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Engine & cooling

Buick Century Engine problems by year

270 complaints filed with NHTSA about the Buick Century's engine & cooling. Stalling, loss of power, oil consumption, overheating, head gaskets, timing chains and engine failure.

Engine complaints by model year

YearEngine complaintsCrashesInjuriesRecalls
20052000
20044000
200317000
200234000
200132000
200027100
199962000
199825110
19978000
19969010
199510000
199413000
19924000
19914000
19904000
19895100
19873000
19863010
19853000
19841000
19780001

Engine recalls

Latest Century engine complaints

2001 Buick CenturyEngine & cooling

5/15/2017, $1,197.66 Repair for intake manifold gasket. On october 23, 2008, the california superior court granted final approval to the class action lawsuit, but nothing is available to those of use that did not have a problem until after that suit. Https://www.Girardgibbs.Com/dexcool/

Filed Incident EngineNHTSA 11001284
2002 Buick CenturyElectrical systemAcceleration & cruise controlEngine & cooling

Intake leaking antifreeze - cost too much to repair for me. My only car to get to work. Replacing bearings today for sticking back brakes. All interior accessories are broken; cosmetic mirror, ashtray, center console, passenger windshield wiper stripped motor, 1 window working. Still owe on car but cannot fix everything. Any help ????

Filed Incident Electrical system · Vehicle speed control · EngineNHTSA 10970588
2002 Buick CenturyEngine & cooling

Tl* the contact owns a 2002 buick century. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, there was an abnormal noise coming from the engine. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.

Filed Incident EngineNHTSA 10837605
2003 Buick CenturyEngine & 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
1999 Buick CenturyEngine & coolingVisibility & wipers

I had to replace the head gasket twice. Mechanic indicated the first time that the coolant might be the cause for the gasket deterioration. When replaced the second time, the gasket was (i believe) a metal rather than plastic or rubber and the coolant was green. So far, so good. Both replacements cost $1000+. Recently had brakes replaced and was told the intake manifold gasket needs to be replaced at a cost of $1100. The car runs well, but has serious rust on the rail below the doors. Not sure I should spend that much on a 16 yr old car. I've also had to have a motor on the driver's side window repaired. That seems to be a frequent problem with this model, too.

Filed Incident Engine · Visibility / wiperNHTSA 10721329
2002 Buick CenturyEngine & cooling

Tl* the contact owns a 2002 buick century. The contact stated that while driving approximately 30 mph, the engine seized. The vehicle was not able to be restarted. The vehicle was towed to the contacts home. The failure recurred numerous times. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown. The vin was unavailable.

Filed Incident EngineNHTSA 10678493
2003 Buick CenturyEngine & 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
2004 Buick CenturyEngine & cooling

Tl* the contact owns a 2004 buick century. The contact stated that while an independent mechanic was test driving the vehicle at 25 mph, the vehicle stalled. The technician was able to restart the vehicle. However, the failure recurred. The technician was unable to diagnose or repair the vehicle. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 26,900. The vin was unavailable. Updated 04/21/2016*lj updated 9/18/2017*cn

Filed Incident EngineNHTSA 10672434
1991 Buick CenturyEngine & cooling

Tl* the contact owns a 1990 buick century (n/a). The contact stated that while driving various speeds, the engine stalled. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The vin was unavailable. The approximate failure mileage was 90,000.

Filed Incident EngineNHTSA 10664561
2002 Buick CenturySteeringElectrical systemEngine & cooling

I purchased the car from family auto easley sc, ive had several repairs on this car that didnt help, radiators, thermastat, water pump, hoses replace, alternator, coolant recovery tank has brown sludge inside, the windows didnt work, its moist inside from the floor being wet had a heating core put in didnt help, the carpet on the inside is damaged, the paint is coming off, had a alternator put in , run hot all the time, dosnt matter, buy coolant, oil put water in it, manifold gasket is bad in it ive lost power...

Read the full complaint

several times, the last time I did it was on nov 6 this year on the way to work lost power while driving ran into a gurad gate right beside a dumpster, I had to get it towed, its in the shop getting the bumper fixed, I had to get a rental car, I had to get my car refinance with dilco of greenville sc he couldnt believe how much I was charge for this car over 13,000.00 Dollars, so I was over charged and sold a lemon and its not fair to me and this car is not safe for me or anyone to drive, I want to be able to drive a car without being afriad if im going to make it or not or get stranded

Filed Incident Steering · Electrical system · EngineNHTSA 10659795
1997 Buick CenturyEngine & cooling

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

Filed Incident Engine and engine coolingNHTSA 10658881

Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) complaints and recalls, checked daily. Complaints are owners' own reports and are not verified. How we use the data

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