Reliability & 5-year cost of ownership — 2001 Buick Century
NHTSA data on file today
The 2001 Buick Century has 5 NHTSA recall campaigns and 145 owner complaints on file as of . Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.
Recall campaigns on file
- NHTSA #09E005000 STEERING KNUCKLE BREAKING/LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #07E021000 AFTERMARKET FUEL PRESSURE REGULATORS NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #01V109000 GM/SUNVISOR AIR BAG LABEL NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #00V371000 GM/SIDE IMPACT AIR BAG MODULE NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #00V228003 GM/FMVSS 209/TRW SEAT BELT BUCKLES NHTSA notice
Most-cited components in owner complaints
- Engine and Engine Cooling 27 complaints
- Service Brakes, Hydraulic 22 complaints
- Power Train 21 complaints
- Vehicle Speed Control 19 complaints
- Electrical System 17 complaints
- Visibility 15 complaints
Of the 145 complaints on file, 9 report a crash and 2 a fire; across all 145 complaints, owners report 5 injuries (owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA).
Below average
Estimated 5-year repair + maintenance cost: $5,000–$8,000AI estimate — not from NHTSA data
The 2001 Buick Century faces reliability concerns, mainly due to frequent complaints about engine cooling, brakes, and powertrain. Recalls highlight issues with steering and airbag deployment. These problems point to potential safety risks and costly repairs, influencing a below-average rating.
Most-common failures
| Part | Typical mileage (AI estimate) | Cost range (AI estimate) | Frequency |
|---|---|---|---|
| engine cooling | 60,000–90,000 miles | $600–$1,200 | very common |
| service brakes | 50,000–80,000 miles | $300–$800 | common |
| powertrain | 70,000–100,000 miles | $1,000–$2,000 | common |
| electrical system | 60,000–90,000 miles | $200–$600 | occasional |
| steering system | 50,000–80,000 miles | $500–$1,000 | occasional |
AI estimate — not from NHTSA data: the mileage bands and repair-cost ranges above. Get a written repair quote before you budget.
Scheduled maintenance to budget
Routine items every owner should plan for.
- Oil change every 7,500 miles
- Brake fluid every 2 years
- Coolant flush every 60,000 miles
- Transmission service every 60,000 miles
- Inspect timing belt every 60,000 miles
Warning signs to watch for
Symptoms that signal a major upcoming repair.
- Overheating engine
- Brake pedal vibration
- Delayed transmission shifts
- Dim or flickering lights
- Steering wheel vibration
Generated by gpt-4o on from the NHTSA recall campaigns and owner-complaint counts on file for the 2001 Buick Century at the time. The rating is an AI assessment; cost and mileage figures are AI estimates, not NHTSA data.