168 of the
2,393 complaints filed about the Buick Century
are about the steering —
7% of everything owners reported.
The worst model year for it is 1998.
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.
My vehicle was receiving a PA state required annual mechanical safety inspection by an ASE certified mechanic. I was informed that the "sway bar" which stabilizes the steering system had failed, and as a critical part of the steering operation, the vehicle could not pass a PA state mechanical safety inspection. I had the "sway bar" replaced with the GM re-designed part at considerable expense to pass the PA state safety inspection. The ASE certified mechanic advised me that he had replaced many mechanical failures like mine (broken lug ends) before GM changed the design to one that could withstand the application (a solid forging as opposed to a sheet metal fabrication). I wrote to the CEO of Buick/GM (see attached letter) to request an explanation as to why a known safety defect like the "sway bar" was not recalled when it was first discovered, resulting in a re-design of the "sway bar" for subsequent production models. I received a telephone response from the GM Executive Team, who called himself "Debbie", at 1.855.880.1500, extension 5917674, Reference Number [XXX], on 26 July 2023. "Debbie" refused to document GM's position on this issue in writing, and only emphasized that a safety recall with this known safety issue was never issued. It appears that GM has deceived the NTHSA and gotten away with a cover-up. Regardless of the time that GM has kept this hidden from the NHTSA, GM should be required to recall all affected vehicles and repair them at their expense. Thank you. [XXX] PE INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
NHTSA complaint #11536728 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
I went to turn my wheel and it wouldn't turn left then the rack and pinion broke the wheel just turns 360 to the left but no movement in turning lost all steering
NHTSA complaint #11464023 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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.
THIS MORNING I STARTED MY CAR TO HEAD TO WORK, THERE WAS A WHINING NOISE AND VERY HARD TO TURN MY STEERING WHEEL. AS I BACKED UP I NOTICED A LEAK ONTO THE PAVEMENT. I PURCHASED A BOTTLE OF POWER STEERING FLUID WITH STOP LEAK AND PUT IT IN HOPING THAT'S WHAT IT NEEDED. I CONTINUED MY DRIVE TO WORK WITH HESITATION. I WAS STILL UNABLE TO MAKE A SHARP TURN. WHILE AT WORK I RESEARCHED A FEW THINGS AND FOUND IT TO BE THE RACK AND PINION HAS PROBABLY LOCKED UP AND LEAKED. THE PART TO REPLACE WILL COST ME ABOUT $200 AND THE MECHANICS FEES WILL BE MORE, WITH A TOTAL OF AROUND $750-$800. MY CAR IS OLDER AND HAS ME WONDERING IF I CAN AFFORD TO PUT MORE MONEY INTO REPLACING FAULTY PARTS. IF THIS PART ALREADY HAS AN INVESTIGATION ONGOING, I WOULD LIKE TO BE PLACED ON THE LIST TO HAVE THIS ISSUE SOLVED.
NHTSA complaint #10967690 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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.
THE "SWAYBAR" FOR STEERING BROKE. I BROUGHT IT TO MY MECHANIC AND HE SAYS HE HAS SEEN THIS ISSUE WITH BUICK CENTURYS BEFORE. IT COST APPROXIMATELY $825.00 TO FIX.
NHTSA complaint #10726670 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
DRIVING THUR OHIO FROM MICH ,HIT LARGE POT HOLE, DID OVER ONE THOUSAND DOLLARS DAMAGE TO THE STEERING, COULD HAVE BEEN A LOT WORSE, CAR MUST NOT BE MADE PROPERLY TO WITHSTAND HITTING POT HOLES, THIS SHOULD BE A SAFETY ISSUE THERE ARE HUNDREDS OF POT HOLES IN ALL STATES . THE STATE OF OHIO DOES NOT RESPONSIBILITY FOR THERE POT HOLES THEY ARE A DRIVE AT YOUR RISK STATE....
NHTSA complaint #10662163 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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.
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.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 BUICK CENTURY. WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO DECELERATE AND JERK VIOLENTLY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT IT WAS DIFFICULT TO MANEUVER THE POWER STEERING WHEN MAKING A TURN OR APPROACHING A TRAFFIC LIGHT. THE VEHICLE WAS DIAGNOSED BY THE DEALER MORE THAN FIVE TIMES AND THE RACK AND PINION WAS REPLACED, BUT THE FAILURES PERSISTED. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE VIN WAS EXCLUDED FROM NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 09E005000 (STEERING). THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 37,000.
NHTSA complaint #10616986 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS 2000 BUICK CENTURY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SERVICE ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED INTERMITTENTLY. ADDITIONALLY, THE VEHICLE WAS SHAKING VIOLENTLY AND BECAME EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TO STEER. THE FAILURE WOULD OCCUR WHILE THE CONTACT WAS IN DRIVE, PARK OR REVERSE. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THERE WAS A CONSTANT BURNING ODOR NEAR THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT REFERENCED NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBERS: 09E005000 (STEERING), 07E021000 (FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER) AND 00V160000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE) BUT WAS NOT INCLUDED IN ANY RECALL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INSPECTED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.
NHTSA complaint #10615918 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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.
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
NHTSA complaint #10552512 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
2003 BUICK CENTURY. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO TIE ROD ENDS RECALL INFORMATION. *SMD THE REPAIR SHOP REPLACED AND ADJUSTED THE LEFT OUTER TIE ROD. UPDATED 10/28/13
NHTSA complaint #10536639 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 BUICK CENTURY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE PARKED, BOTH HEADLIGHTS SHUT OFF. THE CONTACT POWERED OFF AND RESTARTED THE VEHICLE HOWEVER, THE HEADLIGHTS STILL DID NOT ILLUMINATE. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE LOW BEAM LIGHTS HAD TO BE USED WHEN DRIVING AT NIGHT AND THE FAILURE RECURRED INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THE SWITCH IN THE STEERING COLUMN MAY HAVE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND ADVISED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN ANY RECALLS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 75,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 75,300. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.
NHTSA complaint #10488788 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 BUICK CENTURY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME DIFFICULT TO MANEUVER. THE POWER STEERING WAS NOT FUNCTIONING. HOWEVER, THE DRIVER WAS ABLE TO MAINTAINED CONTROL THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000.
NHTSA complaint #10479331 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.