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1997 Buick CenturyProblems, recalls & complaints

NHTSA has logged 106 owner complaints about the 1997 Buick Century, most often about the electrical system. It is covered by 2 safety recalls.

50
CarFlaw IndexSolid year1.0× the Century median · #9 of 20 years by complaints
Safety recalls2Free fix at dealersOwner complaints1067 with a crash, fire or injuryTop problem20Electrical system

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through February 21, 2017. Updated daily.

Complaints by system

Where the 1997 Buick Century has problems

106 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.

Box size = number of complaints naming that system. Darker = larger share. One complaint can name more than one system.
Complaints by system
SystemComplaintsCrash, fire or injury
Electrical system202
Visibility160
Steering150
Seat belts151
Exterior lighting90
Engine and engine cooling70
Service brakes, hydraulic61
Air bags62
Suspension50
12 other systems241

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.

2 recalls

1997 Buick Century recalls and how many were fixed

Each ring shows the share of affected cars repaired, from the manufacturer’s latest quarterly report to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

–no report yet

Exterior lighting: headlights

Recall 98V-102 · May 15, 1998 · 149,342 vehicles

Risk. IF THE HEADLAMP ASSEMBLIES ARE REPLACED, CUSTOMERS MAY NOT BE ABLE TO PROPERLY AIM THE HEADLIGHTS.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

Recalls apply to specific cars. To see whether a recall is still open on yours, enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with Buick.

Best & worst years

1997 vs. every other Century year

Bars show complaints per model year. Colors show the CarFlaw verdict: complaints weighted for crashes, fires and injuries, adjusted for years on the road and compared with the Century median. How we score

'73'74'75'76'77'78'79'80'81'82'83'84'85'86'87'88'89'90'91'92'93'94'95'96'97'98'99'00'01'02'03'04'05
  • Avoid
  • Caution
  • Solid
  • Best
  • Not rated
4 investigations

NHTSA defect investigations

Federal investigations that included the 1997 Buick Century, and the recalls they led to.

  1. POWER RACK AND PINION STEERING FAILUREEA03019 · closed Dec 18, 2003
    Led to recall 03V-527
  2. WINDSHIELD WIPEREA99024 · closed Jan 13, 2000
    No recall
  3. WINDSHIELD WIPERPE99028 · closed Aug 20, 1999
    No recall
  4. POWER RACK AND PINION STEERING FAILURERQ03001 · closed Sep 15, 2003
    No recall
In owners' words

What Century owners report

Recent electrical system complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.

THE ELECTRONIC DISPLAY MODULE SECOND TIME AFTER REPLACING IN MY 1997 BUICK CENTURY DOES NOT DISPLAY AND THE PART COST $300-500 AND ITS NOT SOMETHING LIKE A BULB AND NOBODY WANT S TO ADDRESS THIS ISSUE. *AK
Complaint 10058279 · Feb 16, 2004
DUE TO DESIGN AND LOCATION OF HORN ASSEMBLY, WHICH IS CONNECTED TO AIR BAGS, AND UPON ATTEMTPING TO SOUND OFF HORN IN AN EMERGENCY SITUATION WHEN MAKING A LEFT OR RIGHT HAND TURN, BUTTONS ARE HARD TO LOCATE. CONSUMER HAS CONTACTED DEALER. *AK THE WHOLE AIR BAG AND HORN ASSEMBLY WAS REPLACED. THE…
Complaint 870858 · Sep 19, 2000
ONGOING PROBLEM WITH ODOMETER LIGHT IN THE INSTRUMENT PANEL INTERMITTENTLY BLINKING, AND VEHICLE WOULD NOT START. VEHICLE HAS BEEN TO TWO DIFFERENT DEALERS, AND PROBLEM STILL OCCURRING.*AK
Complaint 861216 · May 2, 2000

Own a 1997 Century?

Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.