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Buick Century acceleration problems

120 of the 2,393 complaints filed about the Buick Century are about the throttle and cruise control — 5% of everything owners reported. The worst model year for it is 2001.

120

Complaints

5%

Share of all complaints

34

Crashes

1

Fires

Acceleration & Cruise Control complaints by model year

1985 Century 1 0.8%
1987 Century 2 1.7%
1989 Century 7 5.8%
1991 Century 5 4.2%
1992 Century 5 4.2%
1993 Century 8 6.7%
1994 Century 13 10.8%
1995 Century 6 5.0%

Median failure at 129,890 miles

1996 Century 9 7.5%
1997 Century 3 2.5%

Median failure at 75,000 miles

1998 Century 8 6.7%
1999 Century 14 11.7%

Median failure at 95,494 miles

2000 Century 4 3.3%

Median failure at 75,508 miles

2001 Century 19 15.8%

Median failure at 51,000 miles

2002 Century 7 5.8%

Median failure at 127,500 miles

2003 Century 6 5.0%

Median failure at 64,000 miles

2004 Century 3 2.5%

Median failure at 136,000 miles

What owners said

2001 Buick Century Griffin, GA

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

When I have cruise control on but not in use at that moment the car will engage cruise on its own. It does this at a high rate of acceleration with no Rhyme or Reason as to why. I have to be quick to get it to stop because of the high rate of speed. I do not use the cruise control anymore on my vehicle because of being unsafe. I have been lucky a couple of times I have not rammed into the vehicle in front of me through no fault of mine except for having cruise control on. No it has not been examined or inspected. The problem has not been confirmed by the dealership or and independent service center. It has been confirmed by various drivers of my car. None of them will use cruise control anymore.

NHTSA complaint #11629783 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2001 Buick Century at 54,000 miles Dunmore, PA

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

STEERING LOCKED WHILE DRIVING ON HIGHWAY. CAR WOULD SPEED UP ON ITS OWN WITHOUT TOUCHING THE GAS PEDDLE. THIS OCCURRED AS SOON AS THE CAR WAS TAKEN OUT OF PARK.

NHTSA complaint #11130722 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2004 Buick Century at 136,000 miles Palm BAY, FL

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

WHEN DRIVING MY CAR OVER 5 MILES IT WILL CHOKE AND NOT LET ME ACCELERATE AND THE SPEEDOMETER GOES TO 0. CAN YOU TELL ME WHAT THE PROBLEM COULD BE?

NHTSA complaint #11128519 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2004 Buick Century at 170,000 miles Aberdeen, MS

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

THE MULTI FUNCTION SWITCH DOES NOT WORK PROPERLY. WHEN GOING AROUND CURVES AND CORNERS YOU CAN'T DIM THE HEADLIGHTS. BECAUSE THE STEERING WHEEL DOESN'T ALLOW THE LEVER TO GO FAR ENOUGH TO CATCH. NOW MY HEADLIGHTS WILL NOT TURN ON WHEN THE THEY ARE SUPPOSE TO. MY CRUISE CONTROL DOESN'T WORK. MY A/C STOPS COOLING WHEN THE SPEED REACHES 60 MPH BUT IF I MOVE THE M.F.S. (AKA TURN SIGNAL) IT GETS COOL AGAIN FOR A FEW MINUTES. THE OTHER NIGHT MY LIGHTS WENT OFF WHEN I WAS MEETING A CAR WITH ITS HEADLIGHTS ON BRIGHT. IT WAS A DARK STRETCH OF ROAD. I ALMOST RAN IN THE DITCH.

NHTSA complaint #11101549 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2001 Buick Century at 110,000 miles Joplin, MO

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

FOR ALMOST THE ENTIRE TIME OF 16 YEARS OF OWNING THIS CAR, THE SET CRUISE CONTROL OFTEN TIMES SPEEDS UNCONTROLLABLY. HAVE REPLACED THE MODULE TWICE BUT CONTINUES TO HAPPEN. LOCAL BUICK DEALER TELLS ME THEY HAVE NOT HEARD OF THIS BEFORE. I FIRMLY BELIEVE THEY ARE UNTRUTHFUL.

NHTSA complaint #10990906 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2002 Buick Century at 150,000 miles Butte, MT

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

INTAKE LEAKING ANTIFREEZE - COST TOO MUCH TO REPAIR FOR ME. MY ONLY CAR TO GET TO WORK. REPLACING BEARINGS TODAY FOR STICKING BACK BRAKES. ALL INTERIOR ACCESSORIES ARE BROKEN; COSMETIC MIRROR, ASHTRAY, CENTER CONSOLE, PASSENGER WINDSHIELD WIPER STRIPPED MOTOR, 1 WINDOW WORKING. STILL OWE ON CAR BUT CANNOT FIX EVERYTHING. ANY HELP ????

NHTSA complaint #10970588 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2003 Buick Century at 52,000 miles Houston, TX Crash

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 BUICK CENTURY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED UNINTENDED ACCELERATION WHEN SHIFTED. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO A CURB AND CONTINUED DOWN A LAWN. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE FRONT AXEL AND THE MUFFLER FRACTURED. IN ADDITION, A PIECE OF THE TRANSMISSION DETACHED AND OIL LEAKED FROM UNDER THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED AND THERE WERE NO INJURIES REPORTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 52,000. UPDATED 03/16/16*LJ THE CONSUMER STATED THE ELECTRONIC CONTROL SYSTEM MALFUNCTIONED.

NHTSA complaint #10823428 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2003 Buick Century at 120,000 miles Sonora, CA Crash

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

I HAD DRIVEN MY 2003 BUICK CENTURY AT LEAST HALFWAY INTO A PARKING SPACE IN A PARKING LOT WHEN IT SUDDENLY LURCHED FORWARD LIKE A BAT OUT OF HELL, LEAPING UP OVER A CURB ON AN UPWARD SLOPE, SWIPING A CEMENT LIGHTPOST ON THE LEFT, CRASHING INTO ANOTHER CAR ACROSS ITS LEFT FRONT, BUMPING DOWN OVER A CURB, THEN CRASHING UP AND OVER TWO MORE CURBS. WITH DIVINE HELP I WAS ABLE TO AVOID OTHER CARS AND STEER IT TO A STOP, THEN DRIVE GINGERLY INTO THE ORIGINAL PARKING SPACE. SINCE I WAS ORIGINALLY IN THE PROCESS OF SLOWING TO A STOP, MY RIGHT FOOT WAS ON THE BRAKE AT ALL TIMES. I HAD NEVER HEARD OF MANY AUTOMAKERS' INFAMOUS "SUDDEN UNINTENDED ACCELERATION" MANUFACTURING DEFECT AND HAD NO IDEA WHAT WAS HAPPENING AS THE CAR WENT FROM 1 OR 2 MPH TO FULL THROTTLE INSTANTLY. WITH BOTH HANDS GRASPING THE STEERING WHEEL WHILE THE CAR JERKED VIOLENTLY, I WAS UNABLE TO SHIFT INTO NEUTRAL, AS I WAS ATTEMPTING TO AVOID OTHER PARKED VEHICLES. I EMERGED WITH NO BROKEN BONES, BUT THE CAR WAS TOTALED. BECAUSE I AM A "LITTLE OLD LADY," THE INSURANCE COMPANY DEEMS ME "L00% RESPONSIBLE," IN SPITE OF MY CLEAN DRIVING RECORD. BUT "SUDDEN UNINTENDED ACCELERATION" FITS MY SCENARIO TO A TEE.

NHTSA complaint #10821600 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2001 Buick Century at 55,400 miles Powhatan, VA

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

TURNED ON SPEED CONTROL WHILE DRIVING ON INTERSTATE, PRESSED SET BUTTON TO SET THE SPEED. THE CRUISE INDICATOR LIGHT CAME ON. THE CAR ACCELERATED ON ITS OWN. MY SPEED WENT FROM 65 MPH TO 80 MPH IN A FEW SECONDS. I DEPRESSED THE SET BUTTON AGAIN TO DECELERATE, BUT WHEN I RELEASED THE SET BUTTON, THE CAR IMMEDIATELY ACCELERATED AGAIN. I DEPRESSED THE BRAKE TO STOP THE ACCELERATION & TURNED THE SPEED CONTROL SWITCH TO THE OFF POSITION.

NHTSA complaint #10765156 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

1999 Buick Century at 88,988 miles LA Mesa, CA

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

MY CAR IS NOTHING BUT A PROBLEM AND VERY SERIOUS PROBLEM. I LOST CONTROL OF MY CAR AND ALMOST GET INTO ACCIDENT. THE ABS BREAKS IS NOT STABLE,SO MANY ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS. POWER WINDOWS IS DEFECT.

NHTSA complaint #10749945 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2001 Buick Century at 26,500 miles Arlington, TX

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

WHILE DRIVING WITH THE SPEED CONTROL TURNED ON BUT NOT ENGAGED THE SPEED CONTROL WILL ENGAGE AND THE ENGINE WILL RACE UNTIL BRAKE IS TAPPED OR SPEED CONTROL SWITCH TURNED OFF. THIS CAN HAPPENED RANDOMLY , WHEN RESUME IS ENGAGED , OR WHEN LANE CHANGE SIGNALING.

NHTSA complaint #10693162 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2002 Buick Century Bristol, CT

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

TIRE FEELS LIKE IT DOESN'T WANT TO SPIN. NO GRIP.

NHTSA complaint #10597617 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2004 Buick Century at 107,000 miles Cortland, NY

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

WHEN DRIVING THE CAR INCREASE SPEED WITHOUT TOUCHING THE PEDAL WILL KEEP INCREASING SPEED SLIGHTLY MAKING YOU HIT BRAKES OR PULL OVER. I RESTART THE CAR AND SOMETIMES THIS WILL STOP IT SOMETIMES NOT. IT IS GETTING WORSE AND I HAVE HAD IT TO A DEALER WITH NO FINDING. I HAVE CONTACTED BUICK THROUGH EMAIL AND HAVE NOT HEARD ANYTHING YET. THE CAR WILL DO THIS EVEN IN THE CITY AT SPEEDS OF 30 MPH WE HAVE TO BRAKE OR IT WILL GO FASTER AND FASTER. I HAVE CONTACTED ALL I KNOW TO AND CANNOT FIND WHAT IS GOING ON. I NEED SOME ASSISTANCE BEFORE THERE IS AN ACCIDENT.

NHTSA complaint #10595305 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2003 Buick Century Denham Springs, LA

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

2003 BUICK CENTURY. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO VEHICLE SUDDEN ACCELERATION. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED FOR THE PAST 1 1/2 YEARS THE VEHICLE HAS ACCELERATED ON ITS OWN AT A VERY HIGH SPEED. IT WOULD ACCELERATE UP TO 60 MPH, EVEN WHEN HER FOOT WAS NOT ON THE ACCELERATOR. ALSO, THE VEHICLE WOULD IDLE VERY HIGH, WHEN THE ACCELERATION OCCURRED.

NHTSA complaint #10559904 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2003 Buick Century Hialeah, FL

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

THE CAR WILL SPEED UP ON ITS OWN WHILE THE FOOT IS OFF THE PEDAL. ALSO, WHEN I HAVE MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE AT A LIGHT, THE CAR WILL START REVVING UP AS IF I HAD MY FOOT ON BOTH BRAKE AND ACCELERATOR. I HAVE TAKEN THE CAR TO DIFFERENT MECHANICS TO GET THE PROBLEM FIXED TO NO AVAIL. WHAT COULD THESE BE? I AM AFRAID THAT ONE DAY I WILL GET IN AN ACCIDENT DO TO THIS PROBLEM.

NHTSA complaint #10512699 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2001 Buick Century at 51,000 miles Kearney, NE

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

AFTER SETTING CRUISE CONTROL IT WILL TAKE OFF AND ACCELERATE UNTIL YOU MANUALLY SHUT THE CRUISE CONTROL SWITCH OFF. I EVEN TAPPED ON BRAKE AND IT WOULD CONTINUE. THIS PROBLEM SEEMS TO BE VERY RANDOM.

NHTSA complaint #10426575 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2001 Buick Century at 98,000 miles Stevensville, MD

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 BUICK CENTURY. THE CONTACT STATED WHEN DRIVING 35 MPH OR MORE, THE CRUISE CONTROL WOULD INDEPENDENTLY ACTIVATE AND WOULD CAUSE THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL TO SEIZE IN THE OPEN THROTTLE POSITION. HE WOULD THEN DEPRESS THE BRAKES AND THE CRUISE CONTROL WOULD DEACTIVATE. THE FAILURE WOULD OCCUR INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED THAT THE FAILURE WAS NOT COMMON IN HIS YEAR, MAKE AND MODEL. THE DEALER DID NOT PERFORM A DIAGNOSTIC TEST. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 98,000.

NHTSA complaint #10350497 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2002 Buick Century at 105,000 miles Eagle River, WI

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 BUICK CENTURY. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING AT 65 MPH WITH THE CRUISE CONTROL SET. SUDDENLY, THE VEHICLE INCREASED ACCELERATION WITHOUT WARNING. THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS APPLIED SEVERAL TIMES AND THEN THE GEAR SELECTOR WAS SHIFTED INTO THE NEUTRAL POSITION. THE ENGINE WAS TURNED OFF AND RESTARTED. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO RESUME NORMALLY. THE FAILURE OCCURRED TWO DIFFERENT TIMES. THE CONTACT STATED ON THE THIRD OCCURRENCE THE CRUISE CONTROL WAS NOT ENGAGED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THE TECHNICIAN INFORMED THAT THE FAILURE COULD POSSIBLY BE CONTRIBUTED TO THE CRUISE CONTROL MODULE. THE CRUISE CONTROL MODULE WAS DISABLED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 105,000. UPDATED 10/01/2010. *LJ UPDATED 10/04/10

NHTSA complaint #10343417 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2001 Buick Century at 89,000 miles Maple Grove, MN

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

THE PROBLEM I'M EXPERIENCING IS WITH THE CRUISE CONTROL. ONCE ENGAGED, IF THE CAR GETS INTO A SITUATION REQUIRING ACCELERATION (E.G. GOING UP A HILL), THE CAR GOES INTO HIGH ACCELERATION MODE AND DOES NOT STOP ONCE THE SET SPEED IS REACHED. AFTER INITIAL ENGAGEMENT, BUT NOT WITH THE CONTROL SET, VIRTUALLY ANY MOVEMENT OF THE TURN SIGNAL LEVEL CAUSES ENGAGEMENT OF THE CRUISE CONTROL IN THE ACCELERATION MODE. TAPPING THE LEVER, ACTIVATING THE TURN SIGNAL OR HIGH BEAM CONTROL CAUSE THE CAR TO GO INTO CRUISE MODE UNDER ACCELERATION. I HAVE ALLOWED IT TO GO AS FAST AS 85 MPH TO SEE IF IT WOULD DISENGAGE AND IT DID NOT. I FIRST THOUGHT IT WAS INTERMITTENT, BUT NOW THAT I HAVE BEEN PLAYING CLOSER ATTENTION TO WHAT WAS GOING ON WHEN IT RUNS AWAY, I CAN CAUSE IT TO HAPPEN ON CUE. THIS IS ESPECIALLY DANGEROUS SINCE IT GOES INTO ACCELERATE MODE UNTIL THE CRUISE CONTROL IS EITHER DISENGAGED WITH THE POWER SWITCH OR THE BRAKE PEDAL. I HAVE NOT YET GOTTEN IT REPAIRED. THE INITIAL VISIT TO THE SHOP WAS UNSUCCESSFUL IN DETERMINING THE CAUSE OR REPLICATING THE PROBLEM. I HAVE SINCE ESTABLISHED HOW TO INITIATE THE RUNAWAY ACCELERATION.

NHTSA complaint #10332246 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2001 Buick Century at 1,200 miles Chesnee, SC

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

I PURCHASED A 2001 BUICK CENTURY WITH LEST THAN 1000 MILES ON IT FROM THE ORIGINAL ORDER. IN JUST A SHORT TIME, IT BEGAN TO SURGE WHEN THE CRUISE CONTROL WAS ON. IT WOULD KEEP ACCELERATING UNTIL YOU TURNED IT OFF. IT STILL DOES THIS FROM TIME TO TIME. I HAVE CHECKED WITH BUICK DEALERS, BUT THEY DON'T SEEM TO KNOW WHY. SOMETIMES IT SURGES WHEN YOU USE THE TURNING SIGNAL ALSO.

NHTSA complaint #10328844 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Other Buick Century problems

Buick Century engine problems 304 Buick Century brake problems 289 Buick Century electrical problems 231 Buick Century headlight problems 193 Buick Century transmission problems 172 Buick Century window and wiper problems 170 Buick Century steering problems 168 Buick Century seat belt problems 111