1990 Buick Century: problems, recalls and reliability
2 recalls and 33 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is seat belts (21% of complaints).
Data updated weekly · latest recall Sep 1995
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 33 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“Consumer states that while driving and without warning the engine blew and the vehicle started to smoke under the hood causing the consumer to pull over. Dealer notified. Mr”Owner report · Engine And Engine Cooling · Sep 2002
“Circuit breaker for seat in fuse compartment overheated, causing power seats and power door to be inoperative. Driver is unable to replace fuse because it was so hot, it burned. *ak. Consumer states when he touched the correct fuse he was burned leaving a blister on his finger and thumb, consumer states he discovered there was a recall, however the dealer knew of the campaign but could not find consumers vehicle in the system.*jb”Owner report · Electrical System · Mar 2002
“None of the power windows would open or close. Vehicle was taken to dealership. Two broken wires were reconnected at owner's expense. Please provide any further information. *ak”Owner report · Visibility · May 2000
Show 7 more owner reports
“During accident front bench seat latch failed causing the seat to collapse, right front passenger seat belt also became unlatched, resulting in injury. Nlm”Owner report · Seats · Jul 1999
“While driving on road noticed vehicle pulling a sharp left. Looked at the cradles, and the retainer washer broke/was rusted through. Replaced it. Also, others needed to be replaced. In addition, rack & pinion steering assembly is connected to engine cradle frame and the steering shaft, dropped. This may cause erratic steering problems. *ak”Owner report · Steering · Jun 1999
“While driving down the road all of sudden the vehicle just shut off when making a stop or slowing down. Contacted dealer, and he was not able to find out what was wrong on the diagnosis machine. *ak”Owner report · Engine And Engine Cooling · Apr 1999
“Carburetor backfired starting a fire, the electrical fuel pump continues to pump fuel, causing the car to completely burn.”Owner report · Fuel System, Gasoline · Aug 1996
“Failure of the driver side seat, the seat is reclined to the back position.*ak the driver's side seat travels on rails back and foward, while drving a metal bracket on the left side, that anchored the seat to the floor broke in half, therefore making the seat as a whole tilt backward.*jb”Owner report · Seats · Aug 1996
“Design flaw in seat belt that attaches to door, leaving occupant free to fall out of vehicle if door opens in accident. *dh”Owner report · Seat Belts · Jul 1996
“While driving, heard noise, within minutes, all power stopped, black smoke poured out from underhood, fire started coming from under vehicle, no warning. *ak”Owner report · Electrical System · Jul 1996
When filing, owners marked a crash in 1 of these complaints and injuries in 3 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 2 campaigns
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."
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.
THE POWER SEAT OR RECLINER WIRING HARNESS CAN BE PINCHED OR CAN CHAFE ON THE SEAT FRAME OR SPRING SUPPORT ROD, WEARING THROUGH THE WIRE INSULATION AND CAUSING AN ELECTRICAL SHORT.
Remedy: REPAIR ANY ABRADED WIRING AND REROUTE THE WIRING HARNESS USING A WIRING HARNESS CLIP.
How other years compare
Check your exact Century by VIN
Recalls and equipment differ between individual vehicles. Decode your VIN to see what applies to yours.
Open VIN decoderFrequently asked questions
Is the 1990 Buick Century reliable?
NHTSA has 33 owner complaints and 2 recall campaigns on record for the 1990 Buick Century. The most complained-about area is seat belts (21% of complaints).
Does the 1990 Buick Century have open recalls?
2 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning seat belts:front:anchorage. Check your specific vehicle by VIN - recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.