Buick Century Complaints (1998)

218 consumer complaints on file.

#741300February 22, 2001
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
INITITIALLY THE PROBLEM WAS THOUGHT TO BE THE TRANSMISSION AND THE TRANSMISSION WAS REBUILT, ALONG WITH CLUTCHES THAT WERE BURNED UP. I PICKED THE CAR UP AND DROVE IT FOR ABOUT 30 MINUTES AND AT 30 MILES PER HOUR THE CAR WOULD NOT SHIFT INTO THE NEXT GEAR. I IMMEDIATELY RETURNED THE CAR TO THE TRANSMISSION SPECIALIST, BRACEY'S AUTO REPAIR WHO DOES THE WORK FOR R.E. DAVIS AND MR. BRACEY CHECKED THE PRESSURE ON THE MODULATOR AND REPLACED THE MODULATOR. HE THEN DID A TEST WHILE DRIVING THE CAR AND DISCOVERED THAT THE PRESSURE WASN'T WHERE IT SHOULD BE. HE KEPT THE CAR ANOTHER DAY BECAUSE HE NEEDED TO MAYBE REPLACE A PISTON. WHEN I PICKED THE CAR UP HE DISCOVERED A PIN HOLE IN THE DRUM THAT WAS FROM A POOR WELD DURING ASSEMBLY. MR. BRACEY GAVE ME THE PART WITH THE POOR WELD AND IS WRITING A DESCRIPTION OF THE PROBLEM FOR ME.*AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#879107January 26, 2001
AIR BAGS:ON-OFF SWITCH ASSEMBLY
CONSUMER HAD ON/OFF SWITCH INSTALLED BY AIRBAG SYSTEM OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA. AIRBAG INDICTOR LIGHT ON DASH STAYED ON AT ALL TIMES, EVEN WITH SWITCH TURNED ON OR OFF. A RECALL WAS ISSUED 00E01000, BUT MANUFACTUER WILL NOT REPLACE SWITCH, AND DENIED DEFECT. SWITCH WAS INSTALLED ON 1998, BUICK, CENTURY.*AK THE CONSUMER WAS TOLD BY THE COMPANY TO START THE ENGINE 200 TIMES AND THE LIGHT WILL GO OFF, BUT IT DID NOT HAPPEN. *YH
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#878491January 18, 2001
TIRES:TREAD/BELT
RIGHT FRONT CONTINENTAL SPORT CONTAC TIRE HAD A TREAD SEPARATION AT 45 MPH WITH DRIVER AND ONE PASSENGER. ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT, TIRE SIZE P205/70R15, DOT# UNAVAILABLE. *AK THE OTHER 3 TIRED WERE CUPPING. *SLC
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#739074January 9, 2001
STRUCTURE:BODY
I AM UNCLEAR WHETHER I SHOULD ONLY REPORT "SAFETY" PROBLEMS TO YOU, AND AM NOT SURE THIS WOULD BE SUCH A PROBLEM. THE DESIGN OF THIS VEHICLE IS SUCH THAT THERE IS A BLACK PLASTIC PART WHICH HANGS DOWN BELOW THE FRONT BUMPER (LOOKS LIKE A MUD FLAP BUT IT IS STIFF). A BUICK DEALER REPAIR FACILITY TOLD ME THIS FLAP IS FOR ADEQUATE AIR FLOW TO THE ENGINE. THE FLAP IS SO LOW THAT NORMAL DRIVING (HITTING THE SMALLEST BUMPS IN THE ROAD, GOING UP OR DOWN DRIVEWAY ENTRANCES OR ANY UNEVEN SURFACE CAUSES THE FLAP TO SCAPE ON THE PAVEMENT MAKING A LOUD GRIDING SOUND. IT IS ANNOYING TO SAY THE LEAST, AND I AM NOT SURE WHAT WOULD HAPPEN IF IT WERE TO HIT AT HIGH SPEED. WOULD IT JUST CRACK OFF? BE DRIVEN INTO THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT? I BELIEVE THIS IS A POOR (IF NOT UNSAFE) DESIGN AND THAT A REMEDY SHOULD BE AVAILABLE. THE CAR CANNOT BE DRIVEN UNDER NORMAL CIRCUMSTANCES. A DAY DOES NOT GO BY WHERE IT DOES NOT SCRAPE. IF THIS IS NOT SOMETHING YOU CAN RELATE TO GM, PLEASE LET ME KNOW SO I CAN CONTACT THEM DIRECTLY. THANK YOU.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#877166December 28, 2000
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:HORN
UPON ATTEMPTING TO DEPRESS HORN IN AN EMERGENCY SITUATION HORN FAILED TO SOUND WHICH COULD HAVE CAUSED AN ACCIDENT. ALSO, ONE HAD TO APPLY AN EXTREME AMOUNT OF PRESSURE TO SOUND OFF HORN. CONSUMER HAS CONTACTED DEALER, DEALER HAS YET TO DETERMINE CAUSE OF PROBLEM. *AK *SLC
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#734680October 18, 2000
STEERING:LINKAGES, SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP, SUSPENSION:FRONT
POWER STEERING MECHANISM MOANS, GRAONS, AND SHUDDERS, STEERING WHEEL HARD TO TURN AND FLUID LEVELS DROP. ACCORDING TO THEIR SERVICE MANAGER, THE POWER STEERING PUMP SYSTEM HAS A FACTORY DEFECT. ENGINEERS HAVE BEEN TRYING FIVE YEARS TO RESOLVE, THEY CANNOT FIX PROBLEM. BRAKE SYSTEM HAS ABNORMAL WEAR FOR AGE OF CAR, ROTORS HAVE BEEN TURNED AND GROUND TWICE IN 18 MONTHS. FRONT-END COMPONENTS HAVE BROKEN NAMELY ROCKER ARM ASSEMBLY IN FIRST 100 MILES AND REMAINED BROKE FOR 28,000 MILES. NUTS AND BOLTS HAVE FALLEN OUT OF THE FRONT END SUSPENSE SYSTEM. (TIRESIZE: P205/70R15) (TIRESIZE: P205/70R15)( DOT NUMBER: TIRE SIZE: P205/70R15 )
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#872492October 6, 2000
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS
HEADLIGHTS FAIL TO LUMINATE IN THE DARK WHILE DRIVING. DRIVER WOULD HAVE POOR VISIBILITY DUE TO A LACK OF LIGHTING. TOOK VEHICLE TO TWO DIFFERENT DEALERS, AND PARTS WERE REPLACED. HEADLIGHTS WERE REAIMED. PROBLEM OF POOR VISIBILITY STILL EXISTS.*AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#555819October 3, 2000
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS
CONSUMER WAS WAITING ON AN INSERT TO BE SENT TO HER PER THE RECALL NOTICE, DEALER REFUSES TO PERFORM RECALL 98V-102 BECAUSE VEHICLE IS NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY AND THEY WANT THE CONSUMER TO PAY FOR INSPECTION AND ADJUSTMENT. NLM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#732716September 28, 2000
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#554930September 20, 2000
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP, POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION
ANTI LOCK BRAKE SYSTEM FAILED. *SLC
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#869856September 7, 2000
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS
LOW BEAN FROM THE HEAD LIGHTS DOES NOT PROVIDE SUFFICIENT LIGHTING, THE LIGHT DOES NOT SHINE 50 FEET IN FRONT OF VEHICLE CAUSING POOR VISIBILITY..
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#553735August 14, 2000
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL, EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TURN SIGNAL
VEHICLE EXPERIENCED SUDDEN ACCELERATION WHILE IN STOP AND GO TRAFFIC THE CONSUMER PUT THE CAR IN NEUTRAL AND APPLIED THE BRAKES AVOIDING AN ACCIDENT. NLM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#726065July 26, 2000
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD
UNDER CERTAIN CONDITIONS, CONDENSATION COLLECTS ON THE OUTSIDE OF THE WINDOWS REDUCING VISIBILITY THROUGH THESE WINDOWS TO NEAR ZERO AND MAKING IT IMPOSSIBLE TO SEE APPROACHING TRAFFIC. THE GLAZING MATERIALS AROUND BOTH WINDOWS (WEATHERSTRIPPING) DO NOT MAKE CONTACT WITH THE SURFACE OF THE WINDOWS DURING RAISING OR LOWERING. THEREFORE, THE CONDENSATION CANNOT BE REMOVED FROM THE EXTERIOR OF THE WINDOWS WITHOUT EXITING THE CAR AND MANUALLY CLEANING THE SURFACE. FOR EXAMPLE, WHEN THE CONDENSATION COLLECTS WHILE I AM TRAVELING ON A HIGHWAY, IT IS NECESSARY FOR ME TO STOP ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD, GET OUT OF THE CAR, AND CLEAN THE SURFACE OF BOTH WINDOWS IN ORDER TO PROCEED SAFELY. THE DEALER WAS FIRST NOTIFIED OF THIS DEFECT WITHIN 60 DAYS OF MY PURCHASE. AT THAT TIME, I WAS ADVISED BY THE DEALER'S REPAIR SHOP THAT THE WINDOWS WERE NOT ALIGNED PROPERLY AND THAT ADJUSTMENTS WERE MADE TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM. THE SHOP REPORTED THAT THE CORRECTIONS WERE MADE TO CORRECT THE DEFECT, BUT THE DEFECTB WAS NOT CORRECTED. I HAVE TAKEN THE CAR TO OTHER DEALERS AND RETURNED TO THE ORIGINAL DEALER ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS DURING THE PAST TWO YEARS IN AN ATTEMPT TO HAVE THE DEFECT CORRECTED. EACH TIME I HAVE RECEIVED A DIFFERENT RESPONSE. IN SEPTEMBER 1999, I NOTIFIED THE MANUFACTURER (BUICK DIVISION OF GM) OF THIS AND OTHER SAFETY DEFECTS, BUT I DID NOT RECEIVE A RESPONSE. LATE LAST MONTH I RETURNED AGAIN TO BROWN'S BUICK TO SEEK REPAIRS, AND I HAVE NOW BEEN TOLD THAT THE WINDOWS ARE OPERATING AS DESIGNED. I BELIEVE THAT THE FAILURE OF THE WINDOW SYSTEMS AND RELATED MATERIALS TO CLEAR THE CONDENSATION THAT PERIODICALLY COLLECTS ON THE EXTERIOR SURFACE CREATES A SAFETY HAZARD TO ME AND TO OTHERS ON THE ROAD. ALTHOUGH THE MANUFACTURER AND THE DEALER HAVE HAD SEVERAL OPPORTUNITIES TO CORRECT THE DEFECT, NO CORRECTION HAS BEEN MADE. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#866050July 26, 2000
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS
HEADLIGHTS ARE NOT BRIGHT ENOUGH WHICH CAUSES VISUAL DIFFICULTY, AND MAY RESULT IN A CRASH. DEALER CANNOT DETERMINE THE CAUSE. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#725985July 25, 2000
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:HORN
HORN FAILS TO SOUND AT ANY SPEED, ANY TIME OF DAY. HAVE HAD THE CAR TO DEALERSHIP NUMEROUS TIMES & THEY ARE UNABLE TO FIND PROBLEM. MANUFACTURER TOLD ME THIS WAS NOT A PROBLEM,, LIVE WITH IT!
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#865906July 24, 2000
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS
HEAD LIGHT IS POORLY DISTRIBUTED ON ROAD AND HAS HUNGE DARK SPOTS DIRECTLY IN THE PATH OF THE VEHICLE. ALSO IT DOES NOT PROVIDE ENOUGH LIGHT TO SAFELY MAKE A TURN INTO DRIVE WAY. *YH
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#553120July 19, 2000
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DRUM:SHOES/LININGS
BRAKE SHOES SQUEAK IN AM SOMETIMES IN THE EVENING, TOOK IT TWO TIMES TO THE INSPECTOR THEY SAID IT WAS ACCOUNT OF ASBESTOS IN BRAKE SHOES. *ET
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#865624July 18, 2000
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:LINKAGES
WHEN BACKING VEHICLE UP WITH FOOT ON THE BRAKE IT SUDDENLY TOOK OFF. HAS HAPPENED 8 DIFFERENT TIMES. TOOK TO DEALER AT LEAST 3 TIMES FOR SUDDEN ACCELERATION. PROBLEM IS INTERMITTENT & THE MECHANIC COULD NOT LOCATE THE CAUSE EACH TIME. *AK *ML
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#723946June 12, 2000
SUSPENSION
I AM NOT REPORTING A "FAILURE" PER SE. I AM EXPERIENCING THE PROBLEM DESCRIBED IN SB606088, DESCRIBED AS "STEERING SHUDDER OR VIBRATION AT LOW SPEED (REPLACE POWER STEERING LINES)." HOWEVER, THE DEALER DESCRIBED REFUSES TO REPAIR THE PROBLEM, CLAIMING INABILITY TO VERIFY THE PROBLEM. AS I EXPLAINED, HOWEVER, THE PROBLEM IS INTERMITTENT, SO THERE IS NO REASON TO EXPECT THAT THE PROBLEM CAN BE VERIFIED ON ANY PARTICULAR OCCASION. CAN YOU HELP IN GETTING THE DEALER TO REPAIR THIS DEFECT? *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#552534June 8, 2000
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL, VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:ACCELERATOR PEDAL
THE VEHICLE ACCELERATES ON ITS OWN WHEN STARTING OUT IN FORWARD OR REVERSE GEARS, ON ONE OCCASION DAMAGE TO THE TIRE AND RIM WHEN VEHICLE JUMPED A CURB. YH
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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