The 1989 Buick Century has 1 NHTSA recall campaign affecting an estimated 2,216,325 vehicles. Recall repairs are always free at any authorized dealer. Owners have filed 46 complaints with NHTSA, most often about the vehicle speed control. Last updated July 5, 2026.
Recall campaigns
SEAT BELTS95V1730001995-09-152,216,325 affected
Defect
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."
Consequence
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 OCCUPANT IN THE EVENT OF A VEHICLE CRASH.
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.
Complaints by component
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
6
4crashes13injuries1deaths
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY
4
1crashes1injuries
SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:RECLINER
4
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:ANCHORAGE
3
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING
2
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
2
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY
2
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:RETRACTOR
2
STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS
2
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
1
Total complaints46
What owners report
Verbatim reports filed with NHTSA, lightly edited for readability and with personal
information removed.
“Car sold to me is a lemon. The motor went out in less than 30 days.*ak”
“The paint has begun to peeling off the car. The primer is still there, however. The car has been owned by immediate family members since originally purchased in 1989 and has been kept under a carport/garage for all of its ownership. I own a 5-yr older ford that is not garaged, and the finish is…”
“Door hinges split in half, causing door to separate from vehicle. Dealer has been notified. *ak”
“When geting on to the highway the seat back fell in to the back seat making me unable to see any traffic ahead of me.*ak”
“Pe00 048; consumer was traveling about 65mph on highway and heard a funny noise, and then tread came off. He was able to pull over to shoulders. And right rear tire tread separated, and tire was still inflated. There were no injuries. *ak dunlop sp 40 p195/70r14 dot db r w 466047 ( 006677 )…”
“While engine idled high, consumer shifted vehicle out of park into drive with brakes depressed, and vehicle drove off out of control, running into a creek. *ak”
“Consumer started up vehicle and engine was running a little fast. Consumer had foot on brake , put vehicle in gear and it took off while foot was on brake. Vehicle didn't stop until they ended up in a creek. Consumer's insurance company contacted dealer. *ak”
“Consumer has had 2 accidents relating to engine acceleration. Both times this happened the same way. Consumer has a very steep driveway. On sept. 11-2000, vehicle was in reverse & it accelerated backwards at a maxium speed. Mechanic found that thermostat ring gasket, idle air control valve &…”
Defect investigations
InvestigationEA92024 Opened 1992-06-26 · closed 1994-01-31
Recall, complaint, and investigation records from official NHTSA datasets (FLAT_RCL,
FLAT_CMPL, FLAT_INV), synced weekly. Counts reflect NHTSA records for the 1989 Buick Century as of
July 5, 2026. Complaint narratives are consumer-submitted and unverified. This page
contains ads and affiliate links. Full methodology.