2003 Buick CENTURY problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
127 owner complaints analyzed
0 distinct recall campaigns
63,546 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2003 model year. Data snapshot: . 94 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Exterior Lighting is the most frequently named component, appearing in 37 of 127 complaints (29.1%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 23 | 18.1% |
| Steering behavior | 12 | 9.4% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 7 | 5.5% |
| Transmission and shifting | 3 | 2.4% |
| Engine operation | 1 | 0.8% |
| Fuel system concerns | 1 | 0.8% |
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 |
|---|---|
| Exterior Lighting | 37 |
| Electrical System | 20 |
| Exterior Lighting:Headlights:High/Low Beam Dimmer Switch | 8 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic | 8 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling | 7 |
| Steering | 6 |
| Structure | 5 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 5 |
Exterior Lighting: 37; Electrical System: 20; Exterior Lighting:Headlights:High/Low Beam Dimmer Switch: 8; Service Brakes, Hydraulic: 8; Engine And Engine Cooling: 7; Steering: 6; Structure: 5; Vehicle Speed Control: 5
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 15 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 19 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 21 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 17 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 16 |
| 150,000 and above | 6 |
Under 25,000: 15; 25,000 to 49,999: 19; 50,000 to 74,999: 21; 75,000 to 99,999: 17; 100,000 to 149,999: 16; 150,000 and above: 6
50,000 to 74,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (21). 33 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 |
|---|---|
| 2003 | 10 |
| 2004 | 17 |
| 2005 | 6 |
| 2006 | 6 |
| 2007 | 9 |
| 2008 | 8 |
| 2009 | 7 |
| 2010 | 17 |
| 2011 | 8 |
| 2012 | 4 |
| 2013 | 3 |
| 2014 | 11 |
| 2015 | 4 |
| 2016 | 8 |
| 2017 | 2 |
| 2018 | 3 |
| 2020 | 1 |
| 2021 | 2 |
| 2023 | 1 |
2003: 10; 2004: 17; 2005: 6; 2006: 6; 2007: 9; 2008: 8; 2009: 7; 2010: 17; 2011: 8; 2012: 4; 2013: 3; 2014: 11; 2015: 4; 2016: 8; 2017: 2; 2018: 3; 2020: 1; 2021: 2; 2023: 1
Pattern summary
Exterior Lighting leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 23 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 12 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 7 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 10033683 · 2003-09-12 (September 12, 2003)
THERE WAS A PROBLEM WITH THE BRAKES GRABBING. VEHICLE HAD BEEN TO THE DEALER THREE TIMES. THE CONSUMER FELT THE BRAKES WERE STILL UNSAFE. *AK THE PROBLEM CONTINUED TO BACK. THERE WAS A WHINE COMING FROM THE ENGINE UPON DEACCELERATION SITTING AND STOPPING AND THEN WENT AWAY AS SOON AS THE GAS WAS DEPRESSED TO ACCELERATE THERE WAS NO PROBLEM. (IDLE WAS ROUGH) THE BRAKES SQUEAKED AND MADE NOISE WHEN WHEN APPLIED IN THE MORNING. *SCC *JB
Owner-reported narrative. 3,250 miles reported. Look up ODI 10033683 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10034031 · 2003-08-15 (August 15, 2003)
WHEN BRAKE PEDAL IS DEPRESSED WHILE DRIVING ON A WET SURFACE VEHICLE FAILS TO STOP,RESULTING IN EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE. THE CAUSE OF FAILURE NOT YET DETERMINED. *AK *TS
Owner-reported narrative. 24,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10034031 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10057164 · 2004-01-23 (January 23, 2004)
VEHICLE CREEP FROM SIDE TO SIDE ON THE ROADWAY WHILE BEING DRIVEN. *PH THE VEHICLE WOULD WANDER FROM SIDE TO SIDE WHILE DRIVING. THIS CONDITION REQUIRED THE DRIVER TO CONSTANTLY CORRECT THE VEHICLE'S STEERING. THE DEALER TEST DROVE THE VEHICLE BUT CONSIDERED THE CONDITION NORMAL. *NM
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10057164 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10145464 · 2005-12-16 (December 16, 2005)
DT: THE CONTACT STATES THE HEADLIGHTS GO OUT FOR A FEW MINUTES AND THEN THEY COME BACK ON. THIS HAS BEEN OCCURRING FOR THE PAST WEEK. BECAUSE IT CAN BE DUPLICATED BY PULLING THE TURN SIGNAL SWITCH FORWARD IT IS A PROBLEM IN THE STEERING COLUMN WITH THE TURN SIGNAL AND HEADLIGHT SWITCH. THERE HAVE BEEN NO REPAIRS MADE TO THE VEHICLE, AND A MECHANIC HAS NOT INSPECTED THE VEHICLE. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10145464 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10082781 · 2004-07-27 (July 27, 2004)
LOUD HUMMING NOISE FROM INTERIOR OF VEHICLE. ONE NON GM CAR DEALERSHIP SAYS IT IS A DEFECTIVE ALTERNATOR. GM DEALER SAYS THEY CANNOT HEAR ANYTHING AND EVERYTHING IS FINE. GOING ON TRIP NEXT WEEK AND AFRAID OF NOT ONLY ALTERNATOR FAILING, BUT TAKING BATTERY OUT WTH IT.*AK
Owner-reported narrative. 38,264 miles reported. Look up ODI 10082781 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10153535 · 2006-03-23 (March 23, 2006)
MY 2003 BUICK CENTURY'S WINDSHIELD LOWER SEAL FAILED AROUND THE CABIN-FILTER AREA AND ALLOWED WATER TO RUN DOWN THE FIREWALL AND INTO MY CAR UNDER MY CARPETING AND POOL ON THE FLOOR. THIS CORRODED THE WIRES LEADING TO MY POWER DRIVER'S SEAT. THESE WIRES ALSO LEAD TO A DEVICE THAT CONTROLS THE AIRBAGS (A SENSOR?). GM TOOK MY SEATS, CONSOLE AND CARPETING OUT TO FIX THE WIRING. HAD THE AIRBAG NEEDED TO DEPLOY, I DOUBT IT WOULD HAVE GIVEN THE CONDITION OF THE WIRING, AND/OR IT CERTAINLY WOULD MOST LIKELY CORRODE THAT SENSOR SOONER OR LATER, REN…
Owner-reported narrative. 72,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10153535 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10139205 · 2005-10-10 (October 10, 2005)
2003 BUICK CENTURY HAS 90,000 MILES. TRANSMISSION SHIFTS HARD ON ACCELERATION/DECELERATION. OBD II REPORTS DTC OF P0742 - TORQUE CONVERTER CIRCUIT STUCK ON. TRANSMISSION REPAIR SHOP, AND INTERNET SEARCH INDICATE COMMON PROBLEM WITH THESE TYPE OF GM TRANSMISSIONS. ESTIMATE TO FIX $1900 TO $2400. IF THIS IS A MANUFACTURING DEFECT, SHOULDN'T GM RESOLVE AT NO OR NOMINAL COST TO OWNER OF CAR? *NM
Owner-reported narrative. 88,650 miles reported. Look up ODI 10139205 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10821600 · 2016-01-22 (January 22, 2016)
I HAD DRIVEN MY 2003 BUICK CENTURY AT LEAST HALFWAY INTO A PARKING SPACE IN A PARKING LOT WHEN IT SUDDENLY LURCHED FORWARD LIKE A BAT OUT OF HELL, LEAPING UP OVER A CURB ON AN UPWARD SLOPE, SWIPING A CEMENT LIGHTPOST ON THE LEFT, CRASHING INTO ANOTHER CAR ACROSS ITS LEFT FRONT, BUMPING DOWN OVER A CURB, THEN CRASHING UP AND OVER TWO MORE CURBS. WITH DIVINE HELP I WAS ABLE TO AVOID OTHER CARS AND STEER IT TO A STOP, THEN DRIVE GINGERLY INTO THE ORIGINAL PARKING SPACE. SINCE I WAS ORIGINALLY IN THE PROCESS OF SLOWING TO A STOP, MY RIGHT FOOT WAS …
Owner-reported narrative. 120,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10821600 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10083241 · 2004-07-19 (July 19, 2004)
WHILE DRIVING,VEHICLE STALLED. CONSUMER RESTARTED VEHICLE, AND DROVE IT TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. MECHANIC INFORMED CONSUMER THAT THE VEHICLE WAS PLACED ON DIAGNOSTIC MACHINE, AND NO PROBLEM WAS RECALLED FROM THE MACHINE. THEN, MECHANIC TOOK THE VEHICLE ON A TEST DRIVE . VEHICLE DUPLICATED THE PROBLEM. BUT MECHANIC INSISTED THAT NO SOLUTION WAS AVAILABLE AT THIS TIME. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10083241 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11403916 · 2021-03-19 (March 19, 2021)
THE VEHICLE'S GAS TANK WON'T HOLD MUCH AND CLICKS AS IF FULL. ALSO, WHEN ON UNEVEN PAVEMENT OR GROUND, THE ⛽ GAS WARNING LIGHT COMES ON, EVEN AFTER GAS WAS JUST PUT IN. IN ADDITION, AT TIMES I SMELL A "BURNING ELECTRICAL" SMELL AND THE HEADLIGHTS GO OUT, THE BRIGHTS FAIL TO "CLICK" ON OR GOES OFF BY ITSELF. THE TURN SIGNAL LIGHTS HAVE TO BE TURNED MANUALLY TO BLINK. ALL TURN SIGNAL LIGHTS HAVE BEEN REPLACED MULTIPLE TIMES AND THIS DOES NOT FIX THE PROBLEM. THE BACK TURN SIGNALS WORK AND LIGHT UP, BUT NOT THE FRONT & BLINK AT A FASTER RA…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11403916 at NHTSA ↗