FaultScore report
Owners have filed 32 complaints about the 1987 Buick Century with NHTSA between 1995 and 2009. The largest single group is the steering.
32
Complaints
2
Crashes reported
2
Fires reported
0
Injuries reported
Click any bar to open that year's report.
Every complaint is filed against a part. Follow any row for the complaints about that part alone.
1 crashes, 0 fires · median 90,000 mi
1 crashes, 0 fires
0 crashes, 1 fires
A spike years after the car went on sale usually means a part wearing out on schedule across the whole fleet — the kind of pattern no single owner can see from inside their own car.
An investigation is the step before a recall: the agency has seen enough complaints to look into a pattern itself. An open one means it thinks something may be wrong and nothing has been fixed yet.
STICKING THROTTLE
LOSS OF POWER STEERING
SUMMARY: THE COMPLAINTS DESCRIBE A FAILURE OF THE PRESSURE HOSECONNECTED TO THE POWER STEERING PUMP.USED ONLY ON THE 4 CYL MODELS.THIS PART HAS BEEN REDESIGNED AND EACH GM DIVISION HAS ISSUED ASERVICE BULLETIN.WARRANTY CLAIMS AND PARTS SALES ARE VERY HIGH.===
POWER STEERING HOSE FAILS
===
BRAKE INEFFECTIVENESS
STALLING
SUMMARY:THE COMPLAINTS ALLEGE THAT STALLING IS DUE TO VARIOUS FAULTYCOMPONENTS OF THE FUEL INJECTION AND/OR IGNITION SYSTEM. THE FOLLOWINGMODELS ARE INVOLVED:BUICK ELECTRA, LESABRE, RIVERA, CENTURY; OLDS CUTLASSCIERA, 88, 98, TORONADO; PONTIAC BONNEVILLE.STATUS:THIS INVESTIGATION IS ONGOING.WE ARE CONTINUING TO ANALYZEINFORMATION PROVIDED BY GM AND ARE PREPARING AN ADDITIONAL INFORMATIONREQUEST TO GM TO CLARIFY CERTAIN TECHNICAL ITEMS.===
A complaint is one owner's allegation. A recall is the point at which the manufacturer or a regulator agreed the defect is real and dangerous enough to fix for free — however old the car is.
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
CERTAIN REPLACEMENT FUEL FILTERS, FRAM BRAND NAME P/N G3727, WITH DATE CODES X52911 THROUGH X60801 SEQUENTIALLY OR X600141 AND A MEXICO COUNTRY OR ORIGIN MARKING ON THE FUEL FILTER HOUSING MANUFACTURED FROM OCTOBER 18, 2005, THROUGH MARCH 21, 2006, SOLD FOR USE ON THE VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE AND ON CERTAIN SCHOOL BUSES. (TO SEE THE SCHOOL BUS ENGINE SIZES, CLICK ON "DOCUMENT SEARCH" AND THEN "BUS APPLICATIONS"). THE CONNECTOR ON THE FUEL FILTER WAS NOT MANUFACTURED TO HONEYWELL'S SPECIFICATION. AS A RESULT, THE O-RING MAY NOT SEAT CORRECTLY ON THE FUEL LINE.
Risk: THIS CONDITION MAY CAUSE AN INADEQUATE SEAL AT THE CONNECTION, POTENTIALLY LEADING TO A FUEL LEAK. IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, A FIRE COULD OCCUR.
Canada runs its own recall programme, and its campaigns do not always mirror the American ones.
Emissions
THESE VEHICLES DO NOT COMPLY WITH C.M.V.S.S. 1103 - EXHAUST EMISSIONS. - MASS AIRFLOW SENSOR FAILURE - NOTE : VEHICLES WITH 3.0 LITRE AND 3.8 LITRE ENGINES.
Recalls cover specific build ranges, so check your own vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or, in Canada, Transport Canada.
Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
I FILED A COMPLAINT IN JUNE 1998 WITH NO RESPONSE YET. PLEASE ADVISE ME OF STATUS OF MY COMPLAINT/OUTCOME. INCOMPLETE SUMMARY, NO DEFECT MENTIONED.
NHTSA complaint #702915 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STEERING:COLUMN LOCKING:ANTI-THEFT DEVICE
IN 1992 THE MAXIGUARD ANTI-THEFT AFTERMAKET DEVICE WAS INSTALLED. THE MAXIGUARD ANTI-THEFT DEVICE WIRES CAUGHT ON FIRE AND CAUSED DAMAGE TO THE VEHICLE. CAUSE OF THE FIRE WAS A SHORT IN THE ANTI-THEFT DEVICE. *AK *MJS
NHTSA complaint #824528 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
WHEN PUT INTO GEAR THE CAR ACCELERATED OVER A BANK INTO A BROOK. FOOT WAS NOT ON PEDAL GAS PEDAL. VEHICLE WAS TOTALED.
NHTSA complaint #823073 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS IN PARK THE ENGINE REVED AND WENT INTO REVERSE WHILE IN PARK. PLEASE DESCRIBE.
NHTSA complaint #982158 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
TIRES
MY MOTHER HAS A BUICK THAT SHE HAD FIRESTONE RADIAL TIRES INSTALLED ON THE FRONT. THE TIRES, P185/75R14 HAD A BELT BREAK IN THEM WITHIN ONE WEEK OF EACH OTHER. THE DEALER SHE BOUGHT THEM FROM REFUSES TO TALK TO HER ABOUT IT. WHAT CAN SHE DO?
NHTSA complaint #10277973 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN
TRANSMISSION SLIPS AND DOESN'T LOCK INTO GEAR. ALSO MAKES CLUNKING SOUND WHEN ACCELERATION IS LET OFF THEN RE-APPLIED. THIS CAR WAS DRIVEN GENTLY THROUGHOUT ITS LIFE BY SENIOR CITIZENS.
NHTSA complaint #10069540 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SEATS
WHILE BEING INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT AT 20-25 MPH FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT BROKE OFF THE TRACK. CONTACTED DEALER, AND DEALER WAS NOT WILLING TO DO ANYTHING.
NHTSA complaint #8006792 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
WHEN TURNING ON HEATER ENGINE RPM'S GO UP SOMETIMES AND CAN KEEP CAR MOVING AT 45-50 MPH WITHOUT DEPRESSING THE GAS, TURNING OFF HEATER CONTROL DOES NOT ALWAYS DROP THE RPM'S, WHEN PUTTING THE CAR IN PARK THE ENGINE RACES AT VERY HIGH RPM'S AND CONSUMER MUST TURN OFF ENGINE QUICKLY. NLM
NHTSA complaint #557898 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
CHILD SEAT:SHIELD ASSEMBLY
PROBLEM WITH CENTURY OVATION CAR SEAT. MY 2 YEAR OLD SON PULLED THE T-BAR SHIELD OUT OF THE BUCKLE AREA 2 TIMES. IT WAS PROPERLY SECURED. WE TOOK THE CAR SEAT OUT AND TRIED IT OURSELVES. WITHOUT MUCH EFFORT AT ALL, WE WERE ABLE TO PULL IT OUT 7 OUT OF 10 TRIES. IT SEEMED TO UNLATCH WHEN THE T BAR WAS PUSHED SLIGHTLY IN ONE DIRECTION OR ANOTHER. IF MY 2 YEAR OLD WAS ABLE TO PULL IT OUT, I AM CONVINCED THIS IS NOT A SAFE SEAT. MANUFACTURER HAS REQUESTED I SEND THE SEAT BACK TO THEM SO THEY CAN "TAKE A LOOK AT IT". IF YOU NEED ANY OTHER INFORMATION FROM ME, PLEASE E-MAIL ME OR CALL ME. THANK YOU, JENNIFER CANNON.
NHTSA complaint #722935 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
EVEN MECHANICS CAN'T SOLVE THIS; SO IT IS HARD FOR ME TO DIAGNOSE. NO SAFETY DEFEC TLISTED IN SUMMARY.
NHTSA complaint #719712 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
EVEN MECHANICS CAN'T SOLVE THIS; SO IT IS HARD FOR ME TO DIAGNOSE. NO SAFETY DEFEC TLISTED IN SUMMARY.
NHTSA complaint #719712 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
VEHICLE STALLED 10 TIMES FROM PURCHASE DATE. HAS BEEN IN THE SAME FAMILY SINCE IT WAS BOUGHT NEW. IT HAS BEEN "REPAIRED" MANY TIMES, BUT NEVER FIXED. IS THERE ANY WAY WE CAN GET IT FIXED AND CAN THE MANUFACTURER HELP? AFTER SEARCHING YOUR WEB PAGE I NOW KNOW THAT WE WEREN'T THE ONLY ONE WITH THIS PROBLEM. THIS CAR HAS BEEN SITTING FOR A FEW YEARS NOW. HELP!
NHTSA complaint #718182 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DRUM:DRUM
WHILE TRAVELING UP ON AN INCLINE APPLIED FORCE TO THE BRAKE PEDAL AND REAR BRAKES SEIZED. CONSUMER CONTACTED DEALER. DEALER DETERMINED THAT REAR BRAKES SEIZED DUE TO REAR BRAKE DRUMS BEING FRACTURED IN THREE DIFFERENT PLACE. ,DEALER HAS REPLACED REAR BRAKE DRUMS. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER DETAILS.
NHTSA complaint #846339 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
WHILE WARMING THE VEHICLE IT STALLED.
NHTSA complaint #834962 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
I FILED A COMPLAINT IN JUNE 1998 WITH NO RESPONSE YET. PLEASE ADVISE ME OF STATUS OF MY COMPLAINT/OUTCOME. INCOMPLETE SUMMARY, NO DEFECT MENTIONED.
NHTSA complaint #702915 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
OWNER HAS HAD 3 BATTERIES REPLACED AND 1 NEW ALTERNATOR BECAUSE OF AN ELECTRICAL MALFUNCTION IN THE VEHICLE. DEALER CLAIMS THAT SOMETHING ELECTRICAL STAYS ON IN THE VEHICLE EVEN WHEN IT CUTS OFF.
NHTSA complaint #833785 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:PADS
BRAKE SHOES FAILED.
NHTSA complaint #604640 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STEERING:COLUMN LOCKING:ANTI-THEFT DEVICE
IN 1992 THE MAXIGUARD ANTI-THEFT AFTERMAKET DEVICE WAS INSTALLED. THE MAXIGUARD ANTI-THEFT DEVICE WIRES CAUGHT ON FIRE AND CAUSED DAMAGE TO THE VEHICLE. CAUSE OF THE FIRE WAS A SHORT IN THE ANTI-THEFT DEVICE. *AK *MJS
NHTSA complaint #824528 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
WHEN PUT INTO GEAR THE CAR ACCELERATED OVER A BANK INTO A BROOK. FOOT WAS NOT ON PEDAL GAS PEDAL. VEHICLE WAS TOTALED.
NHTSA complaint #823073 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST:PUMP
IN COLD WEATHER, POWER STEERING WONT TURN AFTER THE INITIAL START.
NHTSA complaint #531587 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER BALL JOINT
WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY THE RIGHT LOWER BALL JOINT CAME OFF AND THE WHEEL SPINNED AROUND. THERE WAS NO WARNING BEFORE THIS HAPPENED.
NHTSA complaint #814409 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STEERING:RACK AND PINION
'COLD POWER STEERING'.
NHTSA complaint #518660 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY
THE DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT BELT BUCKLE, THE PLASTIC PIECE FELL APART . PLEASE DESCRIBE .
NHTSA complaint #801611 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STEERING
'COLD POWER STEERING'.
NHTSA complaint #478151 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS IN PARK THE ENGINE REVED AND WENT INTO REVERSE WHILE IN PARK. PLEASE DESCRIBE.
NHTSA complaint #982158 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STEERING: STEERING WHEEL/HANDLE BAR
STEERING WHEEL ON VEHICLE HAD A LOT OF PLAY DUE TO LOOSE BOLTS HOLDING STEERING WHEEL TO COLUMN.
NHTSA complaint #979664 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STEERING: STEERING WHEEL/HANDLE BAR
STEERING WHEEL ON VEHICLE HAD A LOT OF PLAY DUE TO LOOSE BOLTS HOLDING STEERING WHEEL TO COLUMN.
NHTSA complaint #979664 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STEERING:RACK AND PINION
POWER STEERING RACK FAILED.
NHTSA complaint #968559 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY
DRIVERS SEAT BELT BUCKLE DISINTEGRATED IN DRIVERS HAND UPON ASSEMBLY. PLEASE DESCRIBE DETAILS.
NHTSA complaint #968348 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.