Buick Century Complaints (2001)

145 consumer complaints on file.

#10426575September 21, 2011
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
AFTER SETTING CRUISE CONTROL IT WILL TAKE OFF AND ACCELERATE UNTIL YOU MANUALLY SHUT THE CRUISE CONTROL SWITCH OFF. I EVEN TAPPED ON BRAKE AND IT WOULD CONTINUE. THIS PROBLEM SEEMS TO BE VERY RANDOM. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10407391June 19, 2011
STEERING, EQUIPMENT
RACK AND PINIONS NEED REPLACED AFTER I HAD NEW TIE RODS REPLACED. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10386901March 8, 2011
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 BUICK CENTURY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS AN OVERPOWERING GASOLINE ODOR EMITTING FROM THE ENGINE. IN ADDITION, THE VEHICLE WAS BURNING EXCESSIVE AMOUNTS OF GASOLINE FUEL. THE CONTACT REPLACED THE FUEL PRESSURE REGULATOR TO REPAIR THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 160,897. UPDATED 4/11/2011 *CN UPDATED 04/25/11
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10350497August 19, 2010
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 BUICK CENTURY. THE CONTACT STATED WHEN DRIVING 35 MPH OR MORE, THE CRUISE CONTROL WOULD INDEPENDENTLY ACTIVATE AND WOULD CAUSE THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL TO SEIZE IN THE OPEN THROTTLE POSITION. HE WOULD THEN DEPRESS THE BRAKES AND THE CRUISE CONTROL WOULD DEACTIVATE. THE FAILURE WOULD OCCUR INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED THAT THE FAILURE WAS NOT COMMON IN HIS YEAR, MAKE AND MODEL. THE DEALER DID NOT PERFORM A DIAGNOSTIC TEST. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 98,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10348116August 9, 2010
SUSPENSION:FRONT
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 BUICK CENTURY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A REPAIR SHOP TO HAVE THE BRAKES REPAIRED. HE WAS INFORMED THAT THE FRONT LOWER CONTROL ARM, SWAY BAR SHAFT AND ALL OF THE BUSHINGS ATTACHED TO THE PARTS WERE COVERED WITH RUST. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER BUT WAS OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE SINCE HE DID NOT TAKE THE VEHICLE TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR REPAIRS. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 32,787. UPDATED 10/21/10. *LJ UPDATED 10/25/10*JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10342504July 11, 2010
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
2009 WHILE MY SISTER WAS PULLING INTO THE HOSPITAL PARKING GARAGE WITH MY MOTHER, DRIVING MOM'S 2001 BUICK CENTURY, THE BRAKES FAILED AND WENT TO THE FLOOR, NO PEDAL, NO BRAKES. HAD TOWED BACK HOME. MECHANIC SAID HAD RUSTED BRAKE LINE. THANK GOD MY MOTHER WAS NOT DRIVING, SHE WOULD NOT HAVE BEEN ABLE TO GET THE CAR STOPPED. WELL FRIDAY JULY 9TH 2010 MY SISTER TAKING MY MOTHER TO DR APPT WITH CAR FULL OF KIDS,AGAIN THE BRAKES FAILED AND HAD NO BRAKES TO STOP THE CAR. I GUESS THE MAN UPSTAIRS SURE TAKES CARE OF MOM, IT SURE AS HECK IS NOT GM. A RECALL SHOULD BE ISSUED FOR THIS LONG KNOWN PROBLEMS WITH THE RUSTY BRAKE LINES. BRAKE LINES SHOULD LAST ALOT LONGER THAN 45,000 MILES. THERE ARE RECALLS FOR BRAKE LIGHTS, HOW ABOUT ONE FOR THESE BRAKE LINES. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10332246May 25, 2010
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
THE PROBLEM I'M EXPERIENCING IS WITH THE CRUISE CONTROL. ONCE ENGAGED, IF THE CAR GETS INTO A SITUATION REQUIRING ACCELERATION (E.G. GOING UP A HILL), THE CAR GOES INTO HIGH ACCELERATION MODE AND DOES NOT STOP ONCE THE SET SPEED IS REACHED. AFTER INITIAL ENGAGEMENT, BUT NOT WITH THE CONTROL SET, VIRTUALLY ANY MOVEMENT OF THE TURN SIGNAL LEVEL CAUSES ENGAGEMENT OF THE CRUISE CONTROL IN THE ACCELERATION MODE. TAPPING THE LEVER, ACTIVATING THE TURN SIGNAL OR HIGH BEAM CONTROL CAUSE THE CAR TO GO INTO CRUISE MODE UNDER ACCELERATION. I HAVE ALLOWED IT TO GO AS FAST AS 85 MPH TO SEE IF IT WOULD DISENGAGE AND IT DID NOT. I FIRST THOUGHT IT WAS INTERMITTENT, BUT NOW THAT I HAVE BEEN PLAYING CLOSER ATTENTION TO WHAT WAS GOING ON WHEN IT RUNS AWAY, I CAN CAUSE IT TO HAPPEN ON CUE. THIS IS ESPECIALLY DANGEROUS SINCE IT GOES INTO ACCELERATE MODE UNTIL THE CRUISE CONTROL IS EITHER DISENGAGED WITH THE POWER SWITCH OR THE BRAKE PEDAL. I HAVE NOT YET GOTTEN IT REPAIRED. THE INITIAL VISIT TO THE SHOP WAS UNSUCCESSFUL IN DETERMINING THE CAUSE OR REPLICATING THE PROBLEM. I HAVE SINCE ESTABLISHED HOW TO INITIATE THE RUNAWAY ACCELERATION. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10331824May 23, 2010
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
WHEN STOPPING FOR A RED LIGHT THE BRAKE PEDAL SUDDENLY WENT MOST OF THE WAY TO THE FLOOR AND THE CAR ENDS UP IN THE INTERSECTION DUE TO LONGER STOPPING DISTANCE. UPON INSPECTION, THE METAL BRAKE LINE FROM THE ABS UNIT, RUNNING ACROSS THE FIREWALL TO THE RIGHT FRONT WHEEL, HAS COMPLETELY RUSTED THROUGH. ALL THE BRAKE FLUID BLEW OUT OF THE BRAKE CIRCUIT WHEN THE LINE RUPTURED DURING THE STOP. UPON FURTHER INSPECTION, TWO OTHER STEEL BRAKE LINES AND THE STEEL FUEL FEED LINE ARE ABOUT TO RUST THROUGH AND FAIL AS WELL. I HAVE NEVER SEEN BRAKE AND FUEL LINES RUST THROUGH LIKE THIS! NINE YEARS OLD. THE FIRST BRAKE LINE MENTIONED RUNS ALONG THE FIRE WALL, RIGHT BEHIND THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD, AS SUCH, IT HAS A FIBER HEAT SHIELD WRAPPING AROUND IT FOR ABOUT TWO FEET AND THIS IS WHERE THE WORST RUST OCCURRED, CONVENIENTLY HIDDEN FROM SIGHT. I SUSPECT THE HEAT SHIELD MATERIAL HELD MOISTURE, LEADING TO THE RUST. WHEN DISCUSSING THIS PROBLEM WITH A MECHANIC AT THE GM DEALER, HE SAID, "I SEE THIS ALL THE TIME." I KNOW CORROSION RESISTANT MATERIALS ARE AVAILABLE TO PREVENT THIS. I HAVE NEVER SEEN THIS HAPPEN ON ALL THE FOREIGN CARS I HAVE OWNED. TO MAKE MATTERS WORSE I AM TOLD THAT THE ONLY WAY TO REPLACE THE BRAKE LINE IS TO DROP THE SUBFRAME THAT HOLDS THE DRIVETRAIN, AT A COST OF ABOUT $1200, SINCE THE LINE IS ONE OF THE FIRST THINGS TO GO ON THE BODY AT THE FACTORY! *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10328844May 4, 2010
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
I PURCHASED A 2001 BUICK CENTURY WITH LEST THAN 1000 MILES ON IT FROM THE ORIGINAL ORDER. IN JUST A SHORT TIME, IT BEGAN TO SURGE WHEN THE CRUISE CONTROL WAS ON. IT WOULD KEEP ACCELERATING UNTIL YOU TURNED IT OFF. IT STILL DOES THIS FROM TIME TO TIME. I HAVE CHECKED WITH BUICK DEALERS, BUT THEY DON'T SEEM TO KNOW WHY. SOMETIMES IT SURGES WHEN YOU USE THE TURNING SIGNAL ALSO. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10305547February 4, 2010
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL, EQUIPMENT:OTHER:OWNERS/SERVICE/OTHER MANUAL
2001 BUICK CENTURY SUDDENLY ACCELERATES WHEN CRUISE CONTROL IS ON BUT NOT ENGAGED. THIS TYPICALLY HAPPENS WHEN HITTING A BUMP OR POT HOLE OR PUTTING ON THE TURN SIGNAL. ALSO, THE CAR HAS SUDDENLY ACCELERATED WHEN DRIVING ON A SMOOTH ROAD WITH THE CRUISE CONTROL ENGAGED. I HAVE BE ABLE TO STOP THE ACCELERATION BY EITHER TAPPING THE BRAKE OR TURNING OFF THE CRUISE CONTROL WITH THE SWITCH AT THE END OF THE STALK. I NO LONGER DRIVE WITH THE CRUISE CONTROL TURNED; AND HAVE NOT EXPERIENCED ANY PROBLEM AS LONG AS THE CRUISE CONTROL IS NOT TURNED ON. THIS EVENT HAS OCCURRED SEVERAL TIMES OVER THE PAST 12 MONTHS. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10279184August 3, 2009
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 BUICK CENTURY. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS UNDERGOING AN OIL CHANGE, THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT DEXCOOL COOLANT WAS PLACED IN THE WATER TANK INSTEAD OF ANTIFREEZE. THE MANIFOLD ON THE WATER BLOCK, WHICH IS THE GASKET BETWEEN THE WATER TANK, DID NOT HAVE THE CORRECT TYPE OF GASKET AND DETERIORATED THE WATER DUE TO OIL IN THE TANK. THE FAILURE IS CALLED A "PINK MILKSHAKE". THIS ALSO OCCURS WHEN THERE IS OIL IN THE WATER RESERVOIR. THE REPAIR WOULD COST $800. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 38,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10264779April 9, 2009
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM
LEAKING INTAKE MANIFOLD. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10241792September 11, 2008
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
OUR ANTI BRAKE LIGHT CAME ON AND WOULD NOT GO OFF. TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP. WAS TOLD THE ABS SYSTEM WAS FAULTY. REPLACED THE EBCM AND HYDRAULIC CONTROL UNIT AND ALSO REPLACED BRAKE MASTER CYLINDER. .THE BRAKES WERE FINE. THEY CHARGED US $2,223.14. THE SERVICE DONE WAS: THE EBCM AND HYDRAULIC CONTROL UNIT FAULTY . 07 BRAKES/ TRACTION CTRL . 1- VALVE KIT,1- MODULE,2- FLUID 1-,CYLINDER. PARTS WAS $1,948.40, LABOR $401.93 ... THIS IS RIDICULOUS!. WE HAD NO PROBLEM WITH OUR BRAKES AT ALL ! I CAME IN TO GET THE LIGHT TURNED OFF AND CAME OUT WITH MY SAVINGS GONE! *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10239743August 26, 2008
TIRES:VALVE
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD MUSTANG GT. THE CONTACT HEARD AN UNFAMILIAR NOISE AND THREE OF THE FOUR TIRES BLEW OUT. AFTER A DIAGNOSIS, SHE WAS INFORMED THAT THE LOWER BALL JOINTS WERE FAULTY. THE LOWER BALL JOINTS WERE REPAIRED; HOWEVER, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED TWO DAYS LATER. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO BE REPAIRED AND SHE WAS INFORMED THAT THE THROTTLE BODY SENSOR FAILED. THE CONTACT REFERENCED NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 06E089000 (SUSPENSION:FRONT). THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 38,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 25,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10225549April 23, 2008
VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS
DEFECTIVE MOTOR & REGULATOR FOR THE WINDOW MOTORS - ALL FOUR. DRIVERS WINDOW FELL DOWN, REAR PASSENGER FELL DOWN, NOW THE REAR DRIVERS WINDOW FELL DOWN. MANUFACTURER SAYS THIS IS ONLY A PROBLEM IN THE WEST - AZ & TX, NOT A RECALL ITEM. THE PRICE TO REPAIR IS $600.00 EACH. I AM RETIRED AND CANNOT AFFORD TO PAY FOR THIS. ALL OF THE BUICK CENTURY'S IN THIS AREA ARE FALLING DOWN. ALMOST EVERY ONE IS TAPED UP AND THE MANUFACTURER WILL NOT STAND BEHIND THE DEFECTIVE PARTS. MY GRANDDAUGHTER JUST HAD ALL 4 OF HER WINDOW MOTORS REPLACED. CAN SOMETHING BE DONE ABOUT THIS? *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10224968April 18, 2008
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE, UNKNOWN OR OTHER
TAPPETS SOUND ON A 2001 BUICK CENTURY TAPPETS WERE REPLACED TWICE UNTIL I WAS INFORMED THAT ALL GM 2001 CARS HAD THIS DEFECT. IT SEEMS THAT OIL IS NOT GETTING TO THE CENTER CYLINDERS, BECAUSE THE CONNECTING FEEDS ARE TOO SMALL. PROBLEM THAT CAN DEVELOP IS THE ENGINE CAN SEIZE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10214572January 12, 2008
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL
ODOMETER DOES NOT ILLUMINATE,CANNOT TELL WHAT GEAR YOU ARE IN OR MILEAGE ON CAR. HAVE BEEN TOLD BY DEALER SERVICE MANAGER,THAT THIS IS A NORMAL PROBLEM WITH THE CENTURY MODEL,AND WOULD COST BETWEEN 250-1000. DOLLAR TO REPAIR ,PLUS DEALER COULD NOT GIVE A TIME FRAME OF HOW LONG VEHICLE WOULD BE IN SHOP. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10213384January 2, 2008
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL, STRUCTURE
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 BUICK CENTURY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT RAIN WOULD LEAK BEHIND THE DASHBOARD WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED OR BEING DRIVEN. THE FAILURE WOULD NOT OCCUR IF PARKED AT AN ANGLE OR ON A HILL. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 55,200, AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 54,800. THE PURCHASE DATE WAS UNAVAILABLE. UPDATED 01/29/08 *BF THE CONSUMER STATED A POOL OF WATER WAS ON THE FLOOR OF THE VEHICLE DUE TO RAINWATER LEAKING FROM BEHIND THE DASHBOARD. UPDATED 01/29/08 *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10199885August 17, 2007
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:ABS WARNING LIGHT, POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION, VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS
BRAKE SYSTEM / ABS BRAKING SYSTEM FAILED/ ABS LIGHT ILLUMINATED. REPLACED ABS HUB SYSTEM. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10193348June 14, 2007
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 BUICK CENTURY. WHILE SERVICING THE VEHICLE, THE MECHANIC NOTICED THAT THE BRAKE LINE HAD RUSTED AND BRAKE FLUID WAS CAME OUT. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS. THE MECHANIC REPLACED THE BRAKE LINE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE PREVIOUSLY OWNED A 1997 BUICK CENTURY WITH THE SAME FAILURE. THE PURCHASE DATE WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 28,500 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 28,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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