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2003 Buick Century

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

More warning signs than most Century years

Owner complaints for the 2003 Buick Century are substantially higher than the model-year median of 28.

About this comparison →
127Owner complaints

Model-year median: 28

0Recall campaigns

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0Investigations

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How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

Other model years Selected year
193
2000145
2001154
2002127
200339
200419
2005
Compare all Century years →

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

What owners reported most

Exterior Lighting
48Electrical System
23Engine And Engine Cooling
13Service Brakes, Hydraulic
13Structure
11
All reported categories
Steering
7Power Train
6Vehicle Speed Control
6Suspension
5Visibility
5Tires
4Air Bags
3Fuel/propulsion System
3Seats
3Electronic Stability Control (esc)
2Engine
2Equipment
2Latches/locks/linkages
2Service Brakes
2Unknown Or Other
2Fuel System, Gasoline
1Interior Lighting
1Parking Brake
1Service Brakes, Electric
1Wheels
1

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

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

94 reports with mileage · 33 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.

  • Exterior Lighting. Review the 48 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Electrical System. Review the 23 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 13 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

4 crash reports2 fire reports2 injury reports

Electrical System complaints

23 reports
Clear category filter
Mileage unknown · Jul 30, 2004
Electrical SystemParking BrakeService Brakes, Hydraulic

THE DOOR LOCKS FAILED TO LOCK FROM USING THE REMOTE KEY ENTRY DEVICE. ALSO, CONSUMER NOTICED THAT THE LOCK BUTTON FAILED TO UNLOCK THE DOORS INTERMITTENTLY. *AK INSPECTOR VERIFIED THAT THE POWER DOOR LOCKS OPERATED AS DESIGNED. THE ODOMETER OPERATED NORMALLY. TRUNK POPPED OPEN ONCE WHILE DRIVING. THE BRAKES APPLIED AND REL…

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THE DOOR LOCKS FAILED TO LOCK FROM USING THE REMOTE KEY ENTRY DEVICE. ALSO, CONSUMER NOTICED THAT THE LOCK BUTTON FAILED TO UNLOCK THE DOORS INTERMITTENTLY. *AK INSPECTOR VERIFIED THAT THE POWER DOOR LOCKS OPERATED AS DESIGNED. THE ODOMETER OPERATED NORMALLY. TRUNK POPPED OPEN ONCE WHILE DRIVING. THE BRAKES APPLIED AND RELEASED AS DESIGNED; AND THE THE EMERGENCY BRAKE HELD THE VEHICLE PROPERLY AND APPEARED TO BE PROPERLY ADJUSTED. *TT

NHTSA ODI #10071711

38,264 miles · Jul 27, 2004
Electrical System

LOUD HUMMING NOISE FROM INTERIOR OF VEHICLE. ONE NON GM CAR DEALERSHIP SAYS IT IS A DEFECTIVE ALTERNATOR. GM DEALER SAYS THEY CANNOT HEAR ANYTHING AND EVERYTHING IS FINE. GOING ON TRIP NEXT WEEK AND AFRAID OF NOT ONLY ALTERNATOR FAILING, BUT TAKING BATTERY OUT WTH IT.*AK

NHTSA ODI #10082781

21,000 miles · Oct 1, 2003
Electrical System

THE ALTERNATOR PRODUCED A LOUD HUMMING SOUND. THE DEALER REPLACED THE ALTERNATOR THREE TIMES, HOWEVER THE PROBLEM CONTINUED. *AK *JB

NHTSA ODI #10037930

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.