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Buick Century — Years to Avoid

Reliability breakdown of every Buick Century model year. Based on NHTSA owner complaints, federal recalls, and safety investigations.

Model Years
33
Years to Avoid
2005, 2004, 2003, 2002, 2001, 2000
Best Years
1989, 1985, 1981, 1979, 1977, 1976, 1975, 1974, 1973
2005Avoid
35 complaints2 recalls495 TSBs
2004Avoid
51 complaints2 recalls403 TSBs
2003Avoid
170 complaints2 recalls398 TSBs
2002Avoid
204 complaints2 recalls384 TSBs
2001Avoid
190 complaints5 recalls391 TSBs
2000Avoid
249 complaints7 recalls1 invest.320 TSBs
1999
287 complaints5 recalls98 TSBs
1998
278 complaints4 recalls4 invest.87 TSBs
1997
132 complaints4 recalls4 invest.92 TSBs
1996
110 complaints2 recalls28 TSBs
1995
127 complaints1 recalls37 TSBs
1994
144 complaints6 recalls30 TSBs
1993
71 complaints2 recalls5 TSBs
1992
64 complaints3 recalls4 TSBs
1991
50 complaints2 recalls1 invest.1 TSBs
1990
49 complaints2 recalls1 invest.
1989Best Year
46 complaints1 recalls1 invest.
1988
26 complaints4 recalls3 invest.
1987
32 complaints1 recalls5 invest.
1986
43 complaints3 recalls3 invest.
1985Best Year
9 complaints1 recalls4 invest.
1984
11 complaints4 recalls6 invest.
1983
10 complaints1 recalls5 invest.
1982
4 complaints2 recalls4 invest.
1981Best Year
1 complaints3 recalls2 invest.
1980
0 complaints6 recalls2 invest.
1979Best Year
0 complaints6 recalls1 invest.
1978
0 complaints7 recalls1 invest.
1977Best Year
0 complaints4 recalls
1976Best Year
0 complaints2 recalls
1975Best Year
0 complaints2 recalls
1974Best Year
0 complaints2 recalls
1973Best Year
0 complaints3 recalls

How we calculate this

Each year receives a composite risk score based on NHTSA owner complaints, federal recalls, safety investigations, and technical service bulletins. Years scoring more than 2x the model's average are flagged as “years to avoid.” Years in the lowest risk bracket are marked as “best years.” All data is sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).

Which Buick Century Years Should You Avoid?

Based on federal safety data, the 2005, 2004, 2003, 2002, 2001, 2000 Buick Century are the most problematic years, with significantly higher rates of owner complaints, recalls, and safety investigations compared to other model years.

If you're shopping for a used Buick Century, consider the 1989, 1985, 1981, 1979, 1977, 1976, 1975, 1974, 1973 model years — these have the fewest reported issues relative to other years.

33 model years analyzed