Body Problems of Buick Century

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 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 9-10348786083, 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 know 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. Ronald f. Laskowski pe.

See all problems of the 2003 Buick Century 🔎.

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 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.

Tl-the contact owns a 2002 Buick Century. The contact stated while driving 40 mph the rear view mirror broke and fall off. The dealer was not notified. The manufacturer was notified who stated he should purchase some glue and then re-glue the mirror back to the vehicle. They offered no other assistant. The failure mileage was 93,000. Mw.

See all problems of the 2002 Buick Century 🔎.

The contact owns a 2003 Buick Century. The contact stated that she noticed that the rocker panels were complately rusted. The dealer was notified for diagnosis and advised the contact that the panels were beyond repair and advised the contact to trade the vehicle for a newer one. The vehicle was then taken to the contact's personal mechanic who advised that the radiator mounts were rusted and also advised the contact to get rid of the vehicle. The failure mileage was 100,000 and the current mileage was 138,000.

The contact owns a 2003 Buick Century. The contact stated that the rocker panels were corroded on both sides. The vehicle was taken to a local mechanic who verified the failure and refused to make repairs to the vehicle. The manufacturer was not made aware of failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure and the current mileage was 130,000.

While driving at any speed door of glove box opened. This problem happened more than three times. Dealer was willing to fix the problem for a price.

See all problems of the 2000 Buick Century 🔎.

Had accident in 1996 Buick Century with no auto insurance/ requesting help getting vehicle repaired. Consumer was involved in an accident with 1996 Buick Century. Consumer is requesting help in getting the vehicle repaired. Vehicle was not insured during the time of the accident.

See all problems of the 1996 Buick Century 🔎.

I am unclear whether I should only report "safety" problems to you, and am not sure this would be such a problem. The design of this vehicle is such that there is a black plastic part which hangs down below the front bumper (looks like a mud flap but it is stiff). A Buick dealer repair facility told me this flap is for adequate air flow to the engine. The flap is so low that normal driving (hitting the smallest bumps in the road, going up or down driveway entrances or any uneven surface causes the flap to scape on the pavement making a loud griding sound. It is annoying to say the least, and I am not sure what would happen if it were to hit at high speed. Would it just crack off? be driven into the engine compartment? I believe this is a poor (if not unsafe) design and that a remedy should be available. The car cannot be driven under normal circumstances. A day does not go by where it does not scrape. If this is not something you can relate to gm, please let me know so I can contact them directly. Thank you.

See all problems of the 1998 Buick Century 🔎.

When using driver side sunvisor it covers up 1/3 of the rear view miror, blocking driver's view. Dealer has been contacted. Valance under the front of the car repeatedly hits bottom and scrapes the road at minor dips. Owner also concerned about safety of the doors automatically unlocking when vehicle is placed into park.

Windows fog up too easily, causing poor visibility. 2. No insulation in firewall, causing loud road noise , and distracting the driver.

See all problems of the 1999 Buick Century 🔎.

The plastic air deflector that hangs behind and below the front bumper touches the ground in all driveways. Consumer believes it's too low. Nlm.

The unusually low design of the front end causes vehicle to touch the ground. Yh.

The design of the dashboard being constructed in two sections causes a reflected line to glare onto the windshield causing poor visibility.

1. Sunvisors are not wide (long) enough to block direct sun glare entering at top-outer corners of windshield. Gaps at outer ends between visors and corner posts are approx. 2 1/2 inchs. Dealer's service manager and Buick's customer service have told me that this is the only visor design made by gm that will fit. The mounting location for the pivot cannot be moved. At the other (inside) end of each visor there is a pull out extension, that is no help to cover the open area. On driver's side the extension prevents tilting the visor forward against the windshield, which would possibly help if it were not stopped by contact with the rearview mirror. Danger from morning and evening sun glare is not to be taken lightly. I am not the only driver that can be momentarily blinded by it. Century appears to be the only model with a very serious problem in this regard. The configuration of visor and/or location of pivot in 2002 rendevous and park avenue serve to block the glare where the Century does not. The dealer's rep says visors from another model cannot be substituted in the Century because the mounting location is differnt in each model. I would not have bought this car if I had known ahead of time about this hazardous condition. The car appears to be well engineered for safety in other respects.

Plastic spoiler will hit bottom and scrape when going over a dip, causing driver to hesitate or slow down so that the spoiler will not hit hard.