2001 Buick CENTURY problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
145 owner complaints analyzed
3 distinct recall campaigns
54,800 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2001 model year. Data snapshot: . 81 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Power Train:Automatic Transmission is the most frequently named component, appearing in 13 of 145 complaints (9.0%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 39 | 26.9% |
| Transmission and shifting | 18 | 12.4% |
| Steering behavior | 8 | 5.5% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 7 | 4.8% |
| Engine operation | 4 | 2.8% |
| Fuel system concerns | 1 | 0.7% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Power Train:Automatic Transmission | 13 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 12 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip | 8 |
| Visibility:Power Window Devices And Controls | 8 |
| Electrical System | 7 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine | 7 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling | 6 |
| Structure | 6 |
Power Train:Automatic Transmission: 13; Vehicle Speed Control: 12; Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip: 8; Visibility:Power Window Devices And Controls: 8; Electrical System: 7; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine: 7; Engine And Engine Cooling: 6; Structure: 6
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 11 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 24 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 21 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 9 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 13 |
| 150,000 and above | 3 |
Under 25,000: 11; 25,000 to 49,999: 24; 50,000 to 74,999: 21; 75,000 to 99,999: 9; 100,000 to 149,999: 13; 150,000 and above: 3
25,000 to 49,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (24). 64 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2000 | 1 |
| 2001 | 10 |
| 2002 | 27 |
| 2003 | 14 |
| 2004 | 14 |
| 2005 | 19 |
| 2006 | 14 |
| 2007 | 8 |
| 2008 | 6 |
| 2009 | 2 |
| 2010 | 7 |
| 2011 | 3 |
| 2012 | 3 |
| 2013 | 3 |
| 2014 | 7 |
| 2015 | 3 |
| 2017 | 2 |
| 2018 | 1 |
| 2024 | 1 |
2000: 1; 2001: 10; 2002: 27; 2003: 14; 2004: 14; 2005: 19; 2006: 14; 2007: 8; 2008: 6; 2009: 2; 2010: 7; 2011: 3; 2012: 3; 2013: 3; 2014: 7; 2015: 3; 2017: 2; 2018: 1; 2024: 1
Pattern summary
Power Train:Automatic Transmission leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 39 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 18 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 8 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10001497 · 2003-01-08 (January 8, 2003)
WHILE IN MOTION THERE WAS A THUMPING NOISE EMMITING FROM THE RIGHT FRONT TIRE. THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED AND THE KEY WOULD NOT RETURN IT TO IT'S NORMAL POSTION. ALSO THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH THE BRAKES, ALSO THE GEAR WOULD NOT SHIFT OUT OF PARK.*JG *JB
Owner-reported narrative. 28,997 miles reported. Look up ODI 10001497 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10032034 · 2003-08-04 (August 4, 2003)
CONSUMER HAD HER AUTOMOBILE FOR A SHORT PERIOD OF TIME, AND A LOT OF THINGS HAD GONE WRONG. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM MALFUNCTIONED/ VISOR LIGHT STAYED ON ALL THE TIME/ BACK WINDOWS WOULD NOT GO/ BRAKE CALIPER WAS NOT SEALING/ FRONT BRAKE ROTORS WERE PITTED, THAT WAS WHAT THE MECHANIC TOLD HER, AND THE SUSPENSION SYSTEM HAD TO BE REPLACED. SHE STATED ALL OF THE ABOVE HAVE HAPPENED TO VEHICLE WHICH HAD A LOW MILEAGE. BUT ALL OF THESE THINGS WERE REPAIRED. BUT SHE WAS NOT WORRIED, WHAT ELSE WAS GOING WRONG.*AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10032034 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10069535 · 2004-01-15 (January 15, 2004)
THE TRANSMISSION HAD TO BE TOTALLY REBUILT DUE TO A FAILURE OF THE TARRINGTON BEARING WHICH IN TURN CAUSED THE WHOLE INSIDE OF THE TRANSMISSION TO GET CHEWED UP AND ALL THE INTERNAL PARTS HAD TO BE REPLACED.
Owner-reported narrative. 55,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10069535 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10128942 · 2005-07-15 (July 15, 2005)
DT:THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 BUICK CENTURY CUSTOM. AT 60,000 MILES THE POWER STEERING OR THE RACK AND PINION WENT OUT. AT TIME OF INCIDENT THEY WERE DRIVING AT A LOW SPEED IN A PARKING LOT, LUCKILY. THE INCIDENT HAPPENED ON THE LEFT SIDE. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10128942 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10016695 · 2003-04-29 (April 29, 2003)
GEAR SHIFT INDICATOR DOES NOT ILLUMINATE WHEN FIRST STARTING THE CAR AND IN A DARK SURROUNDING SUCH AS A CAR PORT OR GARAGE, IT'S IMPOSSIBLE TO SEE WHAT GEAR HAS BEEN SELECTED. I FEAR THAT EVEN THOUGH CAUTION IS USED, THERE IS HIGH POTENTIAL FOR AN ACCIDENT BECAUSE THE WRONG GEAR WAS SELECTED. AFTER A COUPLE OF MINUTES THE LIGHT DOES COME ON AND ALL IS NORMAL. IS THIS A DESIGN PROBLEM OR IS THERE A DEFECT IN THE CAR'S ELECTRICAL SYSTEM? *JB
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10016695 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10151879 · 2006-02-14 (February 14, 2006)
THE CONSUMER'S 2001 BUICK CENTURY STALLS WHEN SLOWING DOWN TO MAKE A TURN. *TS *NM
Owner-reported narrative. 20,900 miles reported. Look up ODI 10151879 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10626573 · 2014-08-20 (August 20, 2014)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 BUICK CENTURY. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO BE RESTARTED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED MULTIPLE TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO COULD NOT DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 200,000.
Owner-reported narrative. 200,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10626573 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 8010650 · 2002-05-29 (May 29, 2002)
VEHICLE MADE LOUD NOISES, VIBRATED WHEN AT A COMPLETE STOP. THIS WAS A RESULT OF PISTON MALFUNCTIONING THAT CAUSED MOTOR TO GO BAD, AND ENGINE TO NOT RUN PROPERLY.*AK FUEL TANK MISSING INSULATORS. BRAKES SQUEAK AND ARE PULSATING. *TT
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 8010650 at NHTSA ↗