Buick Century Complaints

1,816 consumer complaints on file.

#10430030October 13, 2011
POWER TRAIN, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
VERY HARD TRANSMISSION SHIFTING RETURNING FROM A LONG-DISTANCE TRIP / "SERVICE ENGINE SOON" WARNING LIGHT CAME ON. MECHANIC REPORTS DTC P1811 ERROR CODE AS WELL AS OTHER ERROR CODES. MECHANIC REPLACED BOTH TCC SOLENOID AND PRESSURE CONTROL SOLENOID TO RESOLVE SHIFTING PROBLEM. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10428257October 3, 2011
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 BUICK CENTURY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN ACTIVATING THE RIGHT TURN SIGNAL, THE VEHICLE WOULD STALL. WHEN ACTIVATING THE LEFT TURN SIGNAL, THE INSTRUMENT PANEL WOULD FLASH ABNORMALLY. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE CONTACTED AND DENIED ANY ASSISTANCE WITH REPAIRS TO THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT BELIEVED THAT THE IGNITION STARTER SWITCH WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 87,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 88,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10427984September 30, 2011
POWER TRAIN, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
THE ELECTRONIC ODOMETER AND AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION DISPLAY HAS GONE COMPLETELY DARK. WITH INDICATOR DARK, THE FOLLOWING ARE IMPOSSIBLE TO DETERMINE ON THE VEHICLE. A) AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION INDICATOR - FOR VEHICLES WHERE THE TRANSMISSION SHIFT LEVER IS MOUNTED ON THE STEERING COLUMN (LIKE MINE), OTHER THAN COUNTING THE NUMBER OF CLICKS OF THE TRANSMISSION LEVER UP OR DOWN, THE VEHICLE OPERATOR HAS NO IDEA IF THE VEHICLE IS IN DRIVE, NEUTRAL OR REVERSE. THIS IS A MAJOR SAFETY HAZARD BECAUSE THE VEHICLE OPERATOR MAY INADVERTENTLY LEAVE THE VEHICLE IN NEUTRAL OR IN GEAR AND NOT KNOW IT AND LEAVE THE VEHICLE UNATTENDED. B) VEHICLE MILEAGE -- THERE IS NO WAY TO DETERMINE HOW MANY MILES THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN DRIVEN. THERE ARE NUMEROUS INSTANCES ON THE INTERNET DESCRIBING THIS PROBLEM. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#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
#10421081August 22, 2011
STEERING, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, INTERIOR LIGHTING, SERVICE BRAKES, ELECTRIC
IN JANUARY OF THIS YEAR MY 2003 BUICK CENTURY BEGAN WITH PANEL LIGHTS FLASHING ON AND OFF AT VARIOUS TIMES MAKING THE GAUGES AND SPEEDOMETER IMPOSSIBLE TO READ. VERY EXPENSIVE ESTIMATE TO FIX. THEN IN FEBRUARY WAS DRIVING HOME AT NIGHT AND THE ABS LIGHT CAME ON. TOOK TO SHOP AND THEY COULDN'T GET IT TO DO IT. AFTER THIRD TIME HAD IT REPAIRED. TOOK WHOLE DRIVER SIDE WHEEL ASSEMBLY TO GET SENSOR $500. IN MARCH DRIVER SIDE WINDOW BEGAN GOING UP AND DOWN BY ITSELF. TOOK IT TO SHOP AND THEY ARE UNABLE TO FIND A PROBLEM. THE CAR ONLY DOES IT WHEN THE PANEL LIGHTS FLASH ON AND OFF. BAD VIBRATION IN THE CAR AROUND JUNE. HAD ALL FOUR TIRES REPLACED AND NEW BRAKES AND ROTORS. ON AUGUST 4, 2011 VIBRATION STARTED AGAIN, THEN STARTED A POPPING NOISE IN THE FRONT END WHEN STARTING AND STOPPING. CAR VIBRATES SO BAD YOU CAN NOT HOLD STEERING WHEEL AT 45-50MPH. THIS POP AND VIBRATION IS NOW COMING FROM FRONT RIGHT SIDE. NOT SURE WHAT IT IS YET. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10419505August 15, 2011
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC, SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 BUICK CENTURY. WHILE DRIVING SLOW, THE CONTACT STATED WHEN SHE APPLIED THE BRAKES, HER FOOT EXTENDED DIRECTLY TO THE FLOOR. THE DEALER DIAGNOSED THAT THE BRAKE LINE WAS COVERED WITH RUST AND THERE WAS NO BRAKE FLUID IN THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED BUT DENIED ANY ASSISTANCE WITH REPAIRS TO THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 71,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 71,390. UPDATED 9/27/11 *CN UPDATED 10/07/11
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10415626July 29, 2011
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 BUICK CENTURY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE LIGHT WHICH INDICATED THE GEAR THAT THE VEHICLE WAS IN, DOES NOT ILLUMINATE ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL, MAKING IT DIFFICULT FOR THE CONTACT SEE WHICH GEAR HE WAS IN. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE CONTACT WOULD NEED A NEW INSTRUMENT PANEL ASSEMBLY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 31,600.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10410456July 5, 2011
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 BUICK CENTURY. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY STALLED. THE FUEL GAUGE DOES NOT FUNCTION PROPERLY; THEREFORE, THE CONTACT WAS UNAWARE IF THE VEHICLE STALLED DUE TO A LACK OF FUEL. THE CONTACT WAS ONLY ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE BY JUMP STARTING IT. THE FAILURE OCCURRED APPROXIMATELY TWELVE TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THE BATTERY WAS REPLACED; YET, THE FAILURE CONTINUED TO OCCUR. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 110,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10410022June 30, 2011
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 BUICK CENTURY. THE CONTACT STATED THE GEAR SELECTOR FAILED TO ILLUMINATE ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL WHICH CAUSED THE UNCERTAINTY OF KNOWING WHICH GEAR WAS SELECTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO INFORMED HER THAT THE ODOMETER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED BECAUSE THE GEAR INDICATOR LIGHT WAS LOCATED IN THE HOUSING. THE ODOMETER MUST BE SENT OUT OF STATE FOR OVER A WEEK. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CONTACT WILL NOTIFY THE MANUFACTURER OF THE CONSISTENT FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10408557June 22, 2011
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 BUICK CENTURY. THE CONTACT STATED THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKING SYSTEM WAS ACTIVATED INDICATING A BRAKE MALFUNCTION. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A LOCAL MECHANIC WHO STATED THE ABS MOTOR PACK NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE DOES NOT HAVE ANTI-LOCK BRAKES AND SHE DOES NOT FEEL SAFE DRIVING THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT DID NOT CALL THE MANUFACTURER REGARDING THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 83,000.
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
#10407363June 18, 2011
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
DRIVING TOWARDS A STOPLIGHT AND THE BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR ON A 1996 BUICK CENTURY. PUMPING GAVE ONLY PARTIAL REAR BRAKING. DROVE TO FRIEND'S HOUSE (DURING WHICH THE BRAKES WORKED NORMALLY THE WHOLE WAY). WE PULLED THE DRIVER SIDE TIRE AND DISCOVERED THAT THE FIBROUS FINELY WOVEN TUBE COVER (FIBERGLASS?) TO THE EXTREMELY THIN AND FRAGILE WIRES TO ABS SENSOR LOOKED BURNT. CUTTING IT OFF WE DISCOVERED THE WIRES INSIDE HAD SHORTED OUT. WHEN WE CLEARED THE SHORT AND INDIVIDUALLY WRAP INSULATED THE WIRES, THE ABS WARNING LIGHT THEN CAME ON. A GRAVEL SKID TEST REVEALED NO ABS AT ALL. WE FOUND THAT DEAD SHORTING THE WIRE TO THE SENSOR WITH A JUMPER WIRE WILL CAUSE THE ABS WARNING LIGHT TO GO OUT, BUT OBVIOUSLY DISABLES THE ABS. WE REPLACED THE SENSOR (WHICH REQUIRES THAT THE WHOLE BEARING/STUD ASSEMBLY TO BE REPLACED), AND THEN THE ABS LIGHT WENT OUT. A GRAVEL SKID TEST REVEALED THE ABS WORKING FINE AND HE SAYS THE NORMAL BRAKING IS NOW BETTER TOO. SOME RESEARCH REVEALS THAT THE ABS DETECTS NO TIRE TURNING DURING A SKID VIA THE SENSOR, AND RELEASES HYDRAULIC PRESSURE TO THE BRAKES UNTIL THE TIRE IS DETECTED BY THE ABS AS TURNING. WE THINK THAT WHEN A SHORT TO THE SENSOR OCCURS, THE SENSOR CAN'T DETECT THE TIRE TURNING AGAIN AND THUS THE ABS UNIT NEVER STOPS BLEEDING FLUID PASS THE BRAKE (AND THE INITIAL SHORT MAY EVEN SET OFF THE ABS WITHOUT AN ACTUAL SKID OCCURRING - THAT IS WITHOUT THE SENSOR EVER SENSING A TIRE NOT TURNING). ANYONE HAVING RANDOM NEAR-TOTAL OR TOTAL LOSS OF BRAKES ON THIS TYPE OF VEHICLE MIGHT DO WELL TO EXAMINE THE WIRES AND TERMINALS LEADING TO THE ABS SENSORS - AND REPLACE SUSPICIOUS UNITS (WE PAID ABOUT $90 FOR A UNIT FROM A COMMON AUTO PARTS CHAIN). A GRAVEL SKID TEST MIGHT ALSO REVEAL AN ABS SYSTEM NOT WORKING EVEN THOUGH THERE IS NO ABS WARNING LIGHT LIT. REPLACING THE BEARING/STUD/ABS SENSOR ASSEMBLY IS MODERATELY HARD. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10406855June 14, 2011
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 BUICK CENTURY. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 45 MPH WHEN THE SMELL OF GASOLINE BEGAN TO FILL THE CABIN OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE OVERPOWERING ODOR WAS OFTEN UNBEARABLE TO WHERE HE WAS UNABLE TO OPERATE THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL MECHANIC AND THE MECHANIC WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM. THE DEALER WAS CONTACTED TO SECURE AN APPOINTMENT FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE CONTACT BELIEVED THE VEHICLE WAS UNSAFE TO DRIVE DUE TO THE OVERPOWERING AND OFFENSIVE ODOR. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 76,860.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10403428May 25, 2011
VISIBILITY
THE COMPLETE WINDOW CONTROL SWITCH UNIT HAD TO BE REPLACED IN 2005 AT THE DEALERS, I THINK THAT WAS THE YEAR. NOW THE REAR WINDOW SWITCH FOR THE REAR WINDOW HAD TO BE REPLACED IN MAY 2011. THIS TIME I TOOK IT TO MY LOCAL BODY SHOP, HE HAD INFORMED ME THAT THE BUICK CENTURY CUSTOM SWITCHES ARE GOING UP VERY FAST. ALSO HE SAID THAT BUICK KNOWS ABOUT THIS AND HAS DONE NOTHING TO SOLVE THE PROBLEM. I AM THE ONLY DRIVER AND I RARELY HAVE ANY PASSENGERS. I AM ON A LIMITED INCOME AND I CANNOT AFFORD TO REPLACE SWITCHES ON WINDOWS OR AFRAID THAT IF I OPEN THE WINDOW AND IT WON'T CLOSE WHEN NEED BE OR IF I HAVE TO OPEN IT FOR AN EMERGENCY AND IT WON'T OPEN. PLEASE HELP ME WITH THIS PROBLEM.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10403292May 24, 2011
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
1995 BUICK CENTURY. CONSUMER STATES PROBLEM WITH LEAKING GAS LINE. *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED A LEAK DEVELOPED IN THE GAS LINE BELOW HIS FEET, SATURATING THE UNDERSIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DETERMINED THE FUEL LINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONSUMER INSPECTED THE OLD PART AND DISCOVERED A SMALL HOLE ON THE UPPER SIDE OF THE RETURN GAS LINE AT THE POINT WHERE THE PROTECTIVE SHEATH ENDED AND THE LINE HAD COME IN CONTACT WITH THE SHARP CORNER OF THE REAR ENGINE/TRANSMISSION SUPPORT MOUNT. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10402290May 21, 2011
STEERING
VEHICLE HAS 150,000 MILES. SUDDENLY THE CAR HAS DIFFICULTY MAKING LEFT HAND TURNS. NOW WHEN TURNING LEFT THE POWER ASSIST FAILS, AND IT FEELS AS IF THE STEERING WHEEL IS LOCKED UP, BUT YOU CAN FORCE THE WHEEL FURTHER LEFT IF YOU TRY, BUT IT IS VERY HARD TO DO. IF YOU AREN'T PREPARED FOR IT YOU COULD EASILY GET INTO AN ACCIDENT. BUT SOMETIME AS YOU FORCE THE WHEEL LEFT, THE RESISTANCE WILL SUDDENLY DISAPPEAR AND THE CAR WILL JERK TO THE LEFT. TURNING RIGHT IMMEDIATELY RETURNS NORMAL POWER ASSIST, UNTIL A LEFT TURN IS ATTEMPTED. NO FLUID IS LEAKING. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10401262May 17, 2011
STEERING
I WAS MAKING A LEFT TURN AND THE STEERING LOCKED AND THERE WAS A LOUD BANG. I WASN'T ABLE TO COMPLETE THE TURN CAUSING ME TO DRIVE OFF THE ROAD AND ONTO A LAWN. THE STEERING WHEEL WOULDN'T GO BACK TO THE CORRECT POSITION AND IT SEEMED TO BE IN MANUAL STEERING MODE. I COULD BARELY MOVE THE WHEEL. THE CAR IS NOT DRIVABLE AT THIS TIME. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10393501April 1, 2011
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM, VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM:RADIATOR ASSEMBLY
2002 BUICK CENTURY. CONSUMER STATES DESIGN DEFECT *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED HIS WIFE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A REPAIR SHOP BECAUSE THE WINDSHIELD WIPER BLADE WAS STUCK. HOWEVER, IT WAS DISCOVERED THE RADIATOR WAS ALMOST ON THE GROUND AND IN THE PROCESS OF BECOMING DETACHED. SHE WAS REFERRED TO AN AUTO BODY SHOP. THE BODY SHOP STATED THE RADIATOR MOUNT WAS DRY ROTTED BEYOND REPAIR AND SHOULD HAVE NEVER OCCURRED IN AN EIGHT YEAR OLD VEHICLE. **JB UPDATED 10/20/11.*JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10393554March 29, 2011
STEERING
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 BUICK CENTURY. THE CONTACT STATED HE INTERMITTENTLY HAD TO APPLY HEAVY FORCE TO THE STEERING WHEEL IN ORDER TO TURN THE WHEEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THE CONTACT WAS TOLD THE FAILURE WAS RESULTING FROM THE LOWER PINION BEARINGS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 132,500 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 133,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10392903March 25, 2011
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC, POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION, STRUCTURE, FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 BUICK CENTURY. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH WHEN THE CHECK ENGINE AND TRACK OFF WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS LATER TOWED TO A LOCAL MECHANIC WHERE THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED THAT THE ABS SENSOR AND OTHER WIRES WERE BOUND BY ELECTRICAL TAPE AND THE FUEL AND BRAKE LINES WERE CORRODED. IN ADDITION, THERE WERE MISSING PLUGS WHICH PREVENTED WATER FROM ENTERING THE VEHICLE ON BOTH THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDES. BOTH THE BRAKE LINE AND THE TRANSMISSION WERE LEAKING FLUIDS. THERE WAS A HOLE IN THE FRONT SUB FRAME AND THE FUEL FILLER NECK WAS CORRODED. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT PART OF THE EXHAUST HANGER WAS MISSING AND THE REMAINING PARTS WERE CORRODED. THE MECHANIC ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD BE FAR TOO COSTLY TO PERFORM ANY REPAIRS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED USED MARCH 17, 2010. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 56,500 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 56,528.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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