Reliability & 5-year cost of ownership — 2003 Buick Century
NHTSA data on file today
The 2003 Buick Century has 2 NHTSA recall campaigns and 127 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
Most-cited components in owner complaints
- Exterior Lighting 48 complaints
- Electrical System 23 complaints
- Engine and Engine Cooling 13 complaints
- Service Brakes, Hydraulic 13 complaints
- Structure 11 complaints
- Steering 7 complaints
Of the 127 complaints on file, 4 report a crash and 2 a fire; across all 127 complaints, owners report 2 injuries (owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA).
Below average
Estimated 5-year repair + maintenance cost: $6,000–$8,500AI estimate — not from NHTSA data
The 2003 Buick Century shows below-average reliability mainly due to numerous complaints, especially concerning exterior lighting, electrical systems, and brakes. Recalls include critical parts like steering knuckles and fuel pressure regulators, indicating potential safety risks.
Most-common failures
| Part | Typical mileage (AI estimate) | Cost range (AI estimate) | Frequency |
|---|---|---|---|
| exterior lighting | 50,000–100,000 miles | $200–$350 | very common |
| electrical system | 70,000–120,000 miles | $150–$400 | common |
| service brakes | 60,000–90,000 miles | $250–$500 | common |
| engine cooling | 80,000–130,000 miles | $200–$600 | occasional |
| fuel system | 90,000–140,000 miles | $350–$700 | 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 and filter changes
- brake fluid replacement
- coolant system flush
- timing belt replacement
- spark plug replacement
- air filter changes
Warning signs to watch for
Symptoms that signal a major upcoming repair.
- flickering exterior lights
- unresponsive electrical components
- soft or unresponsive brakes
- unusual engine cooling noises
- strong fuel smell from tank
Generated by gpt-4o on from the NHTSA recall campaigns and owner-complaint counts on file for the 2003 Buick Century at the time. The rating is an AI assessment; cost and mileage figures are AI estimates, not NHTSA data.