MYRModel Year Report

1989 Buick Century

▲ Better than typical
1989 Buick Century
RENDERED 2026-08-02T10:04:43.614Z

This year had at least 30% fewer complaints than this model's typical year.

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.

How is this computed?

COMPLAINTS PER YEAR

Complaints per year, Buick Century Bar chart of distinct NHTSA complaints filed per model year, 1989 highlighted. 1980: 0 complaints 1980 1981: 1 complaints 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 1989 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
1989: 40 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

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL 15%

15% of complaints: vehicle speed control — 6 distinct reports on file.

CRASH INJURY DEATH
Show complaint excerpts

VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED OUT OF CONTROL, RESULTING IN ACCIDENT, TOTALLED. TT

NHTSA ODI report, 19950609

SEATS 10%

10% of complaints: seats — 4 distinct reports on file.

SEAT BELTS 10%

10% of complaints: seat belts — 4 distinct reports on file.

CRASH INJURY
Show complaint excerpts

AFTER BEING HIT ON PASSENGER SIDE, DRIVER SEATBELT BUCKLE CAME UNATTACHED, RESULTING IN INJURIES. TT

NHTSA ODI report, 19950222

SEAT BELTS 8%

8% of complaints: seat belts — 3 distinct reports on file.

STRUCTURE 5%

5% of complaints: structure — 2 distinct reports on file.

Show complaint excerpts

A TECHNICIAN SERVICED VEHICLE. TECHNICIAN INSPECTED THE ENGINE AND DETERMINED THAT ENGINE CRADLE WAS RUSTING. *AK

NHTSA ODI report, 20040203

SAFETY TIMELINE

I 19920626 — EA (closed 19940131)

STICKING THROTTLE

R 19951019 — seat belts

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."

Remedy: 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.

Campaign 95V173000 — check if this car was fixed

BUY-SMART CHECKLIST

1989 Buick Century — pre-purchase inspection

  • Test/inspect for vehicle speed control issues (6 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for seats issues (4 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for seat belts issues (4 reports on file for this year).
  • Verify recall 95V173000 (seat belts) 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 1989 Buick Century reliable?

Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 1989 Buick Century is rated "better than typical".

What are the most common problems with the 1989 Buick Century?

The most-reported component is vehicle speed control, accounting for 15% of complaints on file.

How many recalls does the 1989 Buick Century have?

1 recall on file for this model year.

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