Buick›Century›1990›Overview/buick/century/1990/base/

1990 Buick Century

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 1990 Century.

The 1990 Buick Century is a Buick model whose engine calls for 4 qt of 5W‑30 API oil, a detail that highlights its lubrication requirements. Owner feedback for that year logs 46 total complaints, with the electrical system noted as the top trouble area and two recalls issued. Compared with the broader 1990‑2005 complaint trend—where the 1999 model year saw a high of 252 complaints and the 2005 year dropped to a low of 19—the 1990 figure sits toward the lower‑end of the spectrum, indicating relatively better reliability than the worst years but not as trouble‑free as the final model year.

Model year2005 2004 2003 2002 2001 2000 1999 1998 1990

Quick specs

Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.

Engine oil capacity4 qtOEM · verified

Engine oil type5W-30 APIOEM · verified

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length	190.9 in
Overall width	69.3 in
Overall height	54.3 in
Wheelbase	104.7 in
Curb weight	2930 lb
Track (front / rear)	58.7 / 57.1 in

Performance & power Independent road tests

0–60 mph, quarter-mile, horsepower and torque from independent road tests.

Independent road tests for the Century of this era, listed by trim and engine — this page spans more than one engine, so no single horsepower figure is shown.

11.5 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 11.50 sec — 1986 T-Type Sedan

Year	Trim / engine	0–60	¼ mile	HP	Drivetrain
1986	T-Type Sedan 3.8L V6	11.50 sec	17.60 sec	150 hp	FWD

Service quick specs OEM factory data

Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.

This engine holds 4 qt of 5W-30 API engine oil, DOT 3 brake fluid.

Lubricants & capacities

Brake Fluid	DOT 3
Engine Coolant	ETHYLENE GLYCOL
Engine Oil	5W-30 · API
Engine Oil Capacity	4 qt
Engine Oil	10W-30 · API
Engine Oil Capacity	4.0 qt
Power Steering Fluid	USE GM PART NO. 1052884 OR EQUIVALENT

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the engine oil and filter at 7,500 mi; coolant every 30,000 mi. The big-interval services (every 30,000 mi for coolant, and the transmission fluid) are the ones owners most often skip — on a lower-mileage example, assume the original fluids are still in it and check them first.

At 7,500 mi	Engine Oil Filter (replace) · Throttle Body (torque) · Tire & Wheel Assembly (rotate)
Every 7,500 mi	Axle Shaft Oil Seal (inspect) · Body Latches, Locks & Hinges (inspect) · Brake System (inspect) · CV Joint Boot (inspect) · Engine Oil (drain & refill) · Exhaust System (Complete) (inspect)
Every 15,000 mi	Engine Oil Filter (replace) · Tire & Wheel Assembly (rotate)
Every 30,000 mi	EGR System (inspect) · Engine Air Filter Element (replace) · Engine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill) · Fuel Line (inspect) · Fuel Tank (inspect) · Fuel Tank Filler Cap (inspect)
Every 100,000 mi	Transmission Fluid & Filter (replace)

Reliability & federal safety record

Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.

In 1990 the Buick Century generated 46 complaints, 2 recalls, 1 investigation and 0 technical service bulletins, placing its complaint volume below the 1991 (49) and 1992 (52) figures. Recalls were identical to 1991 and modest compared with the 3 recalls recorded in 1992, while investigations matched the 1991 count but remained far lower than the multi‑digit counts that appear after 1994. The dominant complaint categories for 1990 were Electrical System (9), Engine & Engine Cooling (7), Seat Belts (7) and Structure (5), accounting for the majority of the 46 reports. Compared with the sharp rise to 251 complaints in 1998 and the peak of 399 TSBs in 2001, the 1990 model year sits at the low‑end of the documented problem arc for this generation. Consequently, from a federal record perspective the 1990 model presents comparatively fewer reported defects and is a reasonable choice for a used purchase, provided the buyer verifies service history for the noted electrical and engine concerns.

Open recalls

NHTSA campaigns

Service bulletins

Manufacturer communications

ODI investigations

Office of Defects Investigation

Owner complaints

1 involved a crash · 3 a fire

NHTSA crash-test rating federal NCAP · out of 5 stars

Overall★★★★★

Frontal★★★★★

Side★★★★★

Rollover★★★★★

Owner complaints by model year NHTSA · this generation & adjacent

’90’91 ’92 ’94 ’95 ’96 ’97 ’98 ’99 ’00 ’01 ’02 ’03 ’04 ’05

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 46 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Electrical System9

Engine & Engine Cooling7

Seat Belts7

Structure5

Seats5

Service Brakes, Hydraulic3

Tires2

Steering1

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 2 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

92V124000Seats:Front Assembly:ReclinerReported 01/09/1992

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. Remedy: REPAIR ANY ABRADED WIRING AND REROUTE THE WIRING HARNESS USING A WIRING HARNESS CLIP.

95V173000Seat Belts:Front:AnchorageReported 15/09/1995

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." 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.

Common OBD-II trouble codes

The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.

P0420

Catalyst system efficiency below threshold — Bank 1

P0300

Random / multiple cylinder misfire detected

P0171

System too lean — Bank 1

P0455

Evaporative emission system leak detected — large leak

P0128

Coolant thermostat below regulating temperature

P0442

Evaporative emission system leak detected — small leak

VIN tools

Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.

VIN

Decode a VIN to confirm the transmission and build data for a specific Century. OEM

Build data

Plant, GVWR class, engine and body data for any 17-character VIN.

Recalls

Check open recall campaigns against a specific vehicle by VIN.

Vehicles with shared specs

Find every vehicle that shares this one's battery, bulbs, oil capacity, platform or parts.

Vehicles taking 4 qt

Reference guides

Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.

Vehicle recalls & TSBs OBD-II trouble codes Maintenance schedules Fluid capacities & specs

Frequently asked

How much oil does the 1990 Century take?

4 qt of 5W-30 API, per the factory manual.

Does the 1990 Century have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 2 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.