Total Complaints
71 filings
BUICK CENTURY · model year
1993 BUICK CENTURY
71 NHTSA complaints, 22 crash reports for this specific cohort.
NHTSA overall rating
Not crash-tested
New Car Assessment Program
The 1993BUICKCENTURY carries 71 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 22 crashes, 4 fires, 16 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 1993 CENTURY is air bags:frontal with 12 filings, followed by engine and engine cooling:engine:gasoline (7) and vehicle speed control (6). 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 1993 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.
71
Complaints
22
Crashes
4
Fires
16
Injuries
0
Deaths
Crashes Reported
22 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 |
|---|---|
| AIR BAGS:FRONTAL | 12 |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE | 7 |
| VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL | 6 |
| SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS | 3 |
| POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION | 3 |
| EQUIPMENT:MECHANICAL:CARRIER/RACK | 2 |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:INTERIOR/UNDER DASH | 2 |
| AIR BAGS | 2 |
| FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER | 2 |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:HORN | 2 |
| SEAT BELTS | 1 |
| SEAT BELTS:FRONT:WEBBING | 1 |
| SEAT BELTS:FRONT:ANCHORAGE | 1 |
| FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS | 1 |
| SUSPENSION:FRONT | 1 |
Recent Complaints
20110314FireELECTRICAL SYSTEM
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1993 BUICK CENTURY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED AND THE DEFROSTER WAS ENGAGED. THE CONTACT THEN SMELLED A BURNING ODOR AND NOTICED SMOKE EMITTING FROM THE DEFROSTER AREA. THE CONTACT MOVED THE VEHICLE AWAY FROM HIS RESIDENCE AND TURNED THE ENGINE OFF BUT THE SMOKE CONTINUED. THE CONTACT THEN OPENED THE HOOD AND A FIRE ERUPTED. THE FIRE WAS EXTINGUISHED AND THE CONTACT SUSTAINED A KNEE INFECTION FROM ATTEMPTING TO MOVE THE VEHICLE AWAY FROM HIS RESIDENCE. A FIRE REPORT WAS AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER WHO OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 230,000. UPDATED 04/15/11*LJ THE CONSUMER LISTED WIRING HARNESS AS THE PROBLEM. UPDATED 10/12/11
Mileage: 230,000
20110314FireELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1993 BUICK CENTURY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED AND THE DEFROSTER WAS ENGAGED. THE CONTACT THEN SMELLED A BURNING ODOR AND NOTICED SMOKE EMITTING FROM THE DEFROSTER AREA. THE CONTACT MOVED THE VEHICLE AWAY FROM HIS RESIDENCE AND TURNED THE ENGINE OFF BUT THE SMOKE CONTINUED. THE CONTACT THEN OPENED THE HOOD AND A FIRE ERUPTED. THE FIRE WAS EXTINGUISHED AND THE CONTACT SUSTAINED A KNEE INFECTION FROM ATTEMPTING TO MOVE THE VEHICLE AWAY FROM HIS RESIDENCE. A FIRE REPORT WAS AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER WHO OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 230,000. UPDATED 04/15/11*LJ THE CONSUMER LISTED WIRING HARNESS AS THE PROBLEM. UPDATED 10/12/11
Mileage: 230,000
20040331SEAT BELTS:FRONT
FRONT SEAT BELTS ARE ATTACHED TO THE DOORS, AND WHEN THE DOORS ARE OPENED, THE SEAT BELTS EXTEND FORWARD. CONSUMER FEELS THIS FEATURE POSSES A SAFETY RISK BECAUSE IF THE DOORS FLINGS OPEN IN AN ACCIDENT THEY WILL NOT RESTRAIN THE OCCUPANTS IN THEIR SEAT. *AK *NM
Mileage: 16,000
20040105FireENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
1993 BUICK CENTURY EXPERIENCED VEHICLE FIRE.*MR WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY THE CAR JERKED A LITTLE AND THE BATTERY LIGHT CAME ON. THE CONSUMER HEARD A POP AND SAW SMOKE, HE THEN PULLED OVER AND THE VEHICLE BECAME ENGULFED IN FIRE. *CB *JB
20020110SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:PADS
BRAKE PADS WEAR OUT MORE THAN THE AVERAGE.*AK
20011004ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:HORN
PLASTIC HORN BUTTONS(HALF MOON SHAPE)WILL NOT FIT IN SPACES PROVIDED AS THEY ARE DISTORED DUE TO THE HEAT IN CAR. THESE MUST BE PRESSED TO HAVE HONK THE HORN & CAN'T BE, BECAUSE THEY DON'T FIT.
20010424EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER
SHIFT CABLE HAS WORN A HOLE IN AIR CONDITONER AND LOST FLUIDS. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK
20010326CrashTIRES:TREAD/BELT
CONSUMER WAS TRAVELING ABOUT 35MPH ON HIGHWAY AND REAR LEFT TIRE TREAD SEPARATED FROM RIM. VEHICLE WENT INTO A WATER ENBANKMENT OF EIGHT FEET. VEHICLE WAS SUBMERGED UNDER WATER, BUT CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO ESCAPE THROUGH DRIVER'S SIDE WINDOW . VEHICLE WAS TOTALED. FIRESTONE TIRES 205-70-R14 S-S60,DOT E2PGF5A44. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. *AK
20001213STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR:HINGE AND ATTACHMENTS
DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR FALLS OPEN, EVEN WHEN LOCKED; SEAT BELT TIGHTENS AS IF THERE WAS IMPACT AND PULLS DRIVER TOWARD THE OPEN DOOR. *AK
20001213SEAT BELTS:FRONT:RETRACTOR
DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR FALLS OPEN, EVEN WHEN LOCKED; SEAT BELT TIGHTENS AS IF THERE WAS IMPACT AND PULLS DRIVER TOWARD THE OPEN DOOR. *AK
20001018ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
WHILE DRIVING AT 55 MPH THERE WAS A BOOM, WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED ON THE DASH PANEL, AND VEHICLE SHUT DOWN. CONSUMER WAS TOLD BY A MECHANIC THAT A ROD BLEW. THAT IS WHAT CAUSED THE ENGINE TO SHUT DOWN. BUICK HAS NOT BEEN CONTACTED.*AK
20001003CrashAIR BAGS:FRONTAL
WHILE TRAVELING AT 40 MPH THIS VEHICLE STRUCK ANOTHER VEHICLE HEAD-ON, AND AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. BUICK HAS BEEN CONTACTED.*AK
20000609STRUCTURE:BODY:HOOD
WHILE DRIVING ON HIGHWAY VEHICLE STALLED AND HAD TO BE TOWED. TECHNICIAN OPENED THE HOOD, AND FOUND OUT THAT COVER UNDER THE HOOD (LOOKED LIKE A BLANKET FOR NOISE OR FIRE) HAD ALMOST CAUGHT ON FIRE. ALSO, NO POWER STEERING. PIECES THAT CAME LOOSE WENT DOWN INTO THE ALTERNATOR, CAUSING IT TO BURN UP. VEHICLE LOST ALL POWER AND THE ALTERNATOR HAD TO BE REPLACED. *AK *ML
20000609ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
WHILE DRIVING ON HIGHWAY VEHICLE STALLED AND HAD TO BE TOWED. TECHNICIAN OPENED THE HOOD, AND FOUND OUT THAT COVER UNDER THE HOOD (LOOKED LIKE A BLANKET FOR NOISE OR FIRE) HAD ALMOST CAUGHT ON FIRE. ALSO, NO POWER STEERING. PIECES THAT CAME LOOSE WENT DOWN INTO THE ALTERNATOR, CAUSING IT TO BURN UP. VEHICLE LOST ALL POWER AND THE ALTERNATOR HAD TO BE REPLACED. *AK *ML
20000609STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM
WHILE DRIVING ON HIGHWAY VEHICLE STALLED AND HAD TO BE TOWED. TECHNICIAN OPENED THE HOOD, AND FOUND OUT THAT COVER UNDER THE HOOD (LOOKED LIKE A BLANKET FOR NOISE OR FIRE) HAD ALMOST CAUGHT ON FIRE. ALSO, NO POWER STEERING. PIECES THAT CAME LOOSE WENT DOWN INTO THE ALTERNATOR, CAUSING IT TO BURN UP. VEHICLE LOST ALL POWER AND THE ALTERNATOR HAD TO BE REPLACED. *AK *ML
20000519SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS
I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE THE BRAKES THREE TIMES SINCE I BOUGHT THE CAR IN 1997. THEY STILL DON'T WORK WELL. THERE MUST BE A FACTORY DEFECT! WHAT CAN I DO ABOUT THIS? *AK
20000510POWER TRAIN
TWO STANDARD TRANSMISSION FAILED
20000303ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
MY CAR DIES WHEN THE GAS TANK BEGINS TO GET $3.50 AWAY FROM BEING FULL. WHEN IT DIES IT WILL NOT RESTART FOR APPROXIMATELY FOR 15 MINUTES. THE GAS GAUGE DIAL BEGINS TO WAVER FROM SIDE TO SIDE WHEN THE GAS GAUGE IS AROUND $3.50 DOWN FROM BEING FULL. WHEN THE GAS GAUGE BEGINS TO WAVER THAT IS A SIGN TO ME THAT I MUST FILL THE CAR UP AGAIN OR IT WILL SOON STALL. I HAVE HAD IT IN THE SHOP OFF AND ON FOR 11 MONTHS. I HAVE HAD THE FUEL PUMP REPLACED BUT IT HAS NOT SOLVED THE PROBLEM. WE LOVE THIS CAR. IT HAS SERVED US WELL AND WE HAVE HAD NO PROBLEMS TO SPEAK OF UNTIL THIS PROBLEM CAME ABOUT. THE CAR DEALORSHIP KEEPS SAYING THEY CANNOT DUPLICATE WHAT HAPPENS TO ME. IT CAN DIE ON ME THREE OR FOUR TIMES IN A DAY AND THEN RUN PERFECTLY FOR TWO WEEKS AT A TIME. I LEARNED THAT IF I KEEP THE GAS TANK FULL IT WILL FUNCTION AS CLOSE TO NORMAL AS POSSIBLE. I WILL APPRECIATE ANY HELP YOU CAN GIVE. *AK
20000303FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER
MY CAR DIES WHEN THE GAS TANK BEGINS TO GET $3.50 AWAY FROM BEING FULL. WHEN IT DIES IT WILL NOT RESTART FOR APPROXIMATELY FOR 15 MINUTES. THE GAS GAUGE DIAL BEGINS TO WAVER FROM SIDE TO SIDE WHEN THE GAS GAUGE IS AROUND $3.50 DOWN FROM BEING FULL. WHEN THE GAS GAUGE BEGINS TO WAVER THAT IS A SIGN TO ME THAT I MUST FILL THE CAR UP AGAIN OR IT WILL SOON STALL. I HAVE HAD IT IN THE SHOP OFF AND ON FOR 11 MONTHS. I HAVE HAD THE FUEL PUMP REPLACED BUT IT HAS NOT SOLVED THE PROBLEM. WE LOVE THIS CAR. IT HAS SERVED US WELL AND WE HAVE HAD NO PROBLEMS TO SPEAK OF UNTIL THIS PROBLEM CAME ABOUT. THE CAR DEALORSHIP KEEPS SAYING THEY CANNOT DUPLICATE WHAT HAPPENS TO ME. IT CAN DIE ON ME THREE OR FOUR TIMES IN A DAY AND THEN RUN PERFECTLY FOR TWO WEEKS AT A TIME. I LEARNED THAT IF I KEEP THE GAS TANK FULL IT WILL FUNCTION AS CLOSE TO NORMAL AS POSSIBLE. I WILL APPRECIATE ANY HELP YOU CAN GIVE. *AK
20000303FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP
MY CAR DIES WHEN THE GAS TANK BEGINS TO GET $3.50 AWAY FROM BEING FULL. WHEN IT DIES IT WILL NOT RESTART FOR APPROXIMATELY FOR 15 MINUTES. THE GAS GAUGE DIAL BEGINS TO WAVER FROM SIDE TO SIDE WHEN THE GAS GAUGE IS AROUND $3.50 DOWN FROM BEING FULL. WHEN THE GAS GAUGE BEGINS TO WAVER THAT IS A SIGN TO ME THAT I MUST FILL THE CAR UP AGAIN OR IT WILL SOON STALL. I HAVE HAD IT IN THE SHOP OFF AND ON FOR 11 MONTHS. I HAVE HAD THE FUEL PUMP REPLACED BUT IT HAS NOT SOLVED THE PROBLEM. WE LOVE THIS CAR. IT HAS SERVED US WELL AND WE HAVE HAD NO PROBLEMS TO SPEAK OF UNTIL THIS PROBLEM CAME ABOUT. THE CAR DEALORSHIP KEEPS SAYING THEY CANNOT DUPLICATE WHAT HAPPENS TO ME. IT CAN DIE ON ME THREE OR FOUR TIMES IN A DAY AND THEN RUN PERFECTLY FOR TWO WEEKS AT A TIME. I LEARNED THAT IF I KEEP THE GAS TANK FULL IT WILL FUNCTION AS CLOSE TO NORMAL AS POSSIBLE. I WILL APPRECIATE ANY HELP YOU CAN GIVE. *AK
Compare 1993BUICKCENTURY to Similar Vehicles
NHTSA Investigations
Frequently Asked Questions
How many complaints does the 1993 BUICK CENTURY have?▼
The 1993 BUICK CENTURY has 71 NHTSA complaints, 22 crashes, 4 fires, 16 injuries, and 0 deaths reported.
What are the most common problems with the 1993 BUICK CENTURY?▼
The most-complained component for the 1993 BUICK CENTURY is AIR BAGS:FRONTAL with 12 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE and VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL.
Is the 1993 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.