MYRModel Year Report

1997 Buick Century

● Typical for this model
1997 Buick Century
RENDERED 2026-11-01T12:47:22.146Z

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
106
Recalls
4

Campaigns on file for 1997

Investigations
4

Opened by NHTSA

Top problem
Electrical system

19% 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 1993 1994: 117 complaints 1995: 99 complaints 1996: 80 complaints 1997: 106 complaints 1997 106 1998: 218 complaints 1999: 235 complaints 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 1993 1994: 117 complaints 1995: 99 complaints 1995 1996: 80 complaints 1997: 106 complaints 1997 106 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 1995: 99 complaints 1995 1996: 80 complaints 1996 1997: 106 complaints 1997 106 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

1997: 106 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.

Electrical system

19% · 20 reports

Most commonly citing horn and ignition.

CRASHFIRE
Show complaint excerpts

Engine compartment fire

NHTSA ODI report, 2017-02-21

Also filed under Engine

It's very difficult for consumer to honk the horn because the bottom horn is so small and so hard that he couldn't operate it. Causing consumer to have an accident.

NHTSA ODI report, 1998-11-24

Visibility

15% · 16 reports

Most commonly citing windshield wiper/washer and linkages.

Seat belts

14% · 15 reports

Most commonly citing retractor and rear/other.

INJURY
Show complaint excerpts

Violent deployment of airbag in accident, causing bruises.

NHTSA ODI report, 1998-03-23

Consumer stated both seat belts in the front would not latch.

NHTSA ODI report, 2003-01-13

Both left/right rear shoulder belts failed to extend, enabling owner from using due to rollers getting off center. Please describe details.

NHTSA ODI report, 2002-08-26

Steering

14% · 15 reports

Most commonly citing rack and pinion and rack.

Exterior lighting

8% · 9 reports

Most commonly citing headlights and switch.

Show complaint excerpts

Tl* the contact owns a 1997 Buick Century. The contact was driving 65 MPH when the turn signal lights failed. The dealer was notified and stated they would not repair the vehicle.

NHTSA ODI report, 2012-07-05

Consumer states while driving and with no warning the left turn signal will work intermittently. Dealer notified. Mr

NHTSA ODI report, 2002-10-23

Safety timeline

4 recalls · 4 investigations · oldest first

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

  1. R
    1998-05-30Exterior lighting98V102000 Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. The owner manuals do not contain the requirement information pertaining to the vehicle headlamp aiming device. This does not comply with requirements of…

    Remedy: Owners will be mailed an owner manual's insert which contains the appropriate information.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  2. I
    1999-04-16Preliminary evaluationClosed 1999-08-20 Windshield wiper
  3. I
    1999-08-20Engineering analysisClosed 2000-01-13 Windshield wiper
  4. R
    2000-05-25Visibility99V348000 Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. The windshield wipers may stop working due to a separation between the drive pin and crescent in the crank arm assembly.

    Remedy: Dealers will inspect these vehicles for the presence of a plastic water deflector and, if necessary, replace the wiper motor crank arm and install a water deflector. On vehicles receiving a…

    Check if this car was fixed →

  5. I
    2003-01-02Recall queryClosed 2003-09-15 Power rack and pinion steering failure
  6. I
    2003-09-15Engineering analysisClosed 2003-12-18 Power rack and pinion steering failure
  7. R
    2007-04-27Fuel system, other07E021000 Certain delphi fuel pressure regulators, p/nos. Fp10020-11B1, FP10026-11B1, and FP10027-11B1, sold after January 9, 2007, as aftermarket equipment for various passenger vehicles listed above. The…

    Remedy: Delphi will notify owners and replace the upr free of charge. The recall began on April 23, 2007. Owners can contact delphi at 877-411-8770.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  8. R
    2009-02-23Steering09E005000 Dorman is recalling 979 steering knuckles, dorman p/nos. 697-902 and 697-903, sold under dorman's "Oe solutions<sup>tm</sup>" Brand name, and napa p/nos. 7-8502 and 7-8503 which were sold for…

    Remedy: Dorman will notify owners and replace the defective steering knuckles free of charge and reimburse the repair facility or owner for labor. The recall began on February 23, 2009. Owners may contact…

    Check if this car was fixed →

Buy-smart checklist

1997 Buick Century — pre-purchase inspection

Inspect

  • Electrical system: 20 reports on file for this year.
  • Visibility: 16 reports on file for this year.
  • Seat belts: 15 reports on file for this year.

Verify these recalls were completed

  • Recall 98V102000 · Exterior lighting
  • Recall 99V348000 · Visibility
  • Recall 07E021000 · Fuel system, other
  • Recall 09E005000 · Steering
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

Other years of this model

See all years ranked →

Best years3 years

Worst years3 years

FAQ

Is the 1997 Buick Century reliable?
Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 1997 Buick Century is rated "typical".
What are the most common problems with the 1997 Buick Century?
The most-reported component is electrical system, accounting for 19% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 1997 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.