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1990 Buick CenturyProblems, recalls & complaints

NHTSA has logged 33 owner complaints about the 1990 Buick Century, most often about the seat belts. It is covered by 2 safety recalls.

72
CarFlaw IndexOne of the best years61% below the Century median · #16 of 20 years by complaints
Safety recalls2Free fix at dealersOwner complaints337 with a crash, fire or injuryTop problem8Seat belts

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through November 5, 2003. Updated daily.

Complaints by system

Where the 1990 Buick Century has problems

33 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.

Box size = number of complaints naming that system. Darker = larger share. One complaint can name more than one system.
Complaints by system
SystemComplaintsCrash, fire or injury
Seat belts82
Electrical system62
Structure60
Seats51
Engine and engine cooling51
Steering20
Tires20
Service brakes, hydraulic20
Suspension10
4 other systems41

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.

2 recalls

1990 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

Front: anchorage

Recall 95V-173 · Sep 15, 1995 · 2,216,325 vehicles

Risk. 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.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

–no report yet

Front assembly: recliner

Recall 92V-124 · Sep 1, 1992 · 319,181 vehicles

Risk. THE HIGH CURRENT CAUSED BY THE ELECTRICAL SHORT WELDS THECIRCUIT BREAKER ELEMENTS TOGETHER IN THE CLOSED POSITION, LEAVING THE CIRCUITUNPROTECTED AND…

Problem, fix and repair progress →

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

1990 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
1 investigation

NHTSA defect investigations

Federal investigations that included the 1990 Buick Century, and the recalls they led to.

  1. STICKING THROTTLEEA92024 · closed Jan 31, 1994
    No recall
In owners' words

What Century owners report

Recent seat belts complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.

SEAT BELT; FAILURE ON THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE SEAT BELTS, CONSUMER WAS IN A ACCIDENT AND THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE SEAT BELT DID NOT LOCK. *AK
Complaint 981357 · Mar 28, 1996
DURING ACCIDENT FRONT BENCH SEAT LATCH FAILED CAUSING THE SEAT TO COLLAPSE, RIGHT FRONT PASSENGER SEAT BELT ALSO BECAME UNLATCHED, RESULTING IN INJURY. NLM
Complaint 548165 · Aug 25, 1999
DESIGN FLAW IN SEAT BELT THAT ATTACHES TO DOOR, LEAVING OCCUPANT FREE TO FALL OUT OF VEHICLE IF DOOR OPENS IN ACCIDENT. *DH
Complaint 506544 · Jul 15, 1996

Own a 1990 Century?

Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.