BUICK CENTURY · model year

1992 BUICK CENTURY

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.

64
Complaints
11
Crashes
2
Fires
13
Injuries
1
Deaths

Total Complaints

64 filings

Crashes Reported

11 reports

Source

NHTSA ODI

Federal complaints database

Complaints vs. fleet median (215)

At or below the fleet median complaint volume.

Complaints by Component

ComponentCount
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL4
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS4
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:ALTERNATOR/GENERATOR/REGULATOR3
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:WEBBING2
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:MODULE2
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:ANCHORAGE2
POWER TRAIN:AXLE ASSEMBLY2
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH2
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP2
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:MASTER CYLINDER2
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC2
STRUCTURE:BODY:HOOD:HINGE AND ATTACHMENTS2
EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER2
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION2
SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:POWER ADJUST1

Recent Complaints

20050622CrashTIRES

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

20040422UNKNOWN OR OTHER

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

20040422ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM

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

20040422STRUCTURE

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

20040422ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

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

20040422SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

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

20040422POWER TRAIN

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

20020731POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

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

20010904CrashPOWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:PARK/NEUTRAL START INTERLOCK SWITCH

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

20010419CrashVEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

AUTO ACCELLERATED ON ITS OWN -THROTTLE WENT FROM 0 TO WIDE OPEN. *AK

20010412CrashVEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:ACCELERATOR PEDAL

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

20010409EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER

AIR CONDITONER HAS FAILED AND LOSING FREON.BUT CONSUMER WAS AWARE OF 3 OTHERS VEHICLE THAT HAD SAME PROBLEM. CAUSE UNKNOWN.*AK

20010330ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM

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

20010330ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:ALTERNATOR/GENERATOR/REGULATOR

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

20010330LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:HOOD:LATCH

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

20010130INTERIOR LIGHTING

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

20010130ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:ALTERNATOR/GENERATOR/REGULATOR

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

20010130ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY

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

20010125STEERING: STEERING WHEEL/HANDLE BAR

WHEN PULLING ON STEERING WHEEL MAKES POPS AND JERKS TOWARDS , AS IF IT IS GOING TO COME OFF IN YOUR HANDS. *AK

20000131SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC

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

Compare 1992BUICKCENTURY to Similar Vehicles

NHTSA Investigations

Frequently Asked Questions

How many complaints does the 1992 BUICK CENTURY have?
The 1992 BUICK CENTURY has 64 NHTSA complaints, 11 crashes, 2 fires, 13 injuries, and 1 deaths reported.
What are the most common problems with the 1992 BUICK CENTURY?
The most-complained component for the 1992 BUICK CENTURY is VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL with 4 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS and ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:ALTERNATOR/GENERATOR/REGULATOR.
Is the 1992 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.