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BrakesPart report

2001 Buick Century Brakes Problems

Complaints
26about this part
Share
18%of 145 total for the year
Median mileage
44,500miles
Trend
StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.

NHTSA recorded 26 complaints about the brakes of the 2001 Buick Century, 18% of the 145 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 44,500 miles. 3 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.

“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

“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

“While in motion there was a thumping noise emmiting from the right front tire. The steering wheel locked and the key would not return it to it's normal postion. Also there is a problem with the brakes, also the gear would not shift out of park.”

NHTSA complaint #10001497, filed 2003-01, 28,997 miles

“When stopping for a red light the brake pedal suddenly went most of the way to the floor and the car ends up in the intersection due to longer stopping distance. Upon inspection, the metal brake line from the ABS unit, running across the firewall to the right front wheel, has completely rusted through. All the brake fluid blew out of the brake circuit when the line ruptured during the stop. Upon further inspection, two other steel brake lines and the steel fuel feed line are about to rust through and fail as well. I have never seen brake and fuel lines rust through like this! Nine years old. …”

NHTSA complaint #10331824, filed 2010-05, 82,000 miles

Related service bulletins

Brakes: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
2005316%
200425%
20031613%
20022315%
20012618%
20003116%
19992912%
19982913%
199766%
19961316%
19952424%
19942019%
199347%
19921227%
1991924%
199026%
198913%
198816%
198727%
1986314%
1985229%
1984113%

Other parts of the 2001 Buick Century

Engine cooling
27 complaints
Transmission and drivetrain
21 complaints
Vehicle speed control
19 complaints
Electrical system
17 complaints
Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
15 complaints
Steering
11 complaints
Body and structure
8 complaints
Tires
8 complaints
Air bags
5 complaints
Engine
4 complaints
Exterior lighting
4 complaints
Suspension
4 complaints

← All problems reported for the 2001 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