 127 complaints put the 1995 model at #9 of 33 Century years. It is one of the Century years to avoid.

What are the most common 1995 Century problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are brakes (26 complaints), steering (12 complaints), transmission (12 complaints).

Does the 1995 Buick Century have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign affecting the 1995 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 1995 compare to other Century years?

What are the most common 1995 Buick Century problems?

Does the 1995 Buick Century have recalls?

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

1995 Buick Century — common questions

Is the 1995 Buick Century reliable?

What are the most common 1995 Century problems?

Does the 1995 Buick Century have recalls?

Which Buick Century years should you avoid?

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