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Vehicle safety record

2003 Buick Century Problems, complaints & recalls

Owners have filed 130 complaints about the 2003 Buick Century with NHTSA, most often about the lights (49) and the electrical system (24). Those complaints describe 4 crashes, 2 fires and 2 injuries. It is covered by 2 recalls, the latest in February 2009 for the steering. For comparison, the 2002 has 166 and the 2004 has 39.

NHTSA data checked

FFar more problems than a typical Century year, for its age

#95 most complained-about 2003 vehicle

Complaints
130
Recalls
2
Crashes
4
Fires
2
Injuries
2
Deaths
0

Most common 2003 Buick Century problems

Share of all 130 complaints. One complaint can name more than one area. Tap an area for its complaints and recalls.

2003 Buick Century recalls 2

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

Steering

09E005000979 vehicles affected

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.

Fuel system: pressure relief devices

07E021000742 vehicles affected

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.

What owners say

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130 complaints about the 2003 Buick Century

Newest first, as filed with NHTSA by owners. Page 1 of 6.

SteeringSuspensionBody, doors & structure

My vehicle was receiving a PA state required annual mechanical safety inspection by an ASE certified mechanic. I was informed that the "sway bar" which stabilizes the steering system had failed, and as a critical part of the steering operation, the vehicle could not pass a PA state mechanical safety inspection. I had the "sway bar" replaced with the GM re-designed part at considerable expense to pass the PA state safety inspection. The ASE certified mechanic advised me that he had replaced many mechanical failures...

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like mine (broken lug ends) before GM changed the design to one that could withstand the application (a solid forging as opposed to a sheet metal fabrication). I wrote to the CEO of Buick/GM (see attached letter) to request an explanation as to why a known safety defect like the "sway bar" was not recalled when it was first discovered, resulting in a re-design of the "sway bar" for subsequent production models. I received a telephone response from the GM Executive Team, who called himself "Debbie", at 1.855.880.1500, extension 5917674, Reference Number [[redacted]], on 26 July 2023. "Debbie" refused to document GM's position on this issue in writing, and only emphasized that a safety recall with this known safety issue was never issued. It appears that GM has deceived the NTHSA and gotten away with a cover-up. Regardless of the time that GM has kept this hidden from the NHTSA, GM should be required to recall all affected vehicles and repair them at their expense. Thank you. [[redacted]] PE INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Filed Incident Steering · Suspension · StructureNHTSA 11536728
SuspensionTransmission & drivetrainFuel system

Service engine light and gas light came on. Code read at autozone indicated po135- oxygen sensor. Two days later, both check engine lights came on, security, battery and gas lights. Even revved up and had other issues with fuel economy and compressor kicking on and failing to start. Other issues, popping noise when turning steering wheel. The consumer stated the manufacturer was contacted. The manufacturer offered a loyalyty certificate a leased vehucle or a possible reimbursement of 500.00 For repairs. Neither of the remedies satisfied the consumer. The consumer requested to have the vehicle repaired at no cost or be reimbursed 3,500.

Filed Incident Suspension · Power train · Fuel / propulsion systemNHTSA 11405509
Electrical systemLightsFuel system

The vehicle's gas tank won't hold much and clicks as if full. Also, when on uneven pavement or ground, the &#9981; 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 rate. Even one side headlight engagement was replaced and the problems still exist.

Filed Incident Electrical system · Exterior lighting · Fuel / propulsion systemNHTSA 11403916
Electrical system

Horn button is part of air bag. The horn button shorts out and the horn blows all the time. Have to remove fuse to stop horn blowing. Had to replace air bag to fix. In a few months the problem reoccurred. Its too expensive to replace air bags so I am left without a horn this is a safety issue. Can the manufacturer provide a fix? The internet shows this is a very common problem for a lot of gm cars.

Filed Incident Electrical system · Unknown or otherNHTSA 11362671
Lights

BRIGHT LIGHTS WON'T STAY ON.

Filed Incident Exterior lightingNHTSA 11153248
Lights

Tl* the contact owns a 2003 buick century. While driving various speeds, the headlights suddenly shut off. The contact indicated that the failure mainly occurred while switching from low to high beam and vice versa. The failure was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer and local dealer were not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 98,000. *Tt*jb

Filed Incident Exterior lightingNHTSA 11140588
Lights

Bright lights won't stay on and sometimes if you can get them to come on they will go out while driving. Was on a city street and turned right , they went off. Since then you can hold the bright light switch, but when you turn loose they goes off.

Filed Incident Exterior lightingNHTSA 11096874
Lights

Tl* the contact owns a 2003 buick century. While driving 35 mph, the headlights failed to respond. The local dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer was not notified of the issue. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure mileage was 132,704.

Filed Incident Exterior lightingNHTSA 11021460
Other & unknown

Was driving up a grade and the vehicle failed to downshift to climb the grade properly on the freeway so remained at 60 mph while in drive. Vehicle also seemed to accelerate under its own power where I had to stop the vehicle by putting it into neutral in order to brake safely almost as if I was braking as the vehicle was accelerating. I was at 55 mph on a flat service without even touching the accelerator. I did notice higher rpms while in neutral. I did take it to a garage and they could not duplicate...

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the problem and my front brakes needed to be replaced under the circumstances. The vehicle wasn't throwing any codes either. I know I'm not the only one that has witnessed this issue and I'm sure the mechanic I took it to did his job properly in attempting to diagnose the issue however it just couldn't be duplicated. Not about to pay diagnostic fees at different places if I'm chasing after a ghost. Any feedback is truly helpful but now my wife is left driving a car subjected to having that same issue in the near future quite possibly and we just had a garage sign off on not being able to duplicate the problem. Hope this information helps.

Filed Incident Unknown or otherNHTSA 10965991
LightsDriver assistanceBrakes

Turn brights on and radio/clock light goes off. No headlights on during day driving, radio/clock light randomly goes on and back off. Head lights briefly gone off during night driving 3 different times only for maybe 5 seconds, but it only takes a second for a deer or object to appear at night or a car ahead braking suddenly. Speedometer back light does not illuminate for night driving. Trac off and anti lock warning lights continuously stay on, I have had my brakes replaced throughout the years of owning the car...

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since october 2007 and the warning lights do not reset themselves as they should, they continuously stay on since 2009. I am tired of dealing with all of these electrical and lightening issues with this car. I have tried to find gm recall for these problems. Please tell me where and how I can have these defects fixed.

Filed Incident Exterior lighting · Electronic stability control (ESC) · Service brakesNHTSA 10907184
Lights

Tl* the contact owns a 2003 buick century. While driving various speeds, the plastic headlight covers caused a haze over the headlights, which prevented them from illuminating correctly at night. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where the contact was informed by the technician to clean or replace the plastic headlight covers. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified. The approximate failure mileage was 185,000. The vin was not available.

Filed Incident Exterior lightingNHTSA 10892161
Lights

Purchased on 2004, used, the 2003 vehicle has consistently had the head lamps go out when in highbeams are activated. The dealer said this is a short and said it would cost me to fix them and this happens to many of these vehicles. Major safety issue when you are driving at night and the lights go out. Clicking the low beams on turn the lights back on. Since this seems to be a known issue, why is there. To a recall on this? This happens while the vehicle is in motion at all speeds. (Only in the dark, since this is when the high bea,s are used!)

Filed Incident Exterior lightingNHTSA 10875487
Lights

When driving at night head lights just shut off briefly. It seems to do this on dims or brights. I see a lot of similar complaints and I don't see any recalls. They come back on, but I can't seem to determine if they come back on from messing with the switch or if they just come back on by themselves. I'm not sure if the taillights go out as well but if they do that's a hazard for those coming up behind on highway at 65 mph. This is clearly a safety hazard that needs to be addressed!

Filed Incident Exterior lightingNHTSA 10872464
Lights

Tl* the contact owns a 2003 buick century. While driving 55 mph, the low beam head lamps were activated, but failed to illuminate. The failure recurred on numerous occasions. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 94,000.

Filed Incident Exterior lightingNHTSA 10850174
Electrical systemLights

When driving at night all lights go out, interior and driving lights, resuming when clicking bright light switch. Driving at 65 mph.

Filed Incident Electrical system · Exterior lightingNHTSA 10825311
Acceleration & cruise controlCrash

Tl* the contact owns a 2003 buick century. The contact stated that the vehicle experienced unintended acceleration when shifted. As a result, the contact crashed into a curb and continued down a lawn. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the front axel and the muffler fractured. In addition, a piece of the transmission detached and oil leaked from under the vehicle. The vehicle was not repaired. A police report was filed and there were no injuries reported. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 52,000. Updated 03/16/16*lj the consumer stated the electronic control system malfunctioned. *Js

Filed Incident Vehicle speed controlNHTSA 10823428
Electrical systemBody, doors & structureAcceleration & cruise controlCrash

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...

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to a stop, my right foot was on the brake at all times. I had never heard of many automakers' infamous "sudden unintended acceleration" manufacturing defect and had no idea what was happening as the car went from 1 or 2 mph to full throttle instantly. With both hands grasping the steering wheel while the car jerked violently, I was unable to shift into neutral, as I was attempting to avoid other parked vehicles. I emerged with no broken bones, but the car was totaled. Because I am a "little old lady," the insurance company deems me "l00% responsible," in spite of my clean driving record. But "sudden unintended acceleration" fits my scenario to a tee.

Filed Incident Electrical system · Structure · Vehicle speed controlNHTSA 10821600
Lights

Tl* the contact owns a 2003 buick century. While driving 55 mph, the headlights failed to illuminate. The vehicle was taken to a dealer who suggested that replacing the demo switch from the column may remedy the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact also stated that the turn signal failed to signal. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 152,000.

Filed Incident Exterior lightingNHTSA 10788354
Lights

Tl* the contact owns a 2003 buick century. The contact stated that while driving approximately 55 mph, the headlights suddenly failed. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 100,000.

Filed Incident Exterior lightingNHTSA 10763118
Engine & cooling

Vechicle shuts off when at a stop light/sign after taking it 3 times to multiple mechanics including the dealer- king pontiac, md, no one is able to identify and fix the problem, I am told that they can't identify duplicate the problem and identify the code to fix the car

Filed Incident EngineNHTSA 10761410
Engine & coolingFuel system

Every buick owner, I have talked to at about 80,000 to 100,000 miles has to replace intake manifold and bolts. This is about a $1200.00 Job, gaskets and bolts should last a lot longer. *Tr

Filed Incident Engine and engine cooling · Fuel / propulsion systemNHTSA 10678391
Electrical system

Tl* the contact owns a 2003 buick century. The contact stated that the key was difficult to turn in the ignition switch and the alarm security warning light illuminated. The failures occurred on numerous occasions. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The vin and failure mileage were unavailable.

Filed Incident Electrical systemNHTSA 10652003
Transmission & drivetrain

The indicator light for the park, reverse, drive has been going on and off for years my 84 year old uncle never new what gear he was in and he gave me the car in 09 and we call on it and they told us their was no recall and 9 month ago it finally went out completely we have to count so we know what gear we are in and you can't see the mileage I think this is a safety hazard to the older people. *Tr

Filed Incident Power trainNHTSA 10651656
Brakes

Tl* the contact owns a 2003 buick century. While driving approximately 35 mph, the vehicle failed to stop when the brake pedal was engaged. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic. The technician diagnosed that the front passenger side brake line rotted and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure recurred on all four brake lines. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 38,000.

Filed Incident Service brakesNHTSA 10638885
Electrical systemLightsDriver assistanceEngine & cooling

When using turn signals car dies, all the dash lights flash and click. If I pull over and put the car in park it restarts and drives fine until I try the turn signal again then the same thing happens. I also had to disconnect the emergency brake sensor or else the same thing happens. Flashing, clicking and car dies. Now, whenever car is in gear, constant dinging and it will drive fine but I cannot use the turn signals. *Tr

Filed Incident Electrical system · Exterior lighting · Electronic stability control (ESC) · EngineNHTSA 10625827

Buick Century: every year compared

YearComplaintsRecallsCrashesFiresTop problemGrade
200519210LightsB
200439240LightsD
2003130242LightsF
2002166294Engine & coolingF
2001152592Engine & coolingF
20002057111Transmission & drivetrainF
19992415184Engine & coolingF
All Century years

2003 Buick Century vs rivals

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.

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Questions about the 2003 Buick Century

Does the 2003 Buick Century have any recalls?

Yes - NHTSA lists 2 recalls for the 2003 Buick Century: steering (February 2009); pressure relief devices (March 2007). 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 2003 Buick Century?

By the complaints owners filed with NHTSA, the most common problem areas are the lights (49), electrical system (24), engine & cooling (17).

How many complaints has the 2003 Buick Century had?

130 complaints have been filed with NHTSA, the first on July 17, 2003 and the latest on August 6, 2023. Of these, 4 describe a crash and 2 a fire, and together they report 2 injuries and 0 deaths.

Is the 2003 Buick Century a reliable vehicle?

Its Safety Index is 13 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?
What should I do if my 2003 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

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