1993 Buick Century: problems, recalls and reliability
2 recalls and 54 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is air bags (22% 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 54 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“1993 buick century experienced vehicle fire.*mr while driving down the highway the car jerked a little and the battery light came on. The consumer heard a pop and saw smoke, he then pulled over and the vehicle became engulfed in fire. *cb *jb”Owner report · Engine And Engine Cooling · Sep 2003
“Consumer was traveling about 35mph on highway and rear left tire tread separated from rim. Vehicle went into a water enbankment of eight feet. Vehicle was submerged under water, but consumer was able to escape through driver's side window . Vehicle was totaled. Firestone tires 205-70-r14 s-s60,dot e2pgf5a44. There were no injuries. *ak”Owner report · Tires · Feb 2001
“While driving on highway vehicle stalled and had to be towed. Technician opened the hood, and found out that cover under the hood (looked like a blanket for noise or fire) had almost caught on fire. Also, no power steering. Pieces that came loose went down into the alternator, causing it to burn up. Vehicle lost all power and the alternator had to be replaced. *ak *ml”Owner report · Structure · Jun 2000
Show 7 more owner reports
“Driver's side door falls open, even when locked; seat belt tightens as if there was impact and pulls driver toward the open door. *ak”Owner report · Structure · Apr 2000
“Daughter was driving on city street and all of sudden vehicle burst into flames. Contacted dealer who said that never heard of fires in vehicles. The fire started in the engine and spread all the way to the trunk. *ak”Owner report · Engine And Engine Cooling · Jan 2000
“While traveling at 40 mph this vehicle struck another vehicle head-on, and air bags did not deploy. Buick has been contacted.*ak”Owner report · Air Bags · Jan 2000
“While slowing down to cross train tracks transmission locked up and broke, causing vehicle to be stuck on the tracks, and the train ran into the vehicle. *ak”Owner report · Power Train · Sep 1999
“Air bag: driving approximately 35mph another vehicle a head made sudden stop. Century was too close to the stop, and ran into the back of vehicle. Air bag did not deploy. *ak”Owner report · Air Bags · Dec 1997
“While driving heard a thumping noise when going over small bumps due to loose front inner tie rod; also, replaced leaking rack and pinion steering. *ak”Owner report · Steering · Dec 1996
“Accelerator cable from fire wall runs right up a long air conditioning line, causing the cable to rub up and down rubbing a hole through the line, shooting freon in the air.”Owner report · Vehicle Speed Control · Oct 1996
When filing, owners marked a crash in 17 of these complaints and injuries in 13 - 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 BRAKE HOSES WERE MANUFACTURED INCORRECTLY, AND DO NOT COMPLY WITH FMVSS 106, "BRAKE HOSES."
Remedy: REPLACE THE RIGHT FRONT BRAKE HOSE ASSEMBLY ON CIERA AND CENTURY MODELS, AND BOTH REAR BRAKE HOSES ON CAVALIER AND SUNBIRD MODELS.
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 1993 Buick Century reliable?
NHTSA has 54 owner complaints and 2 recall campaigns on record for the 1993 Buick Century. The most complained-about area is air bags (22% of complaints).
At what mileage do 1993 Buick Century problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 123,000 miles or less.
Does the 1993 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.