← New search

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

Structure complaints

8 reports
Clear category filter
5,000 miles · May 1, 2014
Structure

SECOND OWNER OF MY BUICK 2001 PURCHASED FROM THE ORIGINAL OWNER WITH 5,000 MILES IN 2008. THE SECOND YEAR I NOTICED WHEN EVER IT RAINED THERE WAS WATER ON THE FLOOR ON THE PASSENGER SIDE. I STILL OWN THE CAR AND OVER THE YEARS HAVE JUST HAD REGULAR MAINTENANCE DONE. THE WATER ON THE PASSENGER SIDE HAS GOTTEN WORSE AND EVERY TIM…

Read full complaint

SECOND OWNER OF MY BUICK 2001 PURCHASED FROM THE ORIGINAL OWNER WITH 5,000 MILES IN 2008. THE SECOND YEAR I NOTICED WHEN EVER IT RAINED THERE WAS WATER ON THE FLOOR ON THE PASSENGER SIDE. I STILL OWN THE CAR AND OVER THE YEARS HAVE JUST HAD REGULAR MAINTENANCE DONE. THE WATER ON THE PASSENGER SIDE HAS GOTTEN WORSE AND EVERY TIME IT RAINS I HAVE TO TAKE TOWELS AND DRY UP ABOUT 1 INCH OF WATER FROM THE CARPET. I AM RETIRED NOW AND HESITATE TO TAKE THE CAR TO A MECHANIC AS I HAVE FOUND MOST WILL TAKE FINANCIAL ADVANTAGE OF A FEMALE. JUST WONDERED IF ANY OTHER OWNERS HAVE HAD THIS PROBLEM OR IF THERE HAVE BEEN ANY RECALLS. EVENTUALLY , I WILL HAVE A MECHANIC LOOK AT IT AND GET AN ESTIMATE FOR REPAIR AS SOON AS I CAN BECAUSE I AM TIRED OF MOPPING UP WATER EVERY TIME IT RAINS. I ALSO WONDER WHAT IT IS DOING TO THE METAL UNDER THE CARPET. THE ORIGINAL OWNER WAS AN OLDER WOMAN WHO RARELY DROVE THE CAR. I PURCHASED FROM HER SON AT HER DEATH IT STILL HAD THE NEW CAR SMELL SO I AM PRETTY SURE SHE BOUGHT THE CAR NEW AND THIS PROBLEM WAS INHERENT IN THE DESIGN. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10586052

54,800 miles · Jan 2, 2008
Electrical SystemStructure

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 BUICK CENTURY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT RAIN WOULD LEAK BEHIND THE DASHBOARD WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED OR BEING DRIVEN. THE FAILURE WOULD NOT OCCUR IF PARKED AT AN ANGLE OR ON A HILL. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 55,200, AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 54,800. THE PURCHASE DATE WAS UNAVAILABLE. UPDATED 01/29…

Read full complaint

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 BUICK CENTURY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT RAIN WOULD LEAK BEHIND THE DASHBOARD WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED OR BEING DRIVEN. THE FAILURE WOULD NOT OCCUR IF PARKED AT AN ANGLE OR ON A HILL. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 55,200, AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 54,800. THE PURCHASE DATE WAS UNAVAILABLE. UPDATED 01/29/08 *BF THE CONSUMER STATED A POOL OF WATER WAS ON THE FLOOR OF THE VEHICLE DUE TO RAINWATER LEAKING FROM BEHIND THE DASHBOARD. UPDATED 01/29/08 *TR

NHTSA ODI #10213384

34,000 miles · May 24, 2007
Structure

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 BUICK CENTURY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PAINT IS CHIPPING AND CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO RUST. THE ENGINE SIZE WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 36,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 34,000.

NHTSA ODI #10191633

Mileage unknown · Aug 2, 2005
Structure

2001 BUICK CENTURY PANEL OVER THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG IS WARPED.***NO ANSWER REQUIRED***.*MR THE DEALER TOLD THE CONSUMER THE PROBLEM COULD BE CORRECTED USING A CLIP. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10132375

Mileage unknown · Oct 7, 2003
Structure

WHILE DRIVING IN RAINY WEATHER SUN ROOF DOES NOT CLOSE. CONSUMER STATES IT'S VERY DIFFICULT TO SEE WHEN THE RAIN IS COMING INTO THE VEHICLE. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10042413

Mileage unknown · Jul 3, 2003
Structure

DESIGN OF THE DASHBOARD CASTS A REFLECTION ONTO THE FRONT WINDSHIELD, CAUSING REDUCED VISIBILITY DURING THE DAY WHILE DRIVING. THE CONSUMER CHECKED OTHER BUICK CENTURY'S AND LASABRE'S AND NOTICED THAT THEY HAD THE SAME PROBLEM. *AK *CB *NLM

NHTSA ODI #10021892

Mileage unknown · Feb 4, 2002
Electrical SystemStructureVisibility

WINDSHIELD GLARE FROM DASHBOARD, HORN DIFFICULT TO LOCATE AND HARD TO OPERATE, TRUNK LID HEIGHT BLOCKS VIEW WHEN BACKING UP, DEFROSTER CLEARS CENTER OF WINDSHIELD AND FINALLY DRIVER'S SIDE DUE TO SMALL VENT AND FALSE CODE GIVES SERVICE ENGINE READING REQUIRING DEALER REPROGRAMMING. *AK

NHTSA ODI #757730

Mileage unknown · Aug 1, 2001
Structure

BAD AERODYNAMICS CAN NOT DRIVE CAR WITH REAR WINDOW DOWN. THE AIR PRESSURE WILL BURST YOUR EARDRUMS. CONTACTED BUCIK DIVISION. THEY ARE AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. THEIR SOLUTION IS TO LOWER ONE FRONT WINDOW A BIT.

NHTSA ODI #9003248

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.