2002 Buick Century

These are unverified consumer reports filed with NHTSA, shown as submitted.

• 12/22/2011· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

  ELECTRONIC ODOMETER LIGHT FAILED. THEREFORE ONE CAN NOT READ THE ODOMETER. FROM TALKING WITH THE SERVICE TECH AT THE BUICK DEALERSHIP IN ANDERSON, INDIANA HE SAID IT IS A COMMON OCCURRENCE. SOUNDS LIKE A PROBLEM THAT SHOULD BE COVERED BECAUSE OF A DEFECTIVE PART. HE TOLD ME THE COST TO GET A NEW ODOMETER TO IS AROUND $250 TO $300. THE ODOMETER STILL OPERATES IT JUST CAN NOT BE READ BECAUSE THE LED LIGHT WENT OUT. THE LED LIGHT CAN NOT BE REPLACED ACCORDING TO THE TECHNICIAN THE WHOLE UNIT HAS TO BE REPLACED. *TR

• 12/21/2004· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

  MANIFOLD INTAKE GASKET FAILURE (LEAKING MASSIVE AMOUNTS OF COOLANT/WATER INTO CRANKCASE) WITH ONLY 60,000 MILES ON THE ENGINE!*AK

• 12/18/2003· FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER

  ON 12/12/03 AFTER PULLING INTO THE LOCAL SNAPPY CARWASH, OUR 2002 BUICK CENTURY WOULD NOT CRANK THE ENGINE. THE IGNITION WOULD WIND UP BUT NOT ENGAGE THE ENGINE. WE CALLED OUR DEALERSHIP, BUT BECAUSE IT WAS 44,000 MILES ON THE CAR, AND THE 36,000 MILE WARRANTY IS NOW UP, THERE WAS NOTHING THEY WERE PREPARED TO DO TO HELP US. WE CALLED OTHER DEALERSHIPS AND THEY RESPONDED THE SAME. WE HAD TO LEAVE IT AND RENT A CAR BECAUSE OF TRAVEL THAT COULD NOT BE POSTPONED. UPON OUR RETURN MONDAY NIGHT, MY HUSBAND DECIDED TO CHECK IF THE CAR WOULD START. IT IMMEDIATELY STARTED AND RAN FINE FOR ONE ENTIRE DAY. ON WEDNESDAY, 12/17/03, IT QUIT AGAIN WHILE ON IDLE IN FRONT OF OUR LOCAL WAL-MART. NOTHING WOULD MAKE IT START. WHILE MY HUSBAND WAS IN THE STORE TO BUY STARTING FLUID TO CHECK IF THAT WOULD START IT, I KEPT BUMPING THE STARTER AND FINALLY IT CRANKED. WE HAVE BEEN TOLD IT IS A COMMON PROBLEM OF FUEL-PUMPS IN THESE VEHICLES. WE ARE NOW BEING CHARGED OVER $500.00 FOR THE FUEL PUMP REPLACEMENT AND LABOR TO DO THE SERVICE. CAN THERE BE A REBATE FOR US, SINCE IT IS HAPPENING TO OTHERS? THIS IS A DANGEROUS OCCURANCE, SINCE WE COULD BE LEFT STRANDED ANYWHERE. THANK YOU FOR YOUR HELP.*AK

• 12/15/2010· SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

  TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 BUICK CENTURY. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH THE ABS BRAKING SYSTEM AND THE TRACK OFF WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS TURNED OFF AND BACK ON THE LIGHT DID NOT ILLUMINATE INSTANTLY BUT CAME BACK ON AFTER DRIVING A FEW MILES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER .THE TECHNICIANS DIAGNOSED THE FAILURE TO BE THE SPEED SENSOR AND THE LEFT FRONT WHEEL HUB THAT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,000. UPDATED 02/18/11 *BF THE CONSUMER STATED AFTER SIX MONTHS, IT WAS FINALLY DISCOVERED THE ABS WAS NOT WORKING PROPERLY. THE CONSUMER ALSO STATED REPLACING THE WHEEL HUB DIDN'T FIX THE PROBLEM. THE CONSUMER STATED THE REAL PROBLEM WAS A WIRE HARNESS THAT RAN PAST A SHARP EDGE UNDER THE AIR FILTER. THE SHARP EDGE CUT INTO THE BROWN OR BLUE WIRE THAT CAME FROM THE LEFT WHEEL SPEED SENSOR WHICH CAUSED THE TRAC OFF LIGHT TO COME ON AND THE ABS WOULD BECOME DISABLES. UPDATED EVOQ 02/18/11

• 12/14/2004· SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

  CONSUMER COMPLAINED ABOUT BRAKE PROBLEMS. WHEN THEY WERE APPLIED VEHICLE HESITATED TO STOP. CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER TO BE SERVICED, BUT DEALERSHIP COULD NOT DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM.*AK....GMC HA DBRAKE PROBLEMS IN THE PAST, WHICH THEY FAILED TO ADMIT. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED AT INDEPENDENT GARAGE AT OWNER'S EXPENSE. *AK

• 12/12/2007· EXTERIOR LIGHTING

  HEADLIGHTS ON MY 65,000MI 2002 BUICK CENTURY JUST QUIT AND THEN COME BACK ON. THIS PROBLEM HAS OCCURRED 4 FOUR TIMES. THE OTHER TIMES IT APPEARED AS THOUGH I MISCLICKED, BUT THE LAST TIME I HAD TO PULL OVER AND CLICK THE DIMMER SWITCH 30+ TIMES. THIS IS A REAL SAFETY ISSUE AND I BARELY WAS ABLE TO STOP IN TIME FROM 55 MPH. THE OUTER HEADLIGHTS ARE ONLY ON IN LOW BEAM AND THE INNER ONLY ON HIGH BEAM. THERE ARE 4 HEADLIGHTS THIS CAN'T BE RIGHT ALL 4 SHOULD BE ON IN HIGH BEAM SETTING ON. NEED TO CHECK ON THIS HEADLIGHT OPERATION ISSUE, BUT FELT I SHOULD PASS THIS ON THAT THESE GM MODELS DO THIS. *TR

• 12/11/2002· AIR BAGSCrash

  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

• 12/10/2011· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

  INSTRUMENT PANEL CLUSTER FAULTY! THE DIGITAL ODOMETER DOES NOT WORK. THE GEAR SHIFT DISPLAY (PRND321) DOES NOT WORK EITHER! I HAVE TO FEEL WHEN I SWITCH FROM PARK TO DRIVE. DURING VEHICLE INSPECTIONS I HAVE TO GUESS MY CORRECT MILEAGE, BECAUSE IT'S BLANK! I REPLACED THE INSTRUMENT PANEL CLUSTER ON FEBRUARY 28, 2010. IN OCTOBER 2011 THE EXPLAINED PROBLEMS RECURRED! *TR

• 12/10/2010· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

  2002 BUICK CENTURY INTAKE MANIFOLD/GASKET FAILS AT 31K MILES. COOLANT IN THE ENGINE AND MIXED WITH THE OIL. ALL OF THE PRIOR SERVICE AND MAINTENANCE WERE PERFORMED AT GM DEALERSHIPS (WHERE THIS SHOULD HAVE BEEN DISCOVERED PRIOR TO FAILURE). OIL, LUBE, ROTATIONS DONE WITHOUT WAITING FOR INDICATOR LIGHTS (2-4 TIMES PER YEAR), ALL RECOMMENDED PROCEDURES COMPLETED (INCLUDING NEW BRAKES, THROTTLE BODY AND FUEL INJECTOR SVCS). THIS WAS A KNOWN ISSUE REGARDING DEXCOOL EATING AWAY THE GASKETS BUT GM FILED BANKRUPTCY TO AVOID FULL SETTLEMENT AND NOW DEALERSHIPS CLAIM IGNORANCE TO THE ISSUE. NOW I HAVE TO PAY $1500 TO HAVE THE ENGINE & RADIATOR DISASSEMBLED FOR CLEANING. I WAS INFORMED THAT LABOR IS THE BULK OF THE COST. WHY WON'T GM CHARGE THE CUSTOMER FOR THE PART AND NOT THE LABOR. I WAS TOLD BY THE SERVICE ADVISOR THAT THE PARTS INVOLVED ONLY COST $200-250, BUT I HAVE TO PAY $1500 FOR A KNOWN ISSUE/FAILURE THE MANUFACTURE WAS/IS WELL AWARE OF AND IS A SAFETY ISSUE THAT CAUSES ABRUPT ENGINE FAILURE! I AM SO UPSET THAT MY VEHICLE WAS SO WELL TAKEN CARE OF AND WOULD FAIL WITH SO FEW MILES ON IT. MY CHEVY CORSICA ALSO FAILED DUE TO DEXCOOL (WATER PUMP REPLACEMENT AT 60K MILES) AND I DID NOT RECEIVE A PENNY FROM THE DEXCOOL SETTLEMENT (EVEN THOUGH I FILED AND WAS ELIGIBLE). GM SHOULD BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE FOR THESE FAILURES THAT ARE STILL AN ISSUE. AN ENGINE FAILURE IN TRAFFIC IS A SERIOUS DEFECT. *TR

• 12/09/2003· STEERING

  THE STEERING WHEEL IS STARTING TO FLAKE OFF. *AK

• 12/08/2012· SERVICE BRAKES,ENGINE

  I HAVE A 2002 BUICK CENTURY LIMITED AND WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH ON THE INTERSTATE THE LOW TRAC LIGHT CAME ON, THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKE LIGHT CAME ON AND THE CAR STARTED SHUTTERING AND MAKING A LOUD NOISE WHEN BRAKING. IT ALSO PULLS WHEN THE BRAKES ARE PRESSED WHEN THE LIGHTS ARE ON AND THE BRAKES ARE HARD TO PRESS. WHEN I TURN THE CAR OFF THE LIGHTS GO OFF AND THERE ARE NONE OF THE SYMPTOMS UNTIL THE LIGHTS COME ON AGAIN. I WAS TOLD IT WAS A FAULTY WHEEL SPEED SENSOR AND WAS GOING TO GET IT REPAIRED WHEN ALL OF THE SUDDEN THE CAR OVERHEATED. I GET THE CAR SERVICED REGULARLY AND IT HAS NEVER OVERHEATED BEFORE. AFTER HAVING THE THERMOSTAT AND THE WATER PUMP CHANGED I WAS TOLD THAT THE PROBLEM IS EITHER THE INTAKE GASKET OR THE HEAD GASKET. I WAS TOLD THE DEXCOOL ANTIFREEZE BREAKS THE GASKETS DOWN AND THE CAR COULD LEAK ANTIFREEZE WITHOUT BEING NOTICED. I HAD THE CAR TOWED TO MY HOME WHERE IT'LL HAVE TO SIT UNTIL I CAN AFFORD TO GET IT FIXED. I OWN THE CAR AND I AM ON A FIXED INCOME AND CANNOT AFFORD THE PRICES THAT MECHANICS WANT TO CHARGE TO FIX THE GASKETS. I FOUND INFORMATION ONLINE THAT BUICK KNEW ABOUT THE DEXCOOL AND HAD A RECALL BUT IT'S NO LONGER ACTIVE AND I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW WHY. I THINK THEY SHOULD FIX THEIR MISTAKES AND NOT MAKE THEIR CUSTOMERS PAY FOR THEM. *TR

• 12/07/2010· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,EXTERIOR LIGHTING

  INTERMITTENT HEADLIGHT FAILURE. ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS, THE HEADLIGHTS HAVE TURNED OFF FOR NO REASON OR WARNING. THIS INCLUDES THE DASH LIGHTS. THIS HAS HAPPENED APPROXIMATELY 6 TIMES IN THE PAST TWO YEARS RESULTING IN AN EXTREMELY DANGEROUS SITUATION. FOUR OF THE INSTANCES WERE ON ROADS WITH NO STREETLIGHTS - AN INTERSTATE HIGHWAY, AND WINDING COUNTRY ROADS. THE ONLY REMEDY SEEMS TO BE TO MOVE THE TURN SIGNAL LEVER, BOTH UP AND DOWN, (TURNING THE CORNERING LIGHTS ON - PROVIDING A MUCH NEEDED SOURCE OF LIGHT), AND BACK AND FORTH, AS IF TURNING THE HIGH BEAM LIGHTS ON AND OFF. EVENTUALLY, THE LIGHTS SEEM TO COME BACK ON. PULLING AND PUSHING THE DASH MOUNTED LIGHT SWITCH ON AND OFF DOES NOT AFFECT THE SITUATION. WHEN MENTIONED TO THE LOCAL BUICK DEALER'S SERVICE WRITER, HE HAD NO IDEA WHAT I WAS TALKING ABOUT OR HOW TO APPROACH THE PROBLEM. *TR

• 12/06/2011· 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.

• 12/06/2005· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

  OIL/COOLANT LEAK FROM DEFECTIVE MANIFOLD GASKET ON 2002 BUICK CENTURY SPECIAL. *NM

• 12/05/2005· POWER TRAIN,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

  DT: THE CONTACT STATED AFTER ACCELERATING TO PASS ANOTHER VEHICLE THE CRUISE CONTROL WOULD NOT DEACTIVATE. SHE TRIED WITH THE BRAKE PEDAL AND THE OFF SWITCH FOR THE CRUISE CONTROL IT DID NOT WORK. THE VEHICLE STOPPED AND HE HAD TO STAND ON THE BRAKES. ONCE THE VEHICLE STOPPED THE RPMS INCREASED. SHE TOOK THE VEHICLE HOME AND COULD FEEL SOMETHING IN THE TRANSMISSION. THERE WAS METAL ON THE OIL DIPSTICK. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN TO A MECHANIC FOR INSPECTION AND NO REPAIRS HAVE BEEN MADE. *AK THE CONSUMER STATED SHE WAS ABLE TO PULL OFF TO THE SHOULDER. UPDATED 01/11/05. *JB

• 12/04/2014· STEERING,SUSPENSIONCrash

  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

• 12/02/2005· EXTERIOR LIGHTING

  DT: THE CONTACT STATED THE HEADLIGHTS TURNED OFF WITHOUT WARNING. WHEN THIS HAPPENED THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO TURN THEM ON WITH THE MANUAL SWITCH. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP, BUT THEY WERE UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM. THE LIGHTS WENT OUT WHILE AT THE DEALERSHIP. THEY SUGGESTED THE MULTI-FUNCTION SWITCH SHOULD BE REPLACED, ALTHOUGH THEY WERE NOT SURE THIS WILL CORRECT THE PROBLEM. *AK

• 12/01/2006· SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

  DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE BRAKE PADS ON THE VEHICLE WERE DEFECTIVE. THE BRAKE PADS BEGAN TO SEPARATE AFTER 64500 MILES. THE SERVICE DEALER IDENTIFIED THE SEPARATION. THE CONTACT REPLACED THE BRAKE PADS. UPDATED 12/28/06. *JB

• 11/29/2010· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

  TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 BUICK CENTURY. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS LEAKING ANTI-FREEZE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHO STATED THAT THE GASKET IN THE REAR OF THE ENGINE WAS LEAKING AND ADVISED THE CONTACT TO MONITOR IT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER WHO STATED THAT THE HEAD GASKET NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS BEING REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER HAD NOT BEEN NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 115,000.

• 11/28/2018· AIR BAGSCrash

  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.

• 11/27/2006· EXTERIOR LIGHTING

  DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE HEADLIGHTS OCCASIONALLY FAILED TO REMAIN ILLUMINATED, LEAVING THE CONTACT STRANDED WITHOUT LIGHT WHILE TRAVELING AT NIGHT. THIS HAS OCCURRED AT LEAST SIX TIMES IN THE LAST YEAR, CURRENTLY HAPPENING ABOUT EVERY OTHER WEEK. THE SERVICE DEALER COULD NOT IDENTIFY THE PROBLEM.

• 11/23/2005· EXTERIOR LIGHTING

  DT: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT HE SWITCHED THE LOW BEAM HEADLIGHTS TO HIGH BEAM HEADLIGHTS, RESULTING IN TOTAL LOSS OF EXTERIOR LIGHTING. HE SWERVED TO MISS ONCOMING TRAFFIC. AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS OF TURNING THE DIMMER SWITCH ON AND OFF THE LIGHTS CAME BACK ON WITHOUT ANY FURTHER PROBLEMS. HE HAS NOT TAKEN THE VEHICLE TO A DEALER FOR INSPECTION. NO REPAIRS HAVE BEEN MADE AT THIS TIME. *AK

• 11/23/2005· EXTERIOR LIGHTING

  DT: THE CONTACT STATED THE HIGH BEAMS DID NOT WORK ON THE FIRST ATTEMPT. HE HAD TO SWITCH BACK TO LOW BEAMS AND THEN THE HIGH BEAMS WORKED WHEN SWITCHING BACK. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL MECHANIC, WHO DETERMINE D THE ELECTRICAL DIMMER SWITCH AND RELAY WAS DEFECTIVE. THE MECHANIC STATED THE PART COULD BE BURNING UP AND SHOULD BE REPLACED BECAUSE ALL OF THE LIGHTS COULD GO OUT IN THE FUTURE. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED AT THIS TIME. *AK

• 11/22/2003· STRUCTURE

  KNOCKING OR POPPING NOISE AFTER VEHICLE GETS WET, AND BEFORE IT DRIES OFF. DEALER IS STONEWALLING AND ACTING COMPLETELY CLUELESS. *LA

• 11/20/2014· STEERING,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ENGINE

  I PURCHASED THE CAR FROM FAMILY AUTO EASLEY SC, IVE HAD SEVERAL REPAIRS ON THIS CAR THAT DIDNT HELP, RADIATORS, THERMASTAT, WATER PUMP, HOSES REPLACE, ALTERNATOR, COOLANT RECOVERY TANK HAS BROWN SLUDGE INSIDE, THE WINDOWS DIDNT WORK, ITS MOIST INSIDE FROM THE FLOOR BEING WET HAD A HEATING CORE PUT IN DIDNT HELP, THE CARPET ON THE INSIDE IS DAMAGED, THE PAINT IS COMING OFF, HAD A ALTERNATOR PUT IN , RUN HOT ALL THE TIME, DOSNT MATTER, BUY COOLANT, OIL PUT WATER IN IT, MANIFOLD GASKET IS BAD IN IT IVE LOST POWER SEVERAL TIMES, THE LAST TIME I DID IT WAS ON NOV 6 THIS YEAR ON THE WAY TO WORK LOST POWER WHILE DRIVING RAN INTO A GURAD GATE RIGHT BESIDE A DUMPSTER, I HAD TO GET IT TOWED, ITS IN THE SHOP GETTING THE BUMPER FIXED, I HAD TO GET A RENTAL CAR, I HAD TO GET MY CAR REFINANCE WITH DILCO OF GREENVILLE SC HE COULDNT BELIEVE HOW MUCH I WAS CHARGE FOR THIS CAR OVER 13,000.00 DOLLARS, SO I WAS OVER CHARGED AND SOLD A LEMON AND ITS NOT FAIR TO ME AND THIS CAR IS NOT SAFE FOR ME OR ANYONE TO DRIVE, I WANT TO BE ABLE TO DRIVE A CAR WITHOUT BEING AFRIAD IF IM GOING TO MAKE IT OR NOT OR GET STRANDED

• 11/20/2008· VISIBILITY

  TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 BUICK CENTURY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE WINDSHIELD SPARKLES IN THE SUNLIGHT DUE TO FROST. THE GLARE IMPAIRS HIS VISIBILITY WHEN DRIVING. THE DEALER RECOMMENDED THAT HE BUY A NEW WINDSHIELD. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 95,000. UPDATED 12/08/08. *LJ

• 11/20/2002· SEATS

  UPON INSPECTION OF THE VEHICLE CONSUMER NOTICE THAT THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE SEAT FRAME; SLIDDERS AND BOLTS HAVE RUSTED. THIS CAN RESULT IN SEAT COMING UNATTACHED IF VEHICLE IS IN AN ACCIDENT. DEALERSHIP IS REFUSING TO FIX PROBLEM INDICATING THAT "THIS IS NOT A SAFETY ISSUE". TS

• 11/18/2003· POWER TRAIN

  WHILE STOPPED ON AN INCLINE, THE CONSUMER REMOVED HER FOOT FROM THE BRAKE PEDAL AND THE VEHICLE ROLLED BACK SEVERAL FEET. THE DEALER CLAIMED THAT THE ROLL BACK WAS DUE TO THE WEIGHT OF THE VEHICLE AND THE TORQUE OF THE WHEELS.*AK THE DEALER INFORMED THE CONSUMER THE VEHICLE OPERATED AS DESIGNED. *JB *NM

• 11/17/2011· VISIBILITY

  TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 BUICK CENTURY. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING IN A REMOTELY DARK AREA WHEN THE HIGH BEAMS WERE ENGAGED BUT THE HEADLIGHTS FAILED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 78,100 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 102,267.

• 11/17/2004· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

  I BROUGHT MY CAR TO MY BUICK DEALER FOR SERVICE AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE COOLANT HAD BECOME SLUDGY. THEY TOLD ME THAT THE SYSTEM NEEDED TO BE DRAINED, CLEANED AND REFILLED AND WOULD COST ME $129.00. I WAS VERY CONCERNED ABOUT WHAT COULD POSSIBLY CAUSE THIS, AND THE REPRESENTATIVE COULDN'T TELL ME WHY, BUT THAT THEY CAUGHT IT EARLY AND WOULDN'T BE A PROBLEM. I THEN TOOK A LOOK ON THE INTERNET FOR INFORMATION ON THIS PROBLEM AND FOUND OUT ABOUT THE CLASS ACTION LAWSUITS AGAINST GM FOR THEIR DEXCOOL COOLANT PROBLEMS IN THEIR CARS, ESPECIALLY THE V6'S. I CALLED THE DEALER TO TELL THEM THAT I HAD A PROBLEM WITH HAVING TO PAY FOR THIS REPAIR AND THAT I WAS ALSO CONCERNED WITH POSSIBLE DAMAGE TO MY SYSTEM, INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET PROBLEMS AND THE EFFECT THAT WOULD HAVE IN THE FUTURE. THEY TOLD ME THEY WOULD CALL ME BACK. THIS IS A WIDESPREAD PROBLEM THAT NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED BY AN OUTSIDE AGENCY BECAUSE GM IS NOT STEPPING UP TO THE PLATE TO HANDLE IT. WHILE NOT CAUSING AN IMMEDIATE PHYSICAL DANGER, IT DOES CERTAINLY CAUSE A SECONDARY DANGER TO MOTORISTS WHO BREAK DOWN ON THE ROAD AND THE OTHER MOTORISTS AROUND THEM. PLEASE STEP IN AND DO SOMETHING ABOUT THIS. THANK YOU.*AK

• 11/13/2007· VISIBILITY

  AT 44,9XX MILES THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE WINDOW IN MY 2002 BUICK CENTURY FAILED. THE REGULATOR FAILED AND THE WINDOW DROPPED OF IT'S OWN ACCORD. I WAS ON A TRIP AND HAD TO LEAVE MY WINDOW OPEN FOR 2 DAYS UNTIL I RETURNED AND WAS ABLE TO GET IT TO A DEALER FOR REPAIRS. IT COST ME A $100.00, (EXTENDED WARRANTY), BUT THE BS WITH HAVING IT FAIL FOR NO REASON, JUST PISSES ME OFF. *TR

• 11/12/2007· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

  BOTH OF THE REGULATORS IN THE FRONT DOORS OF MY VEHICLE HAVE FAILED. THIS HAS CAUSE THE PANE IN THE WINDOW TO SLIDE INSIDE OF THE DOOR. THE FIRST ONE DID IT WHILE DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE WHILE VACATIONING IN OHIO IN MAY OF THIS YEAR. THE SECOND WHEN I ARRIVED AT WORK ONE MORNING. I CALLED THE BUICK CS LINE TO REPORT IT, BEFORE I KNEW OF OTHER CONSUMERS WHO HAVE EXPERIENCED THE SAME PROBLEM. I WAS ADVISED TO TAKE IT IN TO A GM DEALERSHIP TO HAVE THE PROBLEM DIAGNOSED YET THE ONLY THING I WAS TOLD BY A TECH THERE WAS THAT THEY HAD SEEN THIS PROBLEM BEFORE BUT NEVER IN MY TYPE VEHICLE. WELL I KNOW OF TWO OTHERS WITH RENDEZVOUS AS WELL AS RAINIER AND LE SABERS. I WENT ONLINE AND FILED A COMPLAINT ON THE BUICK WEBSITE AND STILL HAVE NOT BEEN CONTACTED WITH A SOLUTION. I FEEL THIS IS A FACTORY DEFECT AND SHOULD BE REPAIRED AT NO COST TO THE CONSUMER. ESPECIALLY IF BUICK HAS SEEN THIS PROBLEM IN SEVERAL VEHICLES. EVEN WITH POSSIBILITY OF THIS BEING DANGEROUS TO MYSELF AND MY CHILDREN, IT IS NOT EVEN AFFORDABLE FOR A SINGLE PARENT LIKE ME TO HAVE IT REPAIRED. THE PARTS ARE NOT AVAILABLE OUTSIDE OF A GM REPAIR FACILITY. *TR

• 11/11/2008· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

  2002 BUICK CENTURY CUSTOM, HAD TO REPLACE THE INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET AT 69K AT A COST OF OVER $700. SHORTLY THEREAFTER, FRONT LEFT AND RIGHT WHEEL BEARINGS FAILED AND THEY WERE REPAIRED AT A COST OF $350 EACH. NOW AT 80K THE HEAD GASKET IS LEAKING COOLANT SO BADLY THE CAR CANNOT BE USED. THE APPROXIMATE COST OF THIS REPAIR IS $1400. CAR WAS PURCHASED NEW, FULLY MAINTAINED AND ADULT DRIVEN. *TR

• 11/10/2020· SERVICE BRAKES

  BOTH FRONT SIDES HAS BEEN REPAIRED, BUT THE ABS, SERVICE SOON, ALSO THE TRACTION OFF LIGHTS . COMES ON AND STAY WHILE THE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION. ONCE I TURN VEHICLE OFF IT GOES OFF.

• 10/31/2014· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

  TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 BUICK CENTURY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE ELECTRICAL WIRING NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 68,000.

• 10/28/2014· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

  TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 BUICK CENTURY. WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH, THE ENGINE STALLED. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM WAS FAULTY. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 140,000. ..UPDATED 05/20/15 *BF UPDATED 7/6/2015 *JS

• 10/27/2015· STEERING,WHEELS,UNKNOWN OR OTHER

  MY LIGHTS ARE ON THE DASHBOARD AND IT'S SAYING ANIT-LOCK BRAKES AND TRAC-OFF. THERE'S A NOISE IN THE STEERING COLUMN.

• 10/26/2010· EXTERIOR LIGHTING

  TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 BUICK CENTURY. WHILE TRAVELING 50 MPH THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE HIGH BEAMS HAD SUDDENLY SHUT OFF WITHOUT WARNING, WITHIN A FEW SECONDS, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE HEADLIGHTS HAD BEGAN TO OPERATE NORMALLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP WHERE THE LIGHT SWITCH WAS REPLACED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 111000 AND THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80000.

• 10/26/2007· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

  BOUGHT VEHICLE IN 01.20.07 WITH 56,943 MILES (2002 BUICK CENTURY CUSTOM). SOMETIME (AROUND 62,000 MILES) NOTICE ENGINE HESITATES, AFTER WARMING UP, HESITATION DISAPPEARS. ASKED MY MECHANIC AND HIS FIRST QUESTION WAS IF WHITE SMOKE WAS COMING OFF THE TAIL PIPE, I SAID NO. A COUPLE WEEKS LATER, AT STARTUP (EARLY IN THE MORNING) THE TAIL PIPE SMOKED FOR A GOOD 2 TO 3 MINUTES, AGAIN, ONCE WARMED, STOPPED, AND ENGINE RUN WELL. THIS WENT ON FOR ANOTHER 2 WEEKS, DURING THIS PERIOD I ASKED AGAIN MY MECHANIC, BUT THIS TIME I MENTIONED THE WHITE SMOKE, NO OIL SMELL, HIS RESPONSE WAS I WAS BURNING ANTIFREEZE. WENT BACK TO DEALER TO SEE WHAT THEY COULD DO TO HELP ME, LEFT THE VEHICLE FOR DIAGNOSIS, THEN THEY OFFER ME A 15% DISCOUNT ON PARTS OF AND ESTIMATED $1500.00 WORK. SINCE THIS WAS UNACCEPTABLE, I CALLED BUICK, EXPLAIN SITUATION, AND ALSO MENTIONED FACT THAT AN ENGINE THIS AGE - MILEAGE - THIS KIND OF FAILURE WAS NOT ACCEPTABLE. AFTER 4 CALLS FROM BUICK, IT TOOK BUICK 2 WEEKS TO COME BACK WITH HA RESOLUTION: THAT THE BEST THEY COULD DO WAS 15% DISCOUNT ON PARTS AND 15% ON LABOR. AT SOME POINT I WANTED TO PICKUP THE CAR AND I WAS TOLD IT WAS NOT SAFE TO DRIVE. MEANTIME, I DID SOME RESEARCH AND FOUND OUT THAT NHTSA DID HANDLE THIS TYPE OF ISSUES. FURTHER RESEARCH IN THE NHTSA WEB SITE SHOWED THAT (LIKE MY MECHANIC TOLD ME) THIS WAS A RECURRENT PROBLEM WITH THIS MODEL. I PICKED UP THE CAR ON 10.25.07 AT A FINAL COST OF $1,157.00. *TR

• 10/24/2005· EXTERIOR LIGHTING

  DT: THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING THE HEADLIGHTS FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP. THEY COULD NOT BE REPAIRED BECAUSE THE DEALERSHIP COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. THE CONTACT HAS BEEN HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THE HEADLIGHTS FOR ABOUT A MONTH. WHEN DRIVING THE VEHICLE AT NIGHT THE HEADLIGHTS GO OFF, SOME TIMES IF HE WIGGLED THE SWITCH THE LIGHTS WOULD COME BACK ON. HE CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER, AND THEY SAID THERE WAS NO DATA OF THIS OCCURRING ON OTHER VEHICLES.*AK UPDATED 11/29/05. *JB

• 10/23/2007· VISIBILITY

  2002 BUICK CENTURY WITH WINDOW PROBLEMS. CONSUMER STATED THAT ONE DEALER GAVE HER AN ESTIMATE $200 MORE THAN ANOTHER DEALER. SHE WENT WITH THE CHEAPER DEALER AND WINDOWS ARE WORKING FINE. *KB THE CONSUMER STATED THE OTHER 2 WINDOWS HAD ALSO FAILED. *JB

• 10/21/2002· STEERING

  THE CONSUMER STATES THAT THE VEHICLE IS HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THE STEERING. THE STEERING WAS REPLACED AND THE PROBLEM STILL EXISTS. THE DEALER WAS CONTACTED. TS THE CONSUMER STATES THAT WHEN PARKING, THE VEHICLE IS HARD TO STEER-REPLACED THE POWER STEERING PRESSURE HOSES. (INTERNAL GEAR FAILURE-REPLACED) *SCC

• 10/16/2013· ENGINE

  TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 BUICK CENTURY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SHE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO HAVE AN OIL CHANGE WHEN THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THERE WAS OIL IN THE RADIATOR. IN ADDITION, THE INTAKE MANIFOLD NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AND THE RADIATOR NEEDED TO BE FLUSHED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 47,400. UPDATED 11/14/13*LJ UPDATED 11/18/2013 *JS

• 10/16/2003· SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

  WHEN REAR BRAKE LININGS ARE WET OR DAMP, A TERRIBLE NOISE FOLLOWS APPLICATION ALONG WITH SEVERE GRABBING AND LOCK UP OF ONE REAR WHEEL. IT HAPPENS CONTINUALLY UNTIL BRAKES DRY OUT FROM USE. NO ACCIDENT HAS OCCURRED BUT VERY DEFINITELY COULD ON SLICK SURFACE ROADS. DEALER AND BUICK MTR. DIVISION REFUSE TO ASSIST. 12,000 MILES ON 2002 BUICK CENTURY. THANK YOU. *LA

• 10/15/2004· SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

  THERE WAS NO FAILURE, BUT COULD HAVE BEEN. I REPLACED THE FRONT BRAKES FOR THE FIRST TIME. THE MECHANIC INFORMED ME THAT THE ROTORS HAD ALREADY BEEN TURNED DOWN BELOW RECOMMENDATION. THE SIZE SHOULD HAVE BEEN 1.270" WITH THE MAXIMUM TURNING DOWN TOO 1. 2 +/-. BUT THEY WERE ALREADY BELOW THE MINIMUM. *AK

• 10/04/2001· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

  ENGINE STALLED AND WAS DIFFICULT TO RE-START. ONCE RESTARTED, IT RAN VERY ROUGH, EMITTED A LOUD TICKING NOISE, AND STALLED OFTEN. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED AS HAVING A BROKEN VALVE SPRING. ALL OF THIS ON THE 3RD DAY OF OWNERSHIP.

• 10/03/2023· STEERING,SERVICE BRAKES

  UNKNOWN; The issues started around 6 months ago. Just casually driving like usual, and my steering wheel would lock up and be ridiculously hard to turn, which is scary because its happened while turning through lights and intersections and trying to even just park my car. And on some of those occations the trac and abs sensors would come on, but not all the time.

• 10/03/2006· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

  LOWER INTAKE GASKET LEAKING COOLANT HEAVILY. HOPEFULLY CAUGHT PROBLEM IN TIME. $900 REPAIR. THIS IS A KNOWN GM PROBLEM THAT THEY WILL NOT ADDRESS! THIS CAR SHOULD BE RECALLED, OR GM SHOULD PROVIDE HELP WITH REPAIR COSTS!. *JB

• 10/02/2014· POWER TRAIN,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

  THE ODOMETER CLUSTER LIGHTS GO OUT AND SOMETIMES COME BACK ON FOR A FEW MINUTES AND BACK OFF WHILE DRIVING. THEREFORE YOU CAN NOT SEE MILEAGE AND THE SHIFTING OF GEARS. THE DEALER RECOMMENDS SENDING IT BACK TO THE FACTORY FOR 2 WEEKS WHILE THEY REPAIR IT AT A COST OF $ 2000.00 OR DRIVE THE CAR WITHOUT REPAIRING. *TR

• 10/01/2009· AIR BAGSCrash

  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