Buick Century Complaints

1,816 consumer complaints on file.

#10190245May 9, 2007
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
TRANSMISSIONS ON AMERICAN CARS ARE MESSING UP TOO EARLY. MY FRIEND'S DODGE CARAVAN WENT OUT AFTER THE 36000 MILE WARRANTY, MONTH LATER. OTHER CARS THE SOLENOID ON UPSHIFTS 1-2 AND 3-4 WERE CAUSING HARSH UPSHIFT PROBLEMS ON MANY CARS. OLD CARS BEFORE 2000, TRANSMISSIONS DID NOT FAIL FOR MORE THAN 10 YEARS, TODAY'S MODEL TRANSMISSIONS WERE CAUSING PROBLEMS THE FIRST 3-5 YEARS. THESE PROBLEMS ON THE 2002 BUICK CENTURY HAPPENED THE LAST 3-5 YEARS. 1. HARSH UPSHIFTS ON TRANSMISSION, 1-2 3-4. 2. POWER WINDOWS, AFTER 3 YEARS, DIDN'T WORK ON REAR WINDOWS AND WERE TO SLOW ON THE FRONT WINDOWS. 3. STEERING WHEEL STEREO CONTROLS VOLUME WAS NEVER FIXED AFTER TAKING 5-10 TIMES FOR REPAIRS. THESE WERE THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS I WAS SPENDING FOR 4-5 YEARS OF DRIVING. IF NOTHING WAS DONE ABOUT THIS I WILL BE TURNING TOYOTA, CAMRY. YOUR ADVICE WILL VERY GLADLY BE APPRECIATED. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10190169May 8, 2007
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP, TIRES:TREAD/BELT
ANTI LOCK BRAKES , DECEMBER 2006. I NOTICED THE BRAKES WERE SPONGY, AND A LOUD GROWLING TYPE NOISE WHEN I TURNED . I TOOK IT TO MY REGULAR MECHANIC, WHO DID AN INSPECTION, AND SAID THE BRAKES WERE FINE. BRAKE PADS WERE IN GOOD SHAPE,ETC . I DROVE HOME, ANTI LOCK LIGHT WAS ON. I TOOK THE CAR BACK TO REPAIR SHOP FOR TEST DRIVE. THEY DROVE IT FOR SEVERAL HOURS NO NOISES OR SPONGY BRAKING. MY DAUGHTER CALLED ME & REPORTED SEEING THE CAR FLYING DOWN THE ROAD.. I TOLD REPAIR SHOP I WASN'T DRIVING 55 OR GREATER WHEN PROBLEM OCCURRED. I WAS DOING BETWEEN 10- 40 MPH. THEY DROVE IT AGAIN AT MUCH SLOWER SPEEDS AND RECREATED THE PROBLEMS. THEY RECOMMENDED I REPLACE THE ABS SENSOR AND RIGHT/LEFT WHEEL CYLINDERS . I DID, IT AT GREAT EXPENSE. THE WARNING LIGHT FOR THE ANTI LOCK BRAKES WENT OUT. I DROVE HOME, PARKED THE CAR, AND THE NEXT MORNING ROVE TO WORK, AND IT HAPPENED AGAIN. THE WARNING LIGHT WAS BACK ON . TOOK IT BACK TO THE REPAIR SHOP. EVERYTHING WAS WORKING FINE. THEY COULD NOT FIND A REASON FOR THE PROBLEMS. BUT, RECOMMENDED REPLACEMENT OF THE BRAKE SYSTEM. ALSO HAD TO REPLACE ALL FOUR TIRES DUE TO THREAD SEPARATION. ANOTHER CUSTOMER THERE WITH THIS CAR, ALSO A 2003 BUICK CENTURY THAT WAS HAVING NEW TIRES PUT ON FOR THE SAME REASON. THE TREAD WAS SEPARATING. BUT NO RECALL WAS ISSUED , WHY? PERHAPS LIKE ME, MOST PEOPLE DIDN'T KNOW WHERE TO REPORT SUCH PROBLEMS, THEY JUST REPLACED THEM LIKE I DID. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10189706May 3, 2007
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS, SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:POWER ASSIST:HYDRAULIC:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
DRIVING TO WORK, MY BRAKE PEDAL BEGAN TO GET SOFT BUT I MADE IT TO WORK SAFELY. AT WORK, I POPPED THE HOOD A FOUND THE BRAKE RESERVOIR WAS EMPTY. I HAD NOT NOTICED ANY LEAKS ON MY DRIVEWAY BEFORE SO I WAS CONFUSED AT THIS LEAKAGE. I WAS ABLE TO REFILL THE RESERVIOR AND TESTED MY BRAKES AT LUNCH AND THEY SEEMED BETTER. BUT BEFORE DRIVING HOME I NOTICED THERE WAS A PUDDLE UNDER THE CAR. I DROVE HOME, WITH MY BRAKES GETTING SOFTER AT EACH BRAKE APPLICATION. ONCE HOME THE LEAKING CONTINUED. THE SOURCE OF THE LEAKS IS THE BRAKE LINES RUSTING. UPON FURTHER INVESTIGATION, THE FUEL VAPOR LINES ARE ALSO RUSTING THROUGH AND LEAKING. RUSTING BRAKE AND FUEL LINES SHOULD NOT HAPPEN. I THINK THERE IS A MANUFACTURED PART DEFECT IN THESE LINES THAT IS ALLOWING THEM TO RUST. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10188382April 19, 2007
VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:MANIFOLD/HEADER/MUFFLER/TAIL PIPE
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 BUICK CENTURY. THE VEHICLE'S INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET FAILED AT LESS THAN 100,000 MILES ON A BRAND NEW ENGINE. THE CONTACT SMELLED ANTI-FREEZE AND BROUGHT THE VEHICLE TO A MECHANIC WHO CONDUCTED PRESSURE TESTING. THE FAILURE WAS DIAGNOSED AS THE MANIFOLD GASKET. IT IS A REPLACEMENT ENGINE AND IT IS DEMONSTRATING THE SAME FAILURE AS THE ORIGINAL ENGINE THAT WAS REPLACED AT 35,000 MILES BY ARBITRATION ORDER. BUICK HAS REFUSED TO PAY FOR ANY FAILED COMPONENTS CONCERNING THIS MOTOR, INCLUDING REPLACING THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER. THE CONVERTER WAS PLUGGED FROM THE ORIGINAL MOTOR FAILURE ALONG WITH THE SUBSEQUENT FAILURE FROM THE INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET ON THE NEW MOTOR. THE POWER WINDOW REGULATOR FAILED IN JANUARY OF 2007 FOR THE SECOND TIME. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 145,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10187812April 13, 2007
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
TL*- THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 BUICK CENTURY WITH A CURRENT MILEAGE OF 70,200 MILES. THE TRANSMISSION WAS HESITATING IN FIRST GEAR. A MECHANIC AT MIDWAY SERVICE CENTER LOOKED AT THE VEHICLE ON 4-13-07 AND THE CODE P1811 FOR TRANSMISSION SHIFT VALVE WAS DETECTED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM ON 10/18/2004 WITH A FAILURE MILEAGE OF 51,570 MILES. AT THE TIME, THE DEALER, JIM STUTZMAN, REPLACED THE PC SOLENOID TRANSMISSION SHIFT VALVE PART #10478146. AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10187706April 12, 2007
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET LEAK. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10187620April 11, 2007
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING, SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DRUM:DRUM, VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS, STEERING:LINKAGES:TIE ROD ASSEMBLY
TL*- THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 BUICK CENTURY CUSTOM AND COMPLAINED ABOUT THE FOLLOWING PROBLEMS: THE LOWER INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET, THE THERMOSTAT, AND WATER PUMP. THESE COMPONENTS HAD TO BE REPLACED BECAUSE THE VEHICLE WAS OVERHEATING. THE REAR BRAKE SHOES AND A LEAKING CYLINDER ALSO HAD TO BE REPLACED. THE REAR DRUMS, AND THE SWITCH ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE FOR THE POWER WINDOWS WHERE REPLACED DUE TO POSSIBLE FIRE CONCERNS. IN ADDITION, THE RIGHT OUTER TIE ROD END ON THE PASSENGER'S SIDE WHEEL WAS LOOSE AND HAD TO BE REPAIRED. SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS INHERITED IN 2003 ALL THE AFOREMENTIONED FAILURES HAD TO BE REPLACED OR REPAIRED STARTING IN 2005. THE CONTACT SPOKE WITH THE MANUFACTURER, AND THEY STATED THEY WOULD NOT REIMBURSE THE CONTACT BECAUSE THERE WAS NO RELATIONSHIP ESTABLISHED WITH THE DEALER SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 74,442, AND THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 64,218.*AK THE CONSUMER HAS PROVIDED INVOICES OF SERVICES AND CHECKED WITH GM TO SEE IF THERE WAS A RECALL ON THE GASKET MANIFOLD, HOWEVER SHE WAS INFORMED NO RECALL WAS ISSUED FOR THAT PART. UPDATE 05/10/07*TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10187965April 9, 2007
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:ALTERNATOR/GENERATOR/REGULATOR
2000 BUICK CENTURY WITH ANTI LOCK BRAKE FAILURE**CC THE ALTERNATOR DRIVE BELT WAS REPLACED. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10187261April 8, 2007
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:MOTOR
THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS WILL NOT GO DOWN, BUT STAY IN FRONT OF MY VISION, BLOCKING THE VIEW. I TOOK VEHICLE TO THE DEALER, THEY TRIED TO FIX THE PROBLEM , BUT EVERY YEAR IN WINTER THEY STILL STICK IN THE MIDDLE OF THE WINDSHIED. FOUR YEARS EVER WINTER THEY BLOCK MY VISION. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10186993April 4, 2007
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER
WINDSHIELD WIPERS HAVE BEEN STANDING STRAIGHT UP WHEN IN AN OFF POSITION FOR 6 OR 7 YEARS. FOUND THE CAMPAIGN AND THEN THE RECALL AND TRIED TO GET A REMEDY FROM THE ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS AS WELL AS GM ,TO NO AVAIL..I WAS MADE TO BUY A MOTOR FOR THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS AND THAT WORKED FOR A LITTLE WHILE. THEN LAST SUMMER OR FALL I WENT BACK TO THE DEALER BECAUSE NOW THE ISSUE LOOKED TO BE A RECALL, AND THEY TOLD ME THERE WAS, BUT NOT FOR MY VIN#, AND I WAS MADE TO PAY $70 FOR THE ADJUSTMENT..IT IS NOW NOT WORKING AGAIN ,AND I AM VERY FRUSTRATED. IT IS A 1997 BUICK CENTURY. I HAVE TO KEEP THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS ON IN THE DELAY MODE ALL THE TIME, RAIN OR SHINE IN ORDER TO NOT HAVE THEM STAND STRAIGHT UP AND BLOCK MY VISION..I FEEL THIS IS DANGEROUS, BUT THAT THE DEALER AND GM WILL NOT TAKE RESPONSIBILITY BECAUSE I FOUND THE INFORMATION ON MY PROGRESSIVE CAR INSURANCE SITE. THEY ALWAYS BRING UP RECALLS FOR YOUR CARS. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10185622March 20, 2007
TIRES
TL*- THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 BUICK CENTURY. WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 75 MPH ON THE HIGHWAY THE CONTACT HEARD A LOUD GRINDING NOISE. THE CONTACT PULLED THE VEHICLE OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND NOTICED THE TIRE BLEW OUT. THE ROAD CONDITIONS WERE CLEAR. THERE WERE NO POT HOLES OR OTHER ROAD HAZARDS VISIBLE ON THE HIGHWAY. THERE WAS APPROXIMATELY 6000 MILES ON THE TIRE AT THE TIME OF THE BLOWOUT. THE TIRE WAS A DOUGLAS TOURING P205/70R15 BW. THE VEHICLE CURRENTLY HAD AN ODOMETER READING OF 43000 MILES. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10185274March 16, 2007
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS
TL*- THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE 2004 BUICK CENTURY HEADLIGHTS TURNED OFF WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE. ON 02/15/07 AT 30 MPH ON A RURAL HIGHWAY THE HEADLIGHTS BLINKED OFF AND ON, AND THEN THEY WENT OUT AGAIN AND STAYED OFF FOR ABOUT 1/2 MILE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CURRENT ODOMETER READING WAS 33,800 MILES. ON THE NEXT DAY HE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE BUICK DEALERSHIP AND THEY REPLACED THE DUSK DAWN SENSOR. AFTER THE REPAIRS HE DROVE THE VEHICLE, AND THE NEXT NIGHT THE HEADLIGHTS TURNED OFF AGAIN. THE CONTACT HASN'T DRIVEN THE VEHICLE SINCE THE LAST EVENT WITH THE LIGHTS TURNING OFF. THE CONTACT FILED A COMPLAINT WITH THE MANUFACTURER, AND WAS GIVEN CASE# 71-495164830. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10185025March 14, 2007
SUSPENSION
FRONT STABILIZER BAR BROKE OFF ON THE LEFT SIDE AND CRACKED THROUGH ON THE RIGHT SIDE. APPEARS TO BE METAL FATIGUE FROM THE FORMING OPERATION. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10183579February 26, 2007
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS
TL* - THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 BUICK CENTURY. DURING JANUARY 2007 THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE HEAD LIGHTS WERE NOT ON WHILE DRIVING. THE CONTACT TRIED TO TURN THEM ON WITH THE ON OFF SWITCH BUT THAT DID NOT WORK. THE HIGH BEAMS WOULD TURN ON WHILE HOLDING THE LEVER, BUT THE NORMAL HEAD BEAMS LIGHTS DID NOT. THE CONTACT EXPLAINED THAT AFTER MOVING THE LIGHT LEVER THE NORMAL HEADLIGHT BEAMS TURNED ON. A MONTH AFTER THE FAILURE BEGAN THE HEAD LIGHTS COMPLETELY STOPPED WORKING ON 2/25/07. THE CONTACT WAS GOING TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND HAVE IT INSPECTED. THE CONTACT BELIEVED THAT THIS FAILURE WAS TOO SOON FOR A VEHICLE WITH AN ODOMETER READING OF 119,000 MILES AND ABOUT 9 YEARS OLD. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 118500.*AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10183249February 22, 2007
TIRES:TREAD/BELT, WHEELS
TL*- THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING THE 2003 BUICK CENTURY WITH 50000 FAILURE MILEAGE AT 55 MPH AND GOING AROUND A SOFT LEFT CURVE THE FRONT WHEELS TURNED, BUT THE BACK WHEELS LOST TRACTION. THE VEHICLE WENT SIDEWAYS AND HIT A POLE AT 55 MPH ,AND THE CONTACT SUSTAINED NON-LIFE THREATENING INJURIES. THE VEHICLE HAD EXTENSIVE DAMAGE AND COULD NOT BE REPAIRED. *AK
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#10183192February 21, 2007
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:MOTOR
THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS REFUSE TO LOWER WHEN TURNED OFF. *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10183080February 20, 2007
VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS
WINDOW REGULATOR FAILURE. THIS IS MY SECOND COMPLAINT ABOUT THIS ISSUE. THE LAST OF FOUR WINDOWS REGULATORS HAS FAILED IN A YEAR''S TIME. A PLASTIC OR NYLON CLIP THAT HOLDS THE TWO CABLE ENDS BECOMES BRITTLE AND GIVES WAY. THE WINDOW THEN IS UNSUPPORTED AND FALLS TO THE BOTTOM OF THE TRACK. FIRST THE DRIVE WINDOW FAILED. THIS IN MY OPINION IS A SAFETY AND SECURITY HAZARD AND THE DRIVER IS THEN EXPOSED TO THE ELEMENTS, COLD, RAIN, ETC. THE SAME GOES FOR PASSENGERS. THE PASSENGER WINDOW FAILED WITHIN MONTHS AFTER, FOLLOWED BY THE REAR LEFT WINDOW AND NOW THE REAR RIGHT WINDOW. THIS WINDOW REGULATOR IS COMMON ACROSS ALL GM MODELS IN THIS CHASSIS TYPE. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10182450February 13, 2007
SEAT BELTS
TL*- THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 BUICK CENTURY WITH AN ODOMETER READING OF 95000 MILES. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT DRIVERS SIDE SEAT BELT WEBBING DID NOT PULL FROM THE RETRACTOR. WHEN SHE TRIED TO USE HER SEAT BELT THE WEBBING WOULD NOT PULL OUT FROM THE RETRACTOR. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER, AND FOUND THAT THE RETRACTOR FAILED, AND THE DEALER REPAIRED IT. *AK UPDATED 03/07/07. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10181690February 5, 2007
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS:HIGH/LOW BEAM DIMMER SWITCH
TL*- THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING THE 2002 BUICK CENTURY AT ANY SPEED ON THE ROAD AT NIGHT THE HEADLIGHTS GO OFF WITHOUT ANY WARNING UNDER ALL ROAD CONDITIONS. OCCASIONALLY, THE CONTACT WOULD TURN ON THE HIGH BEAM AND TOGGLE TO REGULAR BEAMS SO THAT THE LIGHTS WOULD TURN ON. THE FAILURE HAPPENED INTERMITTENTLY EVERY EVENING. THE BODY CONTROL MODULE WAS REPLACED, BUT THE LIGHTS STILL TURN ON AND OFF. THE CONTACT WAS REFEREED TO EQ MUFFLER TO FIND THE PROBLEM. THE VEHICLE STILL HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. *AK UPDATED 02/27/07. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10181076January 30, 2007
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM
SECOND FAILURE OF INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET ON 1999 BUICK CENTURY 3.1 M ENGINE. CAUSES ANTI FREEZE TO LEAK FROM MANIFOLD WHICH COULD CAUSE A FIRE (AS STATED IN OWNERS MANUAL, WARNING NOT TO SPILL ANTI-FREEZE ON A HOT ENGINE WHEN FILLING RADIATOR AS IT COULD CAUSE A FIRE). FIRST FAILURE OCCURRED AT 72,000 MILES. SECOND FAILURE AT 115,000 MILES. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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