Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 1982 Century.
The 1982 Buick Century carries a reliability footprint of just 4 total owner complaints and 2 recalls, with steering representing the top complaint area. Set against the model’s later documented history—covering 1990 through 2005, when complaints reached a high of 252 for the 1999 model year and a low of 19 for 2005—this 1982 model year sits outside that tracking window but registers markedly lower reported issues. That scant complaint volume and limited recall exposure frame the 1982 edition as a notably subdued point in the Century’s reliability record before the elevated volumes seen in later years.
Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.
| Overall length | 189 in |
| Overall width | 66.9 in |
| Overall height | 54.7 in |
| Wheelbase | 104.7 in |
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 |
| 1986 | T-Type Sedan 3.8L V6 | 11.50 sec | 17.60 sec | 150 hp | FWD |
Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.
The 1982 Buick Century records two complaints each for Steering and Power Train, with zero crash or fire complaints noted in the federal data. The provided year-by-year record begins in 1990, showing a trend where complaints rise from 46 to a peak of 252 in 1999 before falling to 19 in 2005. While later model years document up to four investigations annually, the 1982 data does not specify any investigations or recalls. The 1982 complaint counts are significantly lower than the peak volumes observed in the 1990s, suggesting a lower frequency of reported federal issues. Although the data doesn't specify the root cause of the steering or power train concerns, the absence of safety-related complaints is distinct compared to the later record. Based on the lower complaint volume and absence of safety incidents compared to the later record, this is a good year to buy.
All 4 complaints on record, top 2 components.
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.
Showing 2 of 2 campaigns on record for this vehicle.
UNDER CERTAAIN CONDITIONS, THE HOSE CLAMPS ON THE FUEL TANK FILLER PIPE AND FUEL TANK FILLER VENT PIPE COULD FRACTURE. THE FRACTURE OF THESE CLAMPS COULD CAUSE FUEL LEAKAGE AT ANY OF THE FOUR PIPE TO HOSE CONNECTIONS… Remedy: DEALER WILL INSPECT AND REPLACE THE HOSE CLAMPS ON THE FUEL TANK FILLER PIPE AND VENT PIPE AT NO COST TO OWNER.
REAR BRAKE HOSES MAY HAVE BEEN MANUFACTURED INCORRECTLY WHEN THE METAL END FITTINGS WERE INSTALLED. SOME REAR BRAKE HOSES MAY SEPARATE FROM THE METAL END FITTINGS WHEN SUBJECTED TO THE PULLING FORCE SPECIFIED BY FEDERAL… Remedy: THE DEALER WILL INSPECT AND REPLACE, IF NECESSARY, THE REAR BRAKE HOSES AT NO CHARGE TO OWNERS.
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 2 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.