1990 Buick Century: Recalls, Problems & MPG
Here are the deets on the 1990 Buick Century: 2 recalls, 33 owner complaints and up to 23 mpg combined.
Recalls
2 vehicle recalls from the manufacturer. Repairs are free. Check your VIN to see if one is still open on your car.
Seats Vehicle recall #92V124000 · 1992 · 319,181 vehicles
What's 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.
Why it matters: 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.
The fix: Repair any abraded wiring and reroute the wiring harness using a wiring harness clip.
Seat belts Vehicle recall #95V173000 · 1995 · 2,216,325 vehicles
What's 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."
Why it matters: 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.
Most-reported problems
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component. One complaint can list several components. 3 mention a fire, 3 injuries and 0 deaths were reported.
What owners describe
- Seat belts (8): no single recurring theme in the descriptions.
- Body & structure (6): no single recurring theme in the descriptions.
- Electrical (6): the most common themes are stalls / loses power (2), electrical failure (2).
- Seats (5): no single recurring theme in the descriptions.
The 1990 Buick Century has 33 owner complaints, ranking #15 of 16 Century model years for complaints (well below the 106 average). Complaints peaked in 1995 (8 filed that year). The typical problem showed up when the car was about 6 years old. Neighboring years: 1991 (38 complaints, 2 recalls).
Engines & fuel economy (EPA)
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2.5 L 4-cyl | Automatic 3-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 20 | 29 | 23 | Regular |
| 3.3 L 6-cyl | Automatic 4-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 18 | 26 | 21 | Regular |
| 3.3 L 6-cyl | Automatic 3-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 18 | 25 | 20 | Regular |
Want the full repair deets? Get the factory manual.
Recall and complaint data tells you what goes wrong. A service manual tells you how to fix it: torque specs, wiring diagrams, fluid capacities and step-by-step procedures for the 1990 Buick Century.
Closest thing to the factory manual for most years. Pay once, keep it.
Most $25–$78, one-timePro-shop repair procedures, wiring diagrams and TSBs for your exact car.
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FAQ
Does the 1990 Buick Century have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists 2 vehicle recalls for the 1990 Buick Century. Recall repairs are free at any dealer, no matter how old the car is. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What are the most common 1990 Buick Century problems?
Owners have filed 33 complaints with NHTSA. The most-reported areas are seat belts (8), body & structure (6), electrical (6).
What gas mileage does the 1990 Buick Century get?
EPA ratings run up to 23 mpg combined (2.5 L, Automatic 3-spd), across 3 engine and transmission combos.
Where can I get a 1990 Buick Century repair manual?
eManualOnline sells downloadable manuals, Mitchell 1 DIY and ALLDATAdiy sell online access to factory repair data, and Haynes sells printed guides and online access. Pick a download if you want to keep it, or a subscription for wiring diagrams and TSBs.