AI Damage1984 Buick Century: common problems
Owners of the 1984 Buick Century filed 8 complaints with NHTSA, most often about steering and electrical system. Details by component below, with sources.
Key figures
- Owner complaints
- 8
What fails most often
- 1 Steering 50% of all complaints
- 2 Electrical system 25% of all complaints
- 3 Engine and cooling 25% of all complaints
- 4 Latches, locks, linkages 13% of all complaints
- 5 Service brakes 13% of all complaints
- 6 Structure 13% of all complaints
- Steering: 4 complaints (50% of all).
- Electrical system: 2 complaints (25% of all).
- Engine and cooling: 2 complaints (25% of all).
- Latches, locks, linkages: 1 complaints (13% of all).
- Service brakes: 1 complaints (13% of all).
Engines and transmissions
US-market versions per EPA. On the right: how many NHTSA complaints name this engine or transmission type.
- 2.5 L · petrol · 4 cyl
- 3 L · petrol · 6 cyl
- 3.8 L · petrol · 6 cyl
- 4.3 L · diesel · 6 cyl
- automatic, 3-speed
- automatic, 4-speed
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 8 NHTSA complaints mention each symptom (automatic count from complaint text; one complaint can mention several).
Components owners complain about
| Component | Owner complaints | involving a crash | Technical service bulletins (TSB) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Steering | 4 | 0 | 0 |
| Electrical system | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Engine and cooling | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Latches, locks, linkages | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Service brakes | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Structure | 1 | 0 | 0 |
What owners report
Short excerpts of NHTSA complaints in the original wording. These are owner statements not verified by NHTSA; personal data removed.
Engine craddle bolt was cracked on left side of vehicle, causing oil to leak from engine. Dealership was aware of problem.
Vehicle would intermittently stall while driving. Vehicle been into dealer shop on ten occasions, and they were unable to duplicate the problem. Dealer has replaced several things in an attempt to correct problem, catalytic converter, oil pan gasket, intake gasket, upper and lower radiator hoses, motor mounts,…
Brakes lock up when wet, causing vehicle to spin around.
The power steering unit is broken had to replace 3 times. Tt
Rack and pinion, steering control units, binds when turning. Tt
When owners complained
NHTSA complaints by filing year. The peak shows at what age the problems show up most.
Comparison
By complaint count this model year ranks 11,896 of 36,656 model years in the NHTSA data (top 32% most complained about).
On average one model year of the Century has 70 complaints (26 years in the data). This year has 8, below average.
What to check before buying
- Steering. Steering play, power assist, rack and tie rods after a wheel impact.
- Electrical system. Scan all modules, test the battery and alternator, inspect connectors near the impact zone.
- Engine and cooling. Radiator and fan after a frontal hit, coolant level and condition, overheating.
- Latches, locks, linkages. Door, hood and tailgate latches, especially near the impact.
Other years of this model
- Century 19823 sources
- Century 19857 sources
- Century 198622 sources
- Century 198728 sources
- Century 198816 sources
- Century 198940 sources
- Century 199033 sources
- Century 199138 sources
- Century 199245 sources
- Century 199354 sources
- Century 1994106 sources
- Century 199599 sources
- Century 199680 sources
- Century 1997106 sources
- Century 1998218 sources
- Century 1999235 sources
- Century 2000193 sources
- Century 2001145 sources
- Century 2002154 sources
- Century 2003127 sources
- Century 200439 sources
- Century 200519 sources
- Century 99993 sources
Questions and answers
What are the most common problems with the 1984 Buick Century?
Owner complaints to NHTSA most often mention: steering, electrical system, engine and cooling. Total complaints: 8. The most frequent symptoms in complaint texts: steering or power steering problems (25%), A/C or heater (13%), door locks, latches, handles (13%).
How many service bulletins (TSB) were issued for the 1984 Buick Century?
NHTSA lists 0 manufacturer service bulletins for this year. A bulletin tells dealers how to diagnose or fix a known issue; it is not a recall.
Should I buy a 1984 Buick Century from a US auction?
Owner complaints describe defects, not crash damage. Before bidding, check the components listed above and review the lot photos: VinWind builds a report of visible and hidden damage by VIN.
Other 1984 models
Read also
Sources: public NHTSA data (USA): service bulletins and owner complaints; YouTube: links to videos credited to their authors. Complaints are owner statements not verified by NHTSA, and describe defects rather than crash damage. Data updated 2026-11-05.