Model year record

2001 Buick Century

3 recall campaigns on file for this model year. 190 owner complaints on file.

Recalls

Recall campaignNHTSA 01V109000

Seat belts

Component
Seat belts
Manufacturer
GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
Vehicles affected
116,007
Reported to NHTSA
2001-04-06
Owners notified
2001-05-04

Defect description

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, EQUIPPED WITH SUNVISOR LOCATED AIR BAG LABELS, FAIL TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLES SAFETY STANDARD NO. 208, "OCCUPANT CRASH PROTECTION." THESE VEHICLES HAVE A MESSAGE AREA LESS THAN 30 CM WHICH DOES NOT MEET THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE STANDARD.

Safety risk

THESE VEHICLES DO NOT COMPLY WITH THE STANDARD.

Manufacturer remedy

GM WILL MAIL A NEW BILINGUAL AIR BAG LABEL WITH INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS. HOWEVER, THE CUSTOMER MAY BRING THE LABEL TO THEIR DEALER FOR INSTALLATION FREE OF CHARGE. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN MAY 4, 2001. OWNERS WHO DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE LABEL AND INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT OLDSMOBILE AT 1-800-442-6537 OR BUICK AT 1-800-521-7300.

Recall campaignNHTSA 00V371000

Air bags: side/window

Component
Air bags: side/window
Manufacturer
GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
Vehicles affected
12
Reported to NHTSA
2000-11-13
Owners notified
2000-11-16

Defect description

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. SOME OF THESE VEHICLES EXHIBIT A CONDITION IN WHICH THE DRIVER SIDE IMPACT AIR BAG INFLATOR SEPARATES FROM THE AIR BAG MODULE DURING DEPLOYMENT.

Safety risk

IF THE INFLATOR SEPARATES, THE AIR BAG WILL NOT DEPLOY PROPERLY DURING A CRASH AND OCCUPANT PROTECTION WOULD BE REDUCED. IF IS ALSO POSSIBLE THAT A SEPARATED INFLATOR COULD BE PROPELLED DOWNWARD AND COULD RESULT IN INJURY TO A REAR SEAT PASSENGER WHOSE FOOT IS POSITIONED APPROXIMATELY UNDER THE INFLATOR MODULE.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE SIDE IMPACT AIR BAG MODULE.

Recall campaignNHTSA 00V228003

Seat belts

Component
Seat belts
Manufacturer
GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
Vehicles affected
156,305
Reported to NHTSA
2000-08-07
Owners notified
2000-08-24

Defect description

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES, LIGHT DUTY TRUCKS, SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, AND MINI VANS EQUIPPED WITH TRW SEAT BELT BUCKLE ASSEMBLIES. THE BUCKLE BASE OF THESE SEAT BELT ASSEMBLIES WERE NOT PROPERLY HEAT TREATED AND THEREFORE DO NOT PASS THE LOAD BEARING REQUIREMENT OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 209, "SEAT BELT ASSEMBLIES."

Safety risk

IN THE EVENT OF A VEHICLE CRASH, THE OCCUPANT MAY NOT BE PROPERLY RESTRAINED.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE VEHICLE'S SAFETY BELT BUCKLE ASSEMBLY DATE CODES AND, IF NECESSARY, WILL REPLACE ANY SAFETY BELT BUCKLE ASSEMBLY.

Owner complaints

A complaint is one person's report to a federal agency. It is not a finding.

ComponentComplaintsMedian mileage
Power train: automatic transmission1329,000 mi
Vehicle speed control1255,400 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip828,997 mi
Visibility: power window devices and controls8100,000 mi
Electrical system7130,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: engine741,200 mi
Engine and engine cooling668,450 mi
Structure634,000 mi
Vehicle speed control: cruise control632,500 mi
Power train5100,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components5
Steering528,997 mi
Tires528,997 mi
Air bags: frontal411,581 mi
Electrical system: horn4
Engine4111,601 mi
Engine and engine cooling: cooling system440,000 mi
Service brakes453,000 mi
Visibility: windshield4
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system313,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: emission control: catalytic convertor360,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: manifold/header/muffler/tail pipe372,400 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic34,500 mi
Unknown or other370,000 mi
Electrical system: instrument cluster/panel254,800 mi
Engine and engine cooling: engine: gasoline2
Exterior lighting2130,000 mi
Power train: automatic transmission: gear position indication (PRNDL)228,997 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: rotor2
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings29,500 mi
Steering: steering wheel/handle bar2
Steering: linkages: tie rod assembly228,000 mi
Suspension248,000 mi
Tires: sidewall2
Visibility: windshield wiper/washer2
Air bags1124,430 mi
Electrical system: 12V/24V/48V battery1
Electrical system: ignition: module1
Electrical system: wiring136,000 mi
Electrical system: wiring: rear compartment/trunk1
Electronic stability control (ESC)1100,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: cooling system: radiator assembly148,500 mi
Equipment1138,000 mi
Equipment: mechanical: accessory scissor/screw/bottle jack/lift119,700 mi
Exterior lighting: headlights1
Exterior lighting: headlights: switch16,000 mi
Fuel system, gasoline1160,897 mi
Fuel system, gasoline: storage: tank assembly1
Fuel/propulsion system1
Interior lighting1
Latches/locks/linkages: trunk lid: lock143,000 mi
Power train: automatic transmission: park/neutral start interlock switch1
Seat belts195,000 mi
Seat belts: front130,000 mi
Seat belts: rear/other1
Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip: ABS warning light1
Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip: control unit/module1
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc1
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: caliper1
Steering: column141,200 mi
Steering: hydraulic power assist system1
Steering: rack and pinion1
Structure: body: trunk lid1
Structure: frame and members: underbody shields15,000 mi
Suspension: front132,787 mi
Suspension: front: macpherson strut1
Tires: tread/belt1
Tires: valve198,000 mi
Vehicle speed control: accelerator pedal145,000 mi
Visibility: defroster/defogger/hvac system1
Visibility: windshield wiper/washer: switch/wiring16,000 mi

The 2000 model has about half as many complaints as this one. The 2002 model has roughly the same number of complaints as this one. These figures reflect raw complaint counts, not failure rates. Higher-selling model years naturally receive more complaints.

Safety recall repairs are provided free of charge by franchised dealers, regardless of vehicle age or mileage. This page displays aggregated data for the model year. To check recall status for a specific vehicle, search its VIN at nhtsa.gov.