170 of the 2,393 complaints filed about the Buick Century are about the glass, mirrors and wipers — 7% of everything owners reported. The worst model year for it is 1999.
170
Complaints
7%
Share of all complaints
0
Crashes
1
Fires
VISIBILITY
2000 BUICK CENTURY. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO VEHICLE WINDOW MOTOR/ REGULATOR REPAIRS. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED THE WINDOW REGULATOR WAS REPLACED THREE TIMES.
NHTSA complaint #10852650 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
VISIBILITY/WIPER
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.
VISIBILITY/WIPER
AFTER A SNOWFALL, THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS WOULD NOT PARK, STOOD STRAIGHT UP AND OBSTRUCTED MY VIEW. I CALLED BUICK AND WAS TOLD TO TAKE IT TO MY DEALERSHIP AND IT WOULD BE REPAIRED. WHEN I PICKED UP THE CAR, THEY TOLD ME THAT THE PREVIOUS YEAR'S MODEL HAD BEEN RECALLED FOR THIS PROBLEM. THEY WOULD NOT REPAIR THE WIPERS. I HAVE BEEN TOLD BY TWO MECHANICS THAT MY CAR HAS THE EXACT ISSUE AS THE PREVIOUS MODEL. I FIND THAT THIS IS A DANGER TO MYSELF, MY CHILDREN AND OTHER DRIVERS/PASSENGERS AND FEEL THAT IT SHOULD BE ON THE RECALL LIST.
NHTSA complaint #10514484 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS
THE DRIVERS WINDOW WILL GO DOWN WHEN YOU PUT KEY IN IGNITION RIGHT BEFORE YOU START VEHICLE. AFTER IT GOES DOWN YOU MUST WAIT 10 SECONDS OR SO AND YOU CAN PUT WINDOW UP. THIS IS THE EXACT SAME ISSUE MY 2007 CHEVY TRAILBLAZER IS BEING RECALLED FOR. BUT THE BUICK CENTURY IS NOT ON THE RECALL LIST.
NHTSA complaint #10481382 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
VISIBILITY:REARVIEW MIRRORS/DEVICES
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 BUICK CENTURY. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE REAR-VIEW MIRROR FRACTURED AND DETACHED FROM THE WINDSHIELD. THE DEALER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED WHO ADVISED THE CONTACT TO PURCHASE GLUE TO REINSTALL THE REAR-VIEW MIRROR AND OFFERED NO FURTHER ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 93,000. UPDATED 8/8/12 *CN UPDATED 08/14/12
NHTSA complaint #10464663 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
VISIBILITY
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 BUICK CENTURY. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING IN A REMOTELY DARK AREA WHEN THE HIGH BEAMS WERE ENGAGED BUT THE HEADLIGHTS FAILED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 78,100 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 102,267.
NHTSA complaint #10436175 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
VISIBILITY
THE COMPLETE WINDOW CONTROL SWITCH UNIT HAD TO BE REPLACED IN 2005 AT THE DEALERS, I THINK THAT WAS THE YEAR. NOW THE REAR WINDOW SWITCH FOR THE REAR WINDOW HAD TO BE REPLACED IN MAY 2011. THIS TIME I TOOK IT TO MY LOCAL BODY SHOP, HE HAD INFORMED ME THAT THE BUICK CENTURY CUSTOM SWITCHES ARE GOING UP VERY FAST. ALSO HE SAID THAT BUICK KNOWS ABOUT THIS AND HAS DONE NOTHING TO SOLVE THE PROBLEM. I AM THE ONLY DRIVER AND I RARELY HAVE ANY PASSENGERS. I AM ON A LIMITED INCOME AND I CANNOT AFFORD TO REPLACE SWITCHES ON WINDOWS OR AFRAID THAT IF I OPEN THE WINDOW AND IT WON'T CLOSE WHEN NEED BE OR IF I HAVE TO OPEN IT FOR AN EMERGENCY AND IT WON'T OPEN. PLEASE HELP ME WITH THIS PROBLEM.
NHTSA complaint #10403428 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER
2002 BUICK CENTURY. CONSUMER STATES DESIGN DEFECT *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED HIS WIFE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A REPAIR SHOP BECAUSE THE WINDSHIELD WIPER BLADE WAS STUCK. HOWEVER, IT WAS DISCOVERED THE RADIATOR WAS ALMOST ON THE GROUND AND IN THE PROCESS OF BECOMING DETACHED. SHE WAS REFERRED TO AN AUTO BODY SHOP. THE BODY SHOP STATED THE RADIATOR MOUNT WAS DRY ROTTED BEYOND REPAIR AND SHOULD HAVE NEVER OCCURRED IN AN EIGHT YEAR OLD VEHICLE. **JB UPDATED 10/20/11.
NHTSA complaint #10393501 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 BUICK CENTURY. THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO ROLL UP ALL FOUR WINDOWS BUT ONLY THE REAR DRIVER'S SIDE WINDOW RESPONDED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT WAS TOLD THAT THE WINDOW MOTORS AND TRACKS WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE RECURRED INTERMITTENTLY ON THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE WINDOW. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 11,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 50,000. UPDATED 4/1/11 *CN UPDATED 1/13/2012 *LN
NHTSA complaint #10386405 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 BUICK CENTURY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN USING THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS IN INCLEMENT WEATHER THEY WOULD NOT OPERATE PROPERLY AND WOULD REMAIN ON ONE SIDE. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY A DEALER WHO INFORMED HIM THAT HE WOULD NEED TO HAVE THEM TIGHTENED. THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS WERE REPAIRED BUT THE FAILURE CONTINUED TO OCCUR. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 22,000. UPDATED 2/22/11 *CN UPDATED 04/22/11
NHTSA complaint #10376681 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 BUICK CENTURY. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED THE REAR PASSENGER AUTOMATIC WINDOW WOULD RELEASE DOWNWARD APPROXIMATELY FIVE INCHES WITHOUT ASSISTANCE. THE AUTOMATIC WINDOW MECHANISM FAILED TO OPERATE WHEN ENGAGED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSIS AND REPAIR. RECENTLY, THE FRONT PASSENGER WINDOW EXHIBITED THE IDENTICAL FAILURE AS THE REAR PASSENGER WINDOW. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 50,000. UPDATED 03/08/11
NHTSA complaint #10373928 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
VISIBILITY
POWER WINDOW AND MIRROR ISSUES IN 1998 BUICK CENTURY. I HAVE BEEN DEALING WITH THIS PROBLEM SINCE 2004, I'VE BEEN TOLD BY MULTIPLE MECHANICS THAT IT'S A KNOWN ISSUE WITH THE BUICK CENTURY, WHY IS THERE NO RECALL? THE WINDOWS KEEP COMING OFF THE TRACK, I DRIVE ON SMOOTH ROADS AND FOLLOW THE SPEED LIMIT, SO WHAT IS GOING ON???? MY POWER MIRRORS HAVEN'T WORKED SINCE 2004. DRIVERS SIDE WINDOW IS THE ONE THAT'S GIVEN ME THE WORST HEADACHE, PUT IN A NEW MOTOR THINKING THAT'S WHY IT WAS STICKING AND THEN IT QUIT WORKING AGAIN. PLEASE LOOK INTO THIS ISSUE, IT'S NOT SAFE.
NHTSA complaint #10298224 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
VISIBILITY
INTERIOR REAR-VIEW MIRROR HAS DEVELOPED SOME KIND OF DARK BROWN OIL LEAK INSIDE THE (AUTO-DIMMING) MIRROR. IT HAS DECREASED VISIBILITY IN THE MIRROR TO NEARLY ZERO. IT IS VERY DANGEROUS TO DRIVE WITH THIS MIRROR SINCE IT IS ESSENTIALLY LIKE HAVING NO REAR-VIEW MIRROR. JUST TODAY I HAD TWO OR THREE NEAR-INCIDENTS ON ROADS I NEVER HAD A PROBLEMS WHILE DRIVING OTHER CARS WHICH HAVE FUNCTIONING REAR-VIEW MIRRORS.
NHTSA complaint #10292646 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 BUICK CENTURY. THE CONTACT WAS EXPERIENCING ISSUES WITH THE WINDOW REGULATORS IN THE VEHICLE. THREE OF THE WINDOWS SUDDENLY FELL DOWN WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED. THE DEALER REPLACED THE FIRST WINDOW AND PAID FOR HALF OF THE REPAIR COST. THE SECOND WINDOW WAS REPLACED FOR FREE. THE CONTACT HAS TO PAY FOR THE THIRD WINDOW TO BE REPAIRED. ALL THREE WINDOWS FAILED WITHIN A YEAR. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 29,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 30,600.
NHTSA complaint #10280247 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
VISIBILITY
2000 BUICK CENTURY, POWER WINDOWS FELL DOWN.1ST ONE, AND COULD NOT GET IT BACK UP. NEXT DAY ANOTHER FELL DOWN WHEN I WASN'T IN CAR. TOOK TO DEALER AND THEY SAID A 3RD FELL DOWN BY IT'S SELF. THEY CHARGED ME OVER $1,300.00,SAYING EACH WINDOW BROKE FOR NO REASON. A MONTH LATER,THE LAST WINDOW,WHICH HAD NO PROBLEM WOULD NOT GO DOWN AND STILL DOESN'T. NO WAY DID 4 WINDOWS BREAK ALL AT ONCE.I THINK WHATEVER CONTROLS THE WINDOWS BROKE AND THEY DIDN'T FIX IT AND CHEATED ME. NOW I HAVE THE WINDOW ON DRIVER'S SIDE THAT WILL NOT GO DOWN. THAT MAKES ALL 4 POWER WINDOWS BROKEN,ONE STILL UNFIXED.
NHTSA complaint #10261775 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
VISIBILITY
WINDSHIELD WIPERS ARE NOT FUNCTIONING PROPERLY. MY LEFT WIPER BANGS A FEW INCHES UP THEN SMACKS BACK DOWN. THIS IS NOT SNOW RELATED BECAUSE I'VE LEARNER TO COVER ALL ASPECTS OF THE WIPERS AND WINDSHIELD BECAUSE OF MY FIRST TIME WAITING FOR SNOW TO MELT. THIS HAS BEEN ONGOING SINCE I ACQUIRED THE CAR FROM MY GRANDMOTHER IN DEC. 2008. SHE PURCHASED THE CAR, BUT IS TOO OLD TOO KEEP UP WITH RECALLS AND SUCH. I SEE THERE ARE MANY OTHER COMPLAINTS AND I WAS ALMOST IN A CRASH WITH MY CHILDREN DUE TO A SUDDEN RAIN SHOWER CAUSING THE VISIBILITY TO BE AWFUL.
NHTSA complaint #10258692 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
VISIBILITY
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 BUICK CENTURY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE WINDSHIELD SPARKLES IN THE SUNLIGHT DUE TO FROST. THE GLARE IMPAIRS HIS VISIBILITY WHEN DRIVING. THE DEALER RECOMMENDED THAT HE BUY A NEW WINDSHIELD. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 95,000. UPDATED 12/08/08.
NHTSA complaint #10249427 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
VISIBILITY
DRIVING ON A COUNTRY ROAD THE HEADLIGHTS WENT OUT. HIT THE DIMMER SWITCH AND THEY CAME BACK ON. IT DID THIS ABOUT THREE TIMES. FOUND OUT THAT IF WE TRIED TO USE THE DIMMER SWITCH THAT THE LIGHTS WENT OUT. THEN IT GOT TO THE POINT THAT THE ONLY WAY THAT YOU COULD USE THE BRIGHT LIGHTS WAS TO HOLD THE SWITCH. TWO WEEKS LATER WENT TO THE GROCERY STORE TURNED ON THE BLINKER TO TURN AND THE LIGHTS WENT OUT AGAIN. HAD TO PULL THE LIGHT SWITCH ON AND LUCKILY THEY CAME BACK ON. TONIGHT WE TOOK THE CAR OUT AND THE LIGHTS KEPT GOING OUT. THIS IS ON A 2004 BUICK CENTURY.
NHTSA complaint #10248861 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS
IN JUNE OF 2007 THE RIGHT REAR MOTOR FOR ELECTRIC WINDOWS STOPPED WORKING. THEN IN SEPTEMBER OF 2007 THE LEFT REAR MOTOR FOR ELECTRIC WINDOWS STOPPED WORKING. THESE WERE BOTH REPLACED IN EARLY 2008. SHORTLY AFTER REPLACEMENT OF THESE MOTORS THE FRONT DRIVERS WINDOW MOTOR STOPPED WORKING.
NHTSA complaint #10246032 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
VISIBILITY
WIFE WENT TO WORK AND WINDOW WAS UP. WHEN SHE RETURNED THE WINDOW HAD FALLEN INSIDE THE DOOR. ALL WINDOWS REGULATORS HAVE FAILED ONCE FOR EACH WINDOW. CAR ONLY HAS 70,000 MILES ON IT. DRIVERS WINDOW FAILED TWICE. THIS LAST TIME WAS NOT UNDER WARRANTY AND TOTAL WAS $622. THE REGULATOR HAS$1.00 THIN PLASTIC PIECE HOLDING THE CABLE ENDS THAT PULL THE WINDOW UP AND DOWN. SERVICE MANAGER EXPLAINED THE REGULATOR WAS ONLY GOOD FOR ABOUT 6 YEARS.
NHTSA complaint #10242357 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.