Illustration2000 BUICK CENTURY , 3.1 HEAD GASKET LEAKS AT 50,000 MILES.*AK
2000 Buick Century
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
More warning signs than most Century years
Owner complaints for the 2000 Buick Century are substantially higher than the model-year median of 28.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Century years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
80–25K
2225–50K
3250–75K
1675–100K
9100–150K
6150K+
93 reports with mileage · 100 unknown
NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.
What to inspect
Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.
- Power Train. Review the 48 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Service Brakes, Hydraulic. Review the 28 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Visibility. Review the 23 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
11 crash reports1 fire reports10 injury reports
Engine And Engine Cooling complaints
21 reportsCONSUMER STATES THE EXHAUST PIPE IS VERY CLOSE TO THE FUEL LINE. DEALER NOT NOTIFIED.
THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED THE SAME PROBLEM AS STATED IN TSB #020601014, HOWEVER THE DEALER REFUSED TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM, BECAUSE THE VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION NUMBER WAS NOT INCLUDED. *JB
THE VEHICLE OVER HEATED WHILE DRIVING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TOT HE DEALER WHO STATED THAT THE INTAKE MANIFOLD BROKE AND CAUSED OIL TO LEAK INTO THE COOLING SYSTEM. *NLM *TS
WHEN DRIVING VEHICLE DRIFTS TO THE RIGHT. DEALER HAS SEEN VEHICLE SEVEN TIMES, AND TRIED TO CORRECT. BUT, PROBLEM STILL EXISTS.*AK CONSUMER STATES THERE IS A NOISE COMING FROM REAR OF VEHICLE WHEN IN REVERSE AND BRAKING, AC IS NOT BLOWING COLD, CONSMER STATES FRONT END IS LOW TO THE BOTTOM MAKES A NOSIE WHENWHEN IN REVERSE, TH…
Read full complaint
WHEN DRIVING VEHICLE DRIFTS TO THE RIGHT. DEALER HAS SEEN VEHICLE SEVEN TIMES, AND TRIED TO CORRECT. BUT, PROBLEM STILL EXISTS.*AK CONSUMER STATES THERE IS A NOISE COMING FROM REAR OF VEHICLE WHEN IN REVERSE AND BRAKING, AC IS NOT BLOWING COLD, CONSMER STATES FRONT END IS LOW TO THE BOTTOM MAKES A NOSIE WHENWHEN IN REVERSE, THE BUTTON ON THE STEERING WHEEL AND THE RADIO DOES NOT STO ON STATION, CONSUMER STATES IT TAKES TO LONG FOR VEHICLE TO START AT TIMES.*JB
VEHICLE HAS EXTREME BURNING OIL SMELL COMING THROUGH VENTS AFTER OIL CHANGE, DEALER REPLACED ENGINE'S REAR MAIN SEAL BUT DID NOT CORRECT PROBLEM, CONSUMER HAS CONTACTED MANUFACTURER BUT HAS NOT RECEIVED A RESPONSE. *JB
VEHICLE WAS MAKING A KNOCKING AND HUMMING NOISE UNDER NORMAL OPERATION. DEALERSHIP HAS LOOKED AT VEHICLE AND SAID THAT THERE WAS NO DEFECT IN ENGINE. *SLC
WHENEVER VEHICLE WAS COLD STARTED, THERE WOULD BE A TAPPING NOISE. HAVE TAKEN VEHICLE TO DEALERSHIP TWICE. HAD FACTORY REPRESENTATIVE DOWN & WAS INFORMED THAT PROBLEM WAS NORMAL. ALSO, MECHANIC TESTED OTHER VEHICLES ON A COLD START, AND HERE WAS NO TAPPING NOISE COMING FROM ENGINE.*AK TAPPING SOUND IN THE ENGINE HAS INCREAS…
Read full complaint
WHENEVER VEHICLE WAS COLD STARTED, THERE WOULD BE A TAPPING NOISE. HAVE TAKEN VEHICLE TO DEALERSHIP TWICE. HAD FACTORY REPRESENTATIVE DOWN & WAS INFORMED THAT PROBLEM WAS NORMAL. ALSO, MECHANIC TESTED OTHER VEHICLES ON A COLD START, AND HERE WAS NO TAPPING NOISE COMING FROM ENGINE.*AK TAPPING SOUND IN THE ENGINE HAS INCREASED IN LOUDNESS AND DURATION ON COLD STARTS. THE DEALER INSTALLED A SYNTHETIC OIL AND FRAM OIL FILTERS. *YH
2 DEFECTIVE ENGINES(REPLACED) 1ST AT 1500 MI. 2ND AT 2784MI. STILL ENGINE MISSES STALLS. NHTSA PROVIDED TO US CAMPAIGN R#00V143000 THAT BUICK CENTURIES HAVE REAR BRAKE PROBLEMS AND G.M. WOULD RECALL STARTING JULY 2000--G.M. TELLS US NO RECALLS INVOVLING OUR VEHICLE--IT WAS BUILT 11/99 IN OSHAWA CANADA--PLEASE STRAIGHTEN US OUT …
Read full complaint
2 DEFECTIVE ENGINES(REPLACED) 1ST AT 1500 MI. 2ND AT 2784MI. STILL ENGINE MISSES STALLS. NHTSA PROVIDED TO US CAMPAIGN R#00V143000 THAT BUICK CENTURIES HAVE REAR BRAKE PROBLEMS AND G.M. WOULD RECALL STARTING JULY 2000--G.M. TELLS US NO RECALLS INVOVLING OUR VEHICLE--IT WAS BUILT 11/99 IN OSHAWA CANADA--PLEASE STRAIGHTEN US OUT ON THIS--IS /IS NOT A NY RECALL ON OUR VEHICLE
CONSUMER DRIVING DOWN ON HIGHWAY VEHICLE JUST DIED, CAUSING IT TO RUN OFF THE ROAD AND INTO SOME TREES.*AK
Official recalls
501V109000 · Seat Belts
Apr 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.
00V371000 · Air Bags:side/window
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.
00V228003 · Seat Belts
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.
00V160000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:storage:tank Assembly:filler Pipe And Cap
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.
00V143000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:foundation Components:drum
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 ↗
NHTSA investigations
1SQ00004 · Accelerator Cable Detaches From Throttle
Opened Feb 2, 2000 · Closed Jan 19, 2001
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Vehicle Speed Control:linkages
There is no summary currently available