2002 Buick Century Electrical system Problems
- Complaints
- 24about this part
- Share
- 16%of 154 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 80,000miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 24 complaints about the electrical system of the 2002 Buick Century, 16% of the 154 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 80,000 miles. 3 a fire, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“Intake leaking antifreeze - cost too much to repair for me. My only car to get to work. Replacing bearings today for sticking back brakes. All interior accessories are broken; cosmetic mirror, ashtray, center console, passenger windshield wiper stripped motor, 1 window working. Still owe on car but cannot fix everything. Any help ????”
NHTSA complaint #10970588, filed 2017-04, 150,000 miles“On three GM vehicles that I know of (02 Century, 05 Century, 06 grand prix) the headlights will go out on high beam unexpectedly. Replacing the headlight high beam switch fixes the problem. The 06 grand prix was still under warranty but the dealer refused to correct the problem. They said that until the switch fails completely they will not replace it. Going 70 down the interstate at night and suddenly no lights is not very safe. I know my vehicle (02 Century) was high mileage but the other two are not. …”
NHTSA complaint #10300392, filed 2010-01, 140,000 miles“I have three lights coming on {check engine soon}{anti lock &trac off} this has been going on for over two years and several trips to the garage is not getting it repaired. I am told when these lights are on I lose antilock breaks and traction control. ] ]”
NHTSA complaint #10135081, filed 2005-09, 32,040 miles“Each time I exit my 2002 Buick Century I get shocked. It has increased in intensity, and I sometimes get shocked twice. I took my vehicle in to have the local dealership look it over, as well as check to see if any of the recalls on the vehicle had been taken care of, as it was a program car. I was assured that none of the numerous recalls on the 2002 Buick Century applied to my care. I was also told that there is nothing they can do about my being shocked when I exit the vehicle after driving it. …”
NHTSA complaint #10013929, filed 2003-04, 33,344 miles“The odometer cluster lights go out and sometimes come back on for a few minutes and back off while driving. Therefore you can not see mileage and the shifting of gears. The dealer recommends sending it back to the factory for 2 weeks while they repair it at a cost of $ 2000.00 or drive the car without repairing.”
NHTSA complaint #10640858, filed 2014-10, 108,152 milesRelated service bulletins
- 11009156Oct 25, 2024This Preliminary Information communicates to the dealer the process for downloading or updating operating software for the Tire Pressure Monitor, Active Fuel Injector tester…
- 11006621Aug 26, 2024Vehicle Wide Programming (VWP) is a new process to update software on GM Vehicles. It provides the ability via a single selection within Techline Connect to first identify which…
- 11002312Jun 6, 2024This service bulletin provides information for dealers/technicians on Service Programming System (SPS) Error Codes E4398, E4399, E4401, E4403, M4404, M4413, M6954, M6955, E4414…
- 10252735Mar 28, 2024This bulletin provides information for electrical ground repairs using new General Motors replacement fasteners with conductive finish.
- 10225615Oct 19, 2022This service bulletin provides information on Module Harvesting.
- 10198890May 25, 2021This service bulletin provides diagnostic tips/steps on testing for possible EVAP leaks in the system to correct a customer concern of an MIL Illuminated with DTCs P0442 and/or…
- 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…
- 10167434Oct 10, 2019This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vibration complaints that are one of the most challenging complaints to accurately…
- 10163268Jun 26, 2019This bulletin provides information for electrical ground repairs using new General Motors replacement fasteners with conductive finish.
- 10158863Mar 15, 2019This bulletin provides information for electrical ground repairs using new replacement fasteners with "conductive finish".
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 2002 Buick Century
25 complaintsExterior lighting
24 complaintsBrakes
23 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
21 complaintsSteering
11 complaintsAir bags
8 complaintsEngine
8 complaintsFuel system
7 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
7 complaintsVehicle speed control
7 complaintsBody and structure
6 complaintsOther or unknown
5 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2002 Buick Century
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.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology