Buick Century Best and Worst Years by Owner Complaints
We rank Buick Century model years by the number of owner complaints filed with NHTSA, from fewest to most. Complaint counts aren't failure rates: years that sold more cars, or that are older, can show more reports. We rank only model years at least five years old, because newer ones are still collecting reports. Among settled years shown, the 1988 drew the fewest (16) and the 1999 the most (235).
Complaints filed by model year
Every year compared
| Most-reported component | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1988 Among the fewest complaints |
16 | 3 | Steering | — | 20–24 |
| 2005 Among the fewest complaints |
19 | 0 | Exterior lighting | — | 21 |
| 1986 Among the fewest complaints |
22 | 2 | Engine and engine cooling | — | 19–23 |
| 1987 | 28 | 0 | Steering | — | 19–23 |
| 1990 | 33 | 2 | Seat belts | — | 19–23 |
| 1991 | 38 | 2 | Service brakes | — | 19–22 |
| 2004 | 39 | 0 | Exterior lighting | — | 21 |
| 1989 | 40 | 1 | Seat belts | — | 19–24 |
| 1992 | 45 | 3 | Service brakes | — | 19–22 |
| 1993 | 54 | 2 | Air bags | — | 19–23 |
| 1996 | 80 | 1 | Service brakes | — | 21–24 |
| 1995 | 99 | 1 | Service brakes | — | 20 |
| 1994 | 106 | 6 | Service brakes | — | 20–24 |
| 1997 | 106 | 2 | Electrical system | — | — |
| 2003 | 127 | 0 | Exterior lighting | — | 21 |
| 2001 | 145 | 3 | Engine and engine cooling | — | 21 |
| 2002 | 154 | 0 | Engine and engine cooling | — | 21 |
| 2000 Among the most complaints |
193 | 5 | Power train | — | 21 |
| 1998 Among the most complaints |
218 | 2 | Service brakes | — | 21 |
| 1999 Among the most complaints |
235 | 3 | Engine and engine cooling | — | 21 |
Sources: NHTSA ODI complaints, NHTSA recalls, NHTSA NCAP, EPA; retrieved Oct 6, 2026.
What owners reported in the Buick Century years with the most complaints
These settled model years drew the most owner complaints to NHTSA. The share in brackets is the part of that year’s complaints that names each component; one complaint can name several.
1999 Buick Century: 235 complaints
Most-reported: Engine and engine cooling 55 (23%); Service brakes 29 (12%); Visibility 29 (12%).
Reports mention 18 crashes, 4 fires, 18 injuries. Typical odometer reading when owners filed: 56,615 miles. 3 recall campaigns listed.
1998 Buick Century: 218 complaints
Most-reported: Service brakes 29 (13%); Electrical system 26 (12%); Power train 26 (12%).
Reports mention 9 crashes, 9 injuries. Typical odometer reading when owners filed: 57,972 miles. 2 recall campaigns listed.
2000 Buick Century: 193 complaints
Most-reported: Power train 48 (25%); Service brakes 31 (16%); Visibility 23 (12%).
Reports mention 11 crashes, 1 fire, 11 injuries. Typical odometer reading when owners filed: 60,935 miles. 5 recall campaigns listed.
The Buick Century years with the fewest complaints
1988 Buick Century: 16 complaints
Most-reported: Steering 6 (38%); Seat belts 3 (19%); Seats 3 (19%).
3 recall campaigns listed.
2005 Buick Century: 19 complaints
Most-reported: Exterior lighting 8 (42%); Electrical system 6 (32%); Engine and engine cooling 2 (11%).
Reports mention 1 crash, 1 injury. Typical odometer reading when owners filed: 68,977 miles. 0 recall campaigns listed.
1986 Buick Century: 22 complaints
Most-reported: Engine and engine cooling 6 (27%); Steering 5 (23%); Electrical system 4 (18%).
Reports mention 2 crashes, 2 fires, 5 injuries, 1 death. 2 recall campaigns listed.
Crashes, fires and injuries in Buick Century owner reports
| Model year | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Injuries | Deaths | Typical miles at filing |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2005 | 19 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 68,977 |
| 2004 | 39 | 4 | 0 | 5 | 0 | 76,000 |
| 2003 | 127 | 4 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 65,092 |
| 2002 | 154 | 9 | 4 | 11 | 0 | 62,000 |
| 2001 | 145 | 9 | 2 | 5 | 0 | 54,800 |
| 2000 | 193 | 11 | 1 | 11 | 0 | 60,935 |
| 1999 | 235 | 18 | 4 | 18 | 0 | 56,615 |
| 1998 | 218 | 9 | 0 | 9 | 0 | 57,972 |
| 1997 | 106 | 4 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 100,000 |
| 1996 | 80 | 6 | 1 | 7 | 0 | 80,100 |
| 1995 | 99 | 10 | 1 | 14 | 0 | 95,000 |
| 1994 | 106 | 25 | 4 | 21 | 1 | — |
| 1993 | 54 | 17 | 3 | 13 | 0 | — |
| 1992 | 45 | 10 | 2 | 13 | 1 | — |
| 1991 | 38 | 7 | 2 | 8 | 0 | — |
| 1990 | 33 | 1 | 3 | 3 | 0 | — |
| 1989 | 40 | 8 | 0 | 14 | 1 | — |
| 1988 | 16 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — |
| 1987 | 28 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | — |
| 1986 | 22 | 2 | 2 | 5 | 1 | — |
Owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA. “Typical miles” is the median odometer reading in complaints that gave one (shown when at least 10 did). Source: NHTSA ODI complaints, retrieved Oct 6, 2026.
Largest Buick Century recalls
- SUSPENSION:SINGLE AXLE:REAR:CONTROL ARM (1981 model year; 5,821,160 vehicles across all models; filed Feb 1981; 81V025000)
- INTERIOR SYSTEMS:RESTRAINT:BELT ANCHOR AND ATTACHM (1989–1996 model years; 2,216,325 vehicles across all models; filed Sep 1995; 95V173000)
- FUEL:FUEL TANK ASSEMBLY:PIPE:FILLER:NECK (1982 model year; 519,329 vehicles across all models; filed Mar 1982; 82V021000)
- GM/FMVSS 108 (1998–1999 model years; 411,880 vehicles across all models; filed Dec 1999; 99V356000)
- BRAKES:HYDRAULIC:DIFFERENTIAL:PROPORTIONAL VALVE (1983 model year; 352,036 vehicles across all models; filed Oct 1983; 83V105000)
All 34 Buick Century recall campaigns · Buick Century problems, recalls and mpg by year · Used car inspection checklist
What the numbers can't tell you
- Sales volume. NHTSA publishes no sales figures with complaints, so a popular year draws more reports even if each car is no worse.
- Recent years are under-counted. Owners file reports for years after purchase; the newest model years will keep growing.
- The individual car. Maintenance, mileage and repairs matter more for one used car than any model-year average. Get a pre-purchase inspection and check open recalls by VIN.
Buick Century years FAQ
Which Buick Century year has the fewest complaints?
Among the model years shown whose counts have settled, the 1988 has the fewest owner complaints filed with NHTSA (16). That is a count of reports, not a measure of reliability.
Does fewer complaints mean a more reliable car?
Not necessarily. Complaint counts depend on how many cars were sold, how old they are and how many owners file reports. Use them to spot patterns worth asking about, alongside recalls, crash tests and a pre-purchase inspection.
Are there Buick Century years to avoid?
No model year is officially one to avoid. By owner complaints to NHTSA, the settled years with the most reports are the 1999, 1998 and 2000 models, and across all years the most-reported problem area is the service brakes. Compare those years with the ones that drew the fewest reports, then check any specific car for open recalls by VIN and get a pre-purchase inspection.
What is the most common Buick Century problem?
Across the model years shown, owners most often report problems with the service brakes (253 of 1,797 complaints list it). Each model-year report breaks the complaints down by component.
How many recalls does the Buick Century have?
NHTSA lists 34 recall campaigns covering the Buick Century. See every one, with official wording and repair rates, on the Buick Century recall page.
Why are newer years left out of fewest and most?
Owners keep filing complaints for years after a car is sold. We mark the two newest model years as still collecting reports, and we only rank years that are at least five years old.
How this page was madeSources, processing, limits, review and changes
Data sources
- NHTSA recalls by vehicle
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - US DOT recall completion rates (data.transportation.gov)
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - NHTSA ODI owner complaints
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - NHTSA NCAP 5-Star Safety Ratings
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - EPA fuel economy data (licence confirmation pending)
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - EIA weekly retail gasoline prices
Weekly, all taxes included
Processing
- Complaints are counted per component. One complaint can list several, so component totals add up to more than the total.
- Fuel cost = miles per year ÷ EPA combined mpg × EIA weekly price for your region.
Limitations
- Complaint counts are owner reports, not verified findings or failure rates. There is no sales denominator.
- Recall campaigns are listed for the model year. Only NHTSA and the automaker know whether a specific car was repaired.
- Recent model years are still collecting reports.
Review
Data compiled automatically from the official files listed here.
Changelog
- 2026-10-06 Data refreshed from the official files.