Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 1981 Century.
The 1981 Buick Century, a full-size sedan produced on GM's B-body platform, represented a model year with remarkably few owner-reported issues, recording just one total complaint centered on service brake hydraulic systems, alongside three safety recalls issued during its production run; this extremely low complaint figure stands in stark contrast to the model's later reliability trajectory, as the complaint history data spanning 1990 to 2005 shows complaints climbing to a peak of 252 in 1999 before dropping to a low of 19 in 2005, suggesting the 1981 model year may represent a particularly trouble-free iteration relative to its successors, though it's worth noting this early model's limited complaint data predates the more comprehensive tracking period.
Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.
| Overall length | 196.1 in |
| Overall width | 71.7 in |
| Overall height | 55.5 in |
| Wheelbase | 108.3 in |
| Curb weight | 3239 lb |
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.
| Year | Trim / engine | 0–60 | ¼ mile | HP | Drivetrain |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1979 | Turbo Coupe 3.8L Turbo V6 | 9.10 sec | 17.40 sec | 165 hp | RWD |
Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.
The 1981 Buick Century predates the provided federal record, which runs only from 1990 through 2005, so there is no comparable annual complaint, recall, investigation, or TSB count for the target year itself. Within the available arc, reported activity is modest in the early 1990s—46–52 complaints and 2–3 recalls per year—then climbs to a peak of 251–252 complaints in 1998–1999, with recalls reaching seven in 2000 and TSBs surging to 497 by 2005 before complaint volume tapers off. The only 1981-specific entries in the data are a single top complaint area, “Service Brakes, Hydraulic,” and zero crash or fire complaints, but these do not establish a broader reliability pattern. Because 1981 sits entirely outside the federal trend data, the record neither confirms it as a problem year nor validates it as a standout choice. For a prospective buyer, this means condition, maintenance history, and a thorough pre-purchase inspection matter far more than the federal report in deciding whether a 1981 Century is a sound purchase.
All 1 complaints on record, top 1 components.
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.
Showing 2 of 3 campaigns on record for this vehicle.
"TX" HEAVY DUTY WHEELS MAY HAVE BEEN MANUFACTURED WITH LAMINATED STEEL. THE WHEEL DISC MAY FRACTURE AND THE WHEEL AND TIRE COULD PARTIALLY OR COMPLETELY SEPARATE FROM THE VEHICLE. Remedy: THE DEFECTIVE WHEELS WILL BE REPLACED WITHOUT CHARGE.
THE BOLTS THAT ATTACH THE LOWER REAR CONTROL ARM TO THE FRAME MAY FRACTURE. THE REAR CONTROL ARM SUPPORTS AND POSITIONS THE REAR AXLE. FRACTURE OF THE BOLTS WOULD ALLOW THE CONTROL ARM TO DROP FREE. Remedy: BOTH REAR CONTROL ARM ATTACHMENT BOLTS WILL BE REPLACED WITHOUT CHARGE.
The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.
Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.
Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.
NHTSA lists 3 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.