1991 Buick Century Problems
- Complaints
- 38filed with NHTSA
- Median mileage
- 45,082miles, 2 complaints with mileage
- 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
- 20 mpgcombined, 3.3L 6-cyl FWD · 17 city / 27 hwy
Sources: NHTSA records for the 1991 Buick Century (complaints, recalls, investigations), NHTSA crash tests, EPA fuel economy. Report an error
NHTSA recorded 38 consumer complaints for the 1991 Buick Century. The part named most often is brakes, with 9 complaints (24% of the total), followed by electrical system (8) and engine cooling (5). 2 of the complaints include a mileage, and 50% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 45,082 miles. Of all complaints, 7 involved a crash, 2 a fire, 8 an injury, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns and 1 technical service bulletin for this model year.
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.
- Brakes9 24%
- Electrical system8 21%
- Engine cooling5 13%
- Other or unknown4 11%
- Seat belts4 11%
- Seats4 11%
- Fuel system2 5.3%
Also reported: Engine (1), Body and structure (1).
Example complaints
Brakes: “Since purchasing vehicle the brakes drag and there is a very strong asbestos odor coming from the left rear brake.. Because the left rear brake shoes were worn so badly they had to be replaced at 23,416 miles. Rear brakes need to be replaced again.”
NHTSA complaint #804869, filed 1996-11Electrical system: “My clear coat is chalking and peeling mainly on my hood and two side panels, the paint on my back bumper is completly flaking off. I spoke with the dealership about this and they told me it was replaced free until 1995. I dont feel I have done anything to cause this problem. I wash and wax my car regularly. I feel GM should pay since they admitted fault with bad paint until 1995 and I did not cause this problem nor own the car until after 1995”
NHTSA complaint #712634, filed 1999-10Engine cooling: “The engine stalls everytime the car is driven more than 50 miles, the vehicle stalls at low speeds on turns, it stalls while driving at highway speeds, after the engine is restarted it races, dealer is unable to detect the problem. Nlm”
NHTSA complaint #785536, filed 2001-07Vehicle speed control: “When switching gear from drive to reverse engine sudden accelerated, crashing into vehicle behind. Then, switched gear to drive and engine sudden accelerated again, crashing into vehicle in front. Vehicle took off on it's own, driving over curve and crashing into a wall then, hitting an utility pole. Vehicle was totaled.”
NHTSA complaint #883277, filed 2001-03Mileage when problems were reported
50% of the 2 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 165 and 90,000 miles.
Complaints by year filed
Trend: stable. Complaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
Crash test ratings
NHTSA's 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 1991 Buick Century. Frontal results are shown driver / passenger; rollover shows the star rating and NHTSA's estimated risk of rolling over in a single-vehicle crash.
| Version | Overall | Frontal | Side | Side pole | Rollover |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Century · sedan | not rated | 4 / 3 | — | — | — |
Ratings before the 2011 model year come from an older, less demanding test and are not comparable with ratings for 2011 and later.
Source: NHTSA New Car Assessment Program (5-Star Safety Ratings), nhtsa.gov/ratings.
Fuel economy and running cost
EPA ratings for each 1991 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 | 19 | 28 | 22 | $3,050 |
| Century FWD | 3.3L 6-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 17 | 27 | 20 | $3,350 |
| Century FWD | 3.3L 6-cyl | 3-speed automatic | 17 | 24 | 19 | $3,550 |
| Century Wagon FWD | 2.5L 4-cyl | 3-speed automatic | 18 | 26 | 21 | $3,200 |
| Century Wagon FWD | 3.3L 6-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 17 | 27 | 20 | $3,350 |
| Century Wagon FWD | 3.3L 6-cyl | 3-speed automatic | 17 | 23 | 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 1991 Buick Century → · Check a VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls
NHTSA investigations
- EA92024Sticking throttleClosed · Jun 26, 1992
Technical service bulletins
TSBs are manufacturer notes to dealers about known repair procedures. They are not recalls and do not by themselves mean a vehicle has a fault. 1 on record; the latest 1 are shown.
- 10246631Sep 1, 2013Engine cooling. Expanded Availability for Remanufacture and Return (R&R) Electronic Control Modules
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 1991 Buick Century have?
NHTSA recorded 38 consumer complaints for the 1991 Buick Century as of Oct 29, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
What part of the 1991 Buick Century is reported most often?
Brakes is named most often, in 9 complaints (24% of the total), followed by electrical system with 8.
Has the 1991 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 1991 Buick Century get?
The EPA rates the 1991 Buick Century (Century, 3.3L 6-cyl) at 20 mpg combined, 17 city and 27 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $3,350 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.
At what mileage are problems with the 1991 Buick Century reported?
Among the 2 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 45,082 miles and the middle half falls between 165 and 90,000 miles; 50% 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. Crash ratings are from NHTSA’s New Car Assessment Program. 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.