Buick Century Complaints

1,816 consumer complaints on file.

#10147413January 11, 2006
AIR BAGS
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT THE VEHICLE STRUCK A DEER AT 60 MPH AND THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. ALTHOUGH THE CONTACT AND PASSENGER WERE WEARING T SEAT BELTS, THE CONTACT'S HUSBAND SUSTAINED MINOR INJURIES FROM THE SEAT BELT STRAPS. THERE WAS NO PRE BRAKING INVOLVED. THERE WERE NO PREVIOUS PROBLEMS WITH THE AIRBAGS. DUE TO THE EXTENSIVE DAMAGE THE VEHICLE WAS TOTALED BY THE INSURANCE ADJUSTOR. SINCE THE CRASH INVOLVED A DEER NO POLICE REPORT WAS TAKEN. *AK *AK
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#10146200December 28, 2005
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING
WE BOUGHT OUR VEHICLE TWO YEARS AGO. WITHIN THAT TIME, NONE OF OUR WINDOWS WORK. IT BEGAN WITH THE TWO BACK WINDOWS NOT ROLLING DOWN AND ONCE THEY WERE DOWN, NOT ABLE TO GO BACK UP. MY FATHER THOUGHT THERE WAS A SHORT IN THE WIRING. HE PROCEEDED TO DISCONNECT THE BACK WINDOWS. THEN THE PASSENGER FRONT WINDOW WOULD DO THE SAME THING: ROLL DOWN AND THEN NOT GO UP, OR NOT EVEN ROLL DOWN AT ALL. WE WERE TOLD IT WAS A FUSED. INDEED THE FUSE WAS VERY HOT WHEN REMOVING IT. NOW, NONE OF MY WINDOWS ROLL DOWN. WE WERE TOLD THAT THE DEALERSHIP WOULD HAVE TO REPLACE ALL THE MECHANISMS AT OUR COST. HOPING TO TRADE THIS VEHICLE OFF. *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10145599December 19, 2005
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:LINKAGES
DT: THE CONTACT STATES THERE IS A NHTSA RECALL CAMPAIGN 99V348000 CONCERNING THE WINDSHIELD WIPER LINKAGES. THIS VEHICLE HAS THE SAME PROBLEMS AS INDICATED IN THE RECALL, BUT IT IS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO VIN. THE VEHICLE IS BEING REPAIRED AT THE CONTACT'S EXPENSE. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10145464December 16, 2005
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TURN SIGNAL:SWITCH, EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS:SWITCH
DT: THE CONTACT STATES THE HEADLIGHTS GO OUT FOR A FEW MINUTES AND THEN THEY COME BACK ON. THIS HAS BEEN OCCURRING FOR THE PAST WEEK. BECAUSE IT CAN BE DUPLICATED BY PULLING THE TURN SIGNAL SWITCH FORWARD IT IS A PROBLEM IN THE STEERING COLUMN WITH THE TURN SIGNAL AND HEADLIGHT SWITCH. THERE HAVE BEEN NO REPAIRS MADE TO THE VEHICLE, AND A MECHANIC HAS NOT INSPECTED THE VEHICLE. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10146407December 14, 2005
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING, VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
CONSUMER 2001 BUICK CENTURY ELECTRICAL AND COOLING ARE DEFECTIVE. MASTER WINDOW SWITCH LOCK STUCK, ANTI FREEZE LEAK, COOLANT LIGHT REMAINS ON, FRONT AND REAR LIGHTS DO NOT WORK. *TS THE DOME LIGHTS AND BACK UP LIGHTS, AND TAG LIGHT WERE ALL INOPERATIVE. THE CONSUMER STATED ALL THE BULBS WERE CHANGED, HOWEVER IT DIDN'T RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. THE INTAKE GASKET LEAKED. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10145097December 13, 2005
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
DT: THE CONTACT STATED AFTER PARKING VEHICLE AND TURNING IT OFF THE AIR CONDITIONER FAN KEPT RUNNING. SHE HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO A DEALERSHIP. REPAIRS WERE MADE TO THE VEHICLE. CURRENTLY, THE VEHICLE HAD EXTERIOR LIGHTING DEFECTS. THE LIGHTS WILL COME ON INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE IS AT THE DEALERSHIP, AND THEY ARE UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM WITH THE EXTERIOR LIGHTING. THE MANUFACTURER HAS BEEN CONTACTED. *AK UPDATED 01/11/06. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10144602December 6, 2005
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
OIL/COOLANT LEAK FROM DEFECTIVE MANIFOLD GASKET ON 2002 BUICK CENTURY SPECIAL. *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10144503December 5, 2005
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:CRUISE CONTROL, POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
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
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10144329December 2, 2005
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS
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
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10143516November 23, 2005
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS:HIGH/LOW BEAM DIMMER SWITCH, 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
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10143524November 23, 2005
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS:HIGH/LOW BEAM DIMMER SWITCH
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
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10142380November 10, 2005
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS:HIGH/LOW BEAM DIMMER SWITCH
DT: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT THE HEADLIGHTS WENT OUT. SHE HAD TO ENGAGE THE DIMMER SWITCH SEVERAL TIMES IN ORDER FOR THE HEADLIGHTS TO WORK PROPERLY. SHE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A GM DEALER, AND THE DEALER REPLACED THE DIMMER SWITCH. THIS DID NOT CORRECT THE PROBLEM. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO ANOTHER DEALERSHIP. THEY PERFORMED A DIAGNOSTIC TEST WHICH DID NOT DETECT ANYTHING. THE DEALERSHIP WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. NO FURTHER REPAIRS OR CORRECTIONS HAVE BEEN MADE AT THIS TIME. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10142345November 9, 2005
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM:RADIATOR ASSEMBLY
THE TEMPERATURE LIGHT CAME ON AND THE GAUGE READ HOT ON MY 2001 BUICK CENTURY AT THE BEGINNING OF A 200 MILE TRIP. I TOOK THE NEXT EXIT, FOUND A STATION WITH A MECHANIC AND ASKED TO HAVE HIM CHECK THE WATER LEVEL IN THE RADIATOR. HE SAID THE BUICK CENTURY HAS A HISTORY OF THIS PARTICULAR PROBLEM AND ADVISED THAT I WATCH THE TEMPERATURE GAUGE AND TAKE THE CAR TO THE DEALER UPON MY RETURN HOME. WHEN I ARRIVED AT MY DESTINATION, MY SON INFORMED ME THAT HE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM WITH HIS WIFE'S 1999 BUICK CENTURY, ADDED A SEALANT TO THE RADIATOR AND IT SEEMED FINE. WHEN I GOT HOME AND TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALER TO HAVE THE RADIATOR CHECKED, THE SERVICE MANAGER IMMEDIATELY INFORMED ME THAT THE PROBLEM WAS PROBABLY NOT THE RADIATOR AND THAT THE UPPER PORTION OF THE ENGINE WOULD HAVE TO BE REMOVED TO THE TUNE OF APPROXIMATELY $700. SIX HOURS LATER HE CALLED TO INFORM ME THAT THE PROBLEM WAS THE INTAKE GASKET AND THE REPAIRS WERE ONLY $648.52. PARTS REPLACED INCLUDED: GASKET KIT, GASKET, SEALER-THE(?), SEAL, SEAL, COOLANT, ADHESIVE, SEAL, ENG., THERMOSTAT (?), GASKET (191.84) LABOR: 428.75. I RECEIVED A CALL FROM MY SON TONIGHT TO ADVISE ME THAT HIS '99 CENTURY WAS "STEAMING" AND WAS TOLD BY HIS MECHANIC THAT PROBLEM WAS THE INTAKE MANIFOLD. REPAIRS APPROXIMATELY $800. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10140639October 24, 2005
STRUCTURE, SUSPENSION:FRONT:STABILIZER BAR
DT: CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN TURNING A CORNER HE HEARS A CLANKING NOISE. THE DEALER TOLD HIM IT WAS A CRACKED FRONT STABILIZER BAR. AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC INFORMED HIM OF SOME CORROSION ON THE UNDERSIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER INFORMED THE CONTACT THE PART WAS NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY, AND THEY OFFERED NO FREE REMEDY. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED AT THIS TIME.*AK UPDATED 12/7/2005. *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10140662October 24, 2005
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS:SWITCH
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
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10140464October 21, 2005
VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS
WE HAVE A 1998 BUICK CENTURY WITH LESS THAN 50,000 MILES. THE INFORMATION IN COMPLAINTS 10137627 AND 10134068 ARE VERY SIMILAR TO OUR TWO EXPERIENCES. IN JUNE 2004 THE DRIVERS SIDE WINDOW JUST FELL AND COULD NOT GO BACK UP. THE REAR WINDOW ON THE SIDE DID THE SAME THING A YEAR LATER. BOTH WERE SPONTANEOUS. EACH REPAIR WAS ABOUT $500.00. I SUBMITTED A COMPLAINT TO BUICK WHICH WAS SUMMARILY DISMISSED BECAUSE THE CAR IS "OLD" AND IT HAS ONLY HAPPENED TO EACH WINDOW ONCE. (AS AN ASIDE MY WIFE'S BROTHER HAS THE SAME YEAR MAKE AND MODEL AND IT HAS HAPPENED TO THREE OF HIS WINDOWS. THE TWO VEHICLES WERE PURCHASED FROM THE SAME DEALER ABOUT 4 MONTHS APART) I HAVE ACCESSED SOME INFORMATION MENTIONED IN THE OTHER COMPLAINTS SO I NEED NOT REPEAT IT HERE. I BELIEVE BUICK HAS IN INHERENT DEFECT WHICH SHOULD BE REPAIRED OR CHANGED AT NO COST. IT WAS HOWEVER REPLACED WITH THE SAME HARDWARE. OUR GRANDCHILDREN RIDE IN CAR SEATS IN THE BACK OF THE CAR AND THIS FAILURE COULD ENDANGER THEM. YOUR ASSISTANCE IN THIS MATTER IS APPRECIATED. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10137627October 18, 2005
VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS
DT: CONTACT OWNS A 1998 BUICK CENTURY. POWER WINDOWS WERE DEFECTIVE. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO DEALER. ALL 4 WINDOWS STOPPED WORKING. WITHIN 2 MONTHS ALL 4 WINDOWS HAVE BEEN CHECKED . THE DEALER WORKED ON 3 WINDOWS . THEY FAILED AT 70, 000 MILES . THE CONTACT DID NOT WANT TO PAY FOR WINDOWS TO BE FIXED. *AK *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10139676October 14, 2005
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
DT: THE CONSUMER COMPLAINED ABOUT A BRAKE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS SLOWED DOWN AT 5 MPH WHEN THE CONSUMER LOST HIS BRAKES. THE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR. THE BRAKE LINE RUSTED THROUGH BY THE DRIPPING OF THE AIR CONDITIONER. THE BRAKES WERE FIXED BY AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE DEALER GAVE THE CONSUMER THE MANUFACTURER'S PHONE NUMBER. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THIS VEHICLE WAS OUT OF WARRANTY AND OFFERED NO HELP AT THE CONSUMERS EXPENSE. *AK (12/08/05) *SC
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10139267October 11, 2005
SEAT BELTS:FRONT
DT: THE CONSUMER WAS REAR ENDED BY ANOTHER VEHICLE. WHEN THIS HAPPENED THE FRONT SEAT BELTS FAILED TO LOCK. THE CONSUMERS VEHICLE WAS PUSHED INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE PASSENGER SUSTAINED MINOR INJURIES. THE INCIDENT TOOK PLACE ON OCTOBER 5, 2005, AND A POLICE REPORT WAS TAKEN. WHEN THE CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A DEALERSHIP THEY CHECKED THE VEHICLE. AT FIRST, THE DEALER SAID THAT THE SEAT BELTS WERE ALRIGHT. THEN, HE TEST DROVE THE VEHICLE WITH THE CONTACT, AND THE SEAT BELTS WORKED ON/OFF. AFTERWARDS, HE THOUGHT THAT THE SEAT BELTS WERE NOT SUPPOSE TO LOCK WHEN BEING HIT FROM THE REAR. THE DEALER SAID THAT THE CONTACT SHOULD TURN VEHICLE OVER TO THE INSURANCE COMPANY. *AK UPDATED 11/29/05.*JB
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#10139205October 10, 2005
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:TORQUE CONVERTER
2003 BUICK CENTURY HAS 90,000 MILES. TRANSMISSION SHIFTS HARD ON ACCELERATION/DECELERATION. OBD II REPORTS DTC OF P0742 - TORQUE CONVERTER CIRCUIT STUCK ON. TRANSMISSION REPAIR SHOP, AND INTERNET SEARCH INDICATE COMMON PROBLEM WITH THESE TYPE OF GM TRANSMISSIONS. ESTIMATE TO FIX $1900 TO $2400. IF THIS IS A MANUFACTURING DEFECT, SHOULDN'T GM RESOLVE AT NO OR NOMINAL COST TO OWNER OF CAR? *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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