2002 BUICK CENTURY Recalls, Complaints & Safety

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.

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 roughly 4 inch section of the sidewall start to balloon out. Technician said he was afraid it was going to blow up in his face. He chalk marked the defective area on the tire and said the bead and sidewall had failed in that ballooning area and the tire was defective and not repairable.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Crash 4 injured

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

Fire

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

Fire

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

Fire

FUEL IS LEAKING FROM THE FUEL PRESSURE REGULATOR

INTAKE LEAKING ANTIFREEZE - COST TOO MUCH TO REPAIR FOR ME. MY ONLY CAR TO GET TO WORK. REPLACING BEARINGS TODAY FOR STICKING BACK BRAKES. ALL INTERIOR ACCESSORIES ARE BROKEN; COSMETIC MIRROR, ASHTRAY, CENTER CONSOLE, PASSENGER WINDSHIELD WIPER STRIPPED MOTOR, 1 WINDOW WORKING. STILL OWE ON CAR BUT CANNOT FIX EVERYTHING. ANY HELP ????

TRAVELING AT NIGHT, ONCE IN HEAVY TRAFFIC WITH LIGHTS ON LOW BEAM AND OTHER TIMES IN LIGHT OR NO TRAFFIC WITH LIGHTS ON HIGH BEAM, ALL OUTSIDE LIGHTS GO OUT CREATING A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION. DOES NOT MATTER IF THE MANUAL SWITCH IS USED OR IF THE LIGHTS ARE ON AUTOMATIC. THE ONLY THING THAT MAKES THEM COME BACK ON IS SWITCHING THE HIGH/ LOW BEAM SWITCH. MILES TRAVELED OR LENGTH OF TIME TRAVELING MAKES NO DIFFERENCE ...RANDOM OCCURRENCE. REPLACED THE HEADLIGHT SWITCHES AT A AUTO REPAIR SHOP MADE NO DIFFERENCE.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 BUICK CENTURY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL NOISE COMING FROM THE ENGINE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.

WHILE DRIVING, WHEN HIGH-BEAMS WERE TURNED ON THE ENTIRE HEADLIGHT SYSTEM WOULD SHUT DOWN LEAVING DRIVER WITH ABSOLUTELY NO VISIBILITY. FORTUNATELY THE HEADLIGHTS DID COME BACK ON AS THE DIMMER SWITCH WAS ACTIVATED AND THE LOW-BEAMS DID COME BACK ON. I CAN ONLY USE MY LOW-BEAM HEADLIGHTS AS THIS ISSUE HAPPENS MOST TIMES THE SWITCH IS ACTIVATED.

MY LIGHTS ARE ON THE DASHBOARD AND IT'S SAYING ANIT-LOCK BRAKES AND TRAC-OFF. THERE'S A NOISE IN THE STEERING COLUMN.

HEADLIGHTS GO OUT COMPLETELY FOR A FEW SECONDS UNTIL THE BRIGHT/DIM IS SWITCHED AND THEN COME ON. THIS HAS HAPPENED INFREQUENTLY SINCE FALL OF 2014. DOESN'T HAPPEN WHEN AT DEALER SERVICE OR WHEN WE TEST LIGHTS AFTER RETURNING HOME. DEALER SAYS CAN'T BE REPAIRED UNTIL THEY CAN GET THE INCIDENT TO REPEAT. LIGHTS ARE FINE FOR A WHILE & WITHOUT WARNING THE SITUATION OCCURS AGAIN. VERY ALARMING! A FRIEND WITH A BUICK REGAL 2002 HAS THE SAME PROBLEM.

AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION HAS VERY HARSH SHIFT BETWEEN 1ST AND 2ND GEARS AND ALSO BETWEEN 2ND AND 3RD. SEEMS TO HAPPEN AFTER WARMED UP AND ON HIGHWAY FOR AWHILE.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 BUICK CENTURY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE INTERIOR AND EXTERIOR LIGHTING INTERMITTENTLY FAILED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 51,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 BUICK CENTURY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE ENGINE SEIZED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT ABLE TO BE RESTARTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACTS HOME. THE FAILURE RECURRED NUMEROUS TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

DRIVING THUR OHIO FROM MICH ,HIT LARGE POT HOLE, DID OVER ONE THOUSAND DOLLARS DAMAGE TO THE STEERING, COULD HAVE BEEN A LOT WORSE, CAR MUST NOT BE MADE PROPERLY TO WITHSTAND HITTING POT HOLES, THIS SHOULD BE A SAFETY ISSUE THERE ARE HUNDREDS OF POT HOLES IN ALL STATES . THE STATE OF OHIO DOES NOT RESPONSIBILITY FOR THERE POT HOLES THEY ARE A DRIVE AT YOUR RISK STATE.... *TR

Crash

DRIVING THUR OHIO FROM MICH ,HIT LARGE POT HOLE, DID OVER ONE THOUSAND DOLLARS DAMAGE TO THE STEERING, COULD HAVE BEEN A LOT WORSE, CAR MUST NOT BE MADE PROPERLY TO WITHSTAND HITTING POT HOLES, THIS SHOULD BE A SAFETY ISSUE THERE ARE HUNDREDS OF POT HOLES IN ALL STATES . THE STATE OF OHIO DOES NOT RESPONSIBILITY FOR THERE POT HOLES THEY ARE A DRIVE AT YOUR RISK STATE.... *TR

Crash

I PURCHASED THE CAR FROM FAMILY AUTO EASLEY SC, IVE HAD SEVERAL REPAIRS ON THIS CAR THAT DIDNT HELP, RADIATORS, THERMASTAT, WATER PUMP, HOSES REPLACE, ALTERNATOR, COOLANT RECOVERY TANK HAS BROWN SLUDGE INSIDE, THE WINDOWS DIDNT WORK, ITS MOIST INSIDE FROM THE FLOOR BEING WET HAD A HEATING CORE PUT IN DIDNT HELP, THE CARPET ON THE INSIDE IS DAMAGED, THE PAINT IS COMING OFF, HAD A ALTERNATOR PUT IN , RUN HOT ALL THE TIME, DOSNT MATTER, BUY COOLANT, OIL PUT WATER IN IT, MANIFOLD GASKET IS BAD IN IT IVE LOST POWER SEVERAL TIMES, THE LAST TIME I DID IT WAS ON NOV 6 THIS YEAR ON THE WAY TO WORK LOST POWER WHILE DRIVING RAN INTO A GURAD GATE RIGHT BESIDE A DUMPSTER, I HAD TO GET IT TOWED, ITS IN THE SHOP GETTING THE BUMPER FIXED, I HAD TO GET A RENTAL CAR, I HAD TO GET MY CAR REFINANCE WITH DILCO OF GREENVILLE SC HE COULDNT BELIEVE HOW MUCH I WAS CHARGE FOR THIS CAR OVER 13,000.00 DOLLARS, SO I WAS OVER CHARGED AND SOLD A LEMON AND ITS NOT FAIR TO ME AND THIS CAR IS NOT SAFE FOR ME OR ANYONE TO DRIVE, I WANT TO BE ABLE TO DRIVE A CAR WITHOUT BEING AFRIAD IF IM GOING TO MAKE IT OR NOT OR GET STRANDED

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 BUICK CENTURY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE ELECTRICAL WIRING NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 68,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 BUICK CENTURY. WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH, THE ENGINE STALLED. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM WAS FAULTY. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 140,000. ..UPDATED 05/20/15 *BF UPDATED 7/6/2015 *JS

THE ODOMETER CLUSTER LIGHTS GO OUT AND SOMETIMES COME BACK ON FOR A FEW MINUTES AND BACK OFF WHILE DRIVING. THEREFORE YOU CAN NOT SEE MILEAGE AND THE SHIFTING OF GEARS. THE DEALER RECOMMENDS SENDING IT BACK TO THE FACTORY FOR 2 WEEKS WHILE THEY REPAIR IT AT A COST OF $ 2000.00 OR DRIVE THE CAR WITHOUT REPAIRING. *TR

APPLIED BRAKES FOR THE STOP SIGN AND THE PEDAL WENT ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR. AS IT TURNED OUT THE BRAKE LINE HAD RUSTED OUT AND FLUID WAS LOST. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 BUICK CENTURY. WHEN REVERSING OR MAKING A U-TURN, THE ABS WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED INTERMITTENTLY. THE FAILURE OCCURRED ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS. THE CONTACT DIAGNOSED THE VEHICLE AND DETERMINED THAT THE FAILURE WAS RELATED TO THE BRAKING SYSTEM. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE AND VIN WERE UNAVAILABLE.

WHEN I BOUGHT MY 2002 BUICK CENTURY IN 2003, I ASKED THE DEALER TO TURN OFF THE DRL ON THE CAR. THEY INSISTED THEY COULD NOT BECAUSE OF MANUFACTURER & HIGHWAY SAFETY LAWS, BUT SAID I COULD CONTACT THE MFG. BUT THAT IT REQUIRED MUCH PAPERWORK & AN EXTENSIVELY SATISFACTORY REASON FOR THIS TO BE DONE, SO I QUIT ASKING. ONCE AGAIN I HAVE DECIDED TO TRY TO GET THE DRL ON MY CAR TURNED OFF, SINCE IT SEEMS TO CAUSE SO MUCH CONFUSION TO ON COMING TRAFFIC WHEN I AM SIGNALING TO CHANGE LANE OR TURN. I CONTACTED BUICK & GOT CUSTOMER SUPPORT REP, THAT HAD NO IDEA WHAT DRL EVEN IS, & DECLINED TO ESCALATE MY CASE UP. AT BEST SHE TOLD ME TO GO TO A DEALER. SO THE DEALER TELLS ME TO GO THE THE MFG. THEN THE MFG TELLS ME TO GO TO THE DEALER. CAN YOU DO ANYTHING TO HELP ME? ALL I WANT IS TO DRIVE MY CAR WITHOUT THE PARKING LIGHTS ON! I THOUGHT IT WAS ILLEGAL TO DRIVE WITH PARKING LIGHTS ON. *TR

WHEN I PUT KEY IN IGNITION TO START CAR, THE POSITION OF GEARS GOES DARK. IF I JIGGLE THE KEY, OR TURN IT BACK (VERY SLIGHTLY) THE PANEL LIGHTS UP MOMENTARILY. IT IS SCARY DRIVING WITH NO INDICATION OF WHICH GEAR I AM IN. I WAS TOLD IT WAS THE CLUSTER? *TR

TIRE FEELS LIKE IT DOESN'T WANT TO SPIN. NO GRIP. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 BUICK CENTURY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SHE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO HAVE AN OIL CHANGE WHEN THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THERE WAS OIL IN THE RADIATOR. IN ADDITION, THE INTAKE MANIFOLD NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AND THE RADIATOR NEEDED TO BE FLUSHED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 47,400. UPDATED 11/14/13*LJ UPDATED 11/18/2013 *JS

I HAVE A 2002 BUICK CENTURY CUSEDAN AND WHILE TURNING OR DRIVING THE LOW TRAC LIGHT COMES ON, THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKE LIGHT AND THE SERVICE LIGHT COMES ON AND THE BRAKE PEDAL SHUTTERS AND MAKES A LOUD NOISE WHEN BRAKING.....AND SOMETIMES JUST GOING DOWN THE ROAD. WHEN I TURN THE CAR OFF THE LIGHTS GO OFF AND THERE ARE NONE OF THE SYMPTOMS UNTIL I HIT AN UNEVEN SPOT IN THE ROAD OR GO OVER A BUMP ETC. THE LIGHTS COME ON AGAIN. *TR

THIS IS AN ADDENDUM TO COMPLAINT/ODI #10499646...THIS WAS THE SCARIEST EXPERIENCE OF MY LIFE, DRIVING ALONE IN DARKNESS, AT 55MPH, AND WITHOUT WARNING, HEADLIGHTS & DASH JUST SHUT-OFF !! NO OTHER VEHICLES ON ROAD TO HELP LIGHT MY WAY, COULDN'T SEE ANYTHING, ALMOST RAN OFF THE ROAD & GOT KILLED, ONLY HAD THIS CAR 10DAYS!! THOUGHT I GOT A GOOD DEAL TOO, BUT NOW I'M STUCK WITH A CAR I CAN'T DRIVE AT NIGHT. SPOKE DIRECTLY WITH GM CUSTOMER RELATIONS SPECIALIST ON 3 SEPARATE OCCASIONS, WHO SENT ME TO THEIR GM DEALERSHIP FOR INSPECTION. AFTER GM REP SPOKE WITH THEIR DEALERSHIP, THEY DECIDED DUE TO THE AGE OF THE VEHICLE, AND MILEAGE, THEY'RE NOT RESPONSIBLE TO ASSIST!! I CANNOT UNDERSTAND, NOR WILL I ACCEPT, HOW THIS SITUATION COULD BE ANYTHING OTHER THAN A "SAFETY ISSUE"!! NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS FILED ON THIS SAME VEHICLE, AND MANY HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM, JUST FLOATING AROUND OUT THERE, WAITING FOR THE NEXT POOR, UNSUSPECTING BUYER. I WILL NEVER PURCHASE ANOTHER GM PRODUCT, AND I WILL ALSO DO EVERYTHING IN MY POWER TO DISCOURAGE "ANYONE" I KNOW FROM DOING SO. THEY WON'T STAND BEHIND THEIR DEFECTIVE PRODUCT, WHICH IS NOW MY PROBLEM. AS I TOLD THE GM REP, I CAN ONLY IMAGINE HOW MANY PEOPLE HAVE NOT LIVED TO TELL "THEIR" STORY...(NO RESPONSE FROM THEM ON THAT COMMENT). *TR

WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT, HEADLIGHTS AND DASH LIGHTS COMPLETELY SHUT OFF! *TR

I HAVE A 2002 BUICK CENTURY LIMITED AND WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH ON THE INTERSTATE THE LOW TRAC LIGHT CAME ON, THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKE LIGHT CAME ON AND THE CAR STARTED SHUTTERING AND MAKING A LOUD NOISE WHEN BRAKING. IT ALSO PULLS WHEN THE BRAKES ARE PRESSED WHEN THE LIGHTS ARE ON AND THE BRAKES ARE HARD TO PRESS. WHEN I TURN THE CAR OFF THE LIGHTS GO OFF AND THERE ARE NONE OF THE SYMPTOMS UNTIL THE LIGHTS COME ON AGAIN. I WAS TOLD IT WAS A FAULTY WHEEL SPEED SENSOR AND WAS GOING TO GET IT REPAIRED WHEN ALL OF THE SUDDEN THE CAR OVERHEATED. I GET THE CAR SERVICED REGULARLY AND IT HAS NEVER OVERHEATED BEFORE. AFTER HAVING THE THERMOSTAT AND THE WATER PUMP CHANGED I WAS TOLD THAT THE PROBLEM IS EITHER THE INTAKE GASKET OR THE HEAD GASKET. I WAS TOLD THE DEXCOOL ANTIFREEZE BREAKS THE GASKETS DOWN AND THE CAR COULD LEAK ANTIFREEZE WITHOUT BEING NOTICED. I HAD THE CAR TOWED TO MY HOME WHERE IT'LL HAVE TO SIT UNTIL I CAN AFFORD TO GET IT FIXED. I OWN THE CAR AND I AM ON A FIXED INCOME AND CANNOT AFFORD THE PRICES THAT MECHANICS WANT TO CHARGE TO FIX THE GASKETS. I FOUND INFORMATION ONLINE THAT BUICK KNEW ABOUT THE DEXCOOL AND HAD A RECALL BUT IT'S NO LONGER ACTIVE AND I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW WHY. I THINK THEY SHOULD FIX THEIR MISTAKES AND NOT MAKE THEIR CUSTOMERS PAY FOR THEM. *TR