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U.S. public vehicle records

1989 Buick CENTURY problems and owner complaints

Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.

Key facts

24 owner complaints analyzed

1 distinct recall campaigns

110,000 mi median reported failure mileage

Scope: 1989 model year. Data snapshot: . 1 complaints include usable failure mileage.

Owner-reported patterns

Most common problems

Seat Belts:Front:Buckle Assembly is the most frequently named component, appearing in 3 of 24 complaints (12.5%). A complaint can name multiple components.

Recurring terms in complaint narratives
TopicMatching reportsShare of complaints
Engine operation28.3%
Braking behavior28.3%
Fuel system concerns28.3%
Electrical and battery issues14.2%

Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.

Component breakdown

Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.

Seat Belts:Front:Buckle Assembly
3
Seats:Front Assembly:Recliner
3
Vehicle Speed Control
3
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline
2
Fuel System, Gasoline:Storage:Tank Assembly
2
Electrical System:Ignition
1
Electrical System:Ignition:Module
1
Electrical System:Wiring
1
Component breakdown data
CategoryCount
Seat Belts:Front:Buckle Assembly3
Seats:Front Assembly:Recliner3
Vehicle Speed Control3
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline2
Fuel System, Gasoline:Storage:Tank Assembly2
Electrical System:Ignition1
Electrical System:Ignition:Module1
Electrical System:Wiring1

Seat Belts:Front:Buckle Assembly: 3; Seats:Front Assembly:Recliner: 3; Vehicle Speed Control: 3; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline: 2; Fuel System, Gasoline:Storage:Tank Assembly: 2; Electrical System:Ignition: 1; Electrical System:Ignition:Module: 1; Electrical System:Wiring: 1

Reported problems by failure mileage

Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.

Under 25,000
0
25,000 to 49,999
0
50,000 to 74,999
0
75,000 to 99,999
0
100,000 to 149,999
1
150,000 and above
0
Reported problems by failure mileage data
CategoryCount
Under 25,0000
25,000 to 49,9990
50,000 to 74,9990
75,000 to 99,9990
100,000 to 149,9991
150,000 and above0

Under 25,000: 0; 25,000 to 49,999: 0; 50,000 to 74,999: 0; 75,000 to 99,999: 0; 100,000 to 149,999: 1; 150,000 and above: 0

100,000 to 149,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (1). 23 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.

Complaints over time

Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.

1995
7
1996
6
2000
5
2001
3
2003
1
2004
2
Complaints over time data
CategoryCount
19957
19966
20005
20013
20031
20042

1995: 7; 1996: 6; 2000: 5; 2001: 3; 2003: 1; 2004: 2

Pattern summary

Seat Belts:Front:Buckle Assembly leads the component reports. Engine operation appears in 2 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 2 complaint narratives. Fuel system concerns appears in 2 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.

Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.

Complaint evidence

Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.

Owner report 863183 · 2000-06-07 (June 7, 2000)

INTERMITTENT STALLING WHILE TRAVELING/APPROACHING A STOP SIGN, OR APPLYING ACCELERATOR PEDAL FROM A STOP POSITION. VEHICLE HAS BEEN IN / OUT OF INDEPENDENT SHOP ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS, AND NOTHING COULD BE DONE TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM. *AK

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 863183 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 964861 · 1995-05-05 (May 5, 1995)

COMING TO A STOP VEHICLE JERKS AND STALLS. TT

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 964861 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 860440 · 2000-04-17 (April 17, 2000)

WHILE ENGINE IDLED HIGH, CONSUMER SHIFTED VEHICLE OUT OF PARK INTO DRIVE WITH BRAKES DEPRESSED, AND VEHICLE DROVE OFF OUT OF CONTROL, RUNNING INTO A CREEK. *AK

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 860440 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 860709 · 2000-04-21 (April 21, 2000)

CONSUMER STARTED UP VEHICLE AND ENGINE WAS RUNNING A LITTLE FAST. CONSUMER HAD FOOT ON BRAKE , PUT VEHICLE IN GEAR AND IT TOOK OFF WHILE FOOT WAS ON BRAKE. VEHICLE DIDN'T STOP UNTIL THEY ENDED UP IN A CREEK. CONSUMER'S INSURANCE COMPANY CONTACTED DEALER. *AK

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 860709 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 501598 · 1996-02-12 (February 12, 1996)

PLASTIC BAFFLES INSIDE GAS TANK DETERIORATED, FOULING THE FUEL INJECTORS. *DSH

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 501598 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 981011 · 1996-03-20 (March 20, 1996)

PLASTIC BAFFLES INSIDE THE FUEL TANK DESINTEGRATED AND CONTAMINATED FUEL AND INJECTORS, DEALER REPLACED FUEL TANK AND INJECTORS. *AK

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 981011 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 981320 · 1996-03-27 (March 27, 1996)

ELECTRICAL WIRING AROUND ALTERNATOR RUBBED AGAINST EXHAUST MANIFOLD AND MELTED. *AK

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 981320 at NHTSA ↗