1992 Buick CENTURY problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
26 owner complaints analyzed
3 distinct recall campaigns
94,500 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1992 model year. Data snapshot: . 2 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Electrical System:Alternator/Generator/Regulator is the most frequently named component, appearing in 2 of 26 complaints (7.7%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Engine operation | 3 | 11.5% |
| Braking behavior | 2 | 7.7% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 2 | 7.7% |
| Steering behavior | 2 | 7.7% |
| Transmission and shifting | 1 | 3.8% |
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 |
|---|---|
| Electrical System:Alternator/Generator/Regulator | 2 |
| Electrical System:Ignition:Module | 2 |
| Seat Belts:Front:Webbing | 2 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 2 |
| Electrical System:12v/24v/48v Battery | 1 |
| Electrical System:Ignition:Switch | 1 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling | 1 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System | 1 |
Electrical System:Alternator/Generator/Regulator: 2; Electrical System:Ignition:Module: 2; Seat Belts:Front:Webbing: 2; Vehicle Speed Control: 2; Electrical System:12v/24v/48v Battery: 1; Electrical System:Ignition:Switch: 1; Engine And Engine Cooling: 1; Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System: 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 | 2 |
| 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: 2; 100,000 to 149,999: 0; 150,000 and above: 0
75,000 to 99,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (2). 24 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 | 7 |
| 1996 | 8 |
| 2000 | 1 |
| 2001 | 7 |
| 2002 | 1 |
| 2004 | 1 |
| 2005 | 1 |
1995: 7; 1996: 8; 2000: 1; 2001: 7; 2002: 1; 2004: 1; 2005: 1
Pattern summary
Electrical System:Alternator/Generator/Regulator leads the component reports. Engine operation appears in 3 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 2 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues 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 505652 · 1996-06-15 (June 15, 1996)
ELECTRONIC CONTROL UNIT FAILED, CAUSING VEHICLE TO STALL INTERMITTENTLY. *DH
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 505652 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 742693 · 2001-03-19 (March 19, 2001)
I HAVE HAD SEVERAL PROBLEMS WITH THIS CAR FROM THE TIME THAT I BOUGHT IT, IT HAS BEEN IN THE GARAGE FOR MORE REPAIRS THAT IT HAS BEEN ON THE ROAD, FROM NOT STAYING STARTED DURING THE WARM DAYS TO STALLING IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD WHEN WEATHER IS HOT. MULTIPLE PROBLEMS WITH THIS CAR AND YET NO RECALL ON SOME OF THESE PARTS HAS BEEN DONE. NO SAFETY DEFECT MENTIONED. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 742693 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 855830 · 2000-01-31 (January 31, 2000)
EXCESSIVE WEAR OF BRAKE PADS AND ROTORS, CAUSING POOR BRAKING WHEN TRAVELING ON WET PAVEMENT. CONSUMER HAS CONTACTED THE DEALER, DEALER HAS REPLACED THE PADS AND ROTORS ON A NUMBER OF OCCASIONS. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER DETAILS. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 855830 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 885799 · 2001-04-12 (April 12, 2001)
STARTING AT A DEAD STOP, DROVE A FEW FEET, AND ALL A SUDDEN GAS PEDAL WENT DOWN AND CAR TOOK OFF. CONSUMER APPLIED BRAKES, AND VEHICLE KEPT GOING. IT HIT 3 PARKED CARS BEFORE CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO STOP. *AK THE VEHICLE WAS ACCELERATING ON ITS OWN, BUT THE MECHANIC COULD NOT FIND THE CAUSE. *YH
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 885799 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 879306 · 2001-01-30 (January 30, 2001)
CONSUMER HAS HAD TO REPLACE ALTERNATOR AND BATTERY TWICE DUE TO DOME LIGHT IN VEHICLE COMING ON INTERMITTENTLY AFTER ALL DOORS WERE SHUT SECURELY, THUS DRAINING BATTERY. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 879306 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 959199 · 1995-01-26 (January 26, 1995)
DRIVER SIDE ELECTRICAL SEAT SYSTEM CAUGHT ON FIRE. TT
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 959199 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 739349 · 2001-01-14 (January 14, 2001)
WHEN PULLING ON STEERING WHEEL MAKES POPS AND JERKS TOWARDS , AS IF IT IS GOING TO COME OFF IN YOUR HANDS. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 739349 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 800430 · 1996-08-05 (August 5, 1996)
CONSUMER WAS DRIVING AND THE STEERING STARTED TO SHAKE, THE RIGHT FRONT AXLE BROKE . PLEASE DESCRIBE .*AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 800430 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 566624 · 2002-07-10 (July 10, 2002)
CONSUMER REQUESTS TO BE REIMBURSED FOR REPAIRS MADE TO VEHICLE REGARDING THE TRANSMISSION WHICH WAS UNDER RECALL (91V214). CONSUMER FEELS THAT BUICK IS NOT BEING FAIR CONSIDERING THE VEHICLE PROBLEM IS DUE TO A FACTORY OR DESIGN DEFECT, CONSUMER STATES THE TRANSMISSION MALFUNCTIONED WHILE ON THE HIGHWAY. *JG
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 566624 at NHTSA ↗