MYRModel Year Report

2001 Buick Century

◆ Worse than typical
2001 Buick Century
RENDERED 2026-11-01T12:47:16.400Z

This year had 30% to 100% more complaints than this model's typical year.

This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.

How is this computed?

Complaints
145
Recalls
5

Campaigns on file for 2001

Investigations
0

None on file

Top problem
Engine and engine cooling

20% of complaints

Complaints per year

1981: 1 complaint 1981 1982: 3 complaints 1983: 1 complaint 1984: 8 complaints 1984 1985: 7 complaints 1986: 22 complaints 1987: 28 complaints 1987 1988: 16 complaints 1989: 41 complaints 1990: 33 complaints 1990 1991: 39 complaints 1992: 45 complaints 1993: 54 complaints 1993 1994: 117 complaints 1995: 99 complaints 1996: 80 complaints 1996 1997: 106 complaints 1998: 218 complaints 1999: 235 complaints 2000: 193 complaints 2001: 145 complaints 2001 145 2002: 154 complaints 2003: 127 complaints 2004: 39 complaints 2005: 19 complaints 2005
1981: 1 complaint 1981 1982: 3 complaints 1983: 1 complaint 1983 1984: 8 complaints 1985: 7 complaints 1985 1986: 22 complaints 1987: 28 complaints 1987 1988: 16 complaints 1989: 41 complaints 1989 1990: 33 complaints 1991: 39 complaints 1991 1992: 45 complaints 1993: 54 complaints 1993 1994: 117 complaints 1995: 99 complaints 1995 1996: 80 complaints 1997: 106 complaints 1997 1998: 218 complaints 1999: 235 complaints 1999 2000: 193 complaints 2001: 145 complaints 2001 145 2002: 154 complaints 2003: 127 complaints 2003 2004: 39 complaints 2005: 19 complaints 2005
1981: 1 complaint 1981 1982: 3 complaints 1982 1983: 1 complaint 1983 1984: 8 complaints 1984 1985: 7 complaints 1985 1986: 22 complaints 1986 1987: 28 complaints 1987 1988: 16 complaints 1988 1989: 41 complaints 1989 1990: 33 complaints 1990 1991: 39 complaints 1991 1992: 45 complaints 1992 1993: 54 complaints 1993 1994: 117 complaints 1994 1995: 99 complaints 1995 1996: 80 complaints 1996 1997: 106 complaints 1997 1998: 218 complaints 1998 1999: 235 complaints 1999 2000: 193 complaints 2000 2001: 145 complaints 2001 145 2002: 154 complaints 2002 2003: 127 complaints 2003 2004: 39 complaints 2004 2005: 19 complaints 2005

2001: 145 complaints

View as data table
YearComplaints
19800
19811
19823
19831
19848
19857
198622
198728
198816
198941
199033
199139
199245
199354
1994117
199599
199680
1997106
1998218
1999235
2000193
2001145
2002154
2003127
200439
200519

Known problem areas

Percentages can add to more than 100% — a complaint can name more than one system.

Engine and engine cooling

20% · 29 reports

Most commonly citing engine and cooling system.

Service brakes

19% · 28 reports

Most commonly citing hydraulic.

CRASHFIRE
Show complaint excerpts

I was traveling in heavy stop and go traffic traveling at about 40MPH when the vehicle in front of me stopped, I applied the brakes hard but the vehicle did not stop and I tried to sway into the shoulder but hit the vehicle in front of me.

NHTSA ODI report, 2013-09-25

Also filed under Air bags

Tl* the contact owns a 2001 buck Century. The contact stated that while traveling 25 MPH, the driver depressed the brakes and smoke started to emit from the vehicle. The contact mentioned that the vehicle failed to stop.

NHTSA ODI report, 2012-09-17

Power train

14% · 21 reports

Most commonly citing automatic transmission and gear position indication (prndl).

Vehicle speed control

13% · 19 reports

Most commonly citing cruise control and accelerator pedal.

Show complaint excerpts

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.

NHTSA ODI report, 2024-12-09

Also filed under Fuel/propulsion system

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.

NHTSA ODI report, 2018-09-22

Also filed under Steering

Electrical system

12% · 17 reports

Most commonly citing horn and instrument cluster/panel.

Safety timeline

5 recalls · 0 investigations · oldest first

To check one car, enter its VIN on the NHTSA recall page. Check a VIN →

  1. R
    2000-08-24Seat belts00V228003 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…

    Remedy: Dealers will inspect the vehicle's safety belt buckle assembly date codes and, if necessary, will replace any safety belt buckle assembly.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  2. R
    2000-11-16Air bags00V371000 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.

    Remedy: Dealers will replace the side impact air bag module.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  3. ▮
    2001Complaint volume 145 complaints filed for this model year.
  4. R
    2001-05-04Seat belts01V109000 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."…

    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…

    Check if this car was fixed →

  5. R
    2007-04-27Fuel system, other07E021000 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…

    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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  6. R
    2009-02-23Steering09E005000 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…

    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…

    Check if this car was fixed →

Buy-smart checklist

2001 Buick Century — pre-purchase inspection

Inspect

  • Engine and engine cooling: 29 reports on file for this year.
  • Service brakes: 28 reports on file for this year.
  • Power train: 21 reports on file for this year.

Verify these recalls were completed

  • Recall 00V228003 · Seat belts
  • Recall 00V371000 · Air bags
  • Recall 01V109000 · Seat belts
  • Recall 07E021000 · Fuel system, other
  • Recall 09E005000 · Steering
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

Other years of this model

See all years ranked →

Best years3 years

Worst years3 years

FAQ

Is the 2001 Buick Century reliable?
Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2001 Buick Century is rated "worse than typical".
What are the most common problems with the 2001 Buick Century?
The most-reported component is engine and engine cooling, accounting for 20% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 2001 Buick Century have?
5 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-10-31 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.