2001 Buick CENTURY: complaints, problems and recalls
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.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10000538 · 2003-01-06 (January 6, 2003)
ANY SMALL CHANGE IN SLOPE OF ROAD CAUSES THE CAR TO ABUPTLY AND UNPREDICTABLY SWERVE IN THAT DIRECTION. TOOK TO DEALER, SUPERIOR MOTORS OF ORANGEBURG, SC MANY TIMES AND THEY SAY "ALL IS IN SPECIFICATION". I CONSIDER THIS TO BE A DANGEROUS CAR TO DRIVE-REQUIRING CONSTANT ATTENTION TO CATCH THE SWERVES BEFORE THEY CAUSE AN ACCIDENT. IF THIS CONDITION EXISTS WITH OTHER PEOPLE DRIVING THIS MODEL, THEN SERIOUS ACCIDENTS ARE BOUND TO HAPPEN. I KNOW OF NO OTHER COURSE THAN TO REPORT THIS CONDITION IN THIS $25,000 CAR. PLEASE HELP ME AND MAYBE MANY …
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10000538 at NHTSA ↗
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 10003882 · 2003-01-15 (January 15, 2003)
IF VEHICLE HITS THE SMALLEST PUMP IN THE ROAD FRONT OF VEHICLE MAKES A NOISE LIKE IT HAS HIT THE ROAD. DEALERSHIP INDICATED THAT THIS WAS CAUSED BY DEFECTIVE TIE ROD ENDS. PLEASE PROVIDE MORE DETAILS. TS..*AK
Owner-reported narrative. 28,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10003882 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10009530 · 2003-03-10 (March 10, 2003)
THE WINDSHIELD WAS DESIGNED IMPROPERLY. *DT *JB
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10009530 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10011510 · 2003-03-12 (March 12, 2003)
THE TIRE EXPERIENCED A FLAT, CONSUMER NOTICED THE TIRE HAD SPLIT FROM THE INSIDE OUT WHICH WAS NOT NORMAL. DEALER WAS CONTACTED SINCE TIRE WAS ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT, CONSUMER WAS TOLD THERE WERE NO RECALLS OR TSB BULLETINS. CONSUMER HAD TO REPLACED ALL 4 TIRES.*JB
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10011510 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 10021892 · 2003-07-03 (July 3, 2003)
DESIGN OF THE DASHBOARD CASTS A REFLECTION ONTO THE FRONT WINDSHIELD, CAUSING REDUCED VISIBILITY DURING THE DAY WHILE DRIVING. THE CONSUMER CHECKED OTHER BUICK CENTURY'S AND LASABRE'S AND NOTICED THAT THEY HAD THE SAME PROBLEM. *AK *CB *NLM
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10021892 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10022277 · 2003-05-29 (May 29, 2003)
VEHICLE MAKES NOISES UPON START UP THEN VEHICLE DIES. *MR
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10022277 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
3 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
00V228003 · Seat Belts
Reported: 2000-08-07 (August 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: 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.
NHTSA campaign record ↗00V371000 · Air Bags:Side/Window
Reported: 2000-11-13 (November 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: 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.
NHTSA campaign record ↗01V109000 · Seat Belts
Reported: 2001-04-06 (April 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: 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.
NHTSA campaign record ↗