Total Complaints
50 filings
BUICK CENTURY · model year
1991 BUICK CENTURY
50 NHTSA complaints, 9 crash reports for this specific cohort.
NHTSA overall rating
Not crash-tested
New Car Assessment Program
The 1991BUICKCENTURY carries 50 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 9 crashes, 2 fires, 14 injuries, and 0 fatalities. No NCAP 5-star crash-test rating is available for this model year in the federal database.
Component-level analysis is where model-year complaints become actionable: the top complaint category for the 1991 CENTURY is service brakes, hydraulic:foundation components with 5 filings, followed by vehicle speed control (5) and unknown or other (3). Concentration in one or two component groups is the classic signature of a systemic defect; a flat distribution usually reflects normal aging, warranty complaints, or isolated build-plant variability.
NHTSA currently has 1 investigation file overlapping the 1991 CENTURY. Owners comparing this cohort against neighboring years should pair the counters above with the complaint-by-year trend on the parent model page — a spike in a single year often tracks to a platform refresh, a new transmission supplier, or an updated ECU calibration. Use the related-complaint feed below to read raw owner narratives before deciding whether any pattern here affects your specific use case.
50
Complaints
9
Crashes
2
Fires
14
Injuries
0
Deaths
Crashes Reported
9 reports
Source
NHTSA ODI
Federal complaints database
Complaints vs. fleet median (215)
At or below the fleet median complaint volume.
Complaints by Component
| Component | Count |
|---|---|
| SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS | 5 |
| VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL | 5 |
| UNKNOWN OR OTHER | 3 |
| SEATS | 3 |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:ALTERNATOR/GENERATOR/REGULATOR | 3 |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION | 2 |
| VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER | 2 |
| FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP | 2 |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE | 2 |
| CHILD SEAT | 1 |
| SEAT BELTS:FRONT:ANCHORAGE | 1 |
| SEAT BELTS:FRONT:WEBBING | 1 |
| SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DRUM:SHOES/LININGS | 1 |
| SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DRUM | 1 |
| POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:TORQUE CONVERTER | 1 |
Recent Complaints
20170202UNKNOWN OR OTHER
I PUT THE KEY IN I TURN IT AND OUT CRANKS BUT WON'T TURN OVER.STATIONARY
Mileage: 165
20141216ENGINE
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1990 BUICK CENTURY (N/A). THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE ENGINE STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 90,000.
Mileage: 90,000
20040422POWER TRAIN
TRANSMISSION DOESNT WANT TO GO IN GEAR AFTER MAKING A TURN. HAVE NOT HAD THE CAR REPAIRED BECAUSE THE VALUE OF IT IS APPROX. $2,725 ONLY. HAVE ONLY HAD AN ESTIMATE. THE REPAIR-MAN SAID HE THOUGHT IT WAS A SPRAGUE. DONT KNOW IF THIS IS CORRECT SPELLING. I REALIZE THE CAR IS OLD, BUT THE MILEAGE IS LOW FOR THIS MANY YEARS. NOW, THE SERVICE ENGINE SOON LIGHT COMES ON AFTER CAR WARMS UP- AND STAYS ON- TRANSMISSION MAN SAID DIDNT HAVE ANYTHING TO DO WITH THE TRANS. HAVE NOT HAD A COMPUTER DIAGNOSIS.
20011227CrashSERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DRUM:WHEEL CYLINDERS
WHEEL CYLINDER DETACHED FROM MOUNTING POINT,GOT CAUGHT UP IN BRAKE SHOES, WHICH CAUSED WHEEL TO FREEZE UP, LEADING TO ROLLOVER ACCIDENT
20010828ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
THE ENGINE STALLS EVERYTIME THE CAR IS DRIVEN MORE THAN 50 MILES, THE VEHICLE STALLS AT LOW SPEEDS ON TURNS, IT STALLS WHILE DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS, AFTER THE ENGINE IS RESTARTED IT RACES, DEALER IS UNABLE TO DETECT THE PROBLEM. NLM
20010828VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS
THE POWER WINDOWS WORK FINE IN THE WINTER BUT IN THE SUMMER THEY GET STUCK IN THE UP POSITION, AN ELECTRICAL SPECIALIST WAS UNABLE TO FINE THE PROBLEM. NLM
20010828VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER
THE DRIVER'S SIDE WINDSHIELD WIPER FELL OFF WHILE DRIVING IN RAIN. NLM
20010316CrashVEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
WHEN SWITCHING GEAR FROM DRIVE TO REVERSE ENGINE SUDDEN ACCELERATED, CRASHING INTO VEHICLE BEHIND. THEN, SWITCHED GEAR TO DRIVE AND ENGINE SUDDEN ACCELERATED AGAIN, CRASHING INTO VEHICLE IN FRONT. VEHICLE TOOK OFF ON IT'S OWN, DRIVING OVER CURVE AND CRASHING INTO A WALL THEN, HITTING AN UTILITY POLE. VEHICLE WAS TOTALED.*AK
20010316CrashPOWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
WHEN SWITCHING GEAR FROM DRIVE TO REVERSE ENGINE SUDDEN ACCELERATED, CRASHING INTO VEHICLE BEHIND. THEN, SWITCHED GEAR TO DRIVE AND ENGINE SUDDEN ACCELERATED AGAIN, CRASHING INTO VEHICLE IN FRONT. VEHICLE TOOK OFF ON IT'S OWN, DRIVING OVER CURVE AND CRASHING INTO A WALL THEN, HITTING AN UTILITY POLE. VEHICLE WAS TOTALED.*AK
20010228ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
WHEN DRIVING AT ANY SPEED WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING VEHICLE CUTS OFF, CAUSING LOSS OF ALL POWER. CONSUMER HAS CONTACTED DEALER, DEALER UNABLE TO DETERMINE CAUSE OF PROBLEM. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER DETAILS.*AK
20001107ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
ENGINE BEGAN OVERHEATING, CONSUMER HAD ALL 6 FROST PLUGS REPLACED AND THE WATER PUMP, STARTER, THERMOSTAT, HEAD GASKET AND RESURFACED THE ENGINE HEAD. NLM
20001107ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:STARTER ASSEMBLY
ENGINE BEGAN OVERHEATING, CONSUMER HAD ALL 6 FROST PLUGS REPLACED AND THE WATER PUMP, STARTER, THERMOSTAT, HEAD GASKET AND RESURFACED THE ENGINE HEAD. NLM
20000201VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
WHILE IN THE OFF POSITION THE CRUISE CONTROL ACTIVATED, ACCELERATING THE ENGINE, THIS HAS HAPPENED AT VARIOUS SPEEDS AND IN THE PARK POSITION. *MJS
19991129SEATS
THE FRONT SEAT BRACKET BROKE OFF LEAVING THE SEAT LOOSE AND UNSTABLE. YH
19991129SEATS
THE FRONT SEAT BRACKET BROKE OFF LEAVING THE SEAT LOOSE AND UNSTABLE. YH
19991001ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:INTERIOR/UNDER DASH
MY CLEAR COAT IS CHALKING AND PEELING MAINLY ON MY HOOD AND TWO SIDE PANELS, THE PAINT ON MY BACK BUMPER IS COMPLETLY FLAKING OFF. I SPOKE WITH THE DEALERSHIP ABOUT THIS AND THEY TOLD ME IT WAS REPLACED FREE UNTIL 1995. I DONT FEEL I HAVE DONE ANYTHING TO CAUSE THIS PROBLEM. I WASH AND WAX MY CAR REGULARLY. I FEEL GM SHOULD PAY SINCE THEY ADMITTED FAULT WITH BAD PAINT UNTIL 1995 AND I DID NOT CAUSE THIS PROBLEM NOR OWN THE CAR UNTIL AFTER 1995
19990924SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS
WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKES THE VEHICLE DOES NOT SLOW DOWN AND THE BRAKE PEDAL HAS TO BE REAPPLIED WITH MORE PRESSURE. THIS HAPPENS ONLY DURING PANIC STOPS. DEALER HAS NOT SEEN.MJS
19990625ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING
HAD STARTED VEHICLE, WHICH DID NOT START RIGHT AWAY. TOOK VEHICLE TO MECHANIC & HAD BATTERY REPLACED HOWEVER, PROBLEM CONTINUED. VEHICLE WOULD RUN FOR A WHILE. TURNED VEHICLE OFF & LEFT. RETURNED & VEHICLE WOULD NOT START. MECHANIC COULD NOT LOCATE PROBLEM. THERE IS A TSB #916D-5. *AK
19990526FireSEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:RECLINER
VEHICLE EXPERIENCED RECALL COMPONENT FAILURE OF THE POWER SEAT OR RECLINER WIRING HARNESS WHICH RESULTED IN FIRE, HOWEVER DENIED SERVICE DUE TO VIN #. (92V-124). MJS
19990408STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR:HINGE AND ATTACHMENTS
DRIVER SIDE DOOR FALLING OFF. HAD TO REPLACE ENTIRE DOOR/HINGES ETC. NOT ACCIDENT RELATED. DEALER SAID THIS HAS HAPPENED TO OTHER CENTURY MODELS. *AK
Compare 1991BUICKCENTURY to Similar Vehicles
NHTSA Investigations
Frequently Asked Questions
How many complaints does the 1991 BUICK CENTURY have?▼
The 1991 BUICK CENTURY has 50 NHTSA complaints, 9 crashes, 2 fires, 14 injuries, and 0 deaths reported.
What are the most common problems with the 1991 BUICK CENTURY?▼
The most-complained component for the 1991 BUICK CENTURY is SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS with 5 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL and UNKNOWN OR OTHER.
Is the 1991 BUICK CENTURY safe to buy?▼
Review the complaint history, crash and fire reports, safety ratings, and recall status on this page to make an informed decision. No NHTSA crash test rating is available for this model year. Compare with other model years using the links above.
Where does this data come from?▼
All complaint, recall, and safety rating data is sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Complaints are filed by vehicle owners through NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation.
Vehicle Safety Guides
Data as of 2025. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) complaints database, NHTSA recall campaign API, NHTSA NCAP crash-test ratings, and NHTSA FARS for fatality cross-reference.
Read our methodology — how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.