82 of the
2,393 complaints filed about the Buick Century
are about the suspension —
3% of everything owners reported.
The worst model year for it is 1999.
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.
SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT AND GAS LIGHT CAME ON. CODE READ AT AUTOZONE INDICATED PO135- OXYGEN SENSOR. TWO DAYS LATER, BOTH CHECK ENGINE LIGHTS CAME ON, SECURITY, BATTERY AND GAS LIGHTS. EVEN REVVED UP AND HAD OTHER ISSUES WITH FUEL ECONOMY AND COMPRESSOR KICKING ON AND FAILING TO START. OTHER ISSUES, POPPING NOISE WHEN TURNING STEERING WHEEL. THE CONSUMER STATED THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER OFFERED A LOYALYTY CERTIFICATE A LEASED VEHUCLE OR A POSSIBLE REIMBURSEMENT OF 500.00 FOR REPAIRS. NEITHER OF THE REMEDIES SATISFIED THE CONSUMER. THE CONSUMER REQUESTED TO HAVE THE VEHICLE REPAIRED AT NO COST OR BE REIMBURSED 3,500.
NHTSA complaint #11405509 — 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.
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.
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
NHTSA complaint #10552512 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 BUICK CENTURY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE OIL WAS BEING CHANGED WHEN HE WAS INFORMED BY AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC THAT THE HUBS WERE DETACHING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 120,000.
NHTSA complaint #10438785 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 BUICK CENTURY. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS WITH THE HEADLIGHTS IN ACTIVATION. SUDDENLY, THE HEADLIGHTS BECAME INOPERATIVE. THE CONTACT PULLED OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD WITH CAUTION AND AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS THE HEADLIGHTS BEGAN TO OPERATE. THE FAILURE OCCURRED INTERMITTENT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THEY INFORMED THAT THE HEADLIGHT SWITCH WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 67,000. UPDATED 2/23/11 *CN ALSO, THE FRONT COIL SPRINGS WERE REPLACED. UPDATED 05/31/11
NHTSA complaint #10365800 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 BUICK CENTURY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A REPAIR SHOP TO HAVE THE BRAKES REPAIRED. HE WAS INFORMED THAT THE FRONT LOWER CONTROL ARM, SWAY BAR SHAFT AND ALL OF THE BUSHINGS ATTACHED TO THE PARTS WERE COVERED WITH RUST. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER BUT WAS OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE SINCE HE DID NOT TAKE THE VEHICLE TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR REPAIRS. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 32,787. UPDATED 10/21/10. *LJ UPDATED 10/25/10
NHTSA complaint #10348116 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 BUICK CENTURY. SHE STATED THAT THERE WAS A LOUD CLUNKING NOISE IN THE VEHICLE. UPON HAVING HER WHEEL BEARINGS REPAIRED, SHE FOUND THE STABILIZER BAR HAD BROKEN OFF OF THE TIRE. SHE THEN ATTEMPTED TO ORDER THE PART FROM AN AUTOMOTIVE STORE AND WAS TOLD THAT THERE WAS A DEFECT IN THE REPLACEMENT PART. NO REPAIRS WERE MADE TO THE VEHICLE TO CORRECT THE FAILURE TO DATE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 188,376.
NHTSA complaint #10294254 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
RECENTLY, IN DEC. 2008 MY CAR HAD A SUSPENSION COMPONENT PART REPLACED. MY 2004 BUICK CENTURY JUST 4 YRS. OLD AND 60,000 MILES NEEDED TO HAVE THE FRONT STABILIZER BAR REPLACED. IT APPEARS THAT A DESIGN DEFECT MAY BE THE PROBLEM RESULTING IN PREMATURE FAILURE. THE STABILIZER BAR ACTUALLY CRACKED AT BOTH ENDS OF THE MOUNTING PLATE. I DID ASK FOR THE ORIGINAL PART FOR FUTURE REFERENCES. MOST OF US WOULD AGREE THAT THIS SUSPENSION COMPONENT SHOULD NOT HAVE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AT THIS POINT. MY MECHANIC SAID "HE HAS SEEN THIS BEFORE ON THESE MODELS" AND IS CHECKING THEM DURING THE SAFETY INSPECTION WHICH IS HOW MINE WAS DISCOVERED. I DO BELIEVE THAT GENERAL MOTORS SHOULD ISSUE A RECALL AND THAT I SHOULD BE REIMBURSED. THIS SHOULD NOT HAVE TO BE REPLACED, AT LEAST NOT AT SUCH AN EARLY STAGE. MOREOVER, LET ME SAY THIS - WITH OVER 35 YEARS OF DRIVING AND OWNING MANY CARS, I HAVE NEVER HAD TO REPLACE A STABILIZER BAR EITHER AT THE FRONT OR REAR OF THE CAR. AND MY LAST CAR HAD 180,000 MILES BEFORE WE TRADED IT IN. THIS BUICK TUBULAR STABILIZER BAR IS INSUFFICIENT AND APPARENTLY WILL NOT HOLD UP DURING REGULAR DRIVING BY A 55 YR. OLD DRIVER. IT IS MY HOPE THAT YOU WILL INVESTIGATE THIS MATTER (YOU MAY CALL ME) AND DETERMINE WHY IS THIS PART PRONE TO FAILURE. I HOPE TO HEAR FROM YOU SOON.
NHTSA complaint #10267977 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
WHILE PERFORMING MAINTENANCE (WHEEL BEARING REPLACEMENT) I DISCOVERED A THROUGH AND THROUGH CRACK IN THE STEERING KNUCKLE AT THE POINT OF ATTACHMENT OF THE TIE ROD END ON THE DRIVERS SIDE, THE CASTING WAS SPLIT WHICH WOULD HAVE ALLOWED THE TIE ROD TO DISCONNECT AND POTENTIALLY FATAL CONSEQUENCES. THE CAR IS A 2002 BUICK CENTURY CUSTOM WITH 138,000 MILES.
NHTSA complaint #10267046 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
2000 CENTURY LIMITED.....20,340 MILE BOUGHT NEW. NOISE FROM THE ENGINE (LIFTERS) IS GETTING LOUDER AND THE FRONT END IS POUNDING. I SEE THAT THE TIE RODS ARE BAD, THE RACK IS SLOPPY THE BRAKES AND ROTORS HAVE FAILED DUE TO CHINESE MATERIALS. THE CAR IS GARAGED, MAINTAINED AND TAKEN CARE OF. THE HYDRAULIC BRAKES LINE HAVE FAILED AND HAD TO BE REPLACED. PRESENTLY OWNING 12 GM CARS RIGHT NOW,THIS CAR IS FALLING APART. IT HAS THE V-6 ENGINE THAT HAS GOTTEN 35 MPG ON A TRIP (IF IT MAKES IT).
NHTSA complaint #10258178 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 BUICK CENTURY. AFTER PURCHASING THE VEHICLE ON SEPTEMBER 7, 2008, THE CONTACT NOTICED THE VEHICLE SWAYING FROM LEFT TO RIGHT. HE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A LOCAL REPAIR SHOP TO REPLACE THE TIRES AND THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE SWAY BAR FAILED ON THE PASSENGER SIDE. THE MECHANIC CALLED THE MANUFACTURER AND LOCAL PART STORES, BUT NONE OF THEM HAD THE NECESSARY PART FOR THE REPAIR BECAUSE IT WAS ON BACK ORDER. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 145,000.
NHTSA complaint #10241757 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
I HAVE A 1996 BUICK THAT RECENTLY DEVELOPED A PROBLEM WITH THE POWER STEERING. THE RACK IN THE RACK AND PINION STEERING SYSTEM WILL NOT ALLOW THE CAR TO TURN LEFT. I RESEARCHED THIS PROBLEM ON THE INTERNET AND FOUND MANY INSTANCES OF THIS PROBLEM WITH MANY GENERAL MOTORS VEHICLES. I CONTACTED GM WITH MY CONCERNS AND I WAS TOLD BY THEIR REPRESENTATIVE THAT THEY ACKNOWLEDGE THE PROBLEM IS WIDESPREAD WITH THIS MODEL OF VEHICLE, BUT THEY ARE NOT ABLE TO HELP WITH THE REPAIR COSTS NOR ISSUE A CONSUMER ALERT OF A POSSIBLE DANGER OF A CATASTROPHIC FAILURE OF THE POWER STEERING IN MANY OF THEIR VEHICLES. I WAS LUCKY NOT TO BE INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT, BUT I CANNOT DRIVE MY CAR NOW. I WISH THE GOVERNMENT WOULD INVESTIGATE THE INCIDENTS I HAVE OUTLINED AS THERE IS A DEFINITE POSSIBILITY OF A FATAL ACCIDENT HAPPENING WITH ALL 1996 - 1998 BUICK PRODUCTS. THE PROBLEM RESULTS IN COMPLETE FAILURE TO CONTROL THE CAR WHILE TRYING TO TURN LEFT. IF THE PROBLEM WOULD BE WITH THE POWER STEERING PUMP, THE CAR COULD STILL TURN, BUT IN MANUAL MODE. THIS PROBLEM WILL NOT ALLOW THE CAR TO TURN TO THE LEFT. THIS COULD BE DISASTROUS FOR SOMEONE. GM SAID THEY WERE AWARE OF MANY PROBLEMS WITH THIS BUT WOULD NOT DO ANYTHING TO REMEDY THE SITUATION OR HELP PAY FOR REPLACEMENT OF THE RACK. I FEEL THAT A RECALL WOULD BE IN ORDER IF IT WOULD SAVE LIVES. YOU CAN CONTACT ME FOR THE NAME OF THE INDIVIDUAL I SPOKE WITH AND THE REFERENCE NUMBER FOR MY COMPLAINT TO GM.
NHTSA complaint #10239849 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
DT: CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN TURNING A CORNER HE HEARS A CLANKING NOISE. THE DEALER TOLD HIM IT WAS A CRACKED FRONT STABILIZER BAR. AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC INFORMED HIM OF SOME CORROSION ON THE UNDERSIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER INFORMED THE CONTACT THE PART WAS NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY, AND THEY OFFERED NO FREE REMEDY. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED AT THIS TIME.*AK UPDATED 12/7/2005.
NHTSA complaint #10140639 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
DT: THE CONSUMER OWNS A 1999 BUICK CENTURY. HE STATES THAT SIX MONTHS AFTER HE PURCHASED THE VEHICLE HE TOOK THE VEHICLE IN FOR A RECALL ON THE HEADLIGHTS. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS THERE THEY MAINTENANCE THE VEHICLE AND FOUND THAT THE GAS FILLER PIPE HAD DETERIORATED AND THE COOLING SYSTEM INTAKE WAS LEAKING COOLANT. THIS VEHICLE ONLY HAS ABOUT 50,000 MILES. BOTH FRONT LOWER CONTROL ARM BUSHINGS HAD BLOWN OUT AND THEY HAD TO BE REPLACED ALSO. WYOMING VALLEY MOTORS PO BOX 1308 KINGSTON, PA 18704-0308. HE HAS SPOKEN WITH GM THEY TOLD HIM THEY WOULD GET BACK WITH HIM IN A COUPLE OF DAYS AND THEY DID NOT CONTACT HIM BACK. HE IS NOT AVAILABLE UNTIL AFTER 4:30. THEY TOLD HIM THE GAS FILLER PIPE WAS NORMAL FOR THE VEHICLE. HE SEEN A ARTICLE THAT SAID THEY HAD BEEN HAVING THIS PROBLEM WITH YEAR FOR THE COOLING SYSTEM. THEY ALSO SAID THE BUSHINGS WAS NORMAL WEAR ON A CAR ALSO. HE DID GO ONTO CARFAX AND IT DID NOT INDICATE ANY TIME OF PROBLEMS WITH THE VEHICLE. *JB
NHTSA complaint #10129974 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
DT: CONTACT WENT TO PURCHASE NEW TIRES AND TECHNICIAN ADVISED THAT NEW OUTER TIE RODS WERE NEEDED. VEHICLE IS REGULARLY SERVICED. SERVICE RECORDS AVAILABLE.
NHTSA complaint #10120091 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR REGULAR MAINTENANCE, AND IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE FRONT LEFT LOWER CONTROL ARM SEPARATED, WHICH COULD BREAK OFF THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. REPAIR WAS PERFORMED BY THE SHOP. *AK THE REAR MOUNT OF THE LOWER CONTROL ARM WAS TRADITIONAL HORIZONTAL MOUNTING. THIS CAUSED THE RUBBER TO SEPARATE FROM THE LOWER CONTROL ARM. BUICK DENIED THERE WAS A PROBLEM EVEN THOUGH THE DESIGN HAD BEEN CHANGED.. *SC
NHTSA complaint #10117785 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.