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Engine coolingPart report

2001 Buick Century Engine cooling Problems

Complaints
27about this part
Share
19%of 145 total for the year
Median mileage
57,500miles
Trend
StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.

NHTSA recorded 27 complaints about the engine cooling of the 2001 Buick Century, 19% of the 145 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 57,500 miles.

Example complaints

Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.

“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

“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. When I arrived at my destination, my son informed me that he had the same problem with his wife's 1999 Buick Century, added a sealant to the radiator and it seemed fine. …”

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

“Tappets sound on a 2001 Buick Century tappets were replaced twice until I was informed that all GM 2001 cars had this defect. It seems that oil is not getting to the center cylinders, because the connecting feeds are too small. Problem that can develop is the engine can seize.”

NHTSA complaint #10224968, filed 2008-04, 70,000 miles

“While driving 60 MPH the low coolant sensor light came on. The consumer brought the vehicle to the repair shop where they states the intake manifold gasket had malfunctioned. Please provide additional information.”

NHTSA complaint #10108609, filed 2005-02, 85,000 miles

“About a month ago the check engine light came on. Because of the cost to have a mechanic hook up the obdii monitor I didn't take the vehicle in right away, hoping it was simply due to a dirty sensor or loose gas cap (which has been the root cause before in other vehicles). Shortly after the check engine light incident the temp gage and heater started acting funny. Starting in the morning the heater only provided lukewarm air at best. Then the temp gauge would spike really fast and the coolant alarm would come on. …”

NHTSA complaint #10117965, filed 2005-04, 40,000 miles

Related service bulletins

Engine cooling: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
2005211%
20031310%
20022516%
20012719%
20002111%
19995523%
19982210%
199777%
1996911%
19951111%
19941413%
19931019%
199249%
1991513%
1990515%
1989513%
1987311%
1986627%
1985343%
1984225%

Other parts of the 2001 Buick Century

Brakes
26 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
21 complaintsVehicle speed control
19 complaintsElectrical system
17 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
15 complaintsSteering
11 complaintsBody and structure
8 complaintsTires
8 complaintsAir bags
5 complaintsEngine
4 complaintsExterior lighting
4 complaintsSuspension
4 complaints

← All problems reported for the 2001 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