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2001 Buick Century

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

More warning signs than most Century years

Owner complaints for the 2001 Buick Century are substantially higher than the model-year median of 28.

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When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

81 reports with mileage · 64 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.

  • Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 27 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Service Brakes, Hydraulic. Review the 22 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Power Train. Review the 21 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

9 crash reports2 fire reports4 injury reports

Air Bags complaints

5 reports
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124,430 miles · Sep 25, 2013
Air BagsService BrakesCrash

I WAS TRAVELING IN HEAVY STOP AND GO TRAFFIC TRAVELING AT ABOUT 40MPH WHEN THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF ME STOPPED, I APPLIED THE BRAKES HARD BUT THE VEHICLE DID NOT STOP AND I TRIED TO SWAY INTO THE SHOULDER BUT HIT THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF ME. THERE WAS PLENTY OF SPACE TO STOP BUT THE BRAKES FAILED TO STOP THE VEHICLE. NOTE: THE A…

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I WAS TRAVELING IN HEAVY STOP AND GO TRAFFIC TRAVELING AT ABOUT 40MPH WHEN THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF ME STOPPED, I APPLIED THE BRAKES HARD BUT THE VEHICLE DID NOT STOP AND I TRIED TO SWAY INTO THE SHOULDER BUT HIT THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF ME. THERE WAS PLENTY OF SPACE TO STOP BUT THE BRAKES FAILED TO STOP THE VEHICLE. NOTE: THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. *JS

NHTSA ODI #10545309

129,000 miles · Dec 5, 2006
Air BagsCrashInjury

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING IN A TORRENTIAL RAIN AT 11:30 PM, THE VEHICLE HYDROPLANED ON STANDING WATER, WENT OFF THE TWO LANE ROAD AND HIT A TREE HEAD ON. THE CONTACT HAD NO INFORMATION AS TO THE SPEED OF TRAVEL AND WOULD NOT OFFER A GUESS. THE SEAT BELT WAS WORN BUT THE FRONTAL AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE DRIVE…

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DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING IN A TORRENTIAL RAIN AT 11:30 PM, THE VEHICLE HYDROPLANED ON STANDING WATER, WENT OFF THE TWO LANE ROAD AND HIT A TREE HEAD ON. THE CONTACT HAD NO INFORMATION AS TO THE SPEED OF TRAVEL AND WOULD NOT OFFER A GUESS. THE SEAT BELT WAS WORN BUT THE FRONTAL AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE DRIVER SUSTAINED A BROKEN NOSE, BROKEN RIGHT EYE SOCKET AND MULTIPLE LESIONS FROM THE SEAT BELT STRAP. THE CONTACT WALKED 1/4 MILE FROM THE ACCIDENT TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE, THEN WAS TAKEN TO THE HOSPITAL. THERE WAS NO POLICE REPORT AND THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT TOW YARD. THERE WERE PHOTOS AVAILABLE. UPDATED 1/17/2007 - INSURANCE COMPANY HAS COMPUTER LOG OF ACCIDENT WHICH WAS TAKEN AROUND AUGUST 20, 2006. *NM

NHTSA ODI #10175211

11,581 miles · Apr 20, 2004
Air BagsCrashInjury

CONSUMER'S VEHICLE REAR ENDED ANOTHER VEHICLE WHILE DRIVING AT 50 MPH. FRONT END PUSHD THE ENGINE BACK 2 - 3 INCHES. MOST OF THE DAMAGE OCCURRED ON THE PASSENGER SIDE. UPON IMPACT,NONE OF THE FRONTAL AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. DRIVER AND PASSENGER SUSTAINED SERIOUS INJURIES.*AK *LA

NHTSA ODI #10061603

Mileage unknown · Dec 27, 2001
Air BagsCrash

WHILE TRAVELING APPROXIMATELY 55 TO 60 MPH HIS VEHICLE STRUCK TWO CATTLES CROSSING THE ROAD. BOTH FRONTAL AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY DURING THIS INCIDENT. AN INSPECTOR FROM BUICK CONCLUDED THAT AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY BECAUSE VEHICLE MAINTAINED FORWARD MOMENTUM AND DID NOT STOP COMPLETELY. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY ADDITIONAL IN…

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WHILE TRAVELING APPROXIMATELY 55 TO 60 MPH HIS VEHICLE STRUCK TWO CATTLES CROSSING THE ROAD. BOTH FRONTAL AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY DURING THIS INCIDENT. AN INSPECTOR FROM BUICK CONCLUDED THAT AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY BECAUSE VEHICLE MAINTAINED FORWARD MOMENTUM AND DID NOT STOP COMPLETELY. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY ADDITIONAL INFORMATION / DOCUMENTATION.*AK

NHTSA ODI #8001142

Mileage unknown · Feb 6, 2001
Air BagsCrash

FRONT CRASH AT 35-40 MPH , HIT A TREE, AND NEITHER AIRBAG DEPLOYED.*AK

NHTSA ODI #879930

Official recalls

3

01V109000 · 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.

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

0

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.