2003 Buick Century Transmission and drivetrain Problems
- Complaints
- 6about this part
- Share
- 5%of 127 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 88,650miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 6 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 2003 Buick Century, 5% of the 127 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 88,650 miles.
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.
“Almost every time the headlights are changed from high to low beams the lights will shut off compleatly and I will have no headligts at all, I have gone out and purchased a new turnsignal switch and plan to put it in as soon as posible and I will have the old part still. The front drive assembely will grind any time a tire loses traction and spins in either the rain or snow on pavement or off the road in a driveway so my car has been driving in one wheel drive instead of two wheel drive, I have not had the chance to go and buy a new drive axel assembely to correct the problem.”
NHTSA complaint #10321892, filed 2010-03, 113,591 miles“2003 Buick Century has 90,000 miles. Transmission shifts hard on acceleration/deceleration. Obd ii reports DTC of p0742 - torque converter circuit stuck on. Transmission repair shop, and internet search indicate common problem with these type of GM transmissions. Estimate to fix $1900 to $2400. If this is a manufacturing defect, shouldn't GM resolve at no or nominal cost to owner of car?”
NHTSA complaint #10139205, filed 2005-10, 88,650 miles“The indicator light for the park, reverse, drive has been going on and off for years my 84 year old uncle never new what gear he was in and he gave me the car in 09 and we call on it and they told us their was no recall and 9 month ago it finally went out completely we have to count so we know what gear we are in and you can't see the mileage I think this is a safety hazard to the older people.”
NHTSA complaint #10651656, filed 2014-10“The 2003 has a number of issues. 1. The lights turn off at random in the dark. This has happened on numerous occasions. 2. The brakes need to be replaced roughly every 8 months. My mechanic said the Buick Century has brakes that are not adequate for the weight of the car. Costly! 3. Oil system leaks, complete breakdown. $1200 to replace the system. 4. The dials on the temp control come off. I am trading this pos off before it costs me more money!”
NHTSA complaint #10211936, filed 2007-12“The contact owns a 2003 Buick Century. While driving at an unknown speed, the vehicle began to decelerate and jerk violently. The contact stated that it was difficult to maneuver the power steering when making a turn or approaching a traffic light. The vehicle was diagnosed by the dealer more than five times and the rack and pinion was replaced, but the failures persisted. The manufacturer stated that the VIN was excluded from NHTSA campaign number: 09e005000 (steering). The approximate failure mileage was 37,000.”
NHTSA complaint #10616986, filed 2014-07, 37,000 milesRelated service bulletins
- 11006421Jul 24, 2024GM is receiving damaged (cracked or broken) transmission cores returned to the reman facilities. The damage is being caused either in the removal process by the technician, or…
- 10249579Jan 12, 2024This PI bulletin advises the technician on the proper way to install the pistons in an engine.
- 10242843Sep 1, 2023The service bulletin advises the tech of a normal transmission shift condition and the delay in throttle response when the throttle plate is opened rapidly and advises the…
- 10222770Sep 16, 2022This service bulletin provides information on OEM and Remanufactured Engine and Automatic Transmission/Transaxle Identification.
- 10224273Sep 1, 2022This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician to not remove the torque converter bolts and start the engine as this may cause damage to the…
- 10220319Sep 1, 2022This diagnostic tip advises the tech not to separate the flexplate from the torque convertor or damage my occur if the engine is started while diagnosing for noise from the…
- 10201098Dec 1, 2015OEM and Remanufactured Engine and Automatic Transmission/Transaxle Identification
- 10113664May 29, 2015This informational bulletin provides technicians with information regarding automatic transmission oil cooler flow test essential tool J-45096 TransFlow®.
Transmission and drivetrain: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2005 | 1 | 5% |
| 2003 | 6 | 5% |
| 2002 | 7 | 5% |
| 2001 | 21 | 14% |
| 2000 | 48 | 25% |
| 1999 | 11 | 5% |
| 1998 | 26 | 12% |
| 1997 | 2 | 2% |
| 1996 | 7 | 9% |
| 1995 | 11 | 11% |
| 1994 | 5 | 5% |
| 1993 | 5 | 9% |
| 1992 | 6 | 13% |
| 1991 | 3 | 8% |
| 1990 | 1 | 3% |
| 1988 | 1 | 6% |
| 1987 | 3 | 11% |
| 1986 | 1 | 5% |
Other parts of the 2003 Buick Century
48 complaintsElectrical system
23 complaintsBrakes
16 complaintsEngine cooling
13 complaintsBody and structure
11 complaintsSteering
7 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 30, 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