1997 BUICK CENTURY — Problems, Recalls & Safety Data
N/A
Safety Rating
132
Owner Complaints
4
Recalls
12
Service Bulletins
1
Investigation
Overview of the 1997 BUICK CENTURY
The 1997 BUICK CENTURY has received a total of 132 safety complaints filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). There have been 4 recall campaigns affecting this vehicle, covering issues with STEERING, FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY:PRESSURE RELIEF DEVICES, VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:LINKAGES. 12 technical service bulletins have been issued by General Motors, LLC for this model year. The most commonly reported problems involve the Electrical Systemhorn (12 complaints), Seat Beltsfrontretractor (8 complaints), and Visibilitywindshield Wiperwasher (6 complaints).
Recalls for the 1997 BUICK CENTURY
NHTSA has recorded 4 recalls for the 1997 BUICK CENTURY, potentially affecting up to 306,212 vehicles.
Recall 09E005000 — STEERING
| 979 vehicles affected
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.
View full details →Recall 07E021000 — FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY:PRESSURE RELIEF DEVICES
| 742 vehicles affected
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.
View full details →Recall 99V348000 — VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:LINKAGES
| 155,149 vehicles affected
Defect: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS MAY STOP WORKING DUE TO A SEPARATION BETWEEN THE DRIVE PIN AND CRESCENT IN THE CRANK ARM ASSEMBLY.
Consequence: DRIVER VISIBILITY COULD BE REDUCED, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THESE VEHICLES FOR THE PRESENCE OF A PLASTIC WATER DEFLECTOR AND, IF NECESSARY, REPLACE THE WIPER MOTOR CRANK ARM AND INSTALL A WATER DEFLECTOR. ON VEHICLES RECEIVING A REPLACEMENT CRANK ARM AND NEW WATER DEFLECTOR, DEALERS WILL...
View full details →Recall 98V102000 — EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS
| 149,342 vehicles affected
Defect: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE OWNER MANUALS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIREMENT INFORMATION PERTAINING TO THE VEHICLE HEADLAMP AIMING DEVICE. THIS DOES NOT COMPLY WITH REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT."
Consequence: IF THE HEADLAMP ASSEMBLIES ARE REPLACED, CUSTOMERS MAY NOT BE ABLE TO PROPERLY AIM THE HEADLIGHTS.
Remedy: OWNERS WILL BE MAILED AN OWNER MANUAL'S INSERT WHICH CONTAINS THE APPROPRIATE INFORMATION.
View full details →Owner Complaints for the 1997 BUICK CENTURY
132 complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 1997 BUICK CENTURY. Below is a breakdown by vehicle component.
Most Recent Complaints
ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE
WITHIN 43 DAYS OF PURCHASING COOPER GRAND TOURING CS5 TIRES FOR MY 1997 BUICK CENTURY, ONE DEVELOPED A LARGE SIDEWALL BULGE. THE RETAILER FORCED ME TO BUY ANOTHER NEW TIRE FOR $72. AND COOPER REFUSED TO PAY FOR IT! I HAVE BEEN DRIVING CARS FOR 40 YEARS AN NEVER HAD A NEW TIRE OR ANY TIRE DEVELOP A SIDEWALL BULGE. I HAD A SPIRITED CONVERSATION WITH A COOPER REP AND SHE GOT VERY RUDE WITH ME. THEY HAD ONE RECALL FOR THE SAME PROBLEM AND NEVER FIXED THE PROBLEM OBVIOUSLY. PLEASE HELP!
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 BUICK CENTURY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ENGINE MANIFOLD GASKET WAS DETERIORATING AND CAUSED THE ENGINE TO OVERHEAT. THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT BELIEVED THAT THE FAILURE WAS CAUSED BY THE DEX COOL ANTIFREEZE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE LOWER MANIFOLD GASKET NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 40,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. UPDATED 02/09/15*LJ
WHEN I BACKED OUT OF PARKING SPACE, I TURNED STEERING WHEEL WITH A "HARD LEFT." CAR MADE CLICKING NOISE. *TR
Safety Rating for the 1997 BUICK CENTURY
NHTSA has not yet tested the 1997 BUICK CENTURY in its New Car Assessment Program.
Technical Service Bulletins for the 1997 BUICK CENTURY
General Motors, LLC has issued 12 technical service bulletins (TSBs) for the 1997 BUICK CENTURY. TSBs are notices sent by manufacturers to their dealers describing a known issue and the recommended repair procedure.
060203 — LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES
CENTER CONSOLE AND/OR ARMREST STORAGE LID WILL NOT REMAIN CLOSED DUE TO A BROKEN LATCH. BOTH LATCHES ARE SERVICE SEPARATELY AND AVAILABLE THROUGH GM SERVICE PARTS. *TT
042202 — INTERIOR LIGHTING
A CONDITION MAY EXIST WHERE THE PRINDLE DISPLAY IS NOT LEGIBLE WHEN MOVING FORM A DARK AREA TO A LIGHTED AREA, WHEN THEVHECLE IS STARTED INSIDE A GARAGE, THE HEADLAMPS ARE TURNED ON AUTOMATICALLY AND THEN THE VEHICLE IS BACKED INTO THE SUNLIGHT. *TT
040302 — WHEELS
INFORMATION ON REFINISHING ALUMINUM WHEELS. *TT
98060898001 — EQUIPMENT:OTHER:OWNERS/SERVICE/OTHER MANUAL
SUBJECT ON HEADLAMP AIMING OWNER MANUAL INFORMATION. *YC
98738205A — VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER
CONDITION WITH WINDSHIELD WIPER ARMS/BLADES PARK AT INCORRECT LOCATION. *YC
9810014 — UNKNOWN OR OTHER
INFORMATION ON CHECK OIL LEVEL LIGHT COMING ON DRIVING UP HILL. *YC
98831110 — VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM
SOME VEHICLES MAY EXPERIENCE AN HVAC BLOWER MOTOR RUN-ON CONDITION AFTER THE IGNITION IS TURNED OFF. *YC
971101776529 — ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM
SUBJECT PERTAINING TO INSTRUMENT CLUSTER RESETS WHEN ON-BOARD HAM RADIO IS KEYED. *YC
970901738319 — UNKNOWN OR OTHER
COMMENT ON A LOOSE GLOVE BOX LIGHT SWITCH WITH A BROKEN MOUNTING AREA ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. *YC
970801738313 — STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR
INSUFFICIENT INTERFERENCE DUE TO DOOR LOCATION ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. *YC
Showing 10 of 12 technical service bulletins.
NHTSA Investigations for the 1997 BUICK CENTURY
NHTSA has opened 1 investigation into potential safety defects in the 1997 BUICK CENTURY.
Other Model Years of the BUICK CENTURY
- 1992 BUICK CENTURY — 64 complaints
- 1993 BUICK CENTURY — 71 complaints
- 1994 BUICK CENTURY — 144 complaints
- 1995 BUICK CENTURY — 127 complaints
- 1996 BUICK CENTURY — 110 complaints
- 1997 BUICK CENTURY (current)
- 1998 BUICK CENTURY — 278 complaints
- 1999 BUICK CENTURY — 287 complaints
- 2000 BUICK CENTURY — 249 complaints
- 2001 BUICK CENTURY — 190 complaints
- 2002 BUICK CENTURY — 204 complaints
Other BUICK Models
- BUICK LESABRE — 4,864 total complaints
- BUICK REGAL — 4,444 total complaints
- BUICK ENCLAVE — 3,194 total complaints
- BUICK LACROSSE — 2,882 total complaints
- BUICK PARK AVENUE — 1,880 total complaints
- BUICK RENDEZVOUS — 1,795 total complaints
- BUICK LUCERNE — 1,322 total complaints
- BUICK ENCORE — 846 total complaints