1993 Buick Century Medium Passenger Car recalls & complaints
Source: NHTSA, updated daily. Last checked 2026-10-19. Recalls apply to specific VINs — run your VIN to confirm.
2 safety recalls, most serious first
1. Seat belts
What's wrong, in plain English: Seat belts may not hold you in a crash. 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."
What could happen: 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.
The fix: 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.
What to do
- Check whether your car is affected: enter your 17-digit VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. A recall covers specific VINs, not every 1993 CENTURY MEDIUM PASSENGER CAR.
- Book a repair at any authorized Buick dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 95V173000.
- The repair is free. By US law, safety recall repairs cost the owner nothing, no matter the car's age or mileage.
- Buying this car used? Ask the seller for proof the recall was completed, or run the VIN yourself before paying.
Official wording from NHTSA
Component: SEAT BELTS:FRONT:ANCHORAGE
Summary: 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."
Consequence: 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.
Notes: SYSTEM: INTERIOR; ACTIVE RESTRAINTS; BELT ANCHOR AND ATTACHMENT; FMVSS NO.210. VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. NOTE: OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT BUICK AT 1-800-521-7300; CHEVROLET AT 1-800-222-1020; PONTIAC AT 1-800-762-2737; OR OLDSMOBILE AT 1-800-442-6537. ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-800-424-9393.
2. Brakes
What's wrong, in plain English: Anything that slows the car down. Treat brake recalls as urgent. THE BRAKE HOSES WERE MANUFACTURED INCORRECTLY, AND DO NOT COMPLY WITH FMVSS 106, "BRAKE HOSES."
What could happen: THE IMPROPERLY MANUFACTURED BRAKE HOSES CAN CAUSEREDUCED BRAKE EFFECTIVENESS AND/OR UNEVEN BRAKING, WHICH COULD RESULT IN ANACCIDENT.
The fix: REPLACE THE RIGHT FRONT BRAKE HOSE ASSEMBLY ON CIERA AND CENTURY MODELS, AND BOTH REAR BRAKE HOSES ON CAVALIER AND SUNBIRD MODELS.
What to do
- Check whether your car is affected: enter your 17-digit VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. A recall covers specific VINs, not every 1993 CENTURY MEDIUM PASSENGER CAR.
- Book a repair at any authorized Buick dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 93V121000.
- The repair is free. By US law, safety recall repairs cost the owner nothing, no matter the car's age or mileage.
- Buying this car used? Ask the seller for proof the recall was completed, or run the VIN yourself before paying.
Official wording from NHTSA
Component: SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
Summary: THE BRAKE HOSES WERE MANUFACTURED INCORRECTLY, AND DO NOT COMPLY WITH FMVSS 106, "BRAKE HOSES."
Consequence: 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.
Notes: SYSTEM: BRAKES; HYDRAULIC; HOSE.VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES.NOTE: IF YOUR VEHICLE IS PRESENTED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED SERVICEDATE AND THE REMEDY IS NOT PROVIDED WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME WITHOUT CHARGE ORTHE REMEDY DOES NOT CORRECT THE SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT OR NONCOMPLIANCE, PLEASECONTACT THE APPROPRIATE SERVICE CENTER ( BUICK AT 1-800-458-8006, PONTIAC AT1-800-763-2737; OLDSMOBILE AT 1-800-442-6537; OR CHEVROLET AT 1-800-222-1020 ).ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETYHOTLINE AT 1-800-424-9393.
Useful for owners
- OBD2 code reader — see what the car's computer is reporting
- Compact car fire extinguisher
- 1993 Buick Century Medium Passenger Car owner's manual
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA
Most complained-about parts: Airbags (13), Engine (11), Vehicle Speed Control (8), Electrical system (6), Brakes (6).
Complaints are unverified reports from owners. A pattern (many complaints about the same part) matters more than any single one.
Read recent complaints (8)
03/14/2011 · Electrical system · fire
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1993 BUICK CENTURY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED AND THE DEFROSTER WAS ENGAGED. THE CONTACT THEN SMELLED A BURNING ODOR AND NOTICED SMOKE EMITTING FROM THE DEFROSTER AREA. THE CONTACT MOVED THE VEHICLE AWAY FROM HIS RESIDENCE AND TURNED THE ENGINE OFF BUT THE SMOKE CONTINUED. THE CONTACT THEN OPENED THE HOOD AND A F…
05/11/2004 · Seat belts
FRONT SEAT BELTS ARE ATTACHED TO THE DOORS, AND WHEN THE DOORS ARE OPENED, THE SEAT BELTS EXTEND FORWARD. CONSUMER FEELS THIS FEATURE POSSES A SAFETY RISK BECAUSE IF THE DOORS FLINGS OPEN IN AN ACCIDENT THEY WILL NOT RESTRAIN THE OCCUPANTS IN THEIR SEAT. *AK *NM
12/22/2003 · Engine · fire
1993 BUICK CENTURY EXPERIENCED VEHICLE FIRE.*MR WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY THE CAR JERKED A LITTLE AND THE BATTERY LIGHT CAME ON. THE CONSUMER HEARD A POP AND SAW SMOKE, HE THEN PULLED OVER AND THE VEHICLE BECAME ENGULFED IN FIRE. *CB *JB
08/18/2003 · Brakes
CONSUMER NOTICED WHEN DEPRESSING BRAKES VEHICLE WOULD TRAVEL EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE. TECHNICIAN WHO SERVICED VEHICLE REPLACED BRAKES DUE TO CORROSION. *AK
01/06/2002 · Brakes
BRAKE PADS WEAR OUT MORE THAN THE AVERAGE.*AK
09/10/2001 · Electrical system
PLASTIC HORN BUTTONS(HALF MOON SHAPE)WILL NOT FIT IN SPACES PROVIDED AS THEY ARE DISTORED DUE TO THE HEAT IN CAR. THESE MUST BE PRESSED TO HAVE HONK THE HORN & CAN'T BE, BECAUSE THEY DON'T FIT.
04/24/2001 · Equipment
SHIFT CABLE HAS WORN A HOLE IN AIR CONDITONER AND LOST FLUIDS. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK
03/26/2001 · Wheels / tires · crash
CONSUMER WAS TRAVELING ABOUT 35MPH ON HIGHWAY AND REAR LEFT TIRE TREAD SEPARATED FROM RIM. VEHICLE WENT INTO A WATER ENBANKMENT OF EIGHT FEET. VEHICLE WAS SUBMERGED UNDER WATER, BUT CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO ESCAPE THROUGH DRIVER'S SIDE WINDOW . VEHICLE WAS TOTALED. FIRESTONE TIRES 205-70-R14 S-S60,DOT E2PGF5A44. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. *AK