Buick Century Complaints (2003)

127 consumer complaints on file.

#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
#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
#10382693February 15, 2011
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT MY HEADLIGHTS STOPPED WORKING AND THEN TURNED BACK ON, THIS MORNING AS I LEFT FOR WORK THE HEADLIGHTS DID NOT COME ON AT ALL, THE BRIGHTS ONLY WORKED IF I HELD THE BAR BACK AS IT WOULD NOT STAY ON BY CLICKING IT. AFTER READING ALL OF THE PROBLEMS WITH THIS THERE NEEDS TO BE A RECALL ON THIS SERIOUS PROBLEM. WHAT CAN BE DONE TO MAKE SURE THIS GETS TAKEN CARE OF? *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10378189January 21, 2011
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT, MY HEADLIGHTS JUST GO OUT! THIS HAS HAPPENED OFTEN IN THE LAST MONTH AND A HALF. I COMMUTE AN HOUR TO WORK AND IT HAPPENS AT LEAST ONCE A DAY. IT DOES NOT MATTER IF THEY ARE ON MANUALLY OR AUTOMATICALLY, IT DOES NOT MATTER IF THEY ARE ON LOW OR HIGH BEAM. I DISCOVERED THAT THE LIGHTS COME BACK ON IF I HIT THE DIMMER SWITCH. THIS IS A DANGEROUS SITUATION AND I BELIEVE THAT IT IS WORTHY OF INVESTIGATION AND A RECALL BEING ISSUED. I HAVE SEEN MANY COMPLAINTS ONLINE ABOUT THIS SITUATION. WHAT WILL IT TAKE FOR A RECALL? WILL IT TAKE SOMEONE GETTING KILLED IN A HEAD ON CRASH? *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10376681January 14, 2011
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 BUICK CENTURY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN USING THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS IN INCLEMENT WEATHER THEY WOULD NOT OPERATE PROPERLY AND WOULD REMAIN ON ONE SIDE. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY A DEALER WHO INFORMED HIM THAT HE WOULD NEED TO HAVE THEM TIGHTENED. THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS WERE REPAIRED BUT THE FAILURE CONTINUED TO OCCUR. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 22,000. UPDATED 2/22/11 *CN UPDATED 04/22/11*JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10375989January 8, 2011
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
THIRD INCIDENT WHERE 2003 BUICK CENTURY HEADLIGHTS (LOW BEAM) TURNED OFF WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT; NO CONTROLS OR BUTTONS TOUCHED. FIRST INCIDENT AT 155,000 MILES, SECOND INCIDENT AT 160,000, AND NOW THIRD INCIDENT AT 162,500 MILES. SITUATION LASTS 10 SECONDS AND THEN HEADLIGHTS RETURN. TURNING DIMMER SWITCH MAKES NO DIFFERENCE AND NOR DOES HIGH BEAM CONTROL. NO DIAGNOSTIC CODE APPEARS. EXTREMELY DANGEROUS SITUATION AND NO RECALL OR TECHNICAL BULLETIN ISSUED.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10373928January 3, 2011
VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 BUICK CENTURY. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED THE REAR PASSENGER AUTOMATIC WINDOW WOULD RELEASE DOWNWARD APPROXIMATELY FIVE INCHES WITHOUT ASSISTANCE. THE AUTOMATIC WINDOW MECHANISM FAILED TO OPERATE WHEN ENGAGED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSIS AND REPAIR. RECENTLY, THE FRONT PASSENGER WINDOW EXHIBITED THE IDENTICAL FAILURE AS THE REAR PASSENGER WINDOW. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 50,000. UPDATED 03/08/11*JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10372612December 27, 2010
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
03 BUICK CENTURY HEADLAMPS GO OUT WHILE DRIVING SEEMS TO BE OCCURRING WITH HIGH BEAMS 'STILL EARLY IN DIAG HAVE NOT REPAIRED YET { GREAT CHRISTMAS GIFT }. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10369014December 2, 2010
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
INSTRUMENT CLUSTER ON 2003 BUICK CENTURY DOESN'T WORK , I UNDERSTAND THIS IS COMMON ON THIS CAR AND VERY EXPENSIVE TO FIX. I FEEL GM SHOULD BE ACCOUNTABLE. ALSO, THE HEAD GASKET IS BLOWN I WAS TOLD BY A GARAGE THAT IT WAS THE TYPE OF COOLANT THEY USED AND ALSO VERY COMMON ON THESE CARS. THESE ARE CLEARLY DEFECTS IN THEIR PRODUCT AND THEY SHOULD BE RECALLED. I HAVE BOUGHT AMERICAN CARS ALL MY LIFE BUT I,M DONE WITH THEM ,THEY DON'T STAND BEHIND THEIR PRODUCT. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10368470December 1, 2010
EXTERIOR LIGHTING, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
WHEN I SWITCH TO HIGH BEAMS MY HEADLIGHTS GO OUT COMPLETELY. THEY ONLY GO BACK ON WHEN I SWITCH BACK TO DIMS. THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM AND I DON'T UNDERSTAND WHY YOU HAVEN'T OWNED UP TO IT AND HAD A RECALL. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10365800November 15, 2010
SUSPENSION:FRONT:SPRINGS:COIL SPRINGS, EXTERIOR LIGHTING
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 BUICK CENTURY. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS WITH THE HEADLIGHTS IN ACTIVATION. SUDDENLY, THE HEADLIGHTS BECAME INOPERATIVE. THE CONTACT PULLED OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD WITH CAUTION AND AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS THE HEADLIGHTS BEGAN TO OPERATE. THE FAILURE OCCURRED INTERMITTENT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THEY INFORMED THAT THE HEADLIGHT SWITCH WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 67,000. UPDATED 2/23/11 *CN ALSO, THE FRONT COIL SPRINGS WERE REPLACED. UPDATED 05/31/11
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10365498November 12, 2010
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
THE INTERNAL PANEL LIGHTS GO OFF WHEN I TURNED ON THE HEAD LIGHTS. I COULD NO LONGER READ MY GAUGES OR SPEEDOMETER. THE HEAD LIGHTS STILL WORK BUT I FEEL THIS IS THE SAME COMPLAINT THAT MANY ON THE INTERNET HAVE COMPLAINED ABOUT WITH THERE HEAD LIGHTS GOING OFF. WHEN WILL MINE STOP WORKING? THIS PROBLEM HAS EXISTED WITH BUICKS SINCE 1998 AND I CONSIDER VERY DANGEROUS PROBLEM. THE DEALER WANTS ALMOST 700.00 TO REPLACE THE DIMMER SWITCH THE CAR IS A 2003 BUICK CENTURY. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10365365November 11, 2010
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
INSTRUMENT PANEL LIGHTS GO OUT WHEN EMERGENCY BRAKE RELEASED AND CAR IS PUT IN GEAR. IF CAR IN PARK WITH ENGINE RUNNING AND BRAKE ENGAGED LIGHTS ON PANEL ARE ON. HOWEVER, WHEN LIGHTS ARE MANUALLY TURNED ON THE PANEL LIGHTS GO OUT. WHEN LIGHTS MANUALLY TURNED OFF THE LIGHTS GO ON. ONCE IN GEAR THE LIGHTS GO OUT AGAIN. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10364954November 8, 2010
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
DRIVING IN THE DARK WITH HIGH BEAMS ON, THE HEADLIGHTS WENT OUT COMPLETELY, HAD TO ACTIVATE LOW BEAMS TO GET LIGHTS BACK ON. THIS IS HAPPENING FREQUENTLY.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10357902September 27, 2010
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS:HIGH/LOW BEAM DIMMER SWITCH
TL* THE CONTACT OWN A 2003 BUICK CENTURY. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 35 MPH WHEN THE HEADLIGHTS FAILED SPORADICALLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHO ADVISED REPLACING THE DIMMER SWITCH AT THE CONTACT'S EXPENSE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT UNDER RECALL. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 120,000. UPDATED 12/30/10 *BF UPDATED 01/07/11. *JB
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
#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
#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
#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

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