2003 Buick Century problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

With 170 complaints filed to NHTSA — about 4.0 times the median Century year — the 2003 model ranks #6 of 33 Century years for complaint volume. It lands on the years-to-avoid list.

Lighting leads the complaint categories with 50 reports (29% of the total).

170

NHTSA complaints

Recalls

Investigations

Crash-involved

Fires reported

Injuries

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 2003 compare to other Century years?

Century NHTSA complaints by model year, 2003 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Century years to avoid →

What are the most common 2003 Buick Century problems?

Component	Complaints	Share	vs prior year
Lighting	50	29%	▲ up
Electrical System	26	15%	— flat
Brakes	17	10%	▼ down
Engine	15	9%	▼ down
Body & Structure	13	8%	▲ up
Steering	7	4%	▼ down
Speed Control	6	4%	— flat
Transmission	6	4%	— flat
Tires & Wheels	5	3%	▼ down
Visibility & Wipers	5	3%	▼ down
Suspension	5	3%	— flat
Fuel System	4	2%	▼ down
Seats	3	2%	▲ up
Other	3	2%	▼ down
Airbags	3	2%	▼ down
Latches & Locks	2	1%	▲ up

Does the 2003 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.

“WHILE DRIVING HOME FROM WORK ONE EVENING RECENTLY, I ATTEMPTED TO DIM MY LIGHTS FOR AN ONCOMING VEHICLE AND WAS SHOCKED TO FIND I HAD NO LOW BEAMS. I ONLY HAD HIGHBEAMS. HAD TO REPLACE THE DIMMER SWITCH, WHICH OF COURSE OPERATES EVERYTHING ELSE. ABOUT A MONTH AGO, MY LIGHTS WENT OUT FOR ABOUT 30…”
Complaint filed with NHTSA · Lighting · December 16, 2007

“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…”
Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · January 19, 2016 · crash

“CONSUMER COMPLAINED ABOUT DOORS LOCKING AND UNLOCKING WHILE DRIVING. THE DEALER INSPECTED THE VEHICLE SEVERAL TIMES BUT COULD NOT DUPLICATE OR CORRECT THE PROBLEMS. THE DASHBOARD WAS ALSO FALLING APART. *AK *NM THE TRUNK POPPED OPEN, THE BRAKES WERE INOPEATIVE, THERE WAS A FUME SMELL COMING FROM…”
Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · April 28, 2004

“TL*THE CONTACT OWNED A 2003 BUICK CENTURY. AN HOUR AND FIFTEEN MINUTES AFTER PARKING THE VEHICLE AT HIS RESIDENCE, THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT IT WAS ON FIRE. HE NOTICED FLAMES COMING FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS CALLED AND A REPORT WAS FILED. THE FIRE QUICKLY SPREAD…”
Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · September 5, 2008 · fire

“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…”
Complaint filed with NHTSA · Body & Structure · January 19, 2016 · crash

2003 Buick Century — common questions

Is the 2003 Buick Century reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 170 complaints put the 2003 model at #6 of 33 Century years. It is one of the Century years to avoid.

What are the most common 2003 Century problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are lighting (50 complaints), electrical system (26 complaints), brakes (17 complaints).

Does the 2003 Buick Century have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns affecting the 2003 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 2003 compare to other Century years?

What are the most common 2003 Buick Century problems?

Does the 2003 Buick Century have recalls?

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

2003 Buick Century — common questions

Is the 2003 Buick Century reliable?

What are the most common 2003 Century problems?

Does the 2003 Buick Century have recalls?

Which Buick Century years should you avoid?

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