2003 BUICK CENTURY Structurebody Problems

My vehicle was receiving a PA state required annual mechanical safety inspection by an ASE certified mechanic. I was informed that the "sway bar" which stabilizes the steering system had failed, and as a critical part of the steering operation, the vehicle could not pass a PA state mechanical safety inspection. I had the "sway bar" replaced with the GM re-designed part at considerable expense to pass the PA state safety inspection. The ASE certified mechanic advised me that he had replaced many mechanical failures like mine (broken lug ends) before GM changed the design to one that could withstand the application (a solid forging as opposed to a sheet metal fabrication). I wrote to the CEO of Buick/GM (see attached letter) to request an explanation as to why a known safety defect like the "sway bar" was not recalled when it was first discovered, resulting in a re-design of...

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 CURB, THEN CRASHING UP AND OVER TWO MORE CURBS. WITH DIVINE HELP I WAS ABLE TO AVOID OTHER CARS AND STEER IT TO A STOP, THEN DRIVE GINGERLY INTO THE ORIGINAL PARKING SPACE. SINCE I WAS ORIGINALLY IN THE PROCESS OF SLOWING TO A STOP, MY RIGHT FOOT WAS ON THE BRAKE AT ALL TIMES. I HAD NEVER HEARD OF MANY AUTOMAKERS' INFAMOUS "SUDDEN UNINTENDED ACCELERATION" MANUFACTURING DEFECT AND HAD NO IDEA WHAT WAS HAPPENING AS THE CAR WENT FROM 1 OR 2 MPH TO FULL THROTTLE INSTANTLY. WITH BOTH HANDS GRASPING THE...

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 BUICK CENTURY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SHE NOTICED THAT THE ROCKER PANELS WERE COMPLATELY RUSTED. THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED FOR DIAGNOSIS AND ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THE PANELS WERE BEYOND REPAIR AND ADVISED THE CONTACT TO TRADE THE VEHICLE FOR A NEWER ONE. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN TAKEN TO THE CONTACT'S PERSONAL MECHANIC WHO ADVISED THAT THE RADIATOR MOUNTS WERE RUSTED AND ALSO ADVISED THE CONTACT TO GET RID OF THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 138,000. UPDATED 08/07/12*LJ

ONGOING LEAKS AT BOTTOM OF BOTH REAR DOORS FOR SOME YEARS DESPITE AT LEAST 3 ATTEMPTS BY DEALER TO FIX. I FINALLY RESOLVED ON MY OWN WITH PLASTIC SHEETING WHICH IS UNSIGHTLY. ALSO DISCOVERED LEAK IN TRUCK IN PAST YEAR. ANOTHER ISSUE IS POOR QUALITY OF THE 2 CONTROL KNOBS ON DASH BOARD FOR A/C, ETC. THEY HAVE EITHER BROKEN OR HAVE BEEN DIFFICULT TO TURN. *TR