Buick Century Complaints (2003)

127 consumer complaints on file.

#11536728August 6, 2023
STEERING, SUSPENSION, STRUCTURE:BODY
My vehicle was receiving a PA state required annual mechanical safety inspection by an ASE certified mechanic. I was informed that the "sway bar" which stabilizes the steering system had failed, and as a critical part of the steering operation, the vehicle could not pass a PA state mechanical safety inspection. I had the "sway bar" replaced with the GM re-designed part at considerable expense to pass the PA state safety inspection. The ASE certified mechanic advised me that he had replaced many mechanical failures like mine (broken lug ends) before GM changed the design to one that could withstand the application (a solid forging as opposed to a sheet metal fabrication). I wrote to the CEO of Buick/GM (see attached letter) to request an explanation as to why a known safety defect like the "sway bar" was not recalled when it was first discovered, resulting in a re-design of the "sway bar" for subsequent production models. I received a telephone response from the GM Executive Team, who called himself "Debbie", at 1.855.880.1500, extension 5917674, Reference Number [XXX], on 26 July 2023. "Debbie" refused to document GM's position on this issue in writing, and only emphasized that a safety recall with this known safety issue was never issued. It appears that GM has deceived the NTHSA and gotten away with a cover-up. Regardless of the time that GM has kept this hidden from the NHTSA, GM should be required to recall all affected vehicles and repair them at their expense. Thank you. [XXX] PE INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11405509March 30, 2021
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM, POWER TRAIN, SUSPENSION
SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT AND GAS LIGHT CAME ON. CODE READ AT AUTOZONE INDICATED PO135- OXYGEN SENSOR. TWO DAYS LATER, BOTH CHECK ENGINE LIGHTS CAME ON, SECURITY, BATTERY AND GAS LIGHTS. EVEN REVVED UP AND HAD OTHER ISSUES WITH FUEL ECONOMY AND COMPRESSOR KICKING ON AND FAILING TO START. OTHER ISSUES, POPPING NOISE WHEN TURNING STEERING WHEEL. THE CONSUMER STATED THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER OFFERED A LOYALYTY CERTIFICATE A LEASED VEHUCLE OR A POSSIBLE REIMBURSEMENT OF 500.00 FOR REPAIRS. NEITHER OF THE REMEDIES SATISFIED THE CONSUMER. THE CONSUMER REQUESTED TO HAVE THE VEHICLE REPAIRED AT NO COST OR BE REIMBURSED 3,500.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11403916March 19, 2021
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM, EXTERIOR LIGHTING
THE VEHICLE'S GAS TANK WON'T HOLD MUCH AND CLICKS AS IF FULL. ALSO, WHEN ON UNEVEN PAVEMENT OR GROUND, THE ⛽ GAS WARNING LIGHT COMES ON, EVEN AFTER GAS WAS JUST PUT IN. IN ADDITION, AT TIMES I SMELL A "BURNING ELECTRICAL" SMELL AND THE HEADLIGHTS GO OUT, THE BRIGHTS FAIL TO "CLICK" ON OR GOES OFF BY ITSELF. THE TURN SIGNAL LIGHTS HAVE TO BE TURNED MANUALLY TO BLINK. ALL TURN SIGNAL LIGHTS HAVE BEEN REPLACED MULTIPLE TIMES AND THIS DOES NOT FIX THE PROBLEM. THE BACK TURN SIGNALS WORK AND LIGHT UP, BUT NOT THE FRONT & BLINK AT A FASTER RATE. EVEN ONE SIDE HEADLIGHT ENGAGEMENT WAS REPLACED AND THE PROBLEMS STILL EXIST.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11362671October 4, 2020
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, UNKNOWN OR OTHER
HORN BUTTON IS PART OF AIR BAG. THE HORN BUTTON SHORTS OUT AND THE HORN BLOWS ALL THE TIME. HAVE TO REMOVE FUSE TO STOP HORN BLOWING. HAD TO REPLACE AIR BAG TO FIX. IN A FEW MONTHS THE PROBLEM REOCCURRED. ITS TOO EXPENSIVE TO REPLACE AIR BAGS SO I AM LEFT WITHOUT A HORN THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE. CAN THE MANUFACTURER PROVIDE A FIX? THE INTERNET SHOWS THIS IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM FOR A LOT OF GM CARS.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11153248November 22, 2018
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
BRIGHT LIGHTS WON'T STAY ON.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11140588October 16, 2018
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 BUICK CENTURY. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE HEADLIGHTS SUDDENLY SHUT OFF. THE CONTACT INDICATED THAT THE FAILURE MAINLY OCCURRED WHILE SWITCHING FROM LOW TO HIGH BEAM AND VICE VERSA. THE FAILURE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER AND LOCAL DEALER WERE NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 98,000. *TT*JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11096874May 19, 2018
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
BRIGHT LIGHTS WON'T STAY ON AND SOMETIMES IF YOU CAN GET THEM TO COME ON THEY WILL GO OUT WHILE DRIVING. WAS ON A CITY STREET AND TURNED RIGHT , THEY WENT OFF. SINCE THEN YOU CAN HOLD THE BRIGHT LIGHT SWITCH, BUT WHEN YOU TURN LOOSE THEY GOES OFF.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11021460September 5, 2017
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 BUICK CENTURY. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE HEADLIGHTS FAILED TO RESPOND. THE LOCAL DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 132,704.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10965991March 14, 2017
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
WAS DRIVING UP A GRADE AND THE VEHICLE FAILED TO DOWNSHIFT TO CLIMB THE GRADE PROPERLY ON THE FREEWAY SO REMAINED AT 60 MPH WHILE IN DRIVE. VEHICLE ALSO SEEMED TO ACCELERATE UNDER ITS OWN POWER WHERE I HAD TO STOP THE VEHICLE BY PUTTING IT INTO NEUTRAL IN ORDER TO BRAKE SAFELY ALMOST AS IF I WAS BRAKING AS THE VEHICLE WAS ACCELERATING. I WAS AT 55 MPH ON A FLAT SERVICE WITHOUT EVEN TOUCHING THE ACCELERATOR. I DID NOTICE HIGHER RPMS WHILE IN NEUTRAL. I DID TAKE IT TO A GARAGE AND THEY COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM AND MY FRONT BRAKES NEEDED TO BE REPLACED UNDER THE CIRCUMSTANCES. THE VEHICLE WASN'T THROWING ANY CODES EITHER. I KNOW I'M NOT THE ONLY ONE THAT HAS WITNESSED THIS ISSUE AND I'M SURE THE MECHANIC I TOOK IT TO DID HIS JOB PROPERLY IN ATTEMPTING TO DIAGNOSE THE ISSUE HOWEVER IT JUST COULDN'T BE DUPLICATED. NOT ABOUT TO PAY DIAGNOSTIC FEES AT DIFFERENT PLACES IF I'M CHASING AFTER A GHOST. ANY FEEDBACK IS TRULY HELPFUL BUT NOW MY WIFE IS LEFT DRIVING A CAR SUBJECTED TO HAVING THAT SAME ISSUE IN THE NEAR FUTURE QUITE POSSIBLY AND WE JUST HAD A GARAGE SIGN OFF ON NOT BEING ABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. HOPE THIS INFORMATION HELPS.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10907184September 16, 2016
SERVICE BRAKES, ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC), EXTERIOR LIGHTING
TURN BRIGHTS ON AND RADIO/CLOCK LIGHT GOES OFF. NO HEADLIGHTS ON DURING DAY DRIVING, RADIO/CLOCK LIGHT RANDOMLY GOES ON AND BACK OFF. HEAD LIGHTS BRIEFLY GONE OFF DURING NIGHT DRIVING 3 DIFFERENT TIMES ONLY FOR MAYBE 5 SECONDS, BUT IT ONLY TAKES A SECOND FOR A DEER OR OBJECT TO APPEAR AT NIGHT OR A CAR AHEAD BRAKING SUDDENLY. SPEEDOMETER BACK LIGHT DOES NOT ILLUMINATE FOR NIGHT DRIVING. TRAC OFF AND ANTI LOCK WARNING LIGHTS CONTINUOUSLY STAY ON, I HAVE HAD MY BRAKES REPLACED THROUGHOUT THE YEARS OF OWNING THE CAR SINCE OCTOBER 2007 AND THE WARNING LIGHTS DO NOT RESET THEMSELVES AS THEY SHOULD, THEY CONTINUOUSLY STAY ON SINCE 2009. I AM TIRED OF DEALING WITH ALL OF THESE ELECTRICAL AND LIGHTENING ISSUES WITH THIS CAR. I HAVE TRIED TO FIND GM RECALL FOR THESE PROBLEMS. PLEASE TELL ME WHERE AND HOW I CAN HAVE THESE DEFECTS FIXED.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10892161August 1, 2016
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 BUICK CENTURY. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE PLASTIC HEADLIGHT COVERS CAUSED A HAZE OVER THE HEADLIGHTS, WHICH PREVENTED THEM FROM ILLUMINATING CORRECTLY AT NIGHT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED BY THE TECHNICIAN TO CLEAN OR REPLACE THE PLASTIC HEADLIGHT COVERS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 185,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10875487June 21, 2016
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
PURCHASED ON 2004, USED, THE 2003 VEHICLE HAS CONSISTENTLY HAD THE HEAD LAMPS GO OUT WHEN IN HIGHBEAMS ARE ACTIVATED. THE DEALER SAID THIS IS A SHORT AND SAID IT WOULD COST ME TO FIX THEM AND THIS HAPPENS TO MANY OF THESE VEHICLES. MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE WHEN YOU ARE DRIVING AT NIGHT AND THE LIGHTS GO OUT. CLICKING THE LOW BEAMS ON TURN THE LIGHTS BACK ON. SINCE THIS SEEMS TO BE A KNOWN ISSUE, WHY IS THERE. TO A RECALL ON THIS? THIS HAPPENS WHILE THE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION AT ALL SPEEDS. (ONLY IN THE DARK, SINCE THIS IS WHEN THE HIGH BEA,S ARE USED!)
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10872464June 3, 2016
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
WHEN DRIVING AT NIGHT HEAD LIGHTS JUST SHUT OFF BRIEFLY. IT SEEMS TO DO THIS ON DIMS OR BRIGHTS. I SEE A LOT OF SIMILAR COMPLAINTS AND I DON'T SEE ANY RECALLS. THEY COME BACK ON, BUT I CAN'T SEEM TO DETERMINE IF THEY COME BACK ON FROM MESSING WITH THE SWITCH OR IF THEY JUST COME BACK ON BY THEMSELVES. I'M NOT SURE IF THE TAILLIGHTS GO OUT AS WELL BUT IF THEY DO THAT'S A HAZARD FOR THOSE COMING UP BEHIND ON HIGHWAY AT 65 MPH. THIS IS CLEARLY A SAFETY HAZARD THAT NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED!
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10850174March 17, 2016
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 BUICK CENTURY. WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, THE LOW BEAM HEAD LAMPS WERE ACTIVATED, BUT FAILED TO ILLUMINATE. THE FAILURE RECURRED ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 94,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10825311February 10, 2016
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, EXTERIOR LIGHTING
WHEN DRIVING AT NIGHT ALL LIGHTS GO OUT, INTERIOR AND DRIVING LIGHTS, RESUMING WHEN CLICKING BRIGHT LIGHT SWITCH. DRIVING AT 65 MPH.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10823428February 1, 2016
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 BUICK CENTURY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED UNINTENDED ACCELERATION WHEN SHIFTED. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO A CURB AND CONTINUED DOWN A LAWN. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE FRONT AXEL AND THE MUFFLER FRACTURED. IN ADDITION, A PIECE OF THE TRANSMISSION DETACHED AND OIL LEAKED FROM UNDER THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED AND THERE WERE NO INJURIES REPORTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 52,000. UPDATED 03/16/16*LJ THE CONSUMER STATED THE ELECTRONIC CONTROL SYSTEM MALFUNCTIONED. *JS
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10821600January 22, 2016
STRUCTURE:BODY, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
I HAD DRIVEN MY 2003 BUICK CENTURY AT LEAST HALFWAY INTO A PARKING SPACE IN A PARKING LOT WHEN IT SUDDENLY LURCHED FORWARD LIKE A BAT OUT OF HELL, LEAPING UP OVER A CURB ON AN UPWARD SLOPE, SWIPING A CEMENT LIGHTPOST ON THE LEFT, CRASHING INTO ANOTHER CAR ACROSS ITS LEFT FRONT, BUMPING DOWN OVER A CURB, THEN CRASHING UP AND OVER TWO MORE CURBS. WITH DIVINE HELP I WAS ABLE TO AVOID OTHER CARS AND STEER IT TO A STOP, THEN DRIVE GINGERLY INTO THE ORIGINAL PARKING SPACE. SINCE I WAS ORIGINALLY IN THE PROCESS OF SLOWING TO A STOP, MY RIGHT FOOT WAS ON THE BRAKE AT ALL TIMES. I HAD NEVER HEARD OF MANY AUTOMAKERS' INFAMOUS "SUDDEN UNINTENDED ACCELERATION" MANUFACTURING DEFECT AND HAD NO IDEA WHAT WAS HAPPENING AS THE CAR WENT FROM 1 OR 2 MPH TO FULL THROTTLE INSTANTLY. WITH BOTH HANDS GRASPING THE STEERING WHEEL WHILE THE CAR JERKED VIOLENTLY, I WAS UNABLE TO SHIFT INTO NEUTRAL, AS I WAS ATTEMPTING TO AVOID OTHER PARKED VEHICLES. I EMERGED WITH NO BROKEN BONES, BUT THE CAR WAS TOTALED. BECAUSE I AM A "LITTLE OLD LADY," THE INSURANCE COMPANY DEEMS ME "L00% RESPONSIBLE," IN SPITE OF MY CLEAN DRIVING RECORD. BUT "SUDDEN UNINTENDED ACCELERATION" FITS MY SCENARIO TO A TEE.
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10788354November 4, 2015
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 BUICK CENTURY. WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, THE HEADLIGHTS FAILED TO ILLUMINATE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHO SUGGESTED THAT REPLACING THE DEMO SWITCH FROM THE COLUMN MAY REMEDY THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE TURN SIGNAL FAILED TO SIGNAL. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 152,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10763118September 11, 2015
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 BUICK CENTURY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH, THE HEADLIGHTS SUDDENLY FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10761410September 3, 2015
ENGINE
VECHICLE SHUTS OFF WHEN AT A STOP LIGHT/SIGN AFTER TAKING IT 3 TIMES TO MULTIPLE MECHANICS INCLUDING THE DEALER- KING PONTIAC, MD, NO ONE IS ABLE TO IDENTIFY AND FIX THE PROBLEM, I AM TOLD THAT THEY CAN'T IDENTIFY DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM AND IDENTIFY THE CODE TO FIX THE CAR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

← Back to Buick Century