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2002 Buick Century

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

More warning signs than most Century years

Owner complaints for the 2002 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

101 reports with mileage · 53 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 25 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Electrical System. Review the 24 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Exterior Lighting. Review the 24 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 reports4 fire reports7 injury reports

Air Bags complaints

8 reports
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140,000 miles · Nov 28, 2018
Air BagsCrashInjury

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2002 BUICK CENTURY. WHILE THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY, IT WAS REAR ENDED BY ANOTHER VEHICLE. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT REAR ENDED THE PRECEDING VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED INJURIES TO THE BACK, NECK, BOTH LEGS, AND ARMS. THERE WERE THREE M…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2002 BUICK CENTURY. WHILE THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY, IT WAS REAR ENDED BY ANOTHER VEHICLE. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT REAR ENDED THE PRECEDING VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED INJURIES TO THE BACK, NECK, BOTH LEGS, AND ARMS. THERE WERE THREE MINORS IN THE BACK SEAT WHO SUSTAINED INJURIES TO THEIR HEADS, BOTH LEGS, ARMS, AND BACKS. MEDICAL ATTENTION WAS NEEDED FOR ALL OCCUPANTS. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED AND DEEMED A TOTAL LOSS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER OR INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 140,000.

NHTSA ODI #11154545

99,000 miles · Oct 1, 2009
Air BagsCrashInjury

LOST CONTROL OF THE CAR ON A WET ROAD AND HIT A TREE. TOTALED CAR WITH MOST OF THE DAMAGE AND IMPACT BEING THE FRONT OF THE CAR. THE PROBLEM IS NEITHER OF THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED TO PREVENT STERNUM AND BROKEN BACK.. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10285970

74,000 miles · Jun 9, 2006
Air BagsCrashInjury

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH AND APPROACHING A CROSSROADS ANOTHER VEHICLE RAN A STOP SIGN AND WAS HIT BY THE CONTACT. THIS WAS A FULL FRONTAL IMPACT. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. ALTHOUGH SEAT BELTS WERE IN USE, BOTH OCCUPANTS SUSTAINED MINOR INJURIES. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED AT THE SCENE. THE VEHICLE WAS…

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DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH AND APPROACHING A CROSSROADS ANOTHER VEHICLE RAN A STOP SIGN AND WAS HIT BY THE CONTACT. THIS WAS A FULL FRONTAL IMPACT. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. ALTHOUGH SEAT BELTS WERE IN USE, BOTH OCCUPANTS SUSTAINED MINOR INJURIES. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED AT THE SCENE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE TOWING COMPANY WHERE IT REMAINS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS ALERTED.

NHTSA ODI #10159405

Mileage unknown · Sep 2, 2003
Air BagsCrashInjury

VEHICLE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY UPON IMPACT.*MR AS A RESULT OF THE AIR BAGS NOT DEPLOYING, THE CONSUMER WAS HURT IN THE ACCIDENT. ENCLOSED IS A PICTURE SHOWING DAMAGES TO THE VEHICLE. THE CONSUMER IS QUESTIONING WHETHER THE AIR BAGS WERE DEFECTIVE AND WHAT CAUSED THEM TO MALFUNCTION. PLEASE RESPOND PROMPTLY IN RESOLVING MATTE…

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VEHICLE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY UPON IMPACT.*MR AS A RESULT OF THE AIR BAGS NOT DEPLOYING, THE CONSUMER WAS HURT IN THE ACCIDENT. ENCLOSED IS A PICTURE SHOWING DAMAGES TO THE VEHICLE. THE CONSUMER IS QUESTIONING WHETHER THE AIR BAGS WERE DEFECTIVE AND WHAT CAUSED THEM TO MALFUNCTION. PLEASE RESPOND PROMPTLY IN RESOLVING MATTERS. *CB *JB

NHTSA ODI #10037988

Mileage unknown · May 28, 2003
Air BagsCrash

LETTER FROM STANLEY WOHLMUTH(CA) RE STATUS OF HIS MESSAGE TO NHTSA CONCERNING THE NON-DEPLOYMENT OF THE SIDE AIRBAGS IN THE 2002, BUICK CENTURY IN WHICH HIS WIFE HAD AN ACCIDENT. REPLY TO WASHINGTON, DC OFC, REF ES03-001376/S/BRENNER O3/21/03. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10020362

Mileage unknown · Feb 3, 2003
Air BagsCrashInjury

THE DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR WAS SEVERELY IMPACTED BUT THE SIDE IMPACT AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY. THE DRIVER HAD A CONCUSSION AND SUSTAINED HEAD INJURIES WHICH REQUIRED 8 STICHES. *NLM

NHTSA ODI #10004341

Mileage unknown · Dec 11, 2002
Air BagsCrashInjury

WHILE EXITING A DRIVEWAY, CONSUMER WAS INVOLVED IN ACCIDENT. VEHICLE WAS GREATLY IMPACTED IN THE CENTER DRIVER SIDE DOOR, CONSUMER WENT THROUGH THE SIDE WINDOW AND AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. PLEASE PROVIDE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. MR

NHTSA ODI #8024199

Mileage unknown · Sep 17, 2002
Air BagsCrashInjury

THE VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A FRONTAL/T-BONE COLLISION AT 65-70 MPH IMPACT AND NEITHER AIR BAG DEPLOYED. *AK THE CONSUMER STATES WHILE DRIVING, THE CONSUMER HAD SNEEZED AND RAN OFF OF THE ROAD STRIKING A PRIVATE DRIVEWAY, WENT AIRBORNE FOR OVER 100 FEET AND LANDED ON THE FRONT OF A VEHICLE, FLIPPED OVER SIDE TO SIDE, AND STRUC…

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THE VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A FRONTAL/T-BONE COLLISION AT 65-70 MPH IMPACT AND NEITHER AIR BAG DEPLOYED. *AK THE CONSUMER STATES WHILE DRIVING, THE CONSUMER HAD SNEEZED AND RAN OFF OF THE ROAD STRIKING A PRIVATE DRIVEWAY, WENT AIRBORNE FOR OVER 100 FEET AND LANDED ON THE FRONT OF A VEHICLE, FLIPPED OVER SIDE TO SIDE, AND STRUCK FOUR TREES AND TWO FENCE POSTS HAD COME TO A STOP ON THE TIRES. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE CONSUMER STATED THAT THE BUICK INVESTIGATOR SUGGESTED THAT THE AIR BAGS WORKED AS DESIGNED. *SCC

NHTSA ODI #8018776

Official recalls

0

No recalls in this snapshot.

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.