- The problem
- Dorman is recalling 979 steering knuckles, dorman p/nos. 697-902 And 697-903, sold under dorman's "oe solutions<sup>tm</sup>" brand name, and napa p/nos. 7-8502 And 7-8503 which were sold for replacement use on the various vehicles listed above. A potential material or design defect could result in the steering knuckle breaking in the hub area.
- The risk
- A broken steering knuckle could result in loss of steering control and a possible crash without warning.
- The fix
- Dorman will notify owners and replace the defective steering knuckles free of charge and reimburse the repair facility or owner for labor. The recall began on february 23, 2009. Owners may contact dorman's toll-free hotline at 1-800-523-2492 and press 5.
Vehicle safety record
1997 Buick Century Problems, complaints & recalls
Owners have filed 106 complaints about the 1997 Buick Century with NHTSA, most often about the electrical system (19) and the visibility & wipers (16). Those complaints describe 4 crashes, 1 fire and 2 injuries. It is covered by 4 recalls, the latest in February 2009 for the steering. For comparison, the 1996 has 83 and the 1998 has 228.
NHTSA data checked
FFar more problems than a typical Century year, for its age
#61 most complained-about 1997 vehicle
- Complaints
- 106
- Recalls
- 4
- Crashes
- 4
- Fires
- 1
- Injuries
- 2
- Deaths
- 0
Most common 1997 Buick Century problems
Share of all 106 complaints. One complaint can name more than one area. Tap an area for its complaints and recalls.
1997 Buick Century recalls 4
Recall repairs are free. Your dealer fixes them whether or not you bought the car there - check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see if yours is done. What to do
- The problem
- Certain delphi fuel pressure regulators, p/nos. Fp10020-11b1, fp10026-11b1, and fp10027-11b1, sold after january 9, 2007, as aftermarket equipment for various passenger vehicles listed above. The universal pressure regulators (upr) were produced without an o'ring and retainer.
- The risk
- FUEL MAY LEAK, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A FIRE.
- The fix
- Delphi will notify owners and replace the upr free of charge. The recall began on april 23, 2007. Owners can contact delphi at 877-411-8770.
- The problem
- Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. The windshield wipers may stop working due to a separation between the drive pin and crescent in the crank arm assembly.
- The risk
- Driver visibility could be reduced, increasing the risk of a crash.
- The fix
- Dealers will inspect these vehicles for the presence of a plastic water deflector and, if necessary, replace the wiper motor crank arm and install a water deflector. On vehicles receiving a replacement crank arm and new water deflector, dealers will also apply additional sealing material to improve water deflection away from the crank arm assembly and will install a reinforcement to improve the performance of the wiper park mechanism.
- The problem
- Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. The owner manuals do not contain the requirement information pertaining to the vehicle headlamp aiming device. This does not comply with requirements of fmvss no. 108, "Lamps, reflective devices, and associated equipment."
- The risk
- If the headlamp assemblies are replaced, customers may not be able to properly aim the headlights.
- The fix
- Owners will be mailed an owner manual's insert which contains the appropriate information.
What owners say
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106 complaints about the 1997 Buick Century
Newest first, as filed with NHTSA by owners. Page 1 of 5.
ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE
Within 43 days of purchasing cooper grand touring cs5 tires for my 1997 buick century, one developed a large sidewall bulge. The retailer forced me to buy another new tire for $72. And cooper refused to pay for it! I have been driving cars for 40 years an never had a new tire or any tire develop a sidewall bulge. I had a spirited conversation with a cooper rep and she got very rude with me. They had one recall for the same problem and never fixed the problem obviously. Please help!
Tl* the contact owns a 1997 buick century. The contact stated that the engine manifold gasket was deteriorating and caused the engine to overheat. The check engine warning indicator illuminated. The contact believed that the failure was caused by the dex cool antifreeze. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic. The technician diagnosed that the lower manifold gasket needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The approximate failure mileage was 40,000. The vin was not available. Updated 02/09/15*lj
When I backed out of parking space, I turned steering wheel with a "hard left." Car made clicking noise. *Tr
Driving on i-95 southbound when I experienced a catastrophic tread separation to my driver's side rear tire. I was able to get my vehicle to the side of the road and signal help. Fortunately, I escaped this failure uninjured. *Tr
Tl* the contact owns a 1997 buick century. The contact was driving 65 mph when the turn signal lights failed. The dealer was notified and stated they would not repair the vehicle. The vehicle was then taken to a personal mechanic who noticed that there was smoke coming from the wiring of the turn signals. The vehicle was repaired. The failure and the current mileage was 89,887. ... Updated 08-07-12 *bf the turn signal switch inside the steering column was replaced. Updated 08/09/12*jb
I was making a left turn and the steering locked and there was a loud bang. I wasn't able to complete the turn causing me to drive off the road and onto a lawn. The steering wheel wouldn't go back to the correct position and it seemed to be in manual steering mode. I could barely move the wheel. The car is not drivable at this time. *Tr
Tl* the contact owns a 1997 buick century. While the contact was driving approximately 75 mph the rpm's increased excessively. The engine was turned off and restarted. The vehicle was able to resume normally. The vehicle had not been respired at the time of the compliant. The failure and current mileages were 75,000.
Tl*the contact owns a 1997 buick century. She stated that there was a loud clunking noise in the vehicle. Upon having her wheel bearings repaired, she found the stabilizer bar had broken off of the tire. She then attempted to order the part from an automotive store and was told that there was a defect in the replacement part. No repairs were made to the vehicle to correct the failure to date. The current and failure mileages were 188,376.
1) Car needed towed to garage for starter failure. As it left the garage the steering locked up and sent car almost into oncoming traffic with 2 children in the car. There had been no other warnings of a problem. 2) It happens every time the steering is turned one direction then back to the other. It does not just come back. Especially to the left. I almost crashed 4 times just trying to get it home. 3) I filed an insurance claim on the tow company thinking they were responsible. They looked at it and said they...
Read the full complaint
found nothing wrong, that nothing was bent. After getting on line and investigating, I learned of this steering problem. It matches it perfectly. I had someone knowledgeable of mechanics look at the car and they said the steering gear rack needs replaced and not to drive the car as it is. It is to dangerous to drive. I also just had new intake manifold gasket from the decool problem gm has. Now I have a car that I can't drive and can't afford to fix. Nobody assumes liability and I think gm should have had this recalled and corrected. *Tr
Windshield wipers have been standing straight up when in an off position for 6 or 7 years. Found the campaign and then the recall and tried to get a remedy from the on several occasions as well as gm ,to no avail..I was made to buy a motor for the windshield wipers and that worked for a little while. Then last summer or fall I went back to the dealer because now the issue looked to be a recall, and they told me there was, but not for my vin#, and I was made to pay $70 for the adjustment..It is now not working...
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again ,and I am very frustrated. It is a 1997 buick century. I have to keep the windshield wipers on in the delay mode all the time, rain or shine in order to not have them stand straight up and block my vision..I feel this is dangerous, but that the dealer and gm will not take responsibility because I found the information on my progressive car insurance site. They always bring up recalls for your cars. *Ak
I was on 275w. When my right window wiper arm started to stop then it died, my husband told to see what I could find out on repairing it and cost on the computer, I ran across this little thing on the computer about 1997 buick century's and the right windshield {component: visibility: windshield wiper/washer linkages} well when I read all of it that describes what happen to my wiper. When I called everybody said no not your car, and I said I don't understand because the same thing is wrong with mind. *Nm
Dt: the contact states there is a nhtsa recall campaign 99v348000 concerning the windshield wiper linkages. This vehicle has the same problems as indicated in the recall, but it is not included in the recall due to vin. The vehicle is being repaired at the contact's expense. *Ak
Dt: 1997 buick century. The consumer has being having problems with seat belts jamming. This occurred for 7 years. T 2 out of 4 seat belts work. The 2 seat belts back seat will not work. *Ak
1997 Buick century-steering locks up randomly causing loss of vehicle control. *Jb
1997 Buick century-steering locks up randomly causing loss of vehicle control. *Jb
The child seat buckle failed and as a result the consumer's grandson was able to get out of the car seat while the vehicle was in motion. *Nm *sc *jb
Both rear passenger and driver side seat belts are inoperative. Consumer is unable to pull out the seat belts. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for inspection. The mechanic informed the driver that both seat belt retractors needed to be replaced. Please provide further details. *Nm
The wiper on the right side of the front windshield stopped operating during inclement conditions. The vehicle is at the dealer for repairs. *Jb
Tail lights will not operate correctly . Dealership was notified, but did not resolve the problem. *Aki
The front passenger's side seat belt retracts after clicking the seat belt in to stay connection. The passenger would hold the seat belt retractor. This caused the seat belt to tighten. The consumer took the vehicle to dealer for inspection, and the mechanic told the consumer that the seat belt was not recalled for this vehicle, and the warranty expired. The consumer informed the mechanic of this problem and they adjusted it twice but the problem recurred. *Ak *nm *sc *jb
Coolant was replaced at @ 115,000 miles. Coolant was in globes in over flow tank. Approximately 15,000 miles after replacement, coolant light came on (first time ever since I have owned car). Coolant was @ 1 gallon low. Coolant has also become globby again. Took into replace with different coolant (not dex-cool). Upon inspection garage found the engine gasket has been leaking coolant. They claim it was caused by the dex-cool coolant, they did not do the flush because they did not want to chance making the leak worse. *Jb
While driving the steering wheel shook uncontrollably. Consumer drove the vehicle to the dealer for inspection, but mechanic could not duplicate the problem. *Ak
A mixture of water and anti freeze seeped into the oil. When this occurred the fluids mixed with the oil, and went through the intake manifold gasket. This knocked the crankshaft and destroyed the engine. The engine was replaced, but the failure recurred 8 months later. *Ak
Power steering locked up when making left turns. The steering wheel either locked, did not go into the full turns or was very difficult to turn. Dealership indicated that there was a defect in the rack and pinion as described in steering gear bearings recall 03v527000. However, this vehicle was not included in the recall due to vin. *Ak
Buick Century: every year compared
| Year | Complaints | Recalls | Grade |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2001 | 152 | 5 | F |
| 2000 | 205 | 7 | F |
| 1999 | 241 | 5 | F |
| 1998 | 228 | 4 | F |
| 1997 | 106 | 4 | F |
| 1996 | 83 | 2 | F |
| 1995 | 103 | 1 | F |
| 1994 | 119 | 6 | F |
| 1993 | 0 | 2 | A |
1997 Buick Century vs rivals
| Vehicle | Complaints | Recalls | Grade | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1997 Buick Century | 106 | 4 | F | |
| 1997 Buick Lesabre | 402 | 2 | F | Compare |
| 1997 Buick Park Avenue | 219 | 3 | F | Compare |
| 1997 Buick Regal | 136 | 8 | F | Compare |
| 1997 Buick Skylark | 87 | 5 | F | Compare |
| 1997 Buick Riviera | 43 | 0 | F | Compare |
More sales usually means more complaints, so compare similar vehicles of the same year. The grade compares each vehicle with its own model's other years.
Questions about the 1997 Buick Century
Does the 1997 Buick Century have any recalls?
Yes - NHTSA lists 4 recalls for the 1997 Buick Century: steering (February 2009); pressure relief devices (March 2007); linkages (December 1999); headlights (May 1998). Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether yours has been fixed.
What are the most common problems with the 1997 Buick Century?
By the complaints owners filed with NHTSA, the most common problem areas are the electrical system (19), visibility & wipers (16), seats & seat belts (16).
How many complaints has the 1997 Buick Century had?
106 complaints have been filed with NHTSA, the first on March 12, 1997 and the latest on February 21, 2017. Of these, 4 describe a crash and 1 a fire, and together they report 2 injuries and 0 deaths.
Is the 1997 Buick Century a reliable vehicle?
Its Safety Index is 15 out of 100 (grade F: far more problems than a typical Buick Century year, for its age). The index weighs complaints, crashes, fires, injuries, deaths and recalls against how long the vehicle has been on the road, compared with the same model's other years. It is not a measure of every repair - read the complaints and owner experiences, and have any used vehicle inspected before you buy.
Which Buick Century years have the most complaints?
1999 (241), 1998 (228), 2000 (205). See every Buick Century year compared.
What should I do if my 1997 Buick Century has a problem?
If it is a safety problem, stop driving it if it is unsafe and contact your dealer. Report it to NHTSA at nhtsa.gov/report-a-safety-problem - enough reports start investigations and recalls - and share your experience here so other owners know what to look for.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) complaints and recalls, checked . Complaints are owners' own reports and are not verified. How we use the data