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Vehicle speed controlPart report

2003 Buick Century Vehicle speed control Problems

Complaints
6about this part
Share
5%of 127 total for the year
Median mileage
64,000miles
Trend
Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.

NHTSA recorded 6 complaints about the vehicle speed control of the 2003 Buick Century, 5% of the 127 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 64,000 miles. 2 of these say a crash was involved, 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.

“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 miles

“The car will speed up on its own while the foot is off the pedal. Also, when I have my foot on the brake at a light, the car will start revving up as if I had my foot on both brake and accelerator. I have taken the car to different mechanics to get the problem fixed to no avail. What could these be? I am afraid that one day I will get in an accident do to this problem.”

NHTSA complaint #10512699, filed 2013-05

“The contact owns a 2003 Buick Century. The contact stated that the vehicle experienced unintended acceleration when shifted. As a result, the contact crashed into a curb and continued down a lawn. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the front axel and the muffler fractured. In addition, a piece of the transmission detached and oil leaked from under the vehicle. The vehicle was not repaired. A police report was filed and there were no injuries reported. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 52,000. …”

NHTSA complaint #10823428, filed 2016-02, 52,000 miles

“2003 Buick Century. Consumer writes in regards to vehicle sudden acceleration. The consumer stated for the past 1 1/2 years the vehicle has accelerated on its own at a very high speed. It would accelerate up to 60 MPH, even when her foot was not on the accelerator. Also, the vehicle would idle very high, when the acceleration occurred.”

NHTSA complaint #10559904, filed 2014-01

“The contact owns a 2003 Buick Century. While driving at approximately 50 MPH with the cruise control activated, the vehicle suddenly accelerated. The contact turned off the cruise control but the vehicle continued to accelerate until the brakes were applied. The failure continued to occur intermittently whether the cruise control was engaged or not. The vehicle had not been inspected or repaired at the time of the complaint. The failure mileage was approximately 76,000. The current mileage was approximately 76,400.”

NHTSA complaint #10326004, filed 2010-04, 76,000 miles

Vehicle speed control: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
200438%
200365%
200275%
20011913%
200042%
1999146%
199852%
199733%
1996810%
199566%
19941312%
1993815%
1992511%
1991513%
1989718%
198727%
1985114%

Other parts of the 2003 Buick Century

Exterior lighting
48 complaints
Electrical system
23 complaints
Brakes
16 complaints
Engine cooling
13 complaints
Body and structure
11 complaints
Steering
7 complaints
Transmission and drivetrain
6 complaints
Suspension
5 complaints
Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
5 complaints
Fuel system
4 complaints
Tires
4 complaints
Air 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 31, 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