RoadVitals

2000 Buick Century Electrical Problems

Owner-reported complaints naming the electrical system, filed with NHTSA

Data refreshed

Electrical reportsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
21
Latest May 7, 2019
Share of all reportsThis category as a share of every owner report on file for this model year. One report can name more than one component, so the categories overlap.
11%
of 193 total
Crash or fire reportedReports in this category whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. The reporter's own answer on the NHTSA form, not a verified finding.
0
Injuries or deaths reportedTotals the submitters entered on their own reports in this category. Not verified by NHTSA and not a casualty statistic.
0

What this page shows

Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories. Every record below is an owner-reported complaint about the 2000 Buick Century submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 21 reports on file name it.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

Owner reports naming electrical

Shown in the owner’s own words, exactly as filed

ElectricalExterior lighting
Filed May 7, 2019

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 BUICK CENTURY. ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS, WHILE DRIVING, THE HEADLIGHTS FAILED TO ILLUMINATE WITHOUT WARNING. ADDITIONALLY, WHEN THE HIGH BEAM SWITCH WAS ACTIVATED, THE CHECK ENGINE, ABS, AND TRACTION CONTROL WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 200,000.

NHTSA ID
11206049
Incident
Jun 15, 2015
Mileage
200,000 mi
ElectricalInterior & seatsExterior lighting+1 more
Filed Apr 12, 2018

DEFECTIVE ODOMETER READINGS, GEAR INDICATORS DISAPPEARED. THE ODOMETER READING DISAPPEARED, AND THE GEAR INDICATOR DISAPPEARED ON INSTRUMENT CLUSTER. I HAVE NO WAY TO READ MY ODOMETER, NOR DO I KNOW WHAT GEAR I AM IN, PRND21. NOW I CAN ACCIDENTLY BE IN REVERSE AND NOT EVEN KNOW IT. THIS IS AN EXTREMELY DANGEROUS SITUATION, AND THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL ON THIS. MECHANIC CHARGES $100.00 TO FIX, AND ALSO STATES THEY CAN INSERT ANY ODOMETER READING THAT I WOULD LIKE TO HAVE. THIS SHOULD BE ILLEGAL. I NO LONGER HAVE A VALID ODOMETER READING FOR MY YEARLY INSPECTIONS, OR IF I WERE TO SELL MY VEHICLE. I COULD DRIVE IN 1ST GEAR AND BURN UP MY TRANSMISSION AND SHUT DOWN IN THE MIDDLE OF THE INTERSTATE AND CAUSE A SERIOUS ACCIDENT OR BE RUN OVER FOR DEAD STOPPED ON ROADS. MY INSTRUMENT PANEL HAS NOT HAD AN ACCURATE FUEL GUAGE READING IN YEARS, IT COMES AND GOES. I HAVE BEEN ABLE TO FIGURE OUT GAS USAGE BY MILEAGE, NOW THAT IS NO LONGER POSSIBLE. I MUST FILL UP WEEKLY JUST SO I KNOW I WONT RUN OUT OF GAS. THE CAR ONLY HAS 55,000 ORIGINAL MILES ON IT. THIS IS JUST NOT RIGHT. I EXTREMELY UPSET ABOUT THIS AND DONT KNOW HOW TO GET IT FIXED PROPERLY AND COVERED FROM THE DEALERSHIPS. YOU SHOULD HAVE A LIFETIME WARRANTY ON YOUR ODOMETER READING AND KNOWING WHAT GEAR YOU ARE IN. PLEASE ADVISE AND LOOK FORWARD TO HEARING FROM YOU CONCERNING THIS VERY SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE.

NHTSA ID
11084851
Incident
Feb 13, 2018
Mileage
55,000 mi
Electrical
Filed Sep 4, 2014

THE ODOMETER DOES NOT LIGHT UP, NOT ALLOWING THE MILEAGE TO SHOW. *TR

NHTSA ID
10630888
Incident
Jun 1, 2013
Mileage
200,000 mi
ElectricalFuel systemPowertrain (other)
Filed Jun 17, 2014

I HAVE A 2000 BUICK CENTURY LIMITED AND THE TRANSMISSION HARSH SHIFT 1234, WHEN HOT AND SOMETIMES COLD, I KNOW THAT IT NEEDS A NEW 1234 UP SHIFT SOLENOID AND TO BE INSPECTED FOR FAILED PARTS ETC, ALSO THE ODOMETER,FUEL GAUGE,AND WINDOW REGULATORS/MOTORS HAVE FAILED, THE ODOMETER IS OUT AND FUEL GAUGE FLOATS AND WINDOWS HAVE FAILED DUE TO BAD DESIGN OF MOTORS/REGULATORS AND MY AIRBAG LIGHT IS ON AND EACH 4T65- E TRANS AND MANY BUICK TRANS LIKE THE ONE ABOVE HAS HARSH SHIFT AND COULD CAUSE DAMAGE AND CAUSE TRANS TO FAIL. AND THE PROBLEMS ABOVE WILL BE FOUND IN MANY BUICK CENTURY AND GM SHOULD FIX THE ISSUES ABOVE FOR FREE IT IS A DANGER FOR THE TRANS TO FAIL AND ODOMETER/GEAR SHIFT SELECT TO FAIL BECAUSE MOST PEOPLE WILL NOT KNOW WHAT GEAR THEY ARE IN, AND THE TRANS COULD LOCK AND CAUSE A WRECK OR A HUGE INJURY OR WORST. AND THE TRANS 1234 UP SHIFT PRESSURE CONTROL SOLENOID NOT KEEPING THE RIGHT PRESSURE COULD DAMAGE THE TRANS, AND EVEN IF THE TRANS IS BOUGHT USED IT STILL HAS THIS PROBLEM AND IS THE SAME 4T65-E TRANS AND GM NEEDS TO FIX THIS FOR FREE THERE ARE MANY COMPLAINTS AND ISSUE WITH THE 2000 BUICK CENTURY,REGALS ETC WITH THIS TYPE OF TRANS. AND SHOULD BE FIXED RIGHT AWAY BEFORE IT BECOMES A COSTLY REPAIR OR WRECK! AND THE TRANS SHOULD BE CHECKED FOR ANY OTHER FAILURES. FOR FREE. *TR

NHTSA ID
10599011
Incident
Jun 14, 2011
ElectricalPowertrain (other)
Filed Mar 24, 2013

THE TRANSMISSION ON MY 2000 BUICK CENTURY HAS A HARD SHIFT CONDITION THAT WAS DIAGNOSED AT 2 DIFFERENT TRANSMISSION SHOPS AS A PRESSURE CONTROL SOLENOID FAILURE THAT IS VERY COMMON WITH THIS CAR. ONE OF THE SHOPS SAID THE PROBLEM WILL REOCCUR EVEN WITH REPLACEMENT OF THE PART UNLESS A SHIFT KIT IS INSTALLED.AFTER RESEARCHING THIS ISSUE ON LINE IT BECOMES APPARENT THAT THE SHOPS ARE CORRECT IN THEIR DIAGNOSIS. WHY HAS THIS ISSUE NOT BEEN A RECALL! *TR

NHTSA ID
10504322
Incident
Mar 11, 2013
Mileage
73,000 mi
ElectricalEnginePowertrain (other)
Filed May 30, 2012

VEHICLE EXHIBITED HARD TRANSMISSION SHIFTS AND JERKING WHILE SHIFTING IN TRAFFIC. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND DIAGNOSED WITH CODE P1811, WHICH INDICATES HIGH TRANSMISSION FLUID PRESSURE AND SOLENOID PROBLEMS. *TR

NHTSA ID
10460060
Incident
May 25, 2012
Mileage
83,249 mi
Electrical
Filed Feb 28, 2012

THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER INDICATING WHAT GEAR THE VEHICLE IS IN HAS QUITE WORKING. THIS IS A DIGITAL L.E.D. INDICATOR THAT ALSO DISPLAYS THE VEHICLES MILEAGE AND ODOMETER READING. CHECKED AROUND AND FIVE OTHER BUICKS ALL HAD THE SAME ISSUE. YOU HAVE TO GUESS AT THE GEAR YOU ARE IN AND THERE IS NO WAY TO TELL WHAT THE ODOMETER READING IS. *TR

NHTSA ID
10449567
Incident
Sep 14, 2011
ElectricalPowertrain (other)
Filed Sep 30, 2011

THE ELECTRONIC ODOMETER AND AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION DISPLAY HAS GONE COMPLETELY DARK. WITH INDICATOR DARK, THE FOLLOWING ARE IMPOSSIBLE TO DETERMINE ON THE VEHICLE. A) AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION INDICATOR - FOR VEHICLES WHERE THE TRANSMISSION SHIFT LEVER IS MOUNTED ON THE STEERING COLUMN (LIKE MINE), OTHER THAN COUNTING THE NUMBER OF CLICKS OF THE TRANSMISSION LEVER UP OR DOWN, THE VEHICLE OPERATOR HAS NO IDEA IF THE VEHICLE IS IN DRIVE, NEUTRAL OR REVERSE. THIS IS A MAJOR SAFETY HAZARD BECAUSE THE VEHICLE OPERATOR MAY INADVERTENTLY LEAVE THE VEHICLE IN NEUTRAL OR IN GEAR AND NOT KNOW IT AND LEAVE THE VEHICLE UNATTENDED. B) VEHICLE MILEAGE -- THERE IS NO WAY TO DETERMINE HOW MANY MILES THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN DRIVEN. THERE ARE NUMEROUS INSTANCES ON THE INTERNET DESCRIBING THIS PROBLEM. *TR

NHTSA ID
10427984
Incident
Sep 5, 2011
Mileage
101,000 mi
ElectricalFuel system
Filed Jul 5, 2011

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 BUICK CENTURY. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY STALLED. THE FUEL GAUGE DOES NOT FUNCTION PROPERLY; THEREFORE, THE CONTACT WAS UNAWARE IF THE VEHICLE STALLED DUE TO A LACK OF FUEL. THE CONTACT WAS ONLY ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE BY JUMP STARTING IT. THE FAILURE OCCURRED APPROXIMATELY TWELVE TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THE BATTERY WAS REPLACED; YET, THE FAILURE CONTINUED TO OCCUR. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 110,000.

NHTSA ID
10410456
Incident
Mar 13, 2010
Mileage
110,000 mi
BrakesElectricalFuel system+1 more
Filed Jan 2, 2011

BOUGHT 2000 BUICK CENTURY AND LIKE MANY OTHER COMPLAINTS ON THE LIST I HAVE REPAIRED THE MANIFOLD, WATER PUMP, FUEL FILTER AT 83,000. I HAVE EXPERIENCED THE WHINNING AND HARD SHIFTING THE ENTIRE TIME I OWNED THE CAR. I HAD INTERMITTENT DASH LIGHT FAILURE WHICH IS REAL DANGEROUS SINCE YOU CAN'T SEE THE SPEEDOMETER OR ANYTHING ON THE DASH. MY BRAKES HAVE FAILED TO BRAKE AND I WENT OUT INTO TRAFFIC - LUCKILY NO ACCIDENT AND THERE WAS A MEDIAN I COULD STEER INTO! I HAVEN'T HAD A WORKING GAS GAUGE FOR YEARS. LAST NIGHT GOING 70 MPH I FELT 3 CHUGS AND LOST POWER. AGAIN LUCKILY I WAS AT A FREEWAY EXIT AND COULD COAST OFF THE FREEWAY. SO MY 3 MOST EXPENSIVE BILLS (AND NONE OF THE PROBLEMS HAVE BEEN SOLVED -$1800. FOR BRAKE CALIPERS, ROTORS AND PADS. $1100 FOR WIRE SET, MANIFOLD SET, FUEL FILTER AND WATER PUMP. $350 FOR HEADLAMP SWITCH AND DASH LIGHT PROBLEMS. I AM PUTTING NO MORE MONEY INTO THIS CAR AND UP UNTIL LAST NIGHT I WAS LOOKING FOR A BUICK BUT NEVER AGAIN. I DIDN'T PUT THE MILEAGE DOWN WHEN THESE INCIDENTS HAPPENED BECAUSE THE SYMPTOMS ARE ONGOING!!! IT LOOKS LIKE 1000'S OF COMPLAINTS HAVE BEEN IGNORED THROUGH THE YEARS AND THE BRAKE ISSUE AS WELL AS SHUTTING DOWN GOING 70 MPH ARE BOTH SAFETY ISSUES WHICH SHOULD HAVE BEEN ADDRESSED IN A RECALL MANY YEARS AGO!!! I AM DEVASTATED BY THE FACTS I LEARNED RESEARCHING THE COMPUTER LAST NIGHT. I AM ON A FIXED INCOME AND NOW WITHOUT A CAR TOO. WHAT REPORTS DO I BELIEVE WHEN SHOPPING FOR A NEW CAR?????? DOWN BELOW WHERE YOU DATE THE INCIDENT LUCKILY I CAN SAY NO TO ALL OF THE QUESTIONS (BUT BY THE GRACE OF GOD!) *TR

NHTSA ID
10373760
Incident
Jan 1, 2011
Mileage
131,000 mi
Electrical
Filed Dec 11, 2009

THE VEHICLE ANTI THEFT SYSTEM ON MY 2000 BUICK CENTURY KEEPS FAILING AND HAS PUT MY FAMILY AND I IN NUMEROUS UNSAFE CONDITIONS THAT MAY EVENTUALLY LEAD TO POSSIBLE INJURIES.*TR

NHTSA ID
10295314
Incident
Dec 3, 2009
Mileage
110,000 mi
Electrical
Filed Nov 27, 2008

I DRIVE WITH MY HEADLIGHTS ON ALL THE TIME. THE INSTRUMENT PANEL ILLUMINATION DIMS DRASTICALLY WHEN THE HEADLIGHTS ARE ON. I CANNOT SEE THE GAUGES. ALTHOUGH THERE IS A DIMMER SWITCH FOR THE INSTRUMENT PANEL, THE BRIGHTEST SETTING IS INADEQUATE WHEN THE HEADLIGHTS ARE ON. I NEED TO HAVE THE AUTOMATIC DIMMING FEATURE REMOVED. *TR

NHTSA ID
10249995
Incident
Nov 26, 2008
BrakesElectrical
Filed Apr 9, 2007

2000 BUICK CENTURY WITH ANTI LOCK BRAKE FAILURE**CC THE ALTERNATOR DRIVE BELT WAS REPLACED. *JB

NHTSA ID
10187965
Incident
Dec 31, 2006
Electrical
Filed Dec 13, 2005

DT: THE CONTACT STATED AFTER PARKING VEHICLE AND TURNING IT OFF THE AIR CONDITIONER FAN KEPT RUNNING. SHE HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO A DEALERSHIP. REPAIRS WERE MADE TO THE VEHICLE. CURRENTLY, THE VEHICLE HAD EXTERIOR LIGHTING DEFECTS. THE LIGHTS WILL COME ON INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE IS AT THE DEALERSHIP, AND THEY ARE UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM WITH THE EXTERIOR LIGHTING. THE MANUFACTURER HAS BEEN CONTACTED. *AK UPDATED 01/11/06. *JB

NHTSA ID
10145097
Incident
Jan 15, 2002
Mileage
21,000 mi
Electrical
Filed Feb 13, 2004

CLICK NO START CONDITION HAPPENED TWICE IN ONE DAY. WAITED A LITTLE WHILE AND TRIED STARTING VEHICLE AGAIN AND IT STARTED. CHECKED BATTERY,STARTER AND CHARGING SYSTEMS. *AK

NHTSA ID
10058139
Incident
Feb 13, 2004
Mileage
26,300 mi
Heating & air conditioningElectricalEngine+1 more
Filed Aug 8, 2001

WHEN DRIVING VEHICLE DRIFTS TO THE RIGHT. DEALER HAS SEEN VEHICLE SEVEN TIMES, AND TRIED TO CORRECT. BUT, PROBLEM STILL EXISTS.*AK CONSUMER STATES THERE IS A NOISE COMING FROM REAR OF VEHICLE WHEN IN REVERSE AND BRAKING, AC IS NOT BLOWING COLD, CONSMER STATES FRONT END IS LOW TO THE BOTTOM MAKES A NOSIE WHENWHEN IN REVERSE, THE BUTTON ON THE STEERING WHEEL AND THE RADIO DOES NOT STO ON STATION, CONSUMER STATES IT TAKES TO LONG FOR VEHICLE TO START AT TIMES.*JB

NHTSA ID
893791
Incident
Feb 13, 2001
Body & structureElectricalFuel system+4 more
Filed May 21, 2001

CONSUMER COMPLAINS THAT THE GLOVE COMPARTMENT IS TOO SMALL. *JG

NHTSA ID
561276
Electrical
Filed Feb 2, 2001

THE HORN IS DIFFICULT TO ACTIVATE, THE CONSUMER ATTEMPTED TO WARN A DRIVER WHO WAS BACKING UP BUT THE HORN WOULD NOT SOUND RESULTING IN A CRASH. NLM

NHTSA ID
559363
BrakesElectrical
Filed Jan 29, 2001

HORN LOCATION IS DIFFICULT TO FIND AND HARD TO BLOW DUE TO AIR BAG INSTALLATION ON STEERING. WHEN BACKING UP SLOWLY OR STOPPING, BRAKES MAKE THUMPING NOISE. *SLC

NHTSA ID
879254
Incident
Aug 3, 2000
Electrical
Filed Jan 26, 2001

WHILE IN MIDDLE OF AN INTERSECTION VEHICLE DIED. CONSUMER COULD NOT START VEHICLE BECAUSE THERE WAS NO ELECTRIC POWER, HAD TOWED VEHICLE TO DEALER. AFTER AN HOUR, THEY FOUND A BLOWN FUSE. CONSUMER INQUIRED OF WHAT WOULD HAVE HAPPENED IT THIS OCCURRED ON HIGHWAY AT 70 MPH. *AK THE CAUSE FOR THE FUSE BLOW WAS NOT KNOWN *YH

NHTSA ID
879085
Incident
Jan 24, 2001
Electrical
Filed Nov 15, 2000

HORN DOES NOT ACTIVATE EASILY. CONSUMER MUST DEPRESS IT VERY HARD AND AT EXACT SPOT. THEREFORE, IN AN EMERGENCY SITUATION CONSUMER WILL NOT BE ABLE TO ACTIVATE HORN IN TIME , WILL NOT BE ABLE TO WARN OTHER DRIVERS , OR AVOID ACCIDENTS. *AK

NHTSA ID
874980

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.

Other components reported on this vehicle

Categories with enough reports to have a page of their own

Elsewhere on this vehicle

Data sources

Data on this page last refreshed .