NHTSA lists 7 safety recalls and 205 owner complaints for the 2000 Buick Century. Most complaints involve power train (47) and visibility (31). The EPA rates it 21 mpg combined.
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.
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.
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, EQUIPPED WITH SUNVISOR LOCATED AIR BAG LABELS, FAIL TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLES SAFETY STANDARD NO. 208, "OCCUPANT CRASH PROTECTION." THESE VEHICLES HAVE A MESSAGE AREA LESS THAN 30 CM WHICH DOES NOT MEET THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE STANDARD.
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.
“DEFECTIVE ODOMETER READINGS, GEAR INDICATORS DISAPPEARED. THE ODOMETER READING DISAPPEARED, AND THE GEAR INDICATOR DISAPPEARED ON INSTRUMENT CLUSTER. I HAVE NO WAY TO READ MY ODOMETER, NOR DO I KNOW WHAT GEAR I AM IN, PRND21. NOW I CAN ACCIDENTLY BE IN REVERSE AND NOT EVEN KNOW IT. THIS IS AN EXTREMELY DANGEROUS SITUATION, AND THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL ON THIS. MECHANIC CHARGES $100.00 TO FIX, AND ALSO STATES THEY CAN INSERT ANY ODOMETER READING THAT I WOULD LIKE TO HAVE. THIS SHOULD BE ILLEGAL. I NO LONGER HAVE A VALID ODOMETER READING FOR MY YEARLY INSPECTIONS, OR IF I WERE TO SELL MY VEHICLE. I COULD DRIVE IN 1ST GEAR AND BURN UP MY TRANSMISSION AND SHUT DOWN IN THE MIDDLE OF THE INTERSTATE AND CAUSE A SERIOUS ACCIDENT OR BE RUN OVER FOR DEAD STOPPED ON ROADS. MY INSTRUMENT PANEL HAS NOT HAD AN ACCURATE FUEL GUAGE READING IN YEARS, IT COMES AND GOES. I HAVE BEEN ABLE TO FIGURE OUT GAS USAGE BY MILEAGE, NOW THAT IS NO LONGER POSSIBLE. I MUST FILL UP WEEKLY JUST SO I KNOW I WONT RUN OUT OF GAS. THE CAR ONLY HAS 55,000 ORIGINAL MILES ON IT. THIS IS JUST NOT RIGHT. I EXTREMELY UPSET ABOUT THIS AND DONT KNOW HOW TO GET IT FIXED PROPERLY AND COVERED FROM THE…”
“2000 BUICK CENTURY. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO VEHICLE WINDOW MOTOR/ REGULATOR REPAIRS. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED THE WINDOW REGULATOR WAS REPLACED THREE TIMES. *JB”
“2000 BUICK CENTURY. CONSUMER STATES PROBLEMS WITH ABS CONTROL MODULE BRAKING SYSTEM *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED A RECALL WAS ISSUED FOR THE 1999 MODEL FOR THE EXACT PROBLEM. ON OCTOBER 23,2007, THE ABS LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL MECHANIC AND A TROUBLE CODE OF C1218 APPEARED. THE ELECTRONIC BRAKE CONTROL MODULE WAS REPLACED AND THE HYDRAULIC BRAKING SYSTEM WAS PURGED AND FLUSHED AND THE CODE WAS CLEARED. THE ABS LIGHT ILLUMINATED AGAIN IN DECEMBER 2007 INTERMITTENTLY, AT THAT TIME A CODE CAME UP AS B0041. THE ABS COMPUTER MODULE WAS REPLACED AND THE HYDRAULIC BRAKING SYSTEM WAS PURGED AND FLUSHED AGAIN. IN JULY 2010, THE LIGHT ILLUMINATED AGAIN, BUT INTERMITTENTLY AND AS OF AUGUST 2011, IT IS ON ALL THE TIME. THE MECHANIC RECEIVED A CODE OF C1218 AGAIN. *JB”
Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.
| Version | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel / yr | CO₂ g/mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Century Auto 4-spd, 6 cyl, 3.1 L · Front-Wheel Drive | 18 | 27 | 21 | $3,050 | 423 |
| Item | Miles | Time | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine oil & filter | 5,000–10,000 mi | 6–12 months | Follow the oil-life monitor if fitted |
| Tire rotation | 5,000–7,500 mi | Every oil change | Check pressure monthly |
| Engine air filter | 15,000–30,000 mi | 1–2 years | Sooner in dusty areas |
| Cabin air filter | 15,000–25,000 mi | 1–2 years | |
| Brake fluid | — | 2–3 years | Absorbs moisture over time |
| Coolant | 60,000–100,000 mi | 5–10 years | Long-life coolants last longer |
| Spark plugs | 60,000–100,000 mi | — | Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end |
| 12V battery | — | 3–5 years | Heat shortens battery life |
7 safety recalls as of Oct 30, 2026, according to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at a dealer. Check your VIN to see whether your car is included and whether the repair was done.
Owners filed 205 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are power train (47), visibility (31), service brakes, hydraulic (29). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.
The EPA rates the 2000 Buick Century at 21 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (1 version rated).