2001 Buick Century

Defect. 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.

Risk. A BROKEN STEERING KNUCKLE COULD RESULT IN LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL AND A POSSIBLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.

Remedy. 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.

Defect. 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.

Risk. FUEL MAY LEAK, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A FIRE.

Remedy. 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.

Defect. 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.

Risk. 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.

Defect. 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.

Risk. 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.

Defect. 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."

Risk. 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.

When I have cruise control on but not in use at that moment the car will engage cruise on its own. It does this at a high rate of acceleration with no Rhyme or Reason as to why. I have to be quick to get it to stop because of the high rate of speed. I do not use the cruise control anymore on my vehicle because of being unsafe. I have been lucky a couple of times I have not rammed into the vehicle in front of me through no fault of mine except for having cruise control on. No it has not been examined or inspected. The problem has not been confirmed by the dealership or and independent service center. It has been confirmed by various drivers of my car. None of them will use cruise control anymore.

STEERING LOCKED WHILE DRIVING ON HIGHWAY. CAR WOULD SPEED UP ON ITS OWN WITHOUT TOUCHING THE GAS PEDDLE. THIS OCCURRED AS SOON AS THE CAR WAS TAKEN OUT OF PARK.

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/

FOR ALMOST THE ENTIRE TIME OF 16 YEARS OF OWNING THIS CAR, THE SET CRUISE CONTROL OFTEN TIMES SPEEDS UNCONTROLLABLY. HAVE REPLACED THE MODULE TWICE BUT CONTINUES TO HAPPEN. LOCAL BUICK DEALER TELLS ME THEY HAVE NOT HEARD OF THIS BEFORE. I FIRMLY BELIEVE THEY ARE UNTRUTHFUL.

TURNED ON SPEED CONTROL WHILE DRIVING ON INTERSTATE, PRESSED SET BUTTON TO SET THE SPEED. THE CRUISE INDICATOR LIGHT CAME ON. THE CAR ACCELERATED ON ITS OWN. MY SPEED WENT FROM 65 MPH TO 80 MPH IN A FEW SECONDS. I DEPRESSED THE SET BUTTON AGAIN TO DECELERATE, BUT WHEN I RELEASED THE SET BUTTON, THE CAR IMMEDIATELY ACCELERATED AGAIN. I DEPRESSED THE BRAKE TO STOP THE ACCELERATION & TURNED THE SPEED CONTROL SWITCH TO THE OFF POSITION.

WE PURCHASED THIS CAR (AS IS) FOR OUR GRANDSON. ON OUR WAY HOME FROM THE DEALER, AS SOON AS THE TRANSMISSION WARMED UP (4-5 MILES), THE SHIFTING WAS HARD AND JERKING WITH A WHINE COMING FROM THE TRANSMISSION. TOOK THE CAR TO A GARAGE WHICH FOUND THE COMPUTER CODE OF P1811 AND WERE TOLD A COMPLETE REBUILD WOULD BE NECESSARY. WENT ONLINE AND DISCOVERED MANY OTHERS HAD COMPLAINTS OF THE SAME NATURE. WOULD HOPE GM WOULD COME FORWARD WITH REIMBURSEMENT SINCE ITS TRANSMISSION IN THIS MODEL WAS INCORRECTLY DESIGNED. THE REBUILDING GARAGE OWNER EVEN HAD TO GO TO A SPECIAL SCHOOL TO LEARN HOW TO CORRECT THIS PROBLEM IN THE BUICK CENTURY. AFTER PAYING $1,757.25 TO QUEENS TRANSMISSION, INC., IN BRADENTON, FL (941-746-7480), THE SHIFTING IS NOW NORMAL.

WHILE DRIVING WITH THE SPEED CONTROL TURNED ON BUT NOT ENGAGED THE SPEED CONTROL WILL ENGAGE AND THE ENGINE WILL RACE UNTIL BRAKE IS TAPPED OR SPEED CONTROL SWITCH TURNED OFF. THIS CAN HAPPENED RANDOMLY , WHEN RESUME IS ENGAGED , OR WHEN LANE CHANGE SIGNALING. *TR

HAD TRANSMISSION REPLACED AT AUTHORIZED GMC DEALERSHIP MAY 2006 .THIS CAME WITH A WARRANTY. SEVERAL TIMES OVER SEVERAL SUMMERS SINCE THEN HAVE TAKEN VEHICLE INTO DEALERSHIP WITH CONCERNS THAT HAPPENED AFTER VEHICLE WOULD BE DRIVEN IN HIGH HUMIDITY HIGH TEMPERATURE DAYS AFTER TRAVELING A MINIMUM OF 60 MILES MOSTLY ON STATE HIGHWAYS THAT ARE QUITE ROUGH AND CURVY, I.E. IT WOULD TAKE ABOUT 90 MINUTES OR MORE TOGO THIS DISTANCE. THEN WHEN IN BUMPER TO BUMPER TRAFFIC AND TRYING TO MOVE FORWARD OR STOPPING THE CAR'S AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION WOULD CAUSE THE VEHICLE TO SHAKE LIKE JUMPING INTO THE WRONG GEAR AND IN MORE THAN ONE TIME THE CAR'S ENGINE WOULD DIE. IT ALWAYS HAPPENED AT LOW SPEEDS SO LUCKILY WE DIDN'T LOOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. BUT, THE ONLY WAY TO STOP THIS FROM CONTINUING WAS TO STOP AND PARK TO LET THE ENGINE AND OR COOL DOWN. WE EVEN PUT ON THE HEATER WHILE DRIVING TO HELP REDUCE THE TEMPERATURE GAUGE TO GO BELOW THE HALFWAY MARK. THIS CAR WAS PURCHASED IN SHELTON, WA NOT IN KY, SO WE NEVER EXPERIENCED THIS PRIOR TO TRANSMISSION REPLACEMENT. THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT HAS NEVER BEEN ABLE TO DUPLICATE PROBLEM, NOW THE CRUISE CONTROL HAS STOPPED WORKING. WE HAVE DASHBOARD WARNINGS CONTINUALLY STATING LOW OIL, SERVICE ENGINE SOON (WHEN JUST COMPLETED), ETC. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 BUICK CENTURY. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO BE RESTARTED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED MULTIPLE TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO COULD NOT DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 200,000.

LOW BEAM HEADLIGHTS SUDDENLY STOPPED WORKING WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT. I BOUGHT THE CAR USED A YEAR AGO, AND THE MULTIFUNCTION SWITCH WAS REPLACED JUST BEFORE I BOUGHT IT. AFTER DOING SOME INVESTIGATION, I DISCOVER IT'S A VERY COMMON, ALMOST UNIVERSAL PROBLEM WITH THESE VEHICLES THAT COSTS ALMOST $800 TO REPAIR. GM HASN'T ISSUED A RECALL FOR THIS DEFECT.... YES, I SAID DEFECT. *TR

APPLIED BRAKE IN PREPARATION TO REVERSE, FROM DRIVEWAY HEARD A POP AND BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO FLOOR. BRAKE DID SEEM A BIT SOFT THE PREVIOUS DAY WHEN PARKING CAR AFTER SHORT TRIP. LUCKILY DID NOT LOSE BRAKES IN TRAFFIC!! UPON VISUAL INSPECTION BRAKE FLUID LEAKING FROM FRAME RAILS LEFT AND RIGHT SIDE OF VEHICLE DUE TO RUSTED OUT BRAKE LINES. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 BUICK CENTURY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE OVERHEATED AND THE TEMPERATURE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT INSPECTED THE OIL LEVEL AND DISCOVERED THAT THE ANTI FREEZE WAS LEAKING INTO THE OIL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A PRIVATE MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE LOWER GASKET INTAKE SET FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 144,900 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 144,950.

SECOND OWNER OF MY BUICK 2001 PURCHASED FROM THE ORIGINAL OWNER WITH 5,000 MILES IN 2008. THE SECOND YEAR I NOTICED WHEN EVER IT RAINED THERE WAS WATER ON THE FLOOR ON THE PASSENGER SIDE. I STILL OWN THE CAR AND OVER THE YEARS HAVE JUST HAD REGULAR MAINTENANCE DONE. THE WATER ON THE PASSENGER SIDE HAS GOTTEN WORSE AND EVERY TIME IT RAINS I HAVE TO TAKE TOWELS AND DRY UP ABOUT 1 INCH OF WATER FROM THE CARPET. I AM RETIRED NOW AND HESITATE TO TAKE THE CAR TO A MECHANIC AS I HAVE FOUND MOST WILL TAKE FINANCIAL ADVANTAGE OF A FEMALE. JUST WONDERED IF ANY OTHER OWNERS HAVE HAD THIS PROBLEM OR IF THERE HAVE BEEN ANY RECALLS. EVENTUALLY , I WILL HAVE A MECHANIC LOOK AT IT AND GET AN ESTIMATE FOR REPAIR AS SOON AS I CAN BECAUSE I AM TIRED OF MOPPING UP WATER EVERY TIME IT RAINS. I ALSO WONDER WHAT IT IS DOING TO THE METAL UNDER THE CARPET. THE ORIGINAL OWNER WAS AN OLDER WOMAN WHO RARELY DROVE THE CAR. I PURCHASED FROM HER SON AT HER DEATH IT STILL HAD THE NEW CAR SMELL SO I AM PRETTY SURE SHE BOUGHT THE CAR NEW AND THIS PROBLEM WAS INHERENT IN THE DESIGN. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 BUICK CENTURY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 15 MPH, THE VEHICLE STARTING JERKING AND WOULD NOT ACCELERATE. THE FAILURE WAS RECURRING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 123,000. *TR

I WAS TRAVELING IN HEAVY STOP AND GO TRAFFIC TRAVELING AT ABOUT 40MPH WHEN THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF ME STOPPED, I APPLIED THE BRAKES HARD BUT THE VEHICLE DID NOT STOP AND I TRIED TO SWAY INTO THE SHOULDER BUT HIT THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF ME. THERE WAS PLENTY OF SPACE TO STOP BUT THE BRAKES FAILED TO STOP THE VEHICLE. NOTE: THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. *JS

WE BOUGHT ARE CENTURY LIKE 3 MONTHS AGO WITH 109K ON IT WE NOTICED THE TRANSMISSION WAS SHIFTING HARD WHEN CAR IS WARMED UP OR RESTARTED GM CURRENT KNOWS ABOUT JUST FEELING IT NOT THERE PROBLEM WELL IT IS A COSTLY ONE TO CAR OWNS AS I READ ON THE INTERNET OVER 50 THOUSAND COMPLAINTS FOR THIS ISSUE I FEEL GM HAS TO RECALL THIS ISSUE ITS THERE MISTAKE NOT MINE ARE CENTURY OTHER WISE IS A FINE CAR BUT DASH IS OUT FOR ODO AND THAT GM CUTTING CORNERS AS WELL ITS POOR PENMENSHIP ON THEIR BEHALF AS CAR MAKERS AND WE LOVE THEM BUT WE NEED THEM TO DO MORE AND BE LIKE THE OLD GM GOOD AND HONEST THANKS HOPE TO GET RESOLVED SOON AS I MIGHT ADD IT DOES WHEN IT NORMAL TEMP AND WHEN A RESTART HAPPENS SHIFT REALLY HARD 2ND AND 3 RD GEAR NOT NORMAL I GOT A COST OF $890.00 TO FIX 6,3 HOURS OF LABORS TO FIX TC AND OTHER SENSOR IN TRANSMISSION ON CAR. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 BUICK CENTURY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE PANEL LIGHTING FAILED TO ILLUMINATE WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSIS BUT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 130,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. *TR

BACKING OUT OF THE DRIVEWAY MY BRAKES WENT STRAIGHT TO THE FLOOR. LUCKILY I WAS ABLE TO APPLY THE PARKING BRAKES TO STOP THE VEHICLE. AFTER INSPECTION, THE BRAKE LINES HAVE COMPLETELY ROTTED OUT CAUSING A REAR BRAKE LINE TO BURST. ALL FOUR BRAKE LINES HAVE NOW BEEN REPLACED. *TR

THE DRIVERS WINDOW WILL GO DOWN WHEN YOU PUT KEY IN IGNITION RIGHT BEFORE YOU START VEHICLE. AFTER IT GOES DOWN YOU MUST WAIT 10 SECONDS OR SO AND YOU CAN PUT WINDOW UP. THIS IS THE EXACT SAME ISSUE MY 2007 CHEVY TRAILBLAZER IS BEING RECALLED FOR. BUT THE BUICK CENTURY IS NOT ON THE RECALL LIST. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 BUCK CENTURY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE TRAVELING 25 MPH, THE DRIVER DEPRESSED THE BRAKES AND SMOKE STARTED TO EMIT FROM THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO STOP. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHO STATED THAT THE BRAKE LINES FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED DUE TO CORROSION. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 53,000....UPDATED 10/19/12 *BF UPDATED 10/25/2012 *JS

AFTER SETTING CRUISE CONTROL IT WILL TAKE OFF AND ACCELERATE UNTIL YOU MANUALLY SHUT THE CRUISE CONTROL SWITCH OFF. I EVEN TAPPED ON BRAKE AND IT WOULD CONTINUE. THIS PROBLEM SEEMS TO BE VERY RANDOM. *TR

RACK AND PINIONS NEED REPLACED AFTER I HAD NEW TIE RODS REPLACED. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 BUICK CENTURY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS AN OVERPOWERING GASOLINE ODOR EMITTING FROM THE ENGINE. IN ADDITION, THE VEHICLE WAS BURNING EXCESSIVE AMOUNTS OF GASOLINE FUEL. THE CONTACT REPLACED THE FUEL PRESSURE REGULATOR TO REPAIR THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 160,897. UPDATED 4/11/2011 *CN UPDATED 04/25/11

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 BUICK CENTURY. THE CONTACT STATED WHEN DRIVING 35 MPH OR MORE, THE CRUISE CONTROL WOULD INDEPENDENTLY ACTIVATE AND WOULD CAUSE THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL TO SEIZE IN THE OPEN THROTTLE POSITION. HE WOULD THEN DEPRESS THE BRAKES AND THE CRUISE CONTROL WOULD DEACTIVATE. THE FAILURE WOULD OCCUR INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED THAT THE FAILURE WAS NOT COMMON IN HIS YEAR, MAKE AND MODEL. THE DEALER DID NOT PERFORM A DIAGNOSTIC TEST. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 98,000.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 BUICK CENTURY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A REPAIR SHOP TO HAVE THE BRAKES REPAIRED. HE WAS INFORMED THAT THE FRONT LOWER CONTROL ARM, SWAY BAR SHAFT AND ALL OF THE BUSHINGS ATTACHED TO THE PARTS WERE COVERED WITH RUST. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER BUT WAS OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE SINCE HE DID NOT TAKE THE VEHICLE TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR REPAIRS. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 32,787. UPDATED 10/21/10. *LJ UPDATED 10/25/10*JB

2009 WHILE MY SISTER WAS PULLING INTO THE HOSPITAL PARKING GARAGE WITH MY MOTHER, DRIVING MOM'S 2001 BUICK CENTURY, THE BRAKES FAILED AND WENT TO THE FLOOR, NO PEDAL, NO BRAKES. HAD TOWED BACK HOME. MECHANIC SAID HAD RUSTED BRAKE LINE. THANK GOD MY MOTHER WAS NOT DRIVING, SHE WOULD NOT HAVE BEEN ABLE TO GET THE CAR STOPPED. WELL FRIDAY JULY 9TH 2010 MY SISTER TAKING MY MOTHER TO DR APPT WITH CAR FULL OF KIDS,AGAIN THE BRAKES FAILED AND HAD NO BRAKES TO STOP THE CAR. I GUESS THE MAN UPSTAIRS SURE TAKES CARE OF MOM, IT SURE AS HECK IS NOT GM. A RECALL SHOULD BE ISSUED FOR THIS LONG KNOWN PROBLEMS WITH THE RUSTY BRAKE LINES. BRAKE LINES SHOULD LAST ALOT LONGER THAN 45,000 MILES. THERE ARE RECALLS FOR BRAKE LIGHTS, HOW ABOUT ONE FOR THESE BRAKE LINES. *TR

THE PROBLEM I'M EXPERIENCING IS WITH THE CRUISE CONTROL. ONCE ENGAGED, IF THE CAR GETS INTO A SITUATION REQUIRING ACCELERATION (E.G. GOING UP A HILL), THE CAR GOES INTO HIGH ACCELERATION MODE AND DOES NOT STOP ONCE THE SET SPEED IS REACHED. AFTER INITIAL ENGAGEMENT, BUT NOT WITH THE CONTROL SET, VIRTUALLY ANY MOVEMENT OF THE TURN SIGNAL LEVEL CAUSES ENGAGEMENT OF THE CRUISE CONTROL IN THE ACCELERATION MODE. TAPPING THE LEVER, ACTIVATING THE TURN SIGNAL OR HIGH BEAM CONTROL CAUSE THE CAR TO GO INTO CRUISE MODE UNDER ACCELERATION. I HAVE ALLOWED IT TO GO AS FAST AS 85 MPH TO SEE IF IT WOULD DISENGAGE AND IT DID NOT. I FIRST THOUGHT IT WAS INTERMITTENT, BUT NOW THAT I HAVE BEEN PLAYING CLOSER ATTENTION TO WHAT WAS GOING ON WHEN IT RUNS AWAY, I CAN CAUSE IT TO HAPPEN ON CUE. THIS IS ESPECIALLY DANGEROUS SINCE IT GOES INTO ACCELERATE MODE UNTIL THE CRUISE CONTROL IS EITHER DISENGAGED WITH THE POWER SWITCH OR THE BRAKE PEDAL. I HAVE NOT YET GOTTEN IT REPAIRED. THE INITIAL VISIT TO THE SHOP WAS UNSUCCESSFUL IN DETERMINING THE CAUSE OR REPLICATING THE PROBLEM. I HAVE SINCE ESTABLISHED HOW TO INITIATE THE RUNAWAY ACCELERATION. *TR

WHEN STOPPING FOR A RED LIGHT THE BRAKE PEDAL SUDDENLY WENT MOST OF THE WAY TO THE FLOOR AND THE CAR ENDS UP IN THE INTERSECTION DUE TO LONGER STOPPING DISTANCE. UPON INSPECTION, THE METAL BRAKE LINE FROM THE ABS UNIT, RUNNING ACROSS THE FIREWALL TO THE RIGHT FRONT WHEEL, HAS COMPLETELY RUSTED THROUGH. ALL THE BRAKE FLUID BLEW OUT OF THE BRAKE CIRCUIT WHEN THE LINE RUPTURED DURING THE STOP. UPON FURTHER INSPECTION, TWO OTHER STEEL BRAKE LINES AND THE STEEL FUEL FEED LINE ARE ABOUT TO RUST THROUGH AND FAIL AS WELL. I HAVE NEVER SEEN BRAKE AND FUEL LINES RUST THROUGH LIKE THIS! NINE YEARS OLD. THE FIRST BRAKE LINE MENTIONED RUNS ALONG THE FIRE WALL, RIGHT BEHIND THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD, AS SUCH, IT HAS A FIBER HEAT SHIELD WRAPPING AROUND IT FOR ABOUT TWO FEET AND THIS IS WHERE THE WORST RUST OCCURRED, CONVENIENTLY HIDDEN FROM SIGHT. I SUSPECT THE HEAT SHIELD MATERIAL HELD MOISTURE, LEADING TO THE RUST. WHEN DISCUSSING THIS PROBLEM WITH A MECHANIC AT THE GM DEALER, HE SAID, "I SEE THIS ALL THE TIME." I KNOW CORROSION RESISTANT MATERIALS ARE AVAILABLE TO PREVENT THIS. I HAVE NEVER SEEN THIS HAPPEN ON ALL THE FOREIGN CARS I HAVE OWNED. TO MAKE MATTERS WORSE I AM TOLD THAT THE ONLY WAY TO REPLACE THE BRAKE LINE IS TO DROP THE SUBFRAME THAT HOLDS THE DRIVETRAIN, AT A COST OF ABOUT $1200, SINCE THE LINE IS ONE OF THE FIRST THINGS TO GO ON THE BODY AT THE FACTORY! *TR

I PURCHASED A 2001 BUICK CENTURY WITH LEST THAN 1000 MILES ON IT FROM THE ORIGINAL ORDER. IN JUST A SHORT TIME, IT BEGAN TO SURGE WHEN THE CRUISE CONTROL WAS ON. IT WOULD KEEP ACCELERATING UNTIL YOU TURNED IT OFF. IT STILL DOES THIS FROM TIME TO TIME. I HAVE CHECKED WITH BUICK DEALERS, BUT THEY DON'T SEEM TO KNOW WHY. SOMETIMES IT SURGES WHEN YOU USE THE TURNING SIGNAL ALSO. *TR

2001 BUICK CENTURY SUDDENLY ACCELERATES WHEN CRUISE CONTROL IS ON BUT NOT ENGAGED. THIS TYPICALLY HAPPENS WHEN HITTING A BUMP OR POT HOLE OR PUTTING ON THE TURN SIGNAL. ALSO, THE CAR HAS SUDDENLY ACCELERATED WHEN DRIVING ON A SMOOTH ROAD WITH THE CRUISE CONTROL ENGAGED. I HAVE BE ABLE TO STOP THE ACCELERATION BY EITHER TAPPING THE BRAKE OR TURNING OFF THE CRUISE CONTROL WITH THE SWITCH AT THE END OF THE STALK. I NO LONGER DRIVE WITH THE CRUISE CONTROL TURNED; AND HAVE NOT EXPERIENCED ANY PROBLEM AS LONG AS THE CRUISE CONTROL IS NOT TURNED ON. THIS EVENT HAS OCCURRED SEVERAL TIMES OVER THE PAST 12 MONTHS. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 BUICK CENTURY. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS UNDERGOING AN OIL CHANGE, THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT DEXCOOL COOLANT WAS PLACED IN THE WATER TANK INSTEAD OF ANTIFREEZE. THE MANIFOLD ON THE WATER BLOCK, WHICH IS THE GASKET BETWEEN THE WATER TANK, DID NOT HAVE THE CORRECT TYPE OF GASKET AND DETERIORATED THE WATER DUE TO OIL IN THE TANK. THE FAILURE IS CALLED A "PINK MILKSHAKE". THIS ALSO OCCURS WHEN THERE IS OIL IN THE WATER RESERVOIR. THE REPAIR WOULD COST $800. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 38,000.

LEAKING INTAKE MANIFOLD. *TR

OUR ANTI BRAKE LIGHT CAME ON AND WOULD NOT GO OFF. TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP. WAS TOLD THE ABS SYSTEM WAS FAULTY. REPLACED THE EBCM AND HYDRAULIC CONTROL UNIT AND ALSO REPLACED BRAKE MASTER CYLINDER. .THE BRAKES WERE FINE. THEY CHARGED US $2,223.14. THE SERVICE DONE WAS: THE EBCM AND HYDRAULIC CONTROL UNIT FAULTY . 07 BRAKES/ TRACTION CTRL . 1- VALVE KIT,1- MODULE,2- FLUID 1-,CYLINDER. PARTS WAS $1,948.40, LABOR $401.93 ... THIS IS RIDICULOUS!. WE HAD NO PROBLEM WITH OUR BRAKES AT ALL ! I CAME IN TO GET THE LIGHT TURNED OFF AND CAME OUT WITH MY SAVINGS GONE! *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD MUSTANG GT. THE CONTACT HEARD AN UNFAMILIAR NOISE AND THREE OF THE FOUR TIRES BLEW OUT. AFTER A DIAGNOSIS, SHE WAS INFORMED THAT THE LOWER BALL JOINTS WERE FAULTY. THE LOWER BALL JOINTS WERE REPAIRED; HOWEVER, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED TWO DAYS LATER. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO BE REPAIRED AND SHE WAS INFORMED THAT THE THROTTLE BODY SENSOR FAILED. THE CONTACT REFERENCED NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 06E089000 (SUSPENSION:FRONT). THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 38,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 25,000.

DEFECTIVE MOTOR & REGULATOR FOR THE WINDOW MOTORS - ALL FOUR. DRIVERS WINDOW FELL DOWN, REAR PASSENGER FELL DOWN, NOW THE REAR DRIVERS WINDOW FELL DOWN. MANUFACTURER SAYS THIS IS ONLY A PROBLEM IN THE WEST - AZ & TX, NOT A RECALL ITEM. THE PRICE TO REPAIR IS $600.00 EACH. I AM RETIRED AND CANNOT AFFORD TO PAY FOR THIS. ALL OF THE BUICK CENTURY'S IN THIS AREA ARE FALLING DOWN. ALMOST EVERY ONE IS TAPED UP AND THE MANUFACTURER WILL NOT STAND BEHIND THE DEFECTIVE PARTS. MY GRANDDAUGHTER JUST HAD ALL 4 OF HER WINDOW MOTORS REPLACED. CAN SOMETHING BE DONE ABOUT THIS? *TR

TAPPETS SOUND ON A 2001 BUICK CENTURY TAPPETS WERE REPLACED TWICE UNTIL I WAS INFORMED THAT ALL GM 2001 CARS HAD THIS DEFECT. IT SEEMS THAT OIL IS NOT GETTING TO THE CENTER CYLINDERS, BECAUSE THE CONNECTING FEEDS ARE TOO SMALL. PROBLEM THAT CAN DEVELOP IS THE ENGINE CAN SEIZE. *TR

ODOMETER DOES NOT ILLUMINATE,CANNOT TELL WHAT GEAR YOU ARE IN OR MILEAGE ON CAR. HAVE BEEN TOLD BY DEALER SERVICE MANAGER,THAT THIS IS A NORMAL PROBLEM WITH THE CENTURY MODEL,AND WOULD COST BETWEEN 250-1000. DOLLAR TO REPAIR ,PLUS DEALER COULD NOT GIVE A TIME FRAME OF HOW LONG VEHICLE WOULD BE IN SHOP. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 BUICK CENTURY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT RAIN WOULD LEAK BEHIND THE DASHBOARD WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED OR BEING DRIVEN. THE FAILURE WOULD NOT OCCUR IF PARKED AT AN ANGLE OR ON A HILL. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 55,200, AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 54,800. THE PURCHASE DATE WAS UNAVAILABLE. UPDATED 01/29/08 *BF THE CONSUMER STATED A POOL OF WATER WAS ON THE FLOOR OF THE VEHICLE DUE TO RAINWATER LEAKING FROM BEHIND THE DASHBOARD. UPDATED 01/29/08 *TR

BRAKE SYSTEM / ABS BRAKING SYSTEM FAILED/ ABS LIGHT ILLUMINATED. REPLACED ABS HUB SYSTEM. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 BUICK CENTURY. WHILE SERVICING THE VEHICLE, THE MECHANIC NOTICED THAT THE BRAKE LINE HAD RUSTED AND BRAKE FLUID WAS CAME OUT. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS. THE MECHANIC REPLACED THE BRAKE LINE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE PREVIOUSLY OWNED A 1997 BUICK CENTURY WITH THE SAME FAILURE. THE PURCHASE DATE WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 28,500 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 28,000.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 BUICK CENTURY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PAINT IS CHIPPING AND CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO RUST. THE ENGINE SIZE WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 36,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 34,000.

LOST ABILITY TO READ POSITION OF GEAR SELECTION (PRNDL) ON INSTRUMENT CLUSTER AND ODOMETER READINGS ON 2001 BUICK CENTURY CUSTOM. THIS WAS AN ELECTRONIC PRNDL AND ODOMETER DISPLAY. IT WAS LIKE SHIFTING THE TRANSMISSION BLIND FOLDED. SAFETY. *AK

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 BUICK CENTURY. THE VEHICLE'S INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET FAILED AT LESS THAN 100,000 MILES ON A BRAND NEW ENGINE. THE CONTACT SMELLED ANTI-FREEZE AND BROUGHT THE VEHICLE TO A MECHANIC WHO CONDUCTED PRESSURE TESTING. THE FAILURE WAS DIAGNOSED AS THE MANIFOLD GASKET. IT IS A REPLACEMENT ENGINE AND IT IS DEMONSTRATING THE SAME FAILURE AS THE ORIGINAL ENGINE THAT WAS REPLACED AT 35,000 MILES BY ARBITRATION ORDER. BUICK HAS REFUSED TO PAY FOR ANY FAILED COMPONENTS CONCERNING THIS MOTOR, INCLUDING REPLACING THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER. THE CONVERTER WAS PLUGGED FROM THE ORIGINAL MOTOR FAILURE ALONG WITH THE SUBSEQUENT FAILURE FROM THE INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET ON THE NEW MOTOR. THE POWER WINDOW REGULATOR FAILED IN JANUARY OF 2007 FOR THE SECOND TIME. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 145,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000.

INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET LEAK. *JB

FRONT STABILIZER BAR BROKE OFF ON THE LEFT SIDE AND CRACKED THROUGH ON THE RIGHT SIDE. APPEARS TO BE METAL FATIGUE FROM THE FORMING OPERATION. *JB

TL*- THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 BUICK CENTURY WITH AN ODOMETER READING OF 95000 MILES. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT DRIVERS SIDE SEAT BELT WEBBING DID NOT PULL FROM THE RETRACTOR. WHEN SHE TRIED TO USE HER SEAT BELT THE WEBBING WOULD NOT PULL OUT FROM THE RETRACTOR. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER, AND FOUND THAT THE RETRACTOR FAILED, AND THE DEALER REPAIRED IT. *AK UPDATED 03/07/07. *JB

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING IN A TORRENTIAL RAIN AT 11:30 PM, THE VEHICLE HYDROPLANED ON STANDING WATER, WENT OFF THE TWO LANE ROAD AND HIT A TREE HEAD ON. THE CONTACT HAD NO INFORMATION AS TO THE SPEED OF TRAVEL AND WOULD NOT OFFER A GUESS. THE SEAT BELT WAS WORN BUT THE FRONTAL AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE DRIVER SUSTAINED A BROKEN NOSE, BROKEN RIGHT EYE SOCKET AND MULTIPLE LESIONS FROM THE SEAT BELT STRAP. THE CONTACT WALKED 1/4 MILE FROM THE ACCIDENT TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE, THEN WAS TAKEN TO THE HOSPITAL. THERE WAS NO POLICE REPORT AND THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT TOW YARD. THERE WERE PHOTOS AVAILABLE. UPDATED 1/17/2007 - INSURANCE COMPANY HAS COMPUTER LOG OF ACCIDENT WHICH WAS TAKEN AROUND AUGUST 20, 2006. *NM

2001 BUICK CENTURY WITH 25,000 MILES, NEEDED TO HAVE ENTIRE TRANSMISSION REPLACED. SOME SLIPPAGE A WEEK BEFORE, THEN TWO STOP SIGNS, SLIPPAGE, THEN HORRIBLE GRINDING. WHEN MECHANIC TORE DOWN TRANSMISSION, SHARDS OF METAL WERE FOUND. WORD FROM THE SHOP WAS THAT THEY HAD NEVER SEEN THIS MODEL AT 25,000 MILES, USUALLY SEE THIS MODEL AROUND 40,000 MILES. *JB

CAR HEATER WOULD NOT WARM UP. TEMPERATURE WOULD THEN FLUXUATE BETWEEN HOT AND COLD. TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP, THE DEALERSHIP DIAGNOSED THE PROBLEM AS INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET FAILURE. COOLANT MIXED IN WITH OIL IN THE ENGINE. DEALERSHIP SERVICE DEPARTMENT REQUIRED TO KEEP CAR OVERNIGHT TO FIX THE PROBLEM. NEEDED A RENTAL CAR AND NO LOANER WAS AVAILABLE. GM AGREED TO SPLIT THE COST OF THE INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET REPAIR 50/50, BUT WOULD NOT COVER THE COST OF A RENTAL CAR. EFFECT OF THIS GASKET FAILURE AT THIS TIME IS UNKNOWN AND EFFECT TO ENGINE AND COMPONENTS. CAR HAS 68,500 MILES. ORIGINAL OWNER OFF CAR HAS KEPT UP WITH ALL SCHEDULEED MAINTENANCE. *NM

THIS IS SERIOUS. CRUISE CONTROL JUST TAKES OFF. 1. GOING 60 MPH WITH CRUISE ON AND WHEN CRUISE OPENS THROTTLE IT JUST KEEPS ON SPEEDING UP. 2. COME TO A FULL STOP AT A RED LIGHT AND THEN DRIVE WITHOUT TOUCHING CRUISE CONTROL KICKS IN AND RUNS AWAY AGAIN- ON A RESIDENTIAL STREET. I GOT TO READING AND THERE ARE LOTS OF REPORTS ABOUT THIS INCLUDING REPORTS OF DEALERS NOT BEING ABLE TO SOLVE THE PROBLEM. *JB