Model year record

2002 Buick Century recalls & problems

The 2002 Buick Century has 2 safety recalls and 154 owner complaints on file with NHTSA. The most-reported problem area is engine and engine cooling (29 complaints).

Recalls2safety recalls

Complaints154filed by owners

Crashes · fires9 · 4reported in complaints

Injuries · deaths11 · 0reported in complaints

2002 Buick Century in an NHTSA crash test — NHTSA crash test

Safety recalls

SteeringFeb 17, 2009

Steering

Recall 09E005000979 vehicles

Problem: 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.
Fix: 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.

Fuel system, otherMar 12, 2007

Storage › Tank assembly › Pressure relief devices

Recall 07E021000742 vehicles

Problem: 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.
Fix: 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.

Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. A recall listed here may already have been fixed on a particular car: enter its 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see open recalls.

Crash test ratings

2002 Buick Century 4-DR.

OverallNot Rated

Frontal crash	Not Rated
Side crash	Not Rated
Rollover	Not Rated

2002 Buick Century 4-DR. w/SAB

OverallNot Rated

Frontal crash	Not Rated
Side crash	Not Rated
Rollover	Not Rated

2002 Buick Century NHTSA side crash test — NHTSA side barrier crash test

2002 Buick Century NHTSA side pole crash test — NHTSA side pole crash test

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (New Car Assessment Program). Ratings are comparable only between vehicles of similar size and weight, and ratings from 2011 on use tougher tests than earlier years. Photos: NHTSA.

Fuel economy

Century

21mpg combined

City / highway	18 / 26 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

3.1 L · 6 cyl · Automatic 4-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $3,200/year to fuel

EPA estimates from fueleconomy.gov for each engine and transmission sold. Annual cost is the EPA's estimate for 15,000 miles a year at its current fuel and electricity price assumptions. Your results will vary.

What owners report

Problem area	Complaints	Crashes	Fires	Injuries	Typical mileage*
Engine and engine coolingCooling system; Engine	29	0	2	0	61,000 mi
Exterior lightingHeadlights; Headlights › High/low beam dimmer switch	26	0	0	0	60,766 mi
Electrical systemInstrument cluster/panel; Wiring	25	0	3	0	80,000 mi
VisibilityPower window devices and controls; Windshield wiper/washer › Motor	22	0	0	0	38,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulicAntilock/traction control/electronic limited slip; Foundation components › Disc › Pads	18	0	0	0	32,979 mi
SteeringLinkages › Tie rod assembly; Gear box (other than rack and pinion)	11	1	0	0	41,000 mi
Air bagsFrontal; Side/window	8	8	0	11	99,000 mi
Engine	8	0	1	0	115,000 mi
Service brakes	8	0	0	0	129,372 mi
Vehicle speed controlAccelerator pedal; Cruise control	7	0	0	0	—
Power trainAutomatic transmission; Axle hubs	7	0	0	0	40,000 mi
StructureBody; Frame and members	6	0	0	0	—

*Median odometer reading when the problem happened, where owners gave one. One complaint can name several problem areas.

Recent owner complaints

Steering
UNKNOWN; The issues started around 6 months ago. Just casually driving like usual, and my steering wheel would lock up and be ridiculously hard to turn, which is scary because its happened while turning through lights and intersections and trying to even just park my car. And on some of those occations the trac and abs sensors would come on, but not all the time.
May 1, 2023
Tires › Bead
Right front Cooper GS5 Grand Touring 205/70 R15 96T with only 862 miles on it had a complete air loss/went completely flat when car was turning into a parking lot. This is one of a set of brand new tires on the car. The car was never driven on a highway after these were purchased. Only local driving at 45 to 50 MPH max. Tire was taken to a tire shop in hopes of getting it plugged/repaired. They found nothing had penetrated the tire. They could not pressurize the tire. Air was blowing out all around the outside bead and could not be seated. They put lubricant around the bead inside and out and gave it some rapid shots of air on the machine. It started to hold pressure but immediately had a…
May 13, 2023
Fuel/propulsion system
While letting off the gas in order to break, the accelerator pedal went to the floor on its own for about 3 seconds. Pushing on the break stopped the accelerator.
Apr 19, 2022
Exterior lighting
I was driving at night switched headlights to high beams - few minutes later switched back to low beams and ALL LIGHTS dash and head lights went completely out . Tried to pull head light knob and nothing - pitch black . Luckily i was a short distance from my home. This is EXTREMELY DANGEROUS ! I have found 33 complaints (so far) about this same problem. This definitely should qualify and be recalled . PLEASE take IMMEDIATE action . Thank you.
Jan 24, 2022
Service brakes
BOTH FRONT SIDES HAS BEEN REPAIRED, BUT THE ABS, SERVICE SOON, ALSO THE TRACTION OFF LIGHTS . COMES ON AND STAY WHILE THE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION. ONCE I TURN VEHICLE OFF IT GOES OFF.
Nov 9, 2020 · 78,000 miles
Air bagsCrash4 injuries
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2002 BUICK CENTURY. WHILE THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY, IT WAS REAR ENDED BY ANOTHER VEHICLE. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT REAR ENDED THE PRECEDING VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED INJURIES TO THE BACK, NECK, BOTH LEGS, AND ARMS. THERE WERE THREE MINORS IN THE BACK SEAT WHO SUSTAINED INJURIES TO THEIR HEADS, BOTH LEGS, ARMS, AND BACKS. MEDICAL ATTENTION WAS NEEDED FOR ALL OCCUPANTS. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED AND DEEMED A TOTAL LOSS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER OR INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 140,000.
Nov 5, 2018 · 140,000 miles
Electrical systemFire
I WAS AT THE GAS STATION TRIED TO START MY VEHICLE AND IT CAUGHT ON FIRE AT THE GAS STATION MANY COULD OF BEEN KILLED AND OR INJURED
Jun 17, 2018 · 115,000 miles
Fuel/propulsion system
FUEL IS LEAKING FROM THE FUEL PRESSURE REGULATOR
Jan 4, 2015 · 77,000 miles

Owner complaints are submitted to NHTSA by the public and are not verified. Shown as filed (NHTSA removes personal details); long reports are shortened.