The 1993 Buick Century has 2 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting an estimated 2,219,173 vehicles. Recall repairs are always free at any authorized dealer. Owners have filed 71 complaints with NHTSA, most often about the air bags. 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.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC93V1210001993-07-212,848 affected
Defect
THE BRAKE HOSES WERE MANUFACTURED INCORRECTLY, AND DO NOT COMPLY WITH FMVSS 106, "BRAKE HOSES."
Consequence
THE IMPROPERLY MANUFACTURED BRAKE HOSES CAN CAUSEREDUCED BRAKE EFFECTIVENESS AND/OR UNEVEN BRAKING, WHICH COULD RESULT IN ANACCIDENT.
Remedy
REPLACE THE RIGHT FRONT BRAKE HOSE ASSEMBLY ON CIERA AND CENTURY MODELS, AND BOTH REAR BRAKE HOSES ON CAVALIER AND SUNBIRD MODELS.
Complaints by component
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
12
9crashes10injuries
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
7
1crashes1fires
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
6
5crashes2injuries
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
3
1crashes
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS
3
1crashes
AIR BAGS
2
2crashes1injuries
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:HORN
2
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:INTERIOR/UNDER DASH
2
EQUIPMENT:MECHANICAL:CARRIER/RACK
2
FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER
2
Total complaints71
What owners report
Verbatim reports filed with NHTSA, lightly edited for readability and with personal
information removed.
“Tl* the contact owns a 1993 buick century. The contact stated that the vehicle was started and the defroster was engaged. The contact then smelled a burning odor and noticed smoke emitting from the defroster area. The contact moved the vehicle away from his residence and turned the engine off but…”
“Tl* the contact owns a 1993 buick century. The contact stated that the vehicle was started and the defroster was engaged. The contact then smelled a burning odor and noticed smoke emitting from the defroster area. The contact moved the vehicle away from his residence and turned the engine off but…”
“1993 buick century experienced vehicle fire.*mr while driving down the highway the car jerked a little and the battery light came on. The consumer heard a pop and saw smoke, he then pulled over and the vehicle became engulfed in fire. *cb *jb”
“Consumer was traveling about 35mph on highway and rear left tire tread separated from rim. Vehicle went into a water enbankment of eight feet. Vehicle was submerged under water, but consumer was able to escape through driver's side window . Vehicle was totaled. Firestone tires 205-70-r14 s-s60,dot…”
“While driving on highway vehicle stalled and had to be towed. Technician opened the hood, and found out that cover under the hood (looked like a blanket for noise or fire) had almost caught on fire. Also, no power steering. Pieces that came loose went down into the alternator, causing it to burn…”
“While driving on highway vehicle stalled and had to be towed. Technician opened the hood, and found out that cover under the hood (looked like a blanket for noise or fire) had almost caught on fire. Also, no power steering. Pieces that came loose went down into the alternator, causing it to burn…”
“While driving on highway vehicle stalled and had to be towed. Technician opened the hood, and found out that cover under the hood (looked like a blanket for noise or fire) had almost caught on fire. Also, no power steering. Pieces that came loose went down into the alternator, causing it to burn…”
“Driver's side door falls open, even when locked; seat belt tightens as if there was impact and pulls driver toward the open door. *ak”
Recall, complaint, and investigation records from official NHTSA datasets (FLAT_RCL,
FLAT_CMPL, FLAT_INV), synced weekly. Counts reflect NHTSA records for the 1993 Buick Century as of
July 5, 2026. Complaint narratives are consumer-submitted and unverified. This page
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