Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 1984 Century.
The 1984 Buick Century's engine required just 3 quarts of oil, with viscosity options of 20W-20, 10W-30, or 10W-40 — modest figures that reflect the era's straightforward approach to powertrain maintenance. With only 9 total owner complaints and 4 recalls on record, this model year sits at the quiet dawn of a complaint history that would later span 1990 through 2005, peaking dramatically at 252 complaints in 1999 before settling to just 19 by 2005. That trajectory places the 1984 Century among the more trouble-free entries in the model's lineage, with steering standing out as the top complaint area but overall volume remaining remarkably low compared to the late-1990s surge — a context that suggests early Centuries aged with fewer systemic headaches than their successors.
Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.
Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.
| Overall length | 189 in |
| Overall width | 67.7 in |
| Overall height | 54.7 in |
| Wheelbase | 104.7 in |
| Curb weight | 2694 lb |
| Weight distribution (front / rear) | 63/37 |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1986 | T-Type Sedan 3.8L V6 | 11.50 sec | 17.60 sec | 150 hp | FWD |
| 1979 | Turbo Coupe 3.8L Turbo V6 | 9.10 sec | 17.40 sec | 165 hp | RWD |
Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.
This engine holds 3 qt of 20W-20 / 10W-30 / 10W-40 engine oil, DOT 3 brake fluid.
| Brake Fluid | DOT 3 |
| Engine Coolant | ETHYLENE GLYCOL |
| Engine Oil | ABOVE 40 degrees F |
| Engine Oil Capacity | 3 qt |
| Engine Oil | ABOVE 40 degrees F |
| Engine Oil Capacity | 4 qt |
| Engine Oil | ABOVE 40 degrees F |
| Engine Oil Capacity | 4 qt |
Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.
The provided federal record spans 1990 to 2005, meaning the 1984 target year falls entirely before this dataset and cannot be directly compared to adjacent model years within the record. Across the documented generation arc, complaints and recalls escalate significantly from 1990 (46 complaints, 2 recalls) to a peak around 1998-1999 (251-252 complaints, 4-5 recalls), before steadily declining toward 2005 (19 complaints, 2 recalls). Because the 1984 model predates this documented surge in federal issues, it implies the earliest models of this generation experienced less frequent regulatory scrutiny than their later counterparts. For the 1984 target year specifically, the data shows only 7 complaints across the listed categories—dominated by Steering (4)—with zero crash or fire incidents. Given its position well before the primary wave of documented defects and its minimal complaint volume, the 1984 Buick Century represents a favorable year to buy from a historical regulatory standpoint.
All 9 complaints on record, top 6 components.
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.
Showing 2 of 4 campaigns on record for this vehicle.
CERTAIN REPLACEMENT FUEL FILTERS, FRAM BRAND NAME P/N G3727, WITH DATE CODES X52911 THROUGH X60801 SEQUENTIALLY OR X600141 AND A MEXICO COUNTRY OR ORIGIN MARKING ON THE FUEL FILTER HOUSING MANUFACTURED FROM OCTOBER 18… Remedy: HONEYWELL WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE FUEL FILTERS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 18, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FRAM CUSTOMER SERVICE AT 1-800-890-2075 (OPTION…
THE FUEL SYSTEM MAY LEAK AT THE THROTTLE BODY INJECTION FUEL FEED PIPE CONNECTION. CONSEQUENCE OF DEFECT: THIS LEAKAGE COULD RESULT IN AN UNDERHOOD FIRE WHICH COULD SPREAD TO THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT AND CAUSE BURN… Remedy: REPLACE THE FUEL FEED PIPE.
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.
Find every vehicle that shares this one's battery, bulbs, oil capacity, platform or parts.
Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.
3 qt of ABOVE 40 degrees F: 30, ABOVE 20 degrees F: 20W-20, 10W-30, 10W-40, 20W-40 OR 20W-50, ABOVE 10 degrees F 15W-40, BELOW 20 degrees F: 5W-20 OR 5W-30, per the factory manual.
NHTSA lists 4 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.