2003 Buick CenturyProblems, recalls & complaints
NHTSA has logged 127 owner complaints about the 2003 Buick Century, most often about the exterior lighting. It has no vehicle safety recalls on record.
Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through August 6, 2023. Updated daily. Photo: Elise240SX, CC BY-SA 4.0.
Where the 2003 Buick Century has problems
127 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.
| System | Complaints | Crash, fire or injury |
|---|---|---|
| Exterior lighting | 48 | 0 |
| Electrical system | 23 | 1 |
| Service brakes, hydraulic | 13 | 0 |
| Engine and engine cooling | 13 | 1 |
| Structure | 11 | 1 |
| Steering | 7 | 0 |
| Vehicle speed control | 6 | 2 |
| Power train | 6 | 0 |
| Suspension | 5 | 0 |
| 15 other systems | 33 | 4 |
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.
2003 Buick Century recalls and how many were fixed
No vehicle safety recalls are on record for this model year.
When do exterior lighting problems start?
80kmiles, median
Based on the odometer reading in 40 exterior lighting complaints. 65% were reported before 100,000 miles.
2003 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
- Avoid
- Caution
- Solid
- Best
- Not rated
2003 Buick Century safety ratings
2003 Buick Century 4-DR. in NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program. Photos are from NHTSA's crash tests.
- Stability control: No
- Forward collision warning: No
- Lane departure warning: No
What Century owners report
Recent exterior lighting complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.
THE VEHICLE'S GAS TANK WON'T HOLD MUCH AND CLICKS AS IF FULL. ALSO, WHEN ON UNEVEN PAVEMENT OR GROUND, THE ⛽ GAS WARNING LIGHT COMES ON, EVEN AFTER GAS WAS JUST PUT IN. IN ADDITION, AT TIMES I SMELL A "BURNING ELECTRICAL" SMELL AND THE HEADLIGHTS GO OUT, THE BRIGHTS FAIL TO "CLICK" ON OR GOES…
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 BUICK CENTURY. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE HEADLIGHTS SUDDENLY SHUT OFF. THE CONTACT INDICATED THAT THE FAILURE MAINLY OCCURRED WHILE SWITCHING FROM LOW TO HIGH BEAM AND VICE VERSA. THE FAILURE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER AND LOCAL DEALER WERE…
BRIGHT LIGHTS WON'T STAY ON AND SOMETIMES IF YOU CAN GET THEM TO COME ON THEY WILL GO OUT WHILE DRIVING. WAS ON A CITY STREET AND TURNED RIGHT, THEY WENT OFF. SINCE THEN YOU CAN HOLD THE BRIGHT LIGHT SWITCH, BUT WHEN YOU TURN LOOSE THEY GOES OFF.
Own a 2003 Century?
Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.