CarRecallDB

2001 Buick Century recalls and problems

3 recalls and 145 owner complaints on file with NHTSA for the 2001 Buick Century.

3
recalls
145
owner complaints
9
complaints mentioning a crash
2
mentioning a fire

Recalls apply to specific production ranges. To see whether a particular car still has an open recall, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Repairs for safety recalls are free at authorised dealers.

2001 Buick Century recalls

Seat belts

NHTSA campaign 01V109000 · reported April 6, 2001 · GENERAL MOTORS CORP. · 116,007 vehicles potentially affected

The problem
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.
The risk
These vehicles do not comply with the standard.
The fix
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.

Air bags: side/window

NHTSA campaign 00V371000 · reported November 13, 2000 · GENERAL MOTORS CORP. · 12 vehicles potentially affected

The problem
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.
The risk
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.
The fix
Dealers will replace the side impact air bag module.

Seat belts

NHTSA campaign 00V228003 · reported August 7, 2000 · GENERAL MOTORS CORP. · 156,305 vehicles potentially affected

The problem
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."
The risk
In the event of a vehicle crash, the occupant may not be properly restrained.
The fix
Dealers will inspect the vehicle's safety belt buckle assembly date codes and, if necessary, will replace any safety belt buckle assembly.

Most reported problems

Areas named in owner complaints to NHTSA. One complaint can name several areas.

What owners report

Recent complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. These are unverified accounts from owners, not findings.

Dec 9, 2024 · Fuel/propulsion system

When I have cruise control on but not in use at that moment the car will engage cruise on its own. It does this at a high rate of acceleration with no Rhyme or Reason as to why. I have to be quick to get it to stop because of the high rate of speed. I do not use the cruise control anymore on my vehicle because of…

Sep 22, 2018 · Vehicle speed control · 54,000 miles

STEERING LOCKED WHILE DRIVING ON HIGHWAY. CAR WOULD SPEED UP ON ITS OWN WITHOUT TOUCHING THE GAS PEDDLE. THIS OCCURRED AS SOON AS THE CAR WAS TAKEN OUT OF PARK.

Jun 25, 2017 · Engine · 111,601 miles

5/15/2017, $1,197.66 REPAIR FOR INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET. ON OCTOBER 23, 2008, THE CALIFORNIA SUPERIOR COURT GRANTED FINAL APPROVAL TO THE CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT, BUT NOTHING IS AVAILABLE TO THOSE OF USE THAT DID NOT HAVE A PROBLEM UNTIL AFTER THAT SUIT. HTTPS://WWW.GIRARDGIBBS.COM/DEXCOOL/

May 22, 2017 · Vehicle speed control · 110,000 miles

FOR ALMOST THE ENTIRE TIME OF 16 YEARS OF OWNING THIS CAR, THE SET CRUISE CONTROL OFTEN TIMES SPEEDS UNCONTROLLABLY. HAVE REPLACED THE MODULE TWICE BUT CONTINUES TO HAPPEN. LOCAL BUICK DEALER TELLS ME THEY HAVE NOT HEARD OF THIS BEFORE. I FIRMLY BELIEVE THEY ARE UNTRUTHFUL.

Sep 18, 2015 · Vehicle speed control · 55,400 miles

TURNED ON SPEED CONTROL WHILE DRIVING ON INTERSTATE, PRESSED SET BUTTON TO SET THE SPEED. THE CRUISE INDICATOR LIGHT CAME ON. THE CAR ACCELERATED ON ITS OWN. MY SPEED WENT FROM 65 MPH TO 80 MPH IN A FEW SECONDS. I DEPRESSED THE SET BUTTON AGAIN TO DECELERATE, BUT WHEN I RELEASED THE SET BUTTON, THE CAR IMMEDIATELY…

Century model years compared

YearRecallsComplaintsCrashesFires
2000 5193111
2001 314592
2002 015494
2003 012742
2004 03940

Across all years, the 2000 Century has the most complaints (193). All Buick Century years →

Questions

Does the 2001 Buick Century have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists 3 recalls for the 2001 Buick Century, the most recent reported on April 6, 2001 (Seat belts). Check a specific car by its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What are the most common problems with the 2001 Buick Century?
Owners have filed 145 complaints with NHTSA. The most frequently reported area is engine and engine cooling (27 complaints), followed by service brakes, hydraulic (22).
How many 2001 Buick Century complaints mention a crash or fire?
9 of 145 complaints report a crash and 2 a fire; 5 injuries were reported in total. Complaints are unverified reports from owners.

Source: NHTSA recall and complaint data, updated October 27, 2026. Latest complaint received December 9, 2024.