Buick Century Complaints (2003)

127 consumer complaints on file.

#10212320December 19, 2007
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS:HIGH/LOW BEAM DIMMER SWITCH
AT TIMES WHEN USE THE DIMMER SWITCH ON MY 2003 BUICK CENTURY, THE HEAD LIGHTS GO OUR COMPLETELY. WHEN I REFLICK THE DIMMER SWITCH, THE LIGHTS WILL COME BACK ON, THIS PROPOSES A DANGEROUS SITUATION, ESP. IF ONE DOESN'T KNOW THAT REFLICKING THE SWITCH WILL SOLVE THE PROBLEM. THE SITUATION IS EVEN MORE DANGEROUS IN THE LATE TWILIGHT, WHICH IS WHAT HAPPENED W/ MY WIFE. SHE DROVE SEVERAL MILES BEFORE ARRIVING HOME, COMPLETELY UNAWARE THAT SHE WAS DRIVING W/O HEADLIGHT. I JUST RETRIEVED MY BUICK FROM THE REPAIR SHOP, WHERE THEY INSTALLED AN ENTIRE UNIT FOR ME AT A COST OF 500.00. MORE THAN LIKELY THIS PROBLEM HAS OCCURRED WITH OTHER CENTURY OWNERS. THE REPAIR COST WAS BAD ENOUGH, BUT THE SITUATION COULD HAVE BEEN DEADLY, IF I HAD NOT DETECTED THE PROBLEM AND HAD IT REPAIRED. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10211936December 14, 2007
POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION:LUBRICANT, SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
THE 2003 HAS A NUMBER OF ISSUES. 1. THE LIGHTS TURN OFF AT RANDOM IN THE DARK. THIS HAS HAPPENED ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS. 2. THE BRAKES NEED TO BE REPLACED ROUGHLY EVERY 8 MONTHS. MY MECHANIC SAID THE BUICK CENTURY HAS BRAKES THAT ARE NOT ADEQUATE FOR THE WEIGHT OF THE CAR. COSTLY! 3. OIL SYSTEM LEAKS, COMPLETE BREAKDOWN. $1200 TO REPLACE THE SYSTEM. 4. THE DIALS ON THE TEMP CONTROL COME OFF. I AM TRADING THIS POS OFF BEFORE IT COSTS ME MORE MONEY! *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10206038October 4, 2007
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:MASTER CYLINDER
2003 BUICK CENTURY WITH LEAKING BRAKE CYLINDERS. CUSTOMER STATES THE DEALER TOLD HIM THIS WAS CAUSED BY HITTING A POT HOLE. SHE SAYS THE BRAKES ARE DEFECTIVE THEY SHOULD NOT HAVE TO BE SERVICED OR BE A PROBLEM AT 18,000 MILES. *KB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10197233July 23, 2007
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 BUICK CENTURY. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE REPAIR SHOP FOR ROUTINE MAINTENANCE. THE MECHANIC DISCOVERED THAT THE MANIFOLD WAS LEAKING AND MADE THE REPAIR. THE CONTACT NOTICED THE NUMBER OF COMPLAINTS THAT WERE FILED FOR THIS FAILURE AND BELIEVES IT TO BE A MANUFACTURER DEFECT. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 47,900 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 47,600. THE CONSUMER PROVIDED THE REPAIR INVOICE FOR THE VEHICLE. UPDATED 09/05/07 *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10195081July 1, 2007
EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:ANTI-THEFT DEVICES
MY 2003 BUICK CENTURY DEVELOPED A PROBLEM WHEREIN THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKE SYSTEM WAS ENERGIZE AT VERY ODD TIMES; I.E. WHEN ACCELERATING FROM A STOP, WHEN DRIVING AT A CONSTANT SPEED (LOW SPEED IN RESIDENTIAL AREA), WHEN SLOWING TO MAKE A TURN OR TO STOP BUT BEFORE BRAKES ARE APPLIED. WHEN THE ANTI-LOCK SYSTEM MYSTERIOUSLY ACTIVATED AS THE BRAKES WERE BEING APPLIED, MORE DISTANCE WAS USED TO BRING THE CAR TO A STOP. A MR GOODWRENCH SHOP TRIED TO FIND THE PROBLEM, BUT TO NO AVAIL. AT THE SAME TIME THIS WAS HAPPENING, THREE DASH LIGHTS WOULD SOMETIMES COME ON AND STAY ON UNTIL THE IGNITION WAS TURNED OFF. THE THREE LIGHTS WERE CHECK VEHICLE SOON, ANTI-LOCK, AND TRAC OFF. THESE SAME LIGHTS ALSO CAME ONE AND STAYED ON WHEN THE BRAKES SYSTEM WAS OPERATING NORMALLY. THE SHOP COULD NOT FIND THE PROBLEM WITH THIS EITHER. INCLUDING PUTTING ON NEW FRONT AND REAR BRAKES (INCLUDING FRONT ROTORS, I SPENT JUST OVER $900.00. THE ONLY THING I REALLY GOT WAS NEW BRAKES WHICH DO NOT NORMALLY COST ANYWHERE NEAR $ 900.00. I HAVE SINCE REMOVED THE FUSE FOR THE ANTI-LOCK SYSTEM AND EVERYTHING ELSE IS OKAY EXCEPT THAT I NOW HAVE TWO LIGHTS ON ALL THE TIME (ANTI-LOCK AND TRAC OFF). ALTHOUGH I SHOW AN INCIDENT DATE BELOW, THIS SITUATION HAS BEEN PRESENT FOR AT LEAST THREE MONTHS. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10191594May 23, 2007
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS:HIGH/LOW BEAM DIMMER SWITCH
WHILE OPERATING VEHICLE AT NIGHT I WENT TO USE MY HIGH BEAMS, LOW BEAMS OPERATED FINE. HOWEVER, WHEN I ACTIVATED HIGH BEAMS, ALL HEADLIGHTS WENT OFF, CAUSING ME TO RAPIDLY SLOW DOWN AND PULL TO SIDE OF ROAD. AS PULLING TO SIDE OF ROAD I TURNED OFF THE HIGH BEAMS, AND LOW BEAMS CAME BACK ON. THIS HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES. THIS OBVIOUSLY VERY DANGEROUS. I TOOK CAR TO A CAR REPAIR SHOP, AND THEY ADVISED ME TO CHECK FOR ANY VEHICLE/EQUIPMENT RECALLS. I TRIED LOOKING FOR RECALLS ,BUT COULD NOT FIND ANY. REPAIR SHOP WAS INSISTENT THAT WE CHECKED WITH YOU BEFORE THEY DO ANY WORK BECAUSE IT MIGHT BE COVERED IF A RECALL WAS ISSUED. *AK THE CONSUMER STATED WANTS TO KNOW THE STATUS OF HIS COMPLAINT. *TR
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
#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
#10175967December 12, 2006
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS:HIGH/LOW BEAM DIMMER SWITCH
HEADLIGHT HIGH BEAMS WOULD RANDOMLY TURN OFF LEAVING NO VISIBILITY FOR NIGHT DRIVING. THIS OCCURRED ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS. SWITCHING BACK TO LOW BEAMS PROVIDED LIGHT. BROUGHT VEHICLE TO GM DEALERSHIP AND IT WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. DEALERSHIP SUGGESTED THAT A REMEDY MIGHT BE TO REPLACE THE MULTI FUNCTION SWITCH OR BLINKER SWITCH. THIS REPLACEMENT WAS DONE ON 12/11/06 AT A COST OF $682.02. *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10175665December 9, 2006
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS:HIGH/LOW BEAM DIMMER SWITCH
BRIGHT LIGHTS QUIT WORKING WHEN DRIVING, RESULTING IN TOTAL DARKNESS WHEN DRIVING AT NIGHT, UNTIL DIMMER SWITCH WAS ACTIVATED. LOCAL BUICK GARAGE REPLACED ENTIRE DIMMER UNIT FROM STEERING COLUMN. (SWITCH 2.485) *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10170292October 9, 2006
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS
HEADLIGHTS WENT OUT APPROX. 4 TIMES OVER A 30 MIN PERIOD. THIS IS THE SECOND TIME THIS HAS HAPPENED. THE FIRST TIME THEY WENT OUT ONCE FOR ABOUT 15 SECONDS. THIS TIME THEY WERE OUT LONG ENOUGH FOR ME TO HAVE TO PULL OFF THE ROAD. *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10168188September 13, 2006
SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:SEAT HEATER/COOLER
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, THE SEAT CAUGHT ON FIRE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS CONTACTED AND DETERMINED THE FIRE WAS CAUSED DUE TO FAULTY WIRING UNDERNEATH THE SEAT. THE DEALERSHIP WAS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. THERE WERE NO WARNING SIGNALS PRIOR TO THE INCIDENT. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10153535March 23, 2006
STRUCTURE
MY 2003 BUICK CENTURY'S WINDSHIELD LOWER SEAL FAILED AROUND THE CABIN-FILTER AREA AND ALLOWED WATER TO RUN DOWN THE FIREWALL AND INTO MY CAR UNDER MY CARPETING AND POOL ON THE FLOOR. THIS CORRODED THE WIRES LEADING TO MY POWER DRIVER'S SEAT. THESE WIRES ALSO LEAD TO A DEVICE THAT CONTROLS THE AIRBAGS (A SENSOR?). GM TOOK MY SEATS, CONSOLE AND CARPETING OUT TO FIX THE WIRING. HAD THE AIRBAG NEEDED TO DEPLOY, I DOUBT IT WOULD HAVE GIVEN THE CONDITION OF THE WIRING, AND/OR IT CERTAINLY WOULD MOST LIKELY CORRODE THAT SENSOR SOONER OR LATER, RENDERING IT AND THEREFORE THE AIRBAG, USELESS. THE GM MECHANIC SAID THAT,"THIS HAS BEEN A DESIGN FLAW BY GM FOR MANY YEARS WITH THE BUICK CENTURY" -- I THINK HE MENTIONED 2002 TO 2004 MODELS. HE SAID HE'S SEEN THIS MANY TIMES. THE MANAGER AT THE BUICK DEALER SAID THAT HE TOLD THE GM REPRESENTATIVE FROM THEIR CUSTOMER ASSISTANCE OFFICE THAT THE DEFECT WAS NOT DUE TO ME AS THE OWNER, WAS NOT DUE TO THE AGING OF THE CAR, AND THAT HE HAS HAD TO DEAL WITH THIS PARTICULAR PROBLEM MANY TIMES. GM REFUSES TO ACKNOWLEDGE THE DANGER TO THE AIRBAG SYSTEM. GM ALSO REFUSES TO ADMIT THAT THIS IS THEIR DESIGN FLAW, DESPITE THEIR OWN SERVICE MANAGERS AND MECHANICS SAYING THAT IT IS. GM REFUSES TO PAY FOR ANY PART OF THE REPAIRS. GM SAYS YOU HAVE TO BE THE ORIGINAL OWNER, GET IT SERVICED AT THIS PARTICULAR GM DEALER REGULARLY, AND BECAUSE IT HAS 73,000 MILES ON IT THEY "CAN NOT HELP". WHAT DIFFERENCE DO THESE VARIABLES MAKE? MY CARPET IS NASTY (COST TO REPLACE "JUST THE CARPET" -- $500.00), MY POWER SEAT WILL PROBABLY WORK NOW, I'M OUT $500.00+ FOR LABOR, AND I CAN'T COUNT ON MY AIRBAG TO DEPLOY IN A CRASH. IN MY OPINION, THE 2003 BUICK CENTURY IS DANGEROUS GM'S FAILING TO FIX OR ACKNOWLEDGE A PROBLEM THAT COULD LEAD TO AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT FAILURE, WHICH COULD RESULT IN PERSONAL INJURY OR DEATH. AND IT'S COSTING ITS CONSUMERS $100.00'S OF DOLLARS TO FIX ON OUR OWN, AND WHO KNOWS HOW MANY LIVES. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10152209March 8, 2006
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS:HIGH/LOW BEAM DIMMER SWITCH
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE SWITCHING THE HEADLIGHTS FROM LOW BEAM TO HIGH BEAM THEY TEMPORARILY GO OUT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE DEALER DETERMINED THE HEADLIGHT DIMMER SWITCH WAS FAULTY AND OFFERED TO REPLACE; HOWEVER, THE CONTACT DECLINED.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10145464December 16, 2005
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TURN SIGNAL:SWITCH, EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS:SWITCH
DT: THE CONTACT STATES THE HEADLIGHTS GO OUT FOR A FEW MINUTES AND THEN THEY COME BACK ON. THIS HAS BEEN OCCURRING FOR THE PAST WEEK. BECAUSE IT CAN BE DUPLICATED BY PULLING THE TURN SIGNAL SWITCH FORWARD IT IS A PROBLEM IN THE STEERING COLUMN WITH THE TURN SIGNAL AND HEADLIGHT SWITCH. THERE HAVE BEEN NO REPAIRS MADE TO THE VEHICLE, AND A MECHANIC HAS NOT INSPECTED THE VEHICLE. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10139205October 10, 2005
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:TORQUE CONVERTER
2003 BUICK CENTURY HAS 90,000 MILES. TRANSMISSION SHIFTS HARD ON ACCELERATION/DECELERATION. OBD II REPORTS DTC OF P0742 - TORQUE CONVERTER CIRCUIT STUCK ON. TRANSMISSION REPAIR SHOP, AND INTERNET SEARCH INDICATE COMMON PROBLEM WITH THESE TYPE OF GM TRANSMISSIONS. ESTIMATE TO FIX $1900 TO $2400. IF THIS IS A MANUFACTURING DEFECT, SHOULDN'T GM RESOLVE AT NO OR NOMINAL COST TO OWNER OF CAR? *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10136286September 12, 2005
SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:POWER ADJUST
THE DRIVERS POWER SEAT WILL SOMETIMES MOVE FORWARD WHEN INITIALLY OCCUPIED, THIS HAPPENS WITH-OUT THE CONTROL BUTTON BEING ACTIVATED. *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10127287July 1, 2005
EQUIPMENT
ON3/25/05 I WENT TO THE [XXX], OFFICE TO REGISTER MY COLORADO TITLED AND REGISTERED 2003 BUICK CENTURY. THE AGENTS SAID THEY COULD NOT FIND MY SECOND VIN # FOR VERIFICATION AND I WOULD HAVE TO MAKE AN APPOINTMENT AND PAY $20 FOR A SPECIAL VIN # , I DID. ONMAY 24 I PAID THE $20 AND A REGISTRATION WAS PROCESSED WITH PAYMENT OF $500.51 BY CHECK. AN ARIZONA TITLE WAS ISSUED AND NEGLIGENTLY I DID NOT DOUBLE CHECK THE VIN # THEY ISSUED ON IT AS [XXX]. MY INSURANCE NOTIFIED ME THAT THE # DID NOT CORRESPOND TO THE VIN THEY HAD ON RECORD FROM MY COLORADO ORIGINAL PURCHASE OF THE VEHICLE NEW FROM MIKE SHAW BUICK IN COLORADO SPRINGS AND SUBSEQUENT POLICIES ISSUED ON THAT VEHICLE. NOW WHEN I HAD THE VEHICLE SERVICED AT LIBERTY BUICK IN GLENDALE THE SERVICE MANAGER POINTED OUT THE TWO OBVIOUS VIN NUMBERS POSTED...ONE ON DRIVER'S SIDE ON THE DASH UNDER THE WINDSHIELD AND THE OTHER ON THE TRUNK LID. I JUST VERIFIED BOTH THOSE AS [XXX]. THIS CONFLICT PRESENTS A GENUINE PROBLEM IN MY PROOF OF OWNERSHIP OF THIS VEHICLE SINCE PURCHASED NEW. *JS 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
#10122239May 26, 2005
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
DT: CONSUMER WAS DRIVING THE CAR AND CAME TO STOP SIGN APPLIED THE BRAKES, THEY FAILED AND VEHICLE WENT THROUGH THE STOP SIGN. TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER, THEY CHECKED THE BRAKES SYSTEM AND FOUND NOTHING. ON THE DAY THAT THE DEALER STATED NOTHING WAS WRONG, THIS HAPPENED AGAIN. TOOK BACK TO DEALER, LEFT IT WITH THE DEALER FOR 5 DAYS. THEY DROVE THE CAR 337 MILES AND FOUND NOTHING. THE NEXT DAY WHILE DRIVING THE BRAKES WERE VERY SPONGY. TODAY, TOOK VEHICLE BACK TO DEALER, AND IT HAD PROPER BRAKES. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10113070March 30, 2005
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS
WHILE DRIVING, THE HEADLIGHTS WOULD SHUT OFF WITHOUT WARNING INTERMITTENTLY. THE DEALERSHIP WAS NOTIFIED, BUT DID NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. THE CAUSE WAS NOT DETERMINED. *NM THE DEALERSHIP REPLACED THE MULITFUNCTION SWITCH. THEY DID NOT FIND THE PROBLEM, HOWEVER THEY REPLACED THE SWITCH AS A POSSIBLE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM. *BF *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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