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Buick Century engine problems

304 of the 2,393 complaints filed about the Buick Century are about the engine — 13% of everything owners reported. The worst model year for it is 1999.

304

Complaints

13%

Share of all complaints

4

Crashes

15

Fires

Engine & Cooling complaints by model year

1984 Century 2 0.7%
1985 Century 3 1.0%
1986 Century 12 3.9%
1987 Century 3 1.0%
1989 Century 5 1.6%
1990 Century 7 2.3%
1991 Century 6 2.0%

Median failure at 90,000 miles

1992 Century 5 1.6%

Median failure at 95,000 miles

1993 Century 10 3.3%
1994 Century 16 5.3%
1995 Century 12 3.9%
1996 Century 9 3.0%
1997 Century 8 2.6%

Median failure at 70,000 miles

1998 Century 23 7.6%

Median failure at 59,721 miles

1999 Century 64 21.1%

Median failure at 52,950 miles

2000 Century 27 8.9%

Median failure at 66,000 miles

2001 Century 33 10.9%

Median failure at 66,740 miles

2002 Century 37 12.2%

Median failure at 61,233 miles

2003 Century 15 4.9%

Median failure at 47,600 miles

2004 Century 4 1.3%

Median failure at 107,500 miles

2005 Century 3 1.0%

Median failure at 140,193 miles

What owners said

2002 Buick Century at 115,000 miles Sterling, IL Fire

ENGINE

I WAS AT THE GAS STATION TRIED TO START MY VEHICLE AND IT CAUGHT ON FIRE AT THE GAS STATION MANY COULD OF BEEN KILLED AND OR INJURED

NHTSA complaint #11102249 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2001 Buick Century at 111,601 miles Vancouver, WA

ENGINE

5/15/2017, $1,197.66 REPAIR FOR INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET. ON OCTOBER 23, 2008, THE CALIFORNIA SUPERIOR COURT GRANTED FINAL APPROVAL TO THE CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT, BUT NOTHING IS AVAILABLE TO THOSE OF USE THAT DID NOT HAVE A PROBLEM UNTIL AFTER THAT SUIT. HTTPS://WWW.GIRARDGIBBS.COM/DEXCOOL/

NHTSA complaint #11001284 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2002 Buick Century at 150,000 miles Butte, MT

ENGINE

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.

2000 Buick Century Saint George, UT

ENGINE

ENGINE STALLS AT A STOP- WHEN ENGINE IS WARM- ENGINE LEAKING OIL- FUEL GAGE-

NHTSA complaint #10957317 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

1997 Buick Century Wilmington, NC Fire

ENGINE

ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE

NHTSA complaint #10956057 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2002 Buick Century Grand Coteau, LA

ENGINE

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 BUICK CENTURY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL NOISE COMING FROM THE ENGINE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.

NHTSA complaint #10837605 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2003 Buick Century at 55,000 miles Silver SP, MD

ENGINE

VECHICLE SHUTS OFF WHEN AT A STOP LIGHT/SIGN AFTER TAKING IT 3 TIMES TO MULTIPLE MECHANICS INCLUDING THE DEALER- KING PONTIAC, MD, NO ONE IS ABLE TO IDENTIFY AND FIX THE PROBLEM, I AM TOLD THAT THEY CAN'T IDENTIFY DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM AND IDENTIFY THE CODE TO FIX THE CAR

NHTSA complaint #10761410 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

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

ENGINE

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.

1999 Buick Century at 78,000 miles Minneapolis, MN

ENGINE

I HAD TO REPLACE THE HEAD GASKET TWICE. MECHANIC INDICATED THE FIRST TIME THAT THE COOLANT MIGHT BE THE CAUSE FOR THE GASKET DETERIORATION. WHEN REPLACED THE SECOND TIME, THE GASKET WAS (I BELIEVE) A METAL RATHER THAN PLASTIC OR RUBBER AND THE COOLANT WAS GREEN. SO FAR, SO GOOD. BOTH REPLACEMENTS COST $1000+. RECENTLY HAD BRAKES REPLACED AND WAS TOLD THE INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET NEEDS TO BE REPLACED AT A COST OF $1100. THE CAR RUNS WELL, BUT HAS SERIOUS RUST ON THE RAIL BELOW THE DOORS. NOT SURE I SHOULD SPEND THAT MUCH ON A 16 YR OLD CAR. I'VE ALSO HAD TO HAVE A MOTOR ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE WINDOW REPAIRED. THAT SEEMS TO BE A FREQUENT PROBLEM WITH THIS MODEL, TOO.

NHTSA complaint #10721329 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2002 Buick Century Chicago, IL

ENGINE

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 BUICK CENTURY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE ENGINE SEIZED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT ABLE TO BE RESTARTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACTS HOME. THE FAILURE RECURRED NUMEROUS TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

NHTSA complaint #10678493 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2003 Buick Century at 87,253 miles Sacramento, CA

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

EVERY BUICK OWNER, I HAVE TALKED TO AT ABOUT 80,000 TO 100,000 MILES HAS TO REPLACE INTAKE MANIFOLD AND BOLTS. THIS IS ABOUT A $1200.00 JOB, GASKETS AND BOLTS SHOULD LAST A LOT LONGER.

NHTSA complaint #10678391 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2004 Buick Century at 26,900 miles Lancaster, PA

ENGINE

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 BUICK CENTURY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WAS TEST DRIVING THE VEHICLE AT 25 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE TECHNICIAN WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE. HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE TECHNICIAN WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE OR REPAIR THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 26,900. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. UPDATED 04/21/2016*LJ UPDATED 9/18/2017

NHTSA complaint #10672434 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

1991 Buick Century at 90,000 miles Kewanna, IN

ENGINE

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1990 BUICK CENTURY (N/A). THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE ENGINE STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 90,000.

NHTSA complaint #10664561 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2002 Buick Century Greenville, SC

ENGINE

I PURCHASED THE CAR FROM FAMILY AUTO EASLEY SC, IVE HAD SEVERAL REPAIRS ON THIS CAR THAT DIDNT HELP, RADIATORS, THERMASTAT, WATER PUMP, HOSES REPLACE, ALTERNATOR, COOLANT RECOVERY TANK HAS BROWN SLUDGE INSIDE, THE WINDOWS DIDNT WORK, ITS MOIST INSIDE FROM THE FLOOR BEING WET HAD A HEATING CORE PUT IN DIDNT HELP, THE CARPET ON THE INSIDE IS DAMAGED, THE PAINT IS COMING OFF, HAD A ALTERNATOR PUT IN , RUN HOT ALL THE TIME, DOSNT MATTER, BUY COOLANT, OIL PUT WATER IN IT, MANIFOLD GASKET IS BAD IN IT IVE LOST POWER SEVERAL TIMES, THE LAST TIME I DID IT WAS ON NOV 6 THIS YEAR ON THE WAY TO WORK LOST POWER WHILE DRIVING RAN INTO A GURAD GATE RIGHT BESIDE A DUMPSTER, I HAD TO GET IT TOWED, ITS IN THE SHOP GETTING THE BUMPER FIXED, I HAD TO GET A RENTAL CAR, I HAD TO GET MY CAR REFINANCE WITH DILCO OF GREENVILLE SC HE COULDNT BELIEVE HOW MUCH I WAS CHARGE FOR THIS CAR OVER 13,000.00 DOLLARS, SO I WAS OVER CHARGED AND SOLD A LEMON AND ITS NOT FAIR TO ME AND THIS CAR IS NOT SAFE FOR ME OR ANYONE TO DRIVE, I WANT TO BE ABLE TO DRIVE A CAR WITHOUT BEING AFRIAD IF IM GOING TO MAKE IT OR NOT OR GET STRANDED

NHTSA complaint #10659795 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

1997 Buick Century at 40,000 miles ST Louis, MO

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:MANIFOLD/HEADER/MUFFLER/TAIL PIPE

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 BUICK CENTURY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ENGINE MANIFOLD GASKET WAS DETERIORATING AND CAUSED THE ENGINE TO OVERHEAT. THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT BELIEVED THAT THE FAILURE WAS CAUSED BY THE DEX COOL ANTIFREEZE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE LOWER MANIFOLD GASKET NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 40,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. UPDATED 02/09/15

NHTSA complaint #10658881 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

1999 Buick Century at 98,400 miles Jerome, PA

ENGINE

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 BUICK CENTURY. WHILE DRIVING 5 MPH, THE ENGINE STALLED. THE CONTACT PLACED THE VEHICLE IN NEUTRAL AND RESTARTED THE IGNITION, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED NUMEROUS TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 98,400. UPDATED 10/07/14*LJ UPDATED 3/24/2015

NHTSA complaint #10627993 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2001 Buick Century at 200,000 miles Novi, MI

ENGINE

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 BUICK CENTURY. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO BE RESTARTED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED MULTIPLE TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO COULD NOT DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 200,000.

NHTSA complaint #10626573 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2000 Buick Century at 150,000 miles West Dallas, WI

ENGINE

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 BUICK CENTURY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. AFTER RESTARTING THE ENGINE, THE VEHICLE OPERATED AS NORMAL. THE CONTACT INDICATED THAT THE FAILURE HAD OCCURRED ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 150,000.

NHTSA complaint #10625933 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2003 Buick Century at 45,000 miles Portland, OR

ENGINE

WHEN USING TURN SIGNALS CAR DIES, ALL THE DASH LIGHTS FLASH AND CLICK. IF I PULL OVER AND PUT THE CAR IN PARK IT RESTARTS AND DRIVES FINE UNTIL I TRY THE TURN SIGNAL AGAIN THEN THE SAME THING HAPPENS. I ALSO HAD TO DISCONNECT THE EMERGENCY BRAKE SENSOR OR ELSE THE SAME THING HAPPENS. FLASHING, CLICKING AND CAR DIES. NOW, WHENEVER CAR IS IN GEAR, CONSTANT DINGING AND IT WILL DRIVE FINE BUT I CANNOT USE THE TURN SIGNALS.

NHTSA complaint #10625827 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2003 Buick Century at 40,000 miles Marina, CA

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 BUICK CENTURY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME DIFFICULT TO TURN. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER, WHO INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE VEHICLE WAS OVERHEATING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 40,000.

NHTSA complaint #10617359 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Other Buick Century problems

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 acceleration problems 120 Buick Century seat belt problems 111