NHTSA — Engine And Engine Cooling Problems

10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 1
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
53,266 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2002 Buick Century engine problems

engine problem

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2002 Buick Century Owner Comments

problem #14

Dec 092011

Century

  • 130,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Had service engine light coming on periodically and was loosing coolant, but could not find any leaks, was told it was probably faulty light, or leak in tank. Took car for oil change and ask to look for any leaks, found coolant in oil. Intake manifold gasket failed and had to be replaced. Was told due to coolant being dexcool and eats the gaskets.

- Germantown, WI, USA

problem #13

Dec 032010

Century

  • 86,000 miles
I have a 2002 Buick Century and have been told that the intake manifold gasket has to be replaced since GM did not issue a recall of which they should have. I am afraid I will break down in the car with no help. I am a widow who is currently unemployed and can not afford to fix the car. I have paid the car in full and just want them to fix what they screwed up. I was not even aware there was a problem until my low coolant light started coming on and I noticed there is a leak.

- Houston, TX, USA

problem #12

Jun 152010

Century

  • miles
The contact owns a 2002 Buick Century. While the vehicle was parked, the contact noticed that the vehicle was leaking anti-freeze. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer who stated that the gasket in the rear of the engine was leaking and advised the contact to monitor it. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer who stated that the head gasket needed to be replaced. The vehicle was being repaired. The VIN was unavailable. The manufacturer had not been notified. The failure mileage was unknown and the current mileage was approximately 115,000.

- Blue River, WI, USA

problem #11

Dec 312009

Century

  • 106,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

I currently have a 2002 Buick Century custom with 107000 miles on it. I had a starter catch fire cause of a large buildup of oil coming from either the head gasket or the manifold gasket. This issue needs to be addressed. Driving at high engine temperature with cause a major safety issue for anyone driving short or long distant.

- Altamonte Springs, FL, USA

problem #10

Aug 152008

Century

  • 69 miles
2002 Buick Century custom, had to replace the intake manifold gasket at 69K at a cost of over $700. Shortly thereafter, front left and right wheel bearings failed and they were repaired at a cost of $350 each. Now at 80K the head gasket is leaking coolant so badly the car cannot be used. The approximate cost of this repair is $1400. Car was purchased new, fully maintained and adult driven.

- Albany, NY, USA

problem #9

Feb 272008

Century 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 62,000 miles
Had coolant light coming on periodically and was loosing coolant, but could not find any leaks, was told it was probably faulty light, or leak in tank. Took car for oil change and ask to look for any leaks, found coolant in oil. Intake manifold gasket failed and had to be replaced. Was told due to coolant being dexcool and eats the gaskets.

- Thornville, OH, USA

problem #8

Aug 102007

Century 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 61,233 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Intake manifold gasket leak at 61,233 miles,719 dollar repair. Updated 12-12-07. The lower intake maifold gasket, thermostat were replaced as well. Updated.

- Saginaw, MN, USA

problem #7

Apr 302007

Century 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 34,000 miles
When I had an oil change at about 32,000 miles the mechanic indicated the oil was a quart low. I had the cooling system flushed at about 50,000 miles and the mechanic noted oil in the antifreeze. At 55,000 miles the car now needs a new intake manifold gasket at a cost of $800 to $900. GM faces a class action lawsuit in Canada for this same problem and many U.S. blogs indicate this is a common problem. Service stations are reporting that this failure is common and due to a design defect. The warranty expired at 36,000 miles. Because of this, Buick says it has no responsibility for this problem. In addition to the gasket problem, I had to replace the wipe blade mechanism and leaking wheel bearings. These, too, were premature problems and not due to any abuse or neglect of car maintenance. GM will not recognize a history of problems due to the fact I went to a local precision tune for maintenance. The dealership I purchased the car from moved about 45 minutes away from my home making it very inconvenient to go there for maintenance.

- Plymouth, MN, USA

problem #6

Mar 262007

Century 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 59,263 miles
The contact owns a 2002 Buick Century. The contact stated a piece of fuel injection detached and blew off the valve. The check engine light illuminated and the vehicle was taken to a mechanic. The repair cost $1,200. The technician stated that he had never seen anything like this and it should not have happened to her vehicle. The contact has not notified an authorized dealer or the manufacturer. The current and failure mileages were 59,263. Updated 02/01/08.

- Timberlake, OH, USA

problem #5

Jan 302007

Century 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 45,000 miles
- the contact stated that after starting the 2002 Buick Century the coolant light came on, after driving a couple of miles the light went off. The contact took the vehicle to the garage which performed a pressure test and found a hole in the manifold. The failure could result in a fire. The vehicle has been repaired. The lower intake gasket manifold was leaking coolant. Updated 02/22/07.

- Salem, MA, USA

problem #4

Oct 012006

Century 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 64,280 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Lower intake gasket leaking coolant heavily. Hopefully caught problem in time. $900 repair. This is a known GM problem that they will not address! this car should be recalled, or GM should provide help with repair costs!.

- Madison, WI, USA

problem #3

Jul 142006

Century 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 47,372 miles
Intake gasket failure, oil in the radiator.

- Winona, MN, USA

problem #2

Nov 252005

Century 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 47,600 miles
Oil/coolant leak from defective manifold gasket on 2002 Buick Century special.

- Romeoville, IL, USA

problem #1

Aug 162002

Century

  • 2,900 miles
Vehicle shakes very violently. Consumer believes its an engine problem.

- Coon Rapids, MN, USA

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