1990 Buick Century Problems
- Complaints
- 33filed with NHTSA
- Median mileage
- —no mileage reported
- Recalls
- 2campaigns 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, 3.3L 6-cyl FWD · 18 city / 26 hwy
Sources: NHTSA records for the 1990 Buick Century (complaints, recalls, investigations), EPA fuel economy. Report an error
NHTSA recorded 33 consumer complaints for the 1990 Buick Century. The part named most often is seat belts, with 8 complaints (24% of the total), followed by electrical system (6) and body and structure (6). Of all complaints, 1 involved a crash, 3 a fire, 3 an injury, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns 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.
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 belts8 24%
- Electrical system6 18%
- Body and structure6 18%
- Engine cooling5 15%
- Seats5 15%
- Brakes2 6.1%
- Steering2 6.1%
- Tires2 6.1%
- Exterior lighting1 3.0%
- Fuel system1 3.0%
Also reported: Suspension (1), Transmission and drivetrain (1), Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors) (1).
Example complaints
Seat belts: “During accident front bench seat latch failed causing the seat to collapse, right front passenger seat belt also became unlatched, resulting in injury. Nlm”
NHTSA complaint #548165, filed 1999-08Electrical system: “Circuit breaker for seat in fuse compartment overheated, causing power seats and power door to be inoperative. Driver is unable to replace fuse because it was so hot, it burned. . Consumer states when he touched the correct fuse he was burned leaving a blister on his finger and thumb, consumer states he discovered there was a recall, however the dealer knew of the campaign but could not find consumers vehicle in the system.”
NHTSA complaint #8008637, filed 2002-04Body and structure: “On wednesday 6/13/2002 my 1990 Buick Century lost steering control due to a failure in the cradle bolts.I could have been seriously injured.I have found the following recall which includes the 1990 Buick regal, NHTSA recall no. 97v058/GM recall no. 97016. My vehicle is a 1990 Buick Century with 3300 v6 and is not listed in this recall.I believe the cradle bolt's in 1990 Buick Century's are also subject to failure, causing the same safety related issue motioned in this recall.my vehicle does have 202000 miles on it, but this is the kind of failure should never have happened. …”
NHTSA complaint #765318, filed 2002-08Engine cooling: “While driving down the road all of sudden the vehicle just shut off when making a stop or slowing down. Contacted dealer, and he was not able to find out what was wrong on the diagnosis machine.”
NHTSA complaint #851977, filed 1999-10Complaints 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 1990 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 | 20 | 29 | 23 | $2,900 |
| 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 | 18 | 25 | 21 | $3,200 |
| Century Wagon FWD | 3.3L 6-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 18 | 26 | 21 | $3,200 |
| 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."
- 92V124000Sep 1, 1992Seats › Front assembly › ReclinerCovers: Buick Century 1990–1991, Pontiac 6000 1990–1991, Oldsmobile Cutlass 1991 +2 more
The power seat or recliner wiring harness can be pinched or can chafe on the seat frame or spring support rod, wearing through the wire insulation and causing an electrical short.
Recall details for the 1990 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 1990 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 1990 Buick Century have?
NHTSA recorded 33 consumer complaints for the 1990 Buick Century as of Oct 28, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
What part of the 1990 Buick Century is reported most often?
Seat belts is named most often, in 8 complaints (24% of the total), followed by electrical system with 6.
Has the 1990 Buick Century been recalled?
NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 1990 Buick Century get?
The EPA rates the 1990 Buick Century (Century, 3.3L 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 28, 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.