MYRModel Year Report

1988 Buick Century

○ Not enough data
1988 Buick Century
RENDERED 2026-11-01T12:50:17.324Z

Only 16 complaints 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 16 complaints on file — too few for a fair verdict. The data below is complete but unranked.

How is this computed?

Complaints
16

Too few to rank

Recalls
4

Campaigns on file for 1988

Investigations
3

Opened by NHTSA

Top problem
—

Not enough data

Complaints per year

1981: 1 complaint 1981 1982: 3 complaints 1983: 1 complaint 1984: 8 complaints 1984 1985: 7 complaints 1986: 22 complaints 1987: 28 complaints 1988: 16 complaints 1988 16 1989: 41 complaints 1990: 33 complaints 1991: 39 complaints 1992: 45 complaints 1993: 54 complaints 1993 1994: 117 complaints 1995: 99 complaints 1996: 80 complaints 1996 1997: 106 complaints 1998: 218 complaints 1999: 235 complaints 1999 2000: 193 complaints 2001: 145 complaints 2002: 154 complaints 2002 2003: 127 complaints 2004: 39 complaints 2005: 19 complaints 2005
1981: 1 complaint 1981 1982: 3 complaints 1983: 1 complaint 1983 1984: 8 complaints 1985: 7 complaints 1985 1986: 22 complaints 1987: 28 complaints 1988: 16 complaints 1988 16 1989: 41 complaints 1990: 33 complaints 1991: 39 complaints 1991 1992: 45 complaints 1993: 54 complaints 1993 1994: 117 complaints 1995: 99 complaints 1995 1996: 80 complaints 1997: 106 complaints 1997 1998: 218 complaints 1999: 235 complaints 1999 2000: 193 complaints 2001: 145 complaints 2001 2002: 154 complaints 2003: 127 complaints 2003 2004: 39 complaints 2005: 19 complaints 2005
1981: 1 complaint 1981 1982: 3 complaints 1982 1983: 1 complaint 1983 1984: 8 complaints 1984 1985: 7 complaints 1985 1986: 22 complaints 1986 1987: 28 complaints 1987 1988: 16 complaints 1988 16 1989: 41 complaints 1989 1990: 33 complaints 1990 1991: 39 complaints 1991 1992: 45 complaints 1992 1993: 54 complaints 1993 1994: 117 complaints 1994 1995: 99 complaints 1995 1996: 80 complaints 1996 1997: 106 complaints 1997 1998: 218 complaints 1998 1999: 235 complaints 1999 2000: 193 complaints 2000 2001: 145 complaints 2001 2002: 154 complaints 2002 2003: 127 complaints 2003 2004: 39 complaints 2004 2005: 19 complaints 2005

1988: 16 complaints

View as data table
YearComplaints
19800
19811
19823
19831
19848
19857
198622
198728
198816
198941
199033
199139
199245
199354
1994117
199599
199680
1997106
1998218
1999235
2000193
2001145
2002154
2003127
200439
200519

Known problem areas

Only 16 complaints on file for this model year — too few to rank by share. Raw counts only, below.

Steering

8 of 16 total reports mention: steering, most commonly citing rack and rack and pinion.

Seats

3 of 16 total reports mention: seats, most commonly citing recliner.

Show complaint excerpts

Bucket seat back broke and collapsed down. Tt

NHTSA ODI report, 1995-05-26

Suspension

3 of 16 total reports mention: suspension, most commonly citing shock absorber and lower arm.

Seat belts

3 of 16 total reports mention: seat belts, most commonly citing retractor and buckle assembly.

Structure

2 of 16 total reports mention: structure, most commonly citing trunk lid.

Show complaint excerpts

Weld bracket on broke when opening the hatchback. Tt

NHTSA ODI report, 1995-08-04

Safety timeline

4 recalls · 3 investigations · oldest first

To check one car, enter its VIN on the NHTSA recall page. Check a VIN →

  1. R
    1988-02-03Seat belts88V007000 Owners manual did not include statement on child restraint systems.

    Remedy: Furnish owners with updated owners manuals that contain the omitted instructions.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  2. R
    1988-04-20Suspension88V048000 Front suspension lower control arm bracket could develop metal cracks.

    Remedy: Inspect all vehicles and replace engine cradle assembly on all suspect vehicles.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  3. R
    1988-12-15Fuel system, gasoline88V164000 Fuel feed hose could leak at the coupling on the engine end of the hose assembly.

    Remedy: Install new fuel feed hose assembly.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  4. I
    1989-01-17Engineering analysisClosed 1990-05-08 Brake ineffectiveness
  5. I
    1989-01-19Preliminary evaluationClosed 1989-05-24 Stop lamps
  6. I
    1992-06-26Engineering analysisClosed 1994-01-31 Sticking throttle
  7. R
    2006-10-18Fuel system, gasoline06E043000 Certain replacement fuel filters, fram brand name p/n G3727, with date codes X52911 through X60801 sequentially or X600141 and a mexico country or origin marking on the fuel filter housing…

    Remedy: Honeywell will notify owners and replace the fuel filters free of charge. The recall began on October 18, 2006. Owners may contact fram customer service at 1-800-890-2075 (Option 1).

    Check if this car was fixed →

Buy-smart checklist

1988 Buick Century — pre-purchase inspection

Inspect

  • Steering: 8 reports on file for this year.
  • Seats: 3 reports on file for this year.
  • Suspension: 3 reports on file for this year.

Verify these recalls were completed

  • Recall 88V007000 · Seat belts
  • Recall 88V048000 · Suspension
  • Recall 88V164000 · Fuel system, gasoline
  • Recall 06E043000 · Fuel system, gasoline
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

Other years of this model

See all years ranked →

Best years3 years

Worst years3 years

FAQ

Is the 1988 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 1988 Buick Century?
The most-reported component is steering, accounting for 50% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 1988 Buick Century have?
4 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-10-31 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.