Reliability, what owners report, and what it costs to keep.
AVOIR's read: a solid ownership case with specific caveats below.
Owners have filed 49 complaints with NHTSA about the 1991 Buick Century, and it carries 2 recalls. These are owner allegations rather than confirmed defects, but the pattern of what people complain about is the most useful signal a used buyer has.
| Area | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Service brakes | 9 | 18% |
| Electrical system | 7 | 14% |
| Vehicle speed control | 5 | 10% |
| Seats | 5 | 10% |
| Engine and engine cooling | 4 | 8% |
| Seat belts | 4 | 8% |
| Unknown or other | 3 | 6% |
| Visibility | 3 | 6% |
| Power train | 2 | 4% |
| Fuel system | 2 | 4% |
Verbatim from NHTSA complaint records, trimmed for length.
I PUT THE KEY IN I TURN IT AND OUT CRANKS BUT WON'T TURN OVER.STATIONARY
NHTSA complaint: Unknown or other
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1990 BUICK CENTURY (N/A). THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE ENGINE STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN
NHTSA complaint: Engine
TRANSMISSION DOESNT WANT TO GO IN GEAR AFTER MAKING A TURN. HAVE NOT HAD THE CAR REPAIRED BECAUSE THE VALUE OF IT IS APPROX. $2,725 ONLY. HAVE ONLY HAD AN ESTIMATE. THE REPAIR-MAN SAID HE THOUGHT IT WAS A SPRAGUE. DON
NHTSA complaint: Power train
WHEEL CYLINDER DETACHED FROM MOUNTING POINT,GOT CAUGHT UP IN BRAKE SHOES, WHICH CAUSED WHEEL TO FREEZE UP, LEADING TO ROLLOVER ACCIDENT
NHTSA complaint: Service brakes
THE ENGINE STALLS EVERYTIME THE CAR IS DRIVEN MORE THAN 50 MILES, THE VEHICLE STALLS AT LOW SPEEDS ON TURNS, IT STALLS WHILE DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS, AFTER THE ENGINE IS RESTARTED IT RACES, DEALER IS UNABLE TO DETECT T
NHTSA complaint: Engine and engine cooling
THE POWER WINDOWS WORK FINE IN THE WINTER BUT IN THE SUMMER THEY GET STUCK IN THE UP POSITION, AN ELECTRICAL SPECIALIST WAS UNABLE TO FINE THE PROBLEM. NLM
NHTSA complaint: Visibility
THE DRIVER'S SIDE WINDSHIELD WIPER FELL OFF WHILE DRIVING IN RAIN. NLM
NHTSA complaint: Visibility
WHEN SWITCHING GEAR FROM DRIVE TO REVERSE ENGINE SUDDEN ACCELERATED, CRASHING INTO VEHICLE BEHIND. THEN, SWITCHED GEAR TO DRIVE AND ENGINE SUDDEN ACCELERATED AGAIN, CRASHING INTO VEHICLE IN FRONT. VEHICLE TOOK OFF ON
NHTSA complaint: Power train
NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns for the 1991 Buick Century. Recalls are free to have fixed at a franchised dealer regardless of who owns the car now, but only if they were never done, so check the VIN of the specific car rather than trusting the model.
THE POWER SEAT OR RECLINER WIRING HARNESS CAN BE PINCHED OR CAN CHAFE ON THE SEAT FRAME OR SPRING SUPPORT ROD, WEARING THROUGH THE WIRE INSULATION AND CAUSING AN ELECTRICAL SHORT.
Risk: THE HIGH CURRENT CAUSED BY THE ELECTRICAL SHORT WELDS THECIRCUIT BREAKER ELEMENTS TOGETHER IN THE CLOSED POSITION, LEAVING THE CIRCUITUNPROTECTED AND GENERATING SUFFICIENT HEAT TO BURN THE WIRE INSULA
Fix: REPAIR ANY ABRADED WIRING AND REROUTE THE WIRING HARNESS USING A WIRING HARNESS CLIP.
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."
Risk: CONSEQUENCE OF NON-COMPLIANCE: IN A COLLISON, STRESS CAN CAUSE THE ATTACHMENT METAL TO TEAR AND ALLOW THE ANCHORAGE TO SEPARATE FROM THE BODY OF THE VEHICLE. THE SAFETY BELT MAY NOT PROTECT AN OCCUP
Fix: 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.
| Reliability raw | 84 | excellent |
|---|---|---|
| Longevity est. | 80 | excellent |
| Maintenance | 88 | excellent |
| Depreciation | 54 | average |
| Performance | 50 | average |
| Efficiency | 41 | below average |
Percentile ranks against other midsize & large cars in the catalog.
What stands behind each score for this car:
Owners have filed 49 complaints with NHTSA for this model-year, and service brakes is the most reported area with 9 of them (18%). There are 2 recalls on record. Check any specific car against its VIN before buying.
AVOIR scores its reliability 84/100 (excellent) from NHTSA recall campaigns and complaint density. That figure is a raw complaint count, not yet adjusted for sales volume, so a high-volume model scores worse than it deserves.
AVOIR scores its longevity 80/100, but that figure is an estimate built from the powertrain and the brand's record, not a measurement. A 1991 car has no 200,000-mile population to observe yet, so treat it as a prior rather than evidence.
AVOIR's read: worth a look, because a solid ownership case with specific caveats below. Its overall ownership score is 72/100. Condition, mileage and service history still matter more than any score, so get a pre-purchase inspection on the specific car.
Sources: NHTSA recalls and complaints, EPA fuel economy, IIHS awards, and live market listings. A score describes a model-year, not the individual car in front of you. Get a pre-purchase inspection.