VehicleVerdict

1997 Buick Century problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

With 132 complaints filed to NHTSA — about 3.1 times the median Century year — the 1997 model ranks #8 of 33 Century years for complaint volume. It lands on the years-to-avoid list.

No single system dominates the record — complaints spread across electrical system (22), visibility & wipers (16), and seat belts (15), which usually points to general build quality rather than one defect.

132

NHTSA complaints

4

Recalls

4

Investigations

4

Crash-involved

2

Fires reported

2

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 1997 compare to other Century years?

Century NHTSA complaints by model year, 1997 highlighted287 complaints1973: 0 complaints1974: 0 complaints1975: 0 complaints1976: 0 complaints1977: 0 complaints1978: 0 complaints1979: 0 complaints1980: 0 complaints1981: 1 complaints1982: 4 complaints1983: 10 complaints1984: 11 complaints1985: 9 complaints1986: 43 complaints1987: 32 complaints1988: 26 complaints1989: 46 complaints1990: 49 complaints1991: 50 complaints1992: 64 complaints1993: 71 complaints1994: 144 complaints1995: 127 complaints1996: 110 complaints1997: 132 complaints1998: 278 complaints1999: 287 complaints2000: 249 complaints2001: 190 complaints2002: 204 complaints2003: 170 complaints2004: 51 complaints2005: 35 complaints
Century NHTSA complaints by model year, 1997 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Century years to avoid →

What are the most common 1997 Buick Century problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Electrical System2217%
Visibility & Wipers1612%
Seat Belts1511%
Steering1511%
Lighting108%
Engine86%
Brakes75%
Suspension75%
Airbags65%
Tires & Wheels65%
Body & Structure43%
Fuel System32%
Speed Control32%
Climate Control (A/C & Heat)32%
Other32%
Transmission32%
Child Seat11%

Does the 1997 Buick Century have recalls?

4 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

09E005000SteeringFebruary 17, 2009 · 979 units

Defect

DORMAN IS RECALLING 979 STEERING KNUCKLES, DORMAN P/NOS. 697-902 AND 697-903, SOLD UNDER DORMAN'S "OE SOLUTIONS<SUP>TM</SUP>" BRAND NAME, AND NAPA P/NOS. 7-8502 AND 7-8503 WHICH WERE SOLD FOR REPLACEMENT USE ON THE VARIOUS VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. A POTENTIAL MATERIAL OR DESIGN DEFECT COULD RESULT IN THE STEERING KNUCKLE BREAKING IN THE HUB AREA.

Consequence

A BROKEN STEERING KNUCKLE COULD RESULT IN LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL AND A POSSIBLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.

Remedy

DORMAN WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE DEFECTIVE STEERING KNUCKLES FREE OF CHARGE AND REIMBURSE THE REPAIR FACILITY OR OWNER FOR LABOR. THE RECALL BEGAN ON FEBRUARY 23, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT DORMAN'S TOLL-FREE HOTLINE AT 1-800-523-2492 AND PRESS 5.

07E021000Fuel SystemMarch 12, 2007 · 742 units

Defect

CERTAIN DELPHI FUEL PRESSURE REGULATORS, P/NOS. FP10020-11B1, FP10026-11B1, AND FP10027-11B1, SOLD AFTER JANUARY 9, 2007, AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. THE UNIVERSAL PRESSURE REGULATORS (UPR) WERE PRODUCED WITHOUT AN O'RING AND RETAINER.

Consequence

FUEL MAY LEAK, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A FIRE.

Remedy

DELPHI WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE UPR FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 23, 2007. OWNERS CAN CONTACT DELPHI AT 877-411-8770.

99V348000Visibility & WipersDecember 16, 1999 · 155,149 units

Defect

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS MAY STOP WORKING DUE TO A SEPARATION BETWEEN THE DRIVE PIN AND CRESCENT IN THE CRANK ARM ASSEMBLY.

Consequence

DRIVER VISIBILITY COULD BE REDUCED, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL INSPECT THESE VEHICLES FOR THE PRESENCE OF A PLASTIC WATER DEFLECTOR AND, IF NECESSARY, REPLACE THE WIPER MOTOR CRANK ARM AND INSTALL A WATER DEFLECTOR. ON VEHICLES RECEIVING A REPLACEMENT CRANK ARM AND NEW WATER DEFLECTOR, DEALERS WILL ALSO APPLY ADDITIONAL SEALING MATERIAL TO IMPROVE WATER DEFLECTION AWAY FROM THE CRANK ARM ASSEMBLY AND WILL INSTALL A REINFORCEMENT TO IMPROVE THE PERFORMANCE OF THE WIPER PARK MECHANISM.

98V102000LightingMay 15, 1998 · 149,342 units

Defect

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE OWNER MANUALS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIREMENT INFORMATION PERTAINING TO THE VEHICLE HEADLAMP AIMING DEVICE. THIS DOES NOT COMPLY WITH REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT."

Consequence

IF THE HEADLAMP ASSEMBLIES ARE REPLACED, CUSTOMERS MAY NOT BE ABLE TO PROPERLY AIM THE HEADLIGHTS.

Remedy

OWNERS WILL BE MAILED AN OWNER MANUAL'S INSERT WHICH CONTAINS THE APPROPRIATE INFORMATION.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

“IT'S VERY DIFFICULT FOR CONSUMER TO HONK THE HORN BECAUSE THE BOTTOM HORN IS SO SMALL AND SO HARD THAT HE COULDN'T OPERATE IT. CAUSING CONSUMER TO HAVE AN ACCIDENT. *AKTHE SERVICE MANAGER TOLD TO THE CONSUMER THAT THE ONLY WAY TO CORRECT THIS PROBLEM WAS TO REPLACE THE ENTIRE CAR AND THAT THE HORN…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · November 24, 1998 · crash

“WHILE DRIVING IN A RAIN STORM, THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS QUIT WORKING. WHEN THIS OCCURRED, THE CONSUMER PULLED OFF THE ROAD UNTIL THE RAIN STOPPED. THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS QUIT WORKING DUE TO A FAILURE IN THE WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR. RECALL 99V348000 WAS ISSUED, BUT THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Visibility & Wipers · April 12, 2004

“I WAS MAKING A LEFT TURN AND THE STEERING LOCKED AND THERE WAS A LOUD BANG. I WASN'T ABLE TO COMPLETE THE TURN CAUSING ME TO DRIVE OFF THE ROAD AND ONTO A LAWN. THE STEERING WHEEL WOULDN'T GO BACK TO THE CORRECT POSITION AND IT SEEMED TO BE IN MANUAL STEERING MODE. I COULD BARELY MOVE THE WHEEL.…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Steering · May 14, 2011

“BOTH REAR PASSENGER AND DRIVER SIDE SEAT BELTS ARE INOPERATIVE. CONSUMER IS UNABLE TO PULL OUT THE SEAT BELTS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE MECHANIC INFORMED THE DRIVER THAT BOTH SEAT BELT RETRACTORS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER DETAILS. *NM”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Seat Belts · January 20, 2004

“BOTH HEADLIGHT COVERS WHICH CAME AS CLEAR PLASTIC HAVE DEVELOPED A FILM IN SIDE OF THEM WHICH THE DEALER DOES NOT WANT TO TRY TO REMOVE AS HE WOULD HAVE TO BREAK THE SEAL. THE PROBLEM HAS BEEN GETTING SLOWLY WORSE AND IS SOMEWHAT RESTRICTING THE HEADLIGHS ABILITY TO LET LIGHT PASS THROUGH.…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Lighting · January 2, 2002

1997 Buick Century — common questions

Is the 1997 Buick Century reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 132 complaints put the 1997 model at #8 of 33 Century years. It is one of the Century years to avoid.

What are the most common 1997 Century problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are electrical system (22 complaints), visibility & wipers (16 complaints), seat belts (15 complaints).

Does the 1997 Buick Century have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns affecting the 1997 Buick Century. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 1997 Buick Century under NHTSA investigation?

NHTSA opened 4 investigations into this model year; all are now closed.

Which Buick Century years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Century years to avoid are 1999, 1998, 2000, 2002, 2001, 2003, 1994, 1997, 1995, 1996, 1993. The cleanest record among Century years belongs to 1980.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.