MYRModel Year Report

1981 Buick Century

○ Not enough data
1981 Buick Century
RENDERED 2026-08-02T12:53:32.477Z

Only 1 complaint on file — too few for a fair verdict.

This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.

Only 1 complaint on file — too few for a fair verdict. The data below is complete but unranked.

How is this computed?

COMPLAINTS PER YEAR

Complaints per year, Buick Century Bar chart of distinct NHTSA complaints filed per model year, 1981 highlighted. 1980: 0 complaints 1980 1981: 1 complaints 1981 1982: 3 complaints 1983: 1 complaints 1984: 8 complaints 1984 1985: 7 complaints 1986: 22 complaints 1987: 28 complaints 1988: 16 complaints 1988 1989: 40 complaints 1990: 33 complaints 1991: 38 complaints 1992: 45 complaints 1992 1993: 54 complaints 1994: 106 complaints 1995: 99 complaints 1996: 80 complaints 1996 1997: 106 complaints 1998: 218 complaints 1999: 235 complaints 2000: 193 complaints 2000 2001: 145 complaints 2002: 154 complaints 2003: 127 complaints 2004: 39 complaints 2004 2005: 19 complaints 2005
1981: 1 complaints
View as data table
YearComplaints
19800
19811
19823
19831
19848
19857
198622
198728
198816
198940
199033
199138
199245
199354
1994106
199599
199680
1997106
1998218
1999235
2000193
2001145
2002154
2003127
200439
200519

KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS

Only 1 complaint on file for this model year -- too few to rank by share. Raw counts only, below.

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

1 of 1 total report mentions: service brakes, hydraulic.

Show complaint excerpts

REAR WHEEL BRAKE CYLINDERS ROTATE IN BACKING PLATE CAUSING THE REAR BRAKES TO LOCK UP.

NHTSA ODI report, 19980518

SAFETY TIMELINE

R 19810104 — wheels

THE STEEL USED IN SOME COMPACT SPARE WHEELS IS TOO THIN. WHILE IN SERVICE THE WHEEL MAY FRACTURE, RESULTING IN A PARTIAL OR COMPLETE SEPARATION OF THE WHEEL AND TIRE FROM THE VEHICLE.

Remedy: SPARE WHEELS WILL BE REPLACED WITHOUT CHARGE TO OWNERS WITHIN 60 DAYS OF RECALL NOTIFICATION.

Campaign 81V009000 — check if this car was fixed

R 19810309 — suspension

THE BOLTS THAT ATTACH THE LOWER REAR CONTROL ARM TO THE FRAME MAY FRACTURE. THE REAR CONTROL ARM SUPPORTS AND POSITIONS THE REAR AXLE. FRACTURE OF THE BOLTS WOULD ALLOW THE CONTROL ARM TO DROP FREE.

Remedy: BOTH REAR CONTROL ARM ATTACHMENT BOLTS WILL BE REPLACED WITHOUT CHARGE.

Campaign 81V025000 — check if this car was fixed

R 19810330 — wheels

"TX" HEAVY DUTY WHEELS MAY HAVE BEEN MANUFACTURED WITH LAMINATED STEEL. THE WHEEL DISC MAY FRACTURE AND THE WHEEL AND TIRE COULD PARTIALLY OR COMPLETELY SEPARATE FROM THE VEHICLE.

Remedy: THE DEFECTIVE WHEELS WILL BE REPLACED WITHOUT CHARGE.

Campaign 81V036000 — check if this car was fixed

I 19851127 — EA (closed 19881128)

BRAKE BACKING PLATE

I 19860905 — DP (closed 19861219)

POWER STEERING FAILURE

BUY-SMART CHECKLIST

1981 Buick Century — pre-purchase inspection

  • Test/inspect for service brakes, hydraulic issues (1 reports on file for this year).
  • Verify recall 81V009000 (wheels) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 81V025000 (suspension) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 81V036000 (wheels) has been completed.
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL

BEST YEARS

▲ 1990 ▲ 1991 ▲ 2004

WORST YEARS

■ 1999 ■ 1998 ◆ 2000

See all years ranked →

FAQ

Is the 1981 Buick Century reliable?

There isn't enough NHTSA complaint data on file yet to give this model year a verdict.

What are the most common problems with the 1981 Buick Century?

The most-reported component is service brakes, hydraulic:foundation components:drum:wheel cylinders, accounting for 100% of complaints on file.

How many recalls does the 1981 Buick Century have?

3 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-07-11 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.