1994 Buick Century: problems, recalls and reliability
6 recalls and 106 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is service brakes, hydraulic (17% of complaints); the 1992 and 1993 model years look more trouble-free.
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 106 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“Tl*the contact owns a 1994 buick century. While driving 5 mph, the tie rod failed without warning. The vehicle was towed to an auto body shop and the manufacturer has not yet been notified. The vehicle has not been repaired. The failure and current mileages were 100,000. Updated 03/17/09. *lj the consumer stated the tie rod broke in half. Updated 03/17/09. *jb”Owner report · Steering · Jan 2009
“Rocky mountain model steel radial size 185p/75r14, rear driver's side tire blew out while driving at 75 mph, manufacturer was notified. *ak”Owner report · Tires · Jan 2004
“Right front wheel had 5 broken "spokes" out of 10, wheel made a terrible noise, the other 2 wheels had several broken "spokes," I did not see any broken "spokes" on the 4th. Wheel. I replaced the front wheel with one from the l.a. Area, and it was also broken. $252.22 for 4 other style, used, replacement wheels. Please refer to your reference no. 830643. *la”Owner report · Wheels · Dec 2003
Show 7 more owner reports
“Engine injector failure. *bf the consumer has 5 injectors on the vehicle and so far only 1 has failed. The consumer believed that eventually the remaining injectors will have to replaced. The consumer the manufacturer knew about the problem for years as far as 1994. The injector problem has caused another safety issue such as engine hesitation when the gas pedal was depressed and the engine does not want to move for a number of seconds until the pedal is almost floored. *jb”Owner report · Fuel System, Gasoline · Dec 2003
“A/c compressor clutch is failing at 37865 miles.makes a severe squealing noise and is grinding internal parts into peices.at this very low milage I would not expect this problem to occurred. *ak”Owner report · Equipment · May 2002
“Engine mounts and supports are corroded and coming apart which could eventually cause engine to drop. Please provide more information. *ak”Owner report · Engine And Engine Cooling · Nov 2001
“First crash---vehicle acelerated uncontrollably with foot on brake / second crash---vehicle accelerated in reverse extremeley fast with gear shift in the park position upon turning key in ignition. *ak”Owner report · Vehicle Speed Control · May 2001
“While driving 15 mph vehicle was rearended by another vehicle that was traveling about 40mph, and pushed consumer's vehicle into an embankment, crushing the front end. Vehicle went int bushes. Upon impact, driver's airbag did not deploy, which did not protect the occupant in this crash. No previous problem with airbag system. *ak”Owner report · Air Bags · Apr 2000
“Steering knuckle broke, causing half shaft to explode and ball joint to break resulting in loss of vehicle control. *ak”Owner report · Steering · Feb 2000
“Driver's side cover on the turn signal light has fallen off. Looks like the driver's side is coming off. Consumer said that light indicated that it was working from the inside, but was not blinking on the outside because of water getting into it.*ak”Owner report · Exterior Lighting · Jan 2000
When filing, owners marked a crash in 24 of these complaints and injuries in 21 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 6 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 CRUISE CONTROL CABLE MAY SEPARATE FROM THE CONDUIT END FITTING WHILE ENGAGED AND ACCELERATOR CONTROL COULD BE LOST.
Remedy: REPLACE THE CRUISE CONTROL CABLE.
THE RIGHT HAND SPINDLE NUT WAS NOT PROPERLY TIGHTENED DURING ASSEMBLY. THIS CAN CAUSE PREMATURE WHEEL BEARING FAILURE AND OVER TIME, THE SPINDLE CAN FRACTURE.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE TORQUE ON THE RIGHT HAND FRONT SPINDLE NUT. IF THE SPINDLE NUT IS UNDERTORQUED THE DEALER WILL REPLACE THE RIGHT HAND FRONT WHEEL BEARING ASSEMBLY AND THE SPINDLE NUT WILL BE REPLACED.
IN THE EVENT OF A PRIMARY ACCELERATOR CONTROL SPRING FAILURE, THE SECONDARY (BACK-UP) ACCELERATOR CONTROL RETURN SPRING WILL NOT RETURN THE THROTTLE TO THE FULLY CLOSED POSITION, AS REQUIRED BY FMVSS NO. 124, "ACCELERATOR CONTROL SYSTEM."
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE SECONDARY THROTTLE RETURN SPRING.
DURING ASSEMBLY, WATER MAY HAVE ENTERED THE ACCELERATOR CONTROL CABLE CONDUIT CAUSING IT TO DEVELOP A HIGH EFFORT AND/OR BINDING CONDITION IN VERY COLD WEATHER.
Remedy: THE DEALER WILL PURGE THE THROTTLE CABLE OF ANY INTERNALLY TRAPPED WATER, IF IT IS PRESENT.
WATER INTRUSION CAN CAUSE A SHORT CIRCUIT IN THE POWER DOOR LOCK ASSEMBLY.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE POWER DOOR LOCK RELAY AND ANY CORRODED TERMINALS. IN ADDITION, THE NEW RELAY WILL BE RELOCATED TO AN AREA WHERE WATER INTRUSION IS LESS LIKELY.
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 1994 Buick Century reliable?
NHTSA has 106 owner complaints and 6 recall campaigns on record for the 1994 Buick Century. The most complained-about area is service brakes, hydraulic (17% of complaints).
At what mileage do 1994 Buick Century problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 88,500 miles or less.
Does the 1994 Buick Century have open recalls?
6 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.