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Buick CenturyModel year report

1988 Buick Century Problems

Complaints
16filed with NHTSA
Median mileage
—no mileage reported
Recalls
3campaigns on record
Trend
StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA crash rating
—overall rating starts with 2011 models
EPA fuel economy
21 mpgcombined, 2.8L 6-cyl FWD · 18 city / 26 hwy

Sources: NHTSA records for the 1988 Buick Century (complaints, recalls, investigations), EPA fuel economy. Report an error

NHTSA recorded 16 consumer complaints for the 1988 Buick Century. The part named most often is steering, with 6 complaints (38% of the total), followed by seat belts (3) and seats (3). NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns and 0 technical service bulletins for this model year. Seat belts complaints overlap with 1 recall campaign filed under the same part.

This model year has fewer than 25 complaints on record, so the numbers below can change a lot with a few new reports.

Which parts are reported most

Complaints can name more than one part, so the counts add up to more than the total. Select a part to see its complaints, recalls and bulletins.

Example complaints

Steering: “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, filed 1999-07

Suspension: “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. The dealer states this VIN was not on the recall.”

NHTSA complaint #8005879, filed 2002-03

Complaints by year filed

Trend: stable. Complaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.

19959199619971998199920012002
Complaints by year the complaint was filed with NHTSA. Red bars: the last 3 full calendar years used for the trend. The current year (2026) is partial.

Fuel economy and running cost

EPA ratings for each 1988 Buick Century version. Annual fuel cost is the EPA's estimate at its current fuel prices for 15,000 miles a year (55% city driving).

VersionEngineTransmissionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yr
Century FWD2.5L 4-cyl3-speed automatic212924$2,800
Century FWD2.8L 6-cyl4-speed automatic182621$3,200
Century FWD2.8L 6-cyl3-speed automatic182520$3,350
Century FWD3.8L 6-cyl4-speed automatic172620$3,350
Century Wagon FWD2.5L 4-cyl3-speed automatic192622$3,050
Century Wagon FWD2.8L 6-cyl4-speed automatic182721$3,200
Century Wagon FWD3.8L 6-cyl4-speed automatic172620$3,350

Source: U.S. EPA and Department of Energy, fueleconomy.gov. Ratings are for comparing vehicles; real-world mileage varies with driving and conditions.

Recalls and investigations

Recall details for the 1988 Buick Century → · Check a VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls

NHTSA investigations

Technical service bulletins

No technical service bulletins are on record for the 1988 Buick Century.

Other model years of the Buick Century

YearComplaintsMedian miRecallsCrash ★MPGScore (50 = typical)Trend
20051968,9770—21—Rising
20043973,0000—21Not compared (before 2008)Falling
200312763,5460—21Not compared (before 2008)Falling
200215462,0000—21Not compared (before 2008)Falling
200114554,8003—21Not compared (before 2008)Rising
200019360,9355—21Not compared (before 2008)Falling
199923556,5003—21Not compared (before 2008)Stable
199821857,9722—21Not compared (before 2008)Falling
199710694,9442——Not compared (before 2008)Stable
19968075,5501—21Not compared (before 2008)Falling
19959992,5001—20Not compared (before 2008)Falling
199410688,5006—22Not compared (before 2008)Stable
199354123,0002—21Not compared (before 2008)Stable
19924594,5003—20Not compared (before 2008)Stable
19913845,0822—20Not compared (before 2008)Stable
199033—2—21Not compared (before 2008)Stable
198940110,0001—21Not compared (before 2008)Stable
198816—3—21—Stable
19872890,0000—20Not compared (before 2008)Stable
198622100,0002—20—Stable
19857—0—19—Not enough data
19848—3—20—Not enough data

All Buick Century model years · Best and worst years by complaints

Frequently asked questions

How many NHTSA complaints does the 1988 Buick Century have?

NHTSA recorded 16 consumer complaints for the 1988 Buick Century as of Oct 29, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

What part of the 1988 Buick Century is reported most often?

Steering is named most often, in 6 complaints (38% of the total), followed by seat belts with 3.

Has the 1988 Buick Century been recalled?

NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What gas mileage does the 1988 Buick Century get?

The EPA rates the 1988 Buick Century (Century, 2.8L 6-cyl) at 21 mpg combined, 18 city and 26 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $3,200 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 29, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate. Fuel economy is from the EPA and DOE (fueleconomy.gov).

Complaint counts come from NHTSA’s public complaint database; we count each complaint once. The source records for this vehicle are on nhtsa.gov. Scores and trends are our own summaries of that data, described in the methodology. This page is not legal, safety or repair advice: for a specific vehicle, check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and ask a qualified mechanic. See an error? Tell us.