MotorDeets

Buick Century problems, recalls & best years

The deets on every Century from 1990 to 2005: 1,691 owner complaints and 32 recalls across 16 model years.

The model years with the most owner complaints are 1999 (235), 1998 (218), 2000 (193). Best fuel economy: 24 mpg combined (1996).

Buick Century
Photo: MercurySable99 · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons. Representative photo of this generation; trim may differ.

Problem areas across all years

Engine & cooling230
Brakes (hydraulic)217
Electrical205
Exterior lights174
Transmission & drivetrain160
Visibility (wipers, glass)154
Steering129
Speed control / throttle106

Year by year

YearRecallsComplaintsBest mpg
199023323
199123822
199234522
199325423
1994610624
199519920
199618024
1997210621
1998221821
1999323521
2000519321
2001314521
2002015421
2003012721
200403921
200501921

Want the full repair deets? Get the factory manual.

Recall and complaint data tells you what goes wrong. A service manual tells you how to fix it: torque specs, wiring diagrams, fluid capacities and step-by-step procedures for the Buick Century.

eManualOnline Download (PDF), keep forever

Closest thing to the factory manual for most years. Pay once, keep it.

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Mitchell 1 DIY Online access, factory-level data

Pro-shop repair procedures, wiring diagrams and TSBs for your exact car.

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ALLDATAdiy Online access, factory OEM info

OEM procedures, specs and recall/TSB info, the same source many shops use.

From $19.99/mo · $59.99/yr
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Haynes Print book or AllAccess online

Step-by-step photos written from a real teardown. Great for first-timers.

Books ~$30–$40 · AllAccess $34.99/mo
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FAQ

What is the worst year for the Buick Century?

The model years with the most owner complaints are 1999 (235), 1998 (218), 2000 (193).

How many recalls has the Buick Century had?

Across 1990–2005, NHTSA lists 32 vehicle recall campaigns by model year (a campaign that covers several years counts once per year).