← 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

What owners actually said

145 reports
38,000 miles · Aug 3, 2009
Engine And Engine Cooling

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 BUICK CENTURY. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS UNDERGOING AN OIL CHANGE, THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT DEXCOOL COOLANT WAS PLACED IN THE WATER TANK INSTEAD OF ANTIFREEZE. THE MANIFOLD ON THE WATER BLOCK, WHICH IS THE GASKET BETWEEN THE WATER TANK, DID NOT HAVE THE CORRECT TYPE OF GASKET AND DETERIORATED THE WA…

Read full complaint

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 BUICK CENTURY. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS UNDERGOING AN OIL CHANGE, THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT DEXCOOL COOLANT WAS PLACED IN THE WATER TANK INSTEAD OF ANTIFREEZE. THE MANIFOLD ON THE WATER BLOCK, WHICH IS THE GASKET BETWEEN THE WATER TANK, DID NOT HAVE THE CORRECT TYPE OF GASKET AND DETERIORATED THE WATER DUE TO OIL IN THE TANK. THE FAILURE IS CALLED A "PINK MILKSHAKE". THIS ALSO OCCURS WHEN THERE IS OIL IN THE WATER RESERVOIR. THE REPAIR WOULD COST $800. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 38,000.

NHTSA ODI #10279184

55,000 miles · Apr 9, 2009
Engine And Engine Cooling

LEAKING INTAKE MANIFOLD. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10264779

Mileage unknown · Sep 11, 2008
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

OUR ANTI BRAKE LIGHT CAME ON AND WOULD NOT GO OFF. TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP. WAS TOLD THE ABS SYSTEM WAS FAULTY. REPLACED THE EBCM AND HYDRAULIC CONTROL UNIT AND ALSO REPLACED BRAKE MASTER CYLINDER. .THE BRAKES WERE FINE. THEY CHARGED US $2,223.14. THE SERVICE DONE WAS: THE EBCM AND HYDRAULIC CONTROL UNIT FAULTY . 07 BRA…

Read full complaint

OUR ANTI BRAKE LIGHT CAME ON AND WOULD NOT GO OFF. TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP. WAS TOLD THE ABS SYSTEM WAS FAULTY. REPLACED THE EBCM AND HYDRAULIC CONTROL UNIT AND ALSO REPLACED BRAKE MASTER CYLINDER. .THE BRAKES WERE FINE. THEY CHARGED US $2,223.14. THE SERVICE DONE WAS: THE EBCM AND HYDRAULIC CONTROL UNIT FAULTY . 07 BRAKES/ TRACTION CTRL . 1- VALVE KIT,1- MODULE,2- FLUID 1-,CYLINDER. PARTS WAS $1,948.40, LABOR $401.93 ... THIS IS RIDICULOUS!. WE HAD NO PROBLEM WITH OUR BRAKES AT ALL ! I CAME IN TO GET THE LIGHT TURNED OFF AND CAME OUT WITH MY SAVINGS GONE! *TR

NHTSA ODI #10241792

98,000 miles · Aug 26, 2008
Tires

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD MUSTANG GT. THE CONTACT HEARD AN UNFAMILIAR NOISE AND THREE OF THE FOUR TIRES BLEW OUT. AFTER A DIAGNOSIS, SHE WAS INFORMED THAT THE LOWER BALL JOINTS WERE FAULTY. THE LOWER BALL JOINTS WERE REPAIRED; HOWEVER, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED TWO DAYS LATER. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO BE …

Read full complaint

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD MUSTANG GT. THE CONTACT HEARD AN UNFAMILIAR NOISE AND THREE OF THE FOUR TIRES BLEW OUT. AFTER A DIAGNOSIS, SHE WAS INFORMED THAT THE LOWER BALL JOINTS WERE FAULTY. THE LOWER BALL JOINTS WERE REPAIRED; HOWEVER, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED TWO DAYS LATER. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO BE REPAIRED AND SHE WAS INFORMED THAT THE THROTTLE BODY SENSOR FAILED. THE CONTACT REFERENCED NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 06E089000 (SUSPENSION:FRONT). THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 38,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 25,000.

NHTSA ODI #10239743

46,253 miles · Apr 23, 2008
Visibility

DEFECTIVE MOTOR & REGULATOR FOR THE WINDOW MOTORS - ALL FOUR. DRIVERS WINDOW FELL DOWN, REAR PASSENGER FELL DOWN, NOW THE REAR DRIVERS WINDOW FELL DOWN. MANUFACTURER SAYS THIS IS ONLY A PROBLEM IN THE WEST - AZ & TX, NOT A RECALL ITEM. THE PRICE TO REPAIR IS $600.00 EACH. I AM RETIRED AND CANNOT AFFORD TO PAY FOR THIS. ALL …

Read full complaint

DEFECTIVE MOTOR & REGULATOR FOR THE WINDOW MOTORS - ALL FOUR. DRIVERS WINDOW FELL DOWN, REAR PASSENGER FELL DOWN, NOW THE REAR DRIVERS WINDOW FELL DOWN. MANUFACTURER SAYS THIS IS ONLY A PROBLEM IN THE WEST - AZ & TX, NOT A RECALL ITEM. THE PRICE TO REPAIR IS $600.00 EACH. I AM RETIRED AND CANNOT AFFORD TO PAY FOR THIS. ALL OF THE BUICK CENTURY'S IN THIS AREA ARE FALLING DOWN. ALMOST EVERY ONE IS TAPED UP AND THE MANUFACTURER WILL NOT STAND BEHIND THE DEFECTIVE PARTS. MY GRANDDAUGHTER JUST HAD ALL 4 OF HER WINDOW MOTORS REPLACED. CAN SOMETHING BE DONE ABOUT THIS? *TR

NHTSA ODI #10225549

70,000 miles · Apr 18, 2008
Engine And Engine CoolingUnknown Or Other

TAPPETS SOUND ON A 2001 BUICK CENTURY TAPPETS WERE REPLACED TWICE UNTIL I WAS INFORMED THAT ALL GM 2001 CARS HAD THIS DEFECT. IT SEEMS THAT OIL IS NOT GETTING TO THE CENTER CYLINDERS, BECAUSE THE CONNECTING FEEDS ARE TOO SMALL. PROBLEM THAT CAN DEVELOP IS THE ENGINE CAN SEIZE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10224968

Mileage unknown · Jan 12, 2008
Electrical System

ODOMETER DOES NOT ILLUMINATE,CANNOT TELL WHAT GEAR YOU ARE IN OR MILEAGE ON CAR. HAVE BEEN TOLD BY DEALER SERVICE MANAGER,THAT THIS IS A NORMAL PROBLEM WITH THE CENTURY MODEL,AND WOULD COST BETWEEN 250-1000. DOLLAR TO REPAIR ,PLUS DEALER COULD NOT GIVE A TIME FRAME OF HOW LONG VEHICLE WOULD BE IN SHOP. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10214572

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

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

28,000 miles · Jun 14, 2007
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 BUICK CENTURY. WHILE SERVICING THE VEHICLE, THE MECHANIC NOTICED THAT THE BRAKE LINE HAD RUSTED AND BRAKE FLUID WAS CAME OUT. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS. THE MECHANIC REPLACED THE BRAKE LINE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE PREVIOUSLY OWNED A 1997 BUICK CENTURY WITH THE SAME FAILURE. THE PURCHAS…

Read full complaint

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 BUICK CENTURY. WHILE SERVICING THE VEHICLE, THE MECHANIC NOTICED THAT THE BRAKE LINE HAD RUSTED AND BRAKE FLUID WAS CAME OUT. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS. THE MECHANIC REPLACED THE BRAKE LINE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE PREVIOUSLY OWNED A 1997 BUICK CENTURY WITH THE SAME FAILURE. THE PURCHASE DATE WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 28,500 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 28,000.

NHTSA ODI #10193348

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.