The 1994 Buick Century has no open NHTSA recalls. Owners report 8 recurring issue clusters, led by “Seat belt failure to retract or restrain occupant.” Buick uses the GM Oil Life System: an algorithm tracks engine revolutions and temperature, then lights the change-oil message — typically every 7,500 miles in mixed driving, capped at 12 months, using dexos-approved oil. Current Encore GX and Envista run 1.2/1.3L turbo three-cylinders where oil quality matters more than volume drivers expect (the sump is small and turbo-heated). Front-drive models pair to a CVT with a published fluid interval — it is not a lifetime part.
No open recalls on file. NHTSA lists no unrepaired safety recalls for this year, make and model. A recall can be issued at any time, and a specific car can still have one open — check yours by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What drivers and federal regulators have officially reported about the 1994 Buick Century.
SEAT BELTS
6 NHTSA complaints · 1995-04 → 2004-04
“WHILE TURNING INTO DRIVEWAY, VEHICLE HIT BY PICKUP TRUCK; SHOULDER/LAP BELT DISENGAGED; DID NOT HOLD; OCCUPANT WAS THROWN INTO WINDHIELD”
“THE DRIVERS SEATBELT BUCKLE CAME APART AND CAUSED THE OCCUPANT TO GET HURT”
“DRIVER AND PASSENGER FRONT SEAT BELTS WILL NO LONGER RETRACT”
SUSPENSION
7 NHTSA complaints · 1995-02 → 1999-11
“WHEN THE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION THE VEHICLE VIBRATES WHEN DOING OVER 55 MPH”
“STEERING COLUMN VIBRATES AT SPEEDS OF 70 MPH AND ABOVE”
“DRIVESHAFT FAILED, CAUSING SEVERE VIBRATION AT SPEEDS OVER 55 MPH”
SUSPENSION
5 NHTSA complaints · 1999-04 → 2009-01
“WHILE DRIVING 5 MPH, THE TIE ROD FAILED WITHOUT WARNING”
“STEERING KNUCKLE BROKE, CAUSING HALF SHAFT TO EXPLODE AND BALL JOINT TO BREAK RESULTING IN LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL”
“AFTER PULLING CAR OFF OF ROAD, I FOUND THAT RIGHT REAR SUPPORT BRACKET FOR THE AXEL HOUSING (CALLED "TRAILER ARM?") HAD COMPLETELY FRACTURED IN HALF”
AIR BAGS
14 NHTSA complaints · 1995-01 → 2003-10
“CONSUMER WAS DRIVING AT 45 MPH AND ANOTHER VEHICLE HIT CONSUMER'S VEHICLE HEAD-ON. UPON IMPACT, DRIVER'S SIDE AND PASSENGER'S SIDE AIR BAGS DIDN'T DEPLOY”
“WHILE DRIVING 25-30 MPH WAS INVOLVED IN A DIRECT FRONTAL ACCIDENT IN WHICH THERE WAS NO DEPLOYMENT OF DRIVERS SIDE AIRBAG”
“AIR BAGS ON LOW MILEAGE 1994 BUICK CENTURY DID NOT DEPLOY DURING HEAD ON CRASH”
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
11 NHTSA complaints · 1996-01 → 1999-10
“THE ABS BRAKES QUIT WORKING. THE ABS LIGHT CAME ON & STAYED ON. HAD APPLIED THE ABS BRAKES & THE SYSTEM DIED OUT”
“ABS LIGHT WOULD STAY ON & THEN WOULD GO OUT AFTER AWHILE. CAN HEAR A CLICK SOUND WHEN ABS BRAKES ARE APPLIED”
“ABS LIGHT COMES ON, IT BEGAN WHEN IT RAINED AND NOW AT VARIOUS TIMES. THE SENSOR HAS BEEN WORKED ON BY A DEALER 6 TIMES”
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
13 NHTSA complaints · 1995-04 → 2001-06
“TURNED ON IGNITION, ENGINE ROARED AS SLIGHTLY APPLIED ACCELERATOR; ENGINE WENT INTO HIGH SPEED; LURCHED FORWARD WITH BRAKES APPLIED; VEHICLE HIT GARAGE”
“WHEN IGNITION IS TURNED ON THE AUTO RACES AND DOES NOT STOP UNTIL IT IS TURNED OFF AND RESTARTED”
“FIRST CRASH---VEHICLE ACELERATED UNCONTROLLABLY WITH FOOT ON BRAKE”
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
5 NHTSA complaints · 1994-10 → 1996-07
“WHILE DRIVING NOTICED SMOKE ODOR COMING FROM VENT, SUDDENLY DASH CAUGHT FIRE, DUE TO ELECTRICAL SYSTEM WIRING SHORT IN DASH”
“UNDERDASH FIRE WHILE DRIVING; CAUSE UNKNOWN; VEHICLE TOTALED; SPEED 50 MPH”
“WIRING HARNESS SHORTED, CAUSING SMOKE”
WHEELS
3 NHTSA complaints · 1998-11 → 2004-01
“5 LUGS/BOLTS BROKEN CAUSING WHEEL TO FALL OFF.(OHIO TRAFFIC CRASH REPORT)”
“RIGHT FRONT WHEEL HAD 5 BROKEN "SPOKES" OUT OF 10, WHEEL MADE A TERRIBLE NOISE”
“CONSUMER HAS BEEN EXPERIENCING PROBLEMS WITH WHEEL RIMS”
Issues on other model years
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI). Complaint data refreshed Sep 20, 2026. Investigation data refreshed Sep 20, 2026.
We display NHTSA's record with attribution; we don't editorialize on what these complaints mean for any specific vehicle.
Critical for safety and preventing major damage
Change when the Oil Life System calls it — typically around 7,500 miles, never beyond 12 months. dexos1 0W-20 on modern engines. Small-displacement turbos (Encore GX, Envista): don't stretch the indicator.
Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges
Dealer
~$120–$160
Shop
~$85–$115
DIY
~$25–$55
Full synthetic costs more than conventional. 5-quart 0W-20 + filter is the typical bill.
Rotate every 7,500 miles with the oil change — GM pairs the two in its schedule.
Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges
Dealer
~$85
Shop
~$60
DIY
Free
Often free at the shop where you bought the tires — worth asking before paying.
Inspect pads, rotors, and lines at every service. Older Centurys: check rear drum adjustment and parking-brake cables, which seize with age.
Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges
Dealer
~$85
Shop
~$60
DIY
Free
Most shops do this free as a courtesy with any service. Don't pay separately if you can avoid it.
FWD Encore GX and Envista use a CVT: GM schedules fluid replacement around 45,000 miles under severe service — which includes most city commuting. AWD Encore GX uses a 9-speed automatic instead (see transmission fluid).
Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges
Dealer
~$360–$500
Shop
~$255–$355
DIY
~$80–$180
CVT fluid is manufacturer-specific and pricey — do NOT substitute conventional ATF.
Keeps your vehicle running smoothly and efficiently
Conventional automatics (Century's 4T65-E, Regal's Aisin, AWD Encore GX's 9-speed): GM lists 45,000 miles severe / longer normal. Older Buicks respond well to a simple drain-and-fill — avoid pressure flushes on high-mile units.
Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges
Dealer
~$330–$500
Shop
~$235–$355
DIY
~$60–$180
Some sealed transmissions have no dipstick — fill is precise and best left to a shop. Many drivers can still DIY drain-and-fill.
Small-turbo three-cylinders (Encore GX, Envista): roughly every 60,000 miles — check the manual. Older 3.1/3.8 V6s: iridium plugs last to 100,000 miles.
Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges
Dealer
~$285–$390
Shop
~$200–$275
DIY
~$25–$100
Iridium plugs cost more but last 100k+ miles. V6/V8 access varies wildly — some are tough.
GM schedules replacement around 45,000 miles; inspect at every oil change in dusty regions.
Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges
Dealer
~$60–$95
Shop
~$45–$70
DIY
~$15–$40
5-minute job on most cars; the airbox lid usually has clips, no tools needed.
Inspect from 60,000 miles; replace on cracking or glazing rather than mileage alone.
Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges
Dealer
~$195–$235
Shop
~$135–$165
DIY
~$20–$50
DIY-friendly if you can reach the tensioner. Inspect for cracks rather than swap on a strict mileage interval.
Extends the life of your vehicle and improves comfort
Replace roughly every 22,500 miles per GM's schedule — behind the glovebox on modern Buicks.
Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges
Dealer
~$60–$95
Shop
~$45–$70
DIY
~$15–$40
Usually behind the glovebox. Shops charge labor for a 10-minute job — easy DIY win.
Dex-Cool is rated 5 years / 150,000 miles. On older 3.1/3.8 V6s, intake-gasket seepage was the classic failure — check coolant level and condition at every oil change on a Century.
Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges
Dealer
~$285–$330
Shop
~$200–$235
DIY
~$25–$60
Use the manufacturer-specified coolant — wrong color/chemistry can damage the cooling system.
Test annually after year 3. Stop-start-equipped Encore GX/Envista use AGM batteries — replace like-for-like, not with a cheaper flooded battery.
Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges
Dealer
~$225–$390
Shop
~$160–$280
DIY
~$130–$250
Most auto-parts stores test and install batteries free with purchase. Skip the dealer markup.
Occupant deaths in fatal crashes (FARS)
351 crashes 1990–2024
How the 351 occupant deaths break down
241
driver deaths
110
passenger deaths
351
occupant deaths
Crash years covered: 1990–2024 This model year first appears in 1994 crashes. Older models have had more years on the road to appear in these crashes, so a higher count here does not by itself mean a vehicle is less safe.
FARS counts every occupant death in a fatal crash, whatever the cause — it does not mean the vehicle was at fault or defective. Counts are not adjusted for how many of each vehicle are on the road. How to read this number
FARS 2024 data is an annual report file. NHTSA revises these records when the final file is published, so this count can change.
Every vehicle has exactly one driver seat, so driver deaths line up fairly when you compare one model to another. Occupant deaths include passengers, so a three row SUV can show a higher number than a two seat car simply because it carries more people.
Both figures are plain counts, not rates. A rate would need to know how many of each vehicle are on the road, and that registration data is not public, so we do not publish rates or scores of any kind.
IIHS publishes driver death rates using this same driver only idea, paired with a registered vehicle years denominator we do not have. Their rates and these counts answer different questions, so do not read either number here as a safety rating.
Owner-reported problem signals
Separate from the federal fatality data above: complaints owners filed with NHTSA about this year and model. These are reports of problems, unverified, and are counted here only as signals.
28
complaints mentioning a crash
5
complaints mentioning a fire
Typical U.S. ranges. Actual quotes vary by shop, parts choice, and vehicle condition.
How we estimate: Dealer = OEM parts × 1.4 + labor × $165/hr. Shop = parts + labor × $115/hr. DIY = parts only.
This maintenance schedule for the 1994 Buick Century reflects Buick's published service intervals and the GM Oil Life System system. Your actual service needs may vary based on driving conditions, climate, and vehicle usage. Always consult your owner's manual for model-specific recommendations.