2002 Buick Century problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

With 204 complaints filed to NHTSA — about 4.7 times the median Century year — the 2002 model ranks #4 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 engine (37), brakes (27), and lighting (27), which usually points to general build quality rather than one defect.

204

NHTSA complaints

Recalls

Investigations

Crash-involved

Fires reported

Injuries

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 2002 compare to other Century years?

Century NHTSA complaints by model year, 2002 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Century years to avoid →

What are the most common 2002 Buick Century problems?

Component	Complaints	Share	vs prior year
Engine	37	18%	— flat
Lighting	27	13%	▲ up
Brakes	27	13%	— flat
Electrical System	25	12%	▲ up
Visibility & Wipers	22	11%	▲ up
Steering	11	5%	— flat
Airbags	8	4%	▲ up
Tires & Wheels	8	4%	— flat
Transmission	7	3%	▼ down
Speed Control	7	3%	▼ down
Fuel System	7	3%	▲ up
Body & Structure	6	3%	— flat
Other	5	2%	— flat
Suspension	4	2%	— flat
Latches & Locks	1	0%	— flat
Seats	1	0%	▼ down
Seat Belts	1	0%	▼ down

Does the 2002 Buick Century have recalls?

2 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.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

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

“I CURRENTLY HAVE A 2002 BUICK CENTURY CUSTOM WITH 107000 MILES ON IT. I HAD A STARTER CATCH FIRE CAUSE OF A LARGE BUILDUP OF OIL COMING FROM EITHER THE HEAD GASKET OR THE MANIFOLD GASKET. THIS ISSUE NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED. DRIVING AT HIGH ENGINE TEMPERATURE WITH CAUSE A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE FOR ANYONE…”
Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · December 31, 2009 · fire

“WHILE DRIVING, WHEN HIGH-BEAMS WERE TURNED ON THE ENTIRE HEADLIGHT SYSTEM WOULD SHUT DOWN LEAVING DRIVER WITH ABSOLUTELY NO VISIBILITY. FORTUNATELY THE HEADLIGHTS DID COME BACK ON AS THE DIMMER SWITCH WAS ACTIVATED AND THE LOW-BEAMS DID COME BACK ON. I CAN ONLY USE MY LOW-BEAM HEADLIGHTS AS THIS…”
Complaint filed with NHTSA · Lighting · November 27, 2015

“CONSUMER COMPLAINED ABOUT BRAKE PROBLEMS. WHEN THEY WERE APPLIED VEHICLE HESITATED TO STOP. CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER TO BE SERVICED, BUT DEALERSHIP COULD NOT DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM.*AK....GMC HA DBRAKE PROBLEMS IN THE PAST, WHICH THEY FAILED TO ADMIT. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED AT…”
Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · December 10, 2004

“I WAS AT THE GAS STATION TRIED TO START MY VEHICLE AND IT CAUGHT ON FIRE AT THE GAS STATION MANY COULD OF BEEN KILLED AND OR INJURED”
Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · June 17, 2018 · fire

“TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 BUICK CENTURY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REGULATOR FOR THE DRIVER SIDE ELECTRIC WINDOW HAS FAILED. THE WINDOW IS OFF TRACK AND THE REGULATOR NO LONGER WORKS. HE NOTIFIED THE MANUFACTURER AND THE DEALER, BUT THEY HAVE NOT RESPONDED. THE VIN WAS INVALID. THE CURRENT…”
Complaint filed with NHTSA · Visibility & Wipers · July 26, 2007

2002 Buick Century — common questions

Is the 2002 Buick Century reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 204 complaints put the 2002 model at #4 of 33 Century years. It is one of the Century years to avoid.

What are the most common 2002 Century problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are engine (37 complaints), brakes (27 complaints), lighting (27 complaints).

Does the 2002 Buick Century have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns affecting the 2002 Buick Century. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

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 2002 compare to other Century years?

What are the most common 2002 Buick Century problems?

Does the 2002 Buick Century have recalls?

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

2002 Buick Century — common questions

Is the 2002 Buick Century reliable?

What are the most common 2002 Century problems?

Does the 2002 Buick Century have recalls?

Which Buick Century years should you avoid?

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