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Engine coolingPart report

2003 Buick Century Engine cooling Problems

Complaints
13about this part
Share
10%of 127 total for the year
Median mileage
47,600miles
Trend
Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.

NHTSA recorded 13 complaints about the engine cooling of the 2003 Buick Century, 10% of the 127 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 47,600 miles. 1 a fire, according to the filers.

Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.

Example complaints

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

“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

“My 2003 Buick Century started running bad so I took it to a dealer and they found that the bolts holding down the rocker arms had stripped out of the head. The vehicle was 2000 miles out of warranty and GM would only agree to pay for parts, I had to pay $1276.46 for labor. To me this is a manufacturing defect in the parts and I should not have had to pay for anything.”

NHTSA complaint #10072393, filed 2004-05, 38,784 miles

“2003 Buick Century 4dr - I have had for almost six years and this happened only one time. Thank god. I left walmart on side street, slowed for stop sign ahead, the engine went completely dead, lights and instruments out, I came to sudden stop. Could not restart car, doorlocks had automatically clicked, locking us inside, we could not release or open doors. We were locked inside our car. Luckily I wore cellphone. About ten minutes later, out of the blue, the power came back on all at once, lights came on. I was able to restart engine and unlock the doors. …”

NHTSA complaint #10278396, filed 2009-07, 61,486 miles

“Every Buick owner, I have talked to at about 80,000 to 100,000 miles has to replace intake manifold and bolts. This is about a $1200.00 job, gaskets and bolts should last a lot longer.”

NHTSA complaint #10678391, filed 2015-01, 87,253 miles

“The contact owns a 2003 Buick Century. The contact stated that the steering wheel became difficult to turn. The vehicle was taken to a dealer, who informed the contact that the vehicle was overheating. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 40,000.”

NHTSA complaint #10617359, filed 2014-07, 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 2003 Buick Century

Exterior lighting
48 complaintsElectrical system
23 complaintsBrakes
16 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