MYRModel Year Report

1994 Buick Century

● Typical for this model
1994 Buick Century
RENDERED 2026-11-01T12:49:43.059Z

This year's complaint volume is within 30% of 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
117
Recalls
6

Campaigns on file for 1994

Investigations
0

None on file

Top problem
Service brakes

22% of complaints

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 1987 1988: 16 complaints 1989: 41 complaints 1990: 33 complaints 1990 1991: 39 complaints 1992: 45 complaints 1993: 54 complaints 1994: 117 complaints 1994 117 1995: 99 complaints 1996: 80 complaints 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 1987 1988: 16 complaints 1989: 41 complaints 1989 1990: 33 complaints 1991: 39 complaints 1991 1992: 45 complaints 1993: 54 complaints 1994: 117 complaints 1994 117 1995: 99 complaints 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 1989: 41 complaints 1989 1990: 33 complaints 1990 1991: 39 complaints 1991 1992: 45 complaints 1992 1993: 54 complaints 1993 1994: 117 complaints 1994 117 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

1994: 117 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

Percentages can add to more than 100% — a complaint can name more than one system.

Service brakes

22% · 26 reports

Most commonly citing hydraulic.

CRASH

Engine and engine cooling

14% · 16 reports

Most commonly citing gasoline and engine.

FIRE

Air bags

12% · 14 reports

Most commonly citing frontal and on-off switch assembly.

CRASHINJURYDEATH
Show complaint excerpts

Air bags on low mileage 1994 Buick Century did not deploy during head on crash.

NHTSA ODI report, 2003-10-31

Driving vehicle at speed 65MPH went over uneven pavement, loss control went into enbankment, drivers side air did not deploy impact 12:00 position.…

NHTSA ODI report, 1995-03-13

Frontal collision speed 15 MPH, impact 12:00 position air bag did not deploy. Tt

NHTSA ODI report, 1995-01-13

Vehicle speed control

11% · 13 reports

Most commonly citing accelerator pedal.

CRASHINJURY

Electrical system

11% · 13 reports

Most commonly citing interior/under dash and wiring.

CRASHFIREINJURY

Safety timeline

6 recalls · 0 investigations · oldest first

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

  1. R
    1993-10-21Vehicle speed control93V162000 The cruise control cable may separate from the conduit end fitting while engaged and accelerator control could be lost.

    Remedy: Replace the cruise control cable.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  2. R
    1994-02-04Vehicle speed control94V021000 During assembly, water may have entered the accelerator control cable conduit causing it to develop a high effort and/or binding condition in very cold weather.

    Remedy: The dealer will purge the throttle cable of any internally trapped water, if it is present.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  3. R
    1994-02-17Vehicle speed control94V008000 In the event of a primary accelerator control spring failure, the secondary (Back-up) accelerator control return spring will not return the throttle to the fully closed position, as required by…

    Remedy: Dealers will replace the secondary throttle return spring.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  4. R
    1994-09-22Latches/locks/linkages94V159000 Water intrusion can cause a short circuit in the power door lock assembly.

    Remedy: Dealers will replace the power door lock relay and any corroded terminals. In addition, the new relay will be relocated to an area where water intrusion is less likely.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  5. R
    1994-10-21Steering94V189000 The right hand spindle nut was not properly tightened during assembly. This can cause premature wheel bearing failure and over time, the spindle can fracture.

    Remedy: Dealers will inspect the torque on the right hand front spindle nut. If the spindle nut is undertorqued the dealer will replace the right hand front wheel bearing assembly and the spindle nut will…

    Check if this car was fixed →

  6. R
    1995-10-19Seat belts95V173000 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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

Buy-smart checklist

1994 Buick Century — pre-purchase inspection

Inspect

  • Service brakes: 26 reports on file for this year.
  • Engine and engine cooling: 16 reports on file for this year.
  • Air bags: 14 reports on file for this year.

Verify these recalls were completed

  • Recall 93V162000 · Vehicle speed control
  • Recall 94V021000 · Vehicle speed control
  • Recall 94V008000 · Vehicle speed control
  • Recall 94V159000 · Latches/locks/linkages
  • Recall 94V189000 · Steering
  • Recall 95V173000 · Seat belts
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

Other years of this model

See all years ranked →

Best years3 years

Worst years3 years

FAQ

Is the 1994 Buick Century reliable?
Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 1994 Buick Century is rated "typical".
What are the most common problems with the 1994 Buick Century?
The most-reported component is service brakes, accounting for 22% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 1994 Buick Century have?
6 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.