MYRModel Year Report

2003 Buick Century

● Typical for this model
2003 Buick Century
RENDERED 2026-11-01T12:47:16.581Z

This year's complaint volume is within 30% of 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
127
Recalls
2

Campaigns on file for 2003

Investigations
0

None on file

Top problem
Exterior lighting

39% 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 1999 2000: 193 complaints 2001: 145 complaints 2002: 154 complaints 2003: 127 complaints 2003 127 2004: 39 complaints 2005: 19 complaints
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 2002: 154 complaints 2003: 127 complaints 2003 127 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 2002: 154 complaints 2002 2003: 127 complaints 2003 127 2004: 39 complaints 2004 2005: 19 complaints 2005

2003: 127 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.

Exterior lighting

39% · 49 reports

Most commonly citing high/low beam dimmer switch and headlights.

Show complaint excerpts

Bright lights won't stay on.

NHTSA ODI report, 2018-11-22

Tl* the contact owns a 2003 Buick Century. While driving various speeds, the headlights suddenly shut off. The contact indicated that the failure mainly occurred while switching from low to high beam and vice versa.

NHTSA ODI report, 2018-10-16

Bright lights won't stay on and sometimes if you can get them to come on they will go out while driving. Was on a city street and turned right , they went off. Since then you can hold the bright light switch, but when you turn loose they goes off.

NHTSA ODI report, 2018-05-19

Electrical system

18% · 23 reports

Most commonly citing alternator/generator/regulator and instrument cluster/panel.

CRASH
Show complaint excerpts

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...

NHTSA ODI report, 2016-01-22

Also filed under Structure and vehicle speed control

Service brakes

13% · 16 reports

Most commonly citing hydraulic and electric.

Engine and engine cooling

10% · 13 reports

Most commonly citing engine and manifold/header/muffler/tail pipe.

FIRE

Structure

10% · 13 reports

Most commonly citing body and frame and members.

CRASH

Safety timeline

2 recalls · 0 investigations · oldest first

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

  1. 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 →

  2. 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

2003 Buick Century — pre-purchase inspection

Inspect

  • Exterior lighting: 49 reports on file for this year.
  • Electrical system: 23 reports on file for this year.
  • Service brakes: 16 reports on file for this year.

Verify these recalls were completed

  • 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 2003 Buick Century reliable?
Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2003 Buick Century is rated "typical".
What are the most common problems with the 2003 Buick Century?
The most-reported component is exterior lighting, accounting for 39% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 2003 Buick Century have?
2 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.