2003 Buick Century complaints

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 BUICK CENTURY. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS WITH THE HEADLIGHTS IN ACTIVATION. SUDDENLY, THE HEADLIGHTS BECAME INOPERATIVE. THE CONTACT PULLED OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD WITH CAUTION AND AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS THE HEADLIGHTS BEGAN TO OPERATE. THE FAILURE OCCURRED INTERMITTENT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THEY INFORMED THAT THE HEADLIGHT SWITCH WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 67,000. UPDATED 2/23/11 *CN ALSO, THE FRONT COIL SPRINGS WERE REPLACED. UPDATED 05/31/11

THE INTERNAL PANEL LIGHTS GO OFF WHEN I TURNED ON THE HEAD LIGHTS. I COULD NO LONGER READ MY GAUGES OR SPEEDOMETER. THE HEAD LIGHTS STILL WORK BUT I FEEL THIS IS THE SAME COMPLAINT THAT MANY ON THE INTERNET HAVE COMPLAINED ABOUT WITH THERE HEAD LIGHTS GOING OFF. WHEN WILL MINE STOP WORKING? THIS PROBLEM HAS EXISTED WITH BUICKS SINCE 1998 AND I CONSIDER VERY DANGEROUS PROBLEM. THE DEALER WANTS ALMOST 700.00 TO REPLACE THE DIMMER SWITCH THE CAR IS A 2003 BUICK CENTURY. *TR

INSTRUMENT PANEL LIGHTS GO OUT WHEN EMERGENCY BRAKE RELEASED AND CAR IS PUT IN GEAR. IF CAR IN PARK WITH ENGINE RUNNING AND BRAKE ENGAGED LIGHTS ON PANEL ARE ON. HOWEVER, WHEN LIGHTS ARE MANUALLY TURNED ON THE PANEL LIGHTS GO OUT. WHEN LIGHTS MANUALLY TURNED OFF THE LIGHTS GO ON. ONCE IN GEAR THE LIGHTS GO OUT AGAIN. *TR

DRIVING IN THE DARK WITH HIGH BEAMS ON, THE HEADLIGHTS WENT OUT COMPLETELY, HAD TO ACTIVATE LOW BEAMS TO GET LIGHTS BACK ON. THIS IS HAPPENING FREQUENTLY.

TL* THE CONTACT OWN A 2003 BUICK CENTURY. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 35 MPH WHEN THE HEADLIGHTS FAILED SPORADICALLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHO ADVISED REPLACING THE DIMMER SWITCH AT THE CONTACT'S EXPENSE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT UNDER RECALL. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 120,000. UPDATED 12/30/10 *BF UPDATED 01/07/11. *JB

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 BUICK CENTURY. THE CONTACT STATED THE INSTRUMENT PANEL WAS NO LONGER FUNCTIONING. THE GAUGES AND WARNING LIGHTS WERE INOPERABLE AND THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE FUEL LEVELS OR SPEEDS TRAVELED. THE DEALER ADVISED MAKING REPAIRS TO THE CONNECTION OR REPLACING THE CAPACITOR IN THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER. THERE WERE NO RECALLS. THE MANUFACTURER WOULD NOT PROVIDE ANY ASSISTANCE. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 120,000.

WHENEVER I HAVE ATTEMPTED TO USE MY HIGH BEAMS, I LOSE ALL LIGHTS, WHICH IS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS, ESPECIALLY SINCE I LIVE IN A MOSTLY UNLIGHTED RURAL AREA WITH MANY CURVY ROADS. I HAVEN'T REPLACED ANY PARTS SINCE I'VE HEARD ESTIMATES ARE IN THE $700+ RANGE, AND I CANNOT AFFORD THE EXPENSE...I JUST DO NOT USE THE HIGH BEAMS AT ALL FOR FEAR I'LL LOSE ALL LIGHTS. I STILL DON'T FEEL SAFE THAT THE LIGHTS WON'T JUST CUT OFF ANYWAY. I INHERITED THE CAR IN 2008 AND NOTICED THE PROBLEM RIGHT AWAY. THIS PROBLEM OCCURS EVERY SINGLE TIME I TRY TO USE THE HIGH BEAMS. I'VE RESEARCH THE INTERNET AND REALIZE THERE IS PLENTY OF DOCUMENTATION THAT MANY OTHERS HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM. THIS IS OBVIOUSLY A MANUFACTURER DEFECT AND SHOULD BE A RECALL ITEM BEFORE A DEATH OCCURS. TRUST ME...IF I FILED A LAWSUIT, THERE IS PLENTY OF EVIDENCE THAT THIS IS A MANUFACTURER PROBLEM AND THAT THEY ARE AWARE OF THIS POTENTIALLY FATAL PROBLEM, ESPECIALLY FOR THOSE WHO BUY THE VEHICLE USED AND ARE NOT AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 BUICK CENTURY. WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH WITH THE CRUISE CONTROL ACTIVATED, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED. THE CONTACT TURNED OFF THE CRUISE CONTROL BUT THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE UNTIL THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED. THE FAILURE CONTINUED TO OCCUR INTERMITTENTLY WHETHER THE CRUISE CONTROL WAS ENGAGED OR NOT. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN INSPECTED OR REPAIRED AT THE TIME OF THE COMPLAINT. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 76,000. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 76,400.

LEAKING POWER STEERING RACK, LESS THAN ONE YEAR OLD, REPLACED BY DEALER UNDER WARRANTY. DEALER DID NOT DO A FRONT END ALIGNMENT CAUSING SEVERE PREMATURE TIRE WEAR. WHEN TIRES REPLACED, EXAMINATION SHOWED ALIGNMENT EXTREMELY OUT OF SPECIFICATION. HAD TO HAVE OUTSIDE SUPPLIER DO PROPER ALIGNMENT. *TR

ALMOST EVERY TIME THE HEADLIGHTS ARE CHANGED FROM HIGH TO LOW BEAMS THE LIGHTS WILL SHUT OFF COMPLEATLY AND I WILL HAVE NO HEADLIGTS AT ALL, I HAVE GONE OUT AND PURCHASED A NEW TURNSIGNAL SWITCH AND PLAN TO PUT IT IN AS SOON AS POSIBLE AND I WILL HAVE THE OLD PART STILL. THE FRONT DRIVE ASSEMBELY WILL GRIND ANY TIME A TIRE LOSES TRACTION AND SPINS IN EITHER THE RAIN OR SNOW ON PAVEMENT OR OFF THE ROAD IN A DRIVEWAY SO MY CAR HAS BEEN DRIVING IN ONE WHEEL DRIVE INSTEAD OF TWO WHEEL DRIVE, I HAVE NOT HAD THE CHANCE TO GO AND BUY A NEW DRIVE AXEL ASSEMBELY TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM.

MY LIGHTS GO OUT WHEN I TRY TO SWITCH FROM DIM TO BRIGHT. I FEEL THAT THIS COULD BE A BIG SAFETY ISSUE WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT, SO I DON'T SWITCH TO BRIGHT LIGHTS IN FEAR THAT MY LIGHTS WONT COME BACK ON. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 BUICK CENTURY. WHENEVER THE CONTACT EXAMINED THE ENGINE SHE NOTICED THAT THE OIL LEVEL WOULD CONTINUALLY DROP AFTER HAVING AN OIL CHANGE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE ENGINE MANIFOLD WAS LEAKING. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 46000.

THE DIMMER SWITCH FOR THE HEADLIGHTS. WHEN I WAS USING IT LAST WEEK, IT MOMENTARILY TURNED OFF THE EXTERIOR LIGHTS COMPLETELY. VERY DANGEROUS. *TR

FAULTY INSTRUMENT CLUSTER ON 2003 BUICK CENTURY. OTHER GENERAL MOTORS VEHICLES WITH SIMILAR PROBLEMS WERE RECALLED AND FIXED, BUT BUICK HAS NOT. COST TO REPLACE EXCEEDS $600. *TR

1) WHILE DRIVING ON A NARROW, CURVY, HILLY TWO LANE ROAD IN THE DARK I ATTEMPTED TO TURN ON MY HIGH BEAM HEADLIGHTS AS I WAS HAVING TROUBLE SEEING WHICH WAY THE ROAD WAYS TURNING. WHEN I CLICK THE HIGH BEAM SWITCH MY HEADLIGHTS WENT OUT TOTALLY AND I COULD NOT SEE THE ROAD AT ALL. THE HIGH BEAM SWITCH ON THIS CAR IS THE GENERAL MOTORS MULTIFUNCTION SWITCH MOUNTED ON THE STEERING COLUMN. I WENT OFF THE ROAD NARROWLY MISSING A LARGE BOULDER AND TREE. 2) I HAD TROUBLE GETTING THE HEADLIGHTS TO COME BACK ON. MY CAR NOW ONLY HAS LOW BEAM. THE MULTIFUNCTION SWITCH MUST BE FIDDLED WITH AND OPERATED MANY TIME TO TRY TO GETS THE HEADLIGHT TO COME BACK ON. IF I TRY TO GET THE HIGH BEAM HEADLIGHTS TO COME ON THE HEADLIGHTS GO OUT AND I MUST PLAY WITH THE SWITCH TO HAVE THE LIGHTS COME BACK ON. THIS IS A DANGEROUS SITUATION WHEN YOU NEED TO TRAVEL NARROW HILLY ROADS IN RURAL AREAS WITHOUT ANY ROAD LIGHTS. WHEN THE HEADLIGHTS GO OUT YOU BECOME SURPRISED AND NEED A SECOND TO UNDERSTAND WHAT HAS HAPPENED. IN THAT SECOND YOU BECOME A LITTLE DIS-ORIENTED AS YOU ARE TRYING TO GET THE LIGHTS TO COME BACK ON AND TRYING TO STOP. THE FAILURE IS STILL THERE AS I AM TRYING TO GET IT IN FOR REPAIR. 3) I WILL HAVE THE CAR IN FOR REPAIR IN THE NEXT FEW DAY AND WILL ASK FOR THE FAULTY SWITCH BACK. I HAVE A FRIEND WITH CHEVROLET IMPALA WHO TOLD ME HE HAD THE SAND PROBLEM WITH THIS GENERAL MOTORS MULTI-FUNCTION SWITCH. IT IS THE SAME SWITCH IN HIS CAR AS MINE. *TR

WHILE DRIVING HOME ONE NIGHT, MY HEADLIGHTS JUST WENT OUT! THIS HAS HAPPENED OFTEN ENOUGH WE NOW DO NOT DRIVE OUR CAR AT NIGHT IF AT ALL POSSIBLE. THROUGH RESEARCH ONLINE AND TESTING IT OURSELVES, WE DETERMINED THAT THE LIGHTS COME BACK ON IF WE FLICK THE DIMMER SWITCH. THIS IS A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION, AND AFTER READING OTHER'S SIMILAR EXPERIENCES AT ABOUTAUTOMOBILE.COM (15 DIFFERENT ENTRIES), WE BELIEVE THAT THIS IS WORTHY OF INVESTIGATION AND A RECALL BEING ISSUED. WE DID TAKE THE CAR TO A MECHANIC WHO WAS NOT SURE WHAT MIGHT BE THE CAUSE. NOW THAT WE HAVE SOME IDEA, WE WILL RETURN TO HIM AND GET AN ESTIMATE FOR REPAIRS. FROM THE ONLINE RESEARCH, WE CAN EXPECT IT TO COST APPROXIMATELY $600 OR MORE. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME. *TR

2003 BUICK CENTURY 4DR - I HAVE HAD FOR ALMOST SIX YEARS AND THIS HAPPENED ONLY ONE TIME. THANK GOD. I LEFT WALMART ON SIDE STREET, SLOWED FOR STOP SIGN AHEAD, THE ENGINE WENT COMPLETELY DEAD, LIGHTS AND INSTRUMENTS OUT, I CAME TO SUDDEN STOP. COULD NOT RESTART CAR, DOORLOCKS HAD AUTOMATICALLY CLICKED, LOCKING US INSIDE, WE COULD NOT RELEASE OR OPEN DOORS. WE WERE LOCKED INSIDE OUR CAR. LUCKILY I WORE CELLPHONE. ABOUT TEN MINUTES LATER, OUT OF THE BLUE, THE POWER CAME BACK ON ALL AT ONCE, LIGHTS CAME ON. I WAS ABLE TO RESTART ENGINE AND UNLOCK THE DOORS. IT WAS A RATHER SCARY SITUATION FOR A FEW MOMENTS. I THOUGHT, "WHAT IF THERE HAD BEEN A FIRE IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT?" *TR

I HAVE A 2003 BUICK CENTURY V6 WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT MY LIGHTS GO OUT IT IS VERY SCARY AND DANGEROUS I WOULD LIKE TO NO THE PROBLEM AS I HAVE READ THAT THERE HAS BEEN OTHERS WITH THE SAME PROBLEM ALSO IF I HIT THE DIMMER SWITCH THEY WILL COME BACK ON BUT THEN GO BACK OFF. *TR

ONGOING LEAKS AT BOTTOM OF BOTH REAR DOORS FOR SOME YEARS DESPITE AT LEAST 3 ATTEMPTS BY DEALER TO FIX. I FINALLY RESOLVED ON MY OWN WITH PLASTIC SHEETING WHICH IS UNSIGHTLY. ALSO DISCOVERED LEAK IN TRUCK IN PAST YEAR. ANOTHER ISSUE IS POOR QUALITY OF THE 2 CONTROL KNOBS ON DASH BOARD FOR A/C, ETC. THEY HAVE EITHER BROKEN OR HAVE BEEN DIFFICULT TO TURN. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 BUICK CENTURY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR REPAIR AND THEY DISCOVERED AN ENGINE COOLANT LEAK. THE DEALER SUGGESTED THAT THE HEAD GASKET BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 30,800.

I WAS DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE TO VISIT FRIENDS AT ABOUT DUSK. I ALWAYS DRIVE WITH THE HEADLIGHT SWITCH IN THE "AUTO" POSITION, BUT BECAUSE OF WEATHER CONDITIONS I SWITCHED TO THE "MANUAL ON" POSITION. I CONTINUED TO DRIVE FOR ANOTHER HOUR AND WHEN I GOT TO WITHIN 10 MINUTES OF MY DESTINATION, THE INTERIOR DASH LIGHTS AND RADIO STARTED FLASHING. MY HEADLIGHTS WERE ALSO GOING OFF AND I COULD HEAR THE RELAY ON THE COMPUTER (PASSENGER SIDE) CLICKING. I STOPPED AND INSPECTED FOR A SHORTED WIRE BUT FOUND NONE. I SWITCHED TO THE "AUTO" POSITION AND WAS ABLE TO COMPLETE THE DRIVE AND RETURN BACK HOME WITHOUT RECURRENCE. TESTING IT AGAIN AT HOME THE HEADLIGHTS WOULD GO ON AND OFF IN THE "MANUAL ON " POSITION. AFTER EXERCISING THE HEADLIGHT SWITCH THROUGH ALL THE POSITIONS NUMEROUS TIMES, I COULD NOT REPRODUCE THE PROBLEM.. I BELIEVE THAT THE PROBLEM WAS CAUSED BY A UNUSED CONTACT ON THE HEADLIGHT SWITCH THAT BECAME OXIDIZED AND THE LOW VOLTAGE CAUSED THE LOSS OF HEADLIGHTS AND REACTION WITH THE COMPUTER CONTROLLING THEM. THIS IS A VERY DANGEROUS DESIGN TO BE DRIVING AT INTERSTATE SPEEDS AND LOOSE YOUR HEADLIGHTS. *TR

2003 BUICK CENTURY HEADLIGHTS GO OUT WHILE DRIVING. THE LIGHTS WOULD COME BACK ON BY FLICKING THE DIMMER SWITCH. EXTREMELY DANGEROUS. I WAS INFORMED IT COULD POSSIBLY BE THE BODY CONTROL MODULE OR DIMMER SWITCH. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNED A 2003 BUICK CENTURY. AN HOUR AND FIFTEEN MINUTES AFTER PARKING THE VEHICLE AT HIS RESIDENCE, THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT IT WAS ON FIRE. HE NOTICED FLAMES COMING FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS CALLED AND A REPORT WAS FILED. THE FIRE QUICKLY SPREAD THROUGHOUT THE CONTACT'S HOME BEFORE THE FIRE DEPARTMENT COULD ARRIVE. IT TOOK APPROXIMATELY ONE AND A HALF HOURS TO EXTINGUISH THE FIRE. THE HOME AND CARPORT WERE SEVERELY DAMAGED. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED AND THE HOME WAS CONDEMNED DUE TO THE FIRE. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT STATED THAT THE ORIGIN OF THE FIRE WAS THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 48,000. UPDATED 01/08/09 *BF

WAS DRIVING AFTER DARK ON COUNTRY ROAD. SWITCHED ON BRIGHT LIGHTS AFTER A FEW SECONDS HEADLIGHTS WENT OUT. PULLED OVER TO SIDE OF ROAD. PULLED LIGHT SWITCH ON AND OFF SEVERAL TIMES AND LIGHTS CAME BACK ON. WAS AFRAID TO USE BRIGHT LIGHTS AGAIN. IS VERY DANGEROUS AS WAS I WAS ON STRAIGHT AWAY AND LITTLE TRAFFIC AT THE MOMENT. COULD HAVE BEEN ON A CURVE AND COULD HAVE RESULTED IN CRASH AND OR LOSS OF LIFE OR AT LEAST INJURIES. WILL GO TO MECHANIC MONDAY AND HOPEFULLY CAN GET REPAIRED. WAS LOOKING FOR SAFETY BULLETIN AND OR RECALL OR ADVISORY. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 BUICK CENTURY. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS AT NIGHT, THE HEADLIGHTS DIM. WHEN THE HIGH BEAMS ARE ACTIVATED, THE HEADLIGHTS ILLUMINATE AGAIN. THE CONTACT HAS SEEN IDENTICAL FAILURES LIKE THIS ON THE INTERNET. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 57,000. UPDATED 12-01-08 *BF THE DEALER STATED THE VEHICLE NEEDED A NEW MULTI-FUNCTION SWITCH. UPDATED 12/02/08. *JB

THE CROSS MEMBER HOLDING THE ENGINE CAME LOOSE AND DROPPED THE ENGINE TO ABOUT 6 INCHES FROM THE GROUND. ONLY 1 BOLT WAS FOUND. THIS WAS DISCOVERED WHILE BACKING OUT OF THE DRIVEWAY. IT WILL REQUIRE A FLOOR JACK TO LIFT THE ENGINE SO THE BOLT CAN BE REPLACED AND THEN TOWED TO A SHOP FOR INSPECTION OF FURTHER POSSIBLE DAMAGE. *TR

ONE OF THE TAILLIGHT BULBS IN MY FIANCE'S CAR NEEDS TO BE REPLACED MORE FREQUENTLY THAN IT SHOULD BE. I THOUGHT THE ISSUE MIGHT BE PARTICULAR TO THE CAR, BUT I HAVE NOTICED WHILE DRIVING THAT OTHER LATE-MODEL BUICK CENTURY'S HAVE THE SAME NON-FUNCTIONING TAIL-LIGHT, SO I BELIEVE THIS MUST BE A MFR. DEFECT. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 BUICK CENTURY. THE CONTACT TOOK HER VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR REGULARLY SCHEDULED MAINTENANCE. SHE WAS INFORMED THAT THE MAINTENANCE COULD NOT BE PERFORMED DUE TO A FAULTY MANIFOLD GASKET THAT WAS LEAKING OIL INTO THE ANTIFREEZE. THE DEALER REPLACED THE HEAD GASKET AT THE COST OF $900. THE PURCHASE DATE WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 78,162 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 78,130.

2003 BUICK CENTURY UNDER SEAT BRACKET INJURED THE CHILD. CONSUMER STATES THAT HER DAUGHTER CUT 90% OF HER ACHILLES TENDON ON THE BRACKET. SHE WAS SHOCKED TO FIND SUCH A SHARP AND DANGEROUS EQUIPMENT IN HER VEHICLE. *KB THE CONSUMERS DAUGHTER HAD TO HAVE SURGERY THE SAME DAY OF THE INCIDENT. *JB

WHILE DRIVING HOME FROM WORK ONE EVENING RECENTLY, I ATTEMPTED TO DIM MY LIGHTS FOR AN ONCOMING VEHICLE AND WAS SHOCKED TO FIND I HAD NO LOW BEAMS. I ONLY HAD HIGHBEAMS. HAD TO REPLACE THE DIMMER SWITCH, WHICH OF COURSE OPERATES EVERYTHING ELSE. ABOUT A MONTH AGO, MY LIGHTS WENT OUT FOR ABOUT 30 SECONDS, THEN NO PROBLEMS UNTIL I LOST MY LOW BEAMS. *TR

AT TIMES WHEN USE THE DIMMER SWITCH ON MY 2003 BUICK CENTURY, THE HEAD LIGHTS GO OUR COMPLETELY. WHEN I REFLICK THE DIMMER SWITCH, THE LIGHTS WILL COME BACK ON, THIS PROPOSES A DANGEROUS SITUATION, ESP. IF ONE DOESN'T KNOW THAT REFLICKING THE SWITCH WILL SOLVE THE PROBLEM. THE SITUATION IS EVEN MORE DANGEROUS IN THE LATE TWILIGHT, WHICH IS WHAT HAPPENED W/ MY WIFE. SHE DROVE SEVERAL MILES BEFORE ARRIVING HOME, COMPLETELY UNAWARE THAT SHE WAS DRIVING W/O HEADLIGHT. I JUST RETRIEVED MY BUICK FROM THE REPAIR SHOP, WHERE THEY INSTALLED AN ENTIRE UNIT FOR ME AT A COST OF 500.00. MORE THAN LIKELY THIS PROBLEM HAS OCCURRED WITH OTHER CENTURY OWNERS. THE REPAIR COST WAS BAD ENOUGH, BUT THE SITUATION COULD HAVE BEEN DEADLY, IF I HAD NOT DETECTED THE PROBLEM AND HAD IT REPAIRED. *TR

THE 2003 HAS A NUMBER OF ISSUES. 1. THE LIGHTS TURN OFF AT RANDOM IN THE DARK. THIS HAS HAPPENED ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS. 2. THE BRAKES NEED TO BE REPLACED ROUGHLY EVERY 8 MONTHS. MY MECHANIC SAID THE BUICK CENTURY HAS BRAKES THAT ARE NOT ADEQUATE FOR THE WEIGHT OF THE CAR. COSTLY! 3. OIL SYSTEM LEAKS, COMPLETE BREAKDOWN. $1200 TO REPLACE THE SYSTEM. 4. THE DIALS ON THE TEMP CONTROL COME OFF. I AM TRADING THIS POS OFF BEFORE IT COSTS ME MORE MONEY! *TR

2003 BUICK CENTURY WITH LEAKING BRAKE CYLINDERS. CUSTOMER STATES THE DEALER TOLD HIM THIS WAS CAUSED BY HITTING A POT HOLE. SHE SAYS THE BRAKES ARE DEFECTIVE THEY SHOULD NOT HAVE TO BE SERVICED OR BE A PROBLEM AT 18,000 MILES. *KB

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 BUICK CENTURY. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE REPAIR SHOP FOR ROUTINE MAINTENANCE. THE MECHANIC DISCOVERED THAT THE MANIFOLD WAS LEAKING AND MADE THE REPAIR. THE CONTACT NOTICED THE NUMBER OF COMPLAINTS THAT WERE FILED FOR THIS FAILURE AND BELIEVES IT TO BE A MANUFACTURER DEFECT. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 47,900 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 47,600. THE CONSUMER PROVIDED THE REPAIR INVOICE FOR THE VEHICLE. UPDATED 09/05/07 *TR

MY 2003 BUICK CENTURY DEVELOPED A PROBLEM WHEREIN THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKE SYSTEM WAS ENERGIZE AT VERY ODD TIMES; I.E. WHEN ACCELERATING FROM A STOP, WHEN DRIVING AT A CONSTANT SPEED (LOW SPEED IN RESIDENTIAL AREA), WHEN SLOWING TO MAKE A TURN OR TO STOP BUT BEFORE BRAKES ARE APPLIED. WHEN THE ANTI-LOCK SYSTEM MYSTERIOUSLY ACTIVATED AS THE BRAKES WERE BEING APPLIED, MORE DISTANCE WAS USED TO BRING THE CAR TO A STOP. A MR GOODWRENCH SHOP TRIED TO FIND THE PROBLEM, BUT TO NO AVAIL. AT THE SAME TIME THIS WAS HAPPENING, THREE DASH LIGHTS WOULD SOMETIMES COME ON AND STAY ON UNTIL THE IGNITION WAS TURNED OFF. THE THREE LIGHTS WERE CHECK VEHICLE SOON, ANTI-LOCK, AND TRAC OFF. THESE SAME LIGHTS ALSO CAME ONE AND STAYED ON WHEN THE BRAKES SYSTEM WAS OPERATING NORMALLY. THE SHOP COULD NOT FIND THE PROBLEM WITH THIS EITHER. INCLUDING PUTTING ON NEW FRONT AND REAR BRAKES (INCLUDING FRONT ROTORS, I SPENT JUST OVER $900.00. THE ONLY THING I REALLY GOT WAS NEW BRAKES WHICH DO NOT NORMALLY COST ANYWHERE NEAR $ 900.00. I HAVE SINCE REMOVED THE FUSE FOR THE ANTI-LOCK SYSTEM AND EVERYTHING ELSE IS OKAY EXCEPT THAT I NOW HAVE TWO LIGHTS ON ALL THE TIME (ANTI-LOCK AND TRAC OFF). ALTHOUGH I SHOW AN INCIDENT DATE BELOW, THIS SITUATION HAS BEEN PRESENT FOR AT LEAST THREE MONTHS. *TR

WHILE OPERATING VEHICLE AT NIGHT I WENT TO USE MY HIGH BEAMS, LOW BEAMS OPERATED FINE. HOWEVER, WHEN I ACTIVATED HIGH BEAMS, ALL HEADLIGHTS WENT OFF, CAUSING ME TO RAPIDLY SLOW DOWN AND PULL TO SIDE OF ROAD. AS PULLING TO SIDE OF ROAD I TURNED OFF THE HIGH BEAMS, AND LOW BEAMS CAME BACK ON. THIS HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES. THIS OBVIOUSLY VERY DANGEROUS. I TOOK CAR TO A CAR REPAIR SHOP, AND THEY ADVISED ME TO CHECK FOR ANY VEHICLE/EQUIPMENT RECALLS. I TRIED LOOKING FOR RECALLS ,BUT COULD NOT FIND ANY. REPAIR SHOP WAS INSISTENT THAT WE CHECKED WITH YOU BEFORE THEY DO ANY WORK BECAUSE IT MIGHT BE COVERED IF A RECALL WAS ISSUED. *AK THE CONSUMER STATED WANTS TO KNOW THE STATUS OF HIS COMPLAINT. *TR

ANTI LOCK BRAKES , DECEMBER 2006. I NOTICED THE BRAKES WERE SPONGY, AND A LOUD GROWLING TYPE NOISE WHEN I TURNED . I TOOK IT TO MY REGULAR MECHANIC, WHO DID AN INSPECTION, AND SAID THE BRAKES WERE FINE. BRAKE PADS WERE IN GOOD SHAPE,ETC . I DROVE HOME, ANTI LOCK LIGHT WAS ON. I TOOK THE CAR BACK TO REPAIR SHOP FOR TEST DRIVE. THEY DROVE IT FOR SEVERAL HOURS NO NOISES OR SPONGY BRAKING. MY DAUGHTER CALLED ME & REPORTED SEEING THE CAR FLYING DOWN THE ROAD.. I TOLD REPAIR SHOP I WASN'T DRIVING 55 OR GREATER WHEN PROBLEM OCCURRED. I WAS DOING BETWEEN 10- 40 MPH. THEY DROVE IT AGAIN AT MUCH SLOWER SPEEDS AND RECREATED THE PROBLEMS. THEY RECOMMENDED I REPLACE THE ABS SENSOR AND RIGHT/LEFT WHEEL CYLINDERS . I DID, IT AT GREAT EXPENSE. THE WARNING LIGHT FOR THE ANTI LOCK BRAKES WENT OUT. I DROVE HOME, PARKED THE CAR, AND THE NEXT MORNING ROVE TO WORK, AND IT HAPPENED AGAIN. THE WARNING LIGHT WAS BACK ON . TOOK IT BACK TO THE REPAIR SHOP. EVERYTHING WAS WORKING FINE. THEY COULD NOT FIND A REASON FOR THE PROBLEMS. BUT, RECOMMENDED REPLACEMENT OF THE BRAKE SYSTEM. ALSO HAD TO REPLACE ALL FOUR TIRES DUE TO THREAD SEPARATION. ANOTHER CUSTOMER THERE WITH THIS CAR, ALSO A 2003 BUICK CENTURY THAT WAS HAVING NEW TIRES PUT ON FOR THE SAME REASON. THE TREAD WAS SEPARATING. BUT NO RECALL WAS ISSUED , WHY? PERHAPS LIKE ME, MOST PEOPLE DIDN'T KNOW WHERE TO REPORT SUCH PROBLEMS, THEY JUST REPLACED THEM LIKE I DID. *AK

TL*- THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING THE 2003 BUICK CENTURY WITH 50000 FAILURE MILEAGE AT 55 MPH AND GOING AROUND A SOFT LEFT CURVE THE FRONT WHEELS TURNED, BUT THE BACK WHEELS LOST TRACTION. THE VEHICLE WENT SIDEWAYS AND HIT A POLE AT 55 MPH ,AND THE CONTACT SUSTAINED NON-LIFE THREATENING INJURIES. THE VEHICLE HAD EXTENSIVE DAMAGE AND COULD NOT BE REPAIRED. *AK

HEADLIGHT HIGH BEAMS WOULD RANDOMLY TURN OFF LEAVING NO VISIBILITY FOR NIGHT DRIVING. THIS OCCURRED ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS. SWITCHING BACK TO LOW BEAMS PROVIDED LIGHT. BROUGHT VEHICLE TO GM DEALERSHIP AND IT WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. DEALERSHIP SUGGESTED THAT A REMEDY MIGHT BE TO REPLACE THE MULTI FUNCTION SWITCH OR BLINKER SWITCH. THIS REPLACEMENT WAS DONE ON 12/11/06 AT A COST OF $682.02. *NM

BRIGHT LIGHTS QUIT WORKING WHEN DRIVING, RESULTING IN TOTAL DARKNESS WHEN DRIVING AT NIGHT, UNTIL DIMMER SWITCH WAS ACTIVATED. LOCAL BUICK GARAGE REPLACED ENTIRE DIMMER UNIT FROM STEERING COLUMN. (SWITCH 2.485) *JB

HEADLIGHTS WENT OUT APPROX. 4 TIMES OVER A 30 MIN PERIOD. THIS IS THE SECOND TIME THIS HAS HAPPENED. THE FIRST TIME THEY WENT OUT ONCE FOR ABOUT 15 SECONDS. THIS TIME THEY WERE OUT LONG ENOUGH FOR ME TO HAVE TO PULL OFF THE ROAD. *NM

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, THE SEAT CAUGHT ON FIRE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS CONTACTED AND DETERMINED THE FIRE WAS CAUSED DUE TO FAULTY WIRING UNDERNEATH THE SEAT. THE DEALERSHIP WAS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. THERE WERE NO WARNING SIGNALS PRIOR TO THE INCIDENT. *AK

MY 2003 BUICK CENTURY'S WINDSHIELD LOWER SEAL FAILED AROUND THE CABIN-FILTER AREA AND ALLOWED WATER TO RUN DOWN THE FIREWALL AND INTO MY CAR UNDER MY CARPETING AND POOL ON THE FLOOR. THIS CORRODED THE WIRES LEADING TO MY POWER DRIVER'S SEAT. THESE WIRES ALSO LEAD TO A DEVICE THAT CONTROLS THE AIRBAGS (A SENSOR?). GM TOOK MY SEATS, CONSOLE AND CARPETING OUT TO FIX THE WIRING. HAD THE AIRBAG NEEDED TO DEPLOY, I DOUBT IT WOULD HAVE GIVEN THE CONDITION OF THE WIRING, AND/OR IT CERTAINLY WOULD MOST LIKELY CORRODE THAT SENSOR SOONER OR LATER, RENDERING IT AND THEREFORE THE AIRBAG, USELESS. THE GM MECHANIC SAID THAT,"THIS HAS BEEN A DESIGN FLAW BY GM FOR MANY YEARS WITH THE BUICK CENTURY" -- I THINK HE MENTIONED 2002 TO 2004 MODELS. HE SAID HE'S SEEN THIS MANY TIMES. THE MANAGER AT THE BUICK DEALER SAID THAT HE TOLD THE GM REPRESENTATIVE FROM THEIR CUSTOMER ASSISTANCE OFFICE THAT THE DEFECT WAS NOT DUE TO ME AS THE OWNER, WAS NOT DUE TO THE AGING OF THE CAR, AND THAT HE HAS HAD TO DEAL WITH THIS PARTICULAR PROBLEM MANY TIMES. GM REFUSES TO ACKNOWLEDGE THE DANGER TO THE AIRBAG SYSTEM. GM ALSO REFUSES TO ADMIT THAT THIS IS THEIR DESIGN FLAW, DESPITE THEIR OWN SERVICE MANAGERS AND MECHANICS SAYING THAT IT IS. GM REFUSES TO PAY FOR ANY PART OF THE REPAIRS. GM SAYS YOU HAVE TO BE THE ORIGINAL OWNER, GET IT SERVICED AT THIS PARTICULAR GM DEALER REGULARLY, AND BECAUSE IT HAS 73,000 MILES ON IT THEY "CAN NOT HELP". WHAT DIFFERENCE DO THESE VARIABLES MAKE? MY CARPET IS NASTY (COST TO REPLACE

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE SWITCHING THE HEADLIGHTS FROM LOW BEAM TO HIGH BEAM THEY TEMPORARILY GO OUT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE DEALER DETERMINED THE HEADLIGHT DIMMER SWITCH WAS FAULTY AND OFFERED TO REPLACE; HOWEVER, THE CONTACT DECLINED.

DT: THE CONTACT STATES THE HEADLIGHTS GO OUT FOR A FEW MINUTES AND THEN THEY COME BACK ON. THIS HAS BEEN OCCURRING FOR THE PAST WEEK. BECAUSE IT CAN BE DUPLICATED BY PULLING THE TURN SIGNAL SWITCH FORWARD IT IS A PROBLEM IN THE STEERING COLUMN WITH THE TURN SIGNAL AND HEADLIGHT SWITCH. THERE HAVE BEEN NO REPAIRS MADE TO THE VEHICLE, AND A MECHANIC HAS NOT INSPECTED THE VEHICLE. *AK

2003 BUICK CENTURY HAS 90,000 MILES. TRANSMISSION SHIFTS HARD ON ACCELERATION/DECELERATION. OBD II REPORTS DTC OF P0742 - TORQUE CONVERTER CIRCUIT STUCK ON. TRANSMISSION REPAIR SHOP, AND INTERNET SEARCH INDICATE COMMON PROBLEM WITH THESE TYPE OF GM TRANSMISSIONS. ESTIMATE TO FIX $1900 TO $2400. IF THIS IS A MANUFACTURING DEFECT, SHOULDN'T GM RESOLVE AT NO OR NOMINAL COST TO OWNER OF CAR? *NM

THE DRIVERS POWER SEAT WILL SOMETIMES MOVE FORWARD WHEN INITIALLY OCCUPIED, THIS HAPPENS WITH-OUT THE CONTROL BUTTON BEING ACTIVATED. *NM

ON3/25/05 I WENT TO THE [XXX], OFFICE TO REGISTER MY COLORADO TITLED AND REGISTERED 2003 BUICK CENTURY. THE AGENTS SAID THEY COULD NOT FIND MY SECOND VIN # FOR VERIFICATION AND I WOULD HAVE TO MAKE AN APPOINTMENT AND PAY $20 FOR A SPECIAL VIN # , I DID. ONMAY 24 I PAID THE $20 AND A REGISTRATION WAS PROCESSED WITH PAYMENT OF $500.51 BY CHECK. AN ARIZONA TITLE WAS ISSUED AND NEGLIGENTLY I DID NOT DOUBLE CHECK THE VIN # THEY ISSUED ON IT AS [XXX]. MY INSURANCE NOTIFIED ME THAT THE # DID NOT CORRESPOND TO THE VIN THEY HAD ON RECORD FROM MY COLORADO ORIGINAL PURCHASE OF THE VEHICLE NEW FROM MIKE SHAW BUICK IN COLORADO SPRINGS AND SUBSEQUENT POLICIES ISSUED ON THAT VEHICLE. NOW WHEN I HAD THE VEHICLE SERVICED AT LIBERTY BUICK IN GLENDALE THE SERVICE MANAGER POINTED OUT THE TWO OBVIOUS VIN NUMBERS POSTED...ONE ON DRIVER'S SIDE ON THE DASH UNDER THE WINDSHIELD AND THE OTHER ON THE TRUNK LID. I JUST VERIFIED BOTH THOSE AS [XXX]. THIS CONFLICT PRESENTS A GENUINE PROBLEM IN MY PROOF OF OWNERSHIP OF THIS VEHICLE SINCE PURCHASED NEW. *JS INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

DT: CONSUMER WAS DRIVING THE CAR AND CAME TO STOP SIGN APPLIED THE BRAKES, THEY FAILED AND VEHICLE WENT THROUGH THE STOP SIGN. TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER, THEY CHECKED THE BRAKES SYSTEM AND FOUND NOTHING. ON THE DAY THAT THE DEALER STATED NOTHING WAS WRONG, THIS HAPPENED AGAIN. TOOK BACK TO DEALER, LEFT IT WITH THE DEALER FOR 5 DAYS. THEY DROVE THE CAR 337 MILES AND FOUND NOTHING. THE NEXT DAY WHILE DRIVING THE BRAKES WERE VERY SPONGY. TODAY, TOOK VEHICLE BACK TO DEALER, AND IT HAD PROPER BRAKES. *AK

WHILE DRIVING, THE HEADLIGHTS WOULD SHUT OFF WITHOUT WARNING INTERMITTENTLY. THE DEALERSHIP WAS NOTIFIED, BUT DID NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. THE CAUSE WAS NOT DETERMINED. *NM THE DEALERSHIP REPLACED THE MULITFUNCTION SWITCH. THEY DID NOT FIND THE PROBLEM, HOWEVER THEY REPLACED THE SWITCH AS A POSSIBLE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM. *BF *NM