2002 Buick Century: problems, recalls and reliability
2 recalls and 154 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is exterior lighting (15% of complaints); the 2004 model year looks more trouble-free.
Data updated weekly · latest recall Feb 2009
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 154 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“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.”Owner report · Service Brakes · May 2023
“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.”Owner report · Fuel/Propulsion System · Apr 2022
“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.”Owner report · Service Brakes · Jan 2022
Show 7 more owner reports
“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.”Owner report · Service Brakes · Nov 2020
“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.”Owner report · Air Bags · Nov 2018
“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”Owner report · Electrical System · Jun 2018
“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 ????”Owner report · Vehicle Speed Control · Mar 2017
“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.”Owner report · Exterior Lighting · Nov 2016
“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.”Owner report · Engine · Feb 2016
“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.”Owner report · Exterior Lighting · Nov 2015
When filing, owners marked a crash in 9 of these complaints and injuries in 11 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 2 campaigns
CERTAIN DELPHI FUEL PRESSURE REGULATORS, P/NOS. FP10020-11B1, FP10026-11B1, AND FP10027-11B1, SOLD AFTER JANUARY 9, 2007, AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. THE UNIVERSAL PRESSURE REGULATORS (UPR) WERE PRODUCED WITHOUT AN O'RING AND RETAINER.
Remedy: DELPHI WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE UPR FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 23, 2007. OWNERS CAN CONTACT DELPHI AT 877-411-8770.
DORMAN IS RECALLING 979 STEERING KNUCKLES, DORMAN P/NOS. 697-902 AND 697-903, SOLD UNDER DORMAN'S "OE SOLUTIONS<SUP>TM</SUP>" BRAND NAME, AND NAPA P/NOS. 7-8502 AND 7-8503 WHICH WERE SOLD FOR REPLACEMENT USE ON THE VARIOUS VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. A POTENTIAL MATERIAL OR DESIGN DEFECT COULD RESULT IN THE STEERING KNUCKLE BREAKING IN THE HUB AREA.
Remedy: DORMAN WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE DEFECTIVE STEERING KNUCKLES FREE OF CHARGE AND REIMBURSE THE REPAIR FACILITY OR OWNER FOR LABOR. THE RECALL BEGAN ON FEBRUARY 23, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT DORMAN'S TOLL-FREE HOTLINE AT 1-800-523-2492 AND PRESS 5.
How other years compare
Check your exact Century by VIN
Recalls and equipment differ between individual vehicles. Decode your VIN to see what applies to yours.
Open VIN decoderFrequently asked questions
Is the 2002 Buick Century reliable?
NHTSA has 154 owner complaints and 2 recall campaigns on record for the 2002 Buick Century. The most complained-about area is exterior lighting (15% of complaints).
At what mileage do 2002 Buick Century problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 62,000 miles or less.
Does the 2002 Buick Century have open recalls?
2 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning fuel system, other:storage:tank assembly:pressure relief devices. Check your specific vehicle by VIN - recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.