KnownCarProblems2000 Buick Century Problems and Recalls
Owners filed 193 complaints with NHTSA about the 2000 Buick Century, most often about the transmission (25% of complaints, typically around 60,000 miles). It is the most complained-about Century model year since 2000 and has 5 recalls.
Most common 2000 Buick Century problems
Transmission
48 complaints · 25%Half of these problems showed up before 60,000 miles. Parts named most often: automatic transmission, manual transmission.
Tl contact owns a 2000 Buick Century. The contact stated that the vehicle shifted extremely hard and the service engine light illuminated while driving between 20 and 60 MPH. The dealer stated that a computer should diagnosis the vehicle. The current mileage was 104,000 and failure mileage was 60,000.
The transmission on my 2000 Buick Century fails to readily downshift on deceleration, and bucks severely during normal drive and may cause an accident. Repair shops have been unable to fix.
Brakes
30 complaints · 16%Half of these problems showed up before 71,000 miles. Parts named most often: foundation components, antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip.
The contact owns a 2000 Buick Century. While driving slow, the contact stated when she applied the brakes, her foot extended directly to the floor. The dealer diagnosed that the brake line was covered with rust and there was no brake fluid in the vehicle. The manufacturer was notified but denied any assistance with…
Loss of brakes 1st instance 9/4/2008 lost brakes. Problem found corroded brake lines front. 2nd instance 9/17/2009 lost brakes. Problem found corroded brake lines, rear.
Engine
27 complaints · 14%Half of these problems showed up before 66,000 miles. Parts named most often: engine, exhaust system, cooling system.
The contact owns a 2000 Buick Century. The contact stated that while driving 70 MPH, the vehicle stalled without warning. The contact mentioned that the failure occurred intermittently. The vehicle was not diagnosed. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure…
- the contact owns a 2000 Buick Century custom and complained about the following problems: the lower intake manifold gasket, the thermostat, and water pump. These components had to be replaced because the vehicle was overheating. The rear brake shoes and a leaking cylinder also had to be replaced. The rear drums, and…
Visibility and wipers
23 complaints · 12%Half of these problems showed up before 50,000 miles. Parts named most often: power window devices and controls, windshield, windshield wiper/washer, glass, side/rear.
Wiper motor failure and erratic functioning. This vehicle was built with a clear safety defect that will cause loss of life bad weather. General motor's corporation had a very recent and similar problem with gm manufactured trucks. This make and model should be recalled before loss of life!
2000 Buick Century, power windows fell down.1st one, and could not get it back up. Next day another fell down when I wasn't in car. Took to dealer and they said a 3rd fell down by it's self. They charged me over $1,300.00,saying each window broke for no reason. A month later,the last window,which had no problem would…
Electrical
20 complaints · 10%Half of these problems showed up before 101,000 miles. Parts named most often: horn, instrument cluster/panel, wiring, alternator/generator/regulator.
The electronic odometer and automatic transmission display has gone completely dark. With indicator dark, the following are impossible to determine on the vehicle. A) automatic transmission indicator - for vehicles where the transmission shift lever is mounted on the steering column (like mine), other than counting…
The vehicle anti theft system on my 2000 Buick Century keeps failing and has put my family and I in numerous unsafe conditions that may eventually lead to possible injuries.
Lights
14 complaints · 7%Half of these problems showed up before 82,000 miles. Parts named most often: headlights, turn signal.
Turn signal switch failed and had to be replaced after 59000 miles and 3 1/2 years of car life. I have never replaced this item on any car I have owned. Part costed $400.00.
Defective odometer readings, gear indicators disappeared. The odometer reading disappeared, and the gear indicator disappeared on instrument cluster. I have no way to read my odometer, nor do I know what gear I am in, prnd21. Now I can accidently be in reverse and not even know it. This is an extremely dangerous…
Steering
11 complaints · 6%Parts named most often: linkages, steering wheel/handle bar, rack and pinion.
When the consumer had the tires rotated the mechanic noticed that the front outer tie rods were loose and needed to be replaced.
On two occasions steering wheel felt loose, and driver heard a "clink" noise while driving. Both times dealer found that the tie rod broke. Dealer replaced the tie rod, aligned, and balanced the tires.
Air bags
10 complaints · 5%Parts named most often: side/window, frontal.
Drivers side air bag was not connected properly. Dealer informed the consumer that the electrical connection was defective. Manufacturer will be informed of the problem.
: the contact stated that on june 28, 2006, the safety air bag warning light illuminated. The light remained on for three days. The vehicle was taken to the dealership and the harness which is under the driver seat was broken and needed to be replaced. The dealer has to order the parts and the vehicle will need to be…
Complaints are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.
2000 Buick Century recalls
Seat belts
Risk: These vehicles do not comply with the standard.
Fix: 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.
Full defect summary
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.
Air bags: side/window
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.
Fix: Dealers will replace the side impact air bag module.
Full defect summary
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.
Seat belts
Risk: In the event of a vehicle crash, the occupant may not be properly restrained.
Fix: Dealers will inspect the vehicle's safety belt buckle assembly date codes and, if necessary, will replace any safety belt buckle assembly.
Full defect summary
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."
Fuel system: filler pipe and cap
Risk: This could cause fuel leakage exceeding the permissible amount.
Fix: Dealers will inspect the fuel hose fill neck clamp and, if necessary, reposition and tighten the clamp.
Full defect summary
Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. The clamp that secures the flexible fuel fill hose to the metal fill tube may be loose and could separate.
Brakes: drum
Risk: The rear wheel can shift, causing rear steering of the vehicle. The driver could lose control and a crash could occur.
Fix: Dealers will replace the rear spindle bolts.
Full defect summary
Vehicle description: passenger vehicles equipped with rear drum brakes. The bolt head(s) on the rear spindle rod can separate.
Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which recalls are still open on your car.
NHTSA defect investigations
Accelerator cable detaches from throttle
Summary
There is no summary currently available
Questions about the 2000 Buick Century
- What are the most common problems with the 2000 Buick Century?
- By NHTSA owner complaints: transmission (48 complaints, typically around 60,000 miles); brakes (30 complaints, typically around 71,000 miles); engine (27 complaints, typically around 66,000 miles).
- How many recalls does the 2000 Buick Century have?
- 5 recalls listed by NHTSA, the latest from April 6, 2001 (seat belts). Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which ones are still open on your car.
- Is the 2000 a bad year for the Buick Century?
- It is the most complained-about Century model year since 2000, with 193 complaints. Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so popular years collect more of them, and the newest years have had less time to.