1993 Buick CENTURY: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
36 owner complaints analyzed
2 distinct recall campaigns
123,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1993 model year. Data snapshot: . 2 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Air Bags:Frontal is the most frequently named component, appearing in 6 of 36 complaints (16.7%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Engine operation | 4 | 11.1% |
| Braking behavior | 4 | 11.1% |
| Steering behavior | 3 | 8.3% |
| Transmission and shifting | 2 | 5.6% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 2 | 5.6% |
| Fuel system concerns | 1 | 2.8% |
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 |
|---|---|
| Air Bags:Frontal | 6 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 5 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline | 4 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components | 3 |
| Equipment:Mechanical:Carrier/Rack | 2 |
| Air Bags | 1 |
| Electrical System | 1 |
| Electrical System:Horn | 1 |
Air Bags:Frontal: 6; Vehicle Speed Control: 5; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline: 4; Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components: 3; Equipment:Mechanical:Carrier/Rack: 2; Air Bags: 1; Electrical System: 1; Electrical System:Horn: 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 | 1 |
| 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 | 1 |
Under 25,000: 1; 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: 1
Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (1). 34 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 | 12 |
| 1996 | 7 |
| 2000 | 10 |
| 2001 | 3 |
| 2002 | 1 |
| 2003 | 1 |
| 2004 | 1 |
| 2011 | 1 |
1995: 12; 1996: 7; 2000: 10; 2001: 3; 2002: 1; 2003: 1; 2004: 1; 2011: 1
Pattern summary
Air Bags:Frontal leads the component reports. Engine operation appears in 4 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 4 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 3 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 10051900 · 2003-12-22 (December 22, 2003)
1993 BUICK CENTURY EXPERIENCED VEHICLE FIRE.*MR WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY THE CAR JERKED A LITTLE AND THE BATTERY LIGHT CAME ON. THE CONSUMER HEARD A POP AND SAW SMOKE, HE THEN PULLED OVER AND THE VEHICLE BECAME ENGULFED IN FIRE. *CB *JB
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10051900 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10065319 · 2004-05-11 (May 11, 2004)
FRONT SEAT BELTS ARE ATTACHED TO THE DOORS, AND WHEN THE DOORS ARE OPENED, THE SEAT BELTS EXTEND FORWARD. CONSUMER FEELS THIS FEATURE POSSES A SAFETY RISK BECAUSE IF THE DOORS FLINGS OPEN IN AN ACCIDENT THEY WILL NOT RESTRAIN THE OCCUPANTS IN THEIR SEAT. *AK *NM
Owner-reported narrative. 16,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10065319 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10390033 · 2011-03-14 (March 14, 2011)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1993 BUICK CENTURY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED AND THE DEFROSTER WAS ENGAGED. THE CONTACT THEN SMELLED A BURNING ODOR AND NOTICED SMOKE EMITTING FROM THE DEFROSTER AREA. THE CONTACT MOVED THE VEHICLE AWAY FROM HIS RESIDENCE AND TURNED THE ENGINE OFF BUT THE SMOKE CONTINUED. THE CONTACT THEN OPENED THE HOOD AND A FIRE ERUPTED. THE FIRE WAS EXTINGUISHED AND THE CONTACT SUSTAINED A KNEE INFECTION FROM ATTEMPTING TO MOVE THE VEHICLE AWAY FROM HIS RESIDENCE. A FIRE REPORT WAS AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT CALLED …
Owner-reported narrative. 230,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10390033 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 480845 · 1995-01-31 (January 31, 1995)
SUDDEN ACCELERATION, RESULTING IN AN ACCIDENT (ATTORNEY FOR CLIENT). *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 480845 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 481962 · 1995-02-17 (February 17, 1995)
ROOF RACK SEPARATED FROM ROOF OF VEHICLE. *SKD
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 481962 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 484809 · 1995-08-06 (August 6, 1995)
FUEL FILTER INSTALLED BACKWARDS, CAUSING ENGINE TO STALL/FAIL AND STEERING TO LOCK UP. *SD
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 484809 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 487898 · 1995-11-06 (November 6, 1995)
CLUSTER MODULE 'SILENT SENT' REMOVED, HOWEVER LIGHT STILL COMES ON. *SD
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 487898 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 504039 · 1996-05-02 (May 2, 1996)
BRAKES FAILED SIX TIMES. *DSH
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 504039 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
2 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
93V121000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Hoses, Lines/Piping, And Fittings
Reported: 1993-07-21 (July 21, 1993)
THE BRAKE HOSES WERE MANUFACTURED INCORRECTLY, AND DO NOT COMPLY WITH FMVSS 106, "BRAKE HOSES."
Consequence: THE IMPROPERLY MANUFACTURED BRAKE HOSES CAN CAUSEREDUCED BRAKE EFFECTIVENESS AND/OR UNEVEN BRAKING, WHICH COULD RESULT IN ANACCIDENT.
Remedy: REPLACE THE RIGHT FRONT BRAKE HOSE ASSEMBLY ON CIERA AND CENTURY MODELS, AND BOTH REAR BRAKE HOSES ON CAVALIER AND SUNBIRD MODELS.
NHTSA campaign record ↗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 ↗