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2003 Buick Century Problems and Recalls

Owners filed 127 complaints with NHTSA about the 2003 Buick Century, most often about the lights (39% of complaints, typically around 80,000 miles). It is 4th of 6 Century model years by number of complaints.

Complaints127
Recalls0
Crashes reported4
Fires reported2
Injuries reported2

Most common 2003 Buick Century problems

  1. Lights

    49 complaints · 39%

    Half of these problems showed up before 80,000 miles. Parts named most often: headlights, turn signal.

    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.
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2010, at 80,000 miles
    03 Buick Century headlamps go out while driving seems to be occurring with high beams 'still early in diag have not repaired yet { great christmas gift }.
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2010, at 80,000 miles

  2. Electrical

    23 complaints · 18%

    Half of these problems showed up before 87,000 miles. Parts named most often: alternator/generator/regulator, instrument cluster/panel.

    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.
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2010, at 86,375 miles
    In january of this year my 2003 Buick Century began with panel lights flashing on and off at various times making the gauges and speedometer impossible to read. Very expensive estimate to fix. Then in february was driving home at night and the ABS light came on. Took to shop and they couldn't get it to do it. After…
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2011, at 88,000 miles

  3. Brakes

    15 complaints · 12%

    Half of these problems showed up before 14,500 miles. Parts named most often: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip, foundation components.

    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…
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2005, at 10,500 miles
    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.
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2007, at 18,000 miles

  4. Engine

    15 complaints · 12%

    Half of these problems showed up before 47,500 miles. Parts named most often: engine, exhaust system.

    Tl 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…
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2007, at 47,600 miles
    Tl 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…
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2008, at 48,000 miles

  5. Body and structure

    11 complaints · 9%

    Half of these problems showed up before 72,000 miles. Parts named most often: body, frame and members.

    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…
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2008, at 56,430 miles
    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…
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2012, at 100,000 miles

  6. Steering

    7 complaints · 6%

    Half of these problems showed up before 40,000 miles. Parts named most often: linkages.

    The contact owns a 2003 Buick Century. The contact stated that the steering wheel became difficult to turn. The vehicle was taken to a dealer, who informed the contact that the vehicle was overheating. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 40,000.
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2014, at 40,000 miles
    The contact owns a 2003 Buick Century. While driving at an unknown speed, the vehicle began to decelerate and jerk violently. The contact stated that it was difficult to maneuver the power steering when making a turn or approaching a traffic light. The vehicle was diagnosed by the dealer more than five times and the…
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2014, at 37,000 miles

  7. Speed control

    6 complaints · 5%

    Parts named most often: cables.

    While driving at normal speed and without any warning vehicle suddenly accelerated. Dealer replaced the gas pedal assembly, but problem recurred.
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2004, at 28,000 miles
    Tl 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…
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2010, at 76,000 miles

  8. Transmission

    6 complaints · 5%

    Parts named most often: automatic transmission, manual transmission.

    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…
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2005, at 88,650 miles
    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…
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2010, at 113,591 miles

Complaints are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.

2003 Buick Century recalls

NHTSA lists no recalls for this model year.

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.

Questions about the 2003 Buick Century

What are the most common problems with the 2003 Buick Century?
By NHTSA owner complaints: lights (49 complaints, typically around 80,000 miles); electrical (23 complaints, typically around 87,000 miles); brakes (15 complaints, typically around 14,500 miles).
How many recalls does the 2003 Buick Century have?
NHTSA lists no recalls for the 2003 Buick Century. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls in case one is issued later.
Is the 2003 a bad year for the Buick Century?
It is 4th of 6 Century model years by number of complaints, with 127 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.

Other Buick Century years

Buick Century problems by year