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2001 Buick Century

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

More warning signs than most Century years

Owner complaints for the 2001 Buick Century are substantially higher than the model-year median of 28.

About this comparison →

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

81 reports with mileage · 64 unknown

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 27 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Service Brakes, Hydraulic. Review the 22 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Power Train. Review the 21 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

9 crash reports2 fire reports4 injury reports

Power Train complaints

21 reports
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63,334 miles · May 18, 2015
Power Train

WE PURCHASED THIS CAR (AS IS) FOR OUR GRANDSON. ON OUR WAY HOME FROM THE DEALER, AS SOON AS THE TRANSMISSION WARMED UP (4-5 MILES), THE SHIFTING WAS HARD AND JERKING WITH A WHINE COMING FROM THE TRANSMISSION. TOOK THE CAR TO A GARAGE WHICH FOUND THE COMPUTER CODE OF P1811 AND WERE TOLD A COMPLETE REBUILD WOULD BE NECESSARY. W…

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WE PURCHASED THIS CAR (AS IS) FOR OUR GRANDSON. ON OUR WAY HOME FROM THE DEALER, AS SOON AS THE TRANSMISSION WARMED UP (4-5 MILES), THE SHIFTING WAS HARD AND JERKING WITH A WHINE COMING FROM THE TRANSMISSION. TOOK THE CAR TO A GARAGE WHICH FOUND THE COMPUTER CODE OF P1811 AND WERE TOLD A COMPLETE REBUILD WOULD BE NECESSARY. WENT ONLINE AND DISCOVERED MANY OTHERS HAD COMPLAINTS OF THE SAME NATURE. WOULD HOPE GM WOULD COME FORWARD WITH REIMBURSEMENT SINCE ITS TRANSMISSION IN THIS MODEL WAS INCORRECTLY DESIGNED. THE REBUILDING GARAGE OWNER EVEN HAD TO GO TO A SPECIAL SCHOOL TO LEARN HOW TO CORRECT THIS PROBLEM IN THE BUICK CENTURY. AFTER PAYING $1,757.25 TO QUEENS TRANSMISSION, INC., IN BRADENTON, FL (941-746-7480), THE SHIFTING IS NOW NORMAL.

NHTSA ODI #10717021

100,000 miles · Oct 24, 2014
Electronic Stability Control (esc)Power Train

HAD TRANSMISSION REPLACED AT AUTHORIZED GMC DEALERSHIP MAY 2006 .THIS CAME WITH A WARRANTY. SEVERAL TIMES OVER SEVERAL SUMMERS SINCE THEN HAVE TAKEN VEHICLE INTO DEALERSHIP WITH CONCERNS THAT HAPPENED AFTER VEHICLE WOULD BE DRIVEN IN HIGH HUMIDITY HIGH TEMPERATURE DAYS AFTER TRAVELING A MINIMUM OF 60 MILES MOSTLY ON STATE HIGHW…

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HAD TRANSMISSION REPLACED AT AUTHORIZED GMC DEALERSHIP MAY 2006 .THIS CAME WITH A WARRANTY. SEVERAL TIMES OVER SEVERAL SUMMERS SINCE THEN HAVE TAKEN VEHICLE INTO DEALERSHIP WITH CONCERNS THAT HAPPENED AFTER VEHICLE WOULD BE DRIVEN IN HIGH HUMIDITY HIGH TEMPERATURE DAYS AFTER TRAVELING A MINIMUM OF 60 MILES MOSTLY ON STATE HIGHWAYS THAT ARE QUITE ROUGH AND CURVY, I.E. IT WOULD TAKE ABOUT 90 MINUTES OR MORE TOGO THIS DISTANCE. THEN WHEN IN BUMPER TO BUMPER TRAFFIC AND TRYING TO MOVE FORWARD OR STOPPING THE CAR'S AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION WOULD CAUSE THE VEHICLE TO SHAKE LIKE JUMPING INTO THE WRONG GEAR AND IN MORE THAN ONE TIME THE CAR'S ENGINE WOULD DIE. IT ALWAYS HAPPENED AT LOW SPEEDS SO LUCKILY WE DIDN'T LOOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. BUT, THE ONLY WAY TO STOP THIS FROM CONTINUING WAS TO STOP AND PARK TO LET THE ENGINE AND OR COOL DOWN. WE EVEN PUT ON THE HEATER WHILE DRIVING TO HELP REDUCE THE TEMPERATURE GAUGE TO GO BELOW THE HALFWAY MARK. THIS CAR WAS PURCHASED IN SHELTON, WA NOT IN KY, SO WE NEVER EXPERIENCED THIS PRIOR TO TRANSMISSION REPLACEMENT. THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT HAS NEVER BEEN ABLE TO DUPLICATE PROBLEM, NOW THE CRUISE CONTROL HAS STOPPED WORKING. WE HAVE DASHBOARD WARNINGS CONTINUALLY STATING LOW OIL, SERVICE ENGINE SOON (WHEN JUST COMPLETED), ETC. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10649824

123,000 miles · Mar 10, 2014
Power Train

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 BUICK CENTURY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 15 MPH, THE VEHICLE STARTING JERKING AND WOULD NOT ACCELERATE. THE FAILURE WAS RECURRING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER W…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 BUICK CENTURY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 15 MPH, THE VEHICLE STARTING JERKING AND WOULD NOT ACCELERATE. THE FAILURE WAS RECURRING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 123,000. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10568272

111,000 miles · Jun 20, 2013
EnginePower Train

WE BOUGHT ARE CENTURY LIKE 3 MONTHS AGO WITH 109K ON IT WE NOTICED THE TRANSMISSION WAS SHIFTING HARD WHEN CAR IS WARMED UP OR RESTARTED GM CURRENT KNOWS ABOUT JUST FEELING IT NOT THERE PROBLEM WELL IT IS A COSTLY ONE TO CAR OWNS AS I READ ON THE INTERNET OVER 50 THOUSAND COMPLAINTS FOR THIS ISSUE I FEEL GM HAS TO RECALL THIS IS…

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WE BOUGHT ARE CENTURY LIKE 3 MONTHS AGO WITH 109K ON IT WE NOTICED THE TRANSMISSION WAS SHIFTING HARD WHEN CAR IS WARMED UP OR RESTARTED GM CURRENT KNOWS ABOUT JUST FEELING IT NOT THERE PROBLEM WELL IT IS A COSTLY ONE TO CAR OWNS AS I READ ON THE INTERNET OVER 50 THOUSAND COMPLAINTS FOR THIS ISSUE I FEEL GM HAS TO RECALL THIS ISSUE ITS THERE MISTAKE NOT MINE ARE CENTURY OTHER WISE IS A FINE CAR BUT DASH IS OUT FOR ODO AND THAT GM CUTTING CORNERS AS WELL ITS POOR PENMENSHIP ON THEIR BEHALF AS CAR MAKERS AND WE LOVE THEM BUT WE NEED THEM TO DO MORE AND BE LIKE THE OLD GM GOOD AND HONEST THANKS HOPE TO GET RESOLVED SOON AS I MIGHT ADD IT DOES WHEN IT NORMAL TEMP AND WHEN A RESTART HAPPENS SHIFT REALLY HARD 2ND AND 3 RD GEAR NOT NORMAL I GOT A COST OF $890.00 TO FIX 6,3 HOURS OF LABORS TO FIX TC AND OTHER SENSOR IN TRANSMISSION ON CAR. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10520902

Mileage unknown · Aug 17, 2007
Power TrainService Brakes, HydraulicVisibility

BRAKE SYSTEM / ABS BRAKING SYSTEM FAILED/ ABS LIGHT ILLUMINATED. REPLACED ABS HUB SYSTEM. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10199885

99,000 miles · May 17, 2007
Power Train

LOST ABILITY TO READ POSITION OF GEAR SELECTION (PRNDL) ON INSTRUMENT CLUSTER AND ODOMETER READINGS ON 2001 BUICK CENTURY CUSTOM. THIS WAS AN ELECTRONIC PRNDL AND ODOMETER DISPLAY. IT WAS LIKE SHIFTING THE TRANSMISSION BLIND FOLDED. SAFETY. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10191036

25,000 miles · Dec 1, 2006
Power Train

2001 BUICK CENTURY WITH 25,000 MILES, NEEDED TO HAVE ENTIRE TRANSMISSION REPLACED. SOME SLIPPAGE A WEEK BEFORE, THEN TWO STOP SIGNS, SLIPPAGE, THEN HORRIBLE GRINDING. WHEN MECHANIC TORE DOWN TRANSMISSION, SHARDS OF METAL WERE FOUND. WORD FROM THE SHOP WAS THAT THEY HAD NEVER SEEN THIS MODEL AT 25,000 MILES, USUALLY SEE THIS MO…

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2001 BUICK CENTURY WITH 25,000 MILES, NEEDED TO HAVE ENTIRE TRANSMISSION REPLACED. SOME SLIPPAGE A WEEK BEFORE, THEN TWO STOP SIGNS, SLIPPAGE, THEN HORRIBLE GRINDING. WHEN MECHANIC TORE DOWN TRANSMISSION, SHARDS OF METAL WERE FOUND. WORD FROM THE SHOP WAS THAT THEY HAD NEVER SEEN THIS MODEL AT 25,000 MILES, USUALLY SEE THIS MODEL AROUND 40,000 MILES. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10174950

73,108 miles · Jun 27, 2006
Power Train

2001 CENTURY TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS. *TS WHILE COMING OUT OF A PARKING LOT, THE CONSUMER DISCOVERED THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT MOVE FORWARD. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10161573

83,000 miles · Jan 3, 2005
Power Train

TRANSMISSION SLIPPING. HARD SHIFTS IN ALL GEARS. TRANSMISSION HAD BEEN REBUILT AT DEALERSHIP IN NOVEMBER 2002 AFTER IT HAD TOTALLY WENT OUT AT 46000 MILE AND GOING OUT AGAIN AT 83000. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10105628

Mileage unknown · Nov 10, 2004
Electrical SystemPower Train

WHILE PULLING OUT OF A DRIVEWAY A LOUD CLANKING NOISE WAS HEARD COMING FROM THE FRONT. ALSO, DASHBOARD LIGHT FLASHED ON AND OFF INTERMITTENTLY . CONSUMER HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION, AND MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT THE BEARING SHEARED OFF THE TRANSMISSION. BATTERY AND TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. …

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WHILE PULLING OUT OF A DRIVEWAY A LOUD CLANKING NOISE WAS HEARD COMING FROM THE FRONT. ALSO, DASHBOARD LIGHT FLASHED ON AND OFF INTERMITTENTLY . CONSUMER HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION, AND MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT THE BEARING SHEARED OFF THE TRANSMISSION. BATTERY AND TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10099798

Official recalls

3

01V109000 · Seat Belts

Apr 6, 2001

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, EQUIPPED WITH SUNVISOR LOCATED AIR BAG LABELS, FAIL TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLES SAFETY STANDARD NO. 208, "OCCUPANT CRASH PROTECTION." THESE VEHICLES HAVE A MESSAGE AREA LESS THAN 30 CM WHICH DOES NOT MEET THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE STANDARD.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: THESE VEHICLES DO NOT COMPLY WITH THE STANDARD.

Remedy: GM WILL MAIL A NEW BILINGUAL AIR BAG LABEL WITH INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS. HOWEVER, THE CUSTOMER MAY BRING THE LABEL TO THEIR DEALER FOR INSTALLATION FREE OF CHARGE. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN MAY 4, 2001. OWNERS WHO DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE LABEL AND INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT OLDSMOBILE AT 1-800-442-6537 OR BUICK AT 1-800-521-7300.

00V371000 · Air Bags:side/window

Nov 13, 2000

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. SOME OF THESE VEHICLES EXHIBIT A CONDITION IN WHICH THE DRIVER SIDE IMPACT AIR BAG INFLATOR SEPARATES FROM THE AIR BAG MODULE DURING DEPLOYMENT.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: IF THE INFLATOR SEPARATES, THE AIR BAG WILL NOT DEPLOY PROPERLY DURING A CRASH AND OCCUPANT PROTECTION WOULD BE REDUCED. IF IS ALSO POSSIBLE THAT A SEPARATED INFLATOR COULD BE PROPELLED DOWNWARD AND COULD RESULT IN INJURY TO A REAR SEAT PASSENGER WHOSE FOOT IS POSITIONED APPROXIMATELY UNDER THE INFLATOR MODULE.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE SIDE IMPACT AIR BAG MODULE.

00V228003 · Seat Belts

Aug 7, 2000

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES, LIGHT DUTY TRUCKS, SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, AND MINI VANS EQUIPPED WITH TRW SEAT BELT BUCKLE ASSEMBLIES. THE BUCKLE BASE OF THESE SEAT BELT ASSEMBLIES WERE NOT PROPERLY HEAT TREATED AND THEREFORE DO NOT PASS THE LOAD BEARING REQUIREMENT OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 209, "SEAT BELT ASSEMBLIES."

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: IN THE EVENT OF A VEHICLE CRASH, THE OCCUPANT MAY NOT BE PROPERLY RESTRAINED.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE VEHICLE'S SAFETY BELT BUCKLE ASSEMBLY DATE CODES AND, IF NECESSARY, WILL REPLACE ANY SAFETY BELT BUCKLE ASSEMBLY.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

0

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.