2002 Buick Century problems
The 2002 Buick Century has 204 complaints on file with NHTSA. The largest share (14%) concerns engine. After that come brakes (13%) and lighting (13%).
At a glance
- Complaints
- 204 filed with NHTSA
- Most reported
- Engine 14% of complaints
- Crashes and fires
- 10 and 7
- Injuries and deaths
- 11 and 0
- Typical mileage
- 61,000 miles 131 complaints with mileage
Source: NHTSA owner complaints
Where the complaints are
Share of this model year's complaints by the part of the car involved. One complaint can name more than one part, so the shares can add up to more than 100%.
When problems show up
View the numbers
| Mileage | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 0k to 20k miles | 15 |
| 20k to 40k miles | 28 |
| 40k to 60k miles | 22 |
| 60k to 80k miles | 22 |
| 80k to 100k miles | 12 |
| 100k to 120k miles | 12 |
| 120k to 140k miles | 8 |
| 140k to 160k miles | 10 |
| 160k to 180k miles | 0 |
| 180k to 200k miles | 0 |
| 200k+ miles | 2 |
What the data shows
Among the 131 complaints that report mileage, the typical (median) problem appeared at about 61,000 miles. For engine specifically, the median reported mileage is about 61,000 miles (25 complaints with mileage).
Safety-related details: 10 complaints mention a crash; 7 complaints mention a fire; 11 injuries reported.
Looking only at complaints filed within five years of the model year (so older and newer years are comparable), the 2002 ranks 4th most-complained-about out of 16 model years of the Buick Century with enough data (112 complaints in that window).
What owners wrote
A few complaints as filed, shortened and with personal details removed. The first ones are among the most serious reports for this model year; the rest are typical.
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.
Dt*: the contact stated while driving 50 MPH and approaching a crossroads another vehicle ran a stop sign and was hit by the contact. This was a full frontal impact. The air bags did not deploy. Although seat belts were in use, both occupants sustained minor injuries. A police report was filed at the scene. The vehicle was towed to the towing company where it remains. The manufacturer was alerted.
The vehicle was involved in a frontal/t-bone collision at 65-70 MPH impact and neither air bag deployed. The consumer states while driving, the consumer had sneezed and ran off of the road striking a private driveway, went airborne for over 100 feet and landed on the front of a vehicle, flipped over side to side, and struck four trees and two fence posts had come to a stop on the tires. The air bags did not deploy. The consumer stated that the buick investigator suggested that the air bags worked as designed. *scc
Dt: the contact stated while driving at night he switched the low beam headlights to high beam headlights, resulting in total loss of exterior lighting. He swerved to miss oncoming traffic. After several attempts of turning the dimmer switch on and off the lights came back on without any further problems. He has not taken the vehicle to a dealer for inspection. No repairs have been made at this time.
Tl* the contact owns a 2002 buick century. The contact stated the gear selector failed to illuminate on the instrument panel which caused the uncertainty of knowing which gear was selected. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who informed her that the odometer needed to be replaced because the gear indicator light was located in the housing. The odometer must be sent out of state for over a week. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact will notify the manufacturer of the consistent failure.