IllustrationDEALER ADVISED OF COOLANT LEAK AT A LOWER ENGINE SEAL. I HAVE SINCE LEARNED THAT THIS IS A DEFECT RELATED TO USE OF INCORRECT SEALS. THE SEALS ARE EATEN BY THE COOLANT (DEXCOOL). I WAS QUOTED A PRICE OF $800 TO FIX THE PROBLEM. I FEEL THAT THIS IS A MANUFACTURER'S DEFECT.*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
What owners actually said
193 reports2000 BUICK CENTURY DEVELOPED PROBLEMS WITH THE 4T65 AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION.***NO ANSWER REQUIRED***. *MR THE CONSUMER STATED THE TRANSMISSION SHIFTED VERY HARD AND MADE UNUSUAL SOUNDS.*JB
THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKE SYSTEM WARNING LIGHT FAILED, REPLACED PRESSURE MODULATOR VALVE. *BF *SC
ON A 2000 BUICK CENTURY THE CROSSOVER BRAKE LINE FROM THE ABS UNIT TO THE RIGHT FRONT BRAKE CALIPER IS PLACED AGAINST THE SOUND DEADENING SPONGY MATERIAL ON THE FIREWALL, HELD IN PLACE WITH A BRACKET, DIRECTLY UNDER THE MASTER CYLINDER. THIS CAR LOST ALL BRAKE FLUID WHEN THE STEEL BRAKE LINE RUSTED THROUGH AT THE POINT OF CONTAC…
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ON A 2000 BUICK CENTURY THE CROSSOVER BRAKE LINE FROM THE ABS UNIT TO THE RIGHT FRONT BRAKE CALIPER IS PLACED AGAINST THE SOUND DEADENING SPONGY MATERIAL ON THE FIREWALL, HELD IN PLACE WITH A BRACKET, DIRECTLY UNDER THE MASTER CYLINDER. THIS CAR LOST ALL BRAKE FLUID WHEN THE STEEL BRAKE LINE RUSTED THROUGH AT THE POINT OF CONTACT WITH THE SPONGY MATERIAL. IT APPEARS THAT ON THIS LOW MILEAGE CAR , 21,000 MILES, INSUFFICIENT DRIVING TIME MAY LEAD TO ANY MOISTURE NOT HAVING ENOUGH HEAT/TIME TO EVAPORATE. THIS HAS LEFT CONSTANT MOISTURE IN CONTACT WITH THIS STEEL PIPE.*AK
ON TWO OCCASIONS THE STEERING WHEEL FELT LOOSE AND THE DRIVER HEARD A CLINK NOISE WHILE DRIVING. THE DEALER LATER DETERMINED THAT ONE OF THE TIE RODS BROKE. THE DEALER REPLACED THE TIE ROD, ALIGNED THE TIRES AND BALANCED THE TIRES. *AK *NM
AUTOMATIC WINDOWS. SEVERAL MONTHS AGO THE DRIVER WINDOW QUIT WORKING ON MY 2000 BUICK CENTURY. I HAD IT REPLACED AT A COST OF AROUND $400. WITHIN THE LAST 45 DAYS THE TWO BACK WINDOWS AND AS OF THIS WEEKEND THE FRONT PASSENGER WINDOW ARE NOT WORKING. THEY SLID DOWN IN THE TRACK AND THE BUTTONS DON'T WORK. ALSO WITHIN THE LA…
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AUTOMATIC WINDOWS. SEVERAL MONTHS AGO THE DRIVER WINDOW QUIT WORKING ON MY 2000 BUICK CENTURY. I HAD IT REPLACED AT A COST OF AROUND $400. WITHIN THE LAST 45 DAYS THE TWO BACK WINDOWS AND AS OF THIS WEEKEND THE FRONT PASSENGER WINDOW ARE NOT WORKING. THEY SLID DOWN IN THE TRACK AND THE BUTTONS DON'T WORK. ALSO WITHIN THE LAST 45 DAYS MY HUSBAND 2001 MALIBU HAD A BACK WINDOW GO OUT. IT TOO SLID DOWN AND THE BUTTON DOESN'T BRING IT BACK UP. THAT IS A TOTAL OF FIVE WINDOWS NOT WORKING. AT THAT COSTS IT IS CHEAPER TO TAPE THEM UP THAN TO TAKE OUT A SECOND MORTGAGE TO FIX IT. IS THERE A RECALL ON THE MOTOR AND REGULATOR ASSEMBLY FOR THESE WINDOWS? *NM
WHILE DRIVINGM, THE TRANSMISSION SLIPPED AS IF IT DID NOT KNOW WHAT GEAR IT SHOULD BE IN. TOOK VEHICLE TO THE DEALER, BUT PROBLEM WAS NOT RESOLVED. *AK THERE WAS ALSO A JERKING MOTION DISPLAYED WHEN SHIFTING THE GEARS UP AND OR DOWN. THE P/C SOLENOID WAS REPLACED. *SC *JB
WHEN MAKING A LEFT HAND TURN TRANSMISSION FAILED WITHOUT WARNING. *AK NOW WHEN THE GEAR SELECTOR WAS PUT INTO ANY GEAR THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT MOVE. WHEN THE BATTERY WAS DISCONNECTED THEN RECONNECTED MILES STARTED MOVING ON THE VEHICLE ALTHOUGH THE VEHICLE WAS NOT IN MOTION. *NM
TRANSMISSION JERKS INTO GEAR WHEN ON THE HIGHWAY - SEEMS TO BE ESPECIALLY PROMINENT AFTER USING THE OVERDRIVE; WILL STOP IF CAR IS STOPPED, ENGINE SHUT OFF FOR AWHILE, AND THEN RESTARTED. *LA
PROBLEMS WITH ENGINE ON 2000 BUICK CENTURY. *MR THE VEHICLE'S ENGINE BLOCK CRACKED. *NM
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