Buick Century recalls

There are 20 safety recalls on record for the Buick Century, covering 4,124,597 vehicles in total across all the models in each campaign. Newest first.

Buick Century recalls by model year

2001 3 2000 5 1999 3 1998 2 1997 2 1996 1 1995 1 1994 6 1993 2 1992 3 1991 2 1990 2

All recalls

Exterior lighting: headlightsReported August 10, 2004 · 199,793 vehicles affected

What is wrong: Certain passenger vehicles do not conform to the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 108, "lamps, reflective devices, and associated equipment." some of these vehicles do not meet the overhead sign illumination requirements.
Risk: Less illumination may reduce the ability of the driver to read overhead signs when driving at night.
Remedy: Dealers will install new low beam headlamp bulbs in both of the headlamp assemblies. The recall began on september 8, 2004. Owners should contact buick at 1‑866‑608‑8080. Note: if the bulb needs replacement in the future, gm bulb number 89024715 is available from a dealer, or the equivalent sylvania bulb is 9006hp, with orange lettering on the bulb.

Recall number 04V375000 · Recall details

Seat beltsReported April 6, 2001 · 116,007 vehicles affected

What is wrong: Vehicle description: certain passenger vehicles, equipped with sunvisor located air bag labels, fail to conform to federal motor vehicles safety standard no. 208, "occupant crash protection." these vehicles have a message area less than 30 cm which does not meet the requirements of the standard.
Risk: These vehicles do not comply with the standard.
Remedy: Gm will mail a new bilingual air bag label with installation instructions. However, the customer may bring the label to their dealer for installation free of charge. Owner notification began may 4, 2001. Owners who do not receive the free label and installation instructions within a reasonable time should contact oldsmobile at 1‑800‑442‑6537 or buick at 1‑800‑521‑7300.

Recall number 01V109000 · Recall details

Air bags: side/windowReported November 13, 2000 · 12 vehicles affected

What is wrong: Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. Some of these vehicles exhibit a condition in which the driver side impact air bag inflator separates from the air bag module during deployment.
Risk: If the inflator separates, the air bag will not deploy properly during a crash and occupant protection would be reduced. If is also possible that a separated inflator could be propelled downward and could result in injury to a rear seat passenger whose foot is positioned approximately under the inflator module.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the side impact air bag module.

Recall number 00V371000 · Recall details

Seat beltsReported August 7, 2000 · 156,305 vehicles affected

What is wrong: Vehicle description: passenger vehicles, light duty trucks, sport utility vehicles, and mini vans equipped with trw seat belt buckle assemblies. The buckle base of these seat belt assemblies were not properly heat treated and therefore do not pass the load bearing requirement of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 209, "seat belt assemblies."
Risk: In the event of a vehicle crash, the occupant may not be properly restrained.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect the vehicle's safety belt buckle assembly date codes and, if necessary, will replace any safety belt buckle assembly.

Recall number 00V228003 · Recall details

Fuel system, gasoline: storage: tank assembly: filler pipe and capReported June 16, 2000 · 248 vehicles affected

What is wrong: Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. The clamp that secures the flexible fuel fill hose to the metal fill tube may be loose and could separate.
Risk: This could cause fuel leakage exceeding the permissible amount.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect the fuel hose fill neck clamp and, if necessary, reposition and tighten the clamp.

Recall number 00V160000 · Recall details

Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: drumReported May 17, 2000 · 18,754 vehicles affected

What is wrong: Vehicle description: passenger vehicles equipped with rear drum brakes. The bolt head(s) on the rear spindle rod can separate.
Risk: The rear wheel can shift, causing rear steering of the vehicle. The driver could lose control and a crash could occur.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the rear spindle bolts.

Recall number 00V143000 · Recall details

Exterior lighting: headlightsReported December 17, 1999 · 411,880 vehicles affected

What is wrong: Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. These vehicles do not conform to the requirements of fmvss no. 108, "lamps, reflective devices, and associated equipment." the vertical head lamp adjusting device may not be calibrated properly.
Risk: Driver visibility may be impaired increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Owners will be provided with an owner's manual insert containing instructions for optically aiming the headlamps.

Recall number 99V356000 · Recall details

Visibility: windshield wiper/washer: linkagesReported December 16, 1999 · 155,149 vehicles affected

What is wrong: Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. The windshield wipers may stop working due to a separation between the drive pin and crescent in the crank arm assembly.
Risk: Driver visibility could be reduced, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect these vehicles for the presence of a plastic water deflector and, if necessary, replace the wiper motor crank arm and install a water deflector. On vehicles receiving a replacement crank arm and new water deflector, dealers will also apply additional sealing material to improve water deflection away from the crank arm assembly and will install a reinforcement to improve the performance of the wiper park mechanism.

Recall number 99V348000 · Recall details

Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slipReported July 9, 1999 · 168,559 vehicles affected

What is wrong: Some of these vehicles with the key in the "on" position, exhibit a condition in which the antilock brake system (ABS) motor shorts to its case and grounds through a flexible brake fluid pipe.
Risk: This short can cause extreme heating of the flexible brake pipe where it can melt a nearby flexible plastic fuel hose, which could result in an underhood fire.
Remedy: Dealers will install a ground cable from the electronic brake control module (ebcm) to the engine compartment body rail.

Recall number 99V170000 · Recall details

Exterior lighting: headlightsReported May 15, 1998 · 149,342 vehicles affected

What is wrong: Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. The owner manuals do not contain the requirement information pertaining to the vehicle headlamp aiming device. This does not comply with requirements of fmvss no. 108, "lamps, reflective devices, and associated equipment."
Risk: If the headlamp assemblies are replaced, customers may not be able to properly aim the headlights.
Remedy: Owners will be mailed an owner manual's insert which contains the appropriate information.

Recall number 98V102000 · Recall details

Seat belts: front: anchorageReported September 15, 1995 · 2,216,325 vehicles affected

What is wrong: 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."
Risk: Consequence of non-compliance: in a collison, stress can cause the attachment metal to tear and allow the anchorage to separate from the body of the vehicle. The safety belt may not protect an occupant in the event of a vehicle crash.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the existing anchor bolts with a new shoulder bolt and thread locking adhesive. Additionally, noise control patches will be applied at each anchorage.

Recall number 95V173000 · Recall details

Steering: linkages: knuckle: spindle: armReported October 4, 1994 · 206 vehicles affected

What is wrong: The right hand spindle nut was not properly tightened during assembly. This can cause premature wheel bearing failure and over time, the spindle can fracture.
Risk: This would cause the wheel to separate from the axle and result in a vehicle crash.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect the torque on the right hand front spindle nut. If the spindle nut is undertorqued the dealer will replace the right hand front wheel bearing assembly and the spindle nut will be replaced.

Recall number 94V189000 · Recall details

Latches/locks/linkages: doors: latchReported August 31, 1994 · 139,542 vehicles affected

What is wrong: Water intrusion can cause a short circuit in the power door lock assembly.
Risk: A short circuit in the power door lock assembly can result in a vehicle fire.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the power door lock relay and any corroded terminals. In addition, the new relay will be relocated to an area where water intrusion is less likely.

Recall number 94V159000 · Recall details

Vehicle speed control: springsReported January 12, 1994 · 49,047 vehicles affected

What is wrong: In the event of a primary accelerator control spring failure, the secondary (back-up) accelerator control return spring will not return the throttle to the fully closed position, as required by fmvss no. 124, "accelerator control system."
Risk: Consequence of non-compliance: loss of throttle control could result in a vehicle crash without prior warning.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the secondary throttle return spring.

Recall number 94V008000 · Recall details

Vehicle speed control: cablesReported January 8, 1994 · 10,646 vehicles affected

What is wrong: During assembly, water may have entered the accelerator control cable conduit causing it to develop a high effort and/or binding condition in very cold weather.
Risk: High effort or binding conditions cause loss of normalthrottle control or the throttle may not return to idle when the accelerator pedal is released. If this were to occur while the vehicle is in motion, a vehicle crash could occur.
Remedy: The dealer will purge the throttle cable of any internally trapped water, if it is present.

Recall number 94V021000 · Recall details

Vehicle speed controlReported September 27, 1993 · 579 vehicles affected

What is wrong: The cruise control cable may separate from the conduit end fitting while engaged and accelerator control could be lost.
Risk: Loss of accelerator control may not reduce engine speedto a level anticipated by the driver. Although the vehicle can still be stoppedwith the service brake, loss of accelerator control could result in a vehiclecrash without prior warning.
Remedy: Replace the cruise control cable.

Recall number 93V162000 · Recall details

Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: hoses, lines/piping, and fittingsReported July 21, 1993 · 2,848 vehicles affected

What is wrong: The brake hoses were manufactured incorrectly, and do not comply with fmvss 106, "brake hoses."
Risk: The improperly manufactured brake hoses can causereduced brake effectiveness and/or uneven braking, which could result in anaccident.
Remedy: Replace the right front brake hose assembly on ciera and century models, and both rear brake hoses on cavalier and sunbird models.

Recall number 93V121000 · Recall details

Seats: front assembly: reclinerReported September 1, 1992 · 319,181 vehicles affected

What is wrong: 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.
Risk: The high current caused by the electrical short welds thecircuit breaker elements together in the closed position, leaving the circuitunprotected and generating sufficient heat to burn the wire insulation andignite the seat cushion material.
Remedy: Repair any abraded wiring and reroute the wiring harness using a wiring harness clip.

Recall number 92V124000 · Recall details

Electrical system: wiringReported May 11, 1992 · 33 vehicles affected

What is wrong: The optional remote entry module may have a fault which causes random actuation of interior lamps, door locks, and/or tailgate release. This actuation may occur while the vehicle is in use or unattended.
Risk: If the tailgate release actuates, the tailgate will open.unrestrained passengers in the rear seat area could fall out of the vehiclewhile the car is in motion, and receive serious injuries.
Remedy: Replace the remote entry module with a newly revised module to prevent random actuation.

Recall number 92V066000 · Recall details

Power train: automatic transmissionReported December 6, 1991 · 10,141 vehicles affected

What is wrong: The reverse servo apply pin may bind in the case which could cause reverse band distress (loss or slipping of reverse), reverse band drag in drive range (poor performance -- poor power), or the transmission to remain in reverse while the shift indicator shows neutral gear position.
Risk: If the transmission remains in reverse while the shiftindicator shows neutral, the vehicle may unexpectedly move rearward and resultin a vehicle accident.
Remedy: Replace the transaxle where required.

Recall number 91V214000 · Recall details

Questions about the Buick Century recalls

How do I check if my Buick Century has an open recall?

Enter your VIN in the VIN decoder on this page to see the recalls for your exact model and year, then confirm with any dealer of the brand or the manufacturer, who can tell you whether the repair was already done on your car.

Do I have to pay for a recall repair?

No. Safety recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer of the brand, even if the car is out of warranty or you are not the first owner.

How many recalls does the Buick Century have?

20, covering exterior lighting, seat belts and air bags.

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