NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
What owners actually said
127 reports67,000 miles · Nov 15, 2010
Exterior LightingSuspension
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 BUICK CENTURY. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS WITH THE HEADLIGHTS IN ACTIVATION. SUDDENLY, THE HEADLIGHTS BECAME INOPERATIVE. THE CONTACT PULLED OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD WITH CAUTION AND AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS THE HEADLIGHTS BEGAN TO OPERATE. THE FAILURE OCCURRED INTERMITTENT. THE VEHICLE…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 BUICK CENTURY. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS WITH THE HEADLIGHTS IN ACTIVATION. SUDDENLY, THE HEADLIGHTS BECAME INOPERATIVE. THE CONTACT PULLED OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD WITH CAUTION AND AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS THE HEADLIGHTS BEGAN TO OPERATE. THE FAILURE OCCURRED INTERMITTENT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THEY INFORMED THAT THE HEADLIGHT SWITCH WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 67,000. UPDATED 2/23/11 *CN ALSO, THE FRONT COIL SPRINGS WERE REPLACED. UPDATED 05/31/11
NHTSA ODI #10365800
86,000 miles · Nov 12, 2010
Electrical System
THE INTERNAL PANEL LIGHTS GO OFF WHEN I TURNED ON THE HEAD LIGHTS. I COULD NO LONGER READ MY GAUGES OR SPEEDOMETER. THE HEAD LIGHTS STILL WORK BUT I FEEL THIS IS THE SAME COMPLAINT THAT MANY ON THE INTERNET HAVE COMPLAINED ABOUT WITH THERE HEAD LIGHTS GOING OFF. WHEN WILL MINE STOP WORKING? THIS PROBLEM HAS EXISTED WITH BUICKS S…
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THE INTERNAL PANEL LIGHTS GO OFF WHEN I TURNED ON THE HEAD LIGHTS. I COULD NO LONGER READ MY GAUGES OR SPEEDOMETER. THE HEAD LIGHTS STILL WORK BUT I FEEL THIS IS THE SAME COMPLAINT THAT MANY ON THE INTERNET HAVE COMPLAINED ABOUT WITH THERE HEAD LIGHTS GOING OFF. WHEN WILL MINE STOP WORKING? THIS PROBLEM HAS EXISTED WITH BUICKS SINCE 1998 AND I CONSIDER VERY DANGEROUS PROBLEM. THE DEALER WANTS ALMOST 700.00 TO REPLACE THE DIMMER SWITCH THE CAR IS A 2003 BUICK CENTURY. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10365498
86,375 miles · Nov 11, 2010
Electrical System
INSTRUMENT PANEL LIGHTS GO OUT WHEN EMERGENCY BRAKE RELEASED AND CAR IS PUT IN GEAR. IF CAR IN PARK WITH ENGINE RUNNING AND BRAKE ENGAGED LIGHTS ON PANEL ARE ON. HOWEVER, WHEN LIGHTS ARE MANUALLY TURNED ON THE PANEL LIGHTS GO OUT. WHEN LIGHTS MANUALLY TURNED OFF THE LIGHTS GO ON. ONCE IN GEAR THE LIGHTS GO OUT AGAIN. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10365365
156,000 miles · Nov 8, 2010
Exterior Lighting
DRIVING IN THE DARK WITH HIGH BEAMS ON, THE HEADLIGHTS WENT OUT COMPLETELY, HAD TO ACTIVATE LOW BEAMS TO GET LIGHTS BACK ON. THIS IS HAPPENING FREQUENTLY.
NHTSA ODI #10364954
120,000 miles · Sep 27, 2010
Exterior Lighting
TL* THE CONTACT OWN A 2003 BUICK CENTURY. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 35 MPH WHEN THE HEADLIGHTS FAILED SPORADICALLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHO ADVISED REPLACING THE DIMMER SWITCH AT THE CONTACT'S EXPENSE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT UNDER RECALL. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 120,000…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWN A 2003 BUICK CENTURY. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 35 MPH WHEN THE HEADLIGHTS FAILED SPORADICALLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHO ADVISED REPLACING THE DIMMER SWITCH AT THE CONTACT'S EXPENSE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT UNDER RECALL. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 120,000. UPDATED 12/30/10 *BF UPDATED 01/07/11. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10357902
120,000 miles · Jun 24, 2010
Electrical System
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 BUICK CENTURY. THE CONTACT STATED THE INSTRUMENT PANEL WAS NO LONGER FUNCTIONING. THE GAUGES AND WARNING LIGHTS WERE INOPERABLE AND THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE FUEL LEVELS OR SPEEDS TRAVELED. THE DEALER ADVISED MAKING REPAIRS TO THE CONNECTION OR REPLACING THE CAPACITOR IN THE INSTRUMENT CLUST…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 BUICK CENTURY. THE CONTACT STATED THE INSTRUMENT PANEL WAS NO LONGER FUNCTIONING. THE GAUGES AND WARNING LIGHTS WERE INOPERABLE AND THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE FUEL LEVELS OR SPEEDS TRAVELED. THE DEALER ADVISED MAKING REPAIRS TO THE CONNECTION OR REPLACING THE CAPACITOR IN THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER. THERE WERE NO RECALLS. THE MANUFACTURER WOULD NOT PROVIDE ANY ASSISTANCE. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 120,000.
NHTSA ODI #10339889
60,000 miles · Jun 14, 2010
Exterior Lighting
WHENEVER I HAVE ATTEMPTED TO USE MY HIGH BEAMS, I LOSE ALL LIGHTS, WHICH IS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS, ESPECIALLY SINCE I LIVE IN A MOSTLY UNLIGHTED RURAL AREA WITH MANY CURVY ROADS. I HAVEN'T REPLACED ANY PARTS SINCE I'VE HEARD ESTIMATES ARE IN THE $700+ RANGE, AND I CANNOT AFFORD THE EXPENSE...I JUST DO NOT USE THE HIGH BEAMS AT AL…
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WHENEVER I HAVE ATTEMPTED TO USE MY HIGH BEAMS, I LOSE ALL LIGHTS, WHICH IS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS, ESPECIALLY SINCE I LIVE IN A MOSTLY UNLIGHTED RURAL AREA WITH MANY CURVY ROADS. I HAVEN'T REPLACED ANY PARTS SINCE I'VE HEARD ESTIMATES ARE IN THE $700+ RANGE, AND I CANNOT AFFORD THE EXPENSE...I JUST DO NOT USE THE HIGH BEAMS AT ALL FOR FEAR I'LL LOSE ALL LIGHTS. I STILL DON'T FEEL SAFE THAT THE LIGHTS WON'T JUST CUT OFF ANYWAY. I INHERITED THE CAR IN 2008 AND NOTICED THE PROBLEM RIGHT AWAY. THIS PROBLEM OCCURS EVERY SINGLE TIME I TRY TO USE THE HIGH BEAMS. I'VE RESEARCH THE INTERNET AND REALIZE THERE IS PLENTY OF DOCUMENTATION THAT MANY OTHERS HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM. THIS IS OBVIOUSLY A MANUFACTURER DEFECT AND SHOULD BE A RECALL ITEM BEFORE A DEATH OCCURS. TRUST ME...IF I FILED A LAWSUIT, THERE IS PLENTY OF EVIDENCE THAT THIS IS A MANUFACTURER PROBLEM AND THAT THEY ARE AWARE OF THIS POTENTIALLY FATAL PROBLEM, ESPECIALLY FOR THOSE WHO BUY THE VEHICLE USED AND ARE NOT AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10336122
76,000 miles · Apr 16, 2010
Vehicle Speed Control
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 BUICK CENTURY. WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH WITH THE CRUISE CONTROL ACTIVATED, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED. THE CONTACT TURNED OFF THE CRUISE CONTROL BUT THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE UNTIL THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED. THE FAILURE CONTINUED TO OCCUR INTERMITTENTLY WHETHER THE CRUISE CON…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 BUICK CENTURY. WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH WITH THE CRUISE CONTROL ACTIVATED, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED. THE CONTACT TURNED OFF THE CRUISE CONTROL BUT THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE UNTIL THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED. THE FAILURE CONTINUED TO OCCUR INTERMITTENTLY WHETHER THE CRUISE CONTROL WAS ENGAGED OR NOT. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN INSPECTED OR REPAIRED AT THE TIME OF THE COMPLAINT. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 76,000. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 76,400.
NHTSA ODI #10326004
2,000 miles · Apr 12, 2010
Steering
LEAKING POWER STEERING RACK, LESS THAN ONE YEAR OLD, REPLACED BY DEALER UNDER WARRANTY. DEALER DID NOT DO A FRONT END ALIGNMENT CAUSING SEVERE PREMATURE TIRE WEAR. WHEN TIRES REPLACED, EXAMINATION SHOWED ALIGNMENT EXTREMELY OUT OF SPECIFICATION. HAD TO HAVE OUTSIDE SUPPLIER DO PROPER ALIGNMENT. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10325094
113,591 miles · Mar 24, 2010
Exterior LightingPower Train
ALMOST EVERY TIME THE HEADLIGHTS ARE CHANGED FROM HIGH TO LOW BEAMS THE LIGHTS WILL SHUT OFF COMPLEATLY AND I WILL HAVE NO HEADLIGTS AT ALL, I HAVE GONE OUT AND PURCHASED A NEW TURNSIGNAL SWITCH AND PLAN TO PUT IT IN AS SOON AS POSIBLE AND I WILL HAVE THE OLD PART STILL. THE FRONT DRIVE ASSEMBELY WILL GRIND ANY TIME A TIRE LO…
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ALMOST EVERY TIME THE HEADLIGHTS ARE CHANGED FROM HIGH TO LOW BEAMS THE LIGHTS WILL SHUT OFF COMPLEATLY AND I WILL HAVE NO HEADLIGTS AT ALL, I HAVE GONE OUT AND PURCHASED A NEW TURNSIGNAL SWITCH AND PLAN TO PUT IT IN AS SOON AS POSIBLE AND I WILL HAVE THE OLD PART STILL. THE FRONT DRIVE ASSEMBELY WILL GRIND ANY TIME A TIRE LOSES TRACTION AND SPINS IN EITHER THE RAIN OR SNOW ON PAVEMENT OR OFF THE ROAD IN A DRIVEWAY SO MY CAR HAS BEEN DRIVING IN ONE WHEEL DRIVE INSTEAD OF TWO WHEEL DRIVE, I HAVE NOT HAD THE CHANCE TO GO AND BUY A NEW DRIVE AXEL ASSEMBELY TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM.
NHTSA ODI #10321892