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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.

Counts are not adjusted for sales, age, mileage exposure or reporting. A lower count does not establish that a car is problem-free.

About this comparison →
154Owner complaints

Model-year median: 28

0Recall campaigns

View recall details →

0Investigations

View investigation details →

Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗ Model-level counts do not show whether a particular VIN is affected or repaired.

Inspection summary

2002 Buick Century

NHTSA snapshot: September 18, 2026. 154 owner complaints · 0 recall campaigns · 0 investigations.

Counts are not failure probabilities and are not adjusted for sales, age, mileage exposure or reporting. One report may name several categories. Comparison method and limitations.

Top reported categories (up to 5)

  • Engine And Engine Cooling: 25 reports
  • Electrical System: 24 reports
  • Exterior Lighting: 24 reports
  • Visibility: 21 reports
  • Service Brakes, Hydraulic: 14 reports

Full reported-category list and vehicle report

Recall links

    No recall campaigns in this snapshot.

    Check a VIN with NHTSA. Model-level history does not establish whether a particular VIN is affected or repaired.

    Print the top reported categories, recall links, snapshot date and comparison limits.

    How this year compares

    Owner complaints by model year

    Other model years Selected year
    235
    1999    193
    2000    145
    2001    154
    2002    127
    2003    39
    2004    19
    2005
    Compare all Century years →

    Counts vary with age, sales, mileage exposure and reporting. They are not failure rates.

    What owners reported most

    Engine And Engine Cooling
    25    Electrical System
    24    Exterior Lighting
    24    Visibility
    21    Service Brakes, Hydraulic
    14
    All reported categories
    Steering
    11    Air Bags
    8    Engine
    8    Service Brakes
    8    Power Train
    7    Vehicle Speed Control
    7    Structure
    6    Unknown Or Other
    5    Wheels
    5    Suspension
    4    Fuel/propulsion System
    3    Fuel System, Gasoline
    2    Fuel System, Other
    2    Interior Lighting
    1    Latches/locks/linkages
    1    Seat Belts
    1    Seats
    1    Service Brakes, Air
    1    Tires
    1

    Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.

    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

    Suspension complaints

    4 reports
    Clear category filter
    108,000 miles · Dec 4, 2014
    SteeringSuspensionCrash

    DRIVING THUR OHIO FROM MICH ,HIT LARGE POT HOLE, DID OVER ONE THOUSAND DOLLARS DAMAGE TO THE STEERING, COULD HAVE BEEN A LOT WORSE, CAR MUST NOT BE MADE PROPERLY TO WITHSTAND HITTING POT HOLES, THIS SHOULD BE A SAFETY ISSUE THERE ARE HUNDREDS OF POT HOLES IN ALL STATES . THE STATE OF OHIO DOES NOT RESPONSIBILITY FOR THERE POT H…

    Read full complaint

    DRIVING THUR OHIO FROM MICH ,HIT LARGE POT HOLE, DID OVER ONE THOUSAND DOLLARS DAMAGE TO THE STEERING, COULD HAVE BEEN A LOT WORSE, CAR MUST NOT BE MADE PROPERLY TO WITHSTAND HITTING POT HOLES, THIS SHOULD BE A SAFETY ISSUE THERE ARE HUNDREDS OF POT HOLES IN ALL STATES . THE STATE OF OHIO DOES NOT RESPONSIBILITY FOR THERE POT HOLES THEY ARE A DRIVE AT YOUR RISK STATE.... *TR

    NHTSA ODI #10662163

    120,000 miles · Dec 6, 2011
    Suspension

    TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 BUICK CENTURY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE OIL WAS BEING CHANGED WHEN HE WAS INFORMED BY AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC THAT THE HUBS WERE DETACHING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 120,000.

    NHTSA ODI #10438785

    138,000 miles · Apr 28, 2009
    SteeringSuspension

    WHILE PERFORMING MAINTENANCE (WHEEL BEARING REPLACEMENT) I DISCOVERED A THROUGH AND THROUGH CRACK IN THE STEERING KNUCKLE AT THE POINT OF ATTACHMENT OF THE TIE ROD END ON THE DRIVERS SIDE, THE CASTING WAS SPLIT WHICH WOULD HAVE ALLOWED THE TIE ROD TO DISCONNECT AND POTENTIALLY FATAL CONSEQUENCES. THE CAR IS A 2002 BUICK CENTUR…

    Read full complaint

    WHILE PERFORMING MAINTENANCE (WHEEL BEARING REPLACEMENT) I DISCOVERED A THROUGH AND THROUGH CRACK IN THE STEERING KNUCKLE AT THE POINT OF ATTACHMENT OF THE TIE ROD END ON THE DRIVERS SIDE, THE CASTING WAS SPLIT WHICH WOULD HAVE ALLOWED THE TIE ROD TO DISCONNECT AND POTENTIALLY FATAL CONSEQUENCES. THE CAR IS A 2002 BUICK CENTURY CUSTOM WITH 138,000 MILES. *TR

    NHTSA ODI #10267046

    40,000 miles · Feb 27, 2004
    Suspension

    WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, THE VEHICLE WOULD HEAVILY VIBRATE. THIS WOULD CAUSE A DISTRACTION TO THE CONSUMER. THE DEALERSHIP WAS NOTIFIED, BUT DID NOT RESOLVE. PLEASE PROVIDE MORE INFORMATION.*AK

    NHTSA ODI #10059903

    Recall campaigns

    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 ↗

    Defect investigations

    0

    No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.

    An investigation is not a finding of a defect, and closure does not prove a vehicle is problem-free.