IllustrationMANIFOLD GASKET NEEDS TO BE REPLACED DUE TO A SMALL LEAK WHICH IS CAUSING CONSIDERABLE AMOUNT OF PROBLEMS. ALL MECHANICS THAT I HAVE TAKEN THIS CAR TO SAY THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH THIS PARTICULAR ENGINE WHERE GM CHANGED TO PLASTIC GASKET. ALL SEEM TO HAVE SAME DIAGNOSES EXCEPT GM AND GM DEALERSHIP. *JB
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 →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Century years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
110–25K
2425–50K
2150–75K
975–100K
13100–150K
3150K+
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 reportsTHE PROBLEM STARTED WITH THE TRUNK POPPING WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS PLACED IN REVERSE. TODAY MY VEHICLE FAILED TO PASS INSPECTION BECAUSE THE BACK UP LIGHTS ARE NOT OPERATING. THE LIGHTS AND FUSES WERE CHECKED AND ALL OPERATING CORRECTLY. BELIEVE IT IS AN ELECTRICAL PROBLEM. *NM
2001 CENTURY TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS. *TS WHILE COMING OUT OF A PARKING LOT, THE CONSUMER DISCOVERED THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT MOVE FORWARD. *JB
SUBJECT OF COMPLAINT IS THE POWER WINDOWS ON OUR 2001 BUICK CENTURY. I'M A MECHANIC AND DO MY BEST TO KEEP THIS CAR IN TOP SHAPE. BUT GM USED SOME VERY CRAPPY MATERIALS WHEN BUILDING THE POWER WINDOW REGULATORS. THE SYSTEM WORKS FINE UNTIL A SMALL PLASTIC PART THAT HOLDS THE OPERATING CABLES TOGETHER BREAKS. THIS PIECE PROBA…
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SUBJECT OF COMPLAINT IS THE POWER WINDOWS ON OUR 2001 BUICK CENTURY. I'M A MECHANIC AND DO MY BEST TO KEEP THIS CAR IN TOP SHAPE. BUT GM USED SOME VERY CRAPPY MATERIALS WHEN BUILDING THE POWER WINDOW REGULATORS. THE SYSTEM WORKS FINE UNTIL A SMALL PLASTIC PART THAT HOLDS THE OPERATING CABLES TOGETHER BREAKS. THIS PIECE PROBABLY COST THE GENERAL ABOUT $.05 TO MAKE AND IS NOT AVAILABLE THROUGH GM DEALERS. INSTEAD YOU HAVE TO BUY A COMPLETE POWER WINDOW REGULATOR ASSY. WITH MOTOR FOR BETWEEN $ 325.00- $400.00 DEPENDING ON WHICH DEALER YOU TALK TO. I'M NOW REPLACING THE THIRD REGULATOR ASSY. ON THIS CAR WITH ABOUT 70,000 MILES ON IT AND ALL WERE BROKEN IN THE SAME WAY. ALL ON DIFFERENT DOORS. *NM
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING WITH THE CRUISE CONTROL ON, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATES OUT OF CONTROL. THE ONLY WAY TO STOP THE VEHICLE FROM ACCELERATING IS TO MANUALLY TURN OFF THE CRUISE CONTROL. THIS HAPPENS INTERMITTENTLY AND AT VARIOUS SPEEDS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER; THE CRUISE CONTROL MODULE WAS REPLACE…
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DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING WITH THE CRUISE CONTROL ON, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATES OUT OF CONTROL. THE ONLY WAY TO STOP THE VEHICLE FROM ACCELERATING IS TO MANUALLY TURN OFF THE CRUISE CONTROL. THIS HAPPENS INTERMITTENTLY AND AT VARIOUS SPEEDS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER; THE CRUISE CONTROL MODULE WAS REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN FOR A SHORT PERIOD OF TIME WHEN THE CRUISE CONTROL STOPPED WORKING. IT WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER; UPON INSPECTION THE CRUISE CONTROL CABLE AT THE THROTTLE BODY CAME LOOSE. THE CABLE WAS RECONNECTED AND THE CRUISE CONTROL WORKED TEMPORALLY. THE VEHICLE IS NOW HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM AS BEFORE WITH THE ACCELERATION OF THE CRUISE CONTROL. UPDATED 04/11/06. *JB
WINDSHIELD WIPERS STAY STRAIGHT UP/DOWN. THEY DON'T REST IN THE PROPER PLACE. *JB
THE CONSUMER'S 2001 BUICK CENTURY STALLS WHEN SLOWING DOWN TO MAKE A TURN. *TS *NM
CONSUMER TURNED ON HIGH BEAM IN 2001 BUICK CENTURY AND ALL LIGHTING FAILED INSIDE VEHICLE AND OUTSIDE. *TS ***NO ANSWER REQUIRED*** THE CONSUMER WAS TOLD THERE WAS A SWITCH THAT WAS SHORTENING OUT THE HEADLIGHTS. THE CONSUMER STATED THE FIRST TIME SHE HAD A SWITCH REPLACED, IT WAS DUE TO A PROBLEM WITH THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS.…
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CONSUMER TURNED ON HIGH BEAM IN 2001 BUICK CENTURY AND ALL LIGHTING FAILED INSIDE VEHICLE AND OUTSIDE. *TS ***NO ANSWER REQUIRED*** THE CONSUMER WAS TOLD THERE WAS A SWITCH THAT WAS SHORTENING OUT THE HEADLIGHTS. THE CONSUMER STATED THE FIRST TIME SHE HAD A SWITCH REPLACED, IT WAS DUE TO A PROBLEM WITH THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS. *JB
2001 BUICK CENTURY ENGINE PISTON CRACKED DAMAGING THE CYLINDER WALL. *TS ***NO ANSWER REQUIRED*** *JB
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED AFTER SETTING THE CRUISE CONTROL THE VEHICLE ACCELERATES TO UNKNOWN SPEEDS. THERE IS NO PRESSURE APPLIED TO THE ACCELERATOR WHEN THE PROBLEM OCCURS. THE PROBLEM CONTINUES UNTIL THE CRUISE CONTROL BUTTON IS TURNED OFF. ALTHOUGH THE PROBLEM WAS INTERMITTENT AT FIRST IT CONTINUES TO WORSEN. THE VEHICLE …
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DT*: THE CONTACT STATED AFTER SETTING THE CRUISE CONTROL THE VEHICLE ACCELERATES TO UNKNOWN SPEEDS. THERE IS NO PRESSURE APPLIED TO THE ACCELERATOR WHEN THE PROBLEM OCCURS. THE PROBLEM CONTINUES UNTIL THE CRUISE CONTROL BUTTON IS TURNED OFF. ALTHOUGH THE PROBLEM WAS INTERMITTENT AT FIRST IT CONTINUES TO WORSEN. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN INSPECTED. *NM
Official recalls
301V109000 · 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
0No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.