1990 Buick CENTURY problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
22 owner complaints analyzed
2 distinct recall campaigns
Not available median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1990 model year. Data snapshot: . 0 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Seat Belts:Front:Buckle Assembly is the most frequently named component, appearing in 3 of 22 complaints (13.6%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Steering behavior | 5 | 22.7% |
| Braking behavior | 2 | 9.1% |
| Engine operation | 1 | 4.5% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 1 | 4.5% |
| Fuel system concerns | 1 | 4.5% |
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.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Seat Belts:Front:Buckle Assembly | 3 |
| Structure | 3 |
| Electrical System:Ignition | 2 |
| Seats | 2 |
| Tires | 2 |
| Electrical System:Alternator/Generator/Regulator | 1 |
| Electrical System:Wiring | 1 |
| Electrical System:Wiring:Front Underhood | 1 |
Seat Belts:Front:Buckle Assembly: 3; Structure: 3; Electrical System:Ignition: 2; Seats: 2; Tires: 2; Electrical System:Alternator/Generator/Regulator: 1; Electrical System:Wiring: 1; Electrical System:Wiring:Front Underhood: 1
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 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 | 0 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
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: 0; 150,000 and above: 0
No usable failure mileage is recorded. 22 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.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 1995 | 8 |
| 1996 | 6 |
| 2000 | 2 |
| 2001 | 2 |
| 2002 | 3 |
| 2003 | 1 |
1995: 8; 1996: 6; 2000: 2; 2001: 2; 2002: 3; 2003: 1
Pattern summary
Seat Belts:Front:Buckle Assembly leads the component reports. Steering behavior appears in 5 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 2 complaint narratives. Engine operation appears in 1 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 10048191 · 2003-11-05 (November 5, 2003)
PROBLEMS WITH VEHICLE'S STEERING.*MR STIFFNESS IN STEERING, SOMETIMES CONSUMER HAVE TO STEER IN NEUTRAL AS IT DOESN'T COME BACK BY ITSELF. SOMETIMES IT SQUEAK WHILE TURNING, NO LOCK UP HAS OCCURRED YET. *PH
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10048191 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 740634 · 2001-02-08 (February 8, 2001)
MOTOR FELL TO GROUND WHILE PULLING OUT. THIS DAMAGED STEERING AND CAR WAS OUT OF CONTROL. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 740634 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 967531 · 1995-06-22 (June 22, 1995)
THE SEAT IS LOOSE IN THE TRACK ON ONE SIDE WHICH CAUSES THE SEAT TO SLIDE WHEN THE BRAKES ARE APPLIED. TT
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 967531 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 969630 · 1995-08-01 (August 1, 1995)
DRIVER'S SIDE FRONT SEAT TORN AWAY FROM CHASSIS; WHEN APPLYING BRAKES, SEAT NOT STABLE, ROCKS BACK AND FORTH; COULD CAUSE ACCIDENT. TT
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 969630 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 489266 · 1995-04-12 (April 12, 1995)
INTERMITTENT STALLING.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 489266 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 802134 · 1996-09-10 (September 10, 1996)
CARBURETOR BACKFIRED STARTING A FIRE, THE ELECTRICAL FUEL PUMP CONTINUES TO PUMP FUEL, CAUSING THE CAR TO COMPLETELY BURN.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 802134 at NHTSA ↗