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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.

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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

Service Brakes complaints

4 reports
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53,000 miles · Jul 5, 2014
Service Brakes

APPLIED BRAKE IN PREPARATION TO REVERSE, FROM DRIVEWAY HEARD A POP AND BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO FLOOR. BRAKE DID SEEM A BIT SOFT THE PREVIOUS DAY WHEN PARKING CAR AFTER SHORT TRIP. LUCKILY DID NOT LOSE BRAKES IN TRAFFIC!! UPON VISUAL INSPECTION BRAKE FLUID LEAKING FROM FRAME RAILS LEFT AND RIGHT SIDE OF VEHICLE DUE TO RUSTED OUT BRAK…

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APPLIED BRAKE IN PREPARATION TO REVERSE, FROM DRIVEWAY HEARD A POP AND BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO FLOOR. BRAKE DID SEEM A BIT SOFT THE PREVIOUS DAY WHEN PARKING CAR AFTER SHORT TRIP. LUCKILY DID NOT LOSE BRAKES IN TRAFFIC!! UPON VISUAL INSPECTION BRAKE FLUID LEAKING FROM FRAME RAILS LEFT AND RIGHT SIDE OF VEHICLE DUE TO RUSTED OUT BRAKE LINES. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10608332

124,430 miles · Sep 25, 2013
Air BagsService BrakesCrash

I WAS TRAVELING IN HEAVY STOP AND GO TRAFFIC TRAVELING AT ABOUT 40MPH WHEN THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF ME STOPPED, I APPLIED THE BRAKES HARD BUT THE VEHICLE DID NOT STOP AND I TRIED TO SWAY INTO THE SHOULDER BUT HIT THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF ME. THERE WAS PLENTY OF SPACE TO STOP BUT THE BRAKES FAILED TO STOP THE VEHICLE. NOTE: THE A…

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I WAS TRAVELING IN HEAVY STOP AND GO TRAFFIC TRAVELING AT ABOUT 40MPH WHEN THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF ME STOPPED, I APPLIED THE BRAKES HARD BUT THE VEHICLE DID NOT STOP AND I TRIED TO SWAY INTO THE SHOULDER BUT HIT THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF ME. THERE WAS PLENTY OF SPACE TO STOP BUT THE BRAKES FAILED TO STOP THE VEHICLE. NOTE: THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. *JS

NHTSA ODI #10545309

65,000 miles · Dec 18, 2012
Service Brakes

BACKING OUT OF THE DRIVEWAY MY BRAKES WENT STRAIGHT TO THE FLOOR. LUCKILY I WAS ABLE TO APPLY THE PARKING BRAKES TO STOP THE VEHICLE. AFTER INSPECTION, THE BRAKE LINES HAVE COMPLETELY ROTTED OUT CAUSING A REAR BRAKE LINE TO BURST. ALL FOUR BRAKE LINES HAVE NOW BEEN REPLACED. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10489152

53,000 miles · Sep 17, 2012
Service BrakesFire

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 BUCK CENTURY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE TRAVELING 25 MPH, THE DRIVER DEPRESSED THE BRAKES AND SMOKE STARTED TO EMIT FROM THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO STOP. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHO STATED THAT THE BRAKE LINES FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED DUE TO C…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 BUCK CENTURY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE TRAVELING 25 MPH, THE DRIVER DEPRESSED THE BRAKES AND SMOKE STARTED TO EMIT FROM THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO STOP. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHO STATED THAT THE BRAKE LINES FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED DUE TO CORROSION. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 53,000....UPDATED 10/19/12 *BF UPDATED 10/25/2012 *JS

NHTSA ODI #10475648

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.