NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
What owners actually said
145 reports16,000 miles · Dec 2, 2004
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
BRAKES FAILED WHEN DEPRESSED AT 40 MPH. THE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR. THIS RESULTED IN THE VEHICLE SKIDDING ON DRY PAVEMENT. CONSUMER PUMPED THE BRAKE PEDAL AND VEHICLE STOPPED AN ONE FOOT SHORT OF REAR ENDING ANOTHER VEHICLE. ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND STAYED ON FOUR DAYS PRIOR TO BRAKE FAILURE. VEHICLE WILL BE TOWED TO THE D…
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BRAKES FAILED WHEN DEPRESSED AT 40 MPH. THE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR. THIS RESULTED IN THE VEHICLE SKIDDING ON DRY PAVEMENT. CONSUMER PUMPED THE BRAKE PEDAL AND VEHICLE STOPPED AN ONE FOOT SHORT OF REAR ENDING ANOTHER VEHICLE. ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND STAYED ON FOUR DAYS PRIOR TO BRAKE FAILURE. VEHICLE WILL BE TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP TO HAVE THE BRAKES INSPECTED.*AK. WILKINS BUICK-MAZDA PROVIDED CONSUMER WITH ONE COMPLIMENTARY BRAKE INSPECTION NOT TO EXCEED $200.00. DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE BRAKE PROBLEM.*AK
NHTSA ODI #10101994
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
Mileage unknown · Sep 30, 2004
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
BUICK CENTURY 2001 DEALER/REPAIR TOLD ME THAT I NEEDED TO REPLACE THE EBCM AND CONTROL ARMS AFTER I COMPLAINED ABOUT THE SLIGHT SHIMMY ON THE RIGHT SIDE AT 55. THEY ALSO SAID THAT THEY HAD RECEIVED NOTICE ABOUT THIS DEFECT FROM THE COMPANY, BUT NO RECALL. I'M NOT CLEAR WHY I SHOULD HAVE TO PAY A BILL OF $1222. FOR A DEFECT REP…
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BUICK CENTURY 2001 DEALER/REPAIR TOLD ME THAT I NEEDED TO REPLACE THE EBCM AND CONTROL ARMS AFTER I COMPLAINED ABOUT THE SLIGHT SHIMMY ON THE RIGHT SIDE AT 55. THEY ALSO SAID THAT THEY HAD RECEIVED NOTICE ABOUT THIS DEFECT FROM THE COMPANY, BUT NO RECALL. I'M NOT CLEAR WHY I SHOULD HAVE TO PAY A BILL OF $1222. FOR A DEFECT REPAIR.*AK
NHTSA ODI #10093357
43,000 miles · Sep 29, 2004
Latches/locks/linkagesCrashInjury
TRUNK DOOR ASSIST ARMS FAILED. TRUNK CAME CRASHING ON MY BACK AND HIT ME, CAUSING BLACK AND BLUE MARKS/TRIP TO EMERGENCY DOCTOR. UNKNOWN (AT THE MOMENT) IF THEY WILL PAY FEE. BUICK AGREED TO PROVIDE PART AT NO CHARGE, CUSTOMER I TO PAY FOR INSTALLATION . *AK
NHTSA ODI #10093344
75,000 miles · Sep 29, 2004
Tires
WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE REAR PASSENGER TIRE BEGAN TO PRODUCE A THUMPING NOISE. LATER, THE CONSUMER DISCOVERED THAT THE TIRE HAD SEPARATED. *AK THE PROBLEM LEAD TO A UNNECESSARY REPAIR OF THE RIGHT FRONT WHEEL BEARING. *SC *JB
NHTSA ODI #10090095
29,000 miles · Jul 29, 2004
Power Train
WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE STOPPED ACCELERATING. THEN, STARTED SHAKING. VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP. THE BEARING BETWEEN THE SUN GEAR FAILED, AND CAUSED SUN GEARS TO STRIP, CREATING METAL CONTAMINATION THROUGH OUT THE TRANSMISSION. THE SUN GEAR ASSEMBLY AND TRANSMISSION WERE REPLACED. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10083710
9,000 miles · Jul 15, 2004
Vehicle Speed Control
THE CRUISE CONTROL FAILED CONTINUOUSLY, WHICH RESULTED IN THE VEHICLE ACCELERATING TO HIGH SPEEDS. THE DEALERSHIP REPLACED THE LEVER, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10071801
25,000 miles · Jul 6, 2004
Power Train
WHILE DRIVING UPHILL TRANSMISSION DOWN SHIFTED. DEALERSHIP WAS NOTIFIED, BUT DID NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10081372
72,400 miles · Jun 24, 2004
Engine And Engine Cooling
OUR WELL MAINTAINED 2001 BUICK CENTURY WITH A 3.1 L V6 HAS DEVELOPED AN INTAKE MANIOLD LEAK AT UNDER 75,000 MILES. THE CAR HAS BEEN WONDERFUL SINCE PURCHASED NEW - UNTIL NOW. INTERNET RESEARCH HAS REVEALED THAT GM USED A "PLASTIC" INTAKE MANIFOLD AND IT HAS BEEN PROBLEMATIC. IT WAS ALSO REVEALED THROUGH RESEARCH INTO GASKET M…
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OUR WELL MAINTAINED 2001 BUICK CENTURY WITH A 3.1 L V6 HAS DEVELOPED AN INTAKE MANIOLD LEAK AT UNDER 75,000 MILES. THE CAR HAS BEEN WONDERFUL SINCE PURCHASED NEW - UNTIL NOW. INTERNET RESEARCH HAS REVEALED THAT GM USED A "PLASTIC" INTAKE MANIFOLD AND IT HAS BEEN PROBLEMATIC. IT WAS ALSO REVEALED THROUGH RESEARCH INTO GASKET MANUFACTURERS THAT THE 100,000 COOLANT IS MORE CORROSIVE THAT GM ANTICIPATED. NOW, WHERE DOES THE RESPONSIBILITY LIE FOR THE MANUFACTURER (BUICK DIV) TO TAKE OWNERSHIP AS A RESPONSIBLE CORPORATE CITIZEN AND PROVIDE SOME REPLACEMENT COST RELIEF TO THE CUSTOMER? I CURRENTLY OWN 3 GENERAL MOTORS VEHICLES, HOWEVER ONLY 1 WITH THE PROBLEMATIC INTAKE MANIFOLD DESIGN. I LOOK FORWARD TO HEARING FROM SOMEONE SOON. AS A MARKETING MANAGER FOR A MAJOR COMPANY, I CAN ASSURE GM THAT CUSTOMER LOYALTY IS WHAT DRIVES MY BUSINESS SUCCESS. IN ORDER FOR ME TO SELECT GM FOR MY NEXT VEHICLE, I WOULD LIKE THEM TO TELL ME WHAT THEY WILL DO TO REMEDY THIS DESIGN FLAW PROBLEM OF INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET FAILURE. THANKS, ART PANDARU. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10078749
11,581 miles · Apr 20, 2004
Air BagsCrashInjury
CONSUMER'S VEHICLE REAR ENDED ANOTHER VEHICLE WHILE DRIVING AT 50 MPH. FRONT END PUSHD THE ENGINE BACK 2 - 3 INCHES. MOST OF THE DAMAGE OCCURRED ON THE PASSENGER SIDE. UPON IMPACT,NONE OF THE FRONTAL AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. DRIVER AND PASSENGER SUSTAINED SERIOUS INJURIES.*AK *LA
NHTSA ODI #10061603
Official recalls
3Apr 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.
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.
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 ↗
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