NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Electrical System complaints
20 reportsClear category filter200,000 miles · May 7, 2019
Electrical SystemExterior Lighting
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 BUICK CENTURY. ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS, WHILE DRIVING, THE HEADLIGHTS FAILED TO ILLUMINATE WITHOUT WARNING. ADDITIONALLY, WHEN THE HIGH BEAM SWITCH WAS ACTIVATED, THE CHECK ENGINE, ABS, AND TRACTION CONTROL WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE DEALER AND MANUFACT…
Read full complaint
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 BUICK CENTURY. ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS, WHILE DRIVING, THE HEADLIGHTS FAILED TO ILLUMINATE WITHOUT WARNING. ADDITIONALLY, WHEN THE HIGH BEAM SWITCH WAS ACTIVATED, THE CHECK ENGINE, ABS, AND TRACTION CONTROL WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 200,000.
NHTSA ODI #11206049
55,000 miles · Apr 12, 2018
Electrical SystemExterior LightingInterior Lighting
DEFECTIVE ODOMETER READINGS, GEAR INDICATORS DISAPPEARED. THE ODOMETER READING DISAPPEARED, AND THE GEAR INDICATOR DISAPPEARED ON INSTRUMENT CLUSTER. I HAVE NO WAY TO READ MY ODOMETER, NOR DO I KNOW WHAT GEAR I AM IN, PRND21. NOW I CAN ACCIDENTLY BE IN REVERSE AND NOT EVEN KNOW IT. THIS IS AN EXTREMELY DANGEROUS SITUATION, AN…
Read full complaint
DEFECTIVE ODOMETER READINGS, GEAR INDICATORS DISAPPEARED. THE ODOMETER READING DISAPPEARED, AND THE GEAR INDICATOR DISAPPEARED ON INSTRUMENT CLUSTER. I HAVE NO WAY TO READ MY ODOMETER, NOR DO I KNOW WHAT GEAR I AM IN, PRND21. NOW I CAN ACCIDENTLY BE IN REVERSE AND NOT EVEN KNOW IT. THIS IS AN EXTREMELY DANGEROUS SITUATION, AND THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL ON THIS. MECHANIC CHARGES $100.00 TO FIX, AND ALSO STATES THEY CAN INSERT ANY ODOMETER READING THAT I WOULD LIKE TO HAVE. THIS SHOULD BE ILLEGAL. I NO LONGER HAVE A VALID ODOMETER READING FOR MY YEARLY INSPECTIONS, OR IF I WERE TO SELL MY VEHICLE. I COULD DRIVE IN 1ST GEAR AND BURN UP MY TRANSMISSION AND SHUT DOWN IN THE MIDDLE OF THE INTERSTATE AND CAUSE A SERIOUS ACCIDENT OR BE RUN OVER FOR DEAD STOPPED ON ROADS. MY INSTRUMENT PANEL HAS NOT HAD AN ACCURATE FUEL GUAGE READING IN YEARS, IT COMES AND GOES. I HAVE BEEN ABLE TO FIGURE OUT GAS USAGE BY MILEAGE, NOW THAT IS NO LONGER POSSIBLE. I MUST FILL UP WEEKLY JUST SO I KNOW I WONT RUN OUT OF GAS. THE CAR ONLY HAS 55,000 ORIGINAL MILES ON IT. THIS IS JUST NOT RIGHT. I EXTREMELY UPSET ABOUT THIS AND DONT KNOW HOW TO GET IT FIXED PROPERLY AND COVERED FROM THE DEALERSHIPS. YOU SHOULD HAVE A LIFETIME WARRANTY ON YOUR ODOMETER READING AND KNOWING WHAT GEAR YOU ARE IN. PLEASE ADVISE AND LOOK FORWARD TO HEARING FROM YOU CONCERNING THIS VERY SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE.
NHTSA ODI #11084851
200,000 miles · Sep 4, 2014
Electrical System
THE ODOMETER DOES NOT LIGHT UP, NOT ALLOWING THE MILEAGE TO SHOW. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10630888
Mileage unknown · Jun 17, 2014
Electrical SystemFuel/propulsion SystemPower Train
I HAVE A 2000 BUICK CENTURY LIMITED AND THE TRANSMISSION HARSH SHIFT 1234, WHEN HOT AND SOMETIMES COLD, I KNOW THAT IT NEEDS A NEW 1234 UP SHIFT SOLENOID AND TO BE INSPECTED FOR FAILED PARTS ETC, ALSO THE ODOMETER,FUEL GAUGE,AND WINDOW REGULATORS/MOTORS HAVE FAILED, THE ODOMETER IS OUT AND FUEL GAUGE FLOATS AND WINDOWS HAVE FAI…
Read full complaint
I HAVE A 2000 BUICK CENTURY LIMITED AND THE TRANSMISSION HARSH SHIFT 1234, WHEN HOT AND SOMETIMES COLD, I KNOW THAT IT NEEDS A NEW 1234 UP SHIFT SOLENOID AND TO BE INSPECTED FOR FAILED PARTS ETC, ALSO THE ODOMETER,FUEL GAUGE,AND WINDOW REGULATORS/MOTORS HAVE FAILED, THE ODOMETER IS OUT AND FUEL GAUGE FLOATS AND WINDOWS HAVE FAILED DUE TO BAD DESIGN OF MOTORS/REGULATORS AND MY AIRBAG LIGHT IS ON AND EACH 4T65- E TRANS AND MANY BUICK TRANS LIKE THE ONE ABOVE HAS HARSH SHIFT AND COULD CAUSE DAMAGE AND CAUSE TRANS TO FAIL. AND THE PROBLEMS ABOVE WILL BE FOUND IN MANY BUICK CENTURY AND GM SHOULD FIX THE ISSUES ABOVE FOR FREE IT IS A DANGER FOR THE TRANS TO FAIL AND ODOMETER/GEAR SHIFT SELECT TO FAIL BECAUSE MOST PEOPLE WILL NOT KNOW WHAT GEAR THEY ARE IN, AND THE TRANS COULD LOCK AND CAUSE A WRECK OR A HUGE INJURY OR WORST. AND THE TRANS 1234 UP SHIFT PRESSURE CONTROL SOLENOID NOT KEEPING THE RIGHT PRESSURE COULD DAMAGE THE TRANS, AND EVEN IF THE TRANS IS BOUGHT USED IT STILL HAS THIS PROBLEM AND IS THE SAME 4T65-E TRANS AND GM NEEDS TO FIX THIS FOR FREE THERE ARE MANY COMPLAINTS AND ISSUE WITH THE 2000 BUICK CENTURY,REGALS ETC WITH THIS TYPE OF TRANS. AND SHOULD BE FIXED RIGHT AWAY BEFORE IT BECOMES A COSTLY REPAIR OR WRECK! AND THE TRANS SHOULD BE CHECKED FOR ANY OTHER FAILURES. FOR FREE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10599011
73,000 miles · Mar 24, 2013
Electrical SystemPower Train
THE TRANSMISSION ON MY 2000 BUICK CENTURY HAS A HARD SHIFT CONDITION THAT WAS DIAGNOSED AT 2 DIFFERENT TRANSMISSION SHOPS AS A PRESSURE CONTROL SOLENOID FAILURE THAT IS VERY COMMON WITH THIS CAR. ONE OF THE SHOPS SAID THE PROBLEM WILL REOCCUR EVEN WITH REPLACEMENT OF THE PART UNLESS A SHIFT KIT IS INSTALLED.AFTER RESEARCHING THI…
Read full complaint
THE TRANSMISSION ON MY 2000 BUICK CENTURY HAS A HARD SHIFT CONDITION THAT WAS DIAGNOSED AT 2 DIFFERENT TRANSMISSION SHOPS AS A PRESSURE CONTROL SOLENOID FAILURE THAT IS VERY COMMON WITH THIS CAR. ONE OF THE SHOPS SAID THE PROBLEM WILL REOCCUR EVEN WITH REPLACEMENT OF THE PART UNLESS A SHIFT KIT IS INSTALLED.AFTER RESEARCHING THIS ISSUE ON LINE IT BECOMES APPARENT THAT THE SHOPS ARE CORRECT IN THEIR DIAGNOSIS. WHY HAS THIS ISSUE NOT BEEN A RECALL! *TR
NHTSA ODI #10504322
83,249 miles · May 30, 2012
Electrical SystemEnginePower Train
VEHICLE EXHIBITED HARD TRANSMISSION SHIFTS AND JERKING WHILE SHIFTING IN TRAFFIC. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND DIAGNOSED WITH CODE P1811, WHICH INDICATES HIGH TRANSMISSION FLUID PRESSURE AND SOLENOID PROBLEMS. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10460060
Mileage unknown · Feb 28, 2012
Electrical System
THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER INDICATING WHAT GEAR THE VEHICLE IS IN HAS QUITE WORKING. THIS IS A DIGITAL L.E.D. INDICATOR THAT ALSO DISPLAYS THE VEHICLES MILEAGE AND ODOMETER READING. CHECKED AROUND AND FIVE OTHER BUICKS ALL HAD THE SAME ISSUE. YOU HAVE TO GUESS AT THE GEAR YOU ARE IN AND THERE IS NO WAY TO TELL WHAT THE ODOMETER …
Read full complaint
THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER INDICATING WHAT GEAR THE VEHICLE IS IN HAS QUITE WORKING. THIS IS A DIGITAL L.E.D. INDICATOR THAT ALSO DISPLAYS THE VEHICLES MILEAGE AND ODOMETER READING. CHECKED AROUND AND FIVE OTHER BUICKS ALL HAD THE SAME ISSUE. YOU HAVE TO GUESS AT THE GEAR YOU ARE IN AND THERE IS NO WAY TO TELL WHAT THE ODOMETER READING IS. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10449567
101,000 miles · Sep 30, 2011
Electrical SystemPower Train
THE ELECTRONIC ODOMETER AND AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION DISPLAY HAS GONE COMPLETELY DARK. WITH INDICATOR DARK, THE FOLLOWING ARE IMPOSSIBLE TO DETERMINE ON THE VEHICLE. A) AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION INDICATOR - FOR VEHICLES WHERE THE TRANSMISSION SHIFT LEVER IS MOUNTED ON THE STEERING COLUMN (LIKE MINE), OTHER THAN COUNTING THE NUMB…
Read full complaint
THE ELECTRONIC ODOMETER AND AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION DISPLAY HAS GONE COMPLETELY DARK. WITH INDICATOR DARK, THE FOLLOWING ARE IMPOSSIBLE TO DETERMINE ON THE VEHICLE. A) AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION INDICATOR - FOR VEHICLES WHERE THE TRANSMISSION SHIFT LEVER IS MOUNTED ON THE STEERING COLUMN (LIKE MINE), OTHER THAN COUNTING THE NUMBER OF CLICKS OF THE TRANSMISSION LEVER UP OR DOWN, THE VEHICLE OPERATOR HAS NO IDEA IF THE VEHICLE IS IN DRIVE, NEUTRAL OR REVERSE. THIS IS A MAJOR SAFETY HAZARD BECAUSE THE VEHICLE OPERATOR MAY INADVERTENTLY LEAVE THE VEHICLE IN NEUTRAL OR IN GEAR AND NOT KNOW IT AND LEAVE THE VEHICLE UNATTENDED. B) VEHICLE MILEAGE -- THERE IS NO WAY TO DETERMINE HOW MANY MILES THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN DRIVEN. THERE ARE NUMEROUS INSTANCES ON THE INTERNET DESCRIBING THIS PROBLEM. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10427984
110,000 miles · Jul 5, 2011
Electrical SystemFuel System, Gasoline
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 BUICK CENTURY. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY STALLED. THE FUEL GAUGE DOES NOT FUNCTION PROPERLY; THEREFORE, THE CONTACT WAS UNAWARE IF THE VEHICLE STALLED DUE TO A LACK OF FUEL. THE CONTACT WAS ONLY ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE BY JUMP STARTING IT. THE FAILURE OCCURRED APPROX…
Read full complaint
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 BUICK CENTURY. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY STALLED. THE FUEL GAUGE DOES NOT FUNCTION PROPERLY; THEREFORE, THE CONTACT WAS UNAWARE IF THE VEHICLE STALLED DUE TO A LACK OF FUEL. THE CONTACT WAS ONLY ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE BY JUMP STARTING IT. THE FAILURE OCCURRED APPROXIMATELY TWELVE TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THE BATTERY WAS REPLACED; YET, THE FAILURE CONTINUED TO OCCUR. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 110,000.
NHTSA ODI #10410456
131,000 miles · Jan 2, 2011
Electrical SystemFuel System, GasolinePower Train
BOUGHT 2000 BUICK CENTURY AND LIKE MANY OTHER COMPLAINTS ON THE LIST I HAVE REPAIRED THE MANIFOLD, WATER PUMP, FUEL FILTER AT 83,000. I HAVE EXPERIENCED THE WHINNING AND HARD SHIFTING THE ENTIRE TIME I OWNED THE CAR. I HAD INTERMITTENT DASH LIGHT FAILURE WHICH IS REAL DANGEROUS SINCE YOU CAN'T SEE THE SPEEDOMETER OR ANYTHING O…
Read full complaint
BOUGHT 2000 BUICK CENTURY AND LIKE MANY OTHER COMPLAINTS ON THE LIST I HAVE REPAIRED THE MANIFOLD, WATER PUMP, FUEL FILTER AT 83,000. I HAVE EXPERIENCED THE WHINNING AND HARD SHIFTING THE ENTIRE TIME I OWNED THE CAR. I HAD INTERMITTENT DASH LIGHT FAILURE WHICH IS REAL DANGEROUS SINCE YOU CAN'T SEE THE SPEEDOMETER OR ANYTHING ON THE DASH. MY BRAKES HAVE FAILED TO BRAKE AND I WENT OUT INTO TRAFFIC - LUCKILY NO ACCIDENT AND THERE WAS A MEDIAN I COULD STEER INTO! I HAVEN'T HAD A WORKING GAS GAUGE FOR YEARS. LAST NIGHT GOING 70 MPH I FELT 3 CHUGS AND LOST POWER. AGAIN LUCKILY I WAS AT A FREEWAY EXIT AND COULD COAST OFF THE FREEWAY. SO MY 3 MOST EXPENSIVE BILLS (AND NONE OF THE PROBLEMS HAVE BEEN SOLVED -$1800. FOR BRAKE CALIPERS, ROTORS AND PADS. $1100 FOR WIRE SET, MANIFOLD SET, FUEL FILTER AND WATER PUMP. $350 FOR HEADLAMP SWITCH AND DASH LIGHT PROBLEMS. I AM PUTTING NO MORE MONEY INTO THIS CAR AND UP UNTIL LAST NIGHT I WAS LOOKING FOR A BUICK BUT NEVER AGAIN. I DIDN'T PUT THE MILEAGE DOWN WHEN THESE INCIDENTS HAPPENED BECAUSE THE SYMPTOMS ARE ONGOING!!! IT LOOKS LIKE 1000'S OF COMPLAINTS HAVE BEEN IGNORED THROUGH THE YEARS AND THE BRAKE ISSUE AS WELL AS SHUTTING DOWN GOING 70 MPH ARE BOTH SAFETY ISSUES WHICH SHOULD HAVE BEEN ADDRESSED IN A RECALL MANY YEARS AGO!!! I AM DEVASTATED BY THE FACTS I LEARNED RESEARCHING THE COMPUTER LAST NIGHT. I AM ON A FIXED INCOME AND NOW WITHOUT A CAR TOO. WHAT REPORTS DO I BELIEVE WHEN SHOPPING FOR A NEW CAR?????? DOWN BELOW WHERE YOU DATE THE INCIDENT LUCKILY I CAN SAY NO TO ALL OF THE QUESTIONS (BUT BY THE GRACE OF GOD!) *TR
NHTSA ODI #10373760
Official recalls
5Apr 6, 2001
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, EQUIPPED WITH SUNVISOR LOCATED AIR BAG LABELS, FAIL TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLES SAFETY STANDARD NO. 208, "OCCUPANT CRASH PROTECTION." THESE VEHICLES HAVE A MESSAGE AREA LESS THAN 30 CM WHICH DOES NOT MEET THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE STANDARD.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THESE VEHICLES DO NOT COMPLY WITH THE STANDARD.
Remedy: GM WILL MAIL A NEW BILINGUAL AIR BAG LABEL WITH INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS. HOWEVER, THE CUSTOMER MAY BRING THE LABEL TO THEIR DEALER FOR INSTALLATION FREE OF CHARGE. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN MAY 4, 2001. OWNERS WHO DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE LABEL AND INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT OLDSMOBILE AT 1-800-442-6537 OR BUICK AT 1-800-521-7300.
Nov 13, 2000
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. SOME OF THESE VEHICLES EXHIBIT A CONDITION IN WHICH THE DRIVER SIDE IMPACT AIR BAG INFLATOR SEPARATES FROM THE AIR BAG MODULE DURING DEPLOYMENT.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: IF THE INFLATOR SEPARATES, THE AIR BAG WILL NOT DEPLOY PROPERLY DURING A CRASH AND OCCUPANT PROTECTION WOULD BE REDUCED. IF IS ALSO POSSIBLE THAT A SEPARATED INFLATOR COULD BE PROPELLED DOWNWARD AND COULD RESULT IN INJURY TO A REAR SEAT PASSENGER WHOSE FOOT IS POSITIONED APPROXIMATELY UNDER THE INFLATOR MODULE.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE SIDE IMPACT AIR BAG MODULE.
Aug 7, 2000
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES, LIGHT DUTY TRUCKS, SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, AND MINI VANS EQUIPPED WITH TRW SEAT BELT BUCKLE ASSEMBLIES. THE BUCKLE BASE OF THESE SEAT BELT ASSEMBLIES WERE NOT PROPERLY HEAT TREATED AND THEREFORE DO NOT PASS THE LOAD BEARING REQUIREMENT OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 209, "SEAT BELT ASSEMBLIES."
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: IN THE EVENT OF A VEHICLE CRASH, THE OCCUPANT MAY NOT BE PROPERLY RESTRAINED.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE VEHICLE'S SAFETY BELT BUCKLE ASSEMBLY DATE CODES AND, IF NECESSARY, WILL REPLACE ANY SAFETY BELT BUCKLE ASSEMBLY.
Jun 16, 2000
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE CLAMP THAT SECURES THE FLEXIBLE FUEL FILL HOSE TO THE METAL FILL TUBE MAY BE LOOSE AND COULD SEPARATE.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THIS COULD CAUSE FUEL LEAKAGE EXCEEDING THE PERMISSIBLE AMOUNT.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE FUEL HOSE FILL NECK CLAMP AND, IF NECESSARY, REPOSITION AND TIGHTEN THE CLAMP.
May 17, 2000
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH REAR DRUM BRAKES. THE BOLT HEAD(S) ON THE REAR SPINDLE ROD CAN SEPARATE.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THE REAR WHEEL CAN SHIFT, CAUSING REAR STEERING OF THE VEHICLE. THE DRIVER COULD LOSE CONTROL AND A CRASH COULD OCCUR.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE REAR SPINDLE BOLTS.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗