no report yet
Delivery: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings
Risk. FUEL LEAKAGE INTO THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT COULD RESULT INAN ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE THAT COULD SPREAD TO THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT.
1988 Buick CenturyProblems, recalls & complaints
NHTSA has logged 16 owner complaints about the 1988 Buick Century, most often about the steering. It is covered by 3 safety recalls.
Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through March 19, 2002. Updated daily.
Complaints by system
Where the 1988 Buick Century has problems
16 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.
6Steering
3Suspension
3Seat belts
3Seats
2Structure
1Electrical system
1Parking brake
1Power train
| System | Complaints | Crash, fire or injury |
|---|---|---|
| Steering | 6 | 0 |
| Suspension | 3 | 0 |
| Seat belts | 3 | 0 |
| Seats | 3 | 0 |
| Structure | 2 | 0 |
| Electrical system | 1 | 0 |
| Parking brake | 1 | 0 |
| Power train | 1 | 0 |
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.
3 recalls
1988 Buick Century recalls and how many were fixed
Each ring shows the share of affected cars repaired, from the manufacturer’s latest quarterly report to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
no report yet
Control arm: lower arm
Risk. THESE CRACKS MAY RESULT IN DISENGAGEMENT OF THE LOWERCONTROL ARM.
no report yet
Recalls apply to specific cars. To see whether a recall is still open on yours, enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with Buick.
Best & worst years
1988 vs. every other Century year
Bars show complaints per model year. Colors show the CarFlaw verdict: complaints weighted for crashes, fires and injuries, adjusted for years on the road and compared with the Century median. How we score
'73'74'75'76'77'78'79'80'81'82'83'84'85'86'87'88'89'90'91'92'93'94'95'96'97'98'99'00'01'02'03'04'05
- Avoid
- Caution
- Solid
- Best
- Not rated
3 investigations
NHTSA defect investigations
Federal investigations that included the 1988 Buick Century, and the recalls they led to.
- BRAKE INEFFECTIVENESSNo recall
- STICKING THROTTLENo recall
- STOP LAMPSNo recall
In owners' words
What Century owners report
Recent steering complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.
WHILE DRIVING AT 10 MPH THE LEFT CRADLE BOLT BROKE, AND THE RIGHT CRADLE BOLT FELL THROUGH THE FRAME, CAUSING VEHICLE TO BE INOPERATIVE. PLEASE DESCRIBE DETAILS. *AK
RACK AND PINION STEERING FAIILED CAUSING THE STEERING WHEEL TO LOCK AND RESIST ANY TURNS TO THE LEFT OR RIGHT CAUSING THE DRIVER TO USE EXCESSIVE FORCE TO UNLOCK THE SEIZED WHEEL. NLM
Own a 1988 Century?
Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.