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: 6 of 106 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.
Service Brakes, Hydraulic. Review the 20 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Air Bags. Review the 14 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 14 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
24 crash reports4 fire reports17 injury reports
What owners actually said
106 reports
Mileage unknown · Feb 26, 2010
Exterior Lighting
SINCE 1990 AUTO HAVE COME WITH PLASTIC HEADLIGHT LENSES. AFTER ABOUT TWO YEARS THEY BECOME CLOUDY AND RESTRICT THE RANGE OF THE HEADLIGHTS. A WALK THROUGH THE PARKING LOT WILL CONFIRM THE CLOUDINESS, AND COMPARING A NEW ONE WITH AN OLD ONE SHOWS AN ALMOST 50% REDUCTION IN NIGHT RANGE. THE REPLACEMENT UNITS ARE $150.00 AND UP C…
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SINCE 1990 AUTO HAVE COME WITH PLASTIC HEADLIGHT LENSES. AFTER ABOUT TWO YEARS THEY BECOME CLOUDY AND RESTRICT THE RANGE OF THE HEADLIGHTS. A WALK THROUGH THE PARKING LOT WILL CONFIRM THE CLOUDINESS, AND COMPARING A NEW ONE WITH AN OLD ONE SHOWS AN ALMOST 50% REDUCTION IN NIGHT RANGE. THE REPLACEMENT UNITS ARE $150.00 AND UP COMPARED TO $15 FOR THE OLDER GLASS UNITS BEFORE 1990.. THE PLASTIC FORMULATION NEEDS TO BE CHANGED AND THE PROBLEM ADDRESSED.. THANK YOU. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10314708
100,000 miles · Jan 20, 2009
Steering
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1994 BUICK CENTURY. WHILE DRIVING 5 MPH, THE TIE ROD FAILED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN AUTO BODY SHOP AND THE MANUFACTURER HAS NOT YET BEEN NOTIFIED. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 100,000. UPDATED 03/17/09. *LJ THE CONSUMER STATED THE TIE ROD…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1994 BUICK CENTURY. WHILE DRIVING 5 MPH, THE TIE ROD FAILED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN AUTO BODY SHOP AND THE MANUFACTURER HAS NOT YET BEEN NOTIFIED. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 100,000. UPDATED 03/17/09. *LJ THE CONSUMER STATED THE TIE ROD BROKE IN HALF. UPDATED 03/17/09. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10255738
84,000 miles · Feb 7, 2006
TiresCrashInjury
VEHICLE WAS TRAVELS ALONG 113 IN KANKAKEE IL AT APPROX 55 MPH, AS VEHICLE ENTERED A BEND THE RIGHT FRONT TIRE TREAD SEPARATED FROM THE VEHICLES RIGHT FRONT TIRE CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO GO INTO A LEFT SIDE SPIN OVER THE EMBANKMENT AND INTO A FENCE POLL. VEHICLE DID ROLL POSSIBLY TWO TIME. VEHICLE WAS COMPLETELY DESTROYED, IF ANYBO…
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VEHICLE WAS TRAVELS ALONG 113 IN KANKAKEE IL AT APPROX 55 MPH, AS VEHICLE ENTERED A BEND THE RIGHT FRONT TIRE TREAD SEPARATED FROM THE VEHICLES RIGHT FRONT TIRE CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO GO INTO A LEFT SIDE SPIN OVER THE EMBANKMENT AND INTO A FENCE POLL. VEHICLE DID ROLL POSSIBLY TWO TIME. VEHICLE WAS COMPLETELY DESTROYED, IF ANYBODY ELSE WAS IN THE VEHICLE THEY WOULD BE DEAD. DRIVE DID SUFFER MULTIPLE INJURES BUT WAS ALIVE, AS THE POLICE AND FIRE DEPT PUT IT LUCKY TO BE ALIVE. THE TIRE IN WHICH THE TREAD SEPARATED WAS A FIRESTONE FR440 DOT #EJTUDJD288. VEHICLE WAS A 94 BUICK CENTURY IN GOOD MECH SHAPE INSPECTED APROX 1,000 MILE PRIOR TO ACCIDENT. THE DRIVER STATED THE WAS DRIVING FINE UP TO THE ACCIDENT, NO VIBRATIONS, PULLING, NOISE ETC. *NM
NHTSA ODI #10149628
93,597 miles · Oct 5, 2004
Fuel System, Gasoline
ENGINE INJECTOR FAILURE. *BF THE CONSUMER HAS 5 INJECTORS ON THE VEHICLE AND SO FAR ONLY 1 HAS FAILED. THE CONSUMER BELIEVED THAT EVENTUALLY THE REMAINING INJECTORS WILL HAVE TO REPLACED. THE CONSUMER THE MANUFACTURER KNEW ABOUT THE PROBLEM FOR YEARS AS FAR AS 1994. THE INJECTOR PROBLEM HAS CAUSED ANOTHER SAFETY ISSUE SUCH …
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ENGINE INJECTOR FAILURE. *BF THE CONSUMER HAS 5 INJECTORS ON THE VEHICLE AND SO FAR ONLY 1 HAS FAILED. THE CONSUMER BELIEVED THAT EVENTUALLY THE REMAINING INJECTORS WILL HAVE TO REPLACED. THE CONSUMER THE MANUFACTURER KNEW ABOUT THE PROBLEM FOR YEARS AS FAR AS 1994. THE INJECTOR PROBLEM HAS CAUSED ANOTHER SAFETY ISSUE SUCH AS ENGINE HESITATION WHEN THE GAS PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED AND THE ENGINE DOES NOT WANT TO MOVE FOR A NUMBER OF SECONDS UNTIL THE PEDAL IS ALMOST FLOORED. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10096884
Mileage unknown · Apr 22, 2004
Seat Belts
DRIVER AND PASSENGER FRONT SEAT BELTS WILL NO LONGER RETRACT. DEALER STATED BOTH SEAT BELTS NEED TO BE REPLACED. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10068690
Mileage unknown · Feb 23, 2004
Electrical SystemSteering
CONSUMER EXPERIENCED ENGINE SHUTDOWN WHEN MAKING RIGHT HAND TURN WHILE DRIVING AT 35 MPH. *LA THE CONSUMER OWN A 1991 BUICK CENTURY AND HAD EXPERIENCED THE SAME FAILURE WITH HIS VEHICLE AS HE DID WITH HIS FATHER'S VEHICLE (1994 BUICK CENTURY) AS STATED IN THE RECALL. *PH
NHTSA ODI #10061104
93,000 miles · Jan 22, 2004
Tires
ROCKY MOUNTAIN MODEL STEEL RADIAL SIZE 185P/75R14, REAR DRIVER'S SIDE TIRE BLEW OUT WHILE DRIVING AT 75 MPH, MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10055667
65,825 miles · Jan 12, 2004
Wheels
RIGHT FRONT WHEEL HAD 5 BROKEN "SPOKES" OUT OF 10, WHEEL MADE A TERRIBLE NOISE, THE OTHER 2 WHEELS HAD SEVERAL BROKEN "SPOKES," I DID NOT SEE ANY BROKEN "SPOKES" ON THE 4TH. WHEEL. I REPLACED THE FRONT WHEEL WITH ONE FROM THE L.A. AREA, AND IT WAS ALSO BROKEN. $252.22 FOR 4 OTHER STYLE, USED, REPLACEMENT WHEELS. PLEASE REFER…
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RIGHT FRONT WHEEL HAD 5 BROKEN "SPOKES" OUT OF 10, WHEEL MADE A TERRIBLE NOISE, THE OTHER 2 WHEELS HAD SEVERAL BROKEN "SPOKES," I DID NOT SEE ANY BROKEN "SPOKES" ON THE 4TH. WHEEL. I REPLACED THE FRONT WHEEL WITH ONE FROM THE L.A. AREA, AND IT WAS ALSO BROKEN. $252.22 FOR 4 OTHER STYLE, USED, REPLACEMENT WHEELS. PLEASE REFER TO YOUR REFERENCE NO. 830643. *LA
NHTSA ODI #10052915
63,000 miles · Oct 31, 2003
Air BagsCrash
AIR BAGS ON LOW MILEAGE 1994 BUICK CENTURY DID NOT DEPLOY DURING HEAD ON CRASH. *LA
NHTSA ODI #10045179
Mileage unknown · May 27, 2003
Fuel System, Gasoline
FUEL IS LEAKING UNDER THE VEHICLE. PLEASE PROVIDE DETAILS.*AK
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 & remedy
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.
THE RIGHT HAND SPINDLE NUT WAS NOT PROPERLY TIGHTENED DURING ASSEMBLY. THIS CAN CAUSE PREMATURE WHEEL BEARING FAILURE AND OVER TIME, THE SPINDLE CAN FRACTURE.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THIS WOULD CAUSE THE WHEEL TO SEPARATE FROM THE AXLE AND RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE TORQUE ON THE RIGHT HAND FRONT SPINDLE NUT. IF THE SPINDLE NUT IS UNDERTORQUED THE DEALER WILL REPLACE THE RIGHT HAND FRONT WHEEL BEARING ASSEMBLY AND THE SPINDLE NUT WILL BE REPLACED.
WATER INTRUSION CAN CAUSE A SHORT CIRCUIT IN THE POWER DOOR LOCK ASSEMBLY.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: A SHORT CIRCUIT IN THE POWER DOOR LOCK ASSEMBLY CAN RESULT IN A VEHICLE FIRE.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE POWER DOOR LOCK RELAY AND ANY CORRODED TERMINALS. IN ADDITION, THE NEW RELAY WILL BE RELOCATED TO AN AREA WHERE WATER INTRUSION IS LESS LIKELY.
IN THE EVENT OF A PRIMARY ACCELERATOR CONTROL SPRING FAILURE, THE SECONDARY (BACK-UP) ACCELERATOR CONTROL RETURN SPRING WILL NOT RETURN THE THROTTLE TO THE FULLY CLOSED POSITION, AS REQUIRED BY FMVSS NO. 124, "ACCELERATOR CONTROL SYSTEM."
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: CONSEQUENCE OF NON-COMPLIANCE: LOSS OF THROTTLE CONTROL COULD RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE SECONDARY THROTTLE RETURN SPRING.
DURING ASSEMBLY, WATER MAY HAVE ENTERED THE ACCELERATOR CONTROL CABLE CONDUIT CAUSING IT TO DEVELOP A HIGH EFFORT AND/OR BINDING CONDITION IN VERY COLD WEATHER.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: HIGH EFFORT OR BINDING CONDITIONS CAUSE LOSS OF NORMALTHROTTLE CONTROL OR THE THROTTLE MAY NOT RETURN TO IDLE WHEN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL IS RELEASED. IF THIS WERE TO OCCUR WHILE THE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION, A VEHICLE CRASH COULD OCCUR.
Remedy: THE DEALER WILL PURGE THE THROTTLE CABLE OF ANY INTERNALLY TRAPPED WATER, IF IT IS PRESENT.
THE CRUISE CONTROL CABLE MAY SEPARATE FROM THE CONDUIT END FITTING WHILE ENGAGED AND ACCELERATOR CONTROL COULD BE LOST.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: LOSS OF ACCELERATOR CONTROL MAY NOT REDUCE ENGINE SPEEDTO A LEVEL ANTICIPATED BY THE DRIVER. ALTHOUGH THE VEHICLE CAN STILL BE STOPPEDWITH THE SERVICE BRAKE, LOSS OF ACCELERATOR CONTROL COULD RESULT IN A VEHICLECRASH WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING.
Remedy: REPLACE THE CRUISE CONTROL CABLE.
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
0
No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.
1994 Buick Century Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year
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