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2001 Buick CenturyProblems, recalls & complaints

NHTSA has logged 145 owner complaints about the 2001 Buick Century, most often about the engine and engine cooling. It is covered by 3 safety recalls.

2001 Buick Century
41
CarFlaw IndexUse caution1.5× the Century median · #6 of 20 years by complaints
Safety recalls3Free fix at dealersOwner complaints14515 with a crash, fire or injuryTypical failure mileage58kEngine and engine cooling, median miles

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through December 9, 2024. Updated daily. Photo: Karrmann, CC BY-SA 3.0.

Complaints by system

Where the 2001 Buick Century has problems

145 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
Engine and engine cooling270
Service brakes, hydraulic222
Power train210
Vehicle speed control190
Electrical system170
Visibility150
Steering110
Tires81
Structure80
12 other systems329

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

3 recalls

2001 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

Air bags: side/window

Recall 00V-371 · Nov 13, 2000 · 12 vehicles

Risk. IF THE INFLATOR SEPARATES, THE AIR BAG WILL NOT DEPLOY PROPERLY DURING A CRASH AND OCCUPANT PROTECTION WOULD BE REDUCED.

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

2001 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
NHTSA crash tests

2001 Buick Century safety ratings

2001 Buick Century 4-DR. w/SAB in NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program. Photos are from NHTSA's crash tests.

2001 Buick Century frontal crash test, NHTSA
Frontal crashNot rated
2001 Buick Century side barrier test, NHTSA
Side barrierNot rated
  • Stability control: No
  • Forward collision warning: No
  • Lane departure warning: No
In owners' words

What Century owners report

Recent engine and engine cooling complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 BUICK CENTURY. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS UNDERGOING AN OIL CHANGE, THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT DEXCOOL COOLANT WAS PLACED IN THE WATER TANK INSTEAD OF ANTIFREEZE. THE MANIFOLD ON THE WATER BLOCK, WHICH IS THE GASKET BETWEEN THE WATER TANK, DID NOT HAVE THE CORRECT TYPE OF…
Complaint 10279184 · Aug 3, 2009 · 38,000 miles
TAPPETS SOUND ON A 2001 BUICK CENTURY TAPPETS WERE REPLACED TWICE UNTIL I WAS INFORMED THAT ALL GM 2001 CARS HAD THIS DEFECT. IT SEEMS THAT OIL IS NOT GETTING TO THE CENTER CYLINDERS, BECAUSE THE CONNECTING FEEDS ARE TOO SMALL. PROBLEM THAT CAN DEVELOP IS THE ENGINE CAN SEIZE. *TR
Complaint 10224968 · Apr 18, 2008 · 70,000 miles
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 BUICK CENTURY. THE VEHICLE'S INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET FAILED AT LESS THAN 100,000 MILES ON A BRAND NEW ENGINE. THE CONTACT SMELLED ANTI-FREEZE AND BROUGHT THE VEHICLE TO A MECHANIC WHO CONDUCTED PRESSURE TESTING. THE FAILURE WAS DIAGNOSED AS THE MANIFOLD GASKET. IT IS A…
Complaint 10188382 · Apr 19, 2007 · 100,000 miles

Own a 2001 Century?

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