2003 Buick Century Electrical system Problems
- Complaints
- 23about this part
- Share
- 18%of 127 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 87,188miles
- Trend
- FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 23 complaints about the electrical system of the 2003 Buick Century, 18% of the 127 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 87,188 miles. 1 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“When using turn signals car dies, all the dash lights flash and click. If I pull over and put the car in park it restarts and drives fine until I try the turn signal again then the same thing happens. I also had to disconnect the emergency brake sensor or else the same thing happens. Flashing, clicking and car dies. Now, whenever car is in gear, constant dinging and it will drive fine but I cannot use the turn signals.”
NHTSA complaint #10625827, filed 2014-08, 45,000 miles“I was driving on the highway at about 4:00 am, when the lights suddenly went out, and I did not even have park lights. After about a half hour I was able to get the park lights to work and go on to our son's house using only my park lights. Then I finally got the lights to burn enough to finish my trip using low beams. The high beam would just go off and only the low beams would work. This has happened many times since then. …”
NHTSA complaint #10587273, filed 2014-05, 100,000 miles“Instrument cluster on 2003 Buick Century doesn't work , I understand this is common on this car and very expensive to fix. I feel GM should be accountable. Also, the head gasket is blown I was told by a garage that it was the type of coolant they used and also very common on these cars. These are clearly defects in their product and they should be recalled. I have bought american cars all my life but I,m done with them ,they don't stand behind their product.”
NHTSA complaint #10369014, filed 2010-12, 60,000 miles“The internal panel lights go off when I turned on the head lights. I could no longer read my gauges or speedometer. The head lights still work but I feel this is the same complaint that many on the internet have complained about with there head lights going off. When will mine stop working? This problem has existed with buicks since 1998 and I consider very dangerous problem. The dealer wants almost 700.00 to replace the dimmer switch the car is a 2003 Buick Century.”
NHTSA complaint #10365498, filed 2010-11, 86,000 miles“I had driven my 2003 Buick Century at least halfway into a parking space in a parking lot when it suddenly lurched forward like a bat out of hell, leaping up over a curb on an upward slope, swiping a cement lightpost on the left, crashing into another car across its left front, bumping down over a curb, then crashing up and over two more curbs. With divine help I was able to avoid other cars and steer it to a stop, then drive gingerly into the original parking space. Since I was originally in the process of slowing to a stop, my right foot was on the brake at all times. …”
NHTSA complaint #10821600, filed 2016-01, 120,000 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.
- 10244214Sep 21, 2023This informational bulletin provides information for the IPC odometer programming method quick reference guide.
- 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…
- 10176649May 20, 2020This informational bulletin provides information for the IPC odometer programming method quick reference guide.
- 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…
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 2003 Buick Century
48 complaintsBrakes
16 complaintsEngine cooling
13 complaintsBody and structure
11 complaintsSteering
7 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
6 complaintsVehicle speed control
6 complaintsSuspension
5 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
5 complaintsFuel system
4 complaintsTires
4 complaintsAir bags
3 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2003 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