Buick Century Complaints (2003)

127 consumer complaints on file.

#10315610March 2, 2010
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
MY LIGHTS GO OUT WHEN I TRY TO SWITCH FROM DIM TO BRIGHT. I FEEL THAT THIS COULD BE A BIG SAFETY ISSUE WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT, SO I DON'T SWITCH TO BRIGHT LIGHTS IN FEAR THAT MY LIGHTS WONT COME BACK ON. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10303187January 29, 2010
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 BUICK CENTURY. WHENEVER THE CONTACT EXAMINED THE ENGINE SHE NOTICED THAT THE OIL LEVEL WOULD CONTINUALLY DROP AFTER HAVING AN OIL CHANGE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE ENGINE MANIFOLD WAS LEAKING. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 46000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10300383January 20, 2010
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
THE DIMMER SWITCH FOR THE HEADLIGHTS. WHEN I WAS USING IT LAST WEEK, IT MOMENTARILY TURNED OFF THE EXTERIOR LIGHTS COMPLETELY. VERY DANGEROUS. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10297892January 3, 2010
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
FAULTY INSTRUMENT CLUSTER ON 2003 BUICK CENTURY. OTHER GENERAL MOTORS VEHICLES WITH SIMILAR PROBLEMS WERE RECALLED AND FIXED, BUT BUICK HAS NOT. COST TO REPLACE EXCEEDS $600. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10295323December 11, 2009
EXTERIOR LIGHTING, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
1) WHILE DRIVING ON A NARROW, CURVY, HILLY TWO LANE ROAD IN THE DARK I ATTEMPTED TO TURN ON MY HIGH BEAM HEADLIGHTS AS I WAS HAVING TROUBLE SEEING WHICH WAY THE ROAD WAYS TURNING. WHEN I CLICK THE HIGH BEAM SWITCH MY HEADLIGHTS WENT OUT TOTALLY AND I COULD NOT SEE THE ROAD AT ALL. THE HIGH BEAM SWITCH ON THIS CAR IS THE GENERAL MOTORS MULTIFUNCTION SWITCH MOUNTED ON THE STEERING COLUMN. I WENT OFF THE ROAD NARROWLY MISSING A LARGE BOULDER AND TREE. 2) I HAD TROUBLE GETTING THE HEADLIGHTS TO COME BACK ON. MY CAR NOW ONLY HAS LOW BEAM. THE MULTIFUNCTION SWITCH MUST BE FIDDLED WITH AND OPERATED MANY TIME TO TRY TO GETS THE HEADLIGHT TO COME BACK ON. IF I TRY TO GET THE HIGH BEAM HEADLIGHTS TO COME ON THE HEADLIGHTS GO OUT AND I MUST PLAY WITH THE SWITCH TO HAVE THE LIGHTS COME BACK ON. THIS IS A DANGEROUS SITUATION WHEN YOU NEED TO TRAVEL NARROW HILLY ROADS IN RURAL AREAS WITHOUT ANY ROAD LIGHTS. WHEN THE HEADLIGHTS GO OUT YOU BECOME SURPRISED AND NEED A SECOND TO UNDERSTAND WHAT HAS HAPPENED. IN THAT SECOND YOU BECOME A LITTLE DIS-ORIENTED AS YOU ARE TRYING TO GET THE LIGHTS TO COME BACK ON AND TRYING TO STOP. THE FAILURE IS STILL THERE AS I AM TRYING TO GET IT IN FOR REPAIR. 3) I WILL HAVE THE CAR IN FOR REPAIR IN THE NEXT FEW DAY AND WILL ASK FOR THE FAULTY SWITCH BACK. I HAVE A FRIEND WITH CHEVROLET IMPALA WHO TOLD ME HE HAD THE SAND PROBLEM WITH THIS GENERAL MOTORS MULTI-FUNCTION SWITCH. IT IS THE SAME SWITCH IN HIS CAR AS MINE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10290324October 29, 2009
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
WHILE DRIVING HOME ONE NIGHT, MY HEADLIGHTS JUST WENT OUT! THIS HAS HAPPENED OFTEN ENOUGH WE NOW DO NOT DRIVE OUR CAR AT NIGHT IF AT ALL POSSIBLE. THROUGH RESEARCH ONLINE AND TESTING IT OURSELVES, WE DETERMINED THAT THE LIGHTS COME BACK ON IF WE FLICK THE DIMMER SWITCH. THIS IS A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION, AND AFTER READING OTHER'S SIMILAR EXPERIENCES AT ABOUTAUTOMOBILE.COM (15 DIFFERENT ENTRIES), WE BELIEVE THAT THIS IS WORTHY OF INVESTIGATION AND A RECALL BEING ISSUED. WE DID TAKE THE CAR TO A MECHANIC WHO WAS NOT SURE WHAT MIGHT BE THE CAUSE. NOW THAT WE HAVE SOME IDEA, WE WILL RETURN TO HIM AND GET AN ESTIMATE FOR REPAIRS. FROM THE ONLINE RESEARCH, WE CAN EXPECT IT TO COST APPROXIMATELY $600 OR MORE. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10278396July 27, 2009
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
2003 BUICK CENTURY 4DR - I HAVE HAD FOR ALMOST SIX YEARS AND THIS HAPPENED ONLY ONE TIME. THANK GOD. I LEFT WALMART ON SIDE STREET, SLOWED FOR STOP SIGN AHEAD, THE ENGINE WENT COMPLETELY DEAD, LIGHTS AND INSTRUMENTS OUT, I CAME TO SUDDEN STOP. COULD NOT RESTART CAR, DOORLOCKS HAD AUTOMATICALLY CLICKED, LOCKING US INSIDE, WE COULD NOT RELEASE OR OPEN DOORS. WE WERE LOCKED INSIDE OUR CAR. LUCKILY I WORE CELLPHONE. ABOUT TEN MINUTES LATER, OUT OF THE BLUE, THE POWER CAME BACK ON ALL AT ONCE, LIGHTS CAME ON. I WAS ABLE TO RESTART ENGINE AND UNLOCK THE DOORS. IT WAS A RATHER SCARY SITUATION FOR A FEW MOMENTS. I THOUGHT, "WHAT IF THERE HAD BEEN A FIRE IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT?" *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10274343June 19, 2009
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, EXTERIOR LIGHTING
I HAVE A 2003 BUICK CENTURY V6 WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT MY LIGHTS GO OUT IT IS VERY SCARY AND DANGEROUS I WOULD LIKE TO NO THE PROBLEM AS I HAVE READ THAT THERE HAS BEEN OTHERS WITH THE SAME PROBLEM ALSO IF I HIT THE DIMMER SWITCH THEY WILL COME BACK ON BUT THEN GO BACK OFF. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10269809May 24, 2009
STRUCTURE, STRUCTURE:BODY
ONGOING LEAKS AT BOTTOM OF BOTH REAR DOORS FOR SOME YEARS DESPITE AT LEAST 3 ATTEMPTS BY DEALER TO FIX. I FINALLY RESOLVED ON MY OWN WITH PLASTIC SHEETING WHICH IS UNSIGHTLY. ALSO DISCOVERED LEAK IN TRUCK IN PAST YEAR. ANOTHER ISSUE IS POOR QUALITY OF THE 2 CONTROL KNOBS ON DASH BOARD FOR A/C, ETC. THEY HAVE EITHER BROKEN OR HAVE BEEN DIFFICULT TO TURN. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10268529May 12, 2009
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 BUICK CENTURY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR REPAIR AND THEY DISCOVERED AN ENGINE COOLANT LEAK. THE DEALER SUGGESTED THAT THE HEAD GASKET BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 30,800.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10255146January 15, 2009
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
I WAS DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE TO VISIT FRIENDS AT ABOUT DUSK. I ALWAYS DRIVE WITH THE HEADLIGHT SWITCH IN THE "AUTO" POSITION, BUT BECAUSE OF WEATHER CONDITIONS I SWITCHED TO THE "MANUAL ON" POSITION. I CONTINUED TO DRIVE FOR ANOTHER HOUR AND WHEN I GOT TO WITHIN 10 MINUTES OF MY DESTINATION, THE INTERIOR DASH LIGHTS AND RADIO STARTED FLASHING. MY HEADLIGHTS WERE ALSO GOING OFF AND I COULD HEAR THE RELAY ON THE COMPUTER (PASSENGER SIDE) CLICKING. I STOPPED AND INSPECTED FOR A SHORTED WIRE BUT FOUND NONE. I SWITCHED TO THE "AUTO" POSITION AND WAS ABLE TO COMPLETE THE DRIVE AND RETURN BACK HOME WITHOUT RECURRENCE. TESTING IT AGAIN AT HOME THE HEADLIGHTS WOULD GO ON AND OFF IN THE "MANUAL ON " POSITION. AFTER EXERCISING THE HEADLIGHT SWITCH THROUGH ALL THE POSITIONS NUMEROUS TIMES, I COULD NOT REPRODUCE THE PROBLEM.. I BELIEVE THAT THE PROBLEM WAS CAUSED BY A UNUSED CONTACT ON THE HEADLIGHT SWITCH THAT BECAME OXIDIZED AND THE LOW VOLTAGE CAUSED THE LOSS OF HEADLIGHTS AND REACTION WITH THE COMPUTER CONTROLLING THEM. THIS IS A VERY DANGEROUS DESIGN TO BE DRIVING AT INTERSTATE SPEEDS AND LOOSE YOUR HEADLIGHTS. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10252920December 27, 2008
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS:HIGH/LOW BEAM DIMMER SWITCH
2003 BUICK CENTURY HEADLIGHTS GO OUT WHILE DRIVING. THE LIGHTS WOULD COME BACK ON BY FLICKING THE DIMMER SWITCH. EXTREMELY DANGEROUS. I WAS INFORMED IT COULD POSSIBLY BE THE BODY CONTROL MODULE OR DIMMER SWITCH. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10251831December 15, 2008
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
TL*THE CONTACT OWNED A 2003 BUICK CENTURY. AN HOUR AND FIFTEEN MINUTES AFTER PARKING THE VEHICLE AT HIS RESIDENCE, THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT IT WAS ON FIRE. HE NOTICED FLAMES COMING FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS CALLED AND A REPORT WAS FILED. THE FIRE QUICKLY SPREAD THROUGHOUT THE CONTACT'S HOME BEFORE THE FIRE DEPARTMENT COULD ARRIVE. IT TOOK APPROXIMATELY ONE AND A HALF HOURS TO EXTINGUISH THE FIRE. THE HOME AND CARPORT WERE SEVERELY DAMAGED. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED AND THE HOME WAS CONDEMNED DUE TO THE FIRE. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT STATED THAT THE ORIGIN OF THE FIRE WAS THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 48,000. UPDATED 01/08/09 *BF
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10249597November 23, 2008
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
WAS DRIVING AFTER DARK ON COUNTRY ROAD. SWITCHED ON BRIGHT LIGHTS AFTER A FEW SECONDS HEADLIGHTS WENT OUT. PULLED OVER TO SIDE OF ROAD. PULLED LIGHT SWITCH ON AND OFF SEVERAL TIMES AND LIGHTS CAME BACK ON. WAS AFRAID TO USE BRIGHT LIGHTS AGAIN. IS VERY DANGEROUS AS WAS I WAS ON STRAIGHT AWAY AND LITTLE TRAFFIC AT THE MOMENT. COULD HAVE BEEN ON A CURVE AND COULD HAVE RESULTED IN CRASH AND OR LOSS OF LIFE OR AT LEAST INJURIES. WILL GO TO MECHANIC MONDAY AND HOPEFULLY CAN GET REPAIRED. WAS LOOKING FOR SAFETY BULLETIN AND OR RECALL OR ADVISORY. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10248369November 10, 2008
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 BUICK CENTURY. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS AT NIGHT, THE HEADLIGHTS DIM. WHEN THE HIGH BEAMS ARE ACTIVATED, THE HEADLIGHTS ILLUMINATE AGAIN. THE CONTACT HAS SEEN IDENTICAL FAILURES LIKE THIS ON THE INTERNET. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 57,000. UPDATED 12-01-08 *BF THE DEALER STATED THE VEHICLE NEEDED A NEW MULTI-FUNCTION SWITCH. UPDATED 12/02/08. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10244945October 9, 2008
STRUCTURE, STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS
THE CROSS MEMBER HOLDING THE ENGINE CAME LOOSE AND DROPPED THE ENGINE TO ABOUT 6 INCHES FROM THE GROUND. ONLY 1 BOLT WAS FOUND. THIS WAS DISCOVERED WHILE BACKING OUT OF THE DRIVEWAY. IT WILL REQUIRE A FLOOR JACK TO LIFT THE ENGINE SO THE BOLT CAN BE REPLACED AND THEN TOWED TO A SHOP FOR INSPECTION OF FURTHER POSSIBLE DAMAGE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10230281June 8, 2008
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
ONE OF THE TAILLIGHT BULBS IN MY FIANCE'S CAR NEEDS TO BE REPLACED MORE FREQUENTLY THAN IT SHOULD BE. I THOUGHT THE ISSUE MIGHT BE PARTICULAR TO THE CAR, BUT I HAVE NOTICED WHILE DRIVING THAT OTHER LATE-MODEL BUICK CENTURY'S HAVE THE SAME NON-FUNCTIONING TAIL-LIGHT, SO I BELIEVE THIS MUST BE A MFR. DEFECT. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10224900April 18, 2008
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:MANIFOLD/HEADER/MUFFLER/TAIL PIPE
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 BUICK CENTURY. THE CONTACT TOOK HER VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR REGULARLY SCHEDULED MAINTENANCE. SHE WAS INFORMED THAT THE MAINTENANCE COULD NOT BE PERFORMED DUE TO A FAULTY MANIFOLD GASKET THAT WAS LEAKING OIL INTO THE ANTIFREEZE. THE DEALER REPLACED THE HEAD GASKET AT THE COST OF $900. THE PURCHASE DATE WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 78,162 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 78,130.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10215009January 11, 2008
SEATS
2003 BUICK CENTURY UNDER SEAT BRACKET INJURED THE CHILD. CONSUMER STATES THAT HER DAUGHTER CUT 90% OF HER ACHILLES TENDON ON THE BRACKET. SHE WAS SHOCKED TO FIND SUCH A SHARP AND DANGEROUS EQUIPMENT IN HER VEHICLE. *KB THE CONSUMERS DAUGHTER HAD TO HAVE SURGERY THE SAME DAY OF THE INCIDENT. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#10213053December 28, 2007
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS:HIGH/LOW BEAM DIMMER SWITCH
WHILE DRIVING HOME FROM WORK ONE EVENING RECENTLY, I ATTEMPTED TO DIM MY LIGHTS FOR AN ONCOMING VEHICLE AND WAS SHOCKED TO FIND I HAD NO LOW BEAMS. I ONLY HAD HIGHBEAMS. HAD TO REPLACE THE DIMMER SWITCH, WHICH OF COURSE OPERATES EVERYTHING ELSE. ABOUT A MONTH AGO, MY LIGHTS WENT OUT FOR ABOUT 30 SECONDS, THEN NO PROBLEMS UNTIL I LOST MY LOW BEAMS. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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