IllustrationOWNER HAS HAD 3 BATTERIES REPLACED AND 1 NEW ALTERNATOR BECAUSE OF AN ELECTRICAL MALFUNCTION IN THE VEHICLE. DEALER CLAIMS THAT SOMETHING ELECTRICAL STAYS ON IN THE VEHICLE EVEN WHEN IT CUTS OFF. *AK
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
What owners actually said
28 reportsIN 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
WHEN PUT INTO GEAR THE CAR ACCELERATED OVER A BANK INTO A BROOK. FOOT WAS NOT ON PEDAL GAS PEDAL. VEHICLE WAS TOTALED. *AK
IN COLD WEATHER, POWER STEERING WONT TURN AFTER THE INITIAL START.
BRAKE SHOES FAILED.
WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY THE RIGHT LOWER BALL JOINT CAME OFF AND THE WHEEL SPINNED AROUND. THERE WAS NO WARNING BEFORE THIS HAPPENED. *AK
'COLD POWER STEERING'.
THE DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT BELT BUCKLE, THE PLASTIC PIECE FELL APART . PLEASE DESCRIBE .*AK
WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS IN PARK THE ENGINE REVED AND WENT INTO REVERSE WHILE IN PARK. PLEASE DESCRIBE. *AK
STEERING WHEEL ON VEHICLE HAD A LOT OF PLAY DUE TO LOOSE BOLTS HOLDING STEERING WHEEL TO COLUMN. *AK
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.===