1990 BUICK Century Problems

VIN Decoder

Premium Report

Complaints Reported

Complaints by Component

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

9 complaints

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. *AK. 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.*JB

Apr 25, 2002

Injuries: 1

VEHICLE STALLED DUE TO FAILURE OF THE ALTERNATOR.

Oct 10, 1997

VEHICLE HAS TROUBLE STARTING DUE TO BATTERY FAILURE.

Oct 10, 1997

VEHICLE NOT STARTING DUE TO ECM FAILURE.

Oct 10, 1997

EVERY SIX MONTHS THE ELECTRICAL BATTERY RUNS DOWN, HAVE TO REPLACE IT . *AK

Jan 13, 1997

+ 4 more complaints for this component

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

7 complaints

CONSUMER STATES THAT WHILE DRIVING AND WITHOUT WARNING THE ENGINE BLEW AND THE VEHICLE STARTED TO SMOKE UNDER THE HOOD CAUSING THE CONSUMER TO PULL OVER. DEALER NOTIFIED. MR

Oct 11, 2002

Fire: 1

MOTOR FELL TO GROUND WHILE PULLING OUT. THIS DAMAGED STEERING AND CAR WAS OUT OF CONTROL. *AK

Feb 08, 2001

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. *AK

Oct 27, 1999

RADIATOR COOLING FAN REPLACED.

Dec 30, 1996

WATER PUMP REPLACED. *SD

Jan 10, 1996

+ 2 more complaints for this component

SEAT BELTS

7 complaints

SEAT BELTS DO NOT FUNCTION PROPERLY. *AK

Jun 27, 1997

RECALL ON THE SEAT BELT DENIED DUE TO WRONG INFORMATION (VIN #) ON THE MAIL OUT .

Sep 23, 1996

DESIGN FLAW IN SEAT BELT THAT ATTACHES TO DOOR, LEAVING OCCUPANT FREE TO FALL OUT OF VEHICLE IF DOOR OPENS IN ACCIDENT. *DH

Jul 15, 1996

SEAT BELT; FAILURE ON THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE SEAT BELTS, CONSUMER WAS IN A ACCIDENT AND THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE SEAT BELT DID NOT LOCK. *AK

Mar 28, 1996

Crash: 1

Injuries: 1

THE PASSENGERS AND DRIVERS SEAT BELTS HAVE NO TENSION. PLEASE DESCRIBE. *AK

Jul 03, 1995

+ 2 more complaints for this component

STRUCTURE

5 complaints

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. I BELIEVE BUICK SHOULD REPAIR MY VEHICLE AT THEIR COST. I HAVE FOUND TWO OTHER COMPLAINT ABOUT THE SAME PROBLEM. I TRIED TO ISSUED A COMPLAINT THE HNTSA ON 6/21/2002 OVER THE PHONE BUT IT FAILED TO GET ENTERED SO HERE A TRY BY EMAIL. HOME EMAIL [email protected], WORK EMAIL [email protected], HOME PHONE 765-447-2782, WORK PHONE 765-429-1387. *AK

Aug 07, 2002

WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY, I NOTICED THAT THE FRONT OF CAR LURCHED AND THE STEERING WHEEL POSITION CHANGED. PULLED CAR TO SIDE AND SAW THAT PART OF FRAME WAS HANGING DOWN. TOOK TO DEALER WHO SAID THAT THE CRADLE BOLT HAD PULLED THROUGH THE SUPPORT AND WAS HANGING DOWN. WHY WASN'T MY CAR ON THE RECALL CAMPAIGN AS THE REGAL WAS? I AM AFRAID THAT THE OTHER BOLTS WILL PULL THROUGH AND I WILL LOSE MY DIRECTIONAL STEERING ABILITY. I HAVE KEPT ALL DEFECTIVE PARTS FOR THE NHTSA REVIEW. IT APPEARS THAT THE METALS FUSSED OR MIGRATED TOGETHER. DID BUICK USE THE TWO WRONG METALS IN THIS AREA, CAUSING THIS PROBLEM? IS THEIR AN ACTIVE CAMPAIGN FOR THE CENTURY? PLEASE FEEL FREE TO CONTACT ME.*AK

Jul 14, 2001

PAINT STARTED PEELING AWAY SINCE 1993 AND HAS GOTTEN PROGRESSIVELY WORSE.

Apr 05, 1998

THE DRIVER SIDE HINGE IN THE DOOR HAD BROKEN AND FELL OFF AND THE OTHER HINGES ARE CRACKED. THE DEALER SAID THAT IT'S THE OWNER PROBLEM. TT

Dec 28, 1995

HYDRAULIC LIFT/SHOCK FAILS SLIDING OFF AND WEAK SUPPORT. PLEASE DESCRIBE DETAILS. TT

Jul 05, 1995

SEATS

5 complaints

THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE SPLIT SEAT IS COMING LOOSE FROM THE FLOOR. HAS NOT SEEN DEALER. *AK

Oct 20, 1997

FAILURE OF THE DRIVER SIDE SEAT, THE SEAT IS RECLINED TO THE BACK POSITION.*AK THE DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT TRAVELS ON RAILS BACK AND FOWARD, WHILE DRVING A METAL BRACKET ON THE LEFT SIDE, THAT ANCHORED THE SEAT TO THE FLOOR BROKE IN HALF, THEREFORE MAKING THE SEAT AS A WHOLE TILT BACKWARD.*JB

Aug 12, 1996

DRIVER'S SIDE FRONT SEAT TORE AWAY FROM CHASSIS; WHEN APPLYING BRAKES, SEAT WAS NOT STABLE, ROCKED BACK AND FORTH; COULD CAUSE ACCIDENT. TT

Aug 01, 1995

DRIVER'S SIDE FRONT SEAT TORN AWAY FROM CHASSIS; WHEN APPLYING BRAKES, SEAT NOT STABLE, ROCKS BACK AND FORTH; COULD CAUSE ACCIDENT. TT

Aug 01, 1995

THE SEAT IS LOOSE IN THE TRACK ON ONE SIDE WHICH CAUSES THE SEAT TO SLIDE WHEN THE BRAKES ARE APPLIED. TT

Jun 22, 1995

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

3 complaints

BRAKES FAILED SEVERAL TIMES.

Oct 22, 1998

REAR BRAKE LININGS CRACKED. *SD

Jan 10, 1996

FRONT BRAKES MAKE NOISE. *SD

Jan 10, 1996

TIRES

2 complaints

THREE TIRES REPLACED. *SD

Jan 10, 1996

TREAD SEPARATED ON TIRES.

Apr 12, 1995

STEERING

1 complaint

PROBLEMS WITH VEHICLE'S STEERING.*MR STIFFNESS IN STEERING, SOMETIMES CONSUMER HAVE TO STEER IN NEUTRAL AS IT DOESN'T COME BACK BY ITSELF. SOMETIMES IT SQUEAK WHILE TURNING, NO LOCK UP HAS OCCURRED YET. *PH

Nov 05, 2003

VISIBILITY

1 complaint

NONE OF THE POWER WINDOWS WOULD OPEN OR CLOSE. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO DEALERSHIP. TWO BROKEN WIRES WERE RECONNECTED AT OWNER'S EXPENSE. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK

May 30, 2000

STEERING,STRUCTURE

1 complaint

WHILE DRIVING ON ROAD NOTICED VEHICLE PULLING A SHARP LEFT. LOOKED AT THE CRADLES, AND THE RETAINER WASHER BROKE/WAS RUSTED THROUGH. REPLACED IT. ALSO, OTHERS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. IN ADDITION, RACK & PINION STEERING ASSEMBLY IS CONNECTED TO ENGINE CRADLE FRAME AND THE STEERING SHAFT, DROPPED. THIS MAY CAUSE ERRATIC STEERING PROBLEMS. *AK

May 23, 2000

SEAT BELTS,SEATS

1 complaint

DURING ACCIDENT FRONT BENCH SEAT LATCH FAILED CAUSING THE SEAT TO COLLAPSE, RIGHT FRONT PASSENGER SEAT BELT ALSO BECAME UNLATCHED, RESULTING IN INJURY. NLM

Aug 25, 1999

Injuries: 1

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

1 complaint

REAR TAIL LIGHT ASSEMBLY FAILED TWICE.

Oct 21, 1996

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

1 complaint

CARBURETOR BACKFIRED STARTING A FIRE, THE ELECTRICAL FUEL PUMP CONTINUES TO PUMP FUEL, CAUSING THE CAR TO COMPLETELY BURN.

Sep 10, 1996

Fire: 1

POWER TRAIN

1 complaint

TRANSMISSION SLIPPING DUE TO METAL CHIPS FOUND IN PAN/FLUID BURNED. *SD

Jan 10, 1996

SUSPENSION

1 complaint

WHEEL ALIGNMENT REPAIR. *SD

Jan 10, 1996

4.9/5.0

108 reviews

BUICK Century VIN Decoder — Free VIN Check Video Guide

Watch our quick BUICK Century VIN decoder walkthrough. Learn how to decode any BUICK Century VIN number to get full vehicle history, recall alerts, specifications, fuel economy (MPG), safety ratings, and known problems — completely free on ForCar.org.

Where to Find VIN for Problems Check

To check for problems and complaints on your 1990 BUICK Century, you'll need the VIN number. Find your VIN in one of these 4 common locations.

Where to Find VIN Number on 1990 BUICK Century for Problems Lookup - Dashboard, Door Jamb, Engine Bay, Documents

Understanding VIN Structure for Problem Reports

Each character in your 1990 BUICK Century 17-digit VIN helps identify specific complaints and problems affecting your vehicle model.

1990 BUICK Century VIN Structure for Complaint Verification - WMI, VDS, Check Digit, Model Year, Plant Code

How to Check 1990 BUICK Century Problems in 3 Steps

Locate Your VIN

Find the 17-character VIN on your 1990 BUICK Century dashboard (visible through windshield), door jamb, engine bay, or vehicle documents.

Review by Component

Browse owner-reported complaints organized by vehicle component (engine, transmission, brakes, electrical) to identify common issues and problem patterns for this model year.

Check Safety Issues

Review crash and fire incidents for each component to assess safety concerns. Contact your BUICK dealer or report problems to NHTSA at SaferCar.gov.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many problems does the 1990 BUICK Century have?

The 1990 BUICK Century currently has 46 owner-reported complaints according to NHTSA database. These complaints are organized by component to help identify common issues.

What are the most common problems with 1990 BUICK Century?

The most common problems reported for the 1990 BUICK Century are organized by component above. Each component section shows owner-reported issues, crash reports, and fire incidents to help identify patterns and problem areas.

Where does this 1990 BUICK Century problem data come from?

All problem and complaint data for the 1990 BUICK Century comes directly from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) database. These are real complaints submitted by actual vehicle owners.

How do I report problems with my 1990 BUICK Century?

You can report safety problems with your 1990 BUICK Century directly to NHTSA at SaferCar.gov or call 1-888-327-4236. Your complaint helps identify patterns and may lead to recalls or investigations.

Where can I find my VIN to check problems?

Your 1990 BUICK Century VIN is located in 4 places: (1) Dashboard near windshield on driver's side, (2) Driver's door jamb sticker, (3) Engine bay, (4) Vehicle registration and insurance documents.

Is the 1990 BUICK Century reliable?

Reliability can be assessed by reviewing the number and severity of owner complaints for the 1990 BUICK Century. Check complaints by component, crash reports, and fire incidents above to evaluate potential issues and problem patterns.