Reliability, what owners report, and what it costs to keep.
AVOIR's read: a solid ownership case with specific caveats below.
Owners have filed 147 complaints with NHTSA about the 1994 Buick Century, and it carries 6 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 | 19 | 13% |
| Air bags | 15 | 10% |
| Vehicle speed control | 15 | 10% |
| Engine and engine cooling | 13 | 9% |
| Seat belts | 11 | 7% |
| Electrical system | 11 | 7% |
| Steering | 7 | 5% |
| Suspension | 7 | 5% |
| Fuel system | 7 | 5% |
| Power train | 7 | 5% |
Verbatim from NHTSA complaint records, trimmed for length.
SINCE 1990 AUTO HAVE COME WITH PLASTIC HEADLIGHT LENSES. AFTER ABOUT TWO YEARS THEY BECOME CLOUDY AND RESTRICT THE RANGE OF THE HEADLIGHTS. A WALK THROUGH THE PARKING LOT WILL CONFIRM THE CLOUDINESS, AND COMPARING A NEW
NHTSA complaint: Exterior lighting
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1994 BUICK CENTURY. WHILE DRIVING 5 MPH, THE TIE ROD FAILED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN AUTO BODY SHOP AND THE MANUFACTURER HAS NOT YET BEEN NOTIFIED. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN RE
NHTSA complaint: Steering
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THAT ON APRIL 10TH 2006 THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN INTO AN INDEPENDENT AUTO SHOP TO SHEMY THE FRONT END ALIGNMENT AS WELL AS REPLACE THE RIGHT INNER TIRE ROADS AND END BUSHINGS. THREE WEEKS PRIOR TO SE
NHTSA complaint: Suspension
VEHICLE WAS TRAVELS ALONG 113 IN KANKAKEE IL AT APPROX 55 MPH, AS VEHICLE ENTERED A BEND THE RIGHT FRONT TIRE TREAD SEPARATED FROM THE VEHICLES RIGHT FRONT TIRE CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO GO INTO A LEFT SIDE SPIN OVER THE EM
NHTSA complaint: Tires
ENGINE INJECTOR FAILURE. *BF THE CONSUMER HAS 5 INJECTORS ON THE VEHICLE AND SO FAR ONLY 1 HAS FAILED. THE CONSUMER BELIEVED THAT EVENTUALLY THE REMAINING INJECTORS WILL HAVE TO REPLACED. THE CONSUMER THE MANUFACTURER
NHTSA complaint: Fuel system
DRIVER AND PASSENGER FRONT SEAT BELTS WILL NO LONGER RETRACT. DEALER STATED BOTH SEAT BELTS NEED TO BE REPLACED. *AK
NHTSA complaint: Seat belts
CONSUMER EXPERIENCED ENGINE SHUTDOWN WHEN MAKING RIGHT HAND TURN WHILE DRIVING AT 35 MPH. *LA THE CONSUMER OWN A 1991 BUICK CENTURY AND HAD EXPERIENCED THE SAME FAILURE WITH HIS VEHICLE AS HE DID WITH HIS FATHER
NHTSA complaint: Steering
ROCKY MOUNTAIN MODEL STEEL RADIAL SIZE 185P/75R14, REAR DRIVER'S SIDE TIRE BLEW OUT WHILE DRIVING AT 75 MPH, MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. *AK
NHTSA complaint: Tires
NHTSA lists 6 recall campaigns for the 1994 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.
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 FMVSS NO. 124, "ACCELERATOR CONTROL SYSTEM."
Risk: CONSEQUENCE OF NON-COMPLIANCE: LOSS OF THROTTLE CONTROL COULD RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING.
Fix: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE SECONDARY THROTTLE RETURN SPRING.
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.
Risk: HIGH EFFORT OR BINDING CONDITIONS CAUSE LOSS OF NORMALTHROTTLE CONTROL OR THE THROTTLE MAY NOT RETURN TO IDLE WHEN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL IS RELEASED. IF THIS WERE TO OCCUR WHILE THE VEHICLE IS IN MOTI
Fix: THE DEALER WILL PURGE THE THROTTLE CABLE OF ANY INTERNALLY TRAPPED WATER, IF IT IS PRESENT.
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.
Risk: THIS WOULD CAUSE THE WHEEL TO SEPARATE FROM THE AXLE AND RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
Fix: 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 BE
WATER INTRUSION CAN CAUSE A SHORT CIRCUIT IN THE POWER DOOR LOCK ASSEMBLY.
Risk: A SHORT CIRCUIT IN THE POWER DOOR LOCK ASSEMBLY CAN RESULT IN A VEHICLE FIRE.
Fix: 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.
| Reliability raw | 83 | excellent |
|---|---|---|
| Longevity est. | 79 | good |
| Maintenance | 89 | excellent |
| Depreciation | 54 | average |
| Performance | 47 | below average |
| Efficiency | 45 | below average |
Percentile ranks against other midsize & large cars in the catalog.
What stands behind each score for this car:
Owners have filed 147 complaints with NHTSA for this model-year, and service brakes is the most reported area with 19 of them (13%). There are 6 recalls on record. Check any specific car against its VIN before buying.
AVOIR scores its reliability 83/100 (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 79/100, but that figure is an estimate built from the powertrain and the brand's record, not a measurement. A 1994 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.