1994 Buick Century problems & reliability
106 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 1994 Buick Century. Last verified Aug 7, 2026. Complaints are unverified reports submitted by owners to the federal Office of Defects Investigation.
Each complaint is counted once (by NHTSA case number), even when it names several vehicles.
17 complaints report injuries (21 injured, 1 deaths reported).
Federal crash records (FARS 2020–2023): 1994 Buick Century vehicles were involved in 3 fatal crashes with 2 occupant deaths. Involvement counts are not adjusted for how many are on the road and do not imply fault or a vehicle defect.
Most reported problems
| Component | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic → | 20 | 19% |
| Air Bags → | 14 | 13% |
| Engine and Engine Cooling → | 14 | 13% |
| Vehicle Speed Control → | 13 | 12% |
| Electrical System → | 10 | 9% |
| Seat Belts | 9 | 8% |
| Steering | 8 | 8% |
| Suspension | 7 | 7% |
| Fuel System, Gasoline | 6 | 6% |
| Power Train | 5 | 5% |
Component groups as classified by NHTSA. A complaint can name more than one component, so shares may sum to more than 100%.
Common symptoms owners describe
Keyword analysis of complaint narratives; one complaint can describe several symptoms.
Complaints by incident year
What owners report
“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 one with an old one shows an almost 50% reduction in night range. The replacement units are $150.00…”
Exterior Lighting · filed Feb 26, 2010
“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 repaired. The failure and current mileages were 100,000. Updated 03/17/09. *lj the consumer stated the…”
Steering · filed Jan 20, 2009
“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 embankment and into a fence poll. Vehicle did roll possibly two time. Vehicle was completely…”
Tires · filed Feb 7, 2006
Verbatim excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA. Reports are not independently verified.
Technical service bulletins
30 manufacturer communications (TSBs, service campaigns, warranty extensions) are on file with NHTSA for the 1994 Buick Century. The 10 most recent:
This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician on how to unlock radios that are Delco TheftLock. Technician will use the radio to get the scrambled code. Technician will need to…
PIC4696E · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Nov 22, 2019
This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician on how to unlock radios that are Delco TheftLock. Technician will use the radio to get the scrambled code. Technician will need to…
PIC4696D · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Sep 5, 2019
This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician on how to unlock radios that are Delco Theft Lock. Technician will use the radio to get the scrambled code. Technician will need to…
PIC4696C · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued May 31, 2018
Expanded Availability for Remanufacture and Return (R&R) Electronic Control Modules
130089009 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Sep 1, 2013
Revised piston pin removal / installation procedure. *tt
010601002A · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Dec 1, 2002
Owners of some vehicles equipped with hydra-matic 3t40, 4t60, 4t60-e or 4t65-e transaxles may comment on a grinding and / or growling noise that is noticeable when standing in park on a hill or slope with the engine…
990730030A · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Apr 1, 2001
Some owners may comment on driveability symptons of long or hard starts, chuggle, rough idle and light or intermittent misfire due to clogged fuel injectors. *tt
990604005A · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Apr 1, 2001
Some vehicles equipped with hydra-matic 3t40, 4t60 or 4t60-e transxales may comment on a grinding and / or growling noise that is noticeable when in park on incline. *tt
990730030 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Dec 1, 1999
Some owners may experience a driveability symptom of long or hard starts, chuggle, rough idle and light or intermittent misfire. *tt
990604005 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Feb 1, 1999
Prom calibration replacement for nox emissions. *yc
98018 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Aug 1, 1998
TSBs are repair guidance manufacturers send to dealers — they are not recalls and repairs are not automatically free. Full documents are available on NHTSA’s site.
Safety recalls
No NHTSA recall campaigns name the 1994 Buick Century in our current data. Recalls may apply only to certain VIN ranges — always confirm with a VIN check.
Check whether your specific vehicle is affected
Recall campaigns often cover only certain VIN ranges. Enter your VIN on the official NHTSA site to confirm whether your vehicle is included and whether the repair is still open.
Check VIN on NHTSA →Buying a used 1994 Buick Century?
- · Decode the seller’s VIN with our free VIN decoder to confirm the exact year, engine and trim.
- · Check for unrepaired recalls by VIN on NHTSA’s official lookup — recall repairs are free.