1997 Buick Century Electrical system Problems
- Complaints
- 20about this part
- Share
- 19%of 106 total for the year
- Median mileage
- —not reported
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 20 complaints about the electrical system of the 1997 Buick Century, 19% of the 106 complaints for this model year. 1 of these say a crash was involved and 1 a fire, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“Due to design and location of horn assembly, which is connected to air bags, and upon attemtping to sound off horn in an emergency situation when making a left or right hand turn, buttons are hard to locate. Consumer has contacted dealer. The whole air bag and horn assembly was replaced . The horn blowing is slightly improved but still impossible to blow when trying to turn.”
NHTSA complaint #870858, filed 2000-09“It's very difficult for consumer to honk the horn because the bottom horn is so small and so hard that he couldn't operate it. Causing consumer to have an accident. *akthe service manager told to the consumer that the only way to correct this problem was to replace the entire car and that the horn area could not be done.”
NHTSA complaint #831329, filed 1998-11“The electronic display module second time after replacing in my 1997 Buick Century does not display and the part cost $300-500 and its not something like a bulb and nobody want s to address this issue .”
NHTSA complaint #10058279, filed 2004-02“Ongoing problem with odometer light in the instrument panel intermittently blinking, and vehicle would not start. Vehicle has been to two different dealers, and problem still occurring.”
NHTSA complaint #861216, filed 2000-05“Horn button requires excessive physical effort to activate, this resulted in a collision due to the driver not being able to depress horn button to warn other driver.”
NHTSA complaint #537985, filed 1998-07Related service bulletins
- 10171318Jan 31, 2020This Preliminary Information communicates to the dealer the process for downloading or updating operating software for the Tire Pressure Monitor, Active Fuel Injector tester…
- 10157018Sep 20, 2017This Preliminary Information communicates to the dealer the process for downloading or updating operating software for the Tire Pressure Monitor, Active Fuel Injector tester…
- 10113443Feb 22, 2017This Preliminary Information communicates to the dealer the process for downloading or updating operating software for the Tire Pressure Monitor, Active Fuel Injector tester…
Electrical system: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2005 | 6 | 32% |
| 2004 | 5 | 13% |
| 2003 | 23 | 18% |
| 2002 | 24 | 16% |
| 2001 | 17 | 12% |
| 2000 | 20 | 10% |
| 1999 | 15 | 6% |
| 1998 | 26 | 12% |
| 1997 | 20 | 19% |
| 1996 | 6 | 8% |
| 1995 | 6 | 6% |
| 1994 | 10 | 9% |
| 1993 | 5 | 9% |
| 1992 | 8 | 18% |
| 1991 | 8 | 21% |
| 1990 | 6 | 18% |
| 1989 | 3 | 8% |
| 1988 | 1 | 6% |
| 1987 | 3 | 11% |
| 1986 | 4 | 18% |
| 1985 | 1 | 14% |
| 1984 | 2 | 25% |
Other parts of the 1997 Buick Century
16 complaintsSeat belts
15 complaintsSteering
15 complaintsExterior lighting
9 complaintsEngine cooling
7 complaintsAir bags
6 complaintsBrakes
6 complaintsEquipment
5 complaintsSuspension
5 complaintsBody and structure
4 complaintsFuel system
3 complaintsTires
3 complaints
← All problems reported for the 1997 Buick Century
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 28, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology