Total Complaints
64 filings
BUICK CENTURY · model year
64 NHTSA complaints, 11 crash reports for this specific cohort.
NHTSA overall rating
Not crash-tested
New Car Assessment Program
The 1992BUICKCENTURY carries 64 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 11 crashes, 2 fires, 13 injuries, and 1 fatality. 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 1992 CENTURY is vehicle speed control with 4 filings, followed by service brakes, hydraulic:foundation components (4) and electrical system:alternator/generator/regulator (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 1992 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.
Total Complaints
64 filings
Crashes Reported
11 reports
Source
NHTSA ODI
Federal complaints database
At or below the fleet median complaint volume.
| Component | Count |
|---|---|
| VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL | 4 |
| SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS | 4 |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:ALTERNATOR/GENERATOR/REGULATOR | 3 |
| SEAT BELTS:FRONT:WEBBING | 2 |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:MODULE | 2 |
| SEAT BELTS:FRONT:ANCHORAGE | 2 |
| POWER TRAIN:AXLE ASSEMBLY | 2 |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH | 2 |
| SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP | 2 |
| SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:MASTER CYLINDER | 2 |
| SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC | 2 |
| STRUCTURE:BODY:HOOD:HINGE AND ATTACHMENTS | 2 |
| EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER | 2 |
| POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION | 2 |
| SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:POWER ADJUST | 1 |
DT: ON MARCH 14TH TWO NEW FRONT TIRES WERE PURCHASED AT SEARS. ON APRIL 10TH THE RIGHT FRONT TIRE BLEW OUT WHILE DRIVING AT 45 MPH. THIS RESULTED IN DAMAGE TO OTHER PARTS OF THE VEHICLE. THERE WAS DAMAGE TO WHEEL WELL, THE PASSENGER DOOR, TIRE AXLE AND THE UNDERBODY OF THE VEHICLE. THERE HAS BEEN NO INSPECTION MADE OF THE TIRE AT THIS TIME. THE VEHICLE OWNER MADE ATTEMPTS TO HAVE SEARS REPLACE THE TIRES AND PAY FOR VEHICLE DAMAGE. THE BLOW OUT RESULTED IN A SINGLE VEHICLE ACCIDENT. THE POLICE WERE NOTIFIED, BUT NO REPORT WAS FILED. THE PASSENGER AND DRIVER SUSTAINED INJURIES , NEITHER RECEIVED MEDICAL TREATMENT.*AK
Mileage: 94,000
WE BOUGHT THIS CAR USED, BUT WE HAVE IT SERVICED EVERY 5-6,000 KMS. NOTHING SMALL GOES IN THIS VEHICLE. WE BASICALLY DRIVE WITHIN A 55 KM RADIUS. THE TRANNY WOULD NOT SHIFT, THE BODY ROTTED OUT DESPITE RUST PROOFING, NOW THE RAD HAS OIL IN IT, HEAD GASKET, NOT EVEN 160,000 KMS,,,PLEASE WHERE ARE THE OLD FASHION VALUE,
Mileage: 95,000
WE BOUGHT THIS CAR USED, BUT WE HAVE IT SERVICED EVERY 5-6,000 KMS. NOTHING SMALL GOES IN THIS VEHICLE. WE BASICALLY DRIVE WITHIN A 55 KM RADIUS. THE TRANNY WOULD NOT SHIFT, THE BODY ROTTED OUT DESPITE RUST PROOFING, NOW THE RAD HAS OIL IN IT, HEAD GASKET, NOT EVEN 160,000 KMS,,,PLEASE WHERE ARE THE OLD FASHION VALUE,
Mileage: 95,000
WE BOUGHT THIS CAR USED, BUT WE HAVE IT SERVICED EVERY 5-6,000 KMS. NOTHING SMALL GOES IN THIS VEHICLE. WE BASICALLY DRIVE WITHIN A 55 KM RADIUS. THE TRANNY WOULD NOT SHIFT, THE BODY ROTTED OUT DESPITE RUST PROOFING, NOW THE RAD HAS OIL IN IT, HEAD GASKET, NOT EVEN 160,000 KMS,,,PLEASE WHERE ARE THE OLD FASHION VALUE,
Mileage: 95,000
WE BOUGHT THIS CAR USED, BUT WE HAVE IT SERVICED EVERY 5-6,000 KMS. NOTHING SMALL GOES IN THIS VEHICLE. WE BASICALLY DRIVE WITHIN A 55 KM RADIUS. THE TRANNY WOULD NOT SHIFT, THE BODY ROTTED OUT DESPITE RUST PROOFING, NOW THE RAD HAS OIL IN IT, HEAD GASKET, NOT EVEN 160,000 KMS,,,PLEASE WHERE ARE THE OLD FASHION VALUE,
Mileage: 95,000
WE BOUGHT THIS CAR USED, BUT WE HAVE IT SERVICED EVERY 5-6,000 KMS. NOTHING SMALL GOES IN THIS VEHICLE. WE BASICALLY DRIVE WITHIN A 55 KM RADIUS. THE TRANNY WOULD NOT SHIFT, THE BODY ROTTED OUT DESPITE RUST PROOFING, NOW THE RAD HAS OIL IN IT, HEAD GASKET, NOT EVEN 160,000 KMS,,,PLEASE WHERE ARE THE OLD FASHION VALUE,
Mileage: 95,000
WE BOUGHT THIS CAR USED, BUT WE HAVE IT SERVICED EVERY 5-6,000 KMS. NOTHING SMALL GOES IN THIS VEHICLE. WE BASICALLY DRIVE WITHIN A 55 KM RADIUS. THE TRANNY WOULD NOT SHIFT, THE BODY ROTTED OUT DESPITE RUST PROOFING, NOW THE RAD HAS OIL IN IT, HEAD GASKET, NOT EVEN 160,000 KMS,,,PLEASE WHERE ARE THE OLD FASHION VALUE,
Mileage: 95,000
CONSUMER REQUESTS TO BE REIMBURSED FOR REPAIRS MADE TO VEHICLE REGARDING THE TRANSMISSION WHICH WAS UNDER RECALL (91V214). CONSUMER FEELS THAT BUICK IS NOT BEING FAIR CONSIDERING THE VEHICLE PROBLEM IS DUE TO A FACTORY OR DESIGN DEFECT, CONSUMER STATES THE TRANSMISSION MALFUNCTIONED WHILE ON THE HIGHWAY. *JG
CONSUMER PLACED VEHICLE IN PARK, AND IT JUMPED OUT OF GEAR AND INTO REVERSE. A 90 YEAR OLD PASSENGER WAS ATTEMPTING TO EXIT VEHICLE AS IT JUMPED OUT OF GEAR, AND WAS DRAGGED 36 FEET, CAUSING SEVERE INJURIES WITH STITCHES ON EYEBROW AND FINGERS ON LEFT SIDE. VEHICLE THEN MOVED ANOTHER 86 FEET, AND HIT A TREE TO STOP.*AK
AUTO ACCELLERATED ON ITS OWN -THROTTLE WENT FROM 0 TO WIDE OPEN. *AK
STARTING AT A DEAD STOP, DROVE A FEW FEET, AND ALL A SUDDEN GAS PEDAL WENT DOWN AND CAR TOOK OFF. CONSUMER APPLIED BRAKES, AND VEHICLE KEPT GOING. IT HIT 3 PARKED CARS BEFORE CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO STOP. *AK THE VEHICLE WAS ACCELERATING ON ITS OWN, BUT THE MECHANIC COULD NOT FIND THE CAUSE. *YH
AIR CONDITONER HAS FAILED AND LOSING FREON.BUT CONSUMER WAS AWARE OF 3 OTHERS VEHICLE THAT HAD SAME PROBLEM. CAUSE UNKNOWN.*AK
I HAVE HAD SEVERAL PROBLEMS WITH THIS CAR FROM THE TIME THAT I BOUGHT IT, IT HAS BEEN IN THE GARAGE FOR MORE REPAIRS THAT IT HAS BEEN ON THE ROAD, FROM NOT STAYING STARTED DURING THE WARM DAYS TO STALLING IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD WHEN WEATHER IS HOT. MULTIPLE PROBLEMS WITH THIS CAR AND YET NO RECALL ON SOME OF THESE PARTS HAS BEEN DONE. NO SAFETY DEFECT MENTIONED. *AK
I HAVE HAD SEVERAL PROBLEMS WITH THIS CAR FROM THE TIME THAT I BOUGHT IT, IT HAS BEEN IN THE GARAGE FOR MORE REPAIRS THAT IT HAS BEEN ON THE ROAD, FROM NOT STAYING STARTED DURING THE WARM DAYS TO STALLING IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD WHEN WEATHER IS HOT. MULTIPLE PROBLEMS WITH THIS CAR AND YET NO RECALL ON SOME OF THESE PARTS HAS BEEN DONE. NO SAFETY DEFECT MENTIONED. *AK
I HAVE HAD SEVERAL PROBLEMS WITH THIS CAR FROM THE TIME THAT I BOUGHT IT, IT HAS BEEN IN THE GARAGE FOR MORE REPAIRS THAT IT HAS BEEN ON THE ROAD, FROM NOT STAYING STARTED DURING THE WARM DAYS TO STALLING IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD WHEN WEATHER IS HOT. MULTIPLE PROBLEMS WITH THIS CAR AND YET NO RECALL ON SOME OF THESE PARTS HAS BEEN DONE. NO SAFETY DEFECT MENTIONED. *AK
CONSUMER HAS HAD TO REPLACE ALTERNATOR AND BATTERY TWICE DUE TO DOME LIGHT IN VEHICLE COMING ON INTERMITTENTLY AFTER ALL DOORS WERE SHUT SECURELY, THUS DRAINING BATTERY. *AK
CONSUMER HAS HAD TO REPLACE ALTERNATOR AND BATTERY TWICE DUE TO DOME LIGHT IN VEHICLE COMING ON INTERMITTENTLY AFTER ALL DOORS WERE SHUT SECURELY, THUS DRAINING BATTERY. *AK
CONSUMER HAS HAD TO REPLACE ALTERNATOR AND BATTERY TWICE DUE TO DOME LIGHT IN VEHICLE COMING ON INTERMITTENTLY AFTER ALL DOORS WERE SHUT SECURELY, THUS DRAINING BATTERY. *AK
WHEN PULLING ON STEERING WHEEL MAKES POPS AND JERKS TOWARDS , AS IF IT IS GOING TO COME OFF IN YOUR HANDS. *AK
EXCESSIVE WEAR OF BRAKE PADS AND ROTORS, CAUSING POOR BRAKING WHEN TRAVELING ON WET PAVEMENT. CONSUMER HAS CONTACTED THE DEALER, DEALER HAS REPLACED THE PADS AND ROTORS ON A NUMBER OF OCCASIONS. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER DETAILS. *AK
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.