IllustrationIN 1992 THE MAXIGUARD ANTI-THEFT AFTERMAKET DEVICE WAS INSTALLED. THE MAXIGUARD ANTI-THEFT DEVICE WIRES CAUGHT ON FIRE AND CAUSED DAMAGE TO THE VEHICLE. CAUSE OF THE FIRE WAS A SHORT IN THE ANTI-THEFT DEVICE. *AK *MJS
1987 Buick Century
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
Similar to other model years
Owner complaints for the 1987 Buick Century do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 28.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Century years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
Limited mileage data: 1 of 28 reports include usable mileage. There isn’t enough coverage to show a useful chart.
NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.
What to inspect
Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.
- Steering. Review the 8 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Electrical System. Review the 3 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 3 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
2 crash reports2 fire reports0 injury reports
Steering complaints
8 reportsIN COLD WEATHER, POWER STEERING WONT TURN AFTER THE INITIAL START.
'COLD POWER STEERING'.
STEERING WHEEL ON VEHICLE HAD A LOT OF PLAY DUE TO LOOSE BOLTS HOLDING STEERING WHEEL TO COLUMN. *AK
POWER STEERING RACK FAILED. *AK
POWER STEERING FAILURE, RACK AND PINION FAILED CAUSING DIFFICULTY STEERING. TT
DURING MORNING START UP,STEERING APPEARS TO HAVE MORNING SICKNESS. DIFFICULTY IN TURNING TO THE RIGHT. TT
'COLD POWER STEERING'. *DH
Official recalls
0No recalls in this snapshot.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA investigations
5EA92024 · Sticking Throttle
Opened Jun 26, 1992 · Closed Jan 31, 1994
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Vehicle Speed Control:linkages
There is no summary currently available
EA89026 · Loss Of Power Steering
Opened Jun 12, 1989 · Closed Oct 9, 1990
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Steering
SUMMARY: THE COMPLAINTS DESCRIBE A FAILURE OF THE PRESSURE HOSECONNECTED TO THE POWER STEERING PUMP.USED ONLY ON THE 4 CYL MODELS.THIS PART HAS BEEN REDESIGNED AND EACH GM DIVISION HAS ISSUED ASERVICE BULLETIN.WARRANTY CLAIMS AND PARTS SALES ARE VERY HIGH.===
PE89105 · Power Steering Hose Fails
Opened Mar 20, 1989 · Closed Jun 12, 1989
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Steering
===
EA89010 · Brake Ineffectiveness
Opened Jan 17, 1989 · Closed May 8, 1990
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Service Brakes, Hydraulic
There is no summary currently available
EA87022 · Stalling
Opened Aug 27, 1987 · Closed Nov 27, 1991
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Vehicle Speed Control:linkages
SUMMARY:THE COMPLAINTS ALLEGE THAT STALLING IS DUE TO VARIOUS FAULTYCOMPONENTS OF THE FUEL INJECTION AND/OR IGNITION SYSTEM. THE FOLLOWINGMODELS ARE INVOLVED:BUICK ELECTRA, LESABRE, RIVERA, CENTURY; OLDS CUTLASSCIERA, 88, 98, TORONADO; PONTIAC BONNEVILLE.STATUS:THIS INVESTIGATION IS ONGOING.WE ARE CONTINUING TO ANALYZEINFORMATION PROVIDED BY GM AND ARE PREPARING AN ADDITIONAL INFORMATIONREQUEST TO GM TO CLARIFY CERTAIN TECHNICAL ITEMS.===