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Buick Century brake problems

289 of the 2,393 complaints filed about the Buick Century are about the braking system — 12% of everything owners reported. The worst model year for it is 2000.

289

Complaints

12%

Share of all complaints

28

Crashes

2

Fires

Brakes complaints by model year

1981 Century 1 0.3%
1983 Century 2 0.7%
1984 Century 1 0.3%
1985 Century 2 0.7%
1986 Century 4 1.4%
1987 Century 2 0.7%
1988 Century 1 0.3%
1989 Century 1 0.3%
1990 Century 3 1.0%
1991 Century 9 3.1%
1992 Century 15 5.2%

Median failure at 95,000 miles

1993 Century 4 1.4%
1994 Century 25 8.7%
1995 Century 26 9.0%
1996 Century 16 5.5%

Median failure at 80,100 miles

1997 Century 7 2.4%
1998 Century 31 10.7%

Median failure at 57,972 miles

1999 Century 30 10.4%

Median failure at 53,750 miles

2000 Century 32 11.1%

Median failure at 71,000 miles

2001 Century 28 9.7%

Median failure at 44,500 miles

2002 Century 27 9.3%

Median failure at 35,408 miles

2003 Century 17 5.9%

Median failure at 18,000 miles

2004 Century 2 0.7%

Median failure at 38,500 miles

2005 Century 3 1.0%

Median failure at 45,000 miles

What owners said

2002 Buick Century Point Pleasant, NJ

SERVICE BRAKES

UNKNOWN; The issues started around 6 months ago. Just casually driving like usual, and my steering wheel would lock up and be ridiculously hard to turn, which is scary because its happened while turning through lights and intersections and trying to even just park my car. And on some of those occations the trac and abs sensors would come on, but not all the time.

NHTSA complaint #11548055 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2002 Buick Century Orlando, FL

SERVICE BRAKES

I was driving at night switched headlights to high beams - few minutes later switched back to low beams and ALL LIGHTS dash and head lights went completely out . Tried to pull head light knob and nothing - pitch black . Luckily i was a short distance from my home. This is EXTREMELY DANGEROUS ! I have found 33 complaints (so far) about this same problem. This definitely should qualify and be recalled . PLEASE take IMMEDIATE action . Thank you.

NHTSA complaint #11448914 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2002 Buick Century at 78,000 miles Rialto, CA

SERVICE BRAKES

BOTH FRONT SIDES HAS BEEN REPAIRED, BUT THE ABS, SERVICE SOON, ALSO THE TRACTION OFF LIGHTS . COMES ON AND STAY WHILE THE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION. ONCE I TURN VEHICLE OFF IT GOES OFF.

NHTSA complaint #11374043 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2004 Buick Century at 40,000 miles Bridgeville, DE

SERVICE BRAKES

FRONT AND REAR BRAKE LINES FAILED LEAVING ME WITH NO BRAKES. I WAS DRIVING AT LOW SPEED. THE REAR BRAKE LINE WAS THE FIRST TO GO. THE FRONT BURST AND ABOUT 4 WEEKS LATER THE CAUSE WAS RUST AND CORROSION. BOTH TIMES THE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR.

NHTSA complaint #11253909 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2004 Buick Century at 37,000 miles Bridgeville, DE

SERVICE BRAKES

BRAKE LINE FAILED ON REAR BRAKES. LOST ALL FLUID IN MOTION ON HIGHWAY RUST ON BRAKE LINES

NHTSA complaint #11157184 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

1998 Buick Century Gloucester, MA Crash 1 injured

SERVICE BRAKES

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 1998 BUICK CENTURY. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS BEING OPERATED, THE BRAKES AND STEERING COLUMN SEIZED. AS A RESULT, THE VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A FRONT END CRASH. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND DEEMED DESTROYED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED SHORT TERM MEMORY LOSS, A CONCUSSION, AND SEVERAL UNKNOWN INJURIES THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE CONTACT REFERENCED NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 09E005000 (STEERING) AND 03V527000 (STEERING); HOWEVER, THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT PROVIDED.

NHTSA complaint #10913581 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2003 Buick Century at 110,782 miles Otho, IA

SERVICE BRAKES

TURN BRIGHTS ON AND RADIO/CLOCK LIGHT GOES OFF. NO HEADLIGHTS ON DURING DAY DRIVING, RADIO/CLOCK LIGHT RANDOMLY GOES ON AND BACK OFF. HEAD LIGHTS BRIEFLY GONE OFF DURING NIGHT DRIVING 3 DIFFERENT TIMES ONLY FOR MAYBE 5 SECONDS, BUT IT ONLY TAKES A SECOND FOR A DEER OR OBJECT TO APPEAR AT NIGHT OR A CAR AHEAD BRAKING SUDDENLY. SPEEDOMETER BACK LIGHT DOES NOT ILLUMINATE FOR NIGHT DRIVING. TRAC OFF AND ANTI LOCK WARNING LIGHTS CONTINUOUSLY STAY ON, I HAVE HAD MY BRAKES REPLACED THROUGHOUT THE YEARS OF OWNING THE CAR SINCE OCTOBER 2007 AND THE WARNING LIGHTS DO NOT RESET THEMSELVES AS THEY SHOULD, THEY CONTINUOUSLY STAY ON SINCE 2009. I AM TIRED OF DEALING WITH ALL OF THESE ELECTRICAL AND LIGHTENING ISSUES WITH THIS CAR. I HAVE TRIED TO FIND GM RECALL FOR THESE PROBLEMS. PLEASE TELL ME WHERE AND HOW I CAN HAVE THESE DEFECTS FIXED.

NHTSA complaint #10907184 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2005 Buick Century at 45,000 miles Medford, NJ

SERVICE BRAKES

TOTAL BRAKE FAILURE, DUE TO BRAKE LINE CORROSION. FORTUNATELY HAPPENED FIRST THING IN THE MORNING WHILE ONLY ABOUT 1000 FEET FROM HOME AND WHILE DRIVING AT LOW SPEED WAS ABLE TO SAFELY STOP.

NHTSA complaint #10874731 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2003 Buick Century at 38,000 miles Taunton, MA

SERVICE BRAKES

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 BUICK CENTURY. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO STOP WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS ENGAGED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE BRAKE LINE ROTTED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED ON ALL FOUR BRAKE LINES. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 38,000.

NHTSA complaint #10638885 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2002 Buick Century at 123,980 miles Saginaw, MI

SERVICE BRAKES

APPLIED BRAKES FOR THE STOP SIGN AND THE PEDAL WENT ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR. AS IT TURNED OUT THE BRAKE LINE HAD RUSTED OUT AND FLUID WAS LOST.

NHTSA complaint #10632332 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2002 Buick Century Clark, NJ

SERVICE BRAKES

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 BUICK CENTURY. WHEN REVERSING OR MAKING A U-TURN, THE ABS WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED INTERMITTENTLY. THE FAILURE OCCURRED ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS. THE CONTACT DIAGNOSED THE VEHICLE AND DETERMINED THAT THE FAILURE WAS RELATED TO THE BRAKING SYSTEM. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE AND VIN WERE UNAVAILABLE.

NHTSA complaint #10627042 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2001 Buick Century at 53,000 miles Hatboro, PA

SERVICE BRAKES

APPLIED BRAKE IN PREPARATION TO REVERSE, FROM DRIVEWAY HEARD A POP AND BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO FLOOR. BRAKE DID SEEM A BIT SOFT THE PREVIOUS DAY WHEN PARKING CAR AFTER SHORT TRIP. LUCKILY DID NOT LOSE BRAKES IN TRAFFIC!! UPON VISUAL INSPECTION BRAKE FLUID LEAKING FROM FRAME RAILS LEFT AND RIGHT SIDE OF VEHICLE DUE TO RUSTED OUT BRAKE LINES.

NHTSA complaint #10608332 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2000 Buick Century at 75,000 miles NEW Port Richey, FL

SERVICE BRAKES

MY SISTER OWNED VEHICLE ABOVE UNTIL I PURCHASED IT IN 2004 FROM HER. SHE NOR I HAVE NEVER RECEIVED ANY RECALL LETTERS FROM GM ON THE 7 RECALLS THAT YOUR RECORDS SHOW THAT NEEDED TO BE CORRECTED OR REPLACED. WOULD IT BE POSSIBLE FOR YOU TO CHECK INTO THIS AS TO WHY WE DIDN'T RECEIVE NOTICES FROM GM. I HAVE NOT HAVE ANY INCIDENTS,BUT WOULD LIKE TO KNOW WHY I DID NOT RECEIVE ANY RECALL NOTICES. NOR DID MY SISTER THE PREVIOUS OWNER . THANK YOU . [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

NHTSA complaint #10606427 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2002 Buick Century Bristol, CT

SERVICE BRAKES

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

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

1999 Buick Century at 150 miles Palmetto, FL

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

I NEVER WAS INFORMED OF ANY RECALLS ON MY 1999 BUICK CENTURY. NOW I SEE ALL THE ADVERTISEMENTS ON TELEVISION, IN THE PAPER, ONLINE THAT THE CAR CAN BURN UP. BRAKES, STEERING, IGNITION. WHICH WAS REPAIRED FOR 400 DOLLARS. MY ENGINE WARNING LIGHT IS ON CONSTANTLY, AND THEY CAN'T FIND WHAT'S GOING ON. ONCE, IT JUST COMPLETELY STOPPED.

NHTSA complaint #10594028 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

1999 Buick Century at 39,847 miles Kingston, NH

SERVICE BRAKES

WHEN TO COURT ON 11/12/13. WAS TOLD IF I DID NOT TAKE THE CAR I WOULD GET CHARGED STORAGE. WENT TO THE GARAGE WERE THE CAR WAS. AT THE COURT HOUSE WAS TOLD CAR NEEDS ROTORS. THEY TOOK THE CAR OUT OF THE GARAGE AND PARKED IT RUNNING. I GOT IN IT STEPPED ON THE PEDAL AND IT WENT DOWN ON THE FLOOR WITH THE BRAKE LIGHT ON. HAD TO GET THE CAR OUT SO I GOT IT TO MY HOME. BESIDE STRUCTURAL DAMAGE FROM ROCKER PANEL FILLED WITH SPRAY FOAM NO BRAKES. YOU TAKE CORNERS AND THE CAR BANGS FROM THE FRAME MOVING. THIS CAR IS SUPPOSE TO HAVE 39000 MILES ON IT. THE STEERING WHEEL IS WORN OUT AND THE STRUTS BANG AND BOUNCE. THIS CAR IS NOW SITTING IN MY YARD. I WOULD LIKE A DOT PERSON CHECK THIS CAR FOR TRUE MILEAGE. I RAN MY OWN GARAGE AND DID STATE INSPECTIONS AND I REALLY THINK SOME ONE ALTERED THE MILEAGE. MY INSPECTION NUMBER WAS 1495 BACK IN APRIL 2000.. UPDATED 11-25-13

NHTSA complaint #10552512 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2000 Buick Century at 130,000 miles Russell Springs, KY

SERVICE BRAKES

BRAKE LINES THAT RUN FROM MASTER CYLINDER TO REAR BRAKES RUSTED THROUGH. FUEL LINES ALSO SHOW EXTENSIVE RUST DAMAGE. I HAD TO REPLACE BRAKE LINES ON REAR OF THIS CAR TWO YEARS AGO FOR THIS SAME PROBLEM.

NHTSA complaint #10551684 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2001 Buick Century at 124,430 miles VA Beach, VA Crash

SERVICE BRAKES

I WAS TRAVELING IN HEAVY STOP AND GO TRAFFIC TRAVELING AT ABOUT 40MPH WHEN THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF ME STOPPED, I APPLIED THE BRAKES HARD BUT THE VEHICLE DID NOT STOP AND I TRIED TO SWAY INTO THE SHOULDER BUT HIT THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF ME. THERE WAS PLENTY OF SPACE TO STOP BUT THE BRAKES FAILED TO STOP THE VEHICLE. NOTE: THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY.

NHTSA complaint #10545309 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2002 Buick Century at 134,764 miles Odebolt, IA

SERVICE BRAKES

I HAVE A 2002 BUICK CENTURY CUSEDAN AND WHILE TURNING OR DRIVING THE LOW TRAC LIGHT COMES ON, THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKE LIGHT AND THE SERVICE LIGHT COMES ON AND THE BRAKE PEDAL SHUTTERS AND MAKES A LOUD NOISE WHEN BRAKING.....AND SOMETIMES JUST GOING DOWN THE ROAD. WHEN I TURN THE CAR OFF THE LIGHTS GO OFF AND THERE ARE NONE OF THE SYMPTOMS UNTIL I HIT AN UNEVEN SPOT IN THE ROAD OR GO OVER A BUMP ETC. THE LIGHTS COME ON AGAIN.

NHTSA complaint #10521787 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

1999 Buick Century at 62,000 miles NEW Richmond, WI

SERVICE BRAKES

WAS DRIVING WITH MY 2 YOUNG BOYS, NEEDED TO STOP AND THE BRAKES BECAME VERY SPONGY. PULLED VEHICLE OVER AND NOTICED BRAKE FLUID COMING FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. UPON FURTHER INVESTIGATION FOUND A BRAKE LINE RUSTED THROUGH.

NHTSA complaint #10513206 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Other Buick Century problems

Buick Century engine problems 304 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 acceleration problems 120 Buick Century seat belt problems 111