Selling an old or non-running Buick Century

Every Century on the road now is at least 20 years old, and plenty are parked for good. We buy whole non-running and junk cars. You sell the whole car as it sits, with free pickup anywhere in the US.

Two generations, two complaint patterns

Wikipedia calls the Century a mid-size Buick from 1973 to 2005, with the LaCrosse as its successor. EPA data here covers 1984 to 2005, which is the fifth generation (1982-1996) and the sixth (1997-2005). NHTSA's complaint records were pulled on October 10, 2026. Recall vehicle totals describe each campaign in full, and the big ones reach well beyond the Century.

Fifth generation, 1984-1996

This long-running generation holds 576 complaints over 13 model years. The early years are quiet: 81 complaints across 1984-1988, where steering leads on 1984, 1986, 1987 and 1988.

The crash and injury reports gather in the early 1990s. The 1993 has 17 crashes and 13 injuries among 54 complaints, with air bags named in 13. The 1994 has 25 crashes and 21 injuries among 106, with hydraulic brakes leading (19) and air bags next (13).

Six recall campaigns list the 1994, more than any other Century year. Two involve the throttle: 94V008000, where the backup return spring would not close the throttle fully if the main spring broke, and 94V021000, where water in the accelerator cable could make it bind in very cold weather. A third, 94V159000, replaced a power door lock relay that water could short.

Older fuel recalls are worth knowing if you have a 1984 or 1988. For the 1984 Century, 85V034000 flags a leak at the joint of the fuel feed pipe and the throttle body injection, which could start an underhood fire. For 1988, 88V164000 swapped a fuel hose assembly whose coupling at the engine could seep. On the 1992, 91V214000 covered a reverse servo pin that could bind and cause loss of reverse; the remedy was a new transaxle where required.

For this Century generation, the largest recall is 95V173000. Rear outboard seat belt anchorages on 1989-1996 cars might not hold the required load, and new anchor bolts fix it.

Sixth generation, 1997-2005

The last Century drew 1,236 complaints in nine years. The 1999 is the peak at 235, with engine and engine cooling named in 51. The 1998 (218) is led by hydraulic brakes (24), and the 2000 (193) by the power train (43).

Late in the run, lighting takes over. Exterior lighting leads on the 2003 with 40 of 127 complaints, and on the 2004 with 7 of 39.

Recalls from these years include:

• 99V348000: windshield wipers that could stop when the crank arm drive pin separated, 1997.
• 99V170000: an ABS motor that could short to its case, fixed with a ground cable, 1999.
• 04V375000: new low beam headlamp bulbs on some 1999 cars.
• 00V143000: rear spindle bolt heads that could separate on 2000 cars with rear drum brakes.
• 00V228003: TRW seat belt buckles that were not properly heat treated, 2000-2001.

Century complaints and recalls by year

The table uses the same October 10, 2026 NHTSA pull. Later Centuries have been around for fewer years, which holds their totals down. Multi-year recalls repeat in each year's recall cell.

Across all years, NHTSA's component list is led by engine and engine cooling (186), hydraulic brakes (178), the electrical system (144), exterior lighting (133), visibility (117) and the power train (112).

Fix the Century or sell it?

• Start with the VIN on NHTSA's recall site. A VIN search shows whether any recall on your car was never done.
• After a crash, a car this old is often not worth putting back together. See wrecked or totaled for how to think it through.
• Just worn out? Our guide to old or high-mileage cars covers when one more repair stops making sense.
• For any major job, get the price on paper and hold it up against a running Century's value.

Selling a Century whole

1. Have the VIN, the miles and the main symptom handy.
2. Ask for an offer online, or call (877) 421-6008.
3. Say whether the Century rolls and steers, since that decides how it goes on the truck. Pickup is free anywhere in the US.
4. Leave every part attached and point out what's missing.
5. Have the title and ID at pickup. Missing title? Start with selling with no title.

Other Buicks from these years: the Regal, Skylark and the LaCrosse that replaced the Century.