2000 Buick Century problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

With 249 complaints filed to NHTSA — about 5.8 times the median Century year — the 2000 model ranks #3 of 33 Century years for complaint volume. It lands on the years-to-avoid list. Complainants reported 11 injuries in total across these filings.

No single system dominates the record — complaints spread across transmission (49), brakes (32), and visibility & wipers (27), which usually points to general build quality rather than one defect.

249

NHTSA complaints

Recalls

Investigations

Crash-involved

Fires reported

Injuries

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 2000 compare to other Century years?

Century NHTSA complaints by model year, 2000 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Century years to avoid →

What are the most common 2000 Buick Century problems?

Component	Complaints	Share	vs prior year
Transmission	49	20%	▲ up
Brakes	32	13%	— flat
Engine	27	11%	▼ down
Visibility & Wipers	27	11%	— flat
Electrical System	22	9%	— flat
Lighting	16	6%	▼ down
Steering	11	4%	— flat
Airbags	10	4%	▼ down
Fuel System	10	4%	— flat
Suspension	9	4%	— flat
Seat Belts	9	4%	▲ up
Other	8	3%	▼ down
Body & Structure	6	2%	▼ down
Speed Control	4	2%	▼ down
Tires & Wheels	4	2%	▼ down
Seats	3	1%	— flat
Latches & Locks	1	0%	— flat
Climate Control (A/C & Heat)	1	0%	▼ down

Does the 2000 Buick Century have recalls?

7 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.

01V109000Seat BeltsApril 6, 2001 · 116,007 units

Defect

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, EQUIPPED WITH SUNVISOR LOCATED AIR BAG LABELS, FAIL TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLES SAFETY STANDARD NO. 208, "OCCUPANT CRASH PROTECTION." THESE VEHICLES HAVE A MESSAGE AREA LESS THAN 30 CM WHICH DOES NOT MEET THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE STANDARD.

Consequence

THESE VEHICLES DO NOT COMPLY WITH THE STANDARD.

Remedy

GM WILL MAIL A NEW BILINGUAL AIR BAG LABEL WITH INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS. HOWEVER, THE CUSTOMER MAY BRING THE LABEL TO THEIR DEALER FOR INSTALLATION FREE OF CHARGE. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN MAY 4, 2001. OWNERS WHO DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE LABEL AND INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT OLDSMOBILE AT 1-800-442-6537 OR BUICK AT 1-800-521-7300.

00V371000AirbagsNovember 13, 2000 · 12 units

Defect

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. SOME OF THESE VEHICLES EXHIBIT A CONDITION IN WHICH THE DRIVER SIDE IMPACT AIR BAG INFLATOR SEPARATES FROM THE AIR BAG MODULE DURING DEPLOYMENT.

Consequence

IF THE INFLATOR SEPARATES, THE AIR BAG WILL NOT DEPLOY PROPERLY DURING A CRASH AND OCCUPANT PROTECTION WOULD BE REDUCED. IF IS ALSO POSSIBLE THAT A SEPARATED INFLATOR COULD BE PROPELLED DOWNWARD AND COULD RESULT IN INJURY TO A REAR SEAT PASSENGER WHOSE FOOT IS POSITIONED APPROXIMATELY UNDER THE INFLATOR MODULE.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE SIDE IMPACT AIR BAG MODULE.

00V228003Seat BeltsAugust 7, 2000 · 156,305 units

Defect

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES, LIGHT DUTY TRUCKS, SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, AND MINI VANS EQUIPPED WITH TRW SEAT BELT BUCKLE ASSEMBLIES. THE BUCKLE BASE OF THESE SEAT BELT ASSEMBLIES WERE NOT PROPERLY HEAT TREATED AND THEREFORE DO NOT PASS THE LOAD BEARING REQUIREMENT OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 209, "SEAT BELT ASSEMBLIES."

Consequence

IN THE EVENT OF A VEHICLE CRASH, THE OCCUPANT MAY NOT BE PROPERLY RESTRAINED.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE VEHICLE'S SAFETY BELT BUCKLE ASSEMBLY DATE CODES AND, IF NECESSARY, WILL REPLACE ANY SAFETY BELT BUCKLE ASSEMBLY.

00V160000Fuel SystemJune 16, 2000 · 248 units

Defect

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE CLAMP THAT SECURES THE FLEXIBLE FUEL FILL HOSE TO THE METAL FILL TUBE MAY BE LOOSE AND COULD SEPARATE.

Consequence

THIS COULD CAUSE FUEL LEAKAGE EXCEEDING THE PERMISSIBLE AMOUNT.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE FUEL HOSE FILL NECK CLAMP AND, IF NECESSARY, REPOSITION AND TIGHTEN THE CLAMP.

00V143000BrakesMay 17, 2000 · 18,754 units

Defect

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH REAR DRUM BRAKES. THE BOLT HEAD(S) ON THE REAR SPINDLE ROD CAN SEPARATE.

Consequence

THE REAR WHEEL CAN SHIFT, CAUSING REAR STEERING OF THE VEHICLE. THE DRIVER COULD LOSE CONTROL AND A CRASH COULD OCCUR.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE REAR SPINDLE BOLTS.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

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

“TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 BUICK CENTURY. WHENEVER THE CONTACT WOULD ACCELERATE FROM A STOP, HE HEARD A THUMPING SOUND COMING FROM THE TRANSMISSION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT THE LONG SHIFT CABLES NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT DID NOT NOTICE ANY DIFFERENCES…”
Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · July 1, 2008

“ABS PROBLEMS: WHEN MAKING AN EMERGENCY STOP AT 15 MPH BRAKE PEDAL WENT DOWN BUT THE VEHICLE JUST DIDN'T STOP, CAUSING VEHICLE TO CRASH INTO BACK OF A WORK TRUCK. IT HAD JUST STARTED DRIZZLING WHEN THIS HAPPENED. THIS CAUSED $1,202.00 DOLLARS WORTH OF DAMAGE. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP.…”
Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · August 31, 2000 · crash

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS 2000 BUICK CENTURY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SERVICE ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED INTERMITTENTLY. ADDITIONALLY, THE VEHICLE WAS SHAKING VIOLENTLY AND BECAME EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TO STEER. THE FAILURE WOULD OCCUR WHILE THE CONTACT WAS IN DRIVE, PARK OR REVERSE. THE CONTACT…”
Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · August 4, 2012 · fire

“VEHICLE EXPERIENCING PROBLEM WITH WATER GETTING INTO ALL THE WINDOWS, ONLY DURING COLD WEATHER SEASON. DEALER WAS NOTIFIED, AND INFORMED CONSUMER THAT PROBLEM WAS DUE TO THE LOCATION OF DEFROSTER: DEFOGGER; FAN MOTOR. NO CORRECTION TO THIS PROBLEM HAS BEEN FOUND. AK LOCATION OF BLOWER MOTOR IS…”
Complaint filed with NHTSA · Visibility & Wipers · January 15, 2001

“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…”
Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · September 14, 2011

2000 Buick Century — common questions

Is the 2000 Buick Century reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 249 complaints put the 2000 model at #3 of 33 Century years. It is one of the Century years to avoid.

What are the most common 2000 Century problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are transmission (49 complaints), brakes (32 complaints), visibility & wipers (27 complaints).

Does the 2000 Buick Century have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 7 recall campaigns affecting the 2000 Buick Century. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 2000 Buick Century under NHTSA investigation?

NHTSA opened one investigation 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.

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

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.

How does 2000 compare to other Century years?

What are the most common 2000 Buick Century problems?

Does the 2000 Buick Century have recalls?

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

2000 Buick Century — common questions

Is the 2000 Buick Century reliable?

What are the most common 2000 Century problems?

Does the 2000 Buick Century have recalls?

Is the 2000 Buick Century under NHTSA investigation?

Which Buick Century years should you avoid?

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