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Buick CenturyModel year report

2001 Buick Century Problems

Complaints
145filed with NHTSA
Median mileage
54,800miles, 81 complaints with mileage
Recalls
3campaigns on record
Trend
RisingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% higher than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA crash rating
—overall rating starts with 2011 models
EPA fuel economy
21 mpgcombined, 3.1L 6-cyl FWD · 18 city / 26 hwy

Sources: NHTSA records for the 2001 Buick Century (complaints, recalls, investigations), NHTSA crash tests, EPA fuel economy. Report an error

What owners report

Owners of this model year most often write about the brakes and the cruise control. In brake complaints the pedal sinks toward the floor or the car does not stop, and the repair frequently turns out to be rusted-through steel brake lines. In speed-control complaints the car accelerates while cruise is set, or after the turn signal or a bump, until the cruise switch or brake is used. Older vehicles also draw reports of harsh transmission shifting and of coolant loss with a sweet-smelling heater and rising temperature gauge.

  1. Vehicle speed control

    Cruise control accelerates on its own

    • 18 complaints (12%)
    • median 51,000 mi at 6.9 yrs old (15 state mileage)
    • filed 2002–2024

    Owners report the car speeding up with cruise engaged and not stopping at the set speed until the brake or the cruise switch is used. Many say cruise engages by itself when the turn signal or wiper stalk is moved, or after a bump, and some describe the engine racing while parked. Complaints mention cruise modules, levers and cables being replaced, often without a lasting fix, and dealers saying the behavior was not familiar to them. Reported across a wide range, from under 1,000 miles to about 110,000 miles, and at various speeds.

    1 related service bulletin

    What to check: Test the cruise control on a quiet road, including whether it engages when the turn signal stalk is moved, and ask for any repair history on the cruise module, lever and cable.

    2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

    “I purchased a 2001 Buick Century with lest than 1000 miles on it from the original order. In just a short time, it began to surge when the cruise control was on. It would keep accelerating until you turned it off. It still does this from time to time. I have checked with Buick dealers, but they don't seem to know why. Sometimes it surges when you use the turning signal also.”

    NHTSA complaint #10328844, filed 2010-05, 1,200 miles

    “For almost the entire time of 16 years of owning this car, the set cruise control often times speeds uncontrollably. Have replaced the module twice but continues to happen. Local Buick dealer tells me they have not heard of this before. I firmly believe they are untruthful.”

    NHTSA complaint #10990906, filed 2017-05, 110,000 miles
  2. Transmission and drivetrain

    Harsh shifting and transmission failure

    • 18 complaints (12%)
    • median 68,221 mi at 5.9 yrs old (12 state mileage)
    • filed 2002–2015

    Complaints describe hard, jerking shifts once the transmission is warm, a whine, slipping, or the car failing to move forward, sometimes with a diagnostic code noted and a rebuild or replacement recommended. A few describe internal parts such as a bearing or sun gear failing and debris spreading through the unit. Some owners say the transmission had already been rebuilt once. Mostly reported between about 46,000 and 125,000 miles, often after the car warms up or on a restart.

    3 related service bulletins

    What to check: Drive long enough for the transmission to reach full temperature and feel for hard shifts, and ask whether the fluid has been serviced or the unit rebuilt.

    2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

    “We purchased this car (as is) for our grandson. On our way home from the dealer, as soon as the transmission warmed up (4-5 miles), the shifting was hard and jerking with a whine coming from the transmission. Took the car to a garage which found the computer code of p1811 and were told a complete rebuild would be necessary. Went online and discovered many others had complaints of the same nature. Would hope GM would come forward with reimbursement since its transmission in this model was incorrectly designed. …”

    NHTSA complaint #10717021, filed 2015-05, 63,334 miles

    “We bought are Century like 3 months ago with 109k on it we noticed the transmission was shifting hard when car is warmed up or restarted GM current knows about just feeling it not there problem well it is a costly one to car owns as I read on the internet over 50 thousand complaints for this issue I feel GM has to recall this issue its there mistake not mine are Century other wise is a fine car but dash is out for odo and that GM cutting corners as well its poor penmenship on their behalf as car makers and we love them but we need them to do …”

    NHTSA complaint #10520902, filed 2013-06, 111,000 miles
  3. Brakes

    Rusted brake lines, pedal to the floor

    • 7 complaints (5%)
    • median 53,000 mi at 9.8 yrs old (7 state mileage, few)
    • 2 mention a crash, fire or injury
    • filed 2005–2014

    Owners describe the brake pedal going most of the way to the floor, sometimes while backing out of a driveway or stopping in traffic, with a longer stopping distance or no braking at all. Several say a shop found steel brake lines rusted through and leaking fluid, and had lines replaced. Some note the failure came on with little warning, and a few mention the fuel line or other lines also looking corroded. Reported from about 9,500 to 124,000 miles, with many cases in the 28,000 to 68,000 mile range.

    What to check: Have the steel brake lines along the frame rails and firewall inspected for corrosion and fluid seepage, and ask whether any lines have already been replaced.

    2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

    “Backing out of the driveway my brakes went straight to the floor. Luckily I was able to apply the parking brakes to stop the vehicle. After inspection, the brake lines have completely rotted out causing a rear brake line to burst. All four brake lines have now been replaced.”

    NHTSA complaint #10489152, filed 2012-12, 65,000 miles

    “Applied brake in preparation to reverse, from driveway heard a pop and brake pedal went to floor. Brake did seem a bit soft the previous day when parking car after short trip. Luckily did not lose brakes in traffic!! Upon visual inspection brake fluid leaking from frame rails left and right side of vehicle due to rusted out brake lines.”

    NHTSA complaint #10608332, filed 2014-07, 53,000 miles
  4. Engine cooling

    Coolant loss and intake manifold gasket leaks

    • 15 complaints (10%)
    • median 64,225 mi at 5.6 yrs old (12 state mileage)
    • filed 2004–2017

    Owners describe the heater blowing only lukewarm air, the temperature gauge spiking, and the low-coolant light coming on. Repairs are commonly reported as an intake manifold gasket replacement, with coolant mixing with oil in some cases. Some mention a coolant smell, and one owner notes a repair bill for an intake manifold gasket. Reported from roughly 38,000 to 111,000 miles, sometimes noticed on longer trips.

    4 related service bulletins

    What to check: Check the coolant level and its condition, look for coolant seepage or a milky residue under the oil filler cap, and ask whether the intake manifold gasket has been replaced.

    2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

    “The temperature light came on and the gauge read hot on my 2001 Buick Century at the beginning of a 200 mile trip. I took the next exit, found a station with a mechanic and asked to have him check the water level in the radiator. He said the Buick Century has a history of this particular problem and advised that I watch the temperature gauge and take the car to the dealer upon my return home. …”

    NHTSA complaint #10142345, filed 2005-11, 48,500 miles

    “Car heater would not warm up. Temperature would then fluxuate between hot and cold. Took the car to the dealership, the dealership diagnosed the problem as intake manifold gasket failure. Coolant mixed in with oil in the engine. Dealership service department required to keep car overnight to fix the problem. Needed a rental car and no loaner was available. Gm agreed to split the cost of the intake manifold gasket repair 50/50, but would not cover the cost of a rental car. …”

    NHTSA complaint #10172408, filed 2006-11, 68,450 miles
  5. Electrical system

    Headlights and interior lights cutting out

    Mentioned in 6 of 60 sampled complaints

    Complaints describe the low beams going out while driving at night, or all interior and exterior lights failing when the high beam is switched on, with the multifunction switch identified as the part replaced. Owners also report the gear position and odometer display on the instrument cluster going blank, and window regulators letting glass drop into the door. Reported from about 46,000 to 190,000 miles, often on cars several years old.

    What to check: Test the headlights on both settings and check that the instrument cluster still shows gear position and mileage; ask about replacement of the multifunction switch or window regulators.

    2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

    “Low beam headlights suddenly stopped working while driving at night. I bought the car used a year ago, and the multifunction switch was replaced just before I bought it. After doing some investigation, I discover it's a very common, almost universal problem with these vehicles that costs almost $800 to repair. Gm hasn't issued a recall for this defect.... Yes, I said defect.”

    NHTSA complaint #10619532, filed 2014-08, 190,000 miles

    “Consumer turned on high beam in 2001 Buick Century and all lighting failed inside vehicle and outside. ***no answer required*** the consumer was told there was a switch that was shortening out the headlights. The consumer stated the first time she had a switch replaced, it was due to a problem with the windshield wipers.”

    NHTSA complaint #10149747, filed 2006-01, 6,000 miles

Buying note. On this model year, ask for documented brake line condition and a transmission fluid or rebuild history before anything else, and test the cruise control and headlights yourself on a test drive. Given the age, a pre-purchase inspection that includes the cooling system and underbody lines is worth the cost.

Summary written with AI from a sample of 60 NHTSA complaints for this model year (picked at random, with complaints that state a mileage and recent ones taken first), then checked automatically against the source records. Where a problem shows a complaint count, every complaint for this model year was matched with fixed keyword rules (written with AI and tested against the sample), and the mileage, age and repair figures are calculated from those complaints; owners' figures are as stated, not verified. Other counts refer to the sample. The excerpts come from NHTSA's public complaint records and are unverified; capitalisation is normalised, NHTSA staff notes are removed, and shortened text ends with “…”. Something wrong? Request a correction.

NHTSA recorded 145 consumer complaints for the 2001 Buick Century. 81 of the complaints include a mileage, and 43% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 54,800 miles. Of all complaints, 9 involved a crash, 2 a fire, 5 an injury, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns and 276 technical service bulletins for this model year.

Not compared (before 2008). Model years 2008–2023 of the same vehicle that have at least 25 complaints are compared, and a model needs at least 3 of them.

Which parts are reported most

Complaints can name more than one part, so the counts add up to more than the total. Select a part to see its complaints, recalls and bulletins.

Also reported: Engine (4), Exterior lighting (4), Suspension (4), Fuel system (3), Other or unknown (3), Seat belts (3), Equipment (2), Electronic stability control (1), Interior lighting (1), Latches, locks and linkages (1).

Example complaints

Engine cooling: “The 2001 Buick Century was not shifting well and ran out of transmission fluid. When the reservoir for transmission fluid was refilled the fluid ran out quickly and I took the car into the local dealer to be repaired. They told me all the fluids were mixing and that if it was not fixed the antifreze and water would have leaked into the oil and blew the motor because the lower intake maniforld gasket was bad. The bill from the dealer accounts for leaking transmission fluid lines and the li manifold gasket. …”

NHTSA complaint #10116662, filed 2005-04, 71,000 miles

Brakes: “I was traveling in heavy stop and go traffic traveling at about 40mph when the vehicle in front of me stopped, I applied the brakes hard but the vehicle did not stop and I tried to sway into the shoulder but hit the vehicle in front of me. There was plenty of space to stop but the brakes failed to stop the vehicle. Note: the air bags did not deploy.”

NHTSA complaint #10545309, filed 2013-09, 124,430 miles

Transmission and drivetrain: “Had transmission replaced at authorized gmc dealership may 2006 .this came with a warranty. Several times over several summers since then have taken vehicle into dealership with concerns that happened after vehicle would be driven in high humidity high temperature days after traveling a minimum of 60 miles mostly on state highways that are quite rough and curvy, I.e. It would take about 90 minutes or more togo this distance. …”

NHTSA complaint #10649824, filed 2014-10, 100,000 miles

Vehicle speed control: “Turned on speed control while driving on interstate, pressed set button to set the speed. The cruise indicator light came on. The car accelerated on its own. My speed went from 65 MPH to 80 MPH in a few seconds. I depressed the set button again to decelerate, but when I released the set button, the car immediately accelerated again. I depressed the brake to stop the acceleration & turned the speed control switch to the off position.”

NHTSA complaint #10765156, filed 2015-09, 55,400 miles

Mileage when problems were reported

43% of the 81 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 32,500 and 89,000 miles.

7%0–106%10–2530%25–5026%50–7511%75–10016%100–1504%150+
Share of complaints by mileage when the problem was reported, in thousands of miles (81 complaints with mileage). Red bars: under 50,000 miles. Bucket widths differ. Median: 54,800 miles.

Complaints by year filed

Trend: rising. Complaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% higher than in the 3 years before.

’0027’03’06’09’12’15’24
Complaints by year the complaint was filed with NHTSA. Red bars: the last 3 full calendar years used for the trend. The current year (2026) is partial.

Crash test ratings

NHTSA's 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2001 Buick Century. Frontal results are shown driver / passenger; rollover shows the star rating and NHTSA's estimated risk of rolling over in a single-vehicle crash.

VersionOverallFrontalSideSide poleRollover
Century · sedan (side air bags) not rated4 / 3———
Century · sedan not rated4 / 3———

Ratings before the 2011 model year come from an older, less demanding test and are not comparable with ratings for 2011 and later.

Source: NHTSA New Car Assessment Program (5-Star Safety Ratings), nhtsa.gov/ratings.

Fuel economy and running cost

EPA ratings for each 2001 Buick Century version. Annual fuel cost is the EPA's estimate at its current fuel prices for 15,000 miles a year (55% city driving).

VersionEngineTransmissionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yr
Century FWD3.1L 6-cyl4-speed automatic182621$3,200

Source: U.S. EPA and Department of Energy, fueleconomy.gov. Ratings are for comparing vehicles; real-world mileage varies with driving and conditions.

Recalls and investigations

Recall details for the 2001 Buick Century → · Check a VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls

Technical service bulletins

TSBs are manufacturer notes to dealers about known repair procedures. They are not recalls and do not by themselves mean a vehicle has a fault. 276 on record; the latest 10 are shown.

See all 276 bulletins →

Other model years of the Buick Century

YearComplaintsMedian miRecallsCrash ★MPGScore (50 = typical)Trend
20051968,9770—21—Rising
20043973,0000—21Not compared (before 2008)Falling
200312763,5460—21Not compared (before 2008)Falling
200215462,0000—21Not compared (before 2008)Falling
200114554,8003—21Not compared (before 2008)Rising
200019360,9355—21Not compared (before 2008)Falling
199923556,5003—21Not compared (before 2008)Stable
199821857,9722—21Not compared (before 2008)Falling
199710694,9442——Not compared (before 2008)Stable
19968075,5501—21Not compared (before 2008)Falling
19959992,5001—20Not compared (before 2008)Falling
199410688,5006—22Not compared (before 2008)Stable
199354123,0002—21Not compared (before 2008)Stable
19924594,5003—20Not compared (before 2008)Stable
19913845,0822—20Not compared (before 2008)Stable
199033—2—21Not compared (before 2008)Stable
198940110,0001—21Not compared (before 2008)Stable
198816—3—21—Stable
19872890,0000—20Not compared (before 2008)Stable
198622100,0002—20—Stable
19857—0—19—Not enough data
19848—3—20—Not enough data

All Buick Century model years · Best and worst years by complaints

Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 2001 Buick Century?

Owners of this model year most often write about the brakes and the cruise control. The issues reported most often: Cruise control accelerates on its own; Harsh shifting and transmission failure; Rusted brake lines, pedal to the floor.

How many NHTSA complaints does the 2001 Buick Century have?

NHTSA recorded 145 consumer complaints for the 2001 Buick Century as of Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

What part of the 2001 Buick Century is reported most often?

Engine cooling is named most often, in 27 complaints (19% of the total), followed by brakes with 26.

Has the 2001 Buick Century been recalled?

NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What gas mileage does the 2001 Buick Century get?

The EPA rates the 2001 Buick Century (Century, 3.1L 6-cyl) at 21 mpg combined, 18 city and 26 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $3,200 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.

At what mileage are problems with the 2001 Buick Century reported?

Among the 81 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 54,800 miles and the middle half falls between 32,500 and 89,000 miles; 43% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate. Crash ratings are from NHTSA’s New Car Assessment Program. Fuel economy is from the EPA and DOE (fueleconomy.gov).

Complaint counts come from NHTSA’s public complaint database; we count each complaint once. The source records for this vehicle are on nhtsa.gov. Scores and trends are our own summaries of that data, described in the methodology. This page is not legal, safety or repair advice: for a specific vehicle, check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and ask a qualified mechanic. See an error? Tell us.