← New search

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.

About this comparison →

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

Electrical System complaints

17 reports
Clear category filter
200,000 miles · Aug 20, 2014
Electrical SystemEngine

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 BUICK CENTURY. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO BE RESTARTED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED MULTIPLE TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO COULD NOT DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AND THE MANUFACTURER WA…

Read full complaint

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 BUICK CENTURY. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO BE RESTARTED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED MULTIPLE TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO COULD NOT DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 200,000.

NHTSA ODI #10626573

130,000 miles · May 10, 2013
Electrical SystemExterior Lighting

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 BUICK CENTURY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE PANEL LIGHTING FAILED TO ILLUMINATE WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSIS BUT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 130,0…

Read full complaint

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 BUICK CENTURY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE PANEL LIGHTING FAILED TO ILLUMINATE WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSIS BUT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 130,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10511450

103,595 miles · Oct 22, 2012
Electrical SystemVisibility

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. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10481382

Mileage unknown · Jan 12, 2008
Electrical System

ODOMETER DOES NOT ILLUMINATE,CANNOT TELL WHAT GEAR YOU ARE IN OR MILEAGE ON CAR. HAVE BEEN TOLD BY DEALER SERVICE MANAGER,THAT THIS IS A NORMAL PROBLEM WITH THE CENTURY MODEL,AND WOULD COST BETWEEN 250-1000. DOLLAR TO REPAIR ,PLUS DEALER COULD NOT GIVE A TIME FRAME OF HOW LONG VEHICLE WOULD BE IN SHOP. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10214572

54,800 miles · Jan 2, 2008
Electrical SystemStructure

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 BUICK CENTURY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT RAIN WOULD LEAK BEHIND THE DASHBOARD WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED OR BEING DRIVEN. THE FAILURE WOULD NOT OCCUR IF PARKED AT AN ANGLE OR ON A HILL. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 55,200, AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 54,800. THE PURCHASE DATE WAS UNAVAILABLE. UPDATED 01/29…

Read full complaint

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 BUICK CENTURY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT RAIN WOULD LEAK BEHIND THE DASHBOARD WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED OR BEING DRIVEN. THE FAILURE WOULD NOT OCCUR IF PARKED AT AN ANGLE OR ON A HILL. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 55,200, AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 54,800. THE PURCHASE DATE WAS UNAVAILABLE. UPDATED 01/29/08 *BF THE CONSUMER STATED A POOL OF WATER WAS ON THE FLOOR OF THE VEHICLE DUE TO RAINWATER LEAKING FROM BEHIND THE DASHBOARD. UPDATED 01/29/08 *TR

NHTSA ODI #10213384

Mileage unknown · Jul 24, 2006
Electrical System

THE PROBLEM STARTED WITH THE TRUNK POPPING WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS PLACED IN REVERSE. TODAY MY VEHICLE FAILED TO PASS INSPECTION BECAUSE THE BACK UP LIGHTS ARE NOT OPERATING. THE LIGHTS AND FUSES WERE CHECKED AND ALL OPERATING CORRECTLY. BELIEVE IT IS AN ELECTRICAL PROBLEM. *NM

NHTSA ODI #10163349

Mileage unknown · Dec 14, 2005
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine CoolingVisibility

CONSUMER 2001 BUICK CENTURY ELECTRICAL AND COOLING ARE DEFECTIVE. MASTER WINDOW SWITCH LOCK STUCK, ANTI FREEZE LEAK, COOLANT LIGHT REMAINS ON, FRONT AND REAR LIGHTS DO NOT WORK. *TS THE DOME LIGHTS AND BACK UP LIGHTS, AND TAG LIGHT WERE ALL INOPERATIVE. THE CONSUMER STATED ALL THE BULBS WERE CHANGED, HOWEVER IT DIDN'T RESOLVE …

Read full complaint

CONSUMER 2001 BUICK CENTURY ELECTRICAL AND COOLING ARE DEFECTIVE. MASTER WINDOW SWITCH LOCK STUCK, ANTI FREEZE LEAK, COOLANT LIGHT REMAINS ON, FRONT AND REAR LIGHTS DO NOT WORK. *TS THE DOME LIGHTS AND BACK UP LIGHTS, AND TAG LIGHT WERE ALL INOPERATIVE. THE CONSUMER STATED ALL THE BULBS WERE CHANGED, HOWEVER IT DIDN'T RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. THE INTAKE GASKET LEAKED. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10146407

Mileage unknown · Sep 23, 2005
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine Cooling

DEFECTIVE ELECTRICAL MASTER LOCK UNIT: LEFT FRONT DOOR. ANTI FREEZE LEAKS, COOLANT LIGHT STAYS ON, LIGHTS ARE DEFECTIVE ETC. *TS THE FRONT AND REAR TURN SIGNALS, BRAKE LIGHTS, DOME LIGHTS, BACK UP LIGHTS AND TAG PLATE LIGHT WERE ALL INOPERATIVE. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10138825

36,000 miles · Aug 12, 2005
Electrical SystemService Brakes, HydraulicVisibility

DT: CONSUMER OWNS A 2001 BUICK CENTURY CUSTOM. CONSUMER COMPLAINED ABOUT SEVERAL PROBLEMS. ONE OF THE PROBLEMS CONCERNED THE ABS LIGHT COMING ON. THIS HAS BEEN GOING ON FOR A COUPLE OF YEARS. THE ABS LIGHT WILL COME ON AND THEN GO BACK OFF. HAD TAKEN VEHICLE TO DEALER TO SEE WHAT PROBLEM WAS ON AUGUST 1, 2005 WHEN THE LIGHT ST…

Read full complaint

DT: CONSUMER OWNS A 2001 BUICK CENTURY CUSTOM. CONSUMER COMPLAINED ABOUT SEVERAL PROBLEMS. ONE OF THE PROBLEMS CONCERNED THE ABS LIGHT COMING ON. THIS HAS BEEN GOING ON FOR A COUPLE OF YEARS. THE ABS LIGHT WILL COME ON AND THEN GO BACK OFF. HAD TAKEN VEHICLE TO DEALER TO SEE WHAT PROBLEM WAS ON AUGUST 1, 2005 WHEN THE LIGHT STAYED ON. ALSO, SERVICE VEHICLE LIGHT/TRAC LIGHT CAME ON IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE ABS LIGHT. ANOTHER PROBLEM CONCERNED THE LOW TIRE LIGHT COMING ON . THIS HAPPENED WHEN THE WHEEL WAS REMOVED FROM VEHICLE. ANOTHER PROBLEM CONCERNED THE POWER WINDOW. CONSUMER WENT TO DEALER, AND TOLD HIM THAT THE PASSENGER'S REAR WINDOW WAS FALLING DOWN BY ITSELF, THE DEALER SAID THAT THE REGISTER BROKE. CONSUMER DID NOT WANT POWER WINDOWS. HE WANTED ROLL UP WINDOWS WHICH WERE TROUBLE FREE. THE ABS BRAKE SENSOR WIRING HARNESS TO THE RIGHT FRONT HUB WAS DISCOVERED BY CONSUMER VISUALLY HANGING DOWN ON AUGUST 11, 2005. UPON INSPECTION AT GOODYEAR. TECHNICIAN STATED WIRING HARNESS HAD BEEN PULLED OFF POSSIBLY BY ROAD DEBRIS ALTHOUGH CONSUMER DIDN'T SEE ANY CUT, ABRASION, OR IMPACT. HUB ASSEMBLY REQUIRED TO REPLACEMENT BECAUSE ABS SENSOR WIRING DAMAGED IN HUB. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10132592

Mileage unknown · Nov 10, 2004
Electrical SystemPower Train

WHILE PULLING OUT OF A DRIVEWAY A LOUD CLANKING NOISE WAS HEARD COMING FROM THE FRONT. ALSO, DASHBOARD LIGHT FLASHED ON AND OFF INTERMITTENTLY . CONSUMER HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION, AND MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT THE BEARING SHEARED OFF THE TRANSMISSION. BATTERY AND TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. …

Read full complaint

WHILE PULLING OUT OF A DRIVEWAY A LOUD CLANKING NOISE WAS HEARD COMING FROM THE FRONT. ALSO, DASHBOARD LIGHT FLASHED ON AND OFF INTERMITTENTLY . CONSUMER HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION, AND MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT THE BEARING SHEARED OFF THE TRANSMISSION. BATTERY AND TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10099798

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.