← 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

What owners actually said

145 reports
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

48,500 miles · Nov 9, 2005
Engine And Engine Cooling

THE TEMPERATURE LIGHT CAME ON AND THE GAUGE READ HOT ON MY 2001 BUICK CENTURY AT THE BEGINNING OF A 200 MILE TRIP. I TOOK THE NEXT EXIT, FOUND A STATION WITH A MECHANIC AND ASKED TO HAVE HIM CHECK THE WATER LEVEL IN THE RADIATOR. HE SAID THE BUICK CENTURY HAS A HISTORY OF THIS PARTICULAR PROBLEM AND ADVISED THAT I WATCH THE T…

Read full complaint

THE TEMPERATURE LIGHT CAME ON AND THE GAUGE READ HOT ON MY 2001 BUICK CENTURY AT THE BEGINNING OF A 200 MILE TRIP. I TOOK THE NEXT EXIT, FOUND A STATION WITH A MECHANIC AND ASKED TO HAVE HIM CHECK THE WATER LEVEL IN THE RADIATOR. HE SAID THE BUICK CENTURY HAS A HISTORY OF THIS PARTICULAR PROBLEM AND ADVISED THAT I WATCH THE TEMPERATURE GAUGE AND TAKE THE CAR TO THE DEALER UPON MY RETURN HOME. WHEN I ARRIVED AT MY DESTINATION, MY SON INFORMED ME THAT HE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM WITH HIS WIFE'S 1999 BUICK CENTURY, ADDED A SEALANT TO THE RADIATOR AND IT SEEMED FINE. WHEN I GOT HOME AND TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALER TO HAVE THE RADIATOR CHECKED, THE SERVICE MANAGER IMMEDIATELY INFORMED ME THAT THE PROBLEM WAS PROBABLY NOT THE RADIATOR AND THAT THE UPPER PORTION OF THE ENGINE WOULD HAVE TO BE REMOVED TO THE TUNE OF APPROXIMATELY $700. SIX HOURS LATER HE CALLED TO INFORM ME THAT THE PROBLEM WAS THE INTAKE GASKET AND THE REPAIRS WERE ONLY $648.52. PARTS REPLACED INCLUDED: GASKET KIT, GASKET, SEALER-THE(?), SEAL, SEAL, COOLANT, ADHESIVE, SEAL, ENG., THERMOSTAT (?), GASKET (191.84) LABOR: 428.75. I RECEIVED A CALL FROM MY SON TONIGHT TO ADVISE ME THAT HIS '99 CENTURY WAS "STEAMING" AND WAS TOLD BY HIS MECHANIC THAT PROBLEM WAS THE INTAKE MANIFOLD. REPAIRS APPROXIMATELY $800. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10142345

30,000 miles · Oct 11, 2005
Seat BeltsCrashInjury

DT: THE CONSUMER WAS REAR ENDED BY ANOTHER VEHICLE. WHEN THIS HAPPENED THE FRONT SEAT BELTS FAILED TO LOCK. THE CONSUMERS VEHICLE WAS PUSHED INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE PASSENGER SUSTAINED MINOR INJURIES. THE INCIDENT TOOK PLACE ON OCTOBER 5, 2005, AND A POLICE REPORT WAS TAKEN. WHEN THE CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A D…

Read full complaint

DT: THE CONSUMER WAS REAR ENDED BY ANOTHER VEHICLE. WHEN THIS HAPPENED THE FRONT SEAT BELTS FAILED TO LOCK. THE CONSUMERS VEHICLE WAS PUSHED INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE PASSENGER SUSTAINED MINOR INJURIES. THE INCIDENT TOOK PLACE ON OCTOBER 5, 2005, AND A POLICE REPORT WAS TAKEN. WHEN THE CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A DEALERSHIP THEY CHECKED THE VEHICLE. AT FIRST, THE DEALER SAID THAT THE SEAT BELTS WERE ALRIGHT. THEN, HE TEST DROVE THE VEHICLE WITH THE CONTACT, AND THE SEAT BELTS WORKED ON/OFF. AFTERWARDS, HE THOUGHT THAT THE SEAT BELTS WERE NOT SUPPOSE TO LOCK WHEN BEING HIT FROM THE REAR. THE DEALER SAID THAT THE CONTACT SHOULD TURN VEHICLE OVER TO THE INSURANCE COMPANY. *AK UPDATED 11/29/05.*JB

NHTSA ODI #10139267

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

101,401 miles · Sep 23, 2005
Service Brakes, HydraulicVisibility

DT: CONSUMER OWNED 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 YEARS. THE ABS LIGHT WILL COME ON AND THEN GO BACK OFF. HAD NOT TAKEN VEHICLE TO DEALER TO SEE WHAT PROBLEM WAS. THE LAST TIME THE ABS LIGHT CAME…

Read full complaint

DT: CONSUMER OWNED 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 YEARS. THE ABS LIGHT WILL COME ON AND THEN GO BACK OFF. HAD NOT TAKEN VEHICLE TO DEALER TO SEE WHAT PROBLEM WAS. THE LAST TIME THE ABS LIGHT CAME ON WAS ON AUGUST 1, 2005, THIS TIME THE LIGHT STAYED ON. ALSO, ENGINE SERVICE LIGHT CAME ON IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE ABS LIGHT. IN ADDITION, TRACK LIGHT CAME ON. ANOTHER PROBLEM WITH THIS VEHICLE WAS THAT WHEN TIRES WERE SERVICED THE LOW TIRE LIGHT CAME ON . THIS HAPPENED WHEN THE WHEEL WAS REMOVED FROM VEHICLE. ANOTHER PROBLEM CONCERNED THE POWER WINDOW. CONSUMER WENT TO THE DEALER AND THEY TOLD HIM THAT THE PASSENGER'S REAR WINDOW WAS FALLING DOWN BY ITSELF, THE DEALER SAID THAT THE REGULATOR BROKE. CONSUMER DID NOT WANT POWER WINDOWS. HE WANTED ROLL UP WINDOWS WHICH WERE TROUBLE FREE.*AK

NHTSA ODI #10132117

Mileage unknown · Sep 22, 2005
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

2001 BUICK CENTURY DEVELOPED PROBLEMS WITH THE BRAKE EQUIPMENT.*MR THE BRAKE, TRAC AND ABS LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE DEALER REPLACED SOME FUSES, THE PROBLEM WAS DETERMINED TO BE A SHORT IN THE ABS, HOWEVER 3 WEEKS LATER THE LIGHTS ILLUMINATED AGAIN. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10137769

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 · Aug 2, 2005
Structure

2001 BUICK CENTURY PANEL OVER THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG IS WARPED.***NO ANSWER REQUIRED***.*MR THE DEALER TOLD THE CONSUMER THE PROBLEM COULD BE CORRECTED USING A CLIP. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10132375

45,000 miles · Jul 28, 2005
Vehicle Speed Control

ACCELERATOR GETS STUCK AT FAIRLY HIGH SPEEDS. IT IS NOT THE MAT, BUT IS A MECHANICAL PROBLEM. AT ONE POINT I STOPPED, AND WHILE IN PARK (THE ENGINE WAS RACING), EXAMINED THE ENGINE (I AM A MECHANICAL PERSON) AND DISCOVERED THE LINKAGE FOR THE ACCELERATOR WAS WORKING FINE. WHEN SOMEONE STEPPED ON THE GAS PEDAL THE THROTTLE MEC…

Read full complaint

ACCELERATOR GETS STUCK AT FAIRLY HIGH SPEEDS. IT IS NOT THE MAT, BUT IS A MECHANICAL PROBLEM. AT ONE POINT I STOPPED, AND WHILE IN PARK (THE ENGINE WAS RACING), EXAMINED THE ENGINE (I AM A MECHANICAL PERSON) AND DISCOVERED THE LINKAGE FOR THE ACCELERATOR WAS WORKING FINE. WHEN SOMEONE STEPPED ON THE GAS PEDAL THE THROTTLE MECHANISM WOULD TURN AND WHEN THEY LET UP ON THE PEDAL THE MECHANISM WOULD RETURN TO THE IDLE POSITION - BUT THE ENGINE WAS STILL RACING! THIS PROBLEM IS INTERMITTENT AND HAS HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES. ONE TIME WHILE IT WAS HAPPENING, I STARTED FROM A STOP LIGHT AND REACHED 50 MPH WITHOUT EVER TOUCHING THE GAS PEDAL! I CHECKED ON THE INTERNET AND FOUND SEVERAL OTHER PEOPLE WHO HAVE HAD THE SAME THING HAPPEN TO THEM WITH THIS CAR (2001 BUICK CENTURY) SEE: HTTP://TOWNHALL-TALK.EDMUNDS.COM/WEBX?13@349.8WQHD7CIMYJ.1@.EF22120/30. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10130512

Mileage unknown · Jul 22, 2005
Seat Belts

2001 BUICK CENTURY DEVELOPED PROBLEMS WITH THE SEAT BELT CONSTRICTING THE CONSUMER'S DAUGHTER.***NO ANSWER REQUIRED***. *MR THE SEAT BELT CONTINUED TO TIGHTEN AND THE CONSUEMR'S DAUGHTTER TRIED TO PULL IT. THE SEAT BELT HAD TO BE CUT TO FREE THE CHILD FROM THE SEAT BELT. *NM

NHTSA ODI #10131272

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.