Menu

2002 Buick CenturyProblems, recalls & complaints

NHTSA has logged 154 owner complaints about the 2002 Buick Century, most often about the engine and engine cooling. It has no vehicle safety recalls on record.

2002 Buick Century
38
CarFlaw IndexUse caution1.6× the Century median · #5 of 20 years by complaints
Safety recalls0None on recordOwner complaints15420 with a crash, fire or injuryTypical failure mileage61kEngine and engine cooling, median miles

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through October 3, 2023. Updated daily. Photo: Cutlass, CC0.

Complaints by system

Where the 2002 Buick Century has problems

154 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 cooling251
Exterior lighting240
Electrical system243
Visibility210
Service brakes, hydraulic140
Steering111
Service brakes80
Engine81
Air bags88
14 other systems422

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

0 recalls

2002 Buick Century recalls and how many were fixed

No vehicle safety recalls are on record for this model year.

Mileage at failure

When do engine and engine cooling problems start?

61kmiles, median

Based on the odometer reading in 22 engine and engine cooling complaints. 86% were reported before 100,000 miles.

median0k50k100k150k200k+
2under 30k miles19under 100k miles3100k miles or more
Best & worst years

2002 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

2002 Buick Century safety ratings

2002 Buick Century 4-DR. in NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program. Photos are from NHTSA's crash tests.

2002 Buick Century frontal crash test, NHTSA
Frontal crashNot 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.

HAD SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT COMING ON PERIODICALLY AND WAS LOOSING COOLANT, BUT COULD NOT FIND ANY LEAKS, WAS TOLD IT WAS PROBABLY FAULTY LIGHT, OR LEAK IN TANK. TOOK CAR FOR OIL CHANGE AND ASK TO LOOK FOR ANY LEAKS, FOUND COOLANT IN OIL. INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET FAILED AND HAD TO BE REPLACED. WAS TOLD…
Complaint 10445945 · Jan 30, 2012 · 130,000 miles
2002 BUICK CENTURY. CONSUMER STATES DESIGN DEFECT *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED HIS WIFE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A REPAIR SHOP BECAUSE THE WINDSHIELD WIPER BLADE WAS STUCK. HOWEVER, IT WAS DISCOVERED THE RADIATOR WAS ALMOST ON THE GROUND AND IN THE PROCESS OF BECOMING DETACHED. SHE WAS REFERRED TO AN AUTO…
Complaint 10393501 · Apr 1, 2011
I HAVE A 2002 BUICK CENTURY AND HAVE BEEN TOLD THAT THE INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET HAS TO BE REPLACED SINCE GM DID NOT ISSUE A RECALL OF WHICH THEY SHOULD HAVE. I AM AFRAID I WILL BREAK DOWN IN THE CAR WITH NO HELP. I AM A WIDOW WHO IS CURRENTLY UNEMPLOYED AND CAN NOT AFFORD TO FIX THE CAR. I HAVE PAID…
Complaint 10378854 · Jan 26, 2011 · 86,000 miles

Own a 2002 Century?

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