1989 Buick Century Problems
- Complaints
- 40filed with NHTSA
- Median mileage
- 110,000miles, 1 complaints with mileage
- Recalls
- 1campaigns 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 1989 Buick Century (complaints, recalls, investigations), EPA fuel economy. Report an error
NHTSA recorded 40 consumer complaints for the 1989 Buick Century. The part named most often is seat belts, with 7 complaints (18% of the total), followed by vehicle speed control (7) and engine cooling (5). 1 of the complaints include a mileage, and 0% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 110,000 miles. Of all complaints, 8 involved a crash, 14 an injury, 1 a death, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign and 0 technical service bulletins for this model year. Seat belts complaints overlap with 1 recall campaign covering the anchorage filed under the same part. Vehicle speed control complaints overlap with 1 NHTSA investigation filed under the same part.
Not compared (before 2008). Model years 2008–2023 of the same vehicle that have at least 25 complaints are compared, and a model needs at least 3 of them.
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.
- Seat belts7 18%
- Engine cooling5 13%
- Body and structure5 13%
- Seats4 10%
- Electrical system3 7.5%
- Fuel system2 5.0%
- Suspension2 5.0%
- Tires2 5.0%
Also reported: Brakes (1), Equipment (1), Other or unknown (1), Steering (1).
Example complaints
Seat belts: “The consumer has been experiencing problems with seat belts. Seat belts latch, and tracks and anchors, are broken. The whole seatbelt system is slowly deteriorating. The manufacturer has yet to be contacted. The defects are related to problems associated with recall number 95v173000.”
NHTSA complaint #830335, filed 1998-11Vehicle speed control: “Consumer has had 2 accidents relating to engine acceleration. Both times this happened the same way. Consumer has a very steep driveway. On sept. 11-2000, vehicle was in reverse & it accelerated backwards at a maxium speed. Mechanic found that thermostat ring gasket, idle air control valve & computer scan were the causes.”
NHTSA complaint #870808, filed 2000-09Engine cooling: “Intermittent stalling while traveling/approaching a stop sign, or applying accelerator pedal from a stop position. Vehicle has been in / out of independent shop on several occasions, and nothing could be done to correct the problem.”
NHTSA complaint #863183, filed 2000-06Body and structure: “Right front cradle bolts rusted and pulled through the frame which could have resulted in a collision. Vehilce not included in recall 97v058000. Dealer replaced the right front bolts and washer.”
NHTSA complaint #865833, filed 2000-07Mileage when problems were reported
0% of the 1 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 110,000 and 110,000 miles.
Complaints by year filed
Trend: stable. Complaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
Fuel economy and running cost
EPA ratings for each 1989 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).
| Version | Engine | Transmission | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel / yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Century FWD | 2.5L 4-cyl | 3-speed automatic | 21 | 28 | 23 | $2,900 |
| Century FWD | 2.8L 6-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 18 | 26 | 21 | $3,200 |
| Century FWD | 2.8L 6-cyl | 3-speed automatic | 18 | 25 | 20 | $3,350 |
| Century FWD | 3.3L 6-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 18 | 26 | 21 | $3,200 |
| Century FWD | 3.3L 6-cyl | 3-speed automatic | 18 | 25 | 20 | $3,350 |
| Century Wagon FWD | 2.5L 4-cyl | 3-speed automatic | 21 | 28 | 24 | $2,800 |
| Century Wagon FWD | 2.8L 6-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 18 | 27 | 21 | $3,200 |
| Century Wagon FWD | 3.3L 6-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 17 | 26 | 20 | $3,350 |
| Century Wagon FWD | 3.3L 6-cyl | 3-speed automatic | 17 | 24 | 19 | $3,550 |
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
- 95V173000Sep 15, 1995Seat belts › Front › AnchorageCovers: Buick Century 1989–1996, Oldsmobile Ciera 1989–1990, 1994–1996, Cutlass 1991–1993 +2 more
These vehicles were assembled with rear outboard safety belt anchorages that may not withstand the required load. This does not comply with fmvss no.210, "seat belt assembly anchorages."
Recall details for the 1989 Buick Century → · Check a VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls
NHTSA investigations
- EA92024Sticking throttleClosed · Jun 26, 1992
Technical service bulletins
No technical service bulletins are on record for the 1989 Buick Century.
Other model years of the Buick Century
| Year | Complaints | Median mi | Recalls | Crash ★ | MPG | Score (50 = typical) | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2005 | 19 | 68,977 | 0 | — | 21 | — | Rising |
| 2004 | 39 | 73,000 | 0 | — | 21 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 2003 | 127 | 63,546 | 0 | — | 21 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 2002 | 154 | 62,000 | 0 | — | 21 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 2001 | 145 | 54,800 | 3 | — | 21 | Not compared (before 2008) | Rising |
| 2000 | 193 | 60,935 | 5 | — | 21 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 1999 | 235 | 56,500 | 3 | — | 21 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1998 | 218 | 57,972 | 2 | — | 21 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 1997 | 106 | 94,944 | 2 | — | — | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1996 | 80 | 75,550 | 1 | — | 21 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 1995 | 99 | 92,500 | 1 | — | 20 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 1994 | 106 | 88,500 | 6 | — | 22 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1993 | 54 | 123,000 | 2 | — | 21 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1992 | 45 | 94,500 | 3 | — | 20 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1991 | 38 | 45,082 | 2 | — | 20 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1990 | 33 | — | 2 | — | 21 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1989 | 40 | 110,000 | 1 | — | 21 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1988 | 16 | — | 3 | — | 21 | — | Stable |
| 1987 | 28 | 90,000 | 0 | — | 20 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1986 | 22 | 100,000 | 2 | — | 20 | — | Stable |
| 1985 | 7 | — | 0 | — | 19 | — | Not enough data |
| 1984 | 8 | — | 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 1989 Buick Century have?
NHTSA recorded 40 consumer complaints for the 1989 Buick Century as of Oct 29, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
What part of the 1989 Buick Century is reported most often?
Seat belts is named most often, in 7 complaints (18% of the total), followed by vehicle speed control with 7.
Has the 1989 Buick Century been recalled?
NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 1989 Buick Century get?
The EPA rates the 1989 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.
At what mileage are problems with the 1989 Buick Century reported?
Among the 1 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 110,000 miles and the middle half falls between 110,000 and 110,000 miles; 0% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.
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.