Buick Century Complaints

1,816 consumer complaints on file.

#10340400June 28, 2010
SEAT BELTS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 BUICK CENTURY. HE STATED THAT THE REAR PASSENGER, FRONT DRIVER AND PASSENGER SEAT BELTS WERE UNABLE TO LATCH ACROSS THE VEHICLE OCCUPANT. THE CONTACT WAS CONCERNED WITH THE SAFETY OF NOT BEING ABLE TO PROPERLY RESTRAIN HIS CHILDREN IN THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER ADVISED HE WAS UNABLE TO PROVIDE ANY ASSISTANC0E AND THERE WAS NOT A RECALL FOR THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 104,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10339889June 24, 2010
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL
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.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10336122June 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 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
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10335883June 11, 2010
SEAT BELTS, LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES
THERE IS A PART MISSING ON THE DRIVER'S SEAT BELT THAT MAKES IT DIFFICULT TO USE. I FIND THAT DRIVERS ARE UNWILLING TO FISH THE BUCKLE OFF OF THE FLOOR, AND THE BUCKLE OFTENTIMES WEDGES ITSELF BETWEEN A SEAT LEVER AND THE DOOR. A DRIVER SOMETIMES HAS TO OPEN THE DOOR, EXIT THE CAR, AND RETRIEVE THE BUCKLE FROM ITS HIDING PLACE. DRIVERS (I.E., MY KIDS) ARE VERY DISCOURAGED FROM USING THE BELT. ALL CARS I'VE EVER OWNED HAD LIFETIME WARRANTIES ON SEAT BELTS, AND WERE FIXED PROMPTLY BY DEALERSHIPS WHEN PROBLEMS OCCURRED. MY LOCAL GM DEALER SAYS NOT SO WITH GM CARS. BUICK IGNORES MY EMAIL QUERIES, AND CALLS TO BUICK ARE MET BY CALL CENTER EMPLOYEES WHO ARE PROGRAMMED TO ASK ENDLESS QUESTIONS ABOUT PERSONALLY IDENTIFIABLE INFORMATION (PII) ON ME. NO HELP. *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
#10326449April 19, 2010
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
TL*-THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 BUICK CENTURY. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 10 MPH THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED AND THE VEHICLE FAILED TO SLOW DOWN UNTIL REPEATED FORCE WAS APPLIED TO THE BRAKE PEDAL. IN ADDITION, THERE WAS BRAKE FLUID LEAKAGE COMING FROM UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE BRAKE LINES WERE CORRODED AND THE ENTIRE BRAKE LINES WERE REPLACED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 95,000. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10326197April 18, 2010
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
FAILURE OF INTAKE ENGINE GASKET ON 2002 BUICK CENTURY WITH 110,000 MILES. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10326004April 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 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.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10325634April 14, 2010
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 BUICK CENTURY. WHILE DRIVING AT SPEEDS OF 15 MPH UPHILL, THE VEHICLE BEGAN EXHIBITING UNUSUAL NOISES AND SHIFTING GEARS EXCESSIVELY HARD. THE VEHICLE OVERHEATED AND WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL REPAIR SHOP. THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE DUPLICATED. THE FAILURE PERSISTED AND THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A SECOND REPAIR SHOP. THE INDEPENDENT MECHANIC UTILIZED A TRANSMISSION CLEANING SOLUTION IN AN ATTEMPT TO CORRECT THE FAILURE. THE REPAIR DID NOT CORRECT THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN TAKEN TO A THIRD REPAIR SHOP WHERE SHE WAS AWAITING A DIAGNOSIS OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 54,500 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 55,200. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. UPDATED 05/19/10. *LJ
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10325094April 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
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10325088April 12, 2010
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 BUICK CENTURY. WHILE THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 75 MPH THE RPM'S INCREASED EXCESSIVELY. THE ENGINE WAS TURNED OFF AND RESTARTED. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO RESUME NORMALLY. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN RESPIRED AT THE TIME OF THE COMPLIANT. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 75,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10324918April 11, 2010
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
LOSS OF BRAKES 1ST INSTANCE 9/4/2008 LOST BRAKES. PROBLEM FOUND CORRODED BRAKE LINES FRONT. 2ND INSTANCE 9/17/2009 LOST BRAKES. PROBLEM FOUND CORRODED BRAKE LINES, REAR. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10324766April 9, 2010
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
THE BRAKE LINES ON MY 1999 BUICK CENTURY CORRODED, FLUID LEAKED AND THE BRAKES FAILED. FORTUNATELY, I NOTICED THE BRAKES BEGINNING TO FAIL (PEDAL WENT ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR), SO I DROVE DEFENSIVELY AND WAS NOT INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT. I WAS ONLY A SHORT DISTANCE FROM MY LOCAL GARAGE AND WENT THERE DIRECTLY TO HAVE THE LINES REPLACED. THEY TOLD ME THAT THE LINES HAD ROTTED THROUGH. I ASSUMED THAT THIS WAS SOMETHING THAT HAPPENS IN AREAS THAT USE WINTER SALT, BUT HEARING OF THE RECALL OF GM TRUCKS, I NOW REALIZE THAT THIS MAY NOT BE A "NORMAL" EVENT. THE PARTS IN QUESTION ARE NO LONGER AVAILABLE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10324184April 7, 2010
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 BUICK CENTURY. THE CONTACT STARTED THE IGNITION AND THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKE SYSTEM WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE FAILURE OCCURRED WHENEVER THE IGNITION KEY WAS TURNED TO THE START POSITION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED WHEN THE COMPLAINT WAS FILED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 49,000. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 49600.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10323656April 4, 2010
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
MY 20005 BUICK CENTURY, ACCELERATED IN A PARKING LOT WITHOUT MY STEPPING ON THE GAS. THE CAR WENT AIR BORNE, JUMPING THE CURB GOING THROUGH A DITCH AND UP AN EMBANKMENT BEFORE I WAS ABLE TO GET THE CAR UNDER CONTROL.. THIS WAS THE FIRST OCCURRENCE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10321895March 25, 2010
STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS
THE REAR UNI-BODY SNAPED ON THE DRIVERS SIDE AND THEN 1 MILE LATER THE PASSENGER SIDE SNAPED, BOTH SIDES SNAPED IN THE FRONT HALPH, I BROUGHT THE CAR TO THE JUNK YARD SO I DONOT HAVE THE DEFECTIVE PART ANY MORE
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10321892March 24, 2010
EXTERIOR LIGHTING, POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
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.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10315610March 2, 2010
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
MY LIGHTS GO OUT WHEN I TRY TO SWITCH FROM DIM TO BRIGHT. I FEEL THAT THIS COULD BE A BIG SAFETY ISSUE WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT, SO I DON'T SWITCH TO BRIGHT LIGHTS IN FEAR THAT MY LIGHTS WONT COME BACK ON. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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