1989 Buick CENTURY: complaints, problems and recalls
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.
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.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Engine operation | 2 | 8.3% |
| Braking behavior | 2 | 8.3% |
| Fuel system concerns | 2 | 8.3% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 1 | 4.2% |
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.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 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 |
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.
| 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 | 1 |
| 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: 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.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 1995 | 7 |
| 1996 | 6 |
| 2000 | 5 |
| 2001 | 3 |
| 2003 | 1 |
| 2004 | 2 |
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.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10002938 · 2003-01-19 (January 19, 2003)
THE PAINT HAS BEGUN TO PEELING OFF THE CAR. THE PRIMER IS STILL THERE, HOWEVER. THE CAR HAS BEEN OWNED BY IMMEDIATE FAMILY MEMBERS SINCE ORIGINALLY PURCHASED IN 1989 AND HAS BEEN KEPT UNDER A CARPORT/GARAGE FOR ALL OF ITS OWNERSHIP. I OWN A 5-YR OLDER FORD THAT IS NOT GARAGED, AND THE FINISH IS STILL LIKE NEW.
Owner-reported narrative. 110,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10002938 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10057422 · 2004-02-03 (February 3, 2004)
A TECHNICIAN SERVICED VEHICLE. TECHNICIAN INSPECTED THE ENGINE AND DETERMINED THAT ENGINE CRADLE WAS RUSTING. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10057422 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10063977 · 2004-03-26 (March 26, 2004)
CAR SOLD TO ME IS A LEMON. THE MOTOR WENT OUT IN LESS THAN 30 DAYS.*AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10063977 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 483245 · 1995-08-21 (August 21, 1995)
AIR CONDITIONER LEAKS FREON. *SD
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 483245 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 484915 · 1995-07-31 (July 31, 1995)
DRIVERS SEAT BELT DIFFICULT TO UNLATCH, OCCASIONALLY UNLATCHES BY ITSELF, RECALL REPAIRS REFUSED DUE TO YEAR OF CAR. *DH
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 484915 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 741864 · 2001-03-03 (March 3, 2001)
WHEN GETING ON TO THE HIGHWAY THE SEAT BACK FELL IN TO THE BACK SEAT MAKING ME UNABLE TO SEE ANY TRAFFIC AHEAD OF ME.*AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 741864 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 802431 · 1996-09-16 (September 16, 1996)
PURCHASED CAR USED, THE OIL ISN'T GOIG TO THE ENGINE . PLEASE DESCRIBE .*AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 802431 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
1 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
95V173000 · Seat Belts:Front:Anchorage
Reported: 1995-09-15 (September 15, 1995)
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."
Consequence: CONSEQUENCE OF NON-COMPLIANCE: IN A COLLISON, STRESS CAN CAUSE THE ATTACHMENT METAL TO TEAR AND ALLOW THE ANCHORAGE TO SEPARATE FROM THE BODY OF THE VEHICLE. THE SAFETY BELT MAY NOT PROTECT AN OCCUPANT IN THE EVENT OF A VEHICLE CRASH.
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.
NHTSA campaign record ↗