The 1990 Buick Century has 2 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting an estimated 2,535,506 vehicles. Recall repairs are always free at any authorized dealer. Owners have filed 49 complaints with NHTSA, most often about the seat belts. 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.
SEATS92V1240001992-09-01319,181 affected
Defect
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.
Consequence
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 INSULATION ANDIGNITE THE SEAT CUSHION MATERIAL.
Remedy
REPAIR ANY ABRADED WIRING AND REROUTE THE WIRING HARNESS USING A WIRING HARNESS CLIP.
Complaints by component
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:ANCHORAGE
4
1injuries
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY
3
1crashes1injuries
SEATS
3
SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:RECLINER
3
1injuries
STRUCTURE
3
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY
2
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:ALTERNATOR/GENERATOR/REGULATOR
2
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
2
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
2
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS
2
Total complaints49
What owners report
Verbatim reports filed with NHTSA, lightly edited for readability and with personal
information removed.
“Consumer states that while driving and without warning the engine blew and the vehicle started to smoke under the hood causing the consumer to pull over. Dealer notified. Mr”
“On wednesday 6/13/2002 my 1990 buick century lost steering control due to a failure in the cradle bolts.I could have been seriously injured.I have found the following recall which includes the 1990 buick regal, nhtsa recall no. 97v058/gm recall no. 97016. My vehicle is a 1990 buick century with…”
“Circuit breaker for seat in fuse compartment overheated, causing power seats and power door to be inoperative. Driver is unable to replace fuse because it was so hot, it burned. *ak. Consumer states when he touched the correct fuse he was burned leaving a blister on his finger and thumb, consumer…”
“While driving down the highway, I noticed that the front of car lurched and the steering wheel position changed. Pulled car to side and saw that part of frame was hanging down. Took to dealer who said that the cradle bolt had pulled through the support and was hanging down. Why wasn't my car on…”
“Motor fell to ground while pulling out. This damaged steering and car was out of control. *ak”
“None of the power windows would open or close. Vehicle was taken to dealership. Two broken wires were reconnected at owner's expense. Please provide any further information. *ak”
“During accident front bench seat latch failed causing the seat to collapse, right front passenger seat belt also became unlatched, resulting in injury. Nlm”
“During accident front bench seat latch failed causing the seat to collapse, right front passenger seat belt also became unlatched, resulting in injury. Nlm”
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 1990 Buick Century as of
July 5, 2026. Complaint narratives are consumer-submitted and unverified. This page
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