1997 Buick Century Exterior lighting Problems
- Complaints
- 9about this part
- Share
- 8%of 106 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 89,887miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 9 complaints about the exterior lighting of the 1997 Buick Century, 8% of the 106 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 89,887 miles. 1 recall campaign on record is filed under a similar system.
Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“The contact owns a 1997 Buick Century. The contact was driving 65 MPH when the turn signal lights failed. The dealer was notified and stated they would not repair the vehicle. The vehicle was then taken to a personal mechanic who noticed that there was smoke coming from the wiring of the turn signals. The vehicle was repaired. The failure and the current mileage was 89,887. ... Updated 08-07-12 the turn signal switch inside the steering column was replaced. Updated 08/09/12”
NHTSA complaint #10464291, filed 2012-07, 89,887 miles“Both headlight covers which came as clear plastic have developed a film in side of them which the dealer does not want to try to remove as he would have to break the seal. The problem has been getting slowly worse and is somewhat restricting the headlighs ability to let light pass through. Replacement cost at $288.oo each would be $604.80 including tax. A little steep for two pieces of plastic. Anyway I thought you might be interested. Thanks.”
NHTSA complaint #758531, filed 2002-02“Design of headlights creates shadow or dark area on each side of vehicle, impairs drivers vision, cannot see to left/right when making turns at intersection/around sharp corners, could cause crash.”
NHTSA complaint #816566, filed 1997-09Related recalls
- 98V102000May 15, 1998Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. The owner manuals do not contain the requirement information pertaining to the vehicle headlamp aiming device. This…Covers: Buick Century 1997–1998, Regal 1997–1998, Oldsmobile Intrigue 1999
Exterior lighting: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2005 | 8 | 42% |
| 2004 | 11 | 28% |
| 2003 | 48 | 38% |
| 2002 | 24 | 16% |
| 2001 | 4 | 3% |
| 2000 | 14 | 7% |
| 1999 | 24 | 10% |
| 1998 | 21 | 10% |
| 1997 | 9 | 8% |
| 1996 | 2 | 3% |
| 1995 | 3 | 3% |
| 1994 | 3 | 3% |
| 1992 | 2 | 4% |
| 1990 | 1 | 3% |
Other parts of the 1997 Buick Century
20 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
16 complaintsSeat belts
15 complaintsSteering
15 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 31, 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