IllustrationFRONT END COLLAPSED BECAUSE ENGINE CRADLE BOLT AND STEERING COLUMN DISINTEGRATED. VEHICLE HAS BEEN INCLUDED UNDER RECALL 88 V048 000. DEALER AND MANUFACTURER HAVE BEEN NOTIFIED. *AK THE DEALER STATES THIS VIN WAS NOT ON THE RECALL. *YH
1988 Buick Century
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
Limited comparison data
There is not enough comparable history to draw a useful model-year comparison.
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: 0 of 16 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 6 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Seat Belts. Review the 3 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Seats. 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.
0 crash reports0 fire reports0 injury reports
What owners actually said
16 reportsDRIVER'S SIDE SEAT FRAME BROKE. TOOK TO DEALER, AND DEALER STATED THAT WARRANTY EXPIRED. PLEASE ADD ANY FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK
RACK AND PINION STEERING FAIILED CAUSING THE STEERING WHEEL TO LOCK AND RESIST ANY TURNS TO THE LEFT OR RIGHT CAUSING THE DRIVER TO USE EXCESSIVE FORCE TO UNLOCK THE SEIZED WHEEL. NLM
CHANNEL PLATE (SIDE) ON THE TRANSMISSION IS WARPED RESULTING IN LEAKAGE.
WHILE DRIVING AT 10 MPH THE LEFT CRADLE BOLT BROKE, AND THE RIGHT CRADLE BOLT FELL THROUGH THE FRAME, CAUSING VEHICLE TO BE INOPERATIVE. PLEASE DESCRIBE DETAILS. *AK
SHOCKS ABSORBER FAILED.
DRIVER'S SIDE SIT BELT DOES NOT RETRACT AND SOMETIMES IT LOCKS YOU IN. PLEASE DESCRIBE DETAILS. *AK
THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE SEAT FAILURE, SEAT BROKE DOWN. TT
THE VEHICLE CUTS OFF WHILE DRIVING UNEXPECTENTLY. PLEASE DESCRIBE. TT
FRONT SEAT BELT PLASTIC COVERS BROKE. *SD
Official recalls
388V164000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery:hoses, Lines/piping, And Fittings
Oct 18, 1988
FUEL FEED HOSE COULD LEAK AT THE COUPLING ON THE ENGINE END OF THE HOSE ASSEMBLY.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: FUEL LEAKAGE INTO THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT COULD RESULT INAN ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE THAT COULD SPREAD TO THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT.
Remedy: INSTALL NEW FUEL FEED HOSE ASSEMBLY.
88V048000 · Suspension:front:control Arm:lower Arm
Apr 1, 1988
FRONT SUSPENSION LOWER CONTROL ARM BRACKET COULD DEVELOP METAL CRACKS.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THESE CRACKS MAY RESULT IN DISENGAGEMENT OF THE LOWERCONTROL ARM. IF THIS OCCURS WHILE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION, IT COULD RESULT INLOSS OF STEERING CONTROL AND A VEHICLE CRASH COULD OCCUR WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING.
Remedy: INSPECT ALL VEHICLES AND REPLACE ENGINE CRADLE ASSEMBLY ON ALL SUSPECT VEHICLES.
88V007000 · Seat Belts
Jan 20, 1988
OWNERS MANUAL DID NOT INCLUDE STATEMENT ON CHILD RESTRAINT SYSTEMS.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: VEHICLES DO NOT CONFORM TO FMVSS 210.
Remedy: FURNISH OWNERS WITH UPDATED OWNERS MANUALS THAT CONTAIN THE OMITTED INSTRUCTIONS.
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
3EA92024 · 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
PE89035 · Stop Lamps
Opened Jan 19, 1989 · Closed May 24, 1989
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Exterior Lighting
SUMMARY:A CHEVROLET SERVICE BULLETIN DATED JULY 1988 INDICATES THAT BOTHSOCKETS MUST BE REPLACED USING PART NUMBER 5972532.THIS SERVICE STOCKUSES A NEW HEAT RESISTANT MATERIAL.PRODUCTION STOCK WAS ALSO CORRECTEDBEGINNING WITH VINS J7163799 AND JJ187909.===
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