FaultScore report
Owners have filed 26 complaints about the 1988 Buick Century with NHTSA between 1995 and 2002. The largest single group is the steering.
26
Complaints
0
Crashes reported
0
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.
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
STOP LAMPS
SUMMARY:A CHEVROLET SERVICE BULLETIN DATED JULY 1988 INDICATES THAT BOTHSOCKETS MUST BE REPLACED USING PART NUMBER 5972532.THIS SERVICE STOCKUSES A NEW HEAT RESISTANT MATERIAL.PRODUCTION STOCK WAS ALSO CORRECTEDBEGINNING WITH VINS J7163799 AND JJ187909.===
BRAKE INEFFECTIVENESS
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.
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
FUEL FEED HOSE COULD LEAK AT THE COUPLING ON THE ENGINE END OF THE HOSE ASSEMBLY.
Risk: FUEL LEAKAGE INTO THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT COULD RESULT INAN ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE THAT COULD SPREAD TO THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT.
SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER ARM
FRONT SUSPENSION LOWER CONTROL ARM BRACKET COULD DEVELOP METAL CRACKS.
Risk: THESE CRACKS MAY RESULT IN DISENGAGEMENT OF THE LOWERCONTROL ARM. IF THIS OCCURS WHILE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION, IT COULD RESULT INLOSS OF STEERING CONTROL AND A VEHICLE CRASH COULD OCCUR WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING.
SEAT BELTS
OWNERS MANUAL DID NOT INCLUDE STATEMENT ON CHILD RESTRAINT SYSTEMS.
Risk: VEHICLES DO NOT CONFORM TO FMVSS 210.
Canada runs its own recall programme, and its campaigns do not always mirror the American ones.
Fuel System
THE FUEL FEED HOSE COULD LEAK AT THE COUPLING ON THE ENGINE END OF THE HOSE ASSEMBLY. THIS CONDITION COULD ALLOW FUEL TO LEAK INTO THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT AND POSSIBLY RESULT IN AN ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE. CORRECTION: FUEL FEED HOSE ASSEMBLY WILL BE INSPECTED AND REPLACED IF NECESSARY WITH A NEW HOSE ASSEMBLY.
Suspension
VEHICLES MAY HAVE BEEN ASSEMBLED WITH A FRONT SUSPENSION LOWER CONTROL ARM BRACKET THAT COULD DEVELOP METAL CRACKS AND EVENTUALLY RESULT IN DISENGAGEMENT OF THE LOWER CONTROL ARM. IF THIS WERE TO OCCUR WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION, IT COULD RESULT IN LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL AND A CRASH WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING. CORRECTION: VEHICLES WITH SUSPECT FRAME ASSEMBLY DATE CODES WILL REQUIRE FRAME REPLACEMENT.
Recalls cover specific build ranges, so check your own vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or, in Canada, Transport Canada.
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER ARM
FRONT END COLLAPSED BECAUSE ENGINE CRADLE BOLT AND STEERING COLUMN DISINTEGRATED. VEHICLE HAS BEEN INCLUDED UNDER RECALL 88 V048 000. DEALER AND MANUFACTURER HAVE BEEN NOTIFIED. *AK THE DEALER STATES THIS VIN WAS NOT ON THE RECALL.
NHTSA complaint #8005879 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STRUCTURE
FRONT END COLLAPSED BECAUSE ENGINE CRADLE BOLT AND STEERING COLUMN DISINTEGRATED. VEHICLE HAS BEEN INCLUDED UNDER RECALL 88 V048 000. DEALER AND MANUFACTURER HAVE BEEN NOTIFIED. *AK THE DEALER STATES THIS VIN WAS NOT ON THE RECALL.
NHTSA complaint #8005879 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SEATS
DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT FRAME BROKE. TOOK TO DEALER, AND DEALER STATED THAT WARRANTY EXPIRED. PLEASE ADD ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.
NHTSA complaint #898040 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STEERING:RACK AND PINION
RACK AND PINION STEERING FAIILED CAUSING THE STEERING WHEEL TO LOCK AND RESIST ANY TURNS TO THE LEFT OR RIGHT CAUSING THE DRIVER TO USE EXCESSIVE FORCE TO UNLOCK THE SEIZED WHEEL. NLM
NHTSA complaint #547676 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
CHANNEL PLATE (SIDE) ON THE TRANSMISSION IS WARPED RESULTING IN LEAKAGE.
NHTSA complaint #539736 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SUSPENSION
POOR SUSPENSION.
NHTSA complaint #539736 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STEERING:RACK AND PINION:RACK
STEERING RACK FAILED.
NHTSA complaint #539736 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STEERING
WHILE DRIVING AT 10 MPH THE LEFT CRADLE BOLT BROKE, AND THE RIGHT CRADLE BOLT FELL THROUGH THE FRAME, CAUSING VEHICLE TO BE INOPERATIVE. PLEASE DESCRIBE DETAILS.
NHTSA complaint #814994 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STEERING: STEERING WHEEL/HANDLE BAR
WHEN TEMPERATURE IS COLD THE STEERING LOCKS UP.
NHTSA complaint #516073 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STEERING:RACK AND PINION
RACK AND PINION FAILED.
NHTSA complaint #516073 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STEERING:RACK AND PINION:RACK
RACK FAILED.
NHTSA complaint #516073 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SUSPENSION:FRONT:SHOCK ABSORBER
SHOCKS ABSORBER FAILED.
NHTSA complaint #516073 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:ANCHORAGE
FRONT SEAT BELT PLASTIC COVERS BROKE.
NHTSA complaint #483191 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STEERING:RACK AND PINION
'COLD POWER STEERING'.
NHTSA complaint #481098 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY
PLASTIC COVER ON SEAT BELT
NHTSA complaint #484910 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY
SEAT BELT BUCKLE COVER POPPED OFF ON 2 1988 BUICK CENTURYS. TT
NHTSA complaint #484910 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY
PLASTIC COVER ON SEAT BELT
NHTSA complaint #484910 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY
SEAT BELT BUCKLE COVER POPPED OFF ON 2 1988 BUICK CENTURYS. TT
NHTSA complaint #484910 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:RETRACTOR
DRIVER'S SIDE SIT BELT DOES NOT RETRACT AND SOMETIMES IT LOCKS YOU IN. PLEASE DESCRIBE DETAILS.
NHTSA complaint #979806 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:RETRACTOR
DRIVER'S SIDE SIT BELT DOES NOT RETRACT AND SOMETIMES IT LOCKS YOU IN. PLEASE DESCRIBE DETAILS.
NHTSA complaint #979806 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:RECLINER
THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE SEAT FAILURE, SEAT BROKE DOWN. TT
NHTSA complaint #976252 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
THE VEHICLE CUTS OFF WHILE DRIVING UNEXPECTENTLY. PLEASE DESCRIBE. TT
NHTSA complaint #972897 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STEERING:RACK AND PINION:RACK
STEERING RACK FAILED PRIOR TO RECALL. *SKD
NHTSA complaint #485526 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STRUCTURE:BODY:TRUNK LID
WELD BRACKET ON BROKE WHEN OPENING THE HATCHBACK. TT
NHTSA complaint #969858 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:RECLINER
BUCKET SEAT BACK BROKE AND COLLAPSED DOWN. TT
NHTSA complaint #965990 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.